"Cocytus -Ballerina Under the Moonlight" Episode 1

"Cocytus. A river in the underworld of Greek mythology. A frozen hell that spares no traitors."

Shunka came to Italy on the instruction of her boss, Art Director Ayaka Ohara.

"One of our clients is holding a Dante's Divine Comedy exhibition. We need to acquire some artworks for that. Can you go to Italy?"

It all started with that non-negotiable statement.

"Am I going alone?"

She had traveled abroad several times as a supporter for Ayaka. However, her role had always been as a helper, handling tasks like hotel bookings and interpretation. She never expected to choose and purchase artworks on her own.

"Every piece you think is good has been well-received by our clients. You have a good aesthetic sense, especially since you've danced ballet. And being too knowledgeable can lead to a disconnect with general customers; sometimes, it's better to be a bit uninformed. Plus, you can speak Italian, right? You can manage without a translator."

"But I don’t know much about Dante's Divine Comedy."

"It's not that complicated; it's a tour of hell. There are similar stories in rakugo, right?"

"…Ah, yes, there are."

Once she mentioned a "tour of hell," Shunka understood quickly. The punishments depicted—like having one's tongue cut out for lying or being told to hug a burning pillar—were all gruesome. However, in the context of rakugo, the deceased characters could move on freely if they hadn't committed sins, and there are scenes where everyone acts out the "Chūshingura," a famous story.

"The difference from rakugo or Buddhism is that the protagonist, Dante, is saved by his first love, which adds a somewhat romantic ending. If we emphasize this, we might attract female guests and couples looking for a date spot."

"So, not something too hellish..."

"Choose beautiful pieces with a sense of salvation."

With a charming smile that belied her experience as a woman over 40, Ayaka said, "I trust you."

She was a walking piece of art herself. Dressed in a black pantsuit, she adorned herself with gold necklaces and bracelets, each tasteful and not at all gaudy. Her bare feet were in sleek black pointed-toe pumps—quite narrow pin heels!—and her straightened back exuded an impressive presence despite her slender figure.

What was most surprising was that, despite her striking appearance, she had a playful personality.

Shunka quickly prepared for her sudden business trip to Italy.

Indeed, she had lived in Italy for about three years. She had been part of a ballet company during that time.

Ayaka had mentioned showing the artworks remotely that she planned to purchase. Though she could hardly believe it, perhaps Ayaka was trying to save on interpretation costs… but even so, Shunka had no objections.

She had built a decent career as an art buyer. While she had always liked paintings, her interest had grown as she encountered various artworks through her job.

Moreover, seeing the joyful faces of clients turned out to be more rewarding than she had anticipated.

Thus, in early May, Shunka once again set foot on Italian soil.

Shunka's stay was in the old western town of Monte Luce, known for its auction house and gathering place for aspiring artists.

Surrounded by steep mountains, there stood the "Rocca di Luce," an ancient castle that was more rugged than romantic. This castle, evoking a sense of empty hope as the "Fortress of Light," overlooked the town below with a feeling of isolation, as if it had been left behind by the passage of time.

The town, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, featured white walls that reflected the light beautifully, though the sunset disappeared quickly. As night enveloped the town, the sound of crashing waves added to the nostalgic atmosphere.

It was also a place where core tourists, art buyers, and artists secretly gathered, drawn by the casinos and auctions. Among them, the casino bar "Il Santo della Forza" was particularly bustling. Tourists sometimes visited alone, quietly enjoying the ambiance.

Given that she was traveling alone, Shunka had carefully chosen a safe accommodation: the apartment hotel "Hotel Paradiso," located close to the sea.

The name "Paradiso" conjures images of a carefree world, but the Hotel Paradiso, with its white exterior, felt more like a quiet retreat than a festive getaway. The fragrant blooms of double gardenias, which seemed to have blossomed a bit early in May, welcomed Shunka warmly.

Gardenias were her favorite flowers; she even represented them in silver on her business card.

At the reception was a distinguished older gentleman with romantic gray hair, the hotel manager. He wore a fitted vest with a silver scarf in his breast pocket, and upon confirming Shunka's reservation, he said, "Have you heard of Il Santo della Forza? It's a casino bar, but a businesswoman like you, or an uninformed tourist, should stay away. It's run by the Clan Gelo..."

"Clan Gelo?"

The name, meaning "Ice Clan," was unfamiliar to her. It was no surprise she didn’t know, as those involved in the underworld wouldn’t openly advertise themselves.

"It's the mafia. The boss, Augusto, reportedly rose to power by using ice to kill another clan's boss... and over time, his clan began to be called Gelo. When you mention casinos, people come from all over the world. But behind that glamorous world, there's usually something shady."

"It sounds like something out of a movie."

"There's a family called the yakuza in Japan, right? Maybe it’s all quite similar everywhere. Now, let me show you to your room."

The manager took Shunka's luggage and led her to the third floor.

It was the room at the far end. At this time of year, it seemed there weren't many guests, and they didn't pass anyone in the hallway. During the tourist season, it would be busier.

The corridor featured white walls with mahogany wainscoting, adorned with paintings and artworks that made the hotel feel like an art museum.

Her room was opened.

It had ivory walls with dark wood wainscoting, similar to the corridor, but with a slightly different design.

"Are the other rooms different too?"

"Yes, they’re slightly varied. We try not to disrupt the overall atmosphere. Do you like it?"

"Yes, very much."

The manager unlocked the door to the balcony, allowing the wind to flow into the room.

The linen curtains billowed gently, bringing the scent of the sea inside.

"If you have any valuable items that won't fit, we can store them in our warehouse. You can buy plenty of souvenirs without worry."

That was a welcome offer.

Artworks can be large, and if there are three-dimensional pieces, the room could easily become cluttered.

"Thank you very much. I’ll probably need your help."

"Here’s your key."

He handed her an antique key adorned with a pink ribbon.

"I look forward to staying for a month."

As soon as she was alone in the room, Shunka lay down on the bed.

The bed frame was a matte gold, and the cream-colored sheets were elegant, appealing to feminine tastes. The one-seater sofa matched, being white leather with a golden frame.

There was also a sizable locked cabinet, providing excellent security.

Moreover, it smelled wonderful.

As Shunka looked around the room, she noticed that the now-unused fireplace had been turned into a decorative shelf, adorned with double gardenias.

The white petals were neatly arranged like those of a rose but were softer and had a strong impression of fresh white.

These sweetly fragrant flowers filled the room with their scent.

The time was 9 PM. In Japan, it was probably 4 PM. Shunka quickly informed Ayaka of her arrival.

"It seems you arrived without any issues. That’s great!"

"The auction is the day after tomorrow."

"Have you decided what you want to buy?"

"I was looking through the materials and have a few pieces that interest me."

Shunka sent Ayaka the image files attached to her email.

First was a painting of Dante himself, followed by a majestic depiction of the entire Paradiso.

"These will likely be popular," Ayaka commented.

"And there’s one more..."

"The last one?"

After a brief pause, Ayaka murmured, "Hmm."

"That's a rare piece."

"Yes. It depicts Beatrice, but at first glance, it doesn’t seem related to Dante's Divine Comedy... so I was unsure."

The portrait was painted using gold leaf, giving it an overall radiant appearance. Beatrice was depicted with an angelic or goddess-like aura, making it look almost mythological.

If it were in Japan, it would be akin to a powerful and vibrant portrayal of Amaterasu.

"I’ve never seen it either. Is it a new artist's work?"

"No, it seems it was discovered about sixty years ago and had been sleeping in a private collection until then. The dealer found it during an estate recovery."

"There are many masterpieces that haven’t been brought to the public eye... Such rare items add value to an exhibition. It sounds fascinating; I think it’s a good choice!"

"Yes!"

In fact, Shunka had fallen in love with this painting at first sight.

"Let me know if you find anything else."

"Understood."

As her conversation with Ayaka ended, she received a message from Francesca, the local coordinator.

"Hello, Shunka. I have something I’d like to show you, and it’s a bit sudden. Would you like to have lunch?"

Francesca was an Italian woman with curly black hair and striking facial features.

She wore a light coat and a blue floral scarf, and her presence matched the atmosphere of the photos sent via email. Waiting for Shunka in a café, she greeted her with a smile.

"Nice to meet you. I thought it was a bit early for work, but…"

"Thanks for bringing me out; I just arrived and am still feeling excited. I want to adjust to the time difference."

"That’s a relief to hear. I heard you were with a ballet company. My boss wants to hear your opinion about this."

Francesca handed her a ticket.

It was for a modern ballet performance based on Dante's Divine Comedy.

"Dante..."

"Yes, I thought it would be perfect. The ballet company would love your feedback. Please! Our company wants to build connections."

Shunka glanced at the ticket, feeling a twinge of pain in her left leg.

Shunka had participated in the Lausanne Competition when she was 18.

She was scouted by an Italian ballet company and spent about three years on stage.

Those days were filled with a heart-wrenching intensity. It wasn’t the ballet company’s fault; the glamour felt like a different world to her at that time.

The sound of a motorcycle starting made her catch her breath, and she looked up to see Francesca's sparkling eyes.

"Are you tired?"

When Francesca asked her that, Shunka felt weak.

She realized she was still underprepared regarding Dante. It would be good to at least know the basics.

Besides, this was work-related. Francesca had gone out of her way to invite her, so refusing wouldn’t be wise.

"…Yeah. It might be nice to see ballet again after a long time."

"Really! Thank you, Shunka. I’d love to hear your thoughts. We were discussing how, if Japanese tourists come, we could take them to see a night performance."

"I’m not sure how much help I can be, though..."

Francesca took Shunka's hand as she tried to lower it.

"This is tomorrow's ticket, and I apologize for the short notice. You don’t need a dress; a nice dress and heels suitable for the hotel lounge will be fine."

"…Okay, I understand."

Bright lights dazzled her.

Following the choreography, she raised her hands and opened her fingers like a flower, extending her arms.

She dropped her body from the chest, bending her back gently and lifting her legs—then the sound of a motorcycle tire.

The jarring screech of brakes.

The unpleasant smell of burnt rubber filled the air, and her vision lost its gravity.

A sharp pain shot through her left leg.

Holding her breath until her throat stung, she opened her eyes to find herself in a foreign room with navy curtains swaying gently.

Shunka pressed her forehead and tried to catch her breath.

(It’s been a while since I’ve seen this...)

It was the nightmare she hadn’t experienced for years... no, it was a dream that recreated the moment of the accident.

She rubbed her left leg, which had long since healed, and opened the modern ballet pamphlet to find the lead's face.

Lorenzo, the principal dancer, was a renowned ballet performer in Italy.

He had once performed classical ballet but had broadened his repertoire in recent years to include everything from lighthearted comedy to mythological themes, aiming to make performances accessible to a larger audience.

Though they weren’t acquaintances, she knew of him.

He was a living genius.

But she also knew that behind the glamour of ballet lay a relentless effort that was almost painfully demanding.

As the appointed time approached, Shunka chose a wine-red dress that Francesca had suggested would be suitable for the hotel.

With May nights still chilly, she grabbed a shawl and hopped into a taxi.

The theater was on a hill, and as she got out of the taxi, the first thing she saw was a poster featuring Lorenzo as Dante.

The deep navy background evoked images of hell, gradually transitioning to a radiant white and gold.

Dante was reaching out to Beatrice, depicted above him.

This was also a form of art. Shunka noted to ask if she could get a poster.

Eventually, Francesca appeared and rushed over to greet her.

"I'm so glad you came! Actually, Lorenzo wants to meet you. He said he’d like to hear your opinion, but later would be better."

"Lorenzo wants to meet me?"

"Yes! Come on."

She never imagined that he would personally seek her opinion. He was on a much higher level than she was—it felt presumptuous to offer any feedback.

Though Shunka thought this, the stage began before she knew it.

"Dante, troubled, gets lost in a dark forest. There, he finds himself in Hell and is guided by a wise man named Virgil," Ayaka explained.

Although Shunka was excited about the Dante exhibition, she had to ask for clarification since she didn’t know the details. Before leaving Japan, Ayaka had briefly summarized it for her.

"It's about the punishments for sins. This part is a tour through Hell. While observing the sinners, Virgil imparts wisdom to Dante. Virgil is a revered Roman sage to Dante."

"So, he wasn't a Christian, then."

"Exactly. That’s how it is."

Pagans are tormented in the fires of Hell. While there are various opinions about this idea, one must at least hold a respect for the art involved. However, both women seemed less interested in that aspect.

Though it is often said that Japan has no religion, it is more accurate to say that people are open-minded about religion.

"So, Virgil, a pagan, explains this and guides Dante?"

"Yes, indeed. Dante possesses such wonderful values. To revere a respected figure even if he’s not a Christian is remarkable."

"Does this mean that the people who accepted this story at the time respected exceptional individuals, regardless of their pagan background?"

"That would be nice. And if that respect still exists today, I’d love to promote that."

As Ayaka explained, Dante journeyed under Virgil's guidance. Lorenzo, with his toned body, expressed agony and gradually regained his vitality through Virgil's support.

Shunka felt a cold pain in her left leg and instinctively clenched her teeth.

The heavy sound, infused with dissonance, compelled her toes to tap along to the rhythm.

(He’s incredible. Not just his expressiveness but also his passion for expressing through ballet.)

Offering opinions felt presumptuous.

She sighed to release the tension in her chest, slouching slightly to relax.

Dante and Virgil crossed the frozen wasteland and eventually reached Heaven.

Beatrice awaited Dante.

The petite ballerina danced around him in a costume layered with a gown of light, taking his hand as Dante hesitated one last time.

The sound of bells and lighting effects filled the air.

Finally, the two entered Paradiso, and the curtain fell—amidst applause and cheers.

It was a flawless performance.

Though it seemed Lorenzo wanted to meet Shunka, unfortunately, the crowd surged in, making it impossible.

Instead, Francesca bombarded Shunka with questions.

How did it feel from the audience’s perspective as a professional ballerina?

As an art professional, what were her thoughts?

Were there any points for improvement?

Shunka answered each question thoughtfully.

During the turns, she felt the costumes were light; for Hell, something a bit heavier might have been more appropriate... but the dancing was flawless. There was nothing to criticize.

Summarizing her feedback, Francesca headed toward Lorenzo's dressing room.

Shunka was left alone.

Surrounded by conversations in Italian, she was the only Japanese person there.

Though she had heard that this town was not a major tourist spot, she saw a few foreigners here and there. Despite the richness of international exchanges, it still seemed rare to see Asians coming to the theater.

In Japan, it’s rare to have a day without seeing foreigners on the streets.

She felt a few male gazes on her, perhaps because she was quite a rarity here.

As she pondered this, a tall man with a gentle smile caught her attention.

"Buona sera. I have a question for you."

Unexpectedly, he spoke fluent Japanese.

His warm smile captivated her, but even more striking were his elongated amber eyes.

His gaze was sharp, holding a strength that didn’t allow for any distraction or even a slight movement. Yet, there was a delicate quality to it, a depth that compelled one to look closer.

He had a classically handsome face, slightly tanned skin, and his chestnut hair was slicked back. With a muscular build that evoked the image of a lone wolf, he was nonetheless a gentleman who wore a dress shirt well. This contrast created a unique charm.

His features hinted at an exotic mix—perhaps an Asian descent in a Western man?

"What is it?"

"Are you doing that on purpose?"

His voice was low, smooth, and resonant, as if it carried warmth throughout her body—

She lay down on the bed and took out a business card.

Nathan Blackmore.

It was definitely written there.

As she traced his name with her fingertips, a tingling sensation spread around her chest.

He was a charming man—smart and, to be frank, attractive, without any hint of sleaziness.

(Was that flirting?)

Yet, she didn’t feel any ulterior motives. No, was flirting really like that?

This was a realm Shunka was not familiar with, as she was quite naive in matters of romance.

The time was 10 PM.

In Japan, it was 3 PM.

It wouldn’t be an inconvenience to contact him now.

Shunka found herself instinctively messaging a friend.

In response, her friend suggested they chat on Zoom since she was free. Shunka quickly powered up her laptop.

"Hey, Shunka! I heard you’re in Italy? That’s amazing, a huge opportunity!"

"Izumi! I missed you!"

Seeing her friend on the screen made all of Shunka's tension melt away.

Izumi had been Shunka’s friend since their school days. Now married and settled down, she used to be quite the party girl back then.

"How is Italy? Is the food delicious?"

"I haven’t had the chance to explore yet. I’ve been talking with work-related people."

"Really? I’ve never done that kind of work. Don’t you get nervous talking to people from overseas?"

"When you meet them, you realize they’re surprisingly just like everyone else. They’re quite easy to talk to."

"That’s great! By the way, I’m expecting souvenirs."

"Already thinking about that? I’ll look for something I can give to the baby too."

Izumi was pregnant. Her due date was still a bit away, but she was often stuck at home because of it.

"How are you doing, Izumi?"

"I’m fine, really. I can go outside if I want to. But my husband worries too much."

"He's a good husband."

"Is he? Isn’t he being overprotective? I’m already worried about how he’ll act when the baby arrives. But enough about me. How about you? Have you had any encounters that made you crave gelato?"

"Gelato?"

"Roman Holiday! Don’t you know it?"

A classic film, but Shunka hadn’t heard of it.

"Well, this isn’t Rome..."

"No, no! In Italy, you have to try gelato at the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Mouth of Truth!"

"Oh, Audrey. That sounds like an interesting movie."

"Right? You meet a handsome guy who shows you around."

Thinking of "handsome," Shunka suddenly remembered.

"Hey, what do you think about flirting?"

"Huh?"

"What’s considered flirting, anyway?"

"It’s usually for sex, right? Why do you ask?"

Izumi stated this matter-of-factly.

"Sex, huh..."

"Did someone flirt with you?"

"I was approached by a stranger, we talked, and exchanged contact information. Should I be suspicious?"

As Shunka said this, Izumi grinned.

"What was he like?"

"What kind of... oh, well, he looks like an actor from that zombie drama."

"Is it a Japanese one?"

"No, it’s overseas. The character’s name is Cyril."

Izumi pulled out her smartphone. It seemed she was searching for it, and when she found it, she raised her lips like a cat.

"He’s not just handsome; he looks manly. Definitely wild. How old is he?"

"Probably in his 30s... I think he’s older. He also seemed quite smart. He said he’s a consultant, and he looked great in a dress shirt."

"Sounds like a good impression? Wow. Rare for Shunka to be interested in a guy..."

"What do you think I should do?"

"If you want to get in touch, just do it."

Izumi was direct. As expected of a love hunter, she wouldn’t let her prey escape.

"Just make sure he’s not some idiot who wants to jump into bed right away; take your time to figure him out."

"Izumi... could you choose your words a bit more carefully?"

As he was a consultant, it was possible that this was part of his networking for work.

However, he had gone out of his way to write his personal contact information by hand on the back of the business card. Well, consultants sometimes do such things for effect.

Shunka pondered these thoughts as she made her way to the auction.

In the tense atmosphere, buyers, agents, and individual clients were first examining the works being offered.

Shunka focused on three pieces, just as she had discussed with Ayaka.

Both Dante and Paradiso were suitable for the exhibition.

As expected, the guests paused, quickly consulting with their companions or checking their smartphones.

Shunka continued to look at the artworks while discussing them with Ayaka.

Eventually, the announcement for the start of the auction was made, and attendees were asked to take their seats.

Shunka sat in her designated spot, facing the front.

The works were presented according to the host’s direction.

The sharp voices of the bidders and the sounds indicating bids filled the room.

The amounts being thrown around were staggering.

As anticipated, the price for the Dante painting soared higher and higher.

Shunka raised her hand numerous times, but the quiet venue was charged with an intensity that felt like it could swallow her if she let her guard down.

The highest bid was announced again, and some guests sighed and slumped back into their chairs.

On the other end of her smartphone, Ayaka said, "We can't go any higher than this."

The bidding was decided.

It went to an Italian tycoon.

Next was Paradiso, which also concluded fairly quickly.

It was purchased by an Italian museum.

Finally, Beatrice, painted with gold leaf, made her appearance.

This was no ordinary gold; it had dull hues and intricate textures that revealed shadows depending on the light.

Beatrice's captivating eyes easily ensnared Shunka’s gaze.

"Then let’s begin."

At that moment, Shunka raised her hand.

"Don’t send the things I bought right away; I want to take my time to look at them first," Ayaka said, so Shunka arranged for them to be sent to the Hôtel Paradiso.

"There are also cameos available. Not through the auction, but from private collections; they can be lent out."

"That sounds wonderful. The poster you sent was great too. Did you manage to get it?"

"Yes. They recorded the stage footage on Blu-ray, so I’ll ask for that as well."

"Great. Sometimes it’s nice to have something to sit back and watch. Thanks for today. It’s a shame about Dante and Paradiso, but I’m satisfied with what we did find."

"So, you’re not ‘very’ satisfied?"

"Well, you know. But it depends on how you present things."

Ayaka must have had many exhibition ideas swirling in her mind.

She had mentioned that this part was where her skills as a director came into play; it was a pressured but enjoyable task.

When the call ended, Shunka realized her heart was racing.

Thinking back, it was her first time participating in an auction. Although she missed out on two pieces, she successfully acquired Beatrice.

Her spirits were quite high.

The sun was still setting, and her stomach growled since she had skipped lunch.

Not knowing where to eat around here, Shunka figured there would be a map at the reception, so she headed to the lobby.

On the way, her phone rang.

The number was unfamiliar… no, wait. It was a number she had seen recently.

Taking out the business card, she confirmed it was indeed his, and her heart began to race like a drum.

What should I do—her fingers trembled as they reached for the button, accidentally hitting the handrail she hadn’t expected to find on the landing, causing her to press the answer button.

"Ah!"

She must have let out a rather silly sound. Shunka hurriedly cleared her throat.

"Uh, hello!"

Her voice came out high-pitched.

Through the electronic connection, she heard him chuckle lightly.

"Hello. Was this a bad time?"

"No, um, is there something you need?"

"I thought we could grab a coffee together, if you’d like. My treat."

At that moment, Shunka’s stomach let out a loud growl.

"Actually, I skipped lunch," she found herself making excuses. It was embarrassing to have a stranger hear her stomach growl.

"Did something happen?"

"I participated in an auction and ended up winning a bid, so..."

"You got excited, and that made you forget?"

"Yes..."

"Let’s skip the formalities. I do the same."

Nathan guided her to a restaurant where they could have light snacks.

Unlike his previous dress shirt, he wore a casual linen T-shirt. His jeans were faded, giving him a fresh look for early summer.

Moreover, he carried himself well, standing tall and confident, with no signs of sloppiness.

"With that suit, you definitely look like a businesswoman."

Shunka was in a matte black pantsuit. The silk shirt underneath was her go-to outfit, her best piece. She had chosen it to stand out among her peers.

"You seem formidable."

"Do you have businesswomen among your clients?"

"Yes. They're sophisticated and self-assured."

"That sounds wonderful; I wish I had that kind of confidence."

"You seem to have it."

"Nathan... well, it’s a bit difficult to call you by your first name."

"Isn’t calling me ‘Mr. Nathan’ even more difficult?"

"That’s true..."

She couldn't help but laugh.

As she cut into a pizza shaped like an omelet, steam rose up, and the aroma of the meat sauce filled the air.

"Oh, that looks delicious. I actually knew nothing about this area."

As she took a bite, the meat sauce had a surprisingly light flavor, reminiscent of pork braised in white wine. The sweetness of the onions came through well, and

the olive oil had a hint of herbs that pleasantly coated her throat.

"It’s delicious!"

"Do you like it?"

Shunka nodded repeatedly.

"I love it!"

"What did you bid on at the auction?"

"I’m organizing an exhibition on Dante's Divine Comedy. I won a painting of Beatrice. That was all I could buy, but my boss said she was ‘satisfied.’ It’s not a perfect score, but..."

"It didn't have a ‘very’ in front of it."

"I’m planning to inquire about borrowing it... though I think the chances are slim."

"Just having the conversation can sometimes lead to unexpected results."

"Is that part of networking?"

"Exactly. If you propose reasonable terms, like covering half the cost or offering a percentage of the exhibition's sales, they might agree to lend it. If you can make them see the value for both sides, there's a chance."

"That’s impressive. So, this is how you do your work. Are there other terms you can offer?"

"There are various options, but discussing each other’s circumstances and time frames might lead to a good arrangement."

"So, it’s important to have those discussions?"

"Yes. Listening is even more effective."

Shunka leaned in, so eager that she felt like taking notes if it weren’t mealtime.

"You’re passionate; do you enjoy your work?"

"...Maybe. I do find it very fulfilling."

"That’s nice, especially since many people frown upon work."

"I'm lucky. My boss is a great person."

"I don’t think meeting people is just luck."

"Oh, really?"

“People are drawn to each other. Even connections that are easily broken have meaning.”

"...Why do you think that?"

"Maybe because I’ve been lucky too."

Nathan dodged the question with a clever contradiction.

He had a sense of humor.

At the same time, Shunka felt a wall that made her hesitant to get closer.

After finishing their late lunch, she got into Nathan’s car.

On the arm peeking out from his long sleeves, there were scars that resembled wounds.

"Shunka, could we meet during your stay, even if just occasionally?"

It felt less like a question and more like an invitation.

For a brief moment, her breath caught, and she looked at him. He kept his gaze ahead.

She couldn’t see his amber eyes.

"Um..."

She didn’t know how to respond.

Nathan didn’t rush her.

The sunset was still visible on the horizon.

Nathan didn’t know where she was staying and didn’t ask, so he dropped her off at a nearby bus stop she had mentioned.

"Nathan, um... I want to see you again."

"Ah."

"Oh! I need to pay for lunch!"

As Shunka pulled out her wallet, Nathan smiled, showing his teeth.

"It’s fine; consider it a thank you for your time."

"To be continued"→"Cocytus -Ballerina Under the Moonlight" Episode 2

Additionally, those who have obtained the password can also access the special page from here →Thank you! Please enjoy the special content.