Night sat on the low stone wall outside Hana's house, taking in the surroundings.
This place is actually peaceful, Night thought. Not too isolated, yet not too bustling. I just wonder why she chooses to live alone. I get wanting independence, but most of the 'nepo babies' I've encountered are hopelessly dependent on their parents' wealth.
Then, she remembered Hana's chilling words from earlier—about her family being Black Storks who cull their own.
Hmm. I see. She's a strange one... or perhaps, she's the only normal one in that nest.
Her gaze drifted to the side yard. It was a narrow strip of land, maybe three to ten feet wide, wrapping around the side of the house. It wasn't an average yard; it was a living gallery. Flowers bloomed in pots, some hung from handmade rods, and others were fenced into miniature crops. The different variants were arranged like a meticulously composed landscape painting.
How does she manage all this alone? Night noted the health of each blossom. They're long-lasting. She clearly takes care of them like they're her own lifeblood.
"Which one is your favorite?"
Night jumped slightly, startled by the voice behind her. She turned to find Harvey standing there with a bright smile.
"Oops! Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, Madame," he said warmly. "I just saw you admiring the flowers and figured you'd found one that caught your eye."
"Oh, uh, yes," Night stammered, regaining her cool. "They are indeed lovely."
"True, very true," Harvey agreed, looking at the garden with pride. "My Mademoiselle is very passionate about her plants. She tends to them like they're fragile infants—giving them all the affection of a mother."
Night nodded. It made sense. In a world of "Black Storks," Hana had created a place where things were actually allowed to grow.
"By the way, my name is Harvey Bonschwein," he said, extending a hand. "But just Harvey is enough."
"I'm Night. Night Avione."
"That is a unique name! Catchy, too!"
Night stared at him for a moment. Is he... actually glowing? Is this guy a human golden retriever?
Harvey didn't stop talking. He was a whirlwind of friendliness, yapping away and staying right by her side as if his sole mission was to ensure she didn't feel lonely for even a second. Night was just beginning to feel the "sunshine" overload when Hana stepped out onto the porch.
Hana looked perfectly composed despite the nightmare she'd had earlier. Dressed in a simple dark blouse and slacks, she looked ready for the kill.
"Night, by the way, there's—oh. Hello, Harvey."
"A wonderful morning to you, Mademoiselle!" Harvey cheered, before glancing between them. "Wait, Night? Hey! She called your name! Does that mean you're friends?"
"Uh, yeah, just a couple of days ag—"
Night didn't get to finish. Harvey lunged forward and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug.
"Yayyy! We're going to be best buddies!" he laughed. "A friend of Miss Hana is a friend of mine!"
"Ufh ohfkayg... ifgh ghatsh ghowihgt... ghworksh..." Night muffled into his shoulder.
"Oh! Sorry! I didn't notice you couldn't breathe," Harvey said, pulling back with unapologetic cheer.
Night took a deep breath. Harvey and Hana... they are total opposites. She glanced at Hana, who was standing on the porch with her arms crossed, looking like a perfect blend of boredom and judgment.
"Harvey, darling. You are making quite a commotion," Hana said coldly"
"You look like an oversaturated brushstroke disturbing the composition."
"Just celebrating!" Harvey beamed. "I told Night we're going to be great friends since she's helping you with the... art exhibit logistics! Right, Night?"
Night straightened her tactical shirt. When did I ever say that? She cleared her throat. "A-ahh, yes. Exactly. But if you'll excuse us, Harvey, we need to talk business. Logistics are critical. Heavy, delicate items..."
"It involves a flaw in the plan, actually," Hana interrupted, stepping off the porch. She held a precise, crumpled sketch. The crimson bracelet flashed in the sunlight. "Night, Lunx just sent a message. The dimensions for the internal elevator shaft were miscalculated by half a centimeter. If it's too small, you won't fit."
Hana leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You're the one operating under human limitations tonight. Your clearance needs to be absolute, or the three-minute window fails. Confirm these dimensions."
The mention of a flaw snapped Night back into focus. The "Harvey-induced" confusion vanished. "A flaw in the structural integrity is unacceptable," she whispered back. "But let's talk when your friend leaves."
Night turned back to Harvey, forcing a friendly smile. "Excuse us, Harvey. Mission parameters trump casual acquaintance."
"Oh... but... what if I'm helpful?" Harvey asked, his tail virtually wagging. "I can hold the tape measure! I'm really good at—"
Hana stepped directly between them, her body language shielding the Angel from Harvey's light. "Harvey," she said in a cold, elegant whisper, "the only measurement you are good at taking is the time it takes for a flower to wilt. Go tend to your blossoms before the sun gets too high. Some are sensitive to overexposure. We need silence for these calculations."
Without a word of protest, Harvey obeyed, heading off to the garden. Night gave him a quick, grateful nod for the escape.
"Thanks for the... hug? See you later, Harvey," Night called out before following Hana inside.
They stood side-by-side at the kitchen counter, the heavy silence of the mission settling between them as they reviewed the floor plan.
"That Harvey is efficient," Night noted. "It makes me think you're keeping him around for your benefit. You use people like tools, don't you?"
"I use distractions to protect necessities," Hana replied, tapping the sketch. "He is a golden hour sunset. beautiful, distracting, and utterly useless when one is trying to navigate a maze in the dark. Now, look at the shaft. If the radius is off by half a centimeter, your shoulder won't clear without a sound. And sound means termination."
"I understand," Night said, looking at the adult proportions of her current form 6'2" and slim. "I won't fit."
Hana was about to speak when a high-pitched, childish voice came from behind her.
"Oh, that definitely won't be a problem."
Hana spun around. Standing there was a brunette little girl with slight cat-like features and a mischievous smile.
"Who...?"
"It's still me, Hana," the child said with Night's unmistakable confidence. "I'm a celestial entity. I can manipulate my human proportions, age, and voice. Using this child-like form, I can sneak into that vault without a struggle. It'll be like crawling through a kiddie slide."
Hana stared for a moment, then turned back to the canvas. "I see. If that's the case, the exhaust route is no longer an issue. Now I see why Lunx wasn't worried."
"We just think ahead," Night said, her voice shifting back to its usual tone despite her small stature. "Humans are becoming more advanced; we can't let them outsmart us."
"You might encounter smart ones," Hana said, her eyes narrowing as she focused on her work. "But the majority are still useless and foolish. A bit of money, fame, and lust satisfies their greed. They'll do anything to acquire power."
Night said nothing. She just watched Hana for a moment. "By the way, have you packed? You'll be staying with us for now so we can coordinate efficiently."
"I have. A courier van is coming later. Harvey will be watching the house while I'm gone."
Night nodded, noticing Hana was struggling with a sketch. She's usually so experienced. Is it because I'm watching? "You paint a lot, don't you?"
"It's my serenity," Hana said quietly. "A private space where I can truly be myself. A session where no one can violate my principles."
"I get it," Night said, backing away. "I'm your guardian, not your jailer. I'll go get some fresh air. Mind if I use the window?"
"Go ahead," Hana murmured.
Night leaped out the window, but not before catching a glimpse of the painting Hana had been working on: A scribble of a house... burning.
Night landed on the grass and dusted herself off.
"Madame! Are you okay?" Harvey came rushing over, eyes wide with concern.
"A-ahh, yes! Just doing some... drop tests. Part of the measurements!" Night laughed nervously.
"From that height? That's dangerous!"
If only you knew, Night thought. An Angel can withstand a fall from the mesosphere.
"I'm fine, really!"
"Okay, if you say so," Harvey said, relaxing. "Oh, by the way! Here." He handed her a flower.
"Daffodils?" Night asked.
"They're symbols of new beginnings and hope," Harvey said with a bright smile. "A token of our friendship. And a thank you for being Miss Hana's friend. I know she's hard to understand, but trust me. she is the most genuine person you will ever meet."
Night looked at the flower in her hand. It was actually... photosynthesizing? How bright is this guy's energy? She looked at the delicate petals.
Such beauty, she thought darkly. Why are the delicate ones always the ones surrounded by pests who live rent-free? I promise to give justice back to the innocent. I'll wipe out the pests so the flowers can bloom in peace.
"Madame? Are you okay? Do you not like it?"
"Hmm? Oh! Sorry," Night said. "I was just wondering where to put it. It'd be a waste if it died."
"Actually," Harvey explained enthusiastically, "I dug it up with the roots and bulb! You can replant it. It's called 'forcing' growing it in a soil-less medium like gravel and water. It's hard with common daffodils, but possible!"
"Thanks for the tip. I'll do it immediately."
Suddenly, Night's internal alarm went off. She sensed something shifting in the shadows.
"Hey, Harvey, could you get me a pot for this? I don't have any at my place."
"Sure! I'll pick the best one!" Harvey dashed off toward the shed.
The moment he was gone, Night's expression turned lethal. She reached into the air and pulled out her double-headed scythe.
"Come out now," she growled toward the bushes. "Your camouflage is good, but your smell is reeking. I could throw up on the spot."
A creepy, distorted demon crawled out of the brush.
"So, it's starting," Night said, glancing at her bracelet. "I've been preparing for this for a decade."
The demon lunged, its steel-sharp claws aimed at her throat. With a single, blurred strike of her scythe, Night sliced it clean in half.
"Tsk. Newbies," she muttered. "But every newbie is supervised by someone superior, right? Where are you hiding, ugly?"
She spun around, her blade clashing against a flurry of shooting knives. Suddenly, the ground beneath her feet began to liquefy.
"An underground portal?"
As she was dragged down into the soil, Night felt the cold, decaying energy of her attacker.
"So, I guess our first enemy is... a Zombie Demon."