♫ A crescent moon dances in 
the night sky
This dazzling world crosses 
over the clouds ♫
-- Aoi Eir, ラピスラズリ (Lapis Lazuli)

She viewed the message, realising it was from one of her most loyal customers, "K".

Peach,

The bumbling idiot you were complaining about is a new recruit recommended by someone important to me, my sincerest apologies.

I have heard news about you being the main suspect in a murder case, though it's likely you are being framed.

Now, more than ever, there are many who wants to obtain you. It is more than just for your services, so...be careful.

Take this warning as a part of my thanks as you have provided your loyal services over the years.

Tread wisely, friend. Call in a favour if you are left with no other choice.

- K

Peach furrowed her eyebrows as she read the ominous message. "K" was one of the better customers she had come across, polite and well-mannered. "K" was an elusive figure, people only knowing him to be a prominent figure in the underworld, and he always appeared as a cloaked figure, speaking in a baritone voice.

Nevertheless, from the few instances she had personally met him, Peach knew his polite mannerisms were just a front. She had heard a few chilling things about "K" that she wouldn't want to recall. Though, she still had to guts to write a message to him, grumbling and complaining about his new recruit that he sent.

"Löne, record a reply for this message and send it via Arwen."

You may record the message after the fullstops appears.

...(recording)

"I'll take note of that, you have my utmost thanks. And that dorky recruit of yours should learn soon, for his own sake." Peach said, her eyes focused on the antiques again.

Message successfully recorded!

Accessing Arwen...

Peach heard the door of the shop being pushed open, flinching.

Message recorded and written. Would you like to send it now?

K,

I'll take note of that, you have my utmost thanks. And that dorky recruit of yours should learn soon, for his own sake.

- Peach

She quickly scanned through, pressing on the "yes" option and she spun around. She was almost blinded by the stranger's bright yellow hair and toothy grin with a lean figure.

"您好! 请问Gerald在吗?" The youthful man greeted energetically, waving his gloved hand at Peach. His brown eyes were just sparkling in glee.

He was dressed in a simple, casual attire of shirt and pants.

"Löne, please translate." Peach blinked her eyes, trying to get used to the bright atmosphere around the man.

Translation: Hello! Is Gerald here?

"No, he isn't. He stepped out for a moment, and I'm watching the shop for him for now." Peach easily bluffed.

The youthful man paused at her words and began to mumble, "请翻译, Löne。(Please translate, Löne.)"

He then read something written on his lenses, before nodding in understanding.

"那...我等他回来吧。"

Translation: Then...I will wait for him to come back.

Peach gave him tight smile, shaking her head. "Please come back another day, there's no telling when he'll return."

He read something on his lenses again, before shaking his head vigorously. " 不行!不行啊! 这件事情太重要了! 我不能等多一天啊!"

Translation: No! No way! This matter is too important! I can't wait another day!

Peach sighed heavily, wanting to retort when she heard noises from outside, looking away from the Chinese yellow-haired man. Two man exited from the front  seats of the car, hurrying to the door to the back seats, opening it.

A slim, long leg stretched out, covered by a stark white pants and light grey boots. A glance at those futuristic boots and anyone could tell that it was exclusively made by a top-notch cordwainers.

When the strangers revealed themselves by stepping into the light, Peach's face hardened.

Peach knew him very well.

Haeres. It's him, the White Crimson, without a doubt.

He was dressed in a white hoodless cloak, along with a minimalistic light grey shirt on the inside. The two men, who wore familiar crimson crown earring and had piercing red eyes, pushed the door open for Haeres. It was hard to believe someone so slim and effeminate was the leader of the group of professional hitmen.

Haeres stepped into the shop, his crimson crown earring glinting. His fiery red ponytail that reached his shoulders swished behind his head.

"Haeres." Peach greeted in a composed manner.

Haeres nodded, his thin lips curving into an amiable smile. Peach only narrowed her eyes at him, knowing better to believe the farce he wears before people.

"I wouldn't have recognised you for a moment there," Haeres commented, it was difficult to differentiate his voice between a male or a female. "You look gorgeous dressed up like that, did Cyclamen teach you some tricks?"

At the mention of another night courier, and one on par with her in fact, Peach scoffed.

"If I learnt this from Cyclamen, my accent and mannerisms would be different too," Peach then gave Haeres a furious stare, gritting her teeth. "How dare you frame me, Haeres."

His smile faded and his expression became remorseful. "I'm sorry, I had no other choice."

"That's fucking bullshit. You have the worst reputation in the night courier business, back-stabbing asshole," Peach spat out, her milky peach eyes flaring up in anger. "I'll be an idiot to believe you."

"I won't deny that." Haeres continued smiling, stroking his hair.

"You'll regret doing this to me,  Haeres."

"Oh please, you night couriers are held too much of a high regard. As long as one of you is experienced enough, delivering from point A to B isn't that much of a deal, and it won't matter who I hire. You, Cyclamen, Black Jack, you are all just the same as any night courier. You can't do anything to me."

Peach exhaled sharply, anger boiling within her.

"All of you are measly delivery boys and girls that can be easily crushed. If I just tell my men to aim at you..." Haeres raised his hand, pointing it at Peach, and the two men behind him whipped out their guns, pointing it immediately. "...they'll do it, bam! Do you think any night couriers are capable of this?"

"What the hell do you want?" Peach hissed out.

"Come with me, and I'll get someone to take your place in jail."

"Fuck you."

"I've heard worse."

Peach inhaled deeply, trying to compose herself. This conversation won't be getting anywhere. She only needed to know why Haeres would go through all this trouble, just to have a chat with her.

"What is your plan, Haeres?" Peach asked, her face stern.

"If I had approached you the normal way, you would have ran since it would be suspicious to keep you there. So, this was the only possible way to keep you with me. The first plan was to kidnap you if you did not cooperate, but Hebi failed terribly. "

"Why are you doing this?"

"Right now, you are an important asset to many. Especially to me, Peach," Haeres stated, his mouth curving into a gentle smile that didn't reach his eyes. "So come with me, or end up in jail for the rest of your life."

However, Peach didn't move and she only smirked back. "I won't end up in jail."

"What?"

"Your precious minion, Gerald, isn't here anymore."

The smug look on Haeres twisted, and he narrowed his eyes. "Gerald, are you there? Come on out!"

"Should have placed a few scouts around the area first, Haeres. You are getting sloppy."

"Gerald!"

"Here."

Peach heard someone answering and she spun around, seeing a scruffy man in his forties walking through a doorway that probably led to a storeroom.

She widened her eyes in disbelief, her bag strap slipping from her shoulders.

It was Gerald, and she couldn't comprehend what was happening.

What the fuck? He...he was arrested, in handcuffs! In the car! How did he...

Haeres was relieved at the sight of the blonde-haired man. He turned to Peach, plastering the same friendly smile on his face.

"Looks like he's here, perfectly fine." he said, sounding rather smug.

"How did you get out?" Peach struggled those words out.

"What are you talking about?" Gerald furrowed his eyebrows at her, and Peach recoiled back in alarm.

"Are you dreaming now, my dearest Peach?" Haeres mocked.

She scoffed, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Pulling her bag strap up, she began to wonder.

Was there a device created to alter people's looks too? How far has technology advanced to? This is preposterous! Even if such technology exists, it's still unbelievable!

She looked closely at Gerald once again. She was skeptical, too skeptical of this entire circumstance.

The more important question is which one of them is the real Gerald? The one with the detective, or the one here with me?

"So Peach, tell me your choice." Haeres asked, offering another smile.

Peach glanced at Gerald, before looking back at Haeres, her face a mixture between anger and confusion. She gripped onto her handbag, feeling uneasy.

Whatever that was happening here, Peach didn't like it one bit.