You stand on the little balcony that belongs to the apartment, a small 2 Square meters of of white cement, framed with also the same material adorned by a metal railing. It's evening and the sun is about to set, diving everything into hues of gold and warm orange. The summer heat is slowly drawing back and a little flow of air grazes your cheeks.

You stepped outside after the three men were discussing how to approach the next steps in finding the huntress and you felt a little overwhelmed with all that testosterone that filled the room. Every one of them is eager to find her but none is willing to step back from the leading role. Like this, their planning runs in circles and it starts to get on your nerves.

Taking deep breaths you try to calm yourself down in the solitude of the balcony. Rafayel and Xavier have observed and investigated a few institutions of EVER but to no avail, your other self still missing without further hint. Left are only the ones that have to be somewhere in the N109 zone, a place that isn't entered that easily.

As your gaze wanders around the neighborhood aimlessly, something catches your eye. a black bird sitting in a tree nearby, maybe a Japanese acorn given the deep red leaves. The dark animal nearly vanishes between the satiated colors of the lush tree and you nearly missed it if it hadn't moved slightly the moment your gaze swept over it.

But now you clearly see it and the bird seems curious himself, as it stares back at you without the usual caution wild animals have. Ruby-red eyes sparkling in the setting sun as it moves his head and you recognize the bird finally.

Leaning a bit forward, reaching your hand out to it, after you threw a cautious gaze back to the three men who are still in a heated discussion, you call out in a careful whisper, your heart starts beating excited in your chest: "Mephisto?"

A lowly „cawk" is heard and the black bird comes out of the tree to settle on the balcony rail without making a noise, despite its metallic underground.

"Wow, I didn't expect to meet you also. Hi, little bird!" you smile, thrilled to greet him. "So, it was you that I saw that one night at Rafayels mansion, huh?"

You stroke the little head with the fluffy black feathers, one of the parts that are not covered by cold black metal. You always had a soft spot for the little companion of Sylus as you played the game and you're thoughts drifted to the white-haired leader of Onychinus.

You loved him for being so soft and careful around your MC, but being intimidating nonetheless. Is the fourth Male Lead from the game the same here?

And as you hear the voices get a bit more aggravated inside, an idea strikes your head, so you try to bend down to Mephisto. It's not far, because of your still aching wound, and softly whisper to the bird's head "How is the owner of yours? Do you mind bringing him a little message, buddy?"

Since Mephisto doesn't move you take it as affirmation that the little guy will be your envoy and you smile happily.

"Sylus" you start your ask "I'm certain you're listening and you'll know what happened for sure. I'm not the woman you adore, but please hear me out. You need to help us find her. She has to be somewhere in your territory and even if the others would never admit it, we really could use your insights of the N109 Zone and your resources. Can we meet tonight and I'll explain everything to you as much as I'm able to?"

Finished with your voiced message for the leader of Onychinus you step back from the front of the railing and the black bird. „Now go, Mephi, before the others spot you." the crow is spreading its metal wings that twinkle in the last warm sunrays and jumps elegantly from its spot to fly into the barely visible sun. You look after him till the tears from staring into the fireball disturb your sight and the black spot vanishes into the blazing orange half-round.

Don't let this be a mistake, you think as you walk back inside, where the three men are still arguing around the little table that is covered by maps and photos of buildings.

„Okay, guys! Time to end this meeting." you call out to them, shushing them from their loud planning. "I'm tired. Let's continue tomorrow." you even manage to fake a yawn which turns into a real one. You must be more exhausted from this day than you thought.

You got irritated gazes that turn into tender and affectionate ones from everyone, and soon you've persuaded them to leave, not without less or more resistance from a single one of them. You're told to eat and sleep from Zayne, to be careful from Xavier. As they leave Rafayel is the one who insists the most, to not leave you.

„I don't think leaving you alone is a good idea, Cutie." the purple-haired artist refuses to leave the doorstep, caressing your cheek once more and sending you one of the gazes you can hardly resist. But if your plan works, his presence wouldn't be helpful with Sylus.

„I'm fine, Rafayel," you assure him once again „Zayne said it's okay to leave me alone and I'll call you if I need something. I promise!" you nearly shove him out of the door.

And finally, you're alone again. You in- and exhale deeply, the moving of your chest and belly still stings at your injured side. But the healing progresses fast as Zayne had affirmed this morning at his examination. Now all you have to do is wait for the mysterious boss to answer your message.

If he even does... You sigh deeply again.
Are you really sure that Sylus will be friendly towards you? No, but you have to risk it. After all, you don't know how your MC copy left grounds with him after going into a committed relationship with Rafayel. All your bets are on his soft spot for her and that he wouldn't want her to get into danger, despite that she refused him.

And so you settle yourself comfortably with a light blanket on the small white sofa and wait for the night to come, full of hope that Sylus won't let you wait that long.

Somehow you must have dozed off as the ping from the cell phone startles you awake. After a second of disoriented grunting you recognize that it has gotten completely dark outside. The room is filled with silvery lights from the moon and the only light inside comes from the table beside the sofa. You look at the lightened-up screen from the mobile that you left there and notice you got a message from a contact named "Skye".

Of course, you remember the name, it's the one Sylus used in-game, and with a sudden racing heartbeat and trembling hands you swiftly grab the device to open up the messenger.

📲 You just could have sent a message, sweetie. Using Mephisto wasn't necessary to call out to me.

Your eyes grow wide and a broad smile is creeping up your face. Sylus answered you! And he even called you 'sweetie'. Your stomach takes some confusing somersaults as you read the short message again. Why are you so excited all of a sudden? Well, if you are honest with yourself, the fourth Love interest always made you giddy. Not as much as Rafayel but Sylus was always more special as you admitted it to yourself.

And you could slap yourself right now because the tall man is right... You didn't spend a single thought that your MC might still have him in her contacts. You could've done this so much earlier!

But what are you going to answer him? Despite his friendly message, you're still not sure on which base you are with him.

You pat your heated cheeks with both hands to calm yourself down and focus on what are you going to write. But as you start to type in your response another message from Skye pops in.

📲 Come to the balcony.

You stare at the words with bewilderment. Does that mean he's here?

A full army of butterflies starts to hustle and bustle in your belly and waves of excitement and joy rush through your veins.  As fast as possible you try to look presentable and opening the balcony doors you step outside into the night, the fresh air greeting you warmly, still heated by the scorching sun of day, ready to meet your second favorite no longer fictional man from the game you used to obsess over.