When Selena was about to say something, her phone rang. She took her phone from behind her coat. "Sorry, I have to leave now, Jeanne… Miss Isabella is calling me," she said while looking at her phone screen.
"Alright, be careful… Selena."
"See you at the Special Detective office," Selena stood up from her chair, waved her hand, and left the restaurant, getting into a police car.
"At first I thought she was a shy girl… it turns out she's more active in socializing," Jeanne smiled faintly.
Jeanne observed the chaotic restaurant. The bodies of Eric Hood, Antoni, and the officer who died in the line of duty had already been evacuated.
Her fingers were still trembling slightly. "Night Order… They are a terrifying organization," She pressed both of her cheeks with her palms. Her eyes closed while a long breath escaped her lips, as if trying to suppress the dizziness attacking her head.
"What are you thinking about, Miss Jeanne?" Eugene walked toward her after finishing explaining the Night Order attack situation to the police under the pretense of a terrorism incident involving biological poison.
"I-It's nothing."
Eugene sat beside her. His deep reddish-orange eyes looked at the restaurant, and he forced a smile. "Sorry, I involved you in a dangerous situation," his expression clearly showed that he felt guilty.
"That's not your fault…" Jeanne denied Eugene's words.
"I see," Eugene smiled faintly at her.
"I thought you wouldn't apologize. For a moment I thought you would laugh when you came to me after the dangerous situation had passed," Jeanne mocked Eugene casually.
Hearing that, Eugene laughed. "Well… I'm flattered." He scratched the back of his head.
"That wasn't a compliment!" Jeanne replied in a cynical tone. Her beautiful blue eyes observed the shattered glass and the disgusting green blood of the insects that was beginning to dry on the restaurant floor. It made the restaurant atmosphere feel slightly uncomfortable.
Silence fell between them.
For a moment Jeanne remembered Selena's words. "Thank you for saving me…" shethought. "Before that, have I ever directly saved someone? Other than Selena?"
Jeanne turned slightly, glancing at Eugene who seemed lost in thought. She hesitated to say it, but eventually she began to speak. "I want to ask something," her voice was so soft that the footsteps of officers passing by almost drowned it out.
Eugene's thoughts broke. His eyebrows lifted slightly. "What is it?"
"Have you ever felt a strange feeling when saving someone?"
Eugene's laughter burst out instantly, filling the room with warm energy. His eyes narrowed into crescent shapes, while the corners of his lips stretched wide, showing rows of teeth. Jeanne felt confused by Eugene's response and slightly annoyed.
"Sorry, sorry," Eugene fixed his messy dark red hair. "A strange feeling?… That's not the right name for it. That feeling is a form of warmth deep inside your heart, a feeling that doesn't want to lose and instinct," Eugene pointed at his heart on his chest while smiling.
"Warmth, not wanting to lose, and instinct…" Jeanne felt a little confused by Eugene's words, but she could feel it. Her hair fell slightly over her face. Her eyes were half-closed, and a faint smile appeared on her lips—a calm smile that somehow felt slightly melancholic.
Eugene stood up. He looked at Jeanne. "Do you want to continue our destination?" Eugene asked.
Jeanne took a slow breath. Her feelings and thoughts were still unsettled, but she decided to continue. "Of course," Jeanne replied softly as she stood from her chair.
…
After walking quite far away from the restaurant.
They arrived at a large bridge that connected the city of Saint-Avelin with the countryside. They walked in the late afternoon.
"Is being a Special Detective fun? I-I mean, don't you feel fear when facing criminals like earlier?" Jeanne finally asked after thinking about it for a while. She looked at her shadow moving in harmony with her steps.
Eugene closed his eyes as if thinking, both of his hands in his pockets. "The answer is: it's not fun and it's frightening."
"Why?"
"First, it's not fun because we have to keep lying. But it also brings joy, because we get to see smiles and peace for people."
Jeanne nodded slowly.
"Second, fear. The fear is not of criminals like Nana Qeelia or other criminal organizations, but we fear losing smiles and peace."
Jeanne's steps stopped. She froze on the edge of the sidewalk of the great Saint-Avelin bridge. The evening wind gently blew her beautiful silver-white hair. Her eyes looked at the orange water reflecting the setting sun. Eugene did not realize Jeanne had stopped, and he turned back.
"I see… I'm starting to understand. Thank you, Eugene," Jeanne said. Now she didn't use the title Mr.
"That's good, Jeanne," Eugene replied, smiling casually.
…
7 PM.
Jeanne and Eugene arrived at their destination, a fairly high hill in the countryside of Riquewihr. This village was famous for its vineyards, as well as being the best place to buy high-quality grape products such as wine and others in the city of Saint-Avelin.
The vineyards owned by the locals grew lush and fertile.
It created a comfortable and calming atmosphere. From the hill they could see the city lights beginning to glow at night as well as the lights of vehicles on the roads.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Eugene leaned against a stone railing, crossing his arms while glancing at the city view.
"It is," Jeanne replied softly. Her gaze reflected the city lights. The night wind now blew through her long soft hair, and the moonlight made its color even more harmonious.
"I used to hate Detectives," Jeanne said suddenly. Her tone sounded melancholic and fragile.
"You have a point," Eugene replied without arguing or asking further. He laughed softly.
"But after hearing your explanation, I realized something…" Jeanne exhaled heavily. She didn't explain the reason to Eugene. Her gaze remained the same, still looking at the beautiful scenery before her.
"Smiles, peace… fear of losing smiles," Jeanne continued to think about Eugene's words.
…
The night grew later, and they decided to go home. Jeanne and Eugene walked toward the bus stop.
Inside the bus, the atmosphere was quite quiet.
Jeanne's eyes still looked melancholic and fragile like before. She watched the changing scenery through the bus window, while Eugene stood with his arms crossed.
At the border bus stop between Geehena City and Saint-Avelin.
"You don't need to escort me…" Jeanne stood while holding her mini bag.
"Alright. See you, Jeanne," Eugene nodded without refusing. He smiled at her, turned around, and left while waving his hand behind him.
Jeanne watched Eugene leave for a moment. Then she walked away from the bus stop, along the sidewalk, and stopped a passing taxi, heading to District Four.
Twenty minutes later, Jeanne finally arrived at District Four. She decided to walk toward the apartment where she lived.
Just as she was about to cross the street toward her apartment, Jeanne suddenly stopped.
She could hardly believe what she saw.
"Anna…"
In the middle of the crowded sidewalk, she stood frozen, holding her phone tightly in both hands. When the person she had been waiting for appeared, her round eyes instantly sparkled brightly, reflecting pure amazement. She seemed slightly startled, her lips parted as if wanting to call out but her voice stuck in her throat.
Her hands unconsciously gripped the end of her cardigan, trying to calm the nervousness that suddenly surged when their eyes met.
"J-Jeanne!" Anna called from across the street.
She wore a high-collared blouse with ruffle accents and a long pleated skirt that reached her ankles. Her brown hair was neatly styled with a clip or tie at the back, leaving two curly strands hanging at the sides of her face. A white tote bag rested on her shoulder.
Jeanne smiled awkwardly. When the pedestrian light turned green, she crossed the street and approached her friend.
"Anna… why didn't you tell me you were coming here?"
"I didn't know either… but I wanted to see how you were doing. I was very worried!" Anna looked at Jeanne with concern. Before Jeanne answered, Anna observed her carefully.
"You're not using crutches anymore, and you removed your cast? Where did you go?"
Jeanne instantly froze. "I was careless!" she thought. She was bombarded with many questions from her friend. It was difficult for Jeanne to look into Anna's eyes.
She scratched her cheek awkwardly. "I-I went back to the hospital to consult with Doctor Selena about my leg… she said I could remove the cast and didn't need the crutches anymore," Jeanne answered with a lie, her voice restrained.
"Sorry Selena, I dragged you into this."
Anna observed Jeanne for a moment, then sighed softly. "That's good," Anna replied without suspicion.
"Thank goodness…" Jeanne thought. I need to apologize to Anna about yesterday when I drove her away.
"Anna…" Jeanne called softly. "I'm sorry about yesterday… my mind wasn't stable at that time. Please forgive me…" Jeanne lowered her head, her eyes closed. Her fingers tightly gripped the strap of her shoulder bag.
"You're still thinking about it, even though you already apologized on the phone earlier today," Anna smiled.
"B-but…"
"It's okay, Jeanne. I'm happy you're getting better. Don't think too much about it," Anna put her hands on her hips and smiled widely at her.
Seeing Anna smile made Jeanne's chest feel heavy and tight, yet it brought a comfort she couldn't explain.
"Thank you, Anna."
"Come inside. You're staying over, right?" Jeanne invited.
"My intention was obvious, huh?" Anna smiled shyly while scratching the back of her neck.
…
In the apartment hallway.
Jeanne stood in front of the door, taking a slow breath. She inserted the key into the door and slowly turned the knob.
Click.
"I'm home." She stepped inside, then turned to look at Anna.
Anna nodded. "Excuse me."
After Anna entered, Jeanne closed the door and locked it. They walked side by side toward the living room, which was not very large.
Jeanne looked at the wall clock. "Eight at night," she thought. Then she looked at her friend.
"I'm going to take a shower…"
"Alright," Anna nodded. "I already brought ingredients for dinner, so go take your shower and I'll cook." Anna lifted the white tote bag containing spare clothes and cooking ingredients she had bought at the supermarket.
"O-okay… thank you, Anna," Jeanne felt slightly reluctant but chose not to say it.
She walked toward the bathroom.
Jeanne turned on the hot water in the bathtub, removed her clothes, then walked toward the foggy mirror. She wiped it and looked at her reflection.
"Should I accept Eugene's invitation to join the Special Detective team…" she muttered inwardly. Then she remembered Spectre Nana Qeelia's words.
"You interfered with our plans…"
Jeanne bit her lip softly. Fear and the images of Eric Hood, Antoni, and the officer who died because of the terror of Night Order haunted her.
Jeanne clasped both hands against her chest and closed her eyes. "What will happen if I refuse the invitation to join the Special Detectives?"
The sound of water splashing onto the floor signaled that the bathtub was full. Jeanne sighed once more, then walked to the tub, turned off the warm water, and soaked in it.
Jeanne submerged half of her face, creating bubbles from her breathing.
…
A few minutes later Jeanne left her room after changing clothes. She wore a simple cyan-blue nightdress. She walked toward the dining table while gently rubbing her half-dry hair.
"Done?" Anna asked. She had finished cooking and removed her apron, hanging it up.
Jeanne nodded softly. "Yes."
"Let's eat," Anna invited as she walked toward the dining table filled with dinner dishes. Jeanne followed and sat beside her.
"Enjoy your meal," they said at the same time.
Jeanne took a fork, cut a piece of chicken thigh covered in cheese, and put it into her mouth. The creamy, soft sensation spoiled her tongue.
"Delicious…" Jeanne murmured in her heart. She stared at her plate silently.
"What's wrong, Jeanne?" Anna asked, breaking Jeanne's thoughts.
Jeanne shook her head slowly. "It's nothing…"
"Recently you've been daydreaming more than usual. What are you thinking about, Jeanne? I can listen to your story," Anna turned and glanced at her friend with her usual gentle smile.
"More than usual?" Jeanne repeated softly and smiled bitterly.
"Anna… what do you think detectives are like?" Jeanne asked, her voice restrained.
"What kind of detectives?" Anna looked at the ceiling while tapping her chin as if thinking. "Detectives are a human archetype who search for the true truth amid chaos and uncertainty… That's what I read in a philosophy magazine."
"I see…" Jeanne replied softly while putting another piece of chicken into her mouth.
"But personally I think being a detective is both a great and heavy profession… they are willing to lie for the sake of truth and peace for society from behind the shadows." Anna looked at her warmly.
Jeanne froze slightly and glanced at her friend. The feeling she had called strange appeared again in her heart.
"A feeling of warmth and a feeling that doesn't want to lose…"
Jeanne gripped her spoon and fork more tightly. "I don't want to lose her warm smile and her care for me."
The room became quiet, filled only with the soft clinking of forks and spoons against plates.
"If I refuse Eugene's invitation to join the Special Detectives, the worst possibility is that Nana Qeelia from the Night Order organization will target me because I interfered with their plans…" Jeanne bit her lip softly.
"She will assume I am part of the Special Detectives because I was at the scene," Jeanne murmured inwardly. "I'm afraid Anna will become involved with such a dangerous organization."
Jeanne took a slow breath after thinking so much. "Anna…" Jeanne called softly.
"Yes?"
"Can you cut my hair tomorrow?" Jeanne glanced at her friend and smiled.
"Huh?" Anna was slightly surprised by her friend's request. "Are you sure?" Anna asked to confirm. Her beautiful ruby-colored eyes looked at Jeanne's long silver-white hair that reached her waist.
"Of course. You cut my hair before when we were still in university."
"Alright… b-but maybe my hair-cutting skills have become rusty, but I'll try," she nodded even though she looked slightly doubtful.
"Thank you, Anna."
…
A few minutes later after finishing dinner.
In Jeanne's bedroom. Anna had changed into a simple white nightdress. They lay on the bed holding their blankets, their eyes looking at the ceiling.
"Anna… do you know something?"
Anna turned, confused. "What is it?"
Jeanne laughed faintly and bitterly. "I've always been jealous of you… you're mature, kind, and caring toward me. But that also makes me grateful that you always accompany me and stay by my side."
Hearing that, Anna's eyes widened. She covered her face with both hands. "W-why are you suddenly saying something like that?"
Seeing her friend's reaction, Jeanne laughed softly.
"I'm happy…" Anna suddenly hugged Jeanne and smiled.
"A-Anna!" Jeanne was surprised.
"I'm always proud of you, Jeanne."
"L-let's sleep… it's already late," Jeanne pulled the blanket up to cover half of her face in embarrassment. Anna laughed softly.
"I wish a day like this wouldn't end," Jeanne closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep.