NOVPUBAfter stepping outside, the sky remained overcast, with no sign of the sun. Looks like it’s going to be a cloudy day.
There were no clocks in Snowy’s house, so I had no idea what time it was.
No clocks were one thing, but I still couldn’t understand why there were no lights installed in the living room or the bedroom. Even the bathroom light, which was supposed to serve as illumination, felt more like a heater than anything else.
The interior was bizarre, but from the outside, the house looked like a luxurious mansion. It made me wonder — what kind of people were Snowy’s parents?
“By the way, Snowy, what about your parents?”
“Don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“Mm. Never met them.”
Never met them... Does that mean they’re dead, or...?
I didn’t ask any further and instead tightened my grip on her hand.
Now that I knew, I couldn’t just ignore it. I don’t like getting involved in other people’s business, but for Snowy... as her friend, I should at least try to help her.
When I first arrived here in the middle «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» of the night, I couldn’t see a thing. I spent the entire night wandering around, unable to find my way. But now that it was daytime, this so-called Black Street was just... a regular shopping street.
The road was narrow, making it difficult for vehicles to pass through. I doubted any driver would willingly navigate such a cramped street. It was technically a road, but it felt more like a pedestrian walkway.
People walked around, chatting and laughing, as if it were just another ordinary day. The shops lining both sides of the street sold a variety of goods — a bizarre mishmash of everything under the sun.
It was an utterly unremarkable street, without any particular theme or focus.
Other shopping streets often had a distinctive theme — a street full of seed shops, a street lined with inns, or a street packed with hot pot restaurants. But here, the stores were completely random.
Black Street... Hah, maybe the only reason it’s called that is because everyone goes to bed early, leaving the place pitch-black at night.
The shops themselves were strange, too. Some signs were so ambiguous that it was impossible to tell what kind of business they were running. Like that place called “House of Black and Blue” — just from the name alone, who could guess what kind of store it was? Why choose such an edgy, vague name? Don’t they know that in this day and age, the simpler the name, the better?
But the strangest part of all...
I scratched my cheek, glancing at the laughing and chatting passersby, and then turned to Snowy.
“Snowy, is this street... some kind of theater set?”
Snowy tilted her head, looking genuinely confused.
“Theater set?”
“You know, a place deliberately constructed to shoot movies or TV shows.”
“Don’t know.”
“Haha... Right, sorry. That was a weird question.”
“It’s fine.”
Yeah... Snowy was just as uninterested in her surroundings as I was. Even though she lived here, she probably didn’t know anything about the street.
But still... I couldn’t shake the feeling.
The strangest thing wasn’t the street itself, but the “passersby” on this street.
Everyone I looked at had the same title above their head: [Background Actor].
Huh? Background actor?
Are they filming a movie or a TV drama here?
But I didn’t see any cameras or production staff... Maybe they’re still in the preparation stage?
I had a bad habit of getting caught up in other people’s business. Better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
“Let’s just get out of here. We don’t want to interrupt their shoot.”
I originally planned to shop somewhere nearby, but if they were filming, it was probably better to go somewhere else.
“Mm. Follow me.”
Snowy nodded and started leading the way again.
Was she afraid I’d get lost? Well, considering I wandered around blind last night trying to find my way here, I couldn’t really blame her.
Just like before, Snowy led me through several winding alleyways.
After a few twists and turns, we emerged from a narrow alleyway and found ourselves standing in front of Golden China Department Store. To the left was the entrance to the Line 2 subway station, and the people around us had more varied titles now. I could also see the sun again, positioned slightly west — it was already afternoon.
Wait, what?
We’re this far out already? Wasn’t this place pretty far from Seaside Road? And yet, it only took us about five minutes to get here... A distance that should have required taking two subway lines?
What the hell? How does Black Street work?
Ugh, forget it. Better not dwell on things that make no sense. If the past few days have taught me anything, it’s that some things are better left unexplored. Poking at those mysteries will only invite trouble.
“Well, since the department store is right here, let’s go buy you some clothes.”
“Mm.”
But... what kind of clothes should I buy for Snowy? With her petite frame, do I have to shop in the children’s section?
I led Snowy into a nearby clothing store — one of those upscale chain stores that could be found in every mall.
As soon as we stepped inside, a saleswoman with a beaming smile walked over to us.
But when I glanced at her title, my expression stiffened. Another [Background Actor].
What the hell?
I barely had time to collect myself before she was standing right in front of me, smiling sweetly.
“Hello, sir! Are you here to buy clothes for your daughter?”
“Uh... she’s not my daughter...”
Do we really look like father and daughter to other people?
Maybe it’s the hair color? But being mistaken for a married man... kind of stings.
The saleswoman’s smile faltered slightly, then she quickly corrected herself.
“Oh, I’m so sorry! So you’re buying clothes for your little sister?”
Wrong again. And yet... it didn’t feel like an innocent mistake.
Rather than a clueless stranger making an honest mistake, it felt more like a knowledgeable insider pretending not to know. I was good at detecting lies, and there was a slight dissonance in her words that tipped me off. The acting was top-tier, though. If not for that tiny discrepancy, I wouldn’t have noticed.
But whatever. I couldn’t be bothered to dig any deeper.
“Yes. I’d like to buy her a couple of outfits. Could you help us pick something out?”
It was easier to just let the saleswoman handle it. I had zero sense of fashion anyway.
If only Cora were here, this would be a piece of cake. But my phone was dead, so I couldn’t call her.
“Certainly! Right this way.”
“Come on, Snowy.”
Once inside the store, I let go of Snowy’s hand, but she didn’t release me. Instead, she tightened her grip, holding my arm with both hands and leaning closer.
“Ethan.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“I want... you to choose.”
“Uh, me? But my taste in clothes...”
Snowy shook her head, her gaze unwavering as she looked up at me.
“You choose.”
“...Got it. Leave it to me then. Sorry about that, Miss Saleswoman.”
“Oh, it’s fine. Please, take your time. It’s just... you two really have such a good relationship as siblings. It’s rare to see that these days.”
“Is that so...”
Me and Snowy... a good relationship?
I glanced up at the title floating above Snowy’s head — a blue as serene as the sky. It signified that she completely trusted me.
I still couldn’t understand why she was so attached to me. Was it because of the allure spell circle embedded in my head?
But it felt like it was more than just that... Did she want something from me?
I had a vague guess in my mind, but I couldn’t confirm it yet. If it really was what I thought, then my days ahead wouldn’t be peaceful...
Ugh. Whatever. I’m not the type to overthink things. Let’s just take it one step at a time.
“Oh, by the way, I suggest you look over there,” the saleswoman said, gesturing to another section of the store. “The clothes in that section would suit your sister better.”
“Oh, thanks.”
The saleswoman smiled and nodded politely, making a gesture of invitation.
[Background Actor], huh... who exactly are they performing for?
I returned the nod and led Snowy toward the recommended area.
Now, what kind of clothes would suit Snowy?
When I think of her, the impression I get is... just like her name — like snow. Cold and detached, but soft and gentle toward me. And above all, the color white.
Pure, untainted white.
Alright, let’s go with that image.
Almost immediately, my eyes landed on a white hoodie with a large, cozy hood. It looked like it was made just for Snowy.
I remembered Cora once said that clothes should be matched in pairs. Black and white is a classic combination, right?
So, let’s get a black skirt to go with it. Hmm... a short skirt would work better.
Once the image was clear in my head, choosing the outfit was surprisingly easy.
“Snowy, try these on.”
“Mm.”
A few moments later, Snowy emerged from the dressing room, wearing the outfit I’d picked.
Just as I thought, it suited her perfectly. Especially the black skirt paired with the long, black socks she was already wearing — it was the finishing touch that completed the look.
If... if she were to go into that white-haired, red-eyed state, she’d look even more stunning...
But that appearance only comes out when someone’s about to die, doesn’t it?
Choosing clothes went smoothly, but when it was time to pay, a problem arose.
I stood in front of the cashier, rummaging through my pockets, but my wallet was nowhere to be found.
Whenever I go out, I always make sure I have the four essentials: phone, wallet, keys, and weapons. But now, my wallet was missing.
Could it have been left in my jacket pocket and taken away by Kan Tsukiyo along with my coat?
Ugh. This is embarrassing...
“Use this card.”
Thankfully, Snowy pulled out a card.
Letting a girl pay for me... how pathetic. This happened often when I was with Lillian too. The difference in wealth was always glaringly obvious.
But when I looked at the card Snowy handed over, my jaw dropped.
“A black card?!”
Yes, it was that infamous black card, the one with the profile of a classical soldier’s head engraved on it. The kind that only the filthy rich could get their hands on.
A symbol of power and wealth.
“It’s just... payment.”
“...Right.”
I didn’t need to guess what kind of “payment” it was. Blood money from her killings, huh? That made the purchase feel all the more unsettling.
Once we were done paying, Snowy changed back into her school uniform.
She said she didn’t want to dirty the new clothes.
After that, we walked around, buying a bunch of daily necessities and food for dinner. My arms were loaded with shopping bags by the time we finished.
Damn... so heavy.
As we were about to leave the mall, Snowy suddenly tugged at my hand.
“Wait.”
“Hm? Did you forget something?”
“A phone.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, we definitely need to get you a phone.”
I’d completely forgotten about it. Not having a phone was a huge inconvenience. Last night’s nightmare started because I couldn’t call for help.
“Alright, let’s go get a phone—”
I took Snowy’s hand again, but the instant our hands touched, a chill shot down my spine. A tingling sensation ran through my entire body.
That feeling... I knew it all too well.
Someone was watching me.
No. Someone was stalking me.
Back at school, when I was constantly around Lillian, being stared at by other students was normal. But now we were far from school. And Lillian wasn’t even here. Snowy was the only one with me.
Who the hell would be stalking me now?
Now that I think about it... on my last “date” with Lillian, I had the same eerie feeling. Like someone was trailing me.
Have I been marked by someone?
Is it Shirley?
No. If it were Shirley, I wouldn’t feel it. She’s too skilled.
But this gaze... it’s sharp, like a knife prickling against my skin.
I looked around, scanning the crowd, but I couldn’t spot anyone suspicious. There were no odd titles either.
Whoever it was, they were damn good at hiding — slipping into my blind spots perfectly.
Argh... this is driving me crazy.
How the hell am I supposed to figure out who’s watching me?!
“Ethan?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Let’s go.”
This gaze kept gnawing at me, unsettling me to my core.
Looks like I need to start learning some counter-surveillance techniques.
I have to figure out who this person is, the one who’s been watching me like a predator.
I refuse to live every day with my heart pounding in my throat!
