Lucian had a dream.
In the dream, he was back in the Grand Cathedral of Laterano. The ceiling was so unnecessarily luxurious that it didn't look like a place meant for peaceful sleep at all.
And he was pinned to a bed, his whole body feeling as heavy as lead.
A blue-haired Angel was on top of him.
She was a little older than he was, the person closest to family he'd ever had.
But right now, she felt like a stranger.
She had always been perfect.
As an Angel, she never showed the same fanatical Faith toward Lucian that everyone else did. Instead, she liked to tease him, and behind her perfect smile was a mischievous, cunning streak.
But the moment she put on her ceremonial robes and presided over a ritual, she became more devout than anyone—Laterano's most pious Angelic leader.
That sacred beauty had always captivated Lucian.
Honestly, enduring the boring Laterano lifestyle was mostly because of her.
…But suddenly, she had changed.
Her pure white Halo and Wings faded, growing tattered and broken. Two black horns pushed out from either side of her head, and—was that a tail?
These weren't the traits of an Angel (Sankta). They were Sarkaz.
What happened? Why had she fallen?
Lucian's body and mind were frozen, unable to grasp anything. Time crawled unbearably slowly, every second stretched into something agonizing.
And that transformed Fallen Sankta—sweating and trembling herself—still wore a twisted, satisfied smile.
"I've wanted to do this for a long time. My dear Lord, remember me forever—remember the sinner I've become."
…Why did she sound like she was saying goodbye forever?
A spark of anger flared in Lucian's chest. His body, pinned by some unseen force, started to fight back.
Sinner? That's what you're calling this?
Come on. If I'd known you were gonna pull something like this, I would've made my move years ago! Why do you think I held back for so long?!
He could tell she was about to cry under that smile.
Lucian refused to lie there and take it. He pushed back against the bizarre pressure restraining him and grabbed her hand.
She froze in panic just as he yelled her name—
"—Mostima, you awful woman!"
Lucian jerked awake and shot upright.
Only then did he realize he wasn't in Laterano.
He wasn't on a massive, over-the-top bed big enough for six people—just a stiff, miserable single bed that made his back ache.
And he was holding someone's hand.
Sitting at the edge of his bed, Hoshiguma stared at him in surprise. "You scared me. You're stronger than I expected."
"Hoshiguma… ah, sorry."
Lucian hurriedly let go, embarrassed beyond belief as his memory caught up.
He'd blacked out. Again. Every time he drank with Hoshiguma, this happened.
And to make it worse, his whole body felt sore, like something had been compressing him all night.
Especially his mouth—numb to the point of death.
He scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Sorry, Hoshiguma. Did I… say anything?"
"No. You just had a dream."
She rubbed the wrist he'd grabbed earlier. "If you're fine, get up already. You reek of alcohol and sweat. I'm gonna have to change all my sheets."
Lucian jumped out of bed in a panic. "I'm so sorry! I'll wash everything—dry cleaning's on me!"
Hoshiguma elbowed him. "Who wants your pocket change? Get moving. I don't have spare clothes for you—go home and shower."
"Yes, ma'am." Lucian immediately obeyed.
This was a new level of humiliating.
And that dream was pure blackmail material—his shame meter shot through the roof.
He muttered as he headed out, "I'll make it up to you somehow, Hoshiguma. If you ever need anything, call me anytime."
She waved impatiently.
Lucian felt it again—Hoshiguma was incredible. Cooler than most men could ever hope to be.
Having a bro like her was a blessing… He nodded to himself and headed home.
It was already noon, and the blazing sun felt like torture on a hung-over body.
And he'd stayed out all night. Exusiai was definitely going to be pissed. Great.
Lucian muttered, "I hope they managed to open the shop properly… but that's on me. God, this is embarrassing."
Resolved to stop being an idiot, he went home.
Their shared apartment was silent. No one else was around.
Reeking of alcohol, all he wanted was a shower. He entered his room—
And the second he opened the door, Exusiai glared at him like a statue guarding a shrine. "You're slow!"
"Sorry!" Lucian surrendered instantly.
You could never talk back to an angry Exusiai. He immediately wrapped himself around her leg. "El, I didn't mean to! I can explain! I swear there's a reason!"
Exusiai narrowed her eyes at the drunken man clinging to her. "Go on. I'm listening. So? Woman, woman, woman? You spent all day tangled up with women, right?"
"…I… guess so?"
He thought about it for a long moment before realizing—tragically—that he couldn't refute it.
Yesterday, he'd spent time with Crownslayer, Yuxia, and Hoshiguma. All women.
But that sounded way worse out loud than what actually happened.
Exusiai's expression soured even further. "And you smell like booze… were you with that green Oni? You slept over at her place?"
Lucian nodded honestly. "I ran into Hoshiguma by chance, so we had a drink. But El, you don't need to hate her this much. She's a good person."
Exusiai snorted. "Who knows. She hates me too—she just doesn't say it."
Lucian had no clue what she was talking about.
Exusiai was usually so bright and friendly, able to talk to anyone with that cheerful smile. Her social skills were way better than his.
But for reasons unknown, she just didn't get along with Ch'en, Swire, Yuxia, Hoshiguma… basically that entire group. Not enemies, but anytime she saw one of them, sparks flew instantly. Who knew what invisible competition they were having.
Still full of pent-up frustration, Exusiai jabbed him with her knee. "You stink! Go shower! I haven't eaten anything since last night—I'm starving!"
"Okay, okay, I'll cook right away."
Why was this woman acting like a baby bird begging to be fed? Lucian sighed deeply.
Then, just as he was about to stand, Exusiai's sharp eyes caught something. "Wait."
She leaned in, yanked open his collar—
Red marks covered his neck, whether from impact or being pressed against something. Exusiai's face darkened instantly, turning demonic.
"Oh? So this is a declaration of war. Well played, you Oni woman…!"
Lucian raised a hand sternly. "Hold it. I don't know what you're thinking, but Hoshiguma's family name isn't—"
"SHUT UUUP!"
Exusiai exploded, entering super overload mode.
And Lucian knew—he wasn't surviving this one unscathed.