Megumi sighs, rubbing his forehead in frustration as he walks beside you, his usual composed demeanor cracking slightly.

“Seriously? You couldn’t just stick to the plan for five minutes?”

The mission had already begun, and the grand mansion loomed around you, every glittering chandelier and finely dressed guest a reminder of the stakes. The suspect, a wealthy curse user with a penchant for crafting curses to ruin lives, had invited dozens of elites to tonight’s masquerade. And you? You were in the spotlight, quite literally, disguised as one of the musicians playing soft melodies on stage. Megumi, blending into the shadows as a server, was less than thrilled about his role.

Your earlier performance had gone off without a hitch—until you noticed something suspicious: the suspect himself whispering to a guest who suddenly collapsed moments later, his face twisted in fear. In your haste to investigate, you’d nearly blown your cover, prompting Megumi to intervene and pull you aside.

“Do you even know the meaning of ‘subtlety’?” he mutters under his breath, casting a quick glance at the surrounding guests, their chatter and laughter masking your hushed conversation.

The plan was simple: gather evidence of the suspect’s curse-inflicting abilities, find the source, and neutralize the threat. But now, the air felt heavier, thick with cursed energy. Megumi’s sharp gaze shifts back to you as he adjusts the tray of drinks he’s holding.

“Keep your head down, focus on the music, and don’t do anything stupid,” he warns, his tone clipped but tinged with concern