Sephiroth mindlessly nods at Zack's excited babbling—he knows well how to respond when Puppy seeks attention.

Regardless, he does not pay much attention to this annual, extravagant ball of ShinRa. So he supposes it is better this way.

And behind the two of them, his two best friends argue heatedly about something he doesn't really care about. Perhaps, LOVELESS again, he thinks. Genesis nearly yells at Angeal while Angeal counters and defends himself with an exasperated sigh.

Sephiroth does not falter at this usual sight. He smooths out the collar of his dress shirt absently and loosens and fixes his necktie, as if it were suffocating him; he frowns and sighs wearily.

His eyes drift and shift in a vain attempt to distract himself from this agonisingly boring circumstance.

And a pair of glowing mako eyes land on you. His eyebrows furrow. He had never seen you before. Rufus has you stay close to him, one of his arms wrapped around your waist—Sephiroth suspects—despite your discomfort.

You must be the new secretary of his about whom everyone talks. The rumours had spread like wildfire. Not that he cares about such things.

Yet his eyes remain, watching you.

Sephiroth hears your whispered voice, his sharp, enhanced ears picking every single word even from a distance. "I will excuse myself for a brief moment, President."

He watches you with the corner of his eye as you walk out of the hall and onto the balcony.

His two feet move without him realising as though they had a mind of their own, despite his friends calling and shouting, "Sephiroth, where are you going?"

Sephiroth does not bother to properly answer their concerned questions and leaves them behind.

He follows your tracks and waltzes onto the balcony; your scent mingles with the sweet fragrance of flowers carried from afar. The cool summer night breeze kisses his cheeks; Sephiroth briefly closes his eyes before opening them again.

The General sees you leaning against the rail. Despite his better judgment, he murmurs his greeting, "Pleasant night?"