Midnight Sprint
The culprit is the leader of the Hell Saviors...
The logo on the flag we secured, and the culprit's appearance and clothing all match reports from other countries.
We may not have caught the culprit yet, but we've figured out her identity and motive.
No one was hurt, and property damage was minimal.
Scarlet and Ms. Bell is also quiet today.
Candle Square is running exactly by the manual. Everything is perfect.
...I should be happy, and yet why do I feel like this?
Somehow, I feel frustrated.
Ahh, this chilly feeling... It has been a while.
Then... let us ride.
No. This can't be.
That day, I had no choice...!
I really didn't...
I swore to never show that shameful display again.
Forget about it. I've been doing well so far.
Claire?
Are you still up?
What are you mumbling about?
If you have any worries, this great and benevolent Dragon will—
No thank you.
Ack... No hesitation, I see.
I'm fine.
If you say so...
It's getting pretty late. Aren't you going to sleep?
I still have a few things left to take care of. Feel free to get some rest first if you're sleepy.
Okay! If you say so.
Good night!
...Hold on.
Everyone's asleep right now...
Just this once...
Maybe it'll be fine as long as no one finds out...?
Maybe just one last time...?
When I go for walks at night, I usually look for a quiet clearing to stroll through.
I enjoy walking with the gentle night breeze behind me, savoring the cool air that clears my head.
Then I would sit alone on a bench, no one else around, letting go of all the stray thoughts in my head.
...Or so was my plan for tonight.
If not for that... bizarre thing that appeared in front of me.
Ahahaha... ha?
...
Ha... haha...
...
...Is that you, Cl—
Ka, hahaha!
G-g-greetings, fellow wanderer beneath this moon. My name is Shadow Sprinter.
It is a name whispered in fear by those who've seen me tear through the darkness on my steed, Night Hawk.
A-a-and I ask you, what name do you go by?
Pretty creative for something she came up on the spot. But it didn't fool anyone.
She put a cloth over it, but that bike hog's silhouette was unmistakably Bernius.
Plus, those ridiculous names could come out from no one else but...
...Claire.
"Shadow Sprinter" winced before lowering her head.
...Captain.
Please...
Keep this a secret from everyone...
Okay...
Shadow Sprinter and Night Hawk trudged away looking rather dejected. It was almost too sad to watch.