Arriving in front of the club, I don't see Angel. Damn, where is he? Worry grips me. Maybe he's in the alley behind. I discreetly climb the building overlooking the alley. The parkour and climbing skills from my living days still serve me well here.

Bingo! There he is... I freeze. Angel is lying on the ground, covered in bruises, with Val beside him. How is this possible? My mind refuses to accept this sight.

My heart races, a wave of anger threatening to overwhelm me. Stay calm, control your anger... I slap my cheeks to regain composure. Please, don't lose control now...

Val grabs Angel by the neck, strangling him... Enough is enough! I leap at him, dagger in hand, and stab him in the arm that's holding Angel. Val releases his grip and steps back, allowing me to position myself between him and Angel.

Me: - Hey! Are you okay?

Angel: - What...

As I examine his bruises up close, a flash appears in my mind, memories rushing through.

Rage builds within me, a dark smoke starting to envelop me... Calm down, don't let the rage take over, Romane.

Val: - It's you again!

Me: - You're going to pay for this!

Val: - What was that? "Sorry, I don't have any money."

Me: - Bastard!

I'm seething with rage, even without transforming into my demonic form like Alastor. Despite this, Val steps back a few paces. This time, I won't hold back or dodge. I brandish my dagger to intimidate him, and it works: he pulls out a firearm and empties his clip, shooting at me.

Using my dagger and heightened auditory perception, I close my eyes to deflect the bullets. When I open them... He's fled, the coward!

I sheathe my dagger before turning to Angel.

Me: - Angel! Angel! Are you okay? Can you hear me...

Angel: - Yes... yes, Minette.

Me: - Can you walk?

Angel: - Yes, with a little help.

I support him to help him stand and walk. Next time I encounter this "Val," I'll turn him into pulp... We move towards the main avenue, walking in silence for a moment...

Suddenly, something grabs my ankles, dragging me to the ground and lifting me up. What is this... Angel! Hanging upside down, I see him collapse to the ground. No! I must free myself and protect him at all costs.

What's holding me down? Electrical cables?!

Stranger: - Is that her?

Val: - Yeah, it's her.

A sudden electric shock pierces through my ankles... Damn! The pain is unbearable! I grit my teeth to suppress any cry, determined not to give them the satisfaction of hearing my distress... I must free myself... Gripping my dagger tightly, I cut through the cables with unyielding determination, ready to do anything to protect Angel.

Landing on my feet in front of Angel... I'll protect you, don't worry, Angie. Turning to Val, I notice a guy in a suit with... I struggle to hold back my laughter... a damn television instead of a head... This is utterly ridiculous! What kind of two-bit demon is this! They really look like clowns, these two.

Me: - Did you bring your boyfriend along?

Val: - Shut up.

Stranger: - Who are you?

Me: - Me?

I remain calm, adopting the badass attitude Nina advised to unsettle them. Nothing like it... I grab a lollipop and unwrap it. Even though I don't have Pearl with me, I'll make them pay for what they did to Angel.

Me: - The one who's going to teach you a lesson.

I let my rage flow, golden chains emerging from the shadows and lashing out towards "TV-head" and Val... I had never imagined possessing such power... Hmmmmmmmm, I decide not to use them just yet, unsure of how to control them. Still, their presence shows I'm capable of much more than I thought.

Val: - Watch out, damn it, Vox, this girl can fight.

Vox: - Shit, I don't care, Val.

Ah... So "TV-man" is called Vox...

Vox hurls his damn cables at me while Val opens fire. A two-on-one fight? Maybe this could be an entertaining challenge?

Yet, after a brief moment, I quickly become disillusioned... Their actions are more of a hindrance than a threat. Easily dodging the bullets, I leap onto Vox's electric cables, as if dancing on a tightrope between life and death.

I strike Vox with my dagger and kick Val, knocking them both backward...

"Is that all the Overlord has to offer?" I smirk ironically. "Ah, they're getting back up? Very well, let's continue."

Vox redoubles by hurling his damn cables at me again... Seriously? Is that all he has in his arsenal? However, a dilemma arises: if I dodge this attack, Angel behind me might suffer from it... No other choice... Damn. I decide to take the attack to protect Angie.

The impact is so intense that I fall to my knees... Despite their lack of technical finesse, their attacks are devastatingly powerful. Vox grins... He's found my weak spot... Angel... Damn. TV-man decides to attack Angie, but I intervene with my blade.

I have no choice but to go berserk. Relentlessly, I attack, evading all their attacks...

After a long while, I manage to crack Vox's screen, emitting a piercing, high-pitched sound that forces me to drop my dagger and cover my ears... With my sensitive hearing, it's painful. Val takes advantage and hits me hard in the stomach... No! I can't lose! Not now! Pearl! Pearl, I need you!

Angie: - No, Val, stop!

Angie, don't worry, I can handle this... Go, please.

Val, poised to strike me again, is suddenly halted by a red force field... My heart races... Elation washes over me, as I recognize this shield... She's with me... Pearl! Thank you, my faithful friend! A wide smile spreads across my face Me: - Activating Pearl.

Pearl: - Hello ro...

Me: - Pearl, be ready with the electric shock device and my scythe.

Pearl: - Okay.

A red light envelops me, transforming into a short red and black dress adorned with electrical patterns, with long sleeves. My tights turn white and boots replace my ballet flats.

My scythe appears in my hands, exactly as I had it earlier... Finally, it feels good to be myself. Alright, I'm going to teach them some respect.

I head towards the two clowns, armed and ready to fight. Surprised by my speed, they step back slightly... Too late. I grab Val in the hollow of my scythe, while Vox tries to electrocute me again.

Uhhhhhhhhhh... He really seems to struggle with the concept of an electric shock-resistant outfit, this idiot... But it's time I finished them. Angel is counting on me, and I can't let these two idiots harm him any further.

I grab Val forcefully, propelling him towards Vox with a powerful motion. Their collision creates a deep crater, rendering them unconscious but still alive... Phew... Victory is mine! I turn to Angel, his face displaying astonishment, much like those around us... Damn, I hadn't noticed their gathering. Without wasting a moment, I take Angel's hand and quickly move us away from the scene.

Angel: - Remind me never to make you angry again...

Me: - Idiot...

I say, flicking his forehead.

Angel: - Ouch... I'm injured...

I sigh at this poor acting.

Me: - Pearl, full scan please.

A red orb emerges from my necklace and moves towards Angel.

Angel: - What is this thing?

Me: - An AI... An artificial intelligence I developed in my living days, named Pearl.

Pearl: - Your friend has a bruise on his right shoulder and several bruises, nothing serious...

Me: - Alright, Pearl. Angel, we'll get you treated at the hotel... Come on, let's hurry.

We walk a short distance before Angel stops.

Angel: - Tell me?

Me: - Yes, Angel?

Angel: - Mélodie isn't your real name, is it?

I freeze... How? Has he discovered my true identity? What do I do now?

Angel: - You almost never respond to Mélodie, and your thing started calling her with the syllable "ro", so...

Me: - Yes... Mélodie is just a nickname.

A heavy silence settles... Can I trust him? After all, he's like me... And can I really continue alone? I need to learn to trust new people... I can't keep lying to my friends.

A heavy silence falls, broken only by Angel's murmur.

Angel: "Anthony..."

I look up, surprised by the intensity of his gaze.

Me: "What?!" my voice betrays my confusion.

Angel: "That's my real name."

Oh... Angel, he just entrusted me with a part of himself. An indescribable emotion washes over me as I lower my head, overwhelmed by the weight of this revelation.

A silence filled with understanding settles between us.

Angel: "I understand, we hardly know each other, and it's not easy to trust a stranger, but you..."

Me: "Romane," I gently interrupt.

Angel looks up, surprised by the familiarity of my name spoken with affection.

Me: - Romane, that's my real name.

A soft smile lights up his face.

Angel: - Thank you for trusting me... Romane.

Me: - You're welcome, idiot.

A slight laugh escapes our lips, dispelling the tension that lingered just a moment ago.

Me: - Promise me you'll keep this to yourself, not tell anyone, and especially not reveal anything about what happened today.

Angel: - Promise, my kitten.

Before reaching the hotel, we turn into a nearby alley.

Angel: - Why are you...

Me: - I need to change!

Angel looks at me perplexedly, surely wondering what's going on...

Me: - I don't want to be recognized... You've noticed I have two appearances.

Angel: - Oh... Like a superhero with a secret identity.

I chuckle softly.

Me: - Yes, Angie, like a superhero... Pearl.

Pearl: - Yes, Romane.

Angel smiles broadly, now understanding the dual identity game I'm playing...

Pearl: - What can I do for you?

Me: - Save the current outfit I'm wearing and the one in my bag. Remove my wig and undress me, leaving my underwear and tank top, please. And don't forget the dagger.

Pearl: - Understood.

The red orb reappears and moves towards my bag, where the outfit disappears into thousands of spheres of bright red light. Then it comes towards me and does the same with the outfit I'm wearing, leaving me as requested in underwear.

A cry of horror tears through the silence.

"Romane!"

I bow my head, suddenly realizing why I always wear long-sleeved dresses and tights here. My body, a painful canvas marked by scars, indelible memories of my tormented past, is exposed to Angel's view.

Angel grabs my arm firmly... I restrain a groan of irritation.

Angel: "Romane, what is this?"

His voice trembles with emotion. He releases my arm and starts to cry... Don't cry, Angie, please.

Angel: "Romane, who did this to you..." His voice breaks, unable to finish his question.

Me: - Angel, my past hasn't always been rosy, far from it... Pearl, download my previous outfit... the one with the roses, and you can power down... Thank you, Pearl.

Pearl: - Yes...

An aura envelops my body, instantly dressing me back in my previous outfit, with the rose patterns. I feel the unpleasant glasses return to my nose, my wig disappear, and my hair tied into a beautiful braid, just as this morning. A sigh of relief escapes me. I still have Alastor's rose, and I would have been upset if I lost it.

I turn to Angel, who still seems shocked, tears streaming down his cheeks. He needs reassurance. Moving towards him gently, I kneel down and stroke his head, offering him a warm and comforting smile.

Me: - Angel, it's in the past... I'm okay now.

Angie touches his head, letting out one last tear before offering me a timid smile.

Me: - Ah, I prefer you like this, Angie.

Angel: - You... You're extraordinary.

Me: - Of course not... I'm completely ordinary.

We laugh together, dispelling the tension, then resume our walk towards the Happy Hotel.