ZZZ:Through the Frosted Mirror

Ellen stepped into the bustling mall, the familiar hum of chatter and the rhythmic steps of shoppers filling the air. She had a mission today—stock up on food and clothes for herself, Miyabi, and Mira. Before heading out, she made sure to ask Miyabi what kind of clothes she preferred, wanting to make things easier for her mate.

Navigating through the aisles, Ellen picked out practical yet stylish outfits for herself and Miyabi, ensuring everything fit their new realities. Mira's section, however, was more fun—she couldn't help but pick up adorable outfits that would make their little oni even cuter.

As she moved between stores, she felt the weight of lingering stares. Whispers floated through the air, hushed but unmistakable.

"Isn't that the girl from the news?"

"She was in the attack, right?"

"I heard she and Miyabi are… you know, together."

Ellen sighed but didn't react. As long as they kept their distance and didn't drag her loved ones into anything, she couldn't care less. Let them talk. She had more important things to focus on.

With her shopping bags in tow, she made her way to the grocery store to finish her errands. As she browsed through the produce section, a familiar voice called out to her.

"Ellen?"

She turned to see Corin, dressed impeccably in her Victoria Housekeeping maid uniform, her expression shifting from surprise to relief.

"Corin," Ellen greeted, a small smile forming. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"I could say the same," Corin replied, her eyes scanning Ellen briefly before softening. "You had us all worried."

"Yeah, I figured…" Ellen exhaled. "I was planning to stop by soon. Just taking things one step at a time."

Corin nodded in understanding before glancing at her own basket. "I'm on duty right now, shopping for a client. I need to get going, but I'll make sure to let everyone know you're okay."

Ellen appreciated that. "Thanks, Corin. I'll visit soon."

With a final nod, Corin rushed off to finish her task, leaving Ellen to complete her own shopping. As she made her way to the checkout, she felt a little lighter. Today had been productive. Another step forward.

Ellen walked down the sidewalk, the bags of groceries and new clothes hanging comfortably in her grip as she made her way back to her apartment. The morning had been productive, and she was eager to return home, but something caught her attention as she passed by an electronics store.

The massive screens in the window display were tuned to a news broadcast, recapping the attack from the previous day. The footage played on a loop, showing Section 6's heroic efforts to fend off the Ethereal threat and protect civilians. As expected, the cameras had captured everything, highlighting each member's actions during the battle. Ellen wasn't particularly interested in the coverage—she already knew what had happened—but what came next made her stop in her tracks.

The reporter's voice turned urgent.

"And now, in a shocking turn of events, footage has surfaced of Section 6's leader, Hoshimi Miyabi, undergoing a transformation after being shot with an unidentified serum. Witnesses report that her strength and abilities increased exponentially, allowing her to dispatch the enemy with unprecedented ease. But that is not the only mystery of the day."

Ellen felt a pit in her stomach as the footage changed. The screen now showed a towering shark Thiren—her—emerging from the chaos of battle with a small oni child secured to her back. She watched, heart pounding, as the recording zoomed in on Miyabi's reaction.

The news anchor continued, "What's truly raising questions is the unexpected interaction between Miyabi and this unknown Thiren. As seen here—" The footage replayed in slow motion. "—Miyabi, instead of engaging in combat, runs directly toward the Thiren and the oni child, embracing them before—wait for it—kissing the thiren."

The screen flickered between different angles of the moment, and Ellen could already hear the frenzy that followed. The newscaster's voice remained composed, but the excitement was unmistakable.

"This shocking display has sparked intense speculation. Who is this Thiren? And more importantly, what is her relationship with the leader of Section 6? Miyabi's fan club, in particular, is demanding answers. Reports indicate that this mysterious Thiren was also involved in combat, displaying remarkable strength. Is she an ally of Section 6? A close companion to Miyabi? Or… perhaps something more?"

Ellen swallowed hard as she felt the weight of several stares on her. A handful of people standing nearby had been watching the broadcast as well, and now they were slowly turning toward her. She could hear the murmurs already starting.

"Wait, isn't that—?"

"She looks just like—"

"That's totally her! The Thiren from the footage!"

Ellen's eyes widened, her instincts kicking in. Before anyone could approach her, she tightened her grip on her bags and blitzed away at top speed, leaving only a gust of wind in her wake. She had zero interest in being interrogated by random strangers.

'Just great,' she thought as she raced back to her apartment. 'Now everyone is talking about it.'

One thing was for sure—avoiding the spotlight was going to be a lot harder from now on.

Ellen walked briskly through the dimly lit alleyway near her apartment, her sharp eyes scanning her surroundings as she clutched her bags of groceries. A flickering neon sign above a nearby TV store still played footage from the news, but Ellen had already tuned it out. She exhaled softly, relieved that everything she bought was intact. Wasting food and supplies was not something she could afford to deal with right now.

Just as she was about to continue on her way home, a desperate voice caught her attention.

"P-please...! Get off me!"

Ellen's entire body went rigid at the sound of a woman pleading. The voice was laced with fear, and the sound of shuffling and low, menacing chuckles confirmed her worst suspicions.

"Shut up," one of the men sneered. "Ain't nobody coming to help you."

Ellen's expression darkened as she immediately changed course, following the voices to a more secluded part of the alley. What she saw made her blood boil—two men loomed over a young woman, pinning her against the cold brick wall. The woman's body was trembling, her hands gripping her arms tightly as tears streaked down her face.

Without hesitation, Ellen released a suffocating wave of killing intent.

The effect was immediate. The two men froze in place, their amusement turning into sheer terror as they turned their heads toward the source of their impending doom. Their faces drained of color when they saw Ellen standing there, her sharp eyes locked onto them like a predator sizing up its prey.

One of the men visibly trembled, his breath hitching as a dark stain spread down his pants. The other, though not as immediately pathetic, was sweating profusely, his hands shaking as he slowly backed away.

"W-we didn't mean—!" one of them stammered, but before he could finish, Ellen moved.

With swift and precise strikes, she knocked both men unconscious before they had a chance to run. Their bodies collapsed to the ground with dull thuds, their breaths shallow but steady. Ellen stared down at them, her gaze cold and unyielding.

"The only reason you're still breathing," she muttered icily, "is because I don't want to traumatize her further."

She then turned her attention to the woman.

The girl had collapsed onto the ground, hugging her legs to her chest. She was still trembling, her dark aqua eyes filled with fear and lingering shock. Her dark blue hair, tipped with orange, framed her face as she looked up at Ellen with a mixture of gratitude and fear.

Slowly, Ellen approached, ensuring her movements were gentle so as not to further startle the traumatized woman. Now that she had a better look, she took in the girl's distinct outfit—an orange and dark grey jacket, a white and orange patterned shirt, a teal necklace, and mismatched socks with sleek grey sneakers. She looked young, maybe in her early twenties.

Ellen crouched down, her voice low and calm. "Hey... it's okay now. They're gone. You're safe."

The woman remained silent, her breath still unsteady. But as Ellen held out her hand in a non-threatening gesture, the dam finally broke.

With a choked sob, the girl lunged forward, burying her face into Ellen's chest. Ellen didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around her, providing the warmth and security the girl so desperately needed.

"You're safe," Ellen murmured, her voice steady and reassuring. "I've got you. Just breathe."

The girl clung to Ellen tightly, her sobs muffled against her clothes. Ellen simply held her, whispering comforting words as she gently ran a hand over the girl's back. There was no rush—she would stay as long as the girl needed.

Because in this moment, all that mattered was making sure she knew she was no longer alone.

After Ellen comforts Belle enough for her to calm down, she gently asks for her name. The woman hesitates for a moment before responding, "Belle."

Ellen nods, offering a reassuring smile. "Do you have a phone? You should call the police."

Belle nods shakily, retrieving her phone with slightly trembling hands. She dials the emergency number for the New Eridu Public Security (NEPS), the police organization responsible for maintaining peace and order in the city. Within minutes, officers from the nearest branch arrive at the scene.

The officers quickly assess the situation, taking the unconscious men into custody before turning their attention to Ellen and Belle for questioning. Ellen recounts the events with her usual blunt efficiency, leaving out no details. Belle, still shaken but determined, corroborates Ellen's account. The officers, satisfied with their statements, escort the detained criminals to their vehicles and prepare to leave.

As the flashing lights of the NEPS vehicles fade into the distance, Ellen and Belle find themselves alone once more.

"Do you have somewhere safe to go?" Ellen asks.

Belle hesitates before replying, "I... I live with my brother, in our VHS store, Random Play. But... I don't really feel comfortable going back alone right now."

Ellen crosses her arms and gives Belle a firm look. "Then come with me for now."

Belle's eyes widen slightly. "I don't want to be a burden—"

Ellen cuts her off, shaking her head. "The only thing that would burden me is knowing you're out here by yourself after what just happened. So, are you coming or not?"

Belle looks down, taking a deep breath before nodding. "Okay... Thank you."

As they begin walking toward Ellen's apartment, Belle pulls out her phone to call her brother, explaining what had happened. Ellen keeps her attention forward, giving Belle the privacy to speak without eavesdropping.

At the same time, Ellen takes out her own phone and dials Miyabi. The call connects almost instantly. "Ellen?"

"Yeah, I'm on my way back. Something happened on the way."

Miyabi's voice shifts to concern. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"I'm fine," Ellen reassures her. "I'll explain when I get there. We'll be home soon."

Belle finishes her call and turns to Ellen. "My brother's on his way. He wants to meet me at your place... and I'm really sorry for messing up your day like this."

Ellen stops walking and looks at Belle, her expression firm yet understanding. "Don't apologize. I helped because I wanted to. That's all there is to it."

Belle stares at Ellen for a moment before nodding slowly. "...Alright."

With that, they continue toward the apartment, the city lights guiding their way home.