Chapter 19 — A ⁠Promise in Flames

Confusion spread through the stadium as thousands of spectators looked toward the smiling girl beneath the spotlight. Some laughed, convinced that what they were seeing was simply part of the performance.

"Wow..."

"They really spared no expense."

"That smile is creepy..."

"What an amazing villain costume."

Others exchanged uneasy glances. The girl standing on the stage looked far too real. Her impossibly wide grin, the way she never blinked, and the unnatural delight in her eyes sent chills down their spines.

Behind Sakura, one of the dancers nervously whispered,

"Miss Sakura..."

"Did the staff change the script without telling us?"

Without taking her eyes off Greed, Sakura answered in a low voice.

"...Run."

The dancer blinked.

"...Huh?"

"All of you."

Sakura's expression became deadly serious.

"Go through the backstage exit."

"Find the security staff."

"Now."

The dancers looked at one another. For a long moment, no one moved.

Then they realized Sakura wasn't acting.

Fear spread across their faces, and without another word, they turned and sprinted toward the backstage exit.

Greed watched them go before placing a hand against her cheek.

"Aww..."

"Are they leaving already?"

She giggled.

"I thought we were going to perform a duet."

"That would've been sooo romantic."

Sakura ignored her and raised her Braver device.

"Transform!"

A burst of pink light erupted around her. The white-and-pink idol costume dissolved into countless shimmering particles, and in its place appeared the sleek pink armor of the Pink Braver. Cherry blossom patterns decorated the armor while a flowing pink scarf fluttered behind her.

The audience erupted into cheers.

"Pink Braver!"

"This really is part of the concert!"

"This is amazing!"

Only Sakura knew the truth.

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Meanwhile, behind the stage, the dancers ran down the emergency corridor as fast as they could.

"What is happening?!"

"I don't know!"

"Just do what Miss Sakura said!"

"We have to find security!"

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The EXIT door was only a few meters away.

Then they stopped.

Someone was standing directly in front of it.

A small girl with short green bobbed hair quietly blocked their path. She had one tired emerald eye and one golden eye with a tiny star-shaped pupil. An oversized black sweater hung loosely over her frail body, almost hiding the short black skirt beneath it, while sleeves so long they covered nearly all of her hands dangled at her sides.

Her shoulders slumped as though even standing required tremendous effort. Her eyes were red from crying, and she quietly stared at the floor without acknowledging the frightened dancers in front of her.

"...I..."

"...want..."

"...to go home..."

Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with sadness.

"...But..."

"...there's..."

"...no point..."

Black tendrils slowly emerged from the oversized sleeves.

The dancers froze.

One of them gasped.

"W-Who...?"

Sloth slowly lifted her head as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

"...Please..."

"...don't..."

"...make..."

"...me..."

"...work..."

The black tendrils silently spread across the hallway.

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Outside the stadium, the moment the lights disappeared, Saki's communicator crackled.

"We've lost contact!"

"Repeat—we've lost communication with all interior security units!"

Saki's eyes widened.

"What?!"

Another soldier shouted,

"The cameras are offline too!"

Saki immediately pointed toward the main entrance.

"Everyone!"

"Move!"

Dozens of soldiers rushed forward, but before they could reach the doors, darkness suddenly rose from the ground. Like liquid night, a massive black veil climbed into the sky until, within seconds, the entire stadium was sealed inside a gigantic black dome.

"No..."

Saki whispered.

The barrier finished closing just before she reached it.

"Damn it!"

She slammed her fist against the dark surface, but a black ripple surged outward and pushed her backward. Whatever this barrier was, it had clearly been created to keep people outside.

Saki clenched her fists.

"Everyone!"

"Step back!"

The soldiers obeyed immediately.

Golden electricity began gathering around Saki's arms as lightning danced across her armor. With a determined shout, she thrust both hands forward.

A blinding bolt of lightning exploded into the barrier.

BOOOOOOM!!

The black dome cracked, and a small opening appeared.

One soldier pointed.

"It broke through!"

Saki immediately noticed the hole beginning to shrink.

"Hurry!"

"Follow me!"

She dashed through the opening, and a dozen soldiers rushed in behind her before the barrier sealed shut again.

As they sprinted toward the stage, Saki shouted,

"Our first priority is Sakura!"

"Move!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

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Back on the stage, Pink Braver and Greed stood facing one another beneath the stadium lights.

Greed smiled brightly.

"You know..."

She tilted her head.

"Serious expressions don't usually suit you."

She giggled.

"But tonight..."

"They look absolutely beautiful."

Her delighted eyes narrowed even further.

"I can't wait..."

"...to fill that pretty face with despair."

Sakura gritted her teeth.

"...What did you do to Taichi?"

Greed answered with cheerful laughter.

"Hehehehehe!"

Sakura took one step forward.

"What did you do to him?!"

Greed wiped an imaginary tear from her eye.

"I don't want to spoil the surprise."

"I'd rather..."

"...you figure it out yourself."

A horrible feeling settled inside Sakura's heart. Something about Greed—the way she smiled, the way she looked at her with such unnatural affection—made her feel sick.

Sakura raised both hands.

Pink petals erupted around her. Thousands of glowing cherry blossoms filled the air, swirling into a magnificent vortex around Greed. Each petal carried powerful sleeping magic.

The audience applauded wildly.

"Amazing!"

"Pink Braver's powers!"

"The special effects are incredible!"

Greed remained perfectly still with her hands resting behind her back as the sea of glowing blossoms surrounded her.

Sakura's voice rang across the stage.

"I'll capture you."

"And then..."

"I'll find out where Taichi is."

Greed's smile widened.

"So determined."

Then crimson fire ignited around her body.

The flames danced gently around Greed as the cherry blossoms swept toward her. One by one, the petals touched the crimson fire, instantly blackening and curling before crumbling into ash.

Sakura's eyes widened, and for a moment, her breathing stopped.

"...Those flames..."

Her voice cracked.

"...They're..."

"...Taichi's..."

The crimson fire illuminated Greed's delighted face as she slowly began walking toward Sakura. With each step, burnt petals crumbled beneath her shoes.

"Do you remember..."

"...Sakura?"

Sakura couldn't move. Her entire body trembled uncontrollably.

Greed's voice softened.

"When we were little..."

"...we made a promise."

She smiled.

"I promised..."

"...I'd always remain a hero..."

"...and protect people's lives."

Greed took another step forward.

"You promised..."

"...you'd keep singing..."

"...and save people's hearts."

By now, only a few meters separated them.

Greed looked directly into Sakura's tear-filled eyes, her smile becoming impossibly wide.

"So..."

"I came here tonight..."

"...to free you..."

"...from that silly promise."

Sakura stared at the crimson flames dancing around Greed. She knew those flames. She had seen them countless times before, always protecting innocent people.

Now, they burned for someone else.

Her lips trembled.

"...Ta..."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"...Taichi...?"

At that single whispered name, it felt as though her heart shattered into countless pieces.