White Knight

Kell's focus on the investigation was interrupted by distant memories—vague recollections of a time seven years ago when everything had changed for him. But he pushed them aside, knowing that whatever answers he sought would not be found in the past, but in the present—a present that was becoming increasingly entangled in a web of mystery and manipulation.

As Kell continued to delve into the details of the case, far from the dimly lit room where the investigators toiled, another story was unfolding. The city, with its sprawling streets and towering buildings, harbored secrets and ambitions that reached even the youngest of its residents.

On the outskirts of the city, beneath the bright lights of an opulent villa, a young boy and girl walked toward a party that promised to be the highlight of the evening. The boy, known to most as Ken, was anything but an ordinary teenager. In truth, he was Shin, a genius with a mind sharp enough to cut through any facade. His true nature was masked behind a veneer of charm and innocence, a mask he wore with ease.

"Hey! Ken! Wait for me!" Anna's voice carried through the night air, breathless and filled with a mixture of excitement and exhaustion.

Ken—Shin—turned slightly, his expression carefully neutral. "You sure you want to come with me to the party, Anna?"

Anna, trying to catch her breath, managed a playful grin. "Argh! Just be thankful you're handsome! You're so… yummy. Joke!" Her attempt at flirtation was clumsy, but genuine.

Ken feigned a blush, looking slightly uncomfortable, as if her words had caught him off guard. But beneath the surface, he was far from flustered. Anna was just a pawn in his intricate game, a piece he could move and manipulate at will. His true feelings, if he even had any, were buried deep beneath layers of calculated strategy.

After a long walk, the pair finally reached the villa, its grand exterior lit up like a beacon in the night. The sounds of music and laughter spilled out from within, and the light from the party made the interior visible to those outside.

"At last, we're finally here!" Anna exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and excitement, though her exhaustion was evident in the way she leaned against Ken.

Without hesitation, Ken bent down, lifting Anna onto his back. She blushed, trying to hide her face, but her heart raced at the close contact. Ken smiled to himself, knowing exactly how to play this scenario. His charm was a tool, and Anna's infatuation was the lock he could easily pick.

As they approached the entrance, a voice cut through the party's noise.

"Oh, Anna!" Jenna's voice rang out, drawing the attention of the entire room. Heads turned, eyes settling on Ken and Anna as they stood in the doorway, bathed in the golden glow of the lights.

Ken's smile didn't falter, but his mind was already at work. Jenna's interruption wasn't part of his plan, but it could be useful. He gently set Anna down, allowing her to regain her composure, before he was suddenly confronted by another figure—Eerion.

Eerion was tall, with an imposing presence that immediately demanded attention. His eyes, however, were fixed on Anna, a possessive glint in them that didn't escape Ken's notice.

"Anna," Eerion said, his voice low and almost predatory, "you should have come with me. I've been looking for you."

Anna looked nervous, glancing between Ken and Eerion, but before she could respond, Ken stepped forward, placing himself subtly between them.

"Anna's with me tonight," Ken said, his tone calm and unthreatening, but there was an undercurrent of authority that wasn't lost on Eerion.

Eerion's gaze shifted to Ken, his expression hardening. "And who are you to decide that?"

Ken's smile widened, disarming and confident. "Just a friend looking out for her. You wouldn't want to cause a scene, would you?"

For a moment, tension hung in the air, thick and suffocating. But then, with a calculated ease, Ken leaned closer to Anna, lowering his voice so that only she could hear.

"Eerion's the type to get jealous easily. It'd be best if you stayed close to me tonight. You wouldn't want him to cause trouble, would you?"

Anna nodded quickly, her trust in Ken solidifying with every word. She didn't see the subtle manipulation, the way Ken was positioning himself as her protector, the "White Knight" in this unfolding drama.

Eerion, sensing that he was being outmaneuvered, tried to press further. "Anna, I know you didn't come here just for him. Let's talk somewhere private."

Ken didn't miss a beat. "Anna, it's your choice. But remember, you can always rely on me. I'll make sure nothing happens to you."

The implication was clear, and Anna's resolve wavered. She hesitated, then shook her head. "No, I'll stay with Ken."

Eerion's expression darkened, but he knew better than to push the issue further. "Fine," he muttered, turning away with a barely concealed scowl.

As the party resumed its lively pace, Ken led Anna deeper into the crowd, his mind already plotting the next steps. Eerion's presence was a complication, but not an insurmountable one. In fact, it was just another opportunity to tighten his hold over those around him.

"Remember, Anna," Ken whispered as they moved through the throng of partygoers, "I'm always here for you."

And as Anna smiled up at him, unaware of the game being played, Ken—Shin—felt a surge of satisfaction. In this city, geniuses like him thrived on control, and tonight, he had solidified his. Anna, like so many others, was just another piece on his board—a pawn he could sacrifice or protect as the game required.

As the night wore on, the villa's lights continued to shine, but in the shadows, a different kind of game was being played. One where the stakes were high, and only the most cunning would emerge victorious.

---

In the world of shadows and secrets, both Kell and Shin moved their pieces carefully, each unaware of the other's existence but bound by a fate that would one day bring them face to face. And when that day came, it would be a clash of geniuses—one seeking justice, the other reveling in chaos.

The game was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning.