Mentioned Characters: Sakuya

What stage this was didn't really matter. What mattered was that Sakuya Izayoi stood at its center, smiling. Her cape fluttered behind her, and her left eye, peeking through her mask, gleamed with curiosity―sharp, focused, and burning bright. What was she thinking? Why had she come here? To find that out, we would need to rewind the clock just a little.

Backstage, Sakuya Izayoi kept perfectly still, her presence hidden in the shadows. There was only one reason she'd come here, and it had everything to do with what she was after. Something that resembled the item she'd been searching for was set to appear in that day's auction, which was going to be held right here on this very stage. The catch was that the auction was strictly members-only. Someone like her couldn't just stroll in through the front door. Which was exactly why she'd chosen to stay hidden. Tucked away behind the scenes, she waited for the right moment. She was ready to claim the item for herself.

There was an obvious problem here. Sneaking in was one thing, but how exactly did she plan to get the item? Just waltz into the auction and place a bid? No, that wasn't reliable. Take it by force, out in the open? No, that wasn't exactly elegant. So, what was the plan? Slip in unnoticed, borrow it quietly... and return it just as quietly. In her eyes, that wasn't theft. It was a form of etiquette, a subtle art on its own.

Villain Castle But of course, things weren't going to be that simple. The problem was the little voice in Sakuya's head that clearly didn't care much for her quiet, calculated approach. "If you're going to take it, go big or don't bother. Take it loud, take it proud. Leave them wondering if they just witnessed a heist or a celebration." The voice wouldn't stop. It kept repeating, over and over, until finally Sakuya snapped. She had run out of patience.

"Oh, come on―!" The words slipped out before she could stop them. She slapped a hand over her mouth, but it was too late. The spotlight shifted off the stage, sweeping across the room in search of the voice. In her mind, the ever-persistent voice let out a quiet, satisfied chuckle and vanished. "Ugh... all right, fine," she sighed. There was no point in staying hidden now. Things had changed. So she smiled and stepped forward, arms outstretched like this had been her intention all along. She laughed like she owned the place, and by the time her laughter faded from the hall, she was gone. Along with the item she'd come for.