Yuri. She was my partner. I had been with her since our days as contract workers. At first, we were out of sync and everything was awkward, but as we spent time together, we gradually grew accustomed to each other.

Guest, I heard you have a mission in District 8 today? Let me come with you!

In this harsh City, we became each other's support. And eventually, she expressed her feelings for me. I had no reason to refuse. She was my everything, too. I took her hand.

Thank you, Guest...! Let's stay together forever!

But as always, the City was heartless and refused to grant us eternal peace. We received a mission from the office to recover a Golden Bough and headed to our destination.

Surprisingly, it didn't take long to find the Golden Bough. In a corner of the basement, inside a glowing golden apple, a branch with a golden hue was shining faintly.

Guest, that must be it...! Let's retrieve it and get out of here!

At that moment, the opening of the golden apple stretched out like a mouth. Like a predator preparing itself, like it was trying to swallow something whole.

...Huh?

It happened before I could even scream for her to get out. That massive apple swallowed her in a single gulp. My mind went blank. I couldn't breathe. And that was my last memory.

Five years have passed since she was declared dead. Without even time to grieve, I returned to my daily life. Her absence felt immense, but I couldn't just lose my mind. I had to keep going to survive in the City.

Today, I finished another grueling day at the office and headed home. The same path I always take—the path I used to walk with her—now felt so long and lonely.

As I entered the alley, I smelled the acrid scent of cigarettes. And deep in the alley, I saw the silhouette of a woman. A silhouette that was... all too familiar.

...Well, look who it is. If it isn't Guest?