Party and Angry Regina.

<General perspective>

At the party, everyone, including the new recruits, was savoring the diverse cuisines from various countries. After Ava completed her brief speech, she approached Elena and Regina to initiate their eating contest, which Elena ultimately won.

Following the contest, Ava patiently answered all of Regina's questions. Despite Regina's initial anger at Ava for keeping secrets from her, Ava managed to soothe her by promising that Regina would be the first to know next time she discovered another world.

Once Regina's anger had subsided a little, Ava took the stage, holding a microphone. Clad in a dark blue suit and white shirt, she began speaking as Katie silenced the music. All eyes turned to Ava as she addressed the crowd, "Hey everyone, I hope you're enjoying yourselves."

A chorus of enthusiastic "Yes" and nods confirmed their enjoyment.

Ava's gaze found Regina in the audience. "This song is for you, babe," she announced.

Regina's cheeks flushed as the crowd's attention shifted to her, while Elena chuckled at Ava's boldness in serenading Regina. Elena felt no jealousy; she had spent ample time with Ava during Regina's absence.

As the stage split into two parts, a piano rose from the ground. Ava seated herself, positioning the microphone on the piano stand. With a composed demeanor, she began to play.

🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵

[The Thousand Years - Song by Christina Perri]

Ava's fingers moved gracefully across the piano keys, and everyone in the room watched her in silence. The sweet, romantic melody she played filled the air, creating an intimate and captivating atmosphere.

Ava started singing, "🎶Heart beats fast

Colors and promises

How to be brave?

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?

But watching you stand alone

All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow🎶

🎶One step closer🎶"

Everyone on the floor was mesmerized by Ava's song, captivated by the beautiful melody of the piano.

Ava, "🎶I have died every day waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more🎶"

Evelyn looked at Andy with curiosity. "Is this a famous song from your Earth?" It was the first time she had heard it.

Andy shook his head thoughtfully. "No, it might be her own creation. Ava is a singer in our world, but I haven't heard this song before. Still, it's really beautiful."

Evelyn and Lee were surprised to learn Ava was a singer in her world. Meanwhile, Nora and Emmett, who already knew about Ava's singing talent, exchanged a knowing smile. They had even managed to get Ava's autograph, a special token of their admiration for her music.

Ava, "🎶Time stands still

Beauty in all she is

I will be brave

I will not let anything take away

What's standing in front of me

Every breath, every hour has come to this🎶"

Regina's anger vanished as she gazed at Ava, who smiled warmly back at her. All frustration melted away. Ava's smile grew wider, as Regina blushed.

Ava, "🎶One step closer🎶

🎶I have died every day waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more🎶

🎶And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more🎶"

Ava smiled at Elena once more, silently seeking her understanding. Elena nodded, realizing that Ava was trying to calm Regina's growing anger. Elena was also happy for Regina to have such a beautiful moment.

Ava, "🎶One step closer

One step closer🎶

🎶I have died every day waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more🎶"

Cipher looked at Ava with surprise as she had heard this voice before in her world. She came to the conclusion that the person with the party mask was 'Blue', the mysterious singer.

Ava, "🎶And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more🎶"

After the song ended, everyone liked it, but no one tried to approach Ava from the crowd except for the people Ava knew personally, as Lee had warned them that Ava is a high-ranking member who could kick them out of the organization if she wanted.

The people Ava knew personally praised her, saying her song was beautiful and mesmerizing. Ava approached Regina and Elena. She looked at Regina and asked, "So, do you forgive me?"

Regina nodded and hugged Ava. Ava then extended her left hand towards Elena, who smiled and also hugged Ava. In the background, Katie started singing "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley.

Ava looked at Regina and extended her hand, "Care to dance?"

Regina smiled and took Ava's hand, and they started dancing. Meanwhile, Emmett and Lee asked their wives to dance, and soon everyone found a dance partner—Deckard with Cipher, Ares with her little sister Lucia, John with Helen, Dylan with Elena, and Andy with Queenie. They all enjoyed themselves, laughing, while no one dared to ask them to dance due to their positions.

After dancing with Regina, Ava danced with Elena. Then Regina asked Elena for a dance.

While Elena and Regina were dancing, Ava walked over to Cipher and Deckard, who were sitting in a corner eating sushi served by the chef after finishing their dance.

John approached Ava and asked, "Ava, who is the man serving sushi?"

Ava looked at the chef and asked, "He might be a hired chef, but why do you want to know?"

John replied, "If my intuition is right, he is an assassin or used to be one."

Before Ava could say anything, Katie informed her through her earpiece that the man is Hiroto Nakamura, the father of a new recruit named Josh Nakamura, and a former assassin with a high moral rating of 8.1, higher than his son's.

Ava looked at John and said, "Don't worry, he used to be an assassin, and his son is one of the new recruits."

John nodded and returned to Helen, who was enjoying dancing with Lucia as if they were mother and daughter.

Ava asked Hiroto, "Nakamura-san, make me a plate too," as she took a seat between Cipher and Ares.

Hiroto looked at Ava in surprise and asked, "Miss, do I know you?" He couldn't see Ava's full face because of her mask.

Ava replied, "No, I just checked your information because my colleague mentioned you were an assassin."

Cipher looked at Hiroto with surprise, finding nothing odd about him, while Deckard wasn't sure, having similar thoughts as John.

Hiroto frowned and asked hesitantly, "And what did you find out, miss?"

Ava replied with a smile, "You're a kind assassin."

Hiroto started laughing and said to Ava, "Sorry about that, but I never thought there was such a thing as a 'kind assassin'."

Ava smiled and shook her head, "It's okay, I don't mind. But Nakamura-san, would you like to become an instructor to train people in the organization with the sword?"

Hiroto fell into thought, while Ava continued, "Nakamura-san, you can think about it and let me know. But first, please make me a plate of sushi."

Hiroto nodded with a smile, "Right away, miss," as he skillfully sliced fresh fish for her.

Deckard looked at Ava and said, "The song was beautiful." Ava smiled and teased Deckard, "Oh brother, you're embarrassing me."

Deckard chuckled and glanced at Cipher, "She wants to talk to you."

Ava looked at Cipher and asked, "Brother said you wanted to talk to me?"

Cipher nodded, "I want to know about my perks, how this organization works, where we are now, who you are, and what this party is about."

Ava sighed and said, "That's a lot of questions. Okay then, let's start with what this organization..."

Ava started explaining everything to Cipher. When Ava mentioned they were on another Earth, Cipher was shocked.

Cipher looked at Ava and asked, "You're not lying, are you?" It was hard to believe such a thing.

Ava replied, "How about a proof?" She opened a portal about 10 cm in size in the air and poured some water into it, which disappeared.

Cipher looked at the portal in surprise, accepting what Ava had said with some hesitation.

Hiroto served Ava six pieces of fresh sushi with soy sauce. Ava picked up a pair of chopsticks, dipped them in soy sauce, and savored the taste of the fresh sushi in her mouth.

While Deckard also enjoyed the sushi served by Hiroto.

After finishing the sushi, Ava looked at Cipher and said, "Regarding your perks, how about I give you the same position as my brother?"

Cipher looked at Ava with surprise and asked, "But Ramsey didn't get the same position as Deckard. She was directly promoted to a position one level lower."

Ava replied while munching on the last sushi, "Because you are smarter than her, cunning, and already operate an organization of your own."

Cipher thought and asked, "What are the perks of the position?"

Ava replied, "You'll get to choose between two enchantments or one, receive perks provided by the organization in this world, a seat in the future council, and more."

Ava showed Cipher a hologram listing the perks of the new position, such as choosing two whole floors in a building allocated by the organization near the base, grade 8 salary once the new currency is decided, a 30% discount on all organization products, and access to confidential information reserved for high-ranking members.

After reading everything, Cipher looked at Ava and asked, "What are these two enchantments you mentioned?"

Ava showed Cipher images of Extremis and CH-24 and explained their effects on the body using a hologram.

Cipher reviewed the pros and cons of each serum, her brow furrowed in deep contemplation. "Okay," she finally declared, "I will join the organization, and I think CH-24 is more than enough for me."

Ava, standing nearby, nodded in understanding. "Okay, after the party, there's going to be a meeting."

"But you didn't answer who you are," Cipher pressed, curiosity etched in her tone.

Ava met her gaze with a mysterious smile, her eyes glinting with secrets untold. "You will know in the meeting."

To be Continued....

[Author's note: Please write a review; it motivates me to write.]