Chapter 01: Red Queen

To make this as clear as it can, all characters depicted, said or otherwise implied to have sexual relations are 18 years and older.

Naomi recalled how she had imagined that joining the resistance cell would mean actively opposing the occupation of their homeland. She'd expected daring operations—if not pitched battles, then at least missions beyond the nightly exploits Zero had led since they debuted as the Black Knights. This name glorified their vigilante efforts.

Yet now, more than two weeks into her membership and following their ninth operation, Naomi found herself content. Their latest mission had disrupted an illicit attempt to sell critical food and medicine supplies destined for the Shinjuku ghetto, a place deeply dear to her and the others who called it home. There was a thrill in watching Zero plunge the area into darkness and then, as if by magic, restore the light to reveal their foes' startled, ghostly expressions.

The firefight had been brief and almost one-sided. The goons hired by two Britannian businessmen were little more than street thugs. While Naomi and her comrades were neither elite soldiers nor trained operatives, their experience in actual combat far exceeded that of these amateurs who rarely had to pull a trigger. The engagement left 11 enemies dead and not a single casualty among her own.

After subduing the opposition—strung up to be discovered at dawn—Zero gathered the team in a relatively clean corner of the warehouse, a spot free from blood spatter. "Excellent work tonight," he announced. "Because of your efforts, hundreds will receive the food and medicine they need to survive another day. But our mission continues. We'll launch another operation when my contacts pinpoint the next target."

Dismissed by Zero, Naomi turned to speak with Sugiyama when Kallen suddenly grabbed her arm. In a silent exchange, Kallen nodded toward Zero, who was already moving to vanish into the night. Naomi understood immediately what was required.

"Zero!" Kallen called as the masked man hesitated in the doorway. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I must speak with you privately."

Despite his exhaustion from countless late nights and longing to be home, Lelouch could not refuse Kallen—one of his most trusted operatives. "Very well," he said with a reluctant tone.

The others paid little attention as Kallen led Zero into the warehouse manager’s office. There, to Zero’s surprise, Inoue was already waiting. Kallen’s calm acceptance of Inoue’s presence hinted that either she had known all along or had arranged for her to be there. Yet the reason remained an enigma.

Naomi watched as Zero's posture stiffened slightly when Kallen closed the door and locked it behind them. She suspected the masked leader did not appreciate being confined, even by two beautiful women.

"Kallen, what is this?" Zero demanded his focus solely on Kallen, dismissing Naomi's presence with a pointed tone.

Removing her visor, Kallen regarded Naomi with suspicion and resolve. "I'm not entirely sure, Zero. Inoue knew exactly when and how you contacted me, and she claims she can explain."

Zero shifted his gaze back to Naomi, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. It was not personal interest but a concern over a potential breach of his security.

Before tensions could escalate further, Naomi spoke. "Before you panic, know I'm not threatening you," she declared, drawing her sidearm in full view. Earlier, she had entrusted her submarine gun to Minami, who was in charge of their armaments. Placing the sidearm on the table and sliding it just out of reach toward Zero, she added, "I'm unarmed."

It was a calculated risk. Naomi wagered that Zero would not impulsively kill her. Her gamble paid off; Zero merely glanced at the weapon and did not reach for his own, signaling his willingness to listen. "So, you are. Now, explain yourself," he commanded.

Naomi's following words carried a weight that sent a palpable shock through the room. "I know…" she began, and Zero visibly tensed—a reaction that even Kallen could not miss. “I know you’re not Japanese, Zero.”

In that charged moment, Lelouch’s mind raced in disbelief. How could it be? His flawless Japanese, his mask that concealed any hint of a foreign accent—nothing could have betrayed his origins. And yet, Naomi possessed knowledge that threatened to unravel everything they had built.

Silence filled the room as the implications of her revelation sank in. The air grew tense with unspoken questions and dangerous possibilities. In that brief pause, every member present realized that loyalties and identities were more fragile than they had ever suspected.

“Wait, what? What do you mean he’s not Japanese?” Kallen’s voice trembled with disbelief as the words spilled out. She found it utterly insane—how could any Brit, let alone one fighting against Britannia, possibly be non-Japanese? Yet Inoue had been unequivocal about the details: the peculiar way Zero had contacted her and the precise timing that matched his secretive nature.

Zero's refusal to reveal his face, even to them, and his costume, made a mockery of Britannia by co-opting their aesthetic, much like the bastard Britannians, who shamelessly exploited elements of Japanese culture for profit.

Naomi managed an awkward laugh, relief mingling with the gravity of the revelation. It was a victory just to be breathing, she thought. There were countless paths in her mind where the MC—narratively insignificant though she deemed him—would have been easily sacrificed. But this was a high-stakes game with equally high rewards, and she was determined to see it through.

“Yeah, I expected that response,” Naomi said, her tone oscillating between humor and seriousness. "It's a lot to take in, but I'll try to explain. First, understand that I'm not threatening you—this isn't some blackmail scheme. I won't expose you to everyone; I couldn't keep this secret because that would jeopardize everything." Her words carried both a warning and a confession, even as the little gamer inside her couldn't help but snicker at the unfolding drama.

Zero’s question cut through the tension. “How?” he demanded, his voice heavy with incredulity. The million-yen question hung in the air, the challenge of explaining his hidden past nearly unbearable.

Naomi took a deep breath, saying, "I had my suspicions from the start. After discussing that strange phone call with Kallen, I began piecing things together. And yes, you might call me insane, but here it is: you're an exiled prince, right?" The statement dropped like a bomb. Zero fell silent, shock paralyzing him, while Kallen's reaction was equally tumultuous.

"Okay, now I know you're off your rocker," Kallen retorted. "Why would an exiled prince, whether in disgrace or not, ever fight for us?" Her tone was laced with incredulity, but the character she reminded her of wasn't someone who could see past the binary view of Orb being good and Atlantic being bad till the second game.

For a moment, Zero was struck dumb—stunned beyond words. His exile had never been publicly declared as occurring in Japan, and neither he nor Nunnally had been introduced as children. There was simply no way for an outsider to have deduced this secret.

Naomi could see Zero—and even Lelouch—teetering on the edge of a breakdown. Determined to anchor the conversation before it spiraled out of control, she interjected, "Kallen, remember that comment you made about your classmate?" She left the question hanging, trusting that Kallen would understand. Almost immediately, Kallen's face flushed with recognition.

“I remember,” Kallen snapped, “but you don’t need to say it here in front of Zero!” Her glare was sharp, though the older woman merely shrugged off the admonition.

"Doesn't matter," Naomi pressed on boldly, "because they're one and the same. When I heard that Lelouch had a disabled sister and was close to a Japanese student, everything clicked. So if you plan on killing me for knowing this secret, at least prove I was right so I can get something out of it."

That was the moment of truth. Naomi risked everything on her declaration; if she were mistaken, the cost would be ultimate—a fatal misstep in her carefully mapped-out game. But the evidence was too overwhelming to ignore.

Cornered by her bold confession, Lelouch found himself with no easy escape. Kallen's expression hinted that she was starting to believe Naomi, leaving Zero scrambling for a response. He might have used his one geass command on her, but Kallen's presence complicated matters further.

In a final, dramatic gesture, Zero reached for his mask. With deliberate slowness, he released its clamps and removed it, revealing his face to the stunned duo. Inoue looked on in awe and triumph, her eyes shining as if vindicated by the truth had finally emerged.

Silence reigned in the room as the weight of Naomi's revelation settled. Each face betrayed a mix of shock, uncertainty, and a grudging acceptance of a truth that challenged everything they had believed. Even the hum of distant machinery seemed to fade for a long moment, leaving them suspended in a precarious balance between past loyalties and future choices.

Kallen, however, was livid. "What the flying fuck is this? You're Zero? No, you can't be Zero! He's brave, noble—he fights for what's right, and you… you…!" Her voice cracked with fury as she lunged forward, almost grabbing his neck before he jerked away and pounded a nearby cabinet repeatedly. "Dammit, you can't be him! This has to be a nightmare—a sick dream! There's no way Lelouch Lamperouge is Zero and a damned prince at that!"

Lelouch replied flatly, "I'm glad my alter ego served as an effective disguise." His nonchalance was meant to deflect her anger at the revelation that his Lamperouge persona was, in her eyes, too weak and spineless to stand up for justice.

Inoue's reaction was equally bizarre—her eyes sparkled with an odd delight at the idea that she was following a Britannian prince. Shouldn't she be outraged, or at least confused, by such a revelation?

Eventually, Naomi managed to calm herself, even as Kallen continued to vent by thrashing the cabinet as if it owed her money. “At least, considering everything, this is one of the best reactions you could have. You’re not completely catatonic or trying to murder him, after all,” Naomi commented, her tone laced with ironic amusement.

That remark only fueled Kallen's fury further. She grabbed Lelouch by the collar and pulled him close, her eyes blazing like a furious dragoness. "Oh, don't think I won't! You tricked me in that stupid shower! I bet you planned the whole thing to catch me off guard, you royal bastard!"

Lelouch's retort was quick and biting. "Firstly, despite my loathing for my father, he married my mother before I was conceived." He leaned in, his voice cold and precise. "Secondly, you were the one who clung to me. If I hadn't let it slide, you'd have been forced to explain those suspicious questions—and that 'sickly' grip of yours that left a bruise."

Kallen's face flushed as she recalled when Lelouch had slipped away from her grasp, straightening his collar as he shifted his focus to Naomi. "Then, how did you figure it out?" he asked his tone a mix of challenge and genuine curiosity.

Naomi admitted rather sheepishly, "My reasoning wasn't exactly rock-solid. I connected the dots because I enjoy that mecha-based SPRG eroge game." Her admission hung in the air like a confession of a dark secret.

“Eroge?” Lelouch echoed, the unfamiliar term causing a furrow in his brow.

Kallen’s shock was palpable. “You’re telling me you deduced all this because of a porn game?!” she spluttered, her cheeks burning bright red from a mix of embarrassment and rage.

Naomi’s defense was immediate and passionate. “Iron Nexus: Bloodbound Machina is a classic, and it will always be one! I won’t stand by and let you dismiss it as ‘just some porn game’!” Her tone left no room for compromise; this was a matter of pride—a hill she was determined to die on.

Before the argument could escalate into violence, Lelouch intervened. "Alright, so you figured out my identity—both as a Britannian and an exiled Britannian prince—thanks to an adult video game? Explain how any of that works." His question was both incredulous and pragmatic. After all, he wasn't much of a gamer. His days were consumed with paying bills and protecting his sister; playing games was a luxury he couldn't afford.

Naomi continued, "Some events in the game mirrored what happened with us. Your debut in Shinjuku was strikingly similar to the opening mission of the first game, and our rescue of Kururugi echoed the third mission, where the main character saves a high-ranking hostage from execution. At first, I assumed you were just a devoted fan like I am."

Kallen snorted, adding, "But it wouldn't make sense if you were merely a fan. Some things are beyond coincidence." Naomi's glare quickly silenced Kallen's sarcasm. "No, events outside our control were aligned with the game's narrative. And Lelouch, the notion that you orchestrated all these events is simply impossible."

Lelouch pressed on, "But it was Kallen's account of 'Zero' contacting her that clarified things for me. Remember the iconic bath scene where the main character bonds with his love interest? It isn't mere fanservice—it's a pivotal moment that resonates with our reality." Naomi omitted that she had once found Prince Augustus attractive—a secret locked behind the game's mechanics.

Kallen’s eyes widened in horror as she glanced at Zero. “Please, for God’s sake, tell me you didn’t use a porno for inspiration—I might just jump off a cliff.”

Naomi retorted, "It's not a porno, you uncultured brute!" she yelled. At the same time, Lelouch felt a headache—not from lack of sleep, but from the absurdity of it all.

Lelouch added, "No, I never incorporated that into my plans. I would remember if I had ever played such a game, and this is the first I've heard of it." Perhaps he had caught Suzaku mentioning it, but Lelouch was more an outdoorsman than a gamer. "I need to know why you're comparing our lives to a game. It might be an incredibly rare coincidence, but it's still a coincidence."

The tension in the room was palpable.

While Kallen grumbled about her game being smut, Naomi disregarded her rant. “Like any good SPRG, it offered multiple endings and divergent routes. Play the sequels on the same system with a memory card, and the new game adapts your previous choices so you continue exactly where you left off.” Naomi’s explanation was briefly interrupted by a glance at Lelouch’s growing annoyance.

“Sorry, got sidetracked,” she continued. “The point is, I want to secure the best ending for us. Most outcomes, though narratively compelling, are tragically bittersweet.”

Lelouch asked, “Such as?”

Naomi elaborated, "Imagine the main character—you—sacrificing your life to bring peace, being captured and brainwashed by your father to help him seize power, or even taking the throne only to lose everyone you love. There's a long list, and even additional content hints at these grim fates."

At this, Lelouch shivered, preferring death over serving his father, while Kallen looked visibly sick. Though not deeply connected to the council, she cared enough not to let them all perish, nor could she trust a man bereft of his comrades—and his Black Knights. “That doesn’t sound…good for us, does it?”

“Not at all,” Naomi admitted. “And believe me, I’m not doing this out of pure selflessness—I’m doing it for my own sake. I’m no plot-armored hero; I could easily be another expendable NPC if fate chose a different route. And I enjoy living."

“So by helping Zero secure the best outcome, you ensure your survival,” Kallen remarked, then added, “But now that you’ve told us all this, can you predict Britannia’s next move so we can plan accordingly?”

Neither Lelouch nor Inoue commented on Kallen’s subtle attempt to distinguish between Lelouch and Zero.

Naomi sighed. "I wish I could predict their moves. Instead, I aim to change our circumstances so we're better prepared—not end up killed or arrested. Part of that means getting you two closer."

Lelouch’s tone turned icy. “Pardon?”

Kallen snapped, “I’m not dating him!”

"I didn't mean that," Naomi clarified quickly. "I simply meant you should become allies. You both attend the same school and aren't just ordinary students—why not confide in each other? It'll help to have someone on campus you can truly trust."

Her suggestion left a brief silence as both Lelouch and Kallen processed the implications of aligning as comrades in battle and genuine confidants in their struggle. In that pause, the room's tension softened into a hesitant understanding that unity might be their best hope against Britannia's relentless advance.

At her suggestion, the two exchanged glances and fell into thoughtful silence. Kallen admitted it'd be nice to have someone on campus with whom she didn't have to put on a facade. At the same time, Lelouch conceded that Kallen might prove a more willing ally than C.C., who was as aloof as a stray cat.

“Okay, that makes sense… God knows how, but if Zero is the main character in your game, then who am I?” Kallen asked, aware that Inoue hadn’t disclosed everything—though part of her preferred not to know all the details of those games.

“You’re the best pilot in the Orb resistance,” Naomi explained. “Even by the second game, you’re the MC’s loyal right-hand, ready to fight anyone he orders. Frankly, if you aren’t with him, facing you without serious prep is nearly impossible.” Her words, partly an ego boost, were digestible enough for Kallen.

"And I loved their in-game romance the most…" Kallen murmured, reminded of how her 'counterpart' was getting too close to Lelouch. The thought troubled her—Lelouch was Lelouch, and Zero was Zero.

Lelouch’s mind drifted to that awkward shower moment, recalling Kallen’s allure—her smooth skin, curvy figure, and radiant presence—which almost made him consider dating her. But he quickly refocused.

Kallen noticed his distant gaze and narrowed her eyes. “What were you thinking?”

"Nothing," Lelouch replied smoothly, ignoring Inoue's smug look as if she had already guessed his thoughts. "Look, she's blown our minds; as maddening as it is, she makes sense. Let's just give it a try."

“Fine,” Kallen snapped, extending her hand for a shake. “But if you ever try ordering me around at school, I’ll stab you.”

“Noted,” Lelouch agreed, shaking her hand firmly.

Line Break

“Man, this double life sure is a killer,” Kallen yawned in her Kallen Stadtfeld persona as she leaned against the wall. It had only been a few days since Inoue dropped her truth bomb, and though she and Lelouch had tried to follow her advice, they were swamped with work.

With only a couple hours of sleep each night and classes to attend, faking illness wasn't an option – especially since Lelouch would be in class, even if half asleep. She refused to let that lazy, entitled ass have the last laugh. He didn't need to say it; his smug eyes spoke volumes whenever she walked in.

Still, she admitted quietly, "He's not all bad." After all, Lelouch often checked up on her. When they were alone, she could be candid and offer feedback on his plans—which explained why their last bust went so well, even if it only netted them an extra hour of sleep.

“Hold him down, Suzaku!” Milly’s order rang out, loud enough to carry from the distant council room door.

“What?” Kallen asked as she approached, hearing Lelouch’s muffled protest.

“Dammit, Suzaku, don’t listen to her!” Lelouch grumbled, his irritation palpable. Kallen couldn’t ignore his struggle; he needed to be kept in check before his head grew too big.

"Sorry, Lelouch. I'm following the president's orders!" Suzaku replied, and Kallen couldn't help but smile.

“Yeah, like you’re enjoying this at all!” Lelouch shot back as Kallen opened the door, concealing her amusement behind a demure smile.

"What… is going on here?" Kallen inquired, her tone softening as she entered the scene before her.

Inside the council room, most furniture had been cleared away. Only Nina’s desk and computer remained, where the mousy woman worked diligently in a cat costume. In fact, nearly the entire council had donned costumes. Lelouch was being restrained in a chair while Shirley applied makeup to his face—a ridiculous yet endearing sight.

Milly, spotting Kallen, raised her hand like a cat’s paw. “Good meowing,” she quipped.

“G-good morning. Can someone please explain what’s happening?” Kallen asked, gradually acclimating to the delightful absurdity of Milly’s antics.

"Didn't we tell you? It's our welcome party for Arthur," Rivalz announced, gesturing toward a frolicking cat playing on a newly installed set. Kallen recalled the trouble that mischievous feline had caused when she'd offered a kiss from a student council member as a reward for catching it. She was lucky Suzaku and Lelouch had caught it rather than someone else eager for the prize.

“With classes postponed, we might as well have some fun,” Milly noted, adding that while morning classes still occurred, afternoon ones were canceled due to the ongoing uproar from the hotel jacking incident.

“I set aside some things for you; why don’t you check out the costume rack?” Shirley offered apologetically, as she had cooled off from her earlier overthinking and unfairly accusing Kallen of being too intimate with Lelouch. Kallen waved it off, aware that Shirley was head over heels for him, though the masked terrorist himself seemed oblivious.

“She doesn’t need a mask,” Lelouch remarked with a knowing smile that nearly earned him a slap. “She’s already wearing one.”

Kallen glared at him. “It’s really sad, Lelouch. Your voice isn’t half bad, but your face is far too arrogant. You’ll never get a girlfriend.”

Shirley gasped, and Rivalz and Milly chuckled. Lelouch shrugged. "If my face is such a deal breaker, they wouldn't be worth the effort. I prefer people with passion. You, Ms. Stadtfeld, are too demure."

“Wait, is it true? Lelouch, are you finally revealing your taste in women?” Rivalz gasped, grabbing Lelouch and drawing extra attention.

Lelouch remained unfazed. “When did I say that? I meant my taste in people. Or did you not notice how exhaustingly passionate every council member is?” He secretly admired women with backbone but wouldn’t mention it with Milly nearby.

“What about Nina? She’s great, but I doubt she’d describe herself as passionate like the rest of us,” Shirley inquired, curious, as Nina—though introverted—was a respected member of their circle.

Their banter filled the room with a peculiar warmth, affirming their camaraderie despite the absurdity surrounding them.

Lelouch didn't see it that way. "Passion manifests in various forms. She may not be as outgoing as you, but her determination and commitment are truly inspiring. Have you ever heard about her special project? It's mind-bogglingly complex—each problem solved only spawns an even greater challenge. Yet, despite limited school resources, she pushes forward. That, Shirley, is passion."

His unexpected praise for the quiet, mousy woman drew warm smiles from everyone. However, Nina looked visibly flustered by his compliment. Though not romantically inclined toward him—and known to play for the other team—Lelouch's words still made her feel valued and buoyant.

“It’s not as monumental as you claim,” Nina tried to protest, but Lelouch wouldn’t allow it.

“Nina, you sell yourself short,” he insisted, his tone gentle yet firm. Others echoed his sentiment, piling on compliments for the shy woman. Even Kallen, noting Lelouch’s sincerity, nodded in agreement, secretly relieved that his rare humility made his presence somewhat tolerable.

Line Break

Lelouch and Kallen discovered that spending time together outside their terrorist roles did wonders—even if campus gossip made it difficult. Students assumed they were a couple, reinforcing Inoue's dire predictions about their fate. Could they admit the other was better than they'd thought? Yes. Could they confess they enjoyed each other's company? Also, yes—but neither was ready to simply act on it.

Kallen suggested a break at an outdoor mall to escape prying eyes, where rumors had less room to grow. At the mall, speculations shifted quickly—from people thinking Lelouch was merely being kind to whispers that he had a soft spot for the meek to the latest absurdity that Kallen was carrying his baby. Clearly, she needed a break.

Both had reasons to seek relief. Lelouch was frustrated with Suzaku, whose constant doubts about the Black Knights’ methods led to arguments that left him talking to a brick wall. Kallen, meanwhile, was exasperated by her overbearing stepmother and a clumsy maid who should have quit long ago.

In quieter moments, they traded grievances. Kallen reminded Lelouch that he’d explained their vigilante work’s deeper purpose—to distinguish themselves from other rebel groups—so Suzaku’s skepticism was misplaced. In return, Lelouch noted that Kallen's behavior—especially her voluntary confession of being half-Japanese—could arouse suspicion among their allies.

“Just because I understand it doesn’t mean I like it,” Kallen groaned aloud as they wandered the mall without a real destination.

"Believe me, if things were that simple, the world would be much better," Lelouch remarked. Their conversation was interrupted by a call on Kallen's phone. Ohgi informed her of their next target—a suspected refrain racket. Kallen nodded, already aware of the details, and hung up quickly.

“Ohgi told you about it?” Lelouch teased, prompting Kallen to roll her eyes.

“You already did. Don’t know he had to spell it out,” she replied.

“And how do you explain learning our plans before my right-hand man?” Lelouch smirked as Kallen playfully pushed him.

"I thought I was your right-hand man," she joked, adding that seeing him running laps around Cornelia when he could barely manage two in PE was still funny.

Lelouch frowned at the jab. Kallen’s teasing about his dodging exercise was relentless—especially since if they ever needed to escape on foot, the “Great Zero” might be left wheezing before the 100-meter mark. He hated it when she was right.

Their banter shifted when they noticed a familiar scene in the settlement: a Japanese man being harassed by a group of idiots. The bullies had already kicked him down, and while onlookers, particularly fellow Japanese, looked away in disapproval, Kallen was about to storm over and teach them a lesson.

“Don’t,” Lelouch cautioned, grabbing her shoulder.

“You can’t be serious—he needs help!” she hissed.

“How would you, Ms. Stadtfeld, help him? One of those thugs could put you in the hospital,” Lelouch reminded her. Though she could probably handle them, that wasn’t the time.

“And what about you?” Kallen challenged. Lelouch, despite his reputation for weakness, remained impassive.

“Look at him,” he said, pointing to the man selling hot dogs and drinks nearby. “If we step in, he won’t be able to sell anything tomorrow. The people here might not show it overtly, but they support those bullies. They’d buy from him out of pity—but if we interfere, it might change everything.”

Kallen bit her tongue, understanding his point. “I get it. Dammit, I get it…” she murmured, the weight of the decision settling in.

Line Break

Kallen wondered how Lelouch could respond so little to clear injustice and yet be able to just…get people to do as he said. Those asshats had tried to mess with them, and all it took was a few words from the guy to have them lose interest in them and mess with that poor man. With them gone, she had been able to rush over to help, but to her dismay, he had just brushed off being beaten like a dog and smiled as he offered them food and drink.

Rushing to help the victim, Kallen was dismayed to see the man brush off his scraps and bruises with a smile as he handed out food and drinks. It pained her to watch him accept humiliation so readily—while she seethed with the urge to track down those bastards and make them pay without a trace. Yet she restrained herself. Later, she noticed him paying double for their order, calling it a tip, and walking away casually. Feeling both frustrated and amused, Kallen caught up with him, and they found a secluded bench to sit on.

As they ate, Lelouch launched into a discussion about the benefits the Elevens gained as part of the empire—explaining that all they had to shed was their pride. Finishing her hotdog, Kallen asked in a hushed tone, "So, what does Lelouch vis Britannia really think? What would he want?" She already knew his true identity and the reasons for his exile. Her own absent father might be an asshole, but he was nothing like Charles.

"And how would I know?" Lelouch replied coolly. "I can't commune with the dead. The dead have no needs or wants, so there's little point in asking." Before Kallen could argue further, Lelouch's gaze swept over the park and toward the settlement. "Though I understand why Zero dismisses such arguments," he added.

“Being part of the empire may shield the Elevens from foreign threats,” he explained, “but it also leaves them open to domestic exploitation and abuse. A booming economy means little when most are barred from truly benefiting. Even the title of honorary Britannian is hollow—just ask that hot dog vendor. If he were to report his abuse, he’d likely be blamed or arrested.” His tone darkened as he described the pristine city—a facade built on present-day suffering and evil.

“Zero sees through this veneer of prosperity, recognizing the deep-rooted rot beneath—a rot that, if left unchecked, could destroy us all.” His words left Kallen momentarily silent, bridging the gap between Lelouch and the elusive Zero.

Then, Lelouch gently cupped her chin, drawing her attention away from the chaos. “You should keep your mouth closed—you’ll catch flies,” he teased, his tone both affectionate and ironic.

Kallen snorted and leaned in. “When you’re not being a total ass, you reveal a depth I never expected. No wonder Shirley thinks you’d do better if you applied yourself.”

Lelouch wrapped an arm around her, holding her close. “And you, Kallen, are far more passionate and fiercer than you let on. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of that side.”

They spent the rest of the day together, wandering campus and talking. When it came time to part for their next mission, they realized that their time together had been more than an escape—but a date. Hand in hand, they leaned on each other.

Line Break

How had it all gone so wrong? Kallen had asked herself that countless times since the invasion when her world crumbled. She asked it when her brother died despite their efforts. She asked it in Shinjuku when a mission to steal poison gas turned into a massacre.

And she asked it now, sitting in a rundown hospital beside her real mother’s bed—one of the few hospitals that accepted Elevens instead of leaving them to die. They had gone after that Refrain den expecting dealers, not a room full of Japanese lost in drug-induced dreams, reliving a past free of humiliation.

She hadn’t expected to find her mother among them.

Shock, anger, and disgust warred within her, only to dissolve into shame. She had been blind for so long. Her mother had endured so much—not for herself but to stay close to Kallen, to be in her life, despite a world that only saw her as an Eleven. And Kallen had repaid that devotion with scorn and resentment, treating her as no better than her stepmother.

“It’s an aftereffect of Refrain,” a nurse explained. “She’ll recover, but—”

“Could you give us the room?” Lelouch, still masked as Zero, interrupted. The nurse hesitated before nodding and stepping out.

Kallen took her mother's frail hand, gripping it tightly. "Your sentence…you got twenty years." She wasn't sure if her mother could hear her, but she pressed on. "But wait for me. I'm fighting to change things. I'll make a world where we can be mother and daughter again. We don't have to suffer just to stay in each other's lives. So please… don't leave me."

Tears spilled down her cheeks. None of this was fair. None of it was right. She was breaking—but then, she felt her mother’s fingers weakly squeeze her own.

“Hang in there, Kallen… my little woman.”

Her breath caught as she searched her mother’s face, hoping for recognition in those familiar blue eyes. But they remained empty, unfocused, staring at the bedsheets.

Still, that squeeze was enough.

She smiled through her tears, heart aching but lighter than before. “I will. I love you, Mom. I hope you know that.”

They stayed a little longer, though her mother remained unresponsive. Lelouch, uncharacteristically silent, made no move to rush her. When they finally stepped into the dim hallway, he turned to her.

“You meant that? About fighting to live with her again?”

Kallen wiped her tears, but the fire in her eyes burned brighter than ever. “Every word. I don’t care how long it takes. When she gets out—not sooner—I’ll see this world change.”

Lelouch studied her momentarily before leaning against the wall, a smirk playing on his lips. "You'll need to work fast, then. Your mother won't spend a single day in prison."

Kallen’s eyes widened. “What? We can’t just take her and run!” She appreciated the sentiment, but using the Black Knights like that would cause more problems than it solved. If only her mother was rescued, it would lead straight back to her—and him.

Lelouch chuckled. “Thinking critically for a change? Good. But no, that’s not the plan. I made a few calls. With some well-placed favors and blackmail, your mother’s being transferred to the best hospital in the settlement. The Crown Prosecution Service will drop all charges.”

She froze. That didn’t seem possible. But then again, neither did anything else they had managed. “You… you can do that?”

"Shirley might disapprove, but my gambling matches don't just earn me money. They get me connections and information. That's how I secured our new base, remember?" He reminded her. It wasn't Geass that got them access—only that made its previous owner forget he ever had it.

“I framed it as your mother being an employee of the Stadtfelds. If word got out that one of their maids was arrested for Refrain, it would reflect poorly on your family—and Ashford by extension.”

She could see how he was protecting her by erasing any link between them. But he wasn't done.

“I also spoke with your stepmother. She took my advice and terminated your mother’s contract. Coincidentally, Lord Ashford needed a new secretary, and her CV ended up on his desk.”

Kallen’s breath hitched. That meant her mother wouldn’t have to return to that hellhole. She would be somewhere safe—at Ashford, the most liberal place in the settlement. Milly already knew her situation and would help.

She could be with her mother again.

“But why?” she asked, struggling to believe it.

Lelouch sighed, his smirk fading into something softer, sadder. “You know I lost my mother when I was nine. I can’t go back. I can’t show her the man I’ve become or let her see what a wonderful person Nunnally is. All I have are memories. But you, Kallen?” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “You still have time to make new ones. Don’t waste it.”

Something inside her broke. She didn’t think—she just moved.

Before he could react, she grabbed him, silencing his startled yelp with a kiss. Her fingers gripped his clothes, pulling him close, savoring the warmth of his lips against hers. And she liked it. A lot.

Lelouch, brain short-circuiting, let instinct take over. He held her close, deepening the kiss. His tongue brushed her lips, seeking permission, and she granted it with a soft moan.

They lost themselves in each other, making out in the empty hallway until air became necessary. When they finally pulled apart, breathless, neither let go.

“Would you like to spend the night with me?” she asked.

“Yes.”

Line Break

When they took the train back to school, it was dark by the time they arrived. This was a good thing for them as it meant that no one saw them returning or going to the student council building that housed his and his sister's residence. After a quick conversation with Sayoko to confirm his sister had gone to bed, the two ran to his room. C.C. was gone as he messaged her with a pizza bribe to vacate for the night and use the guest bedroom like a normal person.

The door had just closed when Kallen took control of things, pushing him into his desk chair. Lelouch felt his cock start to rise when she began to strip as she approached him, revealing more of her toned, smooth body to his eyes. As she did so, he also stripped, his clothes being thrown about with reckless abandon; that was something he could handle later. He was reaching for his pants when Kallen removed her bra, exposing her chest to him once more.

"This time, I want you to look." She breathed, approaching him with the same confidence and skill she had brought to knightmare piloting.

"I will because you're simply beautiful, Kallen." He replied as she knelt between his open legs, her hand reaching for his pants and feeling up his cock, Kallen finding it funny but also a turn-on that he seemed to be packing some quite large and hot in his pants.

"You're not so bad yourself, but you could do it with more meat on your bones." She couldn't resist the urge to tease him, Lelouch grunting in annoyance, but her touch only turned that into a sound of restrained pleasure. Smiling towards him, she made quick work of his pants and boxers; pulling them down, she saw her prize.

"At least this part of you is up to par; I wonder what the other women would think if they knew what you had." Kallen teased, feeling up his cock with a lazy smile. Lelouch wasn't a big guy, but it seemed that his cock was the exception, as she hadn't seen one in person before. Still, from what she had seen in porn, Lelouch definitely had one that was well above average; pressing it against her face, she smiled wider at how eager it felt, throbbing against her.

"Why don't you let me lead the way? You'll get tired before we have any fun." Kallen said as she continued to play with his hot rod, familiarising herself with it.

She moaned when Lelouch bent forward and grasped her tits, fondling them as he smirked down on her. “You say that like you’ve done this before.” His words were throaty and breathless, getting her so wet.

"No, but I know you will embarrass yourself if you try. So, till you get more meat on you, then just this." She kissed the tip of his cock, tasting a little pre-cum and finding that she loved it and how he grunted in pleasure from it. "I'll be leading this dance. Don't fight it; I have your balls in my hand and could make you regret that unless you're into pain."

“Fine.” Lelouch didn’t fight her after that.

Line Break

She couldn't hear the two going at it in the other room, which wasn't too far. C.C. hoped that Lelouch could keep his end of the bargain, though how he was able to please the woman with whom he was such a twig was beyond her.

She ignored the longing she felt to have something like that. She had done so for centuries, and if all went according to plan, she wouldn't have to for much longer. She was about to fall asleep when she felt a tick in her head, which she associated with someone knocking on the door. Rolling her eyes, she allowed it to open.

"You'll be happy to know that your son finally lost his virginity, Marianne," C.C. spoke aloud.

There was a grasp, then a cheer on the other side, a voice only she could hear. "Oh really? That's great! I was worried that he was getting too invested in avenging me and caring for Nunnally and would reject the entire dating scene."

C.C. wondered about Marianne; she really did. But she also wondered why she only ever seemed to ask about Lelouch, never Nunnally. But she brushed it off; she probably trusted her arrogant twig of her son to care for her…, right?

Line Break

I started this late because I just had to jinx it. I was in such a great groove with this. Still, life decided that I needed to lose precious hours I typically use for writing. I'm only finishing this chapter hours after I wanted to post it.