​"A big round of applause for our sexy and adorable twins!"

The audience didn't hesitate. Even before Rouge finished the announcement, the cheers and applause made the walls of the Coin Rush Casino rumble, marking the explosive finale of another spectacular performance by Blanc and Noir.

​As the stage lights dimmed and they headed toward the dressing rooms, I waited in the backstages, letting out a sigh I had been holding back for days.

​It all started a week ago when Mustang asked for my help with the casino administration and managing the bunny show for the Coin Rush anniversary. 

Apparently, he had "urgent business" to attend to, so he wouldn't be present and needed someone "capable" for the task.

​And given how much he’s helped us in the past, refusing wasn't an option.

​But, God... I’ve practically lived here since then.

​If it weren't for Rouge's help, my head would have exploded days ago.

​Reviewing the menu, coordinating itineraries, putting out fires with drunk customers, keeping the bar stocked, and handling PR with the ARK VIPs.

​I used to think managing the Outpost was heavy, 
but this is ridiculously ***hard!***

​The only thing that seemed simple amidst this chaos was managing Blanc and Noir. However, their behavior this week was... __peculiar.__

​They were both full of life, more so than usual, even when their bodies screamed with exhaustion, even
​when it seemed like they couldn't take another step without collapsing, their eyes would lock onto me with an intensity that made my skin crawl.

​It didn't look like they were seeking water or a towel... it looked like they were sizing up prey. Only to then look at each other and return to the stage once more.

​But with the little time I had, I never managed to decipher what was going through their heads. So I chose to ignore that sense of imminent danger and bury my nose in the pile of pending tasks; a decision that would, inevitably, come back to bite me in the ass.

​I looked at the stack of notes in my notebook. 
How the hell does Mustang handle all this without breaking a sweat?

​I suppose being the CEO of the ARK's biggest entertainment company requires a special kind of madness. 

That explains why Tetra Line is the only one of the Big Three companies that has never changed its leader.

​"Ah... but it doesn't matter. Finally, this all ends today."
​As if reading my mind, Rouge's voice resonated through the speakers, closing out the anniversary.

​"Thank you so much for joining us on the last day of our anniversary, dear players! We hope to see you here tomorrow, at Coin Rush!"

​Mission accomplished. Now I just had to wait for Mustang. He asked to meet me in the dressing rooms after the show, promising a "little surprise" as a thank you. 

He didn't give any more details, and honestly, sometimes I wish people were more direct with me instead of giving me the runaround.

***​CLACK***

​The heavy sound of the dressing room door closing snapped me out of my thoughts. 

I spun on my heels to meet the, very exhausted, new commers.

​"Ah... finally... it's over." Blanc's voice came out in a sigh. She could barely stand, leaning on her sister's shoulder.

​"Too many... people... I can't... anymore..." Noir didn't look any better; she seemed about to melt.

​They both looked like they had returned from a war zone, not a dance performance. Sweat beaded on their skin, and exhaustion was evident in every ragged breath.

​"I think... I need a sho— Pit Boss!"
​Blanc's exhaustion evaporated the instant her eyes met mine.

​"Hey girls, how was your—? Ugh!"

​"You're still here!" She didn't even give me time to breathe. Blanc launched herself at me like a balistic missile, hugging me with a strength capable of crushing steel.

__Ugh, thank heavens she's controlling her strength, although I swear I heard **one** of my ribs crack...__

​Noir, for her part, simply greeted me shyly from a distance, covering herself a bit with her arms.

​"H-hello, Pit Boss..."

​"H-hello," I replied with a strangled voice, trying not to suffocate under the embrace of Blanc, who finally let me go.

Though she chose to stayed dangerously close.

​"That was the last show of the week. Congratulations, you did an impeccable job," I said, catching my breath.

​"Yes! The anniversary was a total success thanks to you!" exclaimed Blanc, her eyes shining.

​"It wasn't a big deal. The credit is yours; you kept the audience on the edge of their seats all week!. 

"Now, relax a little. Mustang shouldn't take long to arrive to..." I was about to turn around to look for a chair when a timid murmur stopped me.

​"S-so... can we... **Claim it now?**" whispered Noir, peeking out from behind her sister's back.

​I arched an eyebrow. "Claim it?"

​"Yes!" Blanc intervened with a wide smile. "The Boss said you promised to give us a special reward if we managed to fill every performance!"

​My brain froze for a second. 

__Reward? I say what?__

​Before I could process it, Noir grabbed her towel and ran toward the bathroom, her face red as a tomato.
​"A-ah! I-I'm n-not r-ready yet... A-a shower! I-I n-need to shower first!" And she disappeared behind the bathroom door.

__​Oh no...__

​The pieces clicked into place all at once. The times they repeated "just one more day," the strange motivation, those weir looks...

​The sound of a notification on my Blabla finally confirmed my fears.

__​Mustang: 'Enjoy it, my petite Commandant! You deserve it! ENTERTAINMENT!!!'__

__​Mustang?!__ I didn't even have time to reply the message when someone placed their hand over my phone screen.

​"So..." Blanc snatched the phone from my hands with terrifying dexterity and tossed it onto the sofa. 

Then, she interlaced her fingers with mine, closing the distance until our bodies were pressed together.

​Little by little, she pushed me toward the bed that conveniently occupied the center of the VIP room.

​That innocent "lucky bunny" shine had disappeared. 

In its place, there was a heavy, liquid lust that started to fill the air. Her skin, still glistening from the sweat of the stage, radiated an intoxicating heat.

​She leaned close to my ear, and her hot breath made my skin crawl.

​"While Noir showers... can I start taking my share of the reward now?" ​She pulled back just enough to look at me. Her cheeks were flushed, her chest heaving, and she wore a mischievous smile that promised trouble; I could swear there were hearts in her eyes.

​My heart skipped a beat as I resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going home tonight.

​‘Rabbits are supposed to be prey... but right now, I'm about to be dinner for a very hungry bunny...’



Interlude [Blanc: Lucky Prey]