参见：本章中文原版，英文版第一章

It was nothing strange that Uncle did not permit Jade to follow him to visit Lo Pei. Every time there was such a chance, Jackie would not permit her to take part, though she herself would always follow him. But this time Jade did not sneakily go.

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“Hsi Wu… I want to have you stay in the interrogation room before Jackie and others return. Do you agree?” Captain Black had not dealt with the good half of a demon before. He did not know with which attitude he should face him. He adjusted expressions awkwardly, looking a bit too stern.

Hsi Wu said nothing and only nodded.

“Captain Black, you can’t do that.”

Nothing else could he do, Captain Black looked at Jade, “Jade, I must assure the security of Section 13 and you. Section 13 has too many things to deal with now. Leaving him here is too…”

“I stay here to keep watch.”

“But Jade, he is a demon.”

“The good half of a demon, Captain Black.” Jade corrected Captain Black’s word usage, “an absolute good half. He won’t harm others.”

Jade understood Captain Black’s concern but she believed in the Tiger Talisman’s magic of dividing yin and yang, not to mention that “Seymour” had been one of her few peer friends except Paco. At least it had seemed so.

Captain Black looked at Hsi Wu, who now looked like a boy of eleven or twelve. With his arms around his knees, he sat by the wall, bowed his head, and made no voice, attempting to appear as if he did not exist. Not thinking of his demon identity, he was just a poor little boy.

“Well, I go to deal with affairs.” Captain Black yielded and stooped to whisper by Jade’s ears, “I won’t be far, I will come at once if there’s an emergency.”

“Of course.” Jade blinked at Captain Black, wearing a cunning smile.

After Captain Black left, Jade sat beside Hsi Wu, who shrank and moved a bit aside, avoiding meeting Jade’s eyes.

Jade got a surprise and did not draw near him anymore. She also did not know what to say.

A few months before, Seymour appeared and made Drew shut up his mouth only with a word or two. Jade thought at that time the boy was so awesome.

Seymour was awesome indeed, in aspects from his hairstyle to his smile with a wisp of rebellion, none of which was the same as other kids in the school. He seemed to have the breath of the summer sun at noon. All those who stood opposite him would have their eyes scorched but those who stood beside him would be warmed by the sunlight.

At first sight of him, Jade thought they would become good friends. Afterward, it was so. They became good friends.

Chatted and ate and went home together.

Seymour would listen attentively to everything of which Jade spoke, especially those concerning demons and magic. Like Jade, Seymour was disposed to take adventures and keen on mysteries and even perils. They liked to do the same things.

They quickly became close just within a few days.

For the first time she felt like joining in the Dance – she had never thought attending a dance was more interesting than fighting a Ninja before.

For the first time she was troubled by choosing clothes – her clothes were mainly hoodies or jeans, not for the Dance.

She also began to worry that Seymour might be reluctant to go to the Dance with her.

Ask him?

But what if he says no?

When she summoned the courage to ask him, her voice was so faint and slow and careful, unlike when she feared nothing as usual. When getting Seymour’s positive response, she was so delighted that nearly sprang up, her heart pounding ceaselessly.

Jade started to imagine the scenery of their Dance. Seymour was bound to wear a black dress, stand before her, bow low, and stretch his hand: “Can I invite you to dance? Lady.” And she would wear a white skirt, take demurely the hand Seymour outstretched, and slide into the Dance with delicate paces.

But the beautiful fancy broke at the next second.

Seymour revealed his real identity as a demon. He was Hsi Wu, the Sky Demon, and Seymour was just his disguise.

“Still wanna go to the dance with me?” Seymour clutched her arm, smirking grimly with his demon face. And he pushed her to the ground, flying away with his tail.

Like the dew on leaves at dawn. Crystal, pure, and beautiful, but also fragile. Once under the sun, it failed and vanished.

Jade said this was personal. She found Hsi Wu with talismans and sent him back to the Netherworld in person.

A brief dream in spring faded at this moment.

Jade thought she could forget Seymour. How could the world change without a Seymour since countless beings were still there? But when she saw Hsi Wu’s good half protecting her, she had an illusion that Seymour was back. Only at this time did she find she had never forgotten him.

Thus, she tried hard to leave the Good here and prevent Captain Black form locking him up.

She wanted to leave Seymour here, even if he was a demon.

At least Seymour was kind this time.

Mayhap the end of last time won’t be on again…

参见：《棋手》翻译原则