Short Summary: Rafayel and MC navigate an undercover mission, deepening their bond through playful moments and intimate exchanges, while exploring mysterious events linked to the sea and Rafayel's transformation into the sea god, ultimately reflecting on their past connection and the uncertainty of their future.

TIMELINE NOTES: Some intimate moments have already happened by now, and it could indicate why MC wasn’t at all surprised by him kissing her during part 10. In the events, he calls them a couple as well. He finally opens up about her forgetting him. He says he will protect her and tell her everything when the time is right. Since she’s not very romantic and mission focused, I’d put it in the midish level of Lover. But just now it’s after Ebb and Flow and after Omnipotent Perception. Since he kisses her here and not on the Whalefall Lament Memory, I’d assume this comes before.

01: "Breaking the shackles of time takes patience."

Three months after MC is back from the N109 Zone and needs to investigate Maxwell, a famous guy who'll offer a banquet for his wedding.

MC goes to Rafayel’s studio because he asked her to, he prepared a seagull concert lmao what? He says cookies and lemons and the squeal. But he's called her on business: to talk about the next step.

02: "Having her around is the best thing that's happened to me"

MC and Rafayel talk about getting an invitation for them to go undercover. She needs to see if this tycoon is working with illegal protocore transactions. Rafayel’s mission is yet to be revealed.

Rafayel puts a masquerade mask (the invitation) on her face and puts an arm around her shoulder. He's going to play an opera singer, while she's his bodyguard, assistant and manager. He plays the role very well, changing his tone, his mannerisms and so on. The way they present this, it seems to me that MC is really not his bodyguard anymore like in the main storyline.

03: "The jewelry resembles a solidified, dark blue, tranquil ocean."

A random guy (she calls him the jester) confronts them about their identities, and Rafayel plays an illegitimate child. It’s done in a funny way, while MC is extra protective of Rafayel. Maxwell realizes she's more than a bodyguard. They head out of the main hall, arms locked.******

04: "Don't worry, I'll tell you everything when the time comes. I'm not saying anything now because I'm worried the info dump will overload your brain." "The sea at night is the perfect stage for a magnificent performance. I'm honored to share it with you."

Mc and Rafayel leave the party and talk about how things are not yet ready to be revealed. He takes her hand and puts it on his face. MC doesn’t act surprised, so I assume they have an established relationship by now. Mc traces his mask, doesn't touch his face. They talk about what MC wants. "A mission that won't let the night go to waste?" They plan and act on a heist.  Maxwell nearly catches them.

05: "The depths of his gaze are front and center, profound as the ocean itself."

They are in a cramped, small, dark, place. Rafayel puts his arms on the wall around her waist. His hair is in her eyes, he comes EVEN CLOSER to help her. (extremely intimate moment). They overhear Maxwell being threatened by EVER. They want the island (Jewel Reef).