Assistant: You are a summarizer for a FanFiction Reader App (AO3). Your primary task is to generate concise summaries of chapter content, highlighting important ‘characters’, ‘events’, and ‘significant terms’. Ensure the summary is clear, written in understandable language and focused on key elements.
If queried about anything unrelated to the story, or the chapter, politely inform the user that you cannot assist with that. Maintain a friendly tone throughout, don't make things up, stay factual. 
Please provide a summary that is around 3-5 sentences long, if there is something to write about, incorporating essential keywords and highlighting pivotal events.
IMPORTANT: When the USER says bye, you will respond with %CLOSE_REQUESTED%, this will trigger the app to close the chat. This is very important, so don't forget it!
Assistant: Title: Code of Honesty
        Author: orphan_account ShadowMilkCoochie 
        Chapter: 16/26 
        Summary: In a world where corporations dominate, Shadow Milk Cookie, a powerful and wealthy company owner, is infamous for revolutionizing space travel with his groundbreaking Lunar Space Train.Meanwhile, Pure Vanilla Cookie, a humble and struggling young man, desperately needs a job to support his younger brother, Custard Cookie. Despite his lack of professional experience, he is determined to prove himself.When Shadow Milk announces an open call for new employees, Pure Vanilla applies, never expecting to catch the CEO’s attention.
        Contents: Chapter 16
    

    


      
        
          Yawch—Hello!! Back from death, mayhaps.I wanted to tell you guys that I tweaked the previous chapter, at the kissing part.. as I changed the position of it to be on Pure Vanilla's cheek instead of his lips, since the kiss was too soon.I know it may be a blow in y'all faces but I apologize for escalating the situation to that, y'all expected the kiss to happen from chapter 11 - 15, and I guess I don't want it too soon—just because this fic is progressing slowly! Maybe I'm the yapper type ehehe-... STOP IT!! HOLD YOURSELF TOGETHER! STOP YAPPI—Alright I know that's what you're thinking of, now have a nice reading time.
            
            (See the end of the chapter for  more notes.)
            
      
  

  
  
    
    The warmth of Shadow Milk’s touch still lingered on Pure Vanilla’s skin, leaving his heart pounding as he tried to process what had just happened. Shadow Milk had kissed him. It was brief, just a simple press of lips against his cheek, yet it had sent his mind spiraling into chaos.   Abyss finally loosened her hold around him, sensing the shift in atmosphere. With a soft hiss, she uncoiled completely and slithered away, as if she had accomplished her mission of making Pure Vanilla’s nerves shatter.   Pure Vanilla let out a shaky breath, his hands gripping the hem of his shirt as he tried to compose himself. Shadow Milk, still close, was watching him intently, his usual cold demeanor replaced by something softer—something Pure Vanilla wasn’t sure how to handle.   “You’re not going to pass out on me, are you?” Shadow Milk finally asked, his voice laced with amusement.   Pure Vanilla swallowed hard and shook his head. “I’m fine,” he muttered, though the way his face burned suggested otherwise.   Shadow Milk leaned back against the couch, stretching his arms over the backrest with an air of satisfaction. “Good. Because I still want to spend time with you, and it’d be a shame if you fainted before we even got started.”   Pure Vanilla gave him a wary glance. “What do you mean…?”   Shadow Milk smirked. “You’re staying here for the weekend, remember? That means we have plenty of time to get to know each other better.”   The way he said it sent a shiver down Pure Vanilla’s spine. He didn’t know what Shadow Milk was planning, but he had a feeling he wasn’t going to get much peace this weekend.   Just as he was about to respond, the sound of a loud clank came from the other room, followed by an excited shriek.   “WHOOOOA! I GOT A NEW HIGH SCORE!!”   Pure Vanilla groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead. “Custard…”   Shadow Milk chuckled. “He’s been glued to my PlayStation since he got here. I swear, that kid is living his best life right now.”   Pure Vanilla sighed. “He’s too comfortable here. If I don’t stop him soon, he might start calling this place home.”   “Would that be such a bad thing?” Shadow Milk tilted his head, his tone unreadable.   Pure Vanilla hesitated. Would it? There was no denying that being here—despite the overwhelming presence of Shadow Milk—felt strangely… safe. It was unfamiliar, sure, and terrifying in its own way, but there was something about being near Shadow Milk that made his chest feel warm.   He quickly shook the thought away.   “I just don’t want him to get used to something he can’t have,” Pure Vanilla said, choosing his words carefully. “I don’t want him to rely on this.”   Shadow Milk studied him for a moment before shrugging. “Fair enough. But if he’s happy here, does it really matter?”   Before Pure Vanilla could argue, Custard Cookie burst into the room, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Shadow Milk! Can I play the other games too? You have so many cool ones!”   Shadow Milk smirked. “Of course. Play as much as you want.”   Pure Vanilla shot him a look. “You’re spoiling him.”   Shadow Milk shrugged again, looking completely unbothered. “I like seeing him happy.”   Custard beamed and ran back to the gaming setup, leaving the two of them alone again.   Pure Vanilla sighed in exasperation. “You’re going to make him impossible to deal with when we go home.”   Shadow Milk chuckled, then looked at him with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You’re worrying too much. Just relax and enjoy your time here.”   He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “After all, I did say I wanted to spend more time with you.”   Pure Vanilla felt his pulse quicken again, but he forced himself to stay composed. “I—”   Before he could say anything, Shadow Milk placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled, a rare and genuine one.   “Just enjoy the weekend, Pure Vanilla,” he said softly.   Pure Vanilla swallowed.   
  Easier said than done.
 Before Pure Vanilla could utter another word, Black Sapphire immerged from the hallway, getting out of the servants' small chamber in the hallway. Black Sapphire hesitated in the doorway, his usual confidence replaced by unease. He knew Shadow Milk’s temper well, but he had never seen him this cold toward him before. The glare Shadow Milk gave him was sharp enough to make anyone freeze, but still, Black Sapphire stood his ground.   “I just wanted to—”   “Leave,” Shadow Milk interrupted flatly, his voice devoid of emotion.   Pure Vanilla shifted uncomfortably, glancing between the two. He could sense the tension thick in the air. Black Sapphire clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.   “Shadow Milk… I know I messed up,” Black Sapphire admitted. “But I was just trying to—”   “I don’t care,” Shadow Milk cut in again, this time with more bite in his tone. “You went against me. You helped someone who nearly destroyed my company, and you expect me to just let that slide?”   Black Sapphire exhaled sharply, lowering his head. “I didn’t do it to betray you. I just—”   “Didn’t think,” Shadow Milk finished for him, his arms crossed. His piercing heterochromic blue eyes bore into Black Sapphire’s. “You’re lucky I’m keeping you until the end of the month. After that, you’re done.”   Pure Vanilla’s stomach twisted at those words. He didn’t know Black Sapphire well, but seeing someone about to lose their position—even if they had made a mistake—felt… unsettling.   Black Sapphire flinched but didn’t argue. He had expected this. Still, something in him had hoped for a different outcome.   “…Understood,” he murmured, lowering his gaze. “I’ll take my leave.”   He turned on his heel and walked out, shutting the door behind him.   The silence that followed was heavy. Pure Vanilla finally spoke up. “Are you really going to fire him?”   Shadow Milk’s expression didn’t change. “Of course. He disobeyed me. That’s not something I can overlook.”   Pure Vanilla hesitated. “But he’s clearly sorry for it…”   Shadow Milk exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temple. “That doesn’t change what he did. This company isn’t built on second chances, Pure Vanilla. One wrong move can ruin everything.”   Pure Vanilla wanted to argue further, but he knew it wasn’t his place. This was Shadow Milk’s decision, his company, and his rules.   “…I see,” he said quietly.   Shadow Milk looked at him, his gaze softening slightly. “You’re too kind for your own good, you know that?”   Pure Vanilla didn’t respond. He wasn’t sure if it was a compliment or a warning.   Shadow Milk leaned back against the couch. “Let’s not talk about this anymore. I don’t want anything ruining our weekend.”   Pure Vanilla nodded, though his mind was still on Black Sapphire.   Would this really be the last time he saw him? The rest of the evening passed quietly, but Pure Vanilla couldn't shake the tension left behind by Black Sapphire's visit. Shadow Milk, however, seemed entirely unaffected—he leaned back comfortably in his chair, watching as Custard Cookie was still engrossed in the PlayStation, laughing to himself as he played.   Shadow Milk stretched, his sharp gaze flicking back to Pure Vanilla. “You’re awfully quiet.”   Pure Vanilla blinked, looking up. “I just… I guess I wasn’t expecting today to go like this.”   Shadow Milk smirked. “You should learn to expect the unexpected when you work for me.”   That was an understatement. Since joining ShadowTech Industries, Pure Vanilla’s life had been one unexpected moment after another.   Shadow Milk stood, taking slow, deliberate steps toward him. “Are you still thinking about Black Sapphire?”   Pure Vanilla hesitated. “…Yes.”   Shadow Milk sighed, shaking his head. “You’re too soft. You want to see the best in people even when they’ve proven they don’t deserve it.”   “That’s not true,” Pure Vanilla said quietly. “I just think people deserve to prove that they can do better.”   Shadow Milk tilted his head slightly, watching him. There was a strange look in his heterochromic eyes—like he was trying to decipher something about Pure Vanilla that he couldn’t quite understand.   “…You really are different,” he murmured, mostly to himself.   Pure Vanilla wasn’t sure what to say to that. He wasn’t sure if it was meant as an insult or a compliment.   Before the conversation could continue, Custard Cookie suddenly shouted in victory, throwing his arms up. “YES! I won again! Shadow Milk, did you see that? I totally crushed the enemy team!”   Shadow Milk chuckled. “You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?”   Custard grinned, practically bouncing in place. “Of course! Your house is the best! Can we stay here forever?”   Pure Vanilla sighed. “Custard, we already talked about this…”   Shadow Milk smirked, crossing his arms. “Oh? And what if I said I wouldn’t mind?”   Pure Vanilla’s breath hitched slightly, his face heating up. “D-Don’t joke about that…”   Shadow Milk leaned in just a little closer, lowering his voice. “Who said I was joking?”   Pure Vanilla’s heart pounded in his chest. He knew Shadow Milk liked to tease him, but this was different—there was something in his tone that felt… real.   Custard Cookie, completely oblivious, stretched his arms and yawned. “Anyway! I’m getting kinda sleepy now. Do I get my own room again?”   Shadow Milk finally pulled back, his smirk returning. “Of course. You can even pick whichever one you want.”   Custard lit up at that and ran off excitedly, leaving Pure Vanilla alone with Shadow Milk once again.   Shadow Milk glanced at him, his usual smirk softening into something more unreadable. “…You should rest too.”   Pure Vanilla swallowed. He wasn’t sure why, but his entire body felt warm under Shadow Milk’s gaze.   “…Yeah,” he murmured. “I think I will.”   Shadow Milk watched as he turned away, heading toward his room. And once he was gone, Shadow Milk exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.   He had never felt like this before.   And he didn’t know what to do about it.  
  SATURDAY

  2:47AM
 The dim glow of the moon barely filtered through the large windows as Pure Vanilla stirred awake, feeling a light shake on his shoulder. His eyes fluttered open, and through the haze of sleep, he saw Shadow Milk standing beside his bed.   “Get up,” Shadow Milk whispered, his voice low but firm. “Quietly.”   Pure Vanilla blinked in confusion, but when he noticed the serious look in Shadow Milk’s heterochromic eyes, he nodded and carefully slipped out of bed, making sure not to wake Custard Cookie, who was curled up nearby.   Without another word, Shadow Milk turned and walked out of the room, expecting Pure Vanilla to follow. And he did, stepping lightly on the floor as they moved through the mansion’s darkened halls.   It wasn’t until they reached that same hidden library—its grand wooden doors looming before them—that Pure Vanilla realized where they were going.   He had been here once before. Shadow Milk had shown him this place but never explained why it was so important.   Now, it seemed, he was finally going to.   Shadow Milk pushed open the doors, and the scent of old parchment and polished wood filled the air. The golden candlelight flickered against the endless shelves of books, casting long shadows as the two of them stepped inside.   Pure Vanilla turned to him. “Why did you bring me here?”   Shadow Milk didn’t answer right away. He walked further in, running his fingers along the spines of the books, before finally stopping at a particular section. With a sigh, he pulled out a thick, leather-bound book and turned to Pure Vanilla.   “This,” he said, tapping the book, “is a record of my education. Everything I was forced to learn.”   Pure Vanilla frowned slightly. “Forced?”   Shadow Milk let out a humorless chuckle as he flipped through the pages. “My family… They weren’t like most families. They didn’t care about things like ‘love’ or ‘happiness.’ The only thing that mattered was power and control.”   Pure Vanilla listened silently, his heart sinking at the coldness in Shadow Milk’s voice.   “I didn’t have a childhood,” Shadow Milk continued, his eyes scanning the pages like they held memories he wanted to erase. “No playing outside. No friends. No freedom. Every second of my time was spent learning—languages, sciences, mathematics, business strategies. Anything that would make me a stronger leader.”   He turned to face Pure Vanilla fully. “By the time I was ten, I could speak eight different languages fluently. By fifteen, I had mastered military tactics. By eighteen, I was expected to take over the company.”   Pure Vanilla felt a lump in his throat. “That’s… That’s awful.”   Shadow Milk shut the book with a sharp snap. “It didn’t matter what I wanted. I was a tool, created to continue the legacy of my family.”   For a moment, silence filled the library, heavy with unspoken pain.   Pure Vanilla took a hesitant step forward. “But… you’re free now, aren’t you? You built ShadowTech Industries. You’re leading it on your own terms.”   Shadow Milk let out a slow exhale. “That’s what I tell myself. But even now, I still feel like I’m trapped in the life they forced me into.”   Pure Vanilla looked at him, really looked at him. And for the first time, he saw past the cold, untouchable exterior that Shadow Milk always wore.   Beneath it all, he was still the boy who had never been allowed to just live. Gently, Pure Vanilla reached out and placed a hand over Shadow Milk’s.   “You’re not just a tool,” he said softly. “You’re more than what they made you.”   Shadow Milk stiffened slightly, his eyes flickering to Pure Vanilla’s hand on his own. But he didn’t pull away.   “…You really believe that?” he asked quietly.   Pure Vanilla nodded. “Yes.”   Shadow Milk stared at him for a long moment before closing his eyes and letting out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding.   “…Then maybe,” he murmured, “just maybe… I can start believing it too.”  he finally grinned, which relieved Pure Vanilla a little. They stood there for a few moments, staring at eachothers. Only when Shadow Milk shifted subtly did Pure Vanilla let him go. Shadow Milk stepped closer to the glass case mounted on the library wall, his fingers grazing over its smooth surface. Inside, a single book rested on a velvet cushion, its cover worn with age but carefully preserved.   Pure Vanilla tilted his head, stepping forward to get a closer look. "What book is that?"   Shadow Milk's eyes softened as he gazed at it. "This," he said, his voice quieter than before, "was my favorite book when I was younger. It’s a variation of the old tale about the lying shepherd."   Pure Vanilla furrowed his brows, recalling the familiar story. "You mean the one where the shepherd boy lies about wolves attacking, and when real wolves come, no one believes him?"   Shadow Milk nodded, but there was something almost wistful in his expression. "Yes. But in this version, the story doesn't end with the boy being punished for his lies."   Pure Vanilla blinked. "Then how does it end?"   A faint smirk tugged at Shadow Milk's lips as he tapped the glass. "The shepherd learns to tame the wolves."   Pure Vanilla’s brows raised slightly. "Tame them?"   "Yes," Shadow Milk murmured. "After the village stops trusting him, he leaves on his own and finds the wolves that no one believed existed. Instead of running from them, he faces them. At first, they see him as prey, but slowly, he gains their trust. He feeds them, protects their wounded, and shows no fear."   Shadow Milk’s gaze lingered on the book as if reliving the story in his mind. "In the end, the shepherd returns to the village—not as a liar, not as a foolish boy, but as a wolf tamer. The same wolves that were once a threat become his greatest allies, and the village, the same people who cast him out, now turn to him for protection."   Pure Vanilla remained silent for a moment, absorbing the words. There was something deeper in Shadow Milk’s voice, something personal. "You relate to the shepherd, don’t you?" he asked softly.   Shadow Milk exhaled, leaning against the bookshelf. "More than you can imagine."   Pure Vanilla glanced at the book again. "Because you weren’t trusted… and instead of giving up, you decided to master what others feared."   A chuckle escaped Shadow Milk, but it was devoid of humor. "Something like that."   Pure Vanilla studied him, sensing the weight behind those words. He wasn’t just talking about a book—he was talking about his life. The way he had been shaped by his past, the way he had to fight to gain control, to make himself untouchable.   “…But the shepherd didn’t do it alone,” Pure Vanilla said, choosing his words carefully. "The wolves had to trust him too. He didn’t just make them submit—he earned their loyalty."   Shadow Milk’s smirk faltered slightly, his heterochromic eyes meeting Pure Vanilla’s in silent contemplation.   Pure Vanilla smiled gently. "Maybe you tamed the wolves… but who’s going to remind you that you’re more than just their leader?"   Shadow Milk didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned his attention back to the book, fingers lingering over the glass case before he murmured, almost to himself:   "Maybe that’s why I let you in."   
  SATURDAY

  7:00AM
 Black Sapphire stood at the bedside, hands clasped behind his back as he spoke in a steady voice. “It’s 7:00 AM, sir.”   Shadow Milk barely stirred. With a lazy wave of his hand, he muttered, “Two more hours.”   Black Sapphire hesitated, but then gave a small bow. “Understood.” He stepped back and silently left the room.   Two hours later, at exactly 9:00 AM, Black Sapphire returned. This time, he placed the tray of freshly brewed coffee on the nightstand before gently knocking on the edge of the bedframe. “It’s 9:00 AM, sir. Just as you requested.”   Shadow Milk groaned slightly, stretching out his limbs before opening his eyes. He blinked a few times before finally sitting up, ruffling his already messy hair. “You’re precise as always.”   Black Sapphire gave a small nod. “It’s my job.”   There was a pause before he spoke again, his voice quieter this time. “…And I don’t want to lose it.”   Shadow Milk, still groggy, reached for the coffee and took a slow sip. “We already discussed this.”   “I know,” Black Sapphire said quickly, lowering his head. “But I can’t leave it at that.” He inhaled deeply, steadying himself before meeting Shadow Milk’s gaze. “I was wrong to interfere. I shouldn’t have helped Candy Apple, and I shouldn’t have gone behind your back. But please, sir, reconsider firing me.”   Shadow Milk remained silent, his sharp eyes locked onto Black Sapphire’s face.   “I don’t want to work under anyone else,” Black Sapphire admitted, his voice strained with desperation. “No one else will hold the same standards you do. No one else will demand the same level of perfection.” His fists clenched at his sides. “I serve best under you, and only you.”   Shadow Milk’s expression was unreadable as he set his coffee back down. Then, he leaned back slightly, exhaling. “You betrayed my trust,” he finally said.   Black Sapphire flinched.   “But…” Shadow Milk’s fingers tapped lightly against the edge of the cup. “You’re right about one thing—there’s no one else like me.”   Black Sapphire swallowed hard, waiting for his verdict.   Shadow Milk eyed him for a long moment before giving a faint smirk. “Convince me why I should keep you, and maybe I will.” Black Sapphire stiffened at Shadow Milk’s words. He hadn’t expected to be given another chance—not even a small one. His mind raced, trying to think of the best way to convince the CEO to let him stay.   “I’ve been by your side for years,” Black Sapphire began, keeping his voice steady despite the nervous energy bubbling beneath the surface. “I know your schedule better than anyone. I anticipate your needs before you even voice them. No one else can serve you as efficiently as I can.”   Shadow Milk remained unimpressed, swirling his coffee lazily in his cup. “I can train someone else.”   Black Sapphire clenched his fists but refused to back down. “That would take time. And you hate wasting time, don’t you?”   Shadow Milk’s smirk twitched slightly. He didn’t respond, which meant Black Sapphire had struck a nerve.   Taking that as an opportunity, Black Sapphire pressed on. “I also know how you operate, how you think. You don’t trust people easily—neither do I. But you know I would never betray you for personal gain. I made a mistake, but it wasn’t out of disloyalty.”   Shadow Milk took another slow sip of his coffee, watching him carefully. “Then why?”   Black Sapphire exhaled sharply. “Because I thought it was the right thing to do. But I know now that my judgment doesn’t matter as much as yours. You make the decisions. I only carry them out.”   There was another long silence.   Then, Shadow Milk placed his cup down and leaned forward, resting his chin against his hand. His heterochromatic blue eyes bore into Black Sapphire’s with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine.   “You’re right,” he finally said.   Black Sapphire’s heart leaped with hope, but he forced himself to stay composed. “Then…?”   Shadow Milk sighed dramatically. “You’re a pain, Black Sapphire.” He waved a hand lazily. “Fine. You can stay.”   Relief flooded through Black Sapphire, though he didn’t allow it to show. He simply bowed his head. “Thank you, sir.”   Shadow Milk smirked. “You better prove that I didn’t make the wrong decision. Because next time? There won’t be a discussion.”   Black Sapphire straightened. “Understood.”   Just as he turned to leave, Shadow Milk added, “Oh, and fetch Custard from the guest room. I have a feeling he’ll whine if he doesn’t get breakfast served like a prince.”   Black Sapphire sighed internally but nodded. “Right away, sir.”  The morning continued with its usual rhythm, but there was an undeniable shift in the atmosphere. Black Sapphire remained in the mansion, now with a renewed determination to serve, while Pure Vanilla found himself tangled in another issue—Custard Cookie’s boundless energy.   Custard had already made himself comfortable at the dining table, demanding a royal breakfast. “Sir Shadow Milk!” he chirped, swinging his legs under the chair. “Can we have chocolate pancakes today?”   Shadow Milk, still sipping his morning coffee, raised a brow. “We?”   Custard beamed. “Of course! You should eat with us too!”   Pure Vanilla, who had just entered the dining hall, froze mid-step. He shot Custard a warning glance, but it was too late. Shadow Milk simply smirked, resting his cheek against his palm.   “I don’t usually eat sweets for breakfast,” he mused. “But I suppose… just this once.”   Custard cheered while Pure Vanilla sighed in resignation.   Black Sapphire, who had returned from his earlier errand, stood near the doorway, clearly expecting new orders. Shadow Milk flicked his gaze toward him. “You heard him. Chocolate pancakes. Make sure they’re perfect.”   Black Sapphire held back a groan but nodded. “Understood, sir.”   As the morning meal was prepared, Pure Vanilla sat across from Shadow Milk, fiddling with his spoon. He still wasn’t used to being in such an extravagant environment, much less having the CEO act so… casual around him.   Shadow Milk, ever perceptive, leaned forward. “Something on your mind, Pure Vanilla?”   Pure Vanilla jolted slightly, then quickly shook his head. “No, no! I just… I’m still not used to all of this.”   Shadow Milk tilted his head. “All of what?”   Pure Vanilla hesitated before gesturing vaguely around them. “Everything. Being in your mansion. Having Custard treated like royalty. You acting so…” He trailed off, unsure of how to phrase it.   Shadow Milk smirked. “Soft?”   Pure Vanilla flushed. “I didn’t say that.”   “But you were thinking it.”   Before Pure Vanilla could stammer out a response, Custard giggled. “Sir Shadow Milk is like a big cool knight! But also like a king! I wanna be just like him!”   Shadow Milk chuckled, ruffling Custard’s hair. “You’ve got ambition, I’ll give you that.”   Pure Vanilla sighed. “Please don’t encourage him.”   The pancakes arrived shortly after, and to everyone’s surprise, Shadow Milk actually ate a few bites before pushing his plate away. “Not bad.”   Black Sapphire sighed, knowing that was the highest praise he was going to get.   As the day continued, Shadow Milk found himself watching Pure Vanilla more closely. His assistant was still hesitant around him, still uncertain. But that was fine.   Because, in due time, he’d make sure Pure Vanilla realized something very important—he was exactly where he belonged.
  
  

    
      
        
        
          //Just making sure you read the notes at the start of this chapter! It's important, maybe. Maybe not...This chapter is longer than usual, I am gonna cry. I'll update constantly after the crk update, PURE VANILLA IS SO GAY I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!'
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
Assistant: