That morning, the traffic doesn’t seem to be any better as the day continues.

In the middle of the hustle in the streets, a certain silver saloon seems to be caught up in a traffic jam. The shimmering paint under the broad sunlight, along with the distinctive shape and its enormous body size for a sedan make the luxurious trait of the car stand out amongst others.

Inside, two men are stuck in it, no other than Reiji Arato with his troublesome partner.

It’s been the umpteenth time Reiji lets out a sigh of distress. It’s a habit of his after a sign of stress is clearly shown on his face. Fidgeting endlessly.

For the exact reason, he had taken a walk around earlier. He just got back here with all the panting following him back to the car. Still not far from where he left 15 minutes ago.

“Welcome back, Mister.” For the sake of politeness, the driver greeted him first the moment he got back. “So, did you enjoy the sightseeing?”

“Couldn’t get any worst…” Reiji took off his beige coat, then throw it right at Uzy’s face. Shaking the grip on the gaming device in his hands.

“Especially when you’re in a bad mood!” Uzy replied instantaneously. Throwing the coat harshly back to Reiji. “Your face is telling me you’ll get uglier if you keep acting grumpy and all.” His finger is pointed to Reiji’s forehead, wrinkled.

“You’re the last person I wanna hear that from.” Reiji averts his gaze to the building on the left. Leaning on the window. “Nothing, don’t even bother to ask.”

Those 15 minutes he spent outside the car gave nothing but an eyesore reality around him.

The loan sharks. The market brawl. The riot in the alleys. The pathetic life of a mother with her three little kids. And the fact that no authorities were on-site to handle things. Too ignorant. Too laid back with what was given to them.

It only makes him disgusted only just remembering it all.

“The weaklings, wish I could just wipe them all out.” Hissed Reiji.

“Then, why not?” Since Uzy didn’t pay any attention to him, the driver kept the conversation going. “Aren’t you more than capable to do so, Mister? Even the whole colony couldn’t stand your caliber, right?”

“Restriction… restriction is the only reason I can’t do a thing. My Master would throw a tantrum at me. Can’t help it.”

“I thought no one could restrain you, the strongest one, the captain of the captains. Or is it just a bluff, Mister?” A scoff escaped. Reiji frowned upon hearing it.

“Hey, know your place! What right do you have to judge me?” Not in the mood for the joke, Reiji gnashed back. Looking for another topic. “Instead, why don’t you tell me the days of your intern there, Mona?”

The person in question keeps her composure, as the traffic is still crawling slowly. Glancing at them both from the rearview mirror. Readjusting to get a better look at them. Reiji is waiting.

“Soon or later, those people would sniff me out. Even now they might be talking about my absence despite loads of excuses I gave this morning.”

Her short black hair swayed as she recalled the names of people she met. From the top of the hierarchy, down to her fellow intern buddy. A loud blonde-haired cinnamon roll. She can only cringe behind the wheel.

“How long should I be doing this, Mister?”

“Until I say I don’t need you anymore.”

“I hope you’ll pay me handsomely after this ends.”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be double what Markov pays you, Mona.” Supporting his head, Reiji observes the traffic in front. Slowly unraveling. It can be seen from behind, her cheek is retracted. Smiling.

Dun!

They were startled when a smash suddenly reverbed. They turned their gaze to the back seat. Turns out, the culprit was no other than Uzy, hitting the window upon the choir of defeat on his screen. Even so, the glass is still intact.

Reiji blinks his eyes, “…About how long, I guess until this kid ready, Mona.”  Uzy packing the gaming device furiously. Reiji lets out a sigh. “Even if this is bulletproof, doesn’t mean you can just casually punch through it!” The coat was already flying to Uzy’s face by then.

“Who f*cking cares?! This is your car anyway!” Uzy impulsively pulled a counter, throwing it back to his face, “This won’t work. No matter what, having more than one person ruling would only make chaos.”

“Your game? Uzy, I don’t give a shit about your fictional world.” Reiji hissed at him. Yet Uzy stares him dead in the eyes. “Wait, so you got the resolve for a rebellious phase?”

“I hate it when you put it that way.” Uzy facepalms, shaking his head. “This nation is as good as dead. Not gonna be what your Master wants to be as long as the colony is under tiny regimes. It needs one singular party to oversee and controls everything to survive. Away from little conflicts.”

Uzy stares at him sharply. In contrast, Reiji grins while shaking his head. “I like those eyes of yours. Look like you’ve found your resolve, then.”

“I’ve had it all along. Ain’t your words a bit patronizing, Reiji?”

As those words come out, Reiji snickers lightly. Hugging him by the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll have everything settled by the time you’ll make a move. Any means necessary, is that okay?”

“I couldn’t care less what will happen next, nor to my family.”

After the lift travels down several floors, it finally opens up. Taking the first step after being bedridden for a while, Rukevic throws his gaze at the surrounding.

Many people go back and forth like busy traffic during rush hour. Even though it’s already this late in the night, the lobby seems even livelier than before. Out there, a black SUV is already waiting for him.

Just before he got discharged, his condition is already better than last night during the check-up. The doctor said his recovery was pretty quick. Perhaps thanks to his routine of going in and out of the hospital. His body is catching up with the amount of injury he got after each task.

The black SUV left the hospital. The driver took an elevated freeway, cruising the night.

“My apology for you to have to pick me up, sir. Thanks to you, I have to get myself dragged into your affair as soon as possible.” After a minute or so, Rukevic spoke from the back seat.

“The situation in our hands is quite complicated, you see. I assume you’ve read the message that she sent?” Sitting by the driver, Kruger replied from the front seat.

“I did. But, is it necessary to put the person in question in the same car?”

Rukevic glances to the side. Kruger turns his head behind. In the corner, Yohana sits calmly. Keeping her distance away from Rukevic, for only God knows what happened with them both. No one says a word after. The awkward pressure is crushing her as they both stare at Yohana.

“W-what?”

“Nothing. Making sure that you both get along.” Kruger shook his head. “It’s been a while since you two talked because of each other’s busyness.”

“Still, why?” Rukevic tilts his head.

“Don’t be so cynical. I thought that giving a ride home to a subordinate is chivalry.”

Annoyed, Rukevic throws his face away. Although it was clearly explained, both Rukevic and Yohana still didn’t catch it. They’re sure this is just the way their superior messes around with them.

The SUV takes an exit out of the freeway. Descending to the ground level. Even so, the driver doesn’t seem to be reducing the speed in the slightest.

“Rukevic, you still awake?” Asked Kruger as the car is getting closer to the destination. Rukevic replies with a nod. “Please keep in mind that this investigation is confidential. If a word ever gets out of here, it’ll be no other than one of us four.” As he said so, Kruger stare at the driver sharply. The poor man gulps down his saliva.

“I won’t be as careless as that. Perhaps, you want to specifically inform that for a certain person.” Meanwhile, Rukevic glances at Yohana. A loud clicking noise came from her.

“Also, putting that aside, you know how many parties you’ll be involved in this investigation, right Rukevic? With all sorts of potential threats, please refrain from being emotionally connected with any of them. Don’t get too close. You’re a stranger, and so do they. Keep in that way.”

“I’ll… do my best, sir…”

For a few moments, Rukevic was pensive. Staring blankly at the street.

The car stopped. They have arrived at the outskirt of the South District. A small apartment to be exact. The outer colony wall is standing not far from there.

After giving his regard to them, Rukevic left the car. Kruger repeatedly told him to get a good rest after this. Keep on reminding him after each sentence. Rukevic could only nod.

Among the dense apartment rooms, the sight of those rooms from the outside is much alike a vending machine. The rooms stacking and piling up on each other.

Some lights glimmer brightly inside. Others are just dimly in contrast with those shining parts. People come and go, choosing and picking the room of their choice as if to be processed automated by the machine without forethought.

Somehow, that crossed his mind when he was already a step away from his room.

“Vic!”

A female voice called his name from behind. Hastily going up the stairs. By then, Yohana stands next to him. Rukevic raises his eyebrow seeing her panting when suddenly she shoves a folder straight into his chest.

“T-these are the documents you’ll need. Sir K-Kruger asked me to give it to you.”

Rukevic holds it, taking a glance, “Thank you. But why are you so stiff? I’m just a coworker now. Or you  still see me as an ex-lover even now?”

“That’s none of your business!” Yohana turns away. Awkwardly fixing her glasses. “Do you still live with them?”

Realizing her gaze toward his hand at the doorknob, Rukevic gives a light nod. “If not me, then who else would take them in?”

“Well, good for you. Then, take care, and be careful, Vic!”

A smile was engraved on her face. Etched in his memory as she slowly disappeared down the stairs. Rukevic is standing there. Unmoved.

Clack!

“I’m home…”

The sheer silence greeted him as the door opened wide. Even for a split second, he could feel the cold air slipping its way inside the apartment. Rukevic sweeps his gaze across the room. It’s dark, so he turns on the lights switch not far from the main door.

“Intruder! Charge!”

“Big bwo Lee, Cuwahge!!”

In a short while, a projectile of broom was launched at his head. When he turns his head again, all sorts of items had flown toward Rukevic.

Jar, cutting board, box, kids chair, everything that humans know to ever exist. Only with a stroke of mere luck, did he manages to catch a flying butcher knife before throwing his widened eyes in anger.

“You two! What kind of prank are you planning to do with your elder brother here??”

The moment he said it, the culprits gasped in surprise from realization.

“Uwaah…! We were so sorry, Big brother Azel!”

“Rin sowwy! Rin sowwy, bwudah Azel!”

Two little kids, a boy, and a girl rushed their way to his hug. Breaking down in his chest, begging while whining about how guilty they were. Their slanted eyes are becoming like a thin line when they cried their hearts out. Seeing it, he can’t help but let it slide this time.

Without realizing a faint smile appeared on his face.

“There, there, you two. I’m here. I think you have a lot of stories to tell while I’m gone, Rin and Lee.”