Before she could say anything else, Emilio clapped his hands together. "Okay! Everything's paid for. One last errand, then we're done for today."

He waved toward the door. "Catch you later, Minty."

Minty returned the wave with a warm smile. "Bye, Emilio. Bye, Nine. Take care of each other, okay?"

Nine's voice was quiet but sincere as she responded, "Bye."

Together, they stepped out of the store, the door closing softly behind them as the warm glow faded behind.

The buzz of the central city faded as Emilio and Nine stepped into a narrower, darker street. This part of town was rougher—fewer lights, more shadows, the kind of place where eyes watched from every corner.

Nine glanced sideways at Emilio. "What are we here to get?"

He gave a small, secretive smile. "Something special. You'll see."

They walked up to a worn building that looked like an old office. The sign was faded but readable. Emilio pushed open the heavy door, which creaked as it swung inward.

Inside, a ceiling fan spun slowly, barely stirring the stale air. The dim lighting cast long shadows over the small lobby, where a bird girl sat writing at a desk cluttered with papers and folders. A name tag on the table read Violet.

Emilio approached her. "Hey, is he in today?"

Violet looked up, her eyes shifting to the back door. "Yeah, I assume you're here for the usual?"

"That's right," Emilio said with a nod.

He turned back to Nine. "Come on."

They stepped through the back door into a darker office. A single desk lamp illuminated the room, casting a warm circle of light over papers and a tall figure seated with his back to them.

"Kechi," Emilio said, breaking the silence.

The man slowly turned, revealing sharp green eyes—one scarred—and a tall, slender wolf with grey fur shaded lighter on his hair and tail. He wore a rough brown coat over a tan dress shirt and a red tie, paired with dark brown pants and well-worn boots.

"Detective Takoto to you," he said, crossing his arms. His voice was firm but not unkind.

Emilio grinned. "I'm here for the delivery."

Takoto nodded. "She's running low?"

"That's right."

Takoto's gaze flicked to Nine. "Who's the girl?"

"Just Nine, a new housemate," Emilio said casually.

The detective sighed and asked, "Any ID or credentials, kid?"

Emilio hesitated. "Well... Nine doesn't have any."

Takoto raised an eyebrow, then pulled out a box of blood packs. Nine flinched at the sight.

Before she could say anything, Takoto snapped a photo of her face. The camera clicked, and an instant print slid out. He digitally printed her face on a card and tossed it to her.

"Don't lose this," he warned.

Emilio looked surprised. "Thanks, Kechi."

As they turned to leave, Takoto called out, "One more thing."

Emilio stopped, annoyance flickering in his eyes.

"I can't keep covering for your tagging habits forever. Grow up before you end up behind bars."

Emilio rolled his eyes but muttered, "Yeah, yeah."

With a reluctant shrug, Emilio led Nine out the door and back into the restless streets.

They stepped back out onto the cracked sidewalk, the city sounds creeping back in around them. Nine's arms strained under the weight of the bags of food she carried, while Emilio lugged the box of blood packs from Kechi.

After a moment's silence, Nine hesitated, then asked softly, "What's the blood for?"

Emilio glanced at her, brushing a loose strand of hair back. "Hollow needs it. She starts getting... bitey without it."

Nine's brow furrowed, confused. "I haven't met Hollow yet."

Emilio gave a small shrug. "She's a bat. Drinks blood to keep herself less feral."

Nine blinked, her unease easing a little but still there. "Why'd we get it from a detective, though? Seems... weird."

Emilio's smile was rueful. "Yeah, it's kinda illegal. Bats and monsters like Hollow usually get these alternatives or drugs that stop that behavior without blood. But those have nasty side effects. So Kechi... he imports blood packs from hospitals for her."

Nine swallowed, processing this strange new reality.

Before she could say more, Emilio pushed open the door to the apartment building.

"Ladies first," he said with a grin.

Nine shot him a half-annoyed look but stepped inside anyway, the familiar worn hallway welcoming them back.

As Emilio and Nine stepped inside the apartment, the warm air hit them like a soft wave. Before Nine could even catch her breath, a voice called out from the kitchen.

"Did you get what I asked for?" Luxu's deep, calm tone came from behind the counter.

Emilio dropped the bags and the box he was carrying onto the countertop with a loud thud, grinning widely. "All here, and then some!"

He rubbed the back of his neck and added, "I gotta take this box to the back though."

Luxu nodded, eyes on Nine as she began placing the groceries on the counter.

"Hey, Nine," Luxu said quietly, "just put those up neatly, yeah? Thanks."

Nine nodded, trying to steady her hands as she organized the food items.

Suddenly, a soft voice came from just behind her.

"Shopping."

Nine jumped slightly, startled by the sudden appearance of Desiree.

Dess smirked, arms crossed. "We're gonna get you some clothes."

Nine blinked up at her, heart racing a bit but feeling strangely reassured.