“Matt.”

…”Ehh??”

I opened my eyes and saw Crystal looking at me directly veeeery closely, and quickly jumped off the bed.

“W-what the hell, Crystal? How did you get into my house? Why are you in my room looking at me?!” My heart’s beating like hell right now, geez! What is with Crystal? She needs to stop doing this! “Well…” Crystal tangled her finger in her hair and looked to her side. “They were gonna announce what to do today, I just got a message for it, so I figured I should tell you so you don’t miss it like we did last time.”... Urk. “Whew… That’s one way to do it, you know.” Facepalming, sighing, my frustration grew bigger.

“Heh, sorry. To be honest, I wanted to see your reaction as well, Matty-boy!” Crystal gave me a pranking smile. “A-are you serious???” I got my hand off my face and just stared at her, looking at her, giving her the death glare. “Well, I guess I said too much… I’ll be seeing you at work, Matt!” Crystal jumped out the window while it was closed, thus breaking it, and flew away into the sky.

...Great. After browsing through my phone for a bit to order a new window, I started my morning routine. You know, shower, get dressed, eat, drink coffee… Then I pulled out my phone.

I browsed through my contacts, and gave a call to Michael. It hadn’t even been two seconds and he had already somehow answered.

“Yes, Matt? What can I do for ya?” He replied, I could feel the devious armor piercing grin through the audio already.

“Michael, I won’t be able to work for you today. The Shielders need me. I promise I’ll return to you once I’m free.”

“Ah no worriesssss Matttt!” He chuckled a bit. “I’ll be waiting, like your good-old-buddy-o-pal and stuff. No rush!”

“Thanks, Michael. See ya… I… guess...” 

“See ya!” I hung up and put my phone in my pocket.

I took a taxi to work, but… And just my luck, it was the same taxi driver from a few days ago. The Taxi Driver adjusted the car’s little rear view window to look at me. “Oh, dude! You’re going to work in my car again! I’m so honored!”

“Ah, uh, yeah well… I don’t think it matters that much, I’m just an architect.” I scratched the back of my head nervously, I wasn’t made for this. “So what? You still do a really good job! I’m hyped to see what you’ll do regarding Emptiness!”

“Okay then, thanks.” The taxi took me to the Silver T. Big, I just walked to my corresponding floor, like always.

When I arrived there, I saw Dennis. He looked at me. “Matt! We need to talk with everyone! Come over here!” Dennis grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the meeting room suddenly. “Ah, alright, Dennis, but your claws are kinda hurting me dude!” I kept up with his speed, but then he stopped. Ow… ow… “Oh, sorry… Is human skin that sensitive?”, “I guess so.” I rubbed my hand gently, not wanting to offend or worry him. I really hope he's vaccinated though. Afterwards we arrived at the meeting room and stepped in. Arthur, Crystal and Natalie were already there.

                 “Hey Matt! What’s up?” Crystal smiled at me.

“I need a new window…” I sat down and rested my arms on the table, mad at her, Crystal giggled despite my anger, much to my dismay… But then again that’s life for me I guess.

“New window? Uhh, anyway.” Natalie was understandably confused, but then started explaining the situation to us. “Seems like Dennis investigated that area you’re working in, and he arrived at the conclusion that we can fit everyone in there. The world can definitely be saved.”

“Ah, that’s a relief. I don’t remember telling you where it was though.”

Crystal chuckled. “I told him!”

“Ah, of course you did, Crystal.” I chuckled a little bit, nervously. ONE of these days I'm gonna explode with the so-incredible laughing from Crystal in the background. Just you wait. “So, are we just gonna hire Michael and build a bunch of houses there?” [Blink]. “That man loves money, and it’s gonna be a lot. Where are we gonna pull so much money from?” Natalie answered with little interest, not that I could process her feelings with my little energy. “Well… I guess the higher ups at the shielders talked to the mayor a bit and informed him there was no other choice. They’ll cover the costs to give everyone a new safe place to live in.”

“Oh, alright. But that makes me wonder where he got the same technology Arthur had for his so-called immortality.” Arthur chuckled. “It’s not spoken of too much, but it’s basically making a really tough object with technological materials, then protecting it with magic. What we made back then was a container of souls that stored mine and then could puppet my body from afar… Maybe the people who worked with that back then have contact with Michael.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he had connections…” I looked to my side, gazing at the window as I watched some birds flying by, just thinking about the situation in my head. I suppose this thing could be possible if we exploited my work and Crystal’s magic. “If that’s the case, can I ask you guys to come?” “What?” Natalie, Arthur and Dennis looked at me confused. “This is for saving people, right? And we’re all Shielders here. Michael is obsessed with me, I’m sure we can make things work. And to be fair, I’d like you guys to be around too. You’re more than co-workers to me, friends.”

I chuckled nervously after finishing my sentence. I couldn’t bear how corny it was, but those were my honest feelings, and I had already said it, no returning now. I am being corrupted into one god almighty idiot. Natalie smiled. “Heh, that’s cheesy, but I like it. I guess I could join you for a bit. Maybe I can help too.” Dennis’ eyes sparkled with glee. “You want me in? To hang out with you? That’s so nice of you, I’m definitely not missing this!”... “I suppose I can spend some of my time with you folks.” Arthur shrugged with a smile and closed eyes, trying to look stylish.

“Alright, that’s good enough. Thanks guys. All I need is to figure out when this will be done.”... “I mean…” Natalie chuckled. “Ever since this Emptiness stuff got all over the place, people have been doing less and have stayed indoors more often. We have nothing to do, so we could just ask the chief if he knows anything about this.” “Yeah, that’s good to know, then I can ask him.”, “Nonono!” Dennis stopped me. “Let ME ask him! You guys can stay here and chat or something, it’s my duty to go and handle chores for you!”

“Uhh… Alright, sure thing Dennis, I don’t see why but sure.”. “I won’t disappoint you!” Dennis saluted and ran off to see the chief.

“Huh, what’s the deal with him?” I pointed behind myself with my thumb and raised an eyebrow, looking at Natalie, Crystal and Arthur.

Natalie chuckled smugly. “He just really wants our validation, approval and liking. It’s kinda cute to be honest, and weird, but it doesn’t hurt anyone so I think it’s fine.” …“Well then. I guess you’re right.” Yawning a bit, I said, “Eh excuse me, I’ll go get myself some coffee.”. “Alright then, no worries.” I stood up and went to make some bitter coffee, not bothering with milk and only adding a bit of sugar, and waited for Dennis to arrive.

“What did you find out from the chief Dennis?” I looked at him wondering what that was all about. “Oh, looks like he’s gonna start doing that tomorrow, although I don’t think he told you so I’ll tell you this… It looks like you’re gonna do all the work.”... “Huh?” Looking at Dennis dead silent, I was hoping he’d explain himself better. Come on, buddy. Don't metaphorically murder me in the middle of a good coffee. That'd be much darker than your fur and it combined.

“Yeah Matt, I don’t know if you know this but… Between all the architects in this world, you’re the best architect there is.” “I… Didn’t know that, but how could I work on all those houses so fast?”, “No worries! Michael shared a video that everyone saw of you working on a house insanely fast the other day! I think you were under Crystal’s magic effects at that moment.”... “Oh… Okay then.” Crystal giggled in the background. Dang it, Michael. He knew Crystal and I’s work were gonna earn him lots of money, and now I’m gaining more fame. I... don’t want more fame, but it’s too late now.

“Alright, sure, to be fair nobody told me about it, but I’m not gonna back out, I’ll definitely work on it tomorrow.”

“That’s great!” Dennis wagged his tail.

I’m not sure what to think of this feeling… Whenever people give me attention, it feels weird. I just want my life to be as chill as possible, I wish I didn’t have awkward conversations like that one with the taxi driver.

Oh well…

I guess the next thing we’ll do will be working on building houses together, to think this came from a silly suggestion, yet actually worked… 

Geez. Hopefully next time somebody suggests I win an infinite supply of instant coffee instead.