“Wait, why me? I’m too sleepy to do that type of job. I’m also not suited for jobs like that.”

“If necessary, you may coordinate with your attendant.”

The room went silent. Cinnabar paused for a second, then responded:

“Sure. I don’t mind. Now can we end this dumb meeting?” He yawned again.

“That will be all.” Diamond straightened slightly, his tone final. “This assembly is concluded-”

“Wait a second.” Beryllium stopped Diamond, cutting him off. “Why Cinnabar? He’s irresponsible, lazy, and he’s sometimes even noncompliant. You’re assigning oversight of a high-risk variable to someone who avoids responsibility.”

Diamond's eyes glanced at Beryllium before turning them away.

“Your assessment is not incorrect.” A slight shift of his gaze toward Cinnabar. “Cinnabar is inefficient when unmotivated. However…” He paused deliberately. “When his interest is engaged, his performance exceeds expectations.” 

“Though that has never happened before.”

“Then how do you know Cinnabar only exceeds expectations when he has interest in something?”

“Cinnabar himself told me; I trust him. Besides…” Diamond’s eyes returned to Beryllium once again. “If anything is capable of sustaining Cinnabar’s attention, it is Rei Shirogami.”

Beryllium finally accepted, nodding in frustration before calming down.

Everyone started to leave one by one. Krystallos left first because he wanted to take care of his homeland. Emerald needed to teach sports to the children. Beryllium left with a still frustrated-looking face. Opal left feeling less stressed and a little more relieved. Shungite left with Katerina beside her.

Their subordinates also left with them to help with their work, all except Krystallos because he doesn’t have one. Then Diamond got up.

“Sipho, we’ll be heading out for a while.”

“Yes, sir.” Sipho nodded.

They both left the meeting room, with Diamond looking back at Rei once more before turning back and leaving.

May finally stood up and came towards Ai, speaking to her with a stern expression. 

“Hey, are you Rei’s friend or something? Why did you help him?”

“I just felt like it, plus, why can I not help him?” Ai said, putting a palm on top of his head, rubbing his hair a little. “Also, why the stern expression on your face? It feels like you’re trying to be someone you’re not.”

May’s eyes widened slightly in shock. “I’m not.” She said.

“Sure, but if you try to be someone you’re not, there won’t be anything left of you.”

May ignored her, but something bubbled inside Nex’Zhar; he seemed to agree with Ai, partially though. The room was quiet without the other 6 pillars of the MSO; not like Krystallos was going to talk anyway, so basically 5 pillars.

“I’m not a pet.”

“Didn’t say you were. Ai laughed.

Yuki also stood up. “the tensions are too great in here; why not calm ourselves down a little bit?”

“I agree.” Said the tired Cinnabar; he then turned to May. “Isn’t Rei your brother? Why didn’t you help him instead of his friend?”

The moment he finished his question, he fell asleep. He wouldn’t care about her answer anyway; it wasn’t his problem. May didn’t answer.

Mei observed May’s actions and emotions towards the other. She seemed too mature for her age, like she had gone through an event in which she had to change who she is and try to be someone she’s not.

And she shows a little more hostility towards Rei.

Just what is wrong with her?

“My big brother is right; you seem to hate Rei. What’s up with that?”

“You wouldn’t understand; you and your big brother are on good terms; me and my big brother are not.”

Then Rei stood up, looking directly into May’s eyes, soulless and almost without emotion.

“Tell me, what did I do?”