The morning was rough. Apart from sleeping on the couch, the second alarm on my phone woke me up, which meant I was half an hour behind schedule. Rushing to make breakfast for the other two and getting in a shower, I ended up running into a door or two while still half asleep. On the brighter side, a wooden door to the face is one way to wake yourself up. But I would not recommend it. When I went to wake up the other two I found that D.D. was taking her time getting dressed and C.C. had no interest in getting out of bed. Since, as she put it, I didn't need her today so I should let her be.

She stated, in my bed, with breakfast ready downstairs. I didn't tolerate that and picked her up, covers and all. D.D. got a laugh out of it, but the witch wasn't as happy. Regardless of how she felt, while those two ate I went to get dressed for the day. I had the time roughly nailed down at this point and left knowing that D.D. would take care of things on her end. Her objective today was to set up tonight's meeting with Ohgi and secure supplies, after that she was to start work on obtaining our mobile hideout. It's for the best that we don't overly rely on Lelouch's Geass. The less involvement he has with the Black Knights and Zero, the better.

As for my objective, it was to befriend Princess Euphemia. Now that may sound like I want her for myself, or something selfish, but the truth is not that. I wish to earn Euphy's trust, in doing so I'll have to face Cornelia when she learns about me. That first interaction is important for the future. For that future, I was walking down the same road where I crossed paths with Suzaku for the first time. He wasn't there, leaving me to stand alone with a duffle bag hanging off my shoulder. I looked back the way I came longingly, almost wishing he was here. After all, what human wants to become an enemy to someone they promised to keep safe?

Euphy: "Look out below!" I looked up and saw her falling from the window, things didn't go as planned, and while I caught her, I staggered back and landed on my butt. "Sorry about that, I wasn't aware that you were down here until I had leaped."

(F/N): "It's alright, had I known a girl was going to fall onto me I would have done a better job catching you." After she got up, I stood and picked up my bag. "Is something wrong?"

Euphy: "Yes, actually, could you help me?" Of course, it was the same lie as before and I played along, following her. "So what brought you there?" She asked as we walked through the park.

(F/N): "You mean the Viceroy's Palace? My father works there but is rarely home so I was bringing him a change of clothes." I patted the bag, which actually had the Zero outfit in it. "That's right, I haven't introduced myself, my name's (F/N) Crowel, it's a pleasure to meet you Euphy."

Euphy: "Right, it's a pleasure to meet you too." She sounded reserved for a moment there and the air changed.

(F/N): "Anyway, the weather is nice today."

Okay, things are feeling awkward, I guess it's more of a challenge being with Euphy than it is with Lelouch. Which is odd since he's the one with a dangerous Geass, or at least it was dangerous until he used it on me. Thankfully, we both spotted Arthur and went over to him. He hissed at us at first, but couldn't run because of his hurt paw. Euphy meowed a conversation between them before I simply placed the back of my hand to Arthur's nose. He sniffed it and looked at me curiously.

Euphy: "Do you know this kitty?" As she asked the air started to lift.

(F/N): "Something like that, I'll go buy something for his paw. I'll be right back." Euphy picked him up as I went off. Returning with disinfectant and a bandage wrap, Euphy was seated on the stairs to the park with Arthur on her lap. "I see you two are getting along well." I sat with them and helped bandage Arthur's leg.

Euphy: "There, all better." Arthur then jumped out of her lap and looked back at me, as if it knew, before running away. "Aw, the kitty ran away."

(F/N): "Say, Euphy, are you really being chased?"

Euphy: "Do you ask because you're concerned about me?"

(F/N): "Of course."

Euphy: "Good, then you can accompany me some more."

It felt off, different than in all of my trials as if the feelings in the Geass worlds weren't the same as those I was feeling now in the real one. As we explored the Tokyo Settlement, however, I found myself giving in to the idea of going with the flow instead of making things go exactly as planned. For both of our enjoyment, that was for the better. We ate, went window shopping and talked about ourselves. The awkward feeling had completely gone away by the time we started talking about the homeland.

Euphy: "I was a student there up until last week, today is the last day of my vacation here."

(F/N): "Area Eleven isn't a place I'd go for a vacation. It's nice, but now it's more like my home than the homeland."

Euphy: "Well, I'm glad I could see it with you. Someone who calls it home." She stopped walking. "(F/N), would you mind taking me to one more place?"

(F/N): "Where ever you wish."

Euphy: "Take me to Shinjuku." I looked at her seriously. "Please escort me there."

(F/N): "Only because you said please."

The Shinjuku Ghetto was the same as before, in ruin and mourning. We stood in front of a memorial site that evening and like before two idiot students from Ashford were taking pictures and admiring the damage done to a nearby statue. They were in hearing range and turning around we could see them. Tamaki, the same as always, rushed in and started yelling at the students. I threw down my bag and ran over, without Suzaku here the only one who can make sure those two aren't beaten to death is, annoyingly, me.

Tamaki: "Don't call me an Eleven! I'm Japanese!"

Student A: "Wrong, you seem to forget that you people lost, you're nothing but a beaten dog." He said with a cowardly undertone.

Tamaki: "You racist pig."

(F/N): "That's enough, all of you." I shouted as I slowed to a walk.

Student B: "(F/N), you know we're in the right."

Tamaki: "What, another Britannian bastard coming here to help his friends?" He started cracking his knuckles.

(F/N): "Far from it." I marched forward and grabbed one of the students by the collar. "What do you think you're doing here?"

Student B: "Wh-what are you doing?" He stuttered, thrown off by my action.

(F/N): "As a member of the Student Council, it is part of my job to make sure students follow proper morals. So get out of here before I inform the president that you two were disrespecting a place of the dead." I pushed him back.

Student B: "What the hell man?" He complained as he got his camera and left. "We weren't doing anything wrong." I looked back at Tamaki.

Tamaki: "Got something to say Brit?"

(F/N): "Not really, but on the off chance they decide to come back, feel free to beat them up." Tamaki huffed before walking off with the others with him.

Tamaki: "I don't need some Britannian's permission."

After that, Euphy ran over with my bag and handed it over. We started heading back to the Viceroy's Palace and talked about the tensions between the Japanese, now Elevens, and the Britannians. It was a heavy topic, so I brought up Ashford Academy and told her about Milly and the members of the Student Council, excluding Lelouch for obvious reasons. When we arrived near the front entrance, I took out a piece of paper from my pocket and wrote on it.

Euphy: "What's this?" I handed it over.

(F/N): "My number, if you ever need a tour guide again or wish to talk. But next time you runaway consider using a name that isn't part of your actual one, princess." Euphy took it and smiled.

Euphy: "Perhaps I should, but even though you knew who I was you didn't treat me like a royal princess. Thank you, if you ever need anything please feel free to ask."

(F/N): "In that case, on the topic of the Elevens, I have an old friend who could use your help."

And so, I told Euphy about Suzaku's situation and asked if she could get him enrolled in Ashford Academy. She seemed for the idea and pleased that I'd use my favor to help a friend, even though he was Japanese. We said our goodbyes and as I stood there I couldn't help but smile. Not because things were going as planned, but because there was a feeling of having done something good. A feeling that made one relax and look up at the night sky, it was a shame that I couldn't enjoy it for longer.

Sneaking off to the ghettos where I was to meet with Ohgi, I suited up and waited on one of the upper floors of a ruined building. While his trust alone will not win the others over, it is important to build up his trust and speak with him on the matter of the future and leadership. Late by a few minutes, Ohgi apologized but I told him it was alright, the important thing was that he was here.

Ohgi: "So what was it you wanted to talk about?"

Zero: "Ohgi, what would you say is the most important in leadership?"

Ohgi: "If you're asking I'm guessing it's not a simple answer, like honesty or trust."

Zero: "You are correct in both regards."

Ohgi: "I am?" He seemed surprised.

Zero: "Trust is important between a leader and his people. Honesty contributes to that trust."

Ohgi: "This is about the others, isn't it? I'm sure they'll come around to you, they just need more time." I picked up a hollowed-out rock on the ground and tossed it to him.

Zero: "Inside is a key to the storage area of the basement below this building, there are supplies inside that the people here could use." Ohgi took out the key and smiled. "Ohgi."

Ohgi: "Yes?"

Zero: "Let me trust in you by saying this. I am not Japanese."

Ohgi: "I see, that's why you hide your face." I nodded, he looked at the key in his hand. "Can I ask what your reason is for fighting Britannia?"

Zero: "I... want to make a kinder life for people." I looked out to a window and looked at the settlement. "I don't care if you're Japanese or Britannian, because good and evil do not care about such things."

Ohgi: "It sounds like you want to change the world, but you can't do that alone."

Zero: "Correct again. That's why I want to take your group and not continue the needless acts of terrorism, but acts that change the world."

Ohgi: "Zero, if you don't mind me asking, the last time we spoke you said you would deliver the impossible. Is that what you were talking about?"

Zero: "No, soon Cornelia will be making a move to attack the Saitama Ghetto. It will be a massacre like Shinjuku."

Ohgi: "What?! Then we have to warn them-"

Zero: "There will be no need to." I faced Ohgi and posed dramatically with my hand out. "I will deliver you the impossible and save them all." Ohgi looked at me with concern and shock.

Ohgi: "Can you really do that?"

Zero: "As a friend of mine is fond of saying in games of chess, if a king doesn't lead how can he expect his subordinates to follow? I plan to lead and save as many people from Saitama as possible, but I need your trust."

Ohgi: "Only me?" I pointed to the key in his hand.

Zero: "Perhaps you should take a look at the supplies I mentioned." Heading down to the lower level, Ohgi unlocked the door to the storage area.

Ohgi: "What the?" Crates upon crates and boxes filled the place, walking in, he looked around amazed. "What's in all of these?"

Zero: "Food, medicines, clothes, and other daily necessities one would find hard to come across here in the ghettos." I went over and opened one of the boxes.

Ohgi: "And you're just giving it all to us?" I handed him a stuffed rabbit from the box.

Zero: "As I said, I want a kinder life for people. But I need people to listen, not because I'll give them things, but because they believe in my cause."

Ohgi: "And you want me to be the voice so the Japanese will listen to that cause?" He looked at the stuffed animal. "I'm not going to lie, we really could use these supplies, especially if the people of Saitama come here."

Zero: "Then think about it." Ohgi looked surprised again by my words. "Even if you decide to tell them about Cornelia's attack or decide following me is not the right decision, I will not take back any of this." I gestured to the supplies.

Ohgi: "Really?"

Zero: "Yes, because I know they'll be in good hands, and will go to the people who need them." I started heading for the door. "There is a matter I need to attend to, I'll call you tomorrow on a different number to hear your decision."

Ohgi: "You already have a plan, don't you?" I stopped.

Zero: "I have a plan for the future that is already in motion no matter what choice you make. Have a good night, Ohgi."

Taking my leave and taking a long way home, I changed clothes and took a breath of relief the moment I stepped inside. D.D. came to the front entrance, offering me some ice tea. I took it and thanked her before heading to the parlor to talk with her and C.C. about Saitama. The plan was by all means dangerous. As it would be up to the three of us to evacuate a large group of people unnoticed, crush a decent number of Cornelia's forces, and record all of it for the internet to see. Thankfully, C.C. didn't have any complaints, as she didn't say anything at all.

After taking out a roughly drawn map we made back in the homeland of the sewer system and the ghetto, we visually showed the plan. D.D., much like today, would be in charge of getting us the supplies needed for the plan's success. Because Cornelia believes that she will be facing the same Zero from Shinjuku, she will aim to recreate the incident to entrap him. However, now that I am Zero, her plans are all but useless to her.

The next day I went to Ashford to keep up appearances before I would leave completely. During lunch, I hid on the rooftop and called Ohgi to hear his answer. I already knew he was going to agree and trust me to handle Saitama, but it was nice to hear him say it. Later, in the clubhouse, I heard through Milly that a new student was arriving tomorrow. I knew it was Suzaku and gave Lelouch a signal by giving a short tug on my jacket's collar, the same signal the two of them used to use.

Suzaku was a piece of the other side of the board that I didn't plan to try and win over. Unlike Lelouch, who tried and failed to constantly until the very end. Personally, I had my eyes on others that had something to gain by hearing me out, even if they didn't decide to join forces. While someone like Cornelia doesn't fall into that category, people like Euphy do. Even Villetta will have something to gain by hearing me out, that is, her love for Ohgi.

Yes, killing her is always an option. But now that she has forgotten about her best lead and there is a plan to keep Shirley's father alive there is no reason to do such a thing. In fact, her relationship with Ohgi will do more good than harm in the long term. There is, however, a small problem with all of that. The reason she would be at the docks. With literally no one to follow to the docks, Villetta would have to be baited there. Mainly by an Eleven complaining they want to be a fully-fledged Britannian in exchange for leaking information. The person playing the Eleven would be C.C., after all, someone needs to shoot Villetta.

With everything going to plan so far, I couldn't help but feel a sense of joy. Playing a more active role in the events going on had already changed so much. Including Nunnally, who through D.D. I had heard was in a happier mood recently. Even more so when Suzaku came to the school as a student the next day. I eavesdropped on the conversation between him and Lelouch on the rooftop. As far as Suzaku was concerned, it was an old friend that got him the opportunity to come here. Thinking it was Lelouch, he thanked him, but Lelouch didn't accept it, saying he didn't even know Suzaku made it out of Shinjuku alive and lied that he didn't know who that old friend was.

Despite the mystery, they appeared to enjoy their reunion. To me that was all that mattered, no credit was needed. Suzaku would have it a bit rough, but later, before they went to the clubhouse to surprise Nunnally, I pulled Lelouch to the side and convinced him to not listen to Suzaku after dinner and told him that if he thinks about it, he can come up with a reasonable excuse for their friendship. And that Milly, along with most of the Student Council, would welcome him with open arms. Lelouch said he would think about it. An answer I accepted knowing all too well that he had already decided to help his friend.