Sorry for the delay, I have been extremely busy and I'm not the most motivated person in the world, heh. But I took a look at all those great reviews and I had to keep writing. What with summer and not having a life, I'm sure more stuff will get posted sooner or later.

The doorbell woke Minoru, who realized he had fallen asleep at his desk. He checked his watch and groaned- it was one in the morning. Who would show up so late?

In fact, the question stirred his curiosity enough for him to get up and head down the stairs. Minoru was in no hurry; he knew that one of his persecoms would answer it. He wanted to know what errand would send someone to his door at that hour, and he wanted to know what kind of person would be on such an errand. Minoru had never lived a quiet life; he felt that nothing would surprise him.

But he was surprised when he saw two figures in black trench coats standing in his front foyer talking to Yuzuki. Minoru was sure he had never seen them before, but something about their appearance jogged his memory…

Attractive, dark hair cut short but for the rattail, dark sunglasses, trench coats… then it hit him. This pair exactly matched Hideki's description of the two government persecoms who had been after Chi over thirty years ago! Don't jump to conclusions, Minoru told himself. There's nothing to say these two are even persecoms.

At that moment, the man looked up. "Mr. Kokubunji. I'm sorry, have we woken you?"

"In a manner of speaking," Minoru replied.

"Did you fall asleep at your desk again?" Yuzuki scolded. "You've been working too late these days. You need to get some sleep!"

"Not now, Yuzuki," Minoru said. "We have guests."

"We are terribly sorry to disturb you," the man said. "I'm Zima, and this is Dita. We're government persecoms-"

"Ex- government persecoms, actually," his partner cut in.

"And we need your help."

So I was right, Minoru thought. Why should I help them? What have they done for me? One of them hacked Yuzuki, even though that was a long time ago. Ex- government persecoms… this could be dangerous.

You never know, another side of him argued. At least let them say their piece.

The second voice won out. "Help, eh? What with?"

Minoru stood and listened as Zima and Dita told their story. At the end, he asked only one question. "This technician, the one who helped you. Her name wasn't, perchance, Yasahiro?"

"It was," Dita answered. "Know her?"

"Went to school with her. We've fallen out of touch, but I know Tani is a good enough actress to buy us some time. I'll show you two into my workroom, we can start right away. Yuzuki, would you mind making me some tea?"

"Not at all," she answered.

Minoru nodded. "Thank you. If you two would just follow me…"

Minoru, Dita, and Zima headed down a corridor to Minoru's workroom, and Yuzuki went to make some tea, muttering about how Minoru should really be getting more sleep.