Chapter 2: Newcomers
10:28 AM (Japan Time), Sunday October the 2nd…
"…rain that may fall next week's Wednesday…"
"My. Autumn doesn't want to wait. Doesn't it feel like it? Yuuichirou – san."
"Yes, Haruka."
"… Could you please stop being glued to your PC and look at me?"
"Sorry!"
"You said you took this weekend off to have some family time and you're not being too serious about it…"
"You're right. It's just that… I always think of what my father taught me…"
"What did he teach you?"
"That there's not a minute to be wasted…"
"You're taking it TOO literally."
"You're right, yet… Alright, I shut it down!"
"We could have a game of domino."
"Domino? Why not…"
Haruka had been watching the morning TV broadcast and trying to talk to Yuuichirou but he was focused on working on his laptop set on the living room's table.
He finally brought down the cover with a sigh and leant backwards on the chair, so Haruka's mood improved.
Haruka stood up and headed for a bookshelf.
DING DONG
"Oh my. Maybe that's Sakurai – san and she wants me to help her with a recipe."
"Could be."
Yuuichirou seemed to be fighting the temptation to open the laptop again.
"Don't be a child, Yuuichirou – san."
"I know…!"
"Oh my? Hello. Who is it?"
"Are you Hikari – san?"
"Yes, I am."
"My name is Masuyama. I moved yesterday into that nearby house, the one with the brown roof…"
"I see. You came to introduce yourself?"
"Is Hikari – hakase at home today?"
"I am."
"So you are him. I'm pleased to meet you."
Haruka opened the door and he found a man she didn't know, who introduced himself as Masuyama.
Masuyama could be on his late 30s or early 40s, he was about Yuuichirou's height as well.
He had brownish hair and blue eye irises and was clean shaven.
He wore a simple brownish long-sleeved shirt, a brown leather belt, jeans and black shoes.
"I've heard about you from… your sister."
"Sister…? Shizuka!" Yuuichirou gasped.
"Wait. Does that mean that you're…?"
"… Was her husband." He sighed.
"Was? Did she… die?"
"No. I divorced."
"… She must've been up to something. Am I right? Shizuka was always a troublesome child." Yuuichirou guessed.
"… She was. We'd been married for 13 years and, 3 weeks ago, something happened… And that was the edge."
"Please come in." Yuuichirou invited.
"I almost forgot! Raito. Come out and say hi already."
"… Hello…"
"Raito? So I have a nephew and I never knew it? Goodness! Shizuka!"
Masuyama looked at his left over the shoulder at the street and a young boy timidly walked up to him while hanging his head down.
The boy, Raito, appealed to be on his early teens; maybe he was close to a meter and sixty tall.
He had brownish smooth hair and brown eye irises; he also had reading glasses on.
He wore a simple grey sports vest and black sports trousers along with white socks and sneakers.
He appealed as being extremely shy since he didn't look at anyone at the eyes and was constantly gulping and shivering.
"… You'll have to excuse him. He's extremely timid. Even to me."
"… I see. Whatever caused you and Shizuka to divorce involved him. Right? Seeing how he's in constant fear and all…"
"Correct. But I don't feel like saying it today. Maybe some other day. Excuse me, but..."
"You're free to choose the when."
"Thank you. Come in, Raito."
"… Yes, dad…"
Both stepped in and sat on the chairs of the living room; Netto and Saito came in.
"So you're Netto and Saito, right? My formed wife decided his name based on yours."
"I see."
"He does look alike… By the way, Papa… Why did you never tell us we had an AUNT?" Saito questioned.
"Sorry. I totally forgot about her."
"It's no wonder. Last we heard of her was 14 years ago. You weren't even 2 years old." Haruka told them.
"Was she a bad person?" Netto asked.
"That's… The root of Shizuka's behavior was my father."
"Grandpa?"
"He was an excellent scientist indeed but as a father… He wasn't up to the challenge."
"What does that mean?"
"He focused the whole of his attention on me and only me. To make of me the genius son that would continue his research and make sure to increase the pride of the family. As a consequence… Shizuka felt rejected and out of place. She tried so hard to get his attention… And failed. I tried to help her from time to time but it was hard because Dad was constantly telling me studies were what mattered! My sister could wait after I'd managed to prove I was a worthy son." He explained.
"And Grandpa never realized that ignoring her would make her reject him?" Saito asked.
"Only when he realized death was close and began to look back at his life and career was when he realized…"
"Is that so?"
"But it was too late! The damage was done… I heard rumors that she began to hang around with female gangs, that she'd been arrested more than once out of vandalism… Since she rejected her father, she decided to use Mom's maiden name and thus she was never linked to Dad or me. She felt like she belonged to Mom's family…"
"And then?"
"She came to Dad's funeral. She said nothing and did nothing. Didn't want to start up a scandal so she behaved. Soon after that, she called me one day. Her last words to me were: "I found job in Aomori. Going there. Bye."… Over time, I began to forget her as research absorbed me…Until now… I totally forgot about her."
"I only talked to her on the funeral… Or tried to. But she ignored me and Yuuichirou – san as well. I was present when she made that call but I never got to speak with her." Haruka added.
"She and I did meet in Aomori. We worked at the same computing company…I think she set her eyes on me because I was the worker type that put work before anything else…Not like other colleagues who were always eager to go partying and all on weekends… We began to date by late 1998 and married in March the 27th, 1999… Raito was born on April the 10th, 2000… Up until 2010, we were all happy and all… Soon after Raito turned 10…Things began to change… And it's eventually led to our current status…Regarding what really happened…Is not appropriate for an introduction… She did something…I found about it… And I've asked for a transfer to the Densan City satellite office… Raito has finished elementary school so he'll join Akihara Middle tomorrow…"
"Pity. We begin hi school tomorrow ourselves."
"I see. I thought you were in the 4th year by now."
"But we know a student of Akihara Middle who'll start 2nd year tomorrow: maybe we can ask him to look after you, Raito."
"… T… U…" His words were barely audible.
"Say it louder." His father scolded.
"Yes, dad… Thank… you…" He increased his voice but it was barely above a whisper.
"Poor child… He looks so afraid…" Haruka muttered.
"I'm not blaming you, sir, for what my former wife did. As you said, you were unrelated to each other."
He handed him a business card and Yuuichirou read it.
"Masuyama Harry is your name, I see. Ikeda Computing Inc.? What a coincidence! We've got a contract with them. They take care of updating our basic software."
"I knew. So maybe we'll cross paths from time to time. By the way, what about that student you mentioned?"
"His name is Leon. He's had a hard past but he's managed to overcome most of it. He's strong and kind. I'm sure he'll take care of Raito as his kouhai."
"Remember it, Raito. That Leon child will be there and will help you."
"Yes, dad…"
"Look up. If you don't want to draw bullies' attention to you then you must try to show some strength."
"Don't worry. The school is very strict with that and there are little to no bullies. If there are, teachers keep an eye on them."
"Excellent, then."
"We speak from experience."
"… Water… Please…?" Raito timidly asked.
"Of course."
Haruka walked into the kitchen to serve some from a jar into a glass and left it atop the table, so Raito grabbed it and slowly sipped it.
"He's got some odd habits from time to time. Excuse him."
"We don't mind. At least he's not a work maniac like me."
"I suspect you were working even though it's a Sunday."
"This laptop is the total give-away."
"She did say that your hair would turn grey soon because you worked too much. But I think it was a form of scorn instead of a joke."
"Doesn't surprise me! We never fought but it's not like she thought much of me! I never knew what she was thinking of! She had to raise herself through school and all since Mom died when she was 6 and I was 9. Forgot to say it, but she's 3 years younger than me."
"Raito. If you want any games, manga or stuff like that we can always lend you some. You only to ask us." Netto called out, trying to cheer him up.
"… T… Thank… you…" He slowly replied.
"You needn't. Cousins help each other." Saito tried to motivate him too.
"… Cousins…" He muttered.
"There's no rush. But, remember, Raito… If you need help then their door is always open. You can count on them." Masuyama patted his back.
"Y-yes…" He slowly replied.
He left the glass on the table and then picked a napkin to slowly cleanse it and make sure there wasn't any grease left behind.
"He can be somewhat of a cleansing maniac too. Excuse him."
"Of course. It doesn't matter. Welcome to the town."
"Thank… you…"
"Excuse me. May I have a glass of water too?"
"But of course."
"Don't worry, Raito. They will help you."
"Yes… Thank… you…"
13: 11 PM (Japan Time)…
"… Who's there?"
"Me."
"Password."
"Mongolian camels!"
"OK! Here's the goods."
"I see."
"The one stolen last week was but a replica. This one's the original. We fooled the museum with another replica."
"5 million. Now. Cayman."
"Excellent! Deal. Here you have the goods."
"So. It'd seem someone wishes to have their heads added to my personal collection."
"WHA?"
"Your doom's come."
"Who the hell!"
"End Angel…"
A Heel Navi had been waiting in an alley of an Internet City somewhere when a Normal Navi came in.
The Heel Navi showed him an image of what seemed to be an ancient Chinese scroll.
The Navi showed the other a photo having a bank account number.
A voice rang out from close by and they looked around, startled.
"Cayman man… You're being made a fool of. Use your CPU."
"What was that, you impudent meek rascal?" The buyer complained.
"You're being sold a replica, man."
"No way! I sent my appraiser to appraise it!"
"And what if they offered him even higher money?"
"It's some trick. I don't fall for it."
"Turns out I don't like lot like your business buddy so I'm going to do some cleansing!"
"Whah! This guy's no joke!"
"Who said I was a joke?"
The guy named End Angel suddenly dropped down from the roof of the one alley buildings to the left of both Navis.
End Angel's helmet body was white while the edges were black; his red hair emerged from behind it.
Bluish transparent shades protected his eyes.
The sides had black ear pads.
His forehead had the kanji for shuuen or "end" written on it using blood red coloring.
The white chest armor with black edges had the initials "EA" written in blood red color.
His main body was colored black with white edges.
His forearm armor was red surrounded by black and white bands diagonally crossing each other as they extended across the surface.
His hands' "skin" was red.
The boots were black and had thin red lines stretching vertically across their surface; the soils were white.
He carried a red belt where a black sword sheath was attached; the sword's hilt was red.
"How's this like?"
End Angek drew his blade.
The body was black and glowed red as if it was a Muramasa Blade
"Outta the way, punk!"
"Mishirushi choudai!" (I'll cut off your neck!)
"Wha~t?"
"No way~!""
"… Or so I'd like to do. How frail."
The Heel Navi had run towards End Angel.
He lifted and swung the sword while using an old-fashioned samurai – style expression.
The sword missed the neck by inches and the Heel Navi fainted from the fear.
The Normal Navi had screamed in horror and collapsed on the ground, sitting and trying to crawl back.
End Angel formed two black wings and jumped over the Heel Navi to aim his blade at the other; the tip was mere inches away from the neck.
"Idiots like you stimulate shady deals like these. I hate them. Cowards who think money makes them untouchable… Money surely earned through death and agony of innocent people…"
"We'd prefer if you kept your anger under control, mind you."
"Blues. Aren't you a bit slow today?"
"My bad. Some super hacker wannabe sabotaged the roads but forgot we can use Dash Condors to fly."
Blues rushed into the scene as End Angel lowered the sword and stepped asides to let Blues handle it.
"Net Police Cyber CID! You, the fainted rascal. You're under arrest for illegal sale of forgeries. And you, the coward…"
"W-what? I'm the victim!"
"…you've got hidden money you didn't report to the Treasury. Thus, you're under arrest too. Guys!"
"Roger, sir!"
Eight Police Navis rushed in and quickly cuffed both Navis, to then make them come inside of a transport.
"So… Those "ghosts" are back for more?"
"Something tells me they've learnt nothing."
"If they're like that Dullahan idiot then it's no surprise. The idiot never learnt."
"Where did you get that from, though? The wording." Enzan asked.
"I was looking at samurai movies and I spotted that. I thought it would be useful as a psychological weapon and Kisei told me how to spell it like."
"Kisei?"
"Ruthless Vine."
"Fine. It's just that we know only a few of you guys' real names. Not like we need to know them, anyway."
"The Prince seems to be in a better mood insofar and the idiots have more or less behaved or tried to be quiet so as to not to stir up his anger. Time go back. See you."
End Angel formed a "distortion" of the air followed by a black "hole".
He stepped inside and the effect vanished while Blues rushed off.
"Better go report…"
Enzan walked away from the spot he'd connected to the Cyber World but didn't spot the white figure of the other day looking on from atop a nearby roof.
Enzan stopped on his tracks and quickly turned around to look there but didn't see anyone.
Paranoia. Or maybe it was one of the idiots. Whatever.
"By the way, Enzan – sama. Spam is getting outrageous, sir."
"What's the newest scam attempt?"
"They sell "mojitos" for only 150 Z."
"Like they'd be that cheap."
"Indeed, sir. But there's always someone who falls for it." Blues added with a shrug.
"I know."
"Ijuuin – kun? Are you coming back?" Oda asked.
"Superintendent, sir. Yes, I'm heading back."
"By the way… Did you send me a mail about mojitos?"
"No, sir. It's a new form of scam that Blues and I were discussing."
"Thought as much. To the spam folder it goes."
"Someone will soon announce on a social network that it's a hoax. Maybe there'll be a 2ch thread about it. Let's see if it overcomes 1000 replies."
"Sounds like something to look forward to, sir. Wait… When did this drawing of a pancake form in the ground?"
"Pancake? Odd." Enzan growned.
"Guess one of the idiots was stalking us and left it here." Blues grumbled.
"No wonder."
"Good instincts, Danna! Laugh and grow fat!"
"Not Siegfried again. The guy never learns!" Enzan groaned.
"Of course! I'm a decadent nobleman, after all!"
"That joke is overused. Go broom the yard!"
"Delighted! With a Nimbus 2000 to do it on my stead! I'm a genius!"
16:48 PM (Japan Time)…
"… Go forth, my servants!"
"Run for it!"
"It's an attack!"
"Someone call the Net Police!"
"Run, you fools! Let's see if any real war horses will come challenge me in this field bonus area!"
"Field bonus? Too much inspiration as of late, I take it? Citizen. What will be the answer?"
"I meant… Come! My foes!"
"It would be best for you not to think you have further power than what you really have. Delusions like that have led to countless downfalls across history."
"R-roger, Lord XY!"
"Some diehard rascal's come! My heart's on fire, babe! Let's brawl!"
"You're Golden Star..."
"Name's Napalm Man!"
"Hmpf. I'm Flash Man! Jet Black Phoenix!"
Flash Man had burst into a small power plant in the Cyber World along with 6 Killer Eyes, so the staff ran for it and he began to gloat until XY calmly intervened over the radio.
His cocky mood was gone the next second and he seemingly began to act carefully as Napalm Man rushed into the scene.
"Knew that! Brawl!"
"Go, my servants!"
"Napalm Bomb!"
Napalm Man shot a bomb from his forehead's gun barrel.
It hit the floor, setting it on flames and creating a circle of burning napalm around Flash Man and the Killer Eyes, but Flash Man was far from impressed.
"Fool! Neon Light!"
Flash Man formed two white spheres of electricity on his hands.
He shot both of them at Napalm Man and he jumped at the last second to avoid them, but the Killer Eyes attacked him.
"Shining Grand Crusher!"
Flash Man built up energy and shot eight streams of white energy towards Napalm Man and they hit him.
He collapsed into the ground, groaning, and Flash Man laughed.
"That hurt! But not enough to stop me! Fire Bomb!"
His arm-guns shot a couple of bombs, which hit Flash Man's waist and set them on fire apart from piercing through some of the armor.
Flash Man growled and jumped to roll across the ground and put them off.
He drew his blades and Napalm Man jumped backwards to dodge as he crossed them in the shape of an "X".
"Slow!"
"Shit!"
"Vulcan Gun!"
"That won't be enough!"
A copy of his arm-mounted gun having an axis and a half-dome base formed and began to shoot several rounds in a rush, which bounced off Flash Man's body yet some did get to inflict wounds.
Napalm Man narrowed his eyes as if he was trying to analyze the situation as he dodged further incoming attacks.
"I see. A 3-layered armor… Each layer is 33% thicker than the one before it… I'm not a gun-lovin' rascal! I know how to see how strong the enemy is! Been trainin'!" He concluded aloud.
"Hmpf. So it'd seem." Flash Man wasn't surprised.
"Got further in store! Napalm Bomb!"
He shot a bomb, which latched into Flash Man's chest and it detonated, covering him in napalm, which quickly caught fire.
The outer armor began to crack and shatter to reveal the middle armor, using a darker shade of blue.
"50 shades of blue!" He laughed at his own joke.
"Dunno what that is!" He growled.
"It would seem he does not know the context either. Maybe it is being overused out of its original context. Matters not." XY drily muttered as a comment.
"I s-see! R-roger! Shining Grand Crusher!"
"Cache memory! Program Advance! Giga Cannon!"
Napalm Man formed the Giga Cannon (this version he formed used a tripod as a base) and it loaded up.
The blast shot towards Flash Man but the Killer Eyes formed a ring of electricity with six electrical streams drawing an "X" with a line crossing across it.
The attack bounced off it and Napalm Man gasped as he side-stepped to dodge it at the last second.
The blast continued after it destroyed the cannon and the Killer Eyes formed another electrical stopper in the wall it was going to hit.
Napalm Man dodged but then the Shining Grand Crusher caught up to him followed by the bounced off Giga Cannon blast.
"I did it!"
"That's what ya think… Copy Damage!"
"NO WAY!"
The program "Copy Damage" hacked its way into Flash Man and quickly reduced its HP to the same amount Napalm Man had left.
Flash Man collapsed on his knees, groaning, and so did Napalm Man, who was panting.
"Hmmm… While your strategy did work… I still feel like that not giving the opponents a chance to counter the Shining Grand Crusher is unfair. I am not fond of "combos". You can keep the electrical stopper but no more "combos"." XY settled.
"Roger, sir!" He eagerly replied.
"It would seem this is a draw. Is it not, Napalm Man?"
"Right, Danna… What thrill, fear and nerves! This made my day: I missed something excitin' that makes my blood boil!" He laughed.
"Net Navis do not have blood."
"It's a sayin', Danna! Ya needn't be so literal!"
"So it would seem. Farewell."
The "phoenix" phenomenon was triggered and Flash Man vanished without a trace.
"Golden Leon! Whatcha think?"
"TOO close." Leon sighed.
"Don't worry! I'm a diehard rascal!"
"So it'd seem but it's not good to push it. Come back home and download the battle data! Plug Out." Leon ordered.
Napalm Man returned to the PET through a VPN tunnel and stretched once he was inside of it.
"I need some old-school M&F! What about ya?"
"I'll try." He dully replied.
"DL complete!"
"V! B! N! On Air!" The 3 Navis announced.
"Video Man on the mike!"
"Burner Man on the dial!"
"Needle Man on the mixer!"
"It's the MDM! Masters of Disastrous Madness!" They all laughed.
"HOW ORIGINAL." Leon muttered with some annoyance.
"…"Cleansing day"…"I'm going to try being a hairdresser! You never know, maybe one day this agency gets busted! Let's go! Brush time!"… M was about to practice with a bust when F comes in and grabs it to check it out: so he gets his lower face filled with foam! "Very funny! Truly!"…"B-Boss!"…"The office's so dirty and you're being a ruffian!"…"Alright…!"… "Archive the reports, mop the floor, broom! GET TO WORK!"…"R-roger!"… "I'm going to retrieve the copy of the "Firecrackers PEF Inc." report! It's fallen into the drawer! Almost there…!"… "Very bossy and he leaves drawers open! I'm always closing the archive!"… Kicks the drawer close and F breaks through the wall behind!"
"Man. That drawer gotta be huge if an adult fits in." Leon sighed.
"…"Gonna CRUSH 'IM!"…"Let's go, water and soap! Having to mop the floor! Slides around like a BRAT! I feel so DISGUSTED!"… He stepped on the soap bar M forgot on the ground and crashed into the wall opening a hole! "What's this hole? If Boss sees it, he'll blame me. I'd better cover it before he starts barking. I even need to do the mason role! What a life! OK! Let's keep on!"… F kicks on and manages to make the bricks jump off! "I'm FED UP! Gonna shave his head with a lime! 7-sized lime! Here he comes! I'm gonna hide! When he walks in front of me gonna jump at him and…!"…"There's no room for these papers! All's full! Will leave them atop the filling cabinet… Done!"… Pushes an alcohol bottle and it hits F's head while landing on his right hand: he steps out and looks drunk!"
"… "Drinking at worktime? Aren't ya ashamed? Ya force me to work and ya drink! Boss! What's with this look? Ain't I right? Don't look at me like that!"…"You're gonna earn invalidity pension, I swear!"…"But, Boss! I have enough with my low salary! Help me!"…"
"M did do the job but F suffered the consequences of the guy's actions…"
"…"A goat in the office"…"Going to prepare the reports on… Devil! What's this!? A goat! In my office!"…"Boss! Mister Dollarini on the phone! Boss!"… "Outta here, you mad goat!"…"How dare you! You'll hear from me! I'll report you!"…"It's Mister Dollarini, Boss!"…"What! Excuse me, sir! I am sorry, the goat…! He cut!"…"You know "Vicenta", Boss? They sent her from the village!"…"That thing's yours? I lost my best client because of it! Outta my sigh!"…"I'll cover it with this cloth to hide it!"…"Hello! I'm Mister Petrolini, tell your Boss to come!"…"OK! Mister Petrolini, Boss!"… "What? The fuel "King"! Going!"…"What an odd armchair! This modern furniture… I'll sit down while he comes. But what…?"…"Come, Mister Petrolini!"… "Devil! The goat!"…"What does this mean? What mockery!"… "Told you to remove it from my sight! If I catch you…!"…"But, Boss… I'll lock in on the drawer so that it doesn't stir up trouble!"…"I bring this critical document about Project X-57 so that you keep it"… "Yes, sir! I'll attach it to your file and lock it on the safe!"…"The blow from that thing still aches!"… "Don't worry, it's been removed! Nothing to fear!"… It jumps out the drawer and hits the client!"
"M…! He could've put it somewhere where nowhere would get in, couldn't the guy? It's obvious F was gonna access the drawers!"
"Village fellas!"
"Oh come on. Quit with the Biohazard 4 jokes."
"…"What did I say?"…"I'm going to hide it!"…"It's nothing!"…"If that thing attacks me again…!"…"Calm down! It's gone! I'm gonna store it on the safe and…!"…"No!"…"The document's been eaten!"…"Horror!"… "Vicenta! But I locked you on the safe!"…"That document was worth millions! I'm GONNA GRIND YOU TO DUST!"…"I'm going to give you goat!"… "Don't bother, got one! Run, Vicenta!"…"
"Sheesh. The safe's always accessed too! Lock it on an unused room with key! What a mess you started up!" Leon groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Revenge of the village!"
"…"The bank's plans"…"Boss! Cool news! I heard that Mac "Monkey Feet" got the bank's plans!"…"Devil! He must intend to rob it! We gotta avoid it so let's go!"…"Look, Boss! There he has the bag!"…"How to steal it?"… "I'll use my worm disguise!"…"Devil!"… M used it to approach unseen and used a steel piece to restrain the right foot by sinking it with a hammer! "Gotcha!"…"THIEVES!"…"Got it, Boss!"…"Good job!"…"Help me!"…"My bag! I'll show you yet! Gotcha!"… He managed to tear the concrete block from the ground and caught up to F! "It failed! How about my ghost disguise?"…"Disguise?"…"You scare him, he'll drop the bag and you pick it and run!"…"Good! This time I'll win!"…"Man! How lucky! I can practice boxing!"… Grabs the cloth by the tails, hangs it from a tree branch and punches the face! "It failed! Pick your teeth and let's do something else. The 1,000 note and the glue trick! When he tries to climb to get it his hands will get stuck and you can rob it."… "OK!"… "A "bed cloth"! Let's get it!"…"Gotcha!"…"The bag! I'm stuck!"…"Guess why they call me "Monkey Feet"?"… He took of his left foot's sock and shoe and used it to grip his neck and pull him back while hitting the floor!"
"So he can use his feet? Seems to be the capable type."
"The Ble – pa – ca!"
"… "Failure again…!"… "Sheesh. Allow me!"… A large bear shows up! The chest opens, M jumps out as a frog and picks the bag since he'd let go of it! "Devil!"…"Mine!"…"My bag!"…He then puts on runner clothes and runs off! "Try to catch me! Here it is, Boss!"… "Good! Let's see the bank's plans! By all the… What's this?"… "Bank plans: seat, legs… Stick the legs under the seat… And sit on it."…"
"That sounds like a stool!" Leon frowned.
"Spanish pun incoming!"
"I knew it…" He groaned.
"… "Banco" can mean "bank," "bench" or "stool"!"
"… "Almost turned into mincemeat over a damned stool! I'll give you "bank"!"… "But, Boss, I heard that… Help!"…"
"Man."
"… Day's last! "A nap"! "I'm so beaten! I didn't sleep yesterday! Let's see if I can have a nap on the office. Gonna have a 4 hour nap in this sofa and…!"… "Boss! Did you see a bunch of pushpins I had on my hands?"… "THESE?"…"But why did you…? He looks like he's not in the best of moods! I forgot to thank him for finding them! I better tell him or he'll get annoyed."… "Let's see if I can nap…"… He jumps backwards towards the armchair but M opens the door and kicks it away so he hits the floor! "Boss, thanks for… What were you doing? Acrobatics? He sure is pissed off today!"…"I'll lock the door so that the idiot doesn't come in! I think I can finally nap!"… He places a bust in front of the door to hold it asleep. "I'll go archive the files. Why: the office door is locked. I'll use a lock pick to noiselessly open it."… The bust falls atop F's head! "It's open! Boss! You were there? What's with that face color? What a brute! Have some tea!"…"I'll use the pneumatic mattress! More comfortable!"… "While Boss naps I'm gonna play with this clockwork car I bought for my nephew. Cute! It runs!"…"
"Trouble…" Leon sighed.
"Its needle hits the mattress and the explosion sends F flying to the opposite building's rooftop to end up in the antenna! "Devil! What am I doing here? M again! I'm so gonna…!"…"What's the matter?"…"Mr. Dolarini! I haven't slept last night…!"…"Do as I do! A nap in the office!"…"Office!"…"Aggression beyond limits! A fella named Filemón rips a street light and tries to hit a client, Mister Dolarini, even though he was advising him. The gendarmerie is on their trail!"…"I think you shouldn't have!"… "Shut up and run! When we're somewhere safe I'm gonna settle it with you!"…"
"VBN! Off air! See you next time!"
"It's over! At last!"
"Someone in Twitter named "One of the Unlucky Greeks" says that Cosmo Man and Freeze Man will rewrite the laws of the cosmos and absolute zero!" Napalm Man suddenly announced.
"Sure. It's gotta be Sieg & company, anyway."
"They also say that Pharaoh Man will challenge Dark Man to a Dark Game with Shade Man as referee! And that the radio trio will eventually become the video trio!"
"Why would they?" He shrugged.
"WHAT? "Bombin' – bombin' Man is weak!"… I'm gonna blow them up right here and now!"
"And what if the 3 of them are waiting to ambush you?" Leon questioned.
"Who cares? At least I'll take down one of 'em! Later!"
"Those guys… Prince, sir… Do scold them!"
"Leon? I saw Napalm Man run out. Did something happen?"
"Cosmo Man – san! Easy! Sieg & co. made a provoking tweet and he went to fight them. I tried to warn him, sir, but…"
"Maybe we should try to make him a bit more cool-headed?"
"Truly! I'll go speak with Commander Legato!"
Leon sighed as he opened his laptop and began to interact with it.
"So. Raito – kun, is it. Don't worry. I'm sure that we'll get along: and I'm going to infuse courage into you. Like how Golden Star gave me the courage to live on after what happened to me…"
He turned around and opened a porthole to look outside of his room.
The room had a bed, the desktop and an adjacent bathroom.
There was nothing on the water so he shrugged and shut it.
He didn't spot the white figure standing on a metallic edge on the ship's side which vanished with a flash…