Well, this came out A CRAP TON later than I'd expected. Well, in all honesty, I'd grown interested in other things. But when those interests strayed, I'd found myself intrigued in Noblesse again! Then this beauty followed~ It's been such a long time since I'd read Noblesse (the actual Manhwa), that I find myself intrigued and excited to what's going to happen next! (Even early on in the series!) Well, I hope you enjoy the reading, and I hope it's longer than the usual chapter, making up for the time gap between posting!


M-21 was calling someone. Most likely Principal Lee, but I could be wrong.

He wasn't speaking, but listening to whoever was talking. "I also didn't think that I would contact you this quickly." So he was talking Principal Lee. I listened, pretending to be asleep as I rested against the wall next to him. "Do you remember the woman from the people you met?" I assumed he meant Mary, but the way he talked could be so awkward at times. "Her code name is Mary. When you met them she probably didn't step forward even when Jake was defeated. But now she has started looking for you herself. I don't know the reason but it seems the focus has been set on you rather than the organization that we have been chasing after."

"And it's suspicious that she is working alone. You should be careful even if she is by herself. She's a whole other story compared to Jake." M-21's face turned to anger when the silence lasted longer than I expected, which caused me to open my eyes. "You think I like doing this much for you? Just don't go around pointlessly and get spotted!" He closed the phone then, in a dramatic movement, placed it in his pocket. I closed my eyes.

"You know, you have this habit of doing common movements in a dramatic manner." Even with my eyes closed, I knew he looked down at me. I smirked halfheartedly. M-24, on the other side of M-21, chuckled lightly.

M-21 just snickered lightly, not admitting or denying the truth.

I looked down, thinking about how I should word my question. Deciding to straight-out ask, I looked up and spoke.

"M-21. M-24. I have to ask you something." I glanced between the two, as their curious faces stared back at me. No doubt, my serious tone displayed some sort of abnormality in my coming question. "You two trust me, right? Even if it's only a little."

The two were taken aback, which was to be expected. I was rarely serious with them, and never had I questioned their feelings toward me.

I continued. "If you don't, this conversation is over. If you do, no matter how small, I have an important request of you two." I stared directly at the two, shifting between them.

"I suppose we do trust you. But in relation to what?" M-24 spoke.

I didn't hesitate. "I need to go somewhere tomorrow."

"I don't think so." M-21 responded immediately.

"M-21, please-"

"I said no!" With a glare at me, I nodded lightly and looked down.

"I understand." My voice barely above a whisper, I accepted defeat.

"M-21, you could have at least asked why."

M-21 gave no initial reaction, but he eventually sighed and asked.

"It doesn't matter. It wasn't important." That was a lie. That was likely the greatest lie I'd ever told, but I suppose it didn't matter to him.

"But you just said—" I interrupted him.

"It's not important!" I threw my head up and glared halfheartedly at M-21. "You said no, so I won't go!" Before my emotions could betray me, I stood and walked past the two, toward the shower. "I'm taking a shower! Don't bother me!"

With a slam of the door behind me, I started to strip. Quickly I turned on the water, well aware my emotions were about to overwhelm me.

With the noise of the water, I hoped the two would be unable to hear my muffled cries.

Being the nearest cloth, I grabbed at M-21's vest, which he loaned to me, and cried into it. In a way, I felt self-conscious crying into a man's shirt, but I also didn't want them to hear, so I suckered through it.

A few moments later, I placed the vest down and climbed into the warm shower. The water felt good as it washed away the filth and tears that would hopefully stop sooner rather than later.

The sad part was if I was reacting like this today, tomorrow would be miserable.

Tomorrow…

Tomorrow would be the one-year anniversary of my parents' murder.

Everything felt worse, knowing that I wouldn't be able to visit their grave. I could have just explained my reason for needing to leave to M-21. I am certain he would at least have enough heart to have let me go, if it were something like this. Yet I couldn't bring myself to admit to something so… personal.

In the end, that inability to admit to such a thing would cost me greatly. I felt as though I was betraying my parents by being unable to visit their grave; especially at their first anniversary.

Finding myself in a sitting position on the floor startled me. I'd absentmindedly cleaned myself and sometime after, decided to curl up into a sitting position.

Allowing my head to hang forward under the water, I closed my eyes. I focused on the feeling of the water. In a way, the water was comforting, but in another, it reminded me all too much of that night. I remained in this position, torturing myself with memories for a long while before I finally stopped crying.

If I were lucky, the water would have made the fact that I'd been crying less noticeable. Doubtful, but possible, but I didn't dare look in the mirror.

Instead, I dressed quickly, slipping into the clothes M-21 loaned to me. The revealing vest was awkward, but comfortable, and the black pants were far too tall for me, and required fixing to be worn properly. I sighed heavily, and grabbed the doorknob before turning it and stepping outside.

Glancing side to side, I realized fairly quickly that no one was around but me. Without a moment's hesitation, I started forward, making a bolt for the door.

With certainty, I bolted through the door and turned left immediately, almost falling over. If those two were to notice me, I would have to try my absolute hardest to outrun them. It would be utterly impossible, but it seemed I didn't have to worry about such a feat, as neither were around to notice my leave.

In just a couple minutes, I found myself on the very bottom floor, bursting obscenely through the doors of an abandoned building. I didn't pause in my effort to escape. I continued out into the streets, determined to reach my destination before the two noticed.

No doubt when I either returned tomorrow or the two found me, I would be in great trouble, but I didn't care at the moment. Right now it was all worth it, no matter what the two would do.

Nearly to my destination, and even nearer to complete exhaustion, I panted heavily as I continued to run. I was hardly as fast as I was initially, but it was faster than a jog. My entire body was ready to collapse, to crumble to the ground and just sleep, but I couldn't allow it. Not yet. Not when I was so close to my destination.

The moment I reached the graves of my parents, I did just that; I collapsed onto my knees, my arms just barely holding me up. I could feel my legs shaking beneath me. I couldn't tell if I were nervous or just exhausted, or both.

Panting heavily, I smiled as best I could at the graves. "I'm here, mom, dad. Just as promised."

I sat, knees under me, and arms on my legs, catching my breath silently, unsure of what to do now that I was here. Back before my parents' passing, I'd never been asked to attend a funeral, so I'd never visited a grave. I didn't know what was proper or what would be considered rude.

However, if my parents were still lingering around, no doubt, anything I said or did would make them happy. Just to see me would make them happy, no doubt.

I smiled lightly at this. "I miss you two. I miss you two so much more than I'd have ever expected I could miss… well, anyone." I halfheartedly laughed. "But," I paused, "I think I'm doing alright. As you probably noticed, I ran from those who attempted to house me, you know, the orphanage? Ha, I couldn't seem to bring myself to accept that style of living, and chose to live on the streets. Depressing, right!" I laughed, even managing to throw my head back a little.

"But… I met some people. A bit of a group, compared to the amount of friends I'd ever had, that is. I never could make friends with how shy I was, could I?" I paused, looking down at the grass growing on their graves. It wasn't tall yet, but it was getting there. I suppose that here and there I would come around and keep it tidy. I should have brought flowers.

"The guy that seemed to leave the greatest impression was M-21." I paused to smile. "He's rude and impolite, but I can't seem to bring myself to hate him for anything. He and his ally, M-24 kidnapped me, can you believe it? I went and got myself kidnapped!" I laughed aloud at this one. "But in the end, I suppose I developed Stockholm syndrome, because I find myself enjoying their company. I can't bring myself to run away from them."

Having said that, then what did I do just now? Did I not just run away? No, of course I didn't. This wasn't running away; if I were running away, I wouldn't have intentions of going back. I'm simply… taking a vacation from my kidnapping.

With a chuckle, and a hand brought to my mouth to cover it, I realized I was crying. I wiped absently at my cheeks. "And here I promised myself I wouldn't cry!" A laugh choked its way out, sounding strange.

"Really, you two don't need to worry about me. I'm alright. I have people who I can rely on, if I absolutely must. And it's not just M-21 and M-24. I believe I can expect to be able to rely on Principal Lee and Raizel." I blinked. "Though not a one of these people are human, I've found myself to have grown to trust them, even if only a little."

"That is… I accused my own Principal of being a murderer! I can't even recall what made me jump to such a conclusion! But, then, there's Raizel. Get this, mom, I found a guy with an impossibly long name! His full name, which I somehow remember with extreme clarity, is Cadis Etrama Di Raizel. More than anything, he's mysterious. But above all, these guys all share two things in common; they're extremely beautiful-enviously so-, but they are also… not human. I've discovered some interesting things since you two have been gone."

"That makes me wonder how Dad feels about my friends all being guys." I chuckled at this. "Don't worry dad, I'm not interested in anyone like that. I couldn't be, after all, who would return such ambitions toward someone like me? I'm unsightly, homeless, and so often dirty. I rarely get the chance to take showers because of my homelessness, and that alone keeps people away, surely. But don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to put myself down. I just have to admit to the facts!" I smiled honestly down at the graves.

"Look at this; this is the most I've talked in a very long time! Or would this be rambling?" I leaned over, bringing my hands to my chest and frowned. My eyes closed, only aiding in producing more tears.

"Why?" I cut off, my voice cracking. "Why did this have to happen to us?" I can't say I wished it happened to someone else, as I wouldn't want any other person to have been through what I have, but I do wish it hadn't ever happened.

In a heartless manner, I wouldn't take it back, because then I'd have likely never met the people I have, but beyond it all, I missed the only two people that have ever cared about me.

The sound of bells chiming in the distance was faint, and nearly impossible for me to hear, but I managed. After the sound of twelve chimes, I sighed.

"It's been a year now, guys. Can you believe it? How time flies when you wish it would just rewind…" I trailed off, unable to continue.

I remained silent and near motionless, excluding the frequent gasps that shook my frame, caused only by my crying.

Several chimes of that bell later, I sighed heavily, glad I was finally done crying, and eager to move. I'd remained in one position for several hours too long. When I attempted to straighten, my back complained. With obvious difficulty, I stood, though, and stretched, my muscles already relaxing.

Without a doubt, I looked awful. After hours of crying and staying up so late, I was sure to look pretty scary.

"Alright you two. Until next time. I love you Mom, Dad. I miss you." I smiled lightly.

With a groan, I turned around, set on heading back to M-21 and M-24. I stopped mid-step.

I blinked. "Raizel?" Quickly, I allowed my bangs to cover most of my eyes in an attempt to hide how I was certain to look.

His gaze shifted between me and the graves at which I kneeled before a moment ago.

"Your parents?" With a sigh, I nodded. He looked from me to the graves. Distinctly, I could see some hint of something on his face. Was that a soft expression or something more along the lines of pity?

Turning my head to the side, I questioned, "how long have you been here?"

When he didn't answer, I assumed a while. Again, I sighed.

"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. You already knew about my parents." My eyes trailed away. "And told Principal Lee that I was homeless… Why the heck would you do that?" I asked, exasperated.

"Why shouldn't I?" Raizel was obviously confused.

"Because he doesn't need to worry about my problems. No one but I should have to deal with my problems. Or, at the very least, someone who's excelled beyond a human shouldn't have to worry about a human's problems, no matter how extreme they may be." I shrugged lightly, my shoulders complaining with the movement, earning a small groan from me.

"I'm tired. I really don't think I have the energy to make it back." I stifled a yawn with much difficulty.

Raizel remained quiet, and I immediately had an idea as to why. "You're lost again, aren't you?"

He didn't look at me, but instead looked away, a faint blush gracing his features. "Oh, I've never seen you flustered before. It's kind of adorable." I shook my head. "Anyhow, let's get you back to Principal Lee. He's probably missing his master."

I stopped. "Sorry if that was offensive. It just kinda slipped." Raizel shook his head. I guess it wouldn't be offensive, if their positions were accurately portrayed. If that were the case, then Raizel was definitely Principal Lee's master. But… in what way? Was it in terms of their… inhuman nature, or some other idea that I wouldn't possibly allow myself to think of?

I shook my head, ridding myself of such graphic thoughts, and continued forward, toward where I believed Principal Lee's house would be.

One hour and awkward silence later, we finally arrived before Principal Lee's house. With it being so early, nearly dawn, I wondered if he would even be awake. Most likely, with him being him.

I knocked lightly on the door, ready to relieve myself of all duties-meaning Raizel's escort- and just sleep. I almost didn't care where, but I knew it was wise to go back to M-21 and M-24 before they came searching for me.

Moments later, the door opened, baring a shocked Principal Lee. Whether he was shocked to see me once again escorting a lost Raizel, or to see my horrible condition was uncertain.

"Here you are, Raizel. Try not to get lost again." I nodded lightly at him, then at Principal Lee. "Now if you'll excuse me. I should be getting back before I decide to sleep on the streets again."

"Miss Mirai-" I groaned when Principal Lee said my name, causing him to pause.

"Yes?" I responded in a light whisper, that would normally sound fairly creepy, but this time, obviously bore exhaustion.

"Why do you look like that?"

"She just visited her parents' graves." Raizel barely finished the sentence before I spoke.

"Dammit, Rai. There you go again!" I exhaled loudly. "Well, there's your answer." Starting, or rather, nearly falling, backwards, I blinked slowly. "Now if you will please excuse me, I really need to get going." My voice obviously fading as I spoke, attempted to emphasize how desperately I wanted to leave so I could just sleep. So I could just let this day, that hadn't even started, end.

"Oh, Miss Mirai-" In the next instant, I felt myself falling forward, unable to keep myself upright anymore.

With the feeling of several pairs of hands around me, my vision faded. I allowed the sweet darkness to envelop me in its warming embrace. That night I dreamt of nothing at all pleasant.

I woke with a gasp, throwing myself upright. I exhaled audibly, glad to see the end of that nightmare. I'd only experienced that nightmare in the first month of my parents' passing, but I suppose the anniversary of their passing could certainly bring back such memories. Of course it could.

"I see you're awake."

A voice startled me, and momentarily unaware of where I was, frightened me.

Casting a glance beside me, I exhaled loudly. "It's just you. Thank goodness." I attempted a smile at M-21, and M-24 beside him.

"Where were you?" M-21 spoke, his voice holding some sort of emotion to it, though I couldn't decipher it.

"I went-" I cut off. "I told you, it wasn't important. I just nee- wanted to go there."

"Why do you insist on lying?" M-21's voice clearly held aggravation.

"I'm sorry?" My head tilted to the side, showing my confusion.

"We know where you went yesterday. Why do you deny it?"

I flinched back, not because of the cold tone he used, but because he knew where I was. Did that mean he was there, that he watched and listened?

"It's just that-" No, he wouldn't have been there. He and Raizel don't see eye-to-eye. They wouldn't be in close proximity if they could help it. "Wait, how do you know where I was?"

"Those two guys came and brought you over. While you slept."

I thought for a moment. "Principal Lee and Raizel brought me over here?" I glanced around. "And there wasn't a fight?"

"Why did you just run off?"

"M-21, it was because you wouldn't let me leave. My reason for leaving was important. I had…" I trailed off, uncertain as to what to say.

"So who were you visiting at the graveyard?" M-21 didn't sugarcoat anything, it seemed.

"They didn't tell you? Oh, sure, Raizel will tell everyone but the people who probably should have been told." I sighed and rubbed at my eyes, which stung. "I was… visiting my parents." I inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly. "There are a few things I have not told you two about me. That is, I didn't because, for one, you two kidnapped me. For two, I really don't like others concerning themselves with my problems."

"What haven't you told us?"

"Well-" The sound of a door bursting open cut me off, making me jump. Allow me to rephrase: the sound of a door being kicked open startled the hell out of me.

The obnoxious voice of Jake rang through my ears, immediately putting a look of disgust on my face. More than anyone, it seemed the person who annoyed me most was him and Mary.

"Yo~ This is where you were?" I sighed heavily, resisting the urge to mutter a few choice words that would surely win over a bad side of Jake.

Looking between M-21 and M-24, I assured myself they were just as happy to see him as I was. Well, they were more on the startled side than annoyed, such as myself.

M-24 spoke first. "Looks like the wounds you got from the enemy are all healed."

Wounds? Had Jake been injured? This amused me, and also made me wish I could have seen. Oh, well. Better luck next time.

"Are you provoking me?" Jake responded with a coy grin. "These little insects…" With a sigh, he trailed off and approached us, me standing, or rather, sitting, behind M-21 and M-24. He placed a hand on M-24's shoulder and continued. "It wasn't that much of a wound to begin with. Anyway, there's a guy that Mary captured and now that we're here, you guys aren't needed. Why don't you go back?" He paused. "Even Crombel, who's at the Research Institute is here, was asking about you guys…"

I was able to see the shock on M-21's and M-24's faces with ease, as Jake now stood beside them and before me. He glowered down at me, and I glared defiantly up at him.

Shifting my gaze away from the beast before me, I glanced between M-21 and M-24, curious as to why they reacted so fiercely. I blinked slowly, thinking I had an idea, but was most likely wrong. I looked down, pretending I wasn't listening.

Jake turned from me, now facing the same as the others two before me. "Ah, and also… I heard some interesting things…" I sighed, not at all eager to hear what he had to say. "Wasn't there an occasion where you guys called out the would-be-witnesses that we talked about?"

The three of us perked up, shocked.

"This guy told me after he remembered." With a glance, Jake gestured to the vampire behind him. "Infected guys sure don't know what they did since their brain function isn't good. They don't respond when you ask."

M-21 and M-24 grit their teeth in obvious frustration.

"What's the reason? Why did you hide the fact and not tell us?" I could only describe Jake's expression as insane. If I had to just choose one phrase to describe this man, it would be mad-man.

M-21 spoke coolly, as he usually had to. "I wasn't hiding it. We just called them out to check. Those children are the ones that that guy was going after but failed stupidly." With quick thinking, he continued. "To the children it would just have looked like a hooligan tried to assault them in an ally and fail, not as someone trying to eat them. That's why there wasn't need to make it into something big, so we just let it go. Do I have to tell you something like that as well?"

M-21 and Jake glared at each other for a few moments before Mary spoke.

"While you were doing the mission here, was there any sign of another group of people than the ones you were chasing after?" While Mary spoke, Jake, beside her, drew another cigarette from its cartridge.

"We weren't aware of something like that." M-21 lied casually.

To which Jake did not take well. "Che. Such a useless bunch. Well, what should I have expected from someone who couldn't even solve anything about the people they were pursuing? Mary, I think it's better to at least finish off what we couldn't do last time. I can't trust these guys' words. There's no need to purposely leave a danger load. If you can't be bothered, I'll take care of it myself."

I glowered over at Jake as his cigarette smoke began to waft around the room, leaving an unpleasant scent.

"I got it. I will go, too." Mary spoke, not moving from her spot.

"M-21, how did you call them out before?"

"We kidnapped one of them from the streets, and then-" M-21 was cut off.

"Since the house we were trying to go to last time is the place that one of them lives in, we should just capture that one and call out the rest."

Mary turned first, and uttered, "Let's go." She then disappeared from sight, leaving me feeling rather happy.

"Yeah, no need to waste time. You guys don't need to come." Jake turned over his shoulder and grinned. "Don't waste time here and go to Crombel and fulfill your duty as experiments. It's something you do best, right?"

There was that word again. The word that so left me to believe that the condition of these two was the way it was because of some other person.

The two watched as Jake and Mary left before turning and resuming their own comfortable positions; M-21 leaning against a wall, and M-24 sitting on a small stool.

I looked down at the floor between my feet- while still sitting with my knees keeping my arms upright, and my head resting lightly on my arms- while I acted as though I was in my own process of thought.

"I don't know what kind of mission they are doing, but now even Mary is on the move and Dr. Crombel has taken interest in us again… This is getting as worse as it gets." M-24's voice held hesitance. So I was definitely right when I figured this Crombel guy had something to do with the two. It was just a matter of finding out what.

"We even took on outside missions that wouldn't attract Dr. Crombel's attention. If he examines our bodies, there's no way he wouldn't notice the changes." M-21 replied.

"And if that happens, we'll have to live as experimental materials again." I wanted to speak, to console them, and ridicule them for even thinking of the possibility of returning to this man, but I had to pretend I wasn't paying attention. "Those kids won't be able to avoid this like last time." The change in subject left me a little aggravated. I wanted them to continue, so I could learn more about them and what they were.

"Yeah, and I was thinking that they would be able to." M-21 thought for a moment, before glaring at the distant wall. "It's a matter of how much those two can accomplish." Was he talking about Raizel and Principal Lee?

The two fell silent, remaining this way for some time. I was tempted to break the silence, but I thought pretending to be lost in my own thoughts could earn me something more. Likely not, but there was always a chance. I rubbed constantly at my stinging eyes, wishing I could just go back to sleep, which I nearly did-though by accident.

At last, the two began speaking again.

"We're going." M-21 spoke, breaking the heavy silence. M-24 stood, standing before M-21 now."

"Are you mad? We're going to go visit Crombel on our own? It's not like he ordered us to come visit him." M-24 responded immediately, obviously unwilling to return to this man. "He probably took a mild interest because he was told we were here, but knowing his personality, he'll forget about us soon enough. And you want to go see him deliberately?"

"It'll have been different in another situation, but the situation now has changed. Jake has always looked for faults in us. And now he's found some facts that make us suspicious. This is true for Mary as well. Since even Mary started having doubts on us, the organization will become even more dubious about us. And if we get suspected that much in our current position, we'll just get eliminated by the organization without an investigation whether the suspicion is true or not."

Without warning, and me acting oblivious the entire time, M-21 approached me.

"Hey." M-21 clearly spoke to me, but I didn't respond. I wanted to seem as distracted as possible. "Mirai!" This, however, grabbed my attention, as I now stared wide-eyed up at him. He said my name.

"Ah, yeah?" I blinked, feigning confusion.

"M-24 and I are leaving. We'll be back in a few hours, hopefully."

Feign ignorance, Mirai, you can do it. "Oh, should I go?" I made a move to stand, but M-21 lifted his hand.

"Not this time. This is between us two." I nodded at him as he stared down at me.

"Alright. I understand. Be careful, which whatever you have to do." I smiled up at him, showing sincerity. "Have fun, you two!" I forced a smile as the two walked from the room, knowing full well that was a harsh thing to say considering their current destination, but I wasn't supposed to know where they were going, and this is something I would normally say.

I sighed heavily when the door shut behind them, already feeling the deafening silence left behind.

Too tired to do anything in particular, I decided to eliminate the silence with singing until I fell asleep, which took little time.

It would be several hours before the two thankfully made it back. By the time I woke, I'd felt better, and my eyes no longer stung, for which I was grateful.

I welcomed the two back, even as they remained silent for nearly an hour, simply sitting back-to-back.

It was a long, awkward silence later before either spoke.

"I'm sorry." M-21 started.

"Don't say that. Your choice was the right one. We've avoided getting eliminated by the organization at the moment. Luckily it seems like Crombel has erased some of the suspicions he had on us." M-24 spoke, easing M-21's mind of something.

"Damn it. We've only earned a little more time. He'll probably turn his attention toward us as soon as he finishes the experiment." This piqued my interest.

If my suspicions on this Dr. Crombel were correct, and his experiments were of what I believed they were, then if he was performing another experiment, there were more humans out there suffering. I grimaced.

M-21 folded his hands together in deep thought, before M-24's sudden speech startled him.

"Should we flee?" My chest leapt. If they fled, they would leave me behind, wouldn't they? My eyes shifted desperately between the two, hoping one would decide against it.

"What are you talking about? You know that it's impossible to try that right now."

I exhaled audibly, relief washing over me. Thankfully, the two didn't hear me.

"I know. It's because of me. Because I can't stop my body from breaking down without the pills that the organization gives us…" M-24 needed pills to survive? My brows furrowed at this. Did M-21 need them, too, then?

"That's fine. There's that reason as well, but there's also something we have to achieve first." I looked up at M-21, curious as to what they could have to achieve.

"My body's getting better. The time that I can stand without taking the pills has gotten longer." M-24 spoke.

"Even though you say that it's getting better, you still can't live without the pills."

"It won't be easy, but there is a way. We make a situation which will occupy Crombel and gain some time, and during that time, obtain as many pills as we can." My chest dropped again. They were seriously debating plans to be able to flee, to leave this place. "And if I hold out with those pills, there's a possibility that my body will change into not needing them during the period."

Unexpectedly, I spoke up. "S-surely you're not willing to risk your life on that, are you?" I was hardly able to voice these strange concerns. Whether I was worried about his life, them leaving, or both, I couldn't tell. All I knew was I didn't want them to leave. Not if it meant leaving me alone and on the streets again. "I mean-" I stammered. "I'm not trying to be rude. Please don't think that I am." I don't believe my voice ever sounded as small as it did right now. "I just… I don't want you two to leave…" I admitted, unable to keep my cheeks from flushing.

M-21 nodded. "Even if it is possible, we won't be able to escape from the organization's watch if we flee."

I exhaled, relieved once more.

"Of course, that's likely. But there is a variable factor." M-24 paused. "I'm talking about those guys." By those guys, he meant… who?

"Surely, you're not thinking that-!" M-21 cut off, looking surprised.

"They're someone who has that much power yet aren't on the organization's data list. If they help us…"

"Are you saying that we should trust them?"

"At least it seems better than trusting our own organization."

While M-21 grit his teeth, M-24 looks completely somber.

The sound of footsteps coming from outside the hall drew each of our attentions. We each stopped and glanced at the door, which was sure to burst open any moment.

And burst open it did, with two loud, audible bangs.


Well, I hope this was decent, at the least. Now that there's been a pretty large gap between my writing, I'm sure there's some differences in the style and how I'm portraying Mirai. I'm hoping I can actually develop some personality and Mirai as a person overall. At least, this is my goal. Well, was this at all worth the LONG wait?