Disclaimer: I do not own nor claim to own this franchise or any of its characters.

Afterwards

ReACT

Oh, fired again. I fucking hate this. 'You don't work well with people' my ass. People are just too stupid to be dealt with. Not my fault and its none of my concern. I just want the money, I don't care how much energy or time must be spent just don't have me continually repeating this. I'm sick of people anyway. Maybe I'll just run up to the mountains and make a life of my own. Maybe I will. After all I don't need anyone, not in this life or any of the ones before, if there were lives before. If there were, were they better or worse? Tragic or sheer comedy? Cold or hot? Was I better person? Whatever anyway. After all I have things that are bigger concerns.

You know having past lives means that we are all destined to live forever repeating ourselves. How dreadful. I mean would we have free will in these lives? Or as the song goes would they we decided by one in six? Is it all randomness? No, can't be after all if there is someone cycling lives then they'd have to have some sort of plan. I wonder what the plan for me is? I hope it's one where I run into a load of money or someone that will help me. I never want to work another day in this life. People annoy me, I just want their money.

Fuck what was that? Oh. A broad blue haired man with red glasses is staring back at me. He's wearing a long and thick black velvet coat, short black boots with long laces and a plaid scarf. Much warmer then my own clothing.

"Watch the fuck where you're going Antinomy." I scream.

Antinomy? That's weird, I don't recall him telling me his name.

"Can't exactly do that, after all I'm blind." He replies. "I lost my help. He stayed behind in a café waiting for a friend of his."

"Oh boo hoo. Get lost." I sneer.

He sighs and walks off. Snow starts falling suddenly. Wonder why I keep seeing snow. The pavement's getting wet as well. Better get home before it gets any colder and it freezes. A car crash is just what I need right now.

"And how did you know my name?" Antinomy asks.

"Just did." I shrug.

"Help me get back home."

"Why should I?"

"Because I'll pay you."

"How much?"

"Fifty."

Fifty. Fifty! Well I get to keep my electricity on.

"Also I'll need you to help me find my help. He could be waiting all day. He's always waiting for this friend of his. The damn fellow's always late. Ever since he was born, late."

"Alright. Whatever."

"Great. Hold my hand, the streets are slippy."

I sigh and hold the bluenette's hand.

"Thank you Placido."

"Well how'd you know my name?"

"The same way you knew mine."

"Whatever."

"Yes whatever."

The snow's still falling. It isn't even winter yet. I understand the chill but not the sudden onset of snow. Then again the weather is a fickle bitch. Oh well whatever. I just hope I won't be walking for too long, the people are being eyesores again. God they ought to dance in harmony for once.

"Placido are you alright? You're hand is shaking like you're cold." Antinomy voice rings out.

"Yeah I'm fine." I reply.

"Do you want my scarf?" He questions.

"No."

"You're stubborn. Take my scarf. It's a present."

I reluctantly take the plaid scarf off his neck and wrap it around my own. If only to get him to shut up.

"Placido what are you wearing?" He hums.

"What are you some kind of pervert?" I kid.

He frowns. I walk past a large café, a playground and several houses.

"Yes but that's not why." Antinomy replies.

"I'm wearing a coat, a pair of pants and a shirt. Are we done?"

"Well there are weird sounds beside me. Like a woman's heels."

"Oh those, those are my boots."

"Are you a crossdresser?"

"No fuck you! I don't have to help."

"Did I strike a nerve? I'm sorry."

"Whatever. Let's just get you to your help or home or whatever the fuck you want."

"The café is LeGreen."

"I just passed it you dick!"

"Well I didn't know."

I turn around and throw open the doors.

"So what's your help look like?" I pursue.

"I wouldn't know." He snips.

"Well what's his name?"

"Paul, his nickname is Paradox though because apparently his eyebrows defy logic."

"You could have fucking mentioned that when I asked what he looked like."

"Looking for me?" A voice asks from at the front of the café.

Two men are sitting at a table. One with pink and gray hair and deep bags under his eyes like he hasn't slept and red rims like he's been crying.

"Should I go Paradox?" The man asks with a mild choke.

"What? You just got here. After all I've been waiting for you to show for a long time." Paradox scoffs.

"But..." The man starts.

"No, you are staying with me. I'm not waiting for you again. Come on Ant, I'll walk ya home." Paradox grins.

"I left without you, you know. I was going home but I couldn't find it and I don't know the directions yet. I asked Placido to help." Antinomy explains.

"Hey." I attempt to smile.

"Hmn, thank you for helping him Placido. What do I owe you?" Paradox asks.

"Nothing. Money's none of my concern. See you." I shrug.

I make for the door.

"Wait!" Antinomy cries.

I turn with a small hmn.

"You could at least stay for dinner with the four of us." He finishes.

"Four?" I ask.

"Yeah, there's me, Paradox, Aporia now and Z-ONE."

"You people have strange nicknames. I guess I could stay though. But only for a bit. My brother and grandfather will be pissed if I stay out too late."

"It's a date then!"

"I suppose."

The snow's falling heavier. I guess I'll go to dinner. After all I did lose out fifty bucks. Maybe I gained something. I don' know. Whatever one in six or whatever decides.

Author Note: Well this is not only heavy foreshadowing for the future but it's a somewhat happy ending with a lot of meta and a lot of mindfuck. Brownie points if you can guess why it's snowing. Anyways goodbye and goodnight. This is the end of Afterwards, or rather the begging. Guess what? I wrote this part before Kiryu's but posted it with Kiryu's first so it be in chronological order. Thank you for all the reviews, see ya next time. Also last chance to guess the theme naming.