Escorted by two prison guards into the visiting room, Shun scoffed immediately while taking a seat across the table from his unexpected visitor. "Shadow, what brings you to this unpleasant place?"

"You're not glad to see me? Everyone is practically avoiding you because of you did."

"What I did? Don't you mean what you did? I seriously wonder who 'everyone' is."

"That's not important. I'm here to tell you that Alice and I will officially tie the knot soon. She didn't want me to let you know after what happened, but I couldn't bear keeping the secret from you since you were...so helpful, after all."

"Cut to the chase. Why are you really here?"

"To rub the good news into your face. Your job is done. There's no use for you anymore."

"I find it ironic that you chose to get rid of me before Alice agreed to the marriage. Since when were you this confident in getting the whole job done by yourself?"

"Having you arrested was what I needed to finally convince Alice how important it is to her to have me by her side. Don't you remember what her reaction was when the police dragged you away? She wants nothing to do with you and won't believe thing you say. Enjoy this rotten atmosphere."

"Karma will get back at you someday."

"And you'll never make it out of here alive for as long as I'm alive."

One prison guard cuffed Shun's wrists again while the other escorted Shadow out of here. There's no way that Alice would agree to this after all that we've been through. What if Shadow threatened her?

Instead of bringing him back to the prison cells, the guards led the way to the dining hall instead. "Time to grab your midday meal," they explained.

Supervising the empty line was only one food server, who immediately grabbed a plate upon seeing Shun. "This way, please."

As if I have any appetite for this. Wait, that voice sounds familiar... He lined up anyway and watched the staff member scoop his food. "Have I—"

"Surprise." The food server lifted her mask down momentarily to reveal her face. "Long time no see, Shun."

"Julie? What are you doing here?" he exclaimed while his long-lost colleague placed a finger over her lips. "I thought you left the city to take care of your ailing sister."

"She's doing a lot better now," the silver-haired girl explained. "I have you four to thank for continuously sending me money for her medications. The others told me you got into a sticky situation, and no way was I going to just sit back and relax."

"But how did you get in here?"

"I sneaked in, of course. The prison doesn't verify its food service employees as seriously as security personnel. You probably didn't notice us disguised as other personnel here for the past few days."

"What do I do now?"

"Nothing, really. I heard that Shadow visited you earlier today...with some rather mean remarks. I can't believe he asked you to be his accomplice for his stupid scheme. That guy's a total parasite! But just bear with us and pretend to cooperate with him to avoid any more conflict."

"Even if I do escape, how long do I need to stay in hiding?"

"We'll let him have a taste of his own medicine. Since he framed you for something, we'll frame him back for something else. But you know what I'm more interested in?" Although Julie extended her hand that held the plate of food, she gripped it tightly despite Shun trying to take it. "The heiress that has you head over heels for her sure is pretty."

"So glad to see that you haven't changed," answered Shun sarcastically as he finally claiming the plate of food, with the silver-haired food server giggling slightly in the background.

While the raven-haired inmate ate his lunch, the entire hallway suddenly silenced as the lead prison warden led his visitor through. "Inspector, I swear that the living conditions at this local prison is comparable to national and state prisons, once you adjust for other costs!"

"I'm not saying or implying that you're cutting corners here," replied the inspector, whose familiar voice also caught Shun's attention. "I inspected another prison facility a few weeks ago, and management actually had the prisoners run on a giant wheel contraption to generate electricity. Once you 'adjust' for other costs, it'll practically become free labor. Either way, all your inmates could use some exercise." The inspector fixed his cap and shades before point at Shun's cell. "You let them eat food in their own cell and not the dining hall?"

"Depends on the prisoner and what crime they committed."

"Just make sure someone picks up the plates and trash."

"Yes, Inspector. They put their empty plate at the end of the cell bars."

The inspector pulled his shades down slightly to reveal a familiar pair of ruby eyes. Then he pointed to the edge of the bars and mouthed, "Over here!"

Once the inspector and warden left the area, Shun placed his plate at the edge and grabbed the item that Dan was referring too. It was a folded note, and he returned to sit on the prison cell bench to read the contents.

Shun—

I am so sorry for not helping you the police officers arrested you at my residence. We both know who's behind this. I finally spoke to your friends and will follow their suggestions. They told me to comply with all of you-know-who's requests to avoid any suspicion. Breaking you out of prison is the first step, which I'm not involved in, but I trust your friends to get the job done.

Chris and Soon also asked about you, but I only told them that you were framed and nothing about your true identity. I don't want them to get hurt either, so I might let them go at some point and offer a huge sum of severance pay.

I apologize in advance if we can't see each other again until it's safer.

—Alice

Shun bit his finger while trying to hold in his tears. I knew you wouldn't leave me. Maybe I was the most oblivious person this whole time...

-x-x-x-x-x-

While eating lunch together at a nice restaurant, Alice suddenly suggested, "Maybe I should pawn some of my jewelry to help pay for our wedding."

Shadow gasped and dropped his fork dramatically. "Alice, don't do that! It's not like we can't afford a wedding ceremony. I'll pitch in all that I can."

"That's the problem. I don't actually have that much money at home. There's a clause in Grandfather's will that prevents me from using part of the money he left for me until I'm married."

"Which is why we register with the county clerk first before holding the ceremony."

"In that case, I need to ask Grandfather's personal lawyer what exactly that clause means and how long after registration can I utilize the money. Also, you told me that you wanted to work on some business ventures with your coworkers in the future. Does that require money to get started?

"Oh, right, that. Each of us will pitch in our fair share, so don't worry about it. Also, I don't think you should pawn any of your items. It looks bad, and I don't want people gossiping. A better option would be to put them up for auction and reel in partial profits, if you're into that."

"Ah, forget that I ever mentioned that. I'll clarify the will with Grandfather's personal lawyer when I have a chance. On a different topic..." Alice sipped her cup of tea before resting and tapping the side slowly. "Any updates on Shun's—"

"He's guilty. All the evidence points to him. Don't even think about him anymore, Alice. Just throw his stuff out of your house. Burn them if you have to."

Despite the unease she felt in her chest, the heiress simply replied, "That's all I needed to hear. Be right back." She entered the ladies' restroom and washed her face with cold water. Never have I felt more sick spending time with this...swindler. Alice lifted her head and saw a pigtailed bluenette in the reflection. "Runo, how did you find me?"

"It's not that hard looking for ridiculously-dressed man around town. You just happened to be with him today." The bluenette locked the main restroom door before continuing the conversation. "Good news is that we know what the prison looks like from the inside, so we'll plan an escape route once I get home. Bad news is that you and Shun will need to bear with Shadow's conceited self for the time being."

"I'm eating lunch with him right now, and I can't help but want to throw up every time he opens his mouth. But why mention Shun? Did Shadow visit him?"

"We hired another friend. Her name is Julie. She said that she heard Shadow speaking unpleasantly to Shun during a visit. We're trying our best to keep Shun safe. Who knows what other people Shadow is working with?"

"You're right. Thank you for the updates." The redhead dug through her purse and handed Runo a gold bangle. "Take this."

The bluenette grabbed and bit the jewelry cautiously. "Another piece of fine quality gold. I expected nothing less."

"It's my fault for bringing Shun into this mess. I just want to make things right."

"No wonder he likes you so much," complimented Runo before she donned a bonnet and exited the restroom. "I'll have another update later today."

After washing her face one more time to clear the sudden blush, Alice returned to her table. "So, we've agreed that money isn't an issue. What type of wedding ceremony did you have in mind, then?"

"Something simple is fine. I don't have that many people to invite from my friends and family. You?"

"Same here. Do you prefer indoor venues or outdoor venues?"

"I'm fine with either, but if the weather will be nice, then I prefer the outdoors." Shadow called a waiter over and requested the bill. "Lunch is on me today."

"You're so nice." Absolutely not.

After returning home, Alice was about to remove her shoes when a silver-haired girl arrived at the metal gate and exclaimed, "Special delivery!"

The redhead approached the metal gate and asked sternly, "May I help you?"

"My name's Julie," the visitor suddenly whispered. "Sound familiar?"

Alice gasped and pointed a finger as realization. "Runo said you're helping her. Is it safe for you to visit me like this?"

"I'm the master of disguise. Catch!" Julie tossed a box over the metal gate for the heiress. "Relax, it's just stationery. Anyway, Shun is still locked up until further notice. No trial date, yet."

"Or maybe Shadow rigged it so there would be no trial and no opportunity for Shun to prove he's innocent. I have some information on Shadow, though."

"Which is why I have this clipboard with me. Pretend to complete and sign a form while you write everything concisely."

The redhead grabbed the clipboard from the metal bars and wrote down everything she recalled from today before returning it. "Thank you for everything. I wish I could give you something, but Shadow could have people spying on my house."

"We got this covered. Just don't give up hope."

-x-x-x-x-x-

"Everyone, time for your next meal!" yelled a prison guard with a megaphone cone through the prison cell walkways.

While he and his colleagues released and escorted the prisoners to the dining hall, several food servers carried trays of food from the kitchen to the dining hall as well. Among them was Julie, who kneeled down and pretended to tie her shoe. In reality, she tossed a spoon toward the feet of two food servers who were carrying a huge pot of stew. "Oh my god, help!" the pair cried.

The guards groaned in displeasure as the silver-haired imposter gasped. "That's a huge waste and will take forever to clean up! We need cleaning supplies immediately!"

The staff inside the did as Julie ordered while she returned to the kitchen to stealthily set the entire location on fire. "I didn't ask for everyone to abandon the kitchen in favor of cleaning up the spill. Now the kitchen is on fire!"

Unbeknownst to everyone, Dan and the others previously rigged the building with oil, wax paper, and other kindling to spread the fire quickly. Other prison staff smelled or saw the fire from far away and screamed, "We need to evacuate! This fire is out of control!"

"I'm calling the fire department!" exclaimed someone else as he ran to the main office.

While prison guards securely escorted dining prisoners out of the building, Julie ran over to other prison cell hallways and screamed, "This place is on fire! You're on your own now! Run while you still can!" Then she stopped by Shun's cell and handed him an item through the bars. "Use Alice's hairpin to free your ankles for better mobility. Someone will eventually unlock the cell gate to set all free."

"Thanks, Julie. Where are you going now?"

"To create more panic, of course. The others said they'd arrive as disguised firemen. You're on your own until they get here."

Shun picked open the locks on his ankle shackles and watch the fire burn through the hallway. If I weren't well informed, then I would've thought that Shadow started this to burn and shut me up. While the other prisoners cried, he picked open the lock on his cell just as firefighters arrived. "Uh..."

"Relax, it's us!" Dan, Runo, and Marucho removed their gas masks very briefly to confirm their identities with Shun before donning the gear again due to increase smoke and heat. "Put on this mask and coat."

The trio then offered masks and coats to other inmates, but they only brought Shun to the back exit. "You do realize that burning the place could kill other innocent people, right?"

"Uh...we only care about you," the brunet admitted. "I hated my prison inspector disguise. Both the prisoners and prison staff are crooked in many ways."

"Alice has another letter for you." Runo handed a folded note to Shun, who unwrapped and read it quickly.

Shun—

Firstly, Chris and Soon are officially laid off. Against our wills, of course. They want to let you know that you were a great friend, even though you and we haven't known each other for long. Don't worry about them. They have distant family in remote parts of town, so Shadow likely won't be able to find them.

Secondly, I sold majority of my valuable possessions for cash. Staying here is no longer safe, and I contemplated moving to somewhere that Shadow won't find me. I don't know if you want to come with me, since you still have your friends and innocent orphans to take care of. The news also said that we might go into war with an enemy nation soon. Something to keep in mind.

I miss you so much.

—Alice

"Is our country really going into war soon?" Shun asked.

"Nothing official yet," Marucho clarified. "Mainly just tension and provocation. That reminds me...I need to find Joe again. But Shun, why do you ask about war?"

"Alice wants to move away to avoid Shadow, but she's not sure if an impending war will restrict travel."

"Hold on," Dan interrupted. "If she leaves...then are you going with her?"

"I...don't...know. Even she knows that I can't just simply leave you all and the orphans behind."

The bluenette suggested, "For now, let's help Alice. If she desperately needs to avoid Shadow, then we can definitely forge legal documents and create a new identity for her."

"Good idea. I don't know where Shadow found these associates to help him with his plan, but as long as he's free and breathing, then none of us are safe." Shun sat down for a moment to relieve the discomfort on his ankles. "But I really want to go home and sleep right now." And I'd better writer a letter back to her so she won't keep worrying about me...