A/N: An amazing special chapter, from my good friend Israel Pena. I hope you all enjoy!
Boba Fett flips the switches to start the engine of his personal airship, Slave II. Tonight, he and the rest of the Revived Roman hired are going to be on mission. Their objective is to intercept and steal an entire shipment of Dust heading back towards Atlas. The reason why? The Kingdom of Atlas has placed an embargo on Dust trade, which therefore prevents the other kingdoms from receiving supplies of Dust.
From the information Junior had gathered, the embargo was placed due to the threat of war created by the Fall of Beacon. On that night, people witnessed Atlas' robots attacking innocent civilians on their scrolls and television screens. Atlas' relationships with the other kingdoms became tense.
However, everyone with a brain knows that this embargo will only increase the chances of war. Everyone need Dust as it has multiple uses. People use it as an energy source to power their homes, vehicles, and technology. Huntsmen and huntresses use it to fight the Grimm. Now that Dust is on a limited supply for the other kingdoms, prices have drastically increased. Dust became too expensive for huntsmen to buy as businesses are trying to stay in business.
The Schnee Dust Company, known worldwide for being Remnant's biggest Dust supplier, has also been affected by the embargo. Due to being located in Atlas, they are legally unable to sell Dust to the other kingdoms. As a result, the company has been long profits. As time passed by, both sides started to become desperate. Businesses and huntsmen needed more Dust while current head of the SDC Jacques Schnee want to keep his profits afloat. As a result, they resorted to shady and illegals means of getting what they want. That's when Roman Torchwick came in.
Seeing this as a perfect business opportunity to capitalize on, Roman offered his services to both sides and used his title "King of Aidoneus" as his alias when making those business deals. The crime lord would send his agents to steal Dust from Atlas and sell them to Dust shops and huntsmen while also sending agents to retrieve Dust from the SDC. Of course, profits from SDC's Dust will have to be split, but money from the stolen Dust all goes to Roman. Of course, all the other criminal heart leaders are doing the same thing.
Usually, Roman would only send a few field agents for the Dust. However, Atlas had recently began to assign huntsmen teams to guard their Dust. As a result, Roman decided to send Neo and the 3 Revived to steal Atlas's Dust instead. The crime lord trusts in their combined strength, knowing that they can defeat any huntsmen team the Kingdom of Atlas throws at them. Tonight is another such mission.
Unfortunately, Neo is pretty pissed off right now about having to go on this mission. Normally, she would love to go on a mission where she can potentially kill people. She couldn't understand why Roman would schedule a mission on this night of all things. Surely he would know what today's date is, right? From Neo's perspective, that didn't seem to be the case.
"Miss Politan, if you don't mind me asking, why are you dressed up as a… pirate witch?" Kunimitsu asks, referring to Neo's current outfit. Instead of wearing her normal clothes, Neo is wearing a red long-sleeved dress that reaches down to her upper thighs with orange boots that reaches up her ankles. Additionally, she's wearing a black cloak with a gold border, a choker, a wizard's hat that looks like it has a face on it, and a pair of fingerless gloves. Finally, she's wearing a belt over her waist, bandages on her right leg, a long black sock on her left leg, and a red eyepatch with a white cross over her left eye.
[I'm not dressed as pirate witch. I'm dressed as an arch wizard, specifically one who specializes in explosion magic. As for why, let's just say that I had special plans for something else. I just didn't expect Roman to send me on a mission in the last minute.]
What made this day special for Neo is the fact that today is the anniversary of when she first met Roman and joined his gang. Neo really wanted to do something special with her beloved boyfriend, and what better way to celebrate their anniversary than to attend the premiere of a movie based on one of her favorite anime. She bought tickets for her and Roman before they were sold out and even created a cosplay of one of the anime's main characters, which is what she's wearing right now. She really wanted to surprise him. Unfortunately, Roman received news about the Dust shipment and sent Neo and the Revived to steal the contents.
As Neo stares at the pair of tickets in her hands, she couldn't help but remember the day she first met Roman. Before she met him, it was just her and Celty living on the streets. Her sister's job as an underground transporter was barely enough for them to live on, but Neo developed a habit of stealing for the siblings' benefits. Of course, Celty would try to get Neo to stop. Neo refused, and the two sisters would constantly get into arguments. However, Neo only met Roman after the two sisters had the biggest fight in their lives.
Neo was in a holding cell at Vale's Police Station. She recently spent the night there after being caught stealing food by the police. Naturally, she resisted arrest and put up a good fight against the police officers, sending them to the hospital with multiple injuries. It was difficult taking her down, requiring more officers to outnumber her using a taser. Luckily for her, the police thought she was a minor due to her height.
As Neo was sitting in her cell, she looked up to see Celty standing at the other side of the cell. Judging by her sister's body language, Neo knew that Celty was clearly angry with her. This wasn't the first time Neo got put in a jail cell, though she couldn't remember how many times she has been put in one. Not that she cared anyway. A police officer approached Celty.
"Your sister has really done it this time, Miss Politan. Not only did she send some of my men to the hospital, but she also stabbed the person she was sharing this cell with. Fortunately, the attack was non-lethal," the officer explained. Neo smirked at the second piece of news, giggling for a moment. Her cellmate had it coming. Celty facepalms before repeatedly bowing to the police officer as a form of apologizing. She pulls out her scroll and types on it.
[I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It's my fault that she got in trouble. I haven't been keeping an eye on her like I should have. I've been working too much, giving less attention to my sister. We've been living on hard times, and she's just acting out. My sister won't cause any more trouble. I promise.]
"You say that, but this isn't the first time your sister has been arrested," the officer stated. "If she gets into any more serious trouble, I can't guarantee her getting an easy release like this." Celty gives a nod, understanding the predicament. Neo, on the other hand, is impatiently waiting for the cell door to open. Eventually, the officer opens the cell door and releases Neo.
After signing the release papers, Celty took her sister home. Neither spoke a word to one another. Mostly because they can only talk through text, and Celty was driving on a motorcycle. It wouldn't be safe for them to communicate on the road. The place they were staying at was an abandoned garage. According to Celty, it was an ideal place to stay at since she could store her motorcycle inside. After the two sisters entered the garage, Celty typed on her scroll.
[This has to stop. Enough is enough. You can't keep getting into trouble like this. You're lucky that the police were ignorant enough to believe you're a minor because of your short height. What would've happened if they found out that you're actually over 18?]
Neo rolls her eyes as she checks the refrigerator, only to remember that there was nothing in it. She takes out her pen and notepad, writing her response to her sister.
[All I did was try to get some food. If you didn't know, we haven't eaten in 3 days! So what if I hospitalized a few people? They were trying to keep me from eating.]
[Look, I know times have been tough. Despite being a talented info broker, Izaya hasn't received any customers interested in his business lately. I know our lives are rough but please bear with it for a little longer.]
[If you're having money problems, then I can just steal you us some. It won't be that hard.]
[Have you not been paying attention the whole time?! You can't get in trouble anymore. There's going to be a time where I won't be able to bail you out anymore. If you want to help out with our money issue, then you can get a job like me. Please, what would Mom and Dad think if you ended up in a jail cell permanently?]
Up to this point, Neo didn't care what her sister was saying. It was obvious to her that Celty was playing things too safe. She would rather suffer than get her hands dirty. Neo, on the other hand, will do whatever it takes to survive, even if she has to break the law. Damn the law, damn what her sister thinks, and damn this society! But the moment Celty brought up their parents, that's when Neo got furious.
[Don't you dare mention them! They're dead! They have been for many years and left us with nothing!]
[Our parents loved us! Yes we were a poor family, but our parents did whatever they could to give us a happy life. Just because they're dead doesn't mean you should disregard their feelings. They wouldn't want you to become a criminal.]
Neo balls her hands into fists, gripping her pen and notepad tightly. She grits her teeth as she angrily glares at her sister. Sure her parents did their best to provide them a good life, but they still had a difficult life. It only became worse when they died. Celty, being the hardworking older sister, couldn't afford their old home despite her best attempts. At this point, Neo grew tired of living a shitty life and her sister's refusal to do more.
[That may be, but our lives has placed me in situation where I have no choice but to steal. You've been working hard, but we're still living on scraps. Because of our background, the best job I could get is some minimum wage job. You think that's going to change our situation? Hell no! No one was willing to help us when our parents died. Society looks down on people like us. Life has been cruel and unforgiving since birth. And you know what? I'm tired of this shit!]
Having enough, Neo grabs her parasol and heads out to the door. Celty grabs her sister by the arm, stopping her from leaving.
[Where are you going? I just brought you back from the police station.]
[I'm going to cool my head off. Don't worry about me getting arrested again. If I'm lucky, maybe some idiot will take pity on me and donate some money.]
Neo pulls her arm away and exits the door, leaving her sister behind. Celty stares at the door, still angry from the argument but also angry at herself.
Neo didn't how far she walked due to her still being frustrated from the argument. Despite still being in the city, she found herself in a part of it that she doesn't recognize. Every building in this part of the city looks shady, but Neo needed to rest for a moment. Finding a large bar, she decided that's where she's going to rest.
When Neo entered the bar, she found a lot of people in attendance with waitresses serving them. She notices a bulletin board pinned with numerous job postings. Neo was initially going to ignore it, but one posting caught her interest. The posting in particular was actually a recruitment poster. On the poster is a chibi drawing of a man with orange hair, green eyes, a black bowler hat, a white coat, black pants, and a cane.
COME JOIN MY GANG
EARNED PROFITS WILL BE SHARED EQUALLY
FOOD AND SHELTER WILL BE PROVIDED
MUST BE A HIGHLY SKILLED THEIF AND FIGHTER TO APPLY
IF INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT ROMAN TORCHWICK
Neo reread the recruitment poster, making sure her eyes weren't making things up. She's looking at a genuine opportunity of escaping her current life. She couldn't help but feel excited. However, she didn't know who this Roman Torchwick was and if he'll accept her into his gang or not. It wouldn't hurt to find out.
Finding Roman in the bar wasn't that hard as all Neo had to do was find someone who matched the descriptions of the chibi drawing. Roman was actually sitting by himself at a table. From what Neo could tell, he's only a couple of years older than her. And to be honest, she couldn't help but find him to be kind of handsome. As she approaches Roman, Neo found herself feeling nervous. It was a natural feeling though. He's her ticket to a better life, and she doesn't want to screw it up. She taps Roman by the shoulder, turning his attention towards her.
"Yes?" Roman asked, looking at the mute. Neo clears her throat and gets into an elegant pose, showing Roman the recruitment poster he pinned. The criminal stares at the mute, making her wonder what he's thinking about. "Sorry, but I can't have little kids in my gang. In fact, a little girl like you shouldn't even be in a place like this." Neo's jaw dropped and loses composure of her pose, angrily glaring at Roman. She takes out her pen and notepad and writes her response to the criminal.
[Who are you calling a little kid, you dum-dum! I happen to be over 18 years old. Despite my short height, I'm actually an adult.]
"Oh, really? That's good. At least I don't have to worry about a little kid wanting to join my gang," Roman muttered before realizing how Neo responded to him. "Wait, you can't talk can you?" Neo widened her eyes at the mention of her being mute, wondering if he'll reject her because of it. She gulps and slowly nods her head, not knowing how this will affect her chances.
"Well, I guess it can't be helped," Roman continued, picking up his recruitment poster. "Anyway, I'm looking for people who are highly skilled in terms of fighting and stealing to be in my gang. Are you good that those things?" Neo was surprised at the response. It seems he didn't care whether she could talk or not. Sighing in relief, Neo takes out a handful of wallets and placed them on the table. She writes on her notepad for her response.
[I stole all these wallets from the other patrons after I came into this bar. And when it comes to fighting, just yesterday I sent a couple of cops to the hospital. My parasol serves as my main choice of weapon, and it has a hidden blade inside.]
"I heard about some cops sent to the hospital by someone. That was you?" Roman asked, surprised by Neo's claim before a sly grin appeared on his face. "Well, color me impressed. And it looks like you nabbed a good amount of wallets. However, why else should I allow you to join my gang? Sure, you met the two main qualifications, but I need to be completely sure that I'm making the right choice letting you join." Neo gave Roman a deadpan look as she wrote on her notepad.
[Because it looks like I'm the only one who applied.]
"Very perceptive. Alright, you're in. Welcome to my gang!" Roman proudly stated, holding out his arm for a handshake. However, Neo suddenly collapsed on his table as a noticeable growl was heard from her stomach. The mute weakly writes on her notepad.
[Sorry. I haven't eaten in 3 days. You don't happen to have any food on you, do you?]
"Oh, sure." Roman said, signaling a waitress over to their table. When the meals they ordered were brought in, Roman was surprised at how fast Neo wolfed down her food. She wasn't kidding about not eating in 3 days. "I guess I don't need to ask why you wanted to join my gang in the first place. Life's been rough to you, hasn't it?"
[You can say that again.]
"I can understand. I had a shitty life as well. Every time I search for a hopeful tomorrow, I get beaten to the ground. By society, by the world, and even by life itself," Roman told her before holding up 3 fingers. "Lie. Steal. Cheat. Those are the skills I used to keep surviving in this dog eat dog world. It's because of those 3 skills that I was able to become a master criminal. Sure, I've been to prison before, but I still rival even the likes of huntsmen."
As Roman was talking, Neo couldn't help but be drawn in. There was something about the way Roman talked that was fascinating. It was like he was talking directly to her soul. Here was a person who understood her. Someone who shared the same pain and suffering she had gone through. She didn't want to stop listening.
"From the looks of it, you had to fight to survive. However, partnering up with me will change your life," Roman stated. "No longer will you have to pickpocket money or scavenge for scraps of food. In this new lifestyle, you'll have to plan bank heists, rob jewelry stores, participate in illegal Dust and weapons trades, and even kill people. Doing these actions will get you large amounts of money more than you can ever imagine as you rise in the criminal underworld, making a name for yourself. However, things won't be easy as it's also a life of risk because one wrong move will knock you down to the point where you can never get back up again. Are you willing to transition from your old life to this new one?"
Neo looked at her pen and notepad. Roman was giving her a choice, one that will change her life forever. However, escaping from her old life was what she wanted since the very beginning. Never again will she have to suffer. And if joining Roman's gang and becoming his partner is the only way, then she won't regret doing so. Neo nods her head with a determined look on her face.
[Yes.]
"Glad you made your choice. What's your name?" Roman asked.
[It usually alternates between Neopolitan and Neo Politan, but you can just call me Neo.]
"Well, Neo. Nice to officially have you onboard." Roman stated, once again holding up his arm for a handshake. This time, Neo did the same. A new partnership had formed.
However, there was one last thing Neo needed to do, and that was informing her sister about her new life. Neo knew that no doubt Celty would be angry at the news, but it was better to tell rather than leave without saying anything. That way, Neo wouldn't have to worry about her sister endlessly searching for her. After telling Roman that she had to do something first, Neo received the address to his hideout as that's where she'll be living from now on.
It took a while for Neo to find her way back since she wasn't paying attention to where she was going when she found the bar. When the mute got to her soon to be old home, she wasn't sure if her sister was still there. Neo wants to get this over with, not wanting to keep Roman waiting. When she entered inside, she found Celty looking through her scroll at the "kitchen/living" room table. The Dullahan was surprised when she saw her sister come home, hugging her instantly.
[Neo, you're back.]
Neo sighs, finding that breaking the news to Celty was tougher than she realized. However, it's like ripping off a bandage. You have to do it quickly rather than slowly. Freeing herself from the hug, Neo takes out her pen and notepad. Celty was confused at the action, wondering what her sister has to say.
[I'm moving out.]
Celty nearly dropped her scroll when she read the message, unable to believe what she had read. She wasn't sure if Neo was still angry from their argument earlier. Celty quickly typed on her scroll desperate for answers.
[What do you mean you're moving out? To where? Why?]
[I met with Roman Torchwick. He was recruiting people to join his gang, and I accepted his offer. I'm going to live a new life now, so I came here to say goodbye.]
[Goodbye? New life? Roman Torchwick? Why would join him? He's a wanted criminal and a dangerous man! You could get hurt or killed!]
Neo narrows her eyes.
[I can perfectly handle myself. I'm not some frail child that you constantly need to protect. I'm an adult who's highly skilled in combat, and I've already made my decision.]
After writing that response, Neo began to gather up her stuff. She didn't have a lot of stuff to gather. Celty didn't move from her spot, standing at a state of disbelief. After she collected her stuff, Neo made her way to the door. Celty snapped herself out of her stated and rushed towards her sister, stopping her from leaving.
[Neo, if you go out that door, I won't be able to bail you out anymore. Please don't go.]
[I'm sorry Celty, but I have a new life now. Thank you for everything. Goodbye.]
Afterwards, Neo's body shattered into glass. She had already left. Celty collapsed, falling onto her knees. The Dullahan lifts her helmet up, releasing a cry of anguish. Nobody in the area could hear it, all except for Neo. While the ice cream mute felt the emotions of her sister, she continued to move forward towards her new life.
Admittedly, this was supposed to be the last time Neo would ever see her sister. She never intended to reunite with Celty. However, the Revived brats from Beacon changed those expectations when they inadvertently created a reunion between the sisters during the mech fight in Vale. And since then, Neo still couldn't decide whether or not it was a good that night happened.
"We're nearing our destination," Boba announces, waking Neo up from her memories. The ice cream mute has been focusing so much on her past that she forgotten about being on a mission. Pocketing the movie tickets, she stands up and types on her scroll. Roman made them into a team similar to huntsmen teams with her as the leader. It's time for her to explain the team's strategy for this mission.
[Alright, here's the plan. Boba is going to cloak his airship so we won't get detected. That way, he can approach Atlas' ship close enough for the rest of us to infiltrate it. I'll disguise myself as one of the crew members, Meta will cloak himself by turning invisible, and Kunimitsu will hide in the shadows using her stealth skills. One by one, we'll silently eliminate the crew anyone else on board. It wouldn't be long before the hired huntsmen team will figure out something is going wrong for them. By the time that happens, we would already have the advantage. If there's trouble, Boba will give us covering fire.]
"Understood," Boba states, flipping a couple of switches to activate his airship's cloaking. Kunimitsu merely nods her head while Meta gives a growl. As she's getting ready, Neo couldn't help but remember her first time sparring with Roman. It's what helped them become the perfect team they are today.
"Okay Neo, if we're going to be successful criminals together, we're going to need excellent teamwork. So I suggest that we spar together as a way to get a look at each other's fighting styles. That way, we can be in perfect sync while in combat," Roman explained. Neo nodded her head, understanding what he's trying to say. She never had a sparring partner before. The ice cream mute usually practices combat alone whenever her sister isn't home. Time to put her skills to test.
[Alright, but you better not hold back on me.]
"Oh Neo, you insult me. What you don't know is that I happen to be an advocate of true gender equality," Roman told her, placing a hand on his chest and a smirk appearing on his face. "That means I'm willing to kick anyone's ass regardless if they're male or female, especially if they're little girls like you."
Neo narrowed her eyes at the insult and raced towards Roman with her parasol drawn. However, Roman whipped out Melodic Cudgel and fired at her. The ice cream mute immediately opened her parasol to intercept the shot, blocking it without any damage caused to her weapon. This quick display impressed Roman, causing excitement to rise within him.
"Not bad, but let's see how much more that thing can take," Roman stated, firing more shots from Melodic Cudgel. However, Neo continues to block the shots with ease. Roman changed tactics by firing another shot and spun it with Melodic Cudgel, creating a more powerful energy wave. Neo leaped over the attack, but that was what Roman was hoping for. Aiming his weapon at the ice cream mute, the master criminal fires its grappling hook. It successfully hooked Neo by her arm, and Roman yanks her down.
Upon getting slammed onto the ground, Neo burst into glass pieces which surprised Roman. He quickly turned around to see Neo swinging her parasol at him. Using quick reflexes, Roman blocks the attack with Melodic Cudgel as he fires at Neo in this closer range. However, Neo was fast enough to dodge the blasts.
The two began to parry with their weapons. While Roman was unable to land a blow on Neo, he made sure she couldn't do the same either. After another swing with Melodic Cudgel, Neo shattered into glass and attacked from another direction. Roman was about to shoot at Neo, but the ice cream mute grabbed his arm and grappled him with her body. Wrapping her legs around his neck, she threw him onto the ground. As she got up, Neo felt something was missing.
"Looking for these?" Roman asked as he got up, holding a pair of black laced panties in his hands. Neo's eyes widen in shock and horror as her face became completely red, especially since Roman is inspecting the piece of clothing. "I'll be honest. I didn't expect you to wear this type of underwear." Neo, shaking in embarrassment and anger, slowly types on her scroll.
[I see. So not only are you a master criminal, but you're also a master pervert as well.]
"You are an attractive woman, so I couldn't help myself," Roman admitted, chuckling at her embarrassment. Neo's face grew redder after hearing Roman call her attractive. She wrote on her notepad.
[Can you give me back my panties now?]
"Hmm… You'll have to get it back from me," Roman taunted, holding the pair of panties high in the air and twirled it around. Neo gritted her teeth and immediately tried to regain her piece of clothing. However, she was too short to reach them. Roman snickered a bit at her desperate jumps.
Frowning, Neo took a few steps back as she had thought of a new plan to get back her panties. She quickly rushed towards the criminal and tackled him onto the ground, her shoulder slamming right into Roman's stomach. The criminal gasped for air when he got hit as the two fell on the ground. They found themselves in an awkward position with Neo being on top of Roman. A sheepish grin formed on Roman's face while Neo had an annoyed pout on hers. She ripped her panties from his hands and got off of him.
[I can't believe I partnered up with a pervert.]
"Oh, come on. I'm that bad," Roman replied. "Sure, I peeped on women and steal their underwear, but I'm don't go too far."
[Well next time you steal my panties, I won't hesitate to stab you.]
"Duly noted," Roman said.
Ever since the spar, the two partners had possessed the perfect teamwork needed in their fights which made them an unstoppable criminal duo. As a result, they were able perform heists without any problems. And true to Roman's words, Neo was able to rise in the criminal underworld with people knowing her as Roman Torchwick's partner in crime. And thus, Neo's life grew better.
One day after a successful heist, Roman and Neo are walking towards their home. Roman was carrying Neo on his back at her request. Her arms and legs were wrapped tightly around him to prevent herself from falling as Roman was carrying the bags of money that they stole. Roman had an annoyed look on his face while Neo was wearing a satisfied grin.
"Tell me again why I have to carry you?" Roman asked in annoyance. Neo typed her reply with a smirk on her face.
[Because I was feeling exhausted after saving your ass.]
"Oh ha ha. I was actually doing pretty well on my own," Roman replied. "But out of the goodness of my evil heart, I'll carry you." It's been months since they became partners, and the two have been enjoying each other's company. "So, I guess now's the good time to ask how do you like the business so far."
[I love it! Thanks to you, I no longer have to worry about when my next meal will be, I have more money than I ever had in my whole life, and people shit themselves whenever they see me armed with Hush.]
"Glad to know that you finally gave your weapon a name," Roman responded, smiling at his partner's newfound enthusiasm. "I'm also happy that you don't regret being my partner." Neo looks at him for a moment before giving him a smile.
[What can I say? Sure, you can be a bit of a pervert, but it's thanks to you that my life is better than it ever was. I just wish my sister was understanding and supported my choice. I never once regretted joining you, but sometimes I worry about my sister. We separated on bad terms. I don't even know if she still hates me.]
Roman could tell the sadness and guilt building up inside Neo. Normally, the criminal wouldn't care about what kind of problems other people are having. However, Neo is a different case as Roman grew to care more about her ever since they became partners. As a result, he couldn't stand seeing her sad. It's up to him to make her feel better.
"I can't say that I know what you're going through. I never had any siblings of my own," Roman started. "However, I do know that family is a bond that can't be easily broken. You being worried about her is proof of that. Sure, she may not agree with your decision, but I doubt it means she'll hate your for it. The two of you have been through a lot together your whole lives. You chose to make your life better, and that's something she herself should understand."
There was a moment of silence after Roman spoke. Suddenly, he felt the upper back of his coat becoming wet. It was Neo's tears. Roman became worried. The crime lord didn't know if he fixed the problem or somehow made it worse. He immediately got his answer as Neo's arms tighten around him into the form of a hug. Roman could feel heat rise within his face, and it quickly grew even hotter when Neo pecked her lips on his cheek.
[Thank you]
"N-No problem," Roman said, stuttering for a bit. "Who knows? Maybe you two will meet up one day and share a good laugh together."
[But she can't laugh. She doesn't have a head.]
"Wait, what?" the crime lord asked, stopping in his tracks. "What do you mean your sister doesn't have a head?"
[She was born without a head. She didn't have a head back in her old world, so it makes sense she didn't one either on Remnant.]
"Old world? You mean to tell me your sister was isekai-ed?" Roman questioned. Neo gives him a firm nod.
[Yup.]
"Huh. Normally, I would say you've been watching too many anime. However, I've heard stories about people being reincarnated here in Remnant," the crime lord said. "I never believed them at first since I thought those people would be more obvious to identify. If people from other worlds really did reincarnated in Remnant, shouldn't they be an overpowered skeleton wielding magic or a little girl in the military? Or rather, shouldn't they have a useless deity with them or possess an unusual ability like resetting from a checkpoint in life after dying? That's what I thought." Neo couldn't but giggle at his response.
[Now who's the one watching too much anime?]
"Yeah, yeah," Roman muttered. "We better get going. It's already getting late."
Back in the present, Neo and the others have already loaded the Dust into Boba's airship. What's left on the Atlas cargo ship are the corpses of the sailors and huntsmen who worked on the ship and their blood soaking the deck. Thanks to Neo's plan, the team was able complete the mission right after it had started. The huntsmen team guarding the ship were small fry to them. As the Meta and Kunimitsu were heading back into the Slave II, Neo was almost done setting up the explosives. Usually after every dust raid, it was tradition to get rid of the crime scene. And what better way to prevent any potential evidence from appearing than to use giant explosions. After setting up the timer, Neo teleported and appeared back on the Slave II. With a press of a button on her scroll, Neo sets off the explosives.
3
2
1
EXPLOSION!
Neo watches as the Atlas ship explodes. Normally a good explosion would get her excited, but she didn't feel any happiness. She's still disappointed from earlier. Roman appeared to have forgotten their anniversary, and she missed out on a movie she had waited to see. As the Slave II headed back to the casino, Neo couldn't help but feel dread about facing Roman. Becoming his girlfriend was the happiest moment of her life so far, but she wonders if Roman even knows that.
It didn't take long for them to arrive back at the casino. Meta had contact some of Junior's men to unload the contents of Dust while the rest headed back into the building. As Neo slowly walked inside, she took out the movie tickets and stared at them. As depressed sigh escapes her lips as she crumbles them within her fist.
"What's wrong, Neo?" Roman's voice called out to her. She looked up and became surprised at what she sees. Instead of his usual attire, Roman is wearing a gold-trimmed green mantle, white shirt, black pants, and brown leather boots and a belt. Neo tilts her head in confusion as she gazes at her boyfriend's outfit.
"Mr. Torchwick, if I may ask, why are you dressed as a huntsman?" Kunimitsu questions her boss.
"I'm not dressed as a huntsman. Ew. I'm dressed as an Adventurer," the crime lord answered before turning back to his girlfriend. "Anyway, Neo, ready for that anime movie you've been looking forward to? I called in a favor and got the theater to hold a private screening just for the two of us. A great way to spend our anniversary, don't you think?" Neo's eyes widens after hearing the words.
[You remembered?!]
"The anniversary of you and I meeting for the first time? Of course I did," Roman replied. "I would never forget the day I met the love of my life. Sorry about sending you on that last minute mission though. I needed more time to get this costume done and surprise you with it since you did yours weeks ago."
With tears slowly swelling up in her eyes, Neo run up to Roman and jumps onto him. The crime lord was quick to capture her in his arms but became surprised when Neo smashes her lips onto his while wrapping her arms around his neck. Roman didn't object though and eagerly kisses her back. However, it took a lot of willpower for the crime lord to break the kiss a few seconds later.
"Now, now, let's save the excitement for later so we don't have to miss the movie." Roman told her. "Our ride should be waiting for us by now." Impatient, Neo leaps out of her boyfriend's arms and immediately exits the casino to where their limousine should be parked. Roman happily sighs as he takes a small box out of his pocket. "If she got that excited just from me wearing cosplay and taking her to a movie, then I can't even imagine what she'll be like after I present her with this." He pockets the box before heading outside to join his girlfriend. "Maybe this good for nothing world isn't so bad after all."