"Hoshino, you applied to Schale!" Kitty Cat had the shittim chest in her hands, looking at Hoshino's profile.

"Uheee you can't trust his little tablet Serika." Pinky was trying to get Kitty Cat to calm down with a staggering amount of failure.

"Nn, but it even has where you live." Wait, if what the Little Jackal said is true. Then what the hell, Arona? Why would I need to know where they live?

"It even has your phone number. Along with your home phone number." Ayane started looking at the chest as well.

"Wow, it even has your birthday Hoshino!" Nonomi bubbled. Well, I guess it's time I put a stop to this. Pinky looks ready to hide and plot my murder. I whip out my phone and proceed to call the file maintenance department.

"Hello, Schale file maintenance department. This is Giggit; who am I speaking to?" I put my phone on the table and tap the speaker icon.

"Hey, Giggit, I need you to confirm a student file. One, Takanashi Hoshino, said she never sent an application. I need you to deep dive into the sender info to find foul play." I still think she's lying about never sending the application. However, I want to be fair and check before bashing her.

"Alright, boss, I'll tell Widget to snoop on the sender. Might be a while though until we find anything relevant." I look at the girls in the room, now paying full attention to my phone.

"Thanks, Giggit. Keep me posted; happy trails now you hear." She mumbles goodbye as I hang up the phone. I look at the girls and give a thumbs up. "Welp now we can stop going over the file I have." I snatch the tablet from Kitty Cat's hands, shutting it down while pocketing it. "We'll also know if someone stole your info and sent an application or if you're lying." I look at Pinky.

"Uhe, I'm quite positive I never sent an application to Schale," Pinky stated matter-of-factly.

"If you're sure, I want to find out who got your information. Identity theft ain't a joke." I begin to rub my chin. "Now, however, I'll have to return and take you off Schale's payroll." That would be a headache since I already set her benefits and pay. Knife Ears isn't going to be happy with me getting rid of those so fast. "Regardless, since you're fully awake now, let me hear your role here, at least."

"You already know what my role is." Pinky states.

"Sure, I know what it is now after reading your file. However, I want to hear what you do here since you could do the opposite of your title." I'm still not buying that this little Pinky is the age on file. But she does talk like a teen, so she just might be. "Or don't tell me, that's the choice you alone can only make." However, it'll also be a hassle to try and pry from someone mean mugging me in such a subtle way.

"Wait, are you saying we could've chosen not to tell you anything?" I look towards Kitty Cat.

"Yup, and I wouldn't have even bothered to pry," I answered her. "And before you ask why, I didn't say that earlier; it's simple. You never asked." I add on when I notice Kitty Cat going to open her mouth.

"The fact you utter that with such a straight face and monotone voice is kinda weird." Nonomi took my attention from Kitty Cat.

"Is it?" I haven't noticed my tone of voice or my face as being weird.

"Nn, may I ask you a question." I look toward Little Jackal and usher her to go ahead. "Will you answer any question we ask you about yourself?"

"I mean, yeah, as long as it isn't going to be about my private life." Honestly, answering a couple of questions couldn't hurt.

"Are you an actual teacher?" WOW, Little Jackal is going for the jugular. Now that I think about it, I don't think I have a degree in teaching.

"No, hell, I don't even have a degree in teaching.

I don't even know how I got this job." Seriously, why was I picked to sub? Especially since I'm sure I don't have any experience with this. I'm starting to think I was kidnapped.

"Wait, you mean to tell us you're not even qualified for your job?" I look at Ayane now and nod my head.

"How can someone not qualified even get a job? What did you do lie on your resume!" Kitty Cat seemed to be in utter disbelief.

"No, I was kidnapped," I state. Having no recollection of how I got here really makes it seem like I was kidnapped. I exit my thoughts and look at the girls. They have various faces upon hearing my statement. However, Pinky appears to recover the fastest of them all.

"Well, if that's the case, why haven't you made a break for it?" Pinky's question is quite fair. However, I feel like that's easy to answer.

"Think about it, if they kidnapped me, who's to say they won't just off me if I run for it." It's a grim idea but entirely plausible. While I doubt Knife Ears would off me, who's to say there isn't someone else waiting to off me? All five of the girls are also really quiet right now. I guess they didn't think of that huh. I should lighten the mood. It's gotten rather depressing. "Hey, look at it this way, I'll strike a funny pose when I die. That way, if anyone finds my corpse, they'll be too busy laughing to feel bad for me." I chuckle a little at my joke but notice the girls aren't.

"What is wrong with you?" Kitty Cat stated while looking at me in a judging kind of way.

"It's called gallows humor, Kitty Cat, and it's the best kind of humor." So what if these five didn't find it funny? I sure did. "How about you let me try another one? I've got a good couple of jokes." I could try the one with the rust or the toaster. I think the man-catcher would be the best, if they know what it is.

"How about we talk about something else? Like, how long have you been in Kivotos." Nonomi spoke up.

"Five days, six of you count today as well." Almost a week, a trainwreck of headaches to go with it. "Since I answered a question, it's only fair that you all answer a question in turn. So… Do you girls get your guns upon entering high school or…?" Honestly, I'm curious if they are just given guns upon entering a school. From my scattered memories of home, I was only given a bolt action hunting rifle after training. But I was given a more oversized rifle with no training a little bit later on.

"All students get training in their first year of middle school. However, younger children are allowed to use grenades." Ayane spoke up. To think a middle schooler got training in firearms, yet a younger child could use grenades. Wait a damn minute.

"You mean to tell me you all learned proper gun control in middle school? But you all probably used grenades in elementary school. And no one in this city saw that as a problem?" I look at all of them to judge their reactions. All of them looked at me like I was the weird one.

"Well, yeah, it's really common here. Even if you're not from Kivotos, surely wherever you're from knows about Kivotos." Kitty Cat added unhelpfully.

"Wow, it's almost like my home didn't care about Kivotos. Why would we?" I say, looking at her. I can't tell them I'm from the past like I think I am. They wouldn't believe that. Also, why would a country care about a single city? My home had at least ten massive cities in it. Besides, I'm sure I had more pressing matters wherever I'm from than thinking about one city. I'm also pretty sure my home is in the past. But I doubt they would believe that if I told them!

"You don't have to talk to me like I'm stupid, you jerk!" What, why are you pissed?

"I didn't call you stupid, Kitty Cat. I was merely saying why would a country care about a single city. In the grand scheme of things, Kivotos ain't special. Granted to you, it may be, but to many others, it's just another city." The unique thing is teenagers with military-grade guns and halos. Also, animal people, but that's it.

"You can't lie; your tone of voice insinuated that you think I'm stupid!" Wait, she thought my tone was different? I sounded the same as I did earlier.

"This is my normal tone of voice, though," I say while raising a brow at her. She looks at me intensely for a second before huffing.

"Even if that's your normal tone, I still believe you insinuated I was stupid." She wasn't looking at me anymore.

"Ooookay, any other questions you girls want to ask me or no?" I notice Nonomi raising her hand. "Yes, Miss Izayoi."

"How old are you?"

"I'm twenty."

"Wow, you're rather young, huh? Only three years older than Hoshino." Nonomi seems content.

"Yeah, I guess, now it's my turn. How long has this debt persisted for?" When I ask, Hoshino peeps up first.

"Since I was a first year." I can only whistle at her statement. To think that this building is still standing is the most impressive thing. A testament to these five's tenacity, it deserves a round of applause.

"Impressive, you five have kept the building standing. Keep up this tenacity, and I'm sure it'll stand until you all graduate." I think for a second and then sigh at the crushing reality. "However, once you're all gone, chances are this building will finally meet its end." This place can finally rest; if you ask me, it needs it.

"Are you saying we'll give up on Abydos?" Pinky asked, a tiny bit of an edge in her voice.

"No, I'm saying eventually you'll have to move forward. Eventually, you'll be forced to choose the present or past to live by. And let me tell you, staying in the past is for those too cowardly to face tomorrow or those who have become lost in simpler, nicer, easier times." I recite the exact thing I heard from a man before. It's a shame I can't recall his name or face, but what can I do? The second bit of what he said is lost to me, but I'm sure it was just as knowledgeable as the last. "You'll graduate one day, but you'll be too old to stay here. But if you stay tethered here anyway, this place will drag you down. And you'll end up asking where all that time went." I breathe deep and let it out. A pause stretches over us before Kitty Cat speaks up.

"That's…kinda insightful. Are you telling us because you've experienced something like that before?" I look her dead in the eyes.

"Oh no, I just heard a drunk in the bar mutter that first bit. The second bit is mine, though." While I don't know where the older man was, I should make him sound unreliable. It must've worked since all their faces went from soaking the words up to looking disappointed.

"And there's the kicker," Nonomi says with an awkward chuckle.

"Nn, it was dumb to think that advice would come from a reliable person." Little Jackal stated, her ears folded on her head.

"Of course, this mangy guy heard something like that from an even more pathetic adult." Kitty Cat glared at me.

"I don't think you're supposed to admit that you heard such wisdom from a bar." Ayane frowned.

"Wow, you're something else." Pinky kept eye contact.

"Well, I don't gain anything by lying to you five. But I gain watching your faces morph into disgust when hearing the truth. Which makes speaking said truth even better!" Honestly, lying never sat right with me. I'd instead tell the truth, but I'll be damned if I won't lie to avoid people or things. "So, are there any more questions? Or should we discuss how all of you will pay off this debt?" Before anyone could speak, Ayane took charge.

"You're right! So, since Hoshino is awake, let's begin discussing plans to make money for this month." Most of the girls start thinking; however, Kitty Cat brings out a strange, brightly colored poster.

"Well, luckily, I've got the perfect solution right here!" The other girls look at it too; however, each of their faces showcases a lot of hesitation for some reason. "With this amazing business proposal, we'll get enough for this month and then some!" I stare hard at the flier but can't tell what it's about based on the image alone.

"Mind explaining what the flier says?" I ask her.

"Oh right, you're a weirdo who can't understand Arabic." How does that make me weird? "This here is what we call an investment." That sounds suspicious. "By spending money, we'll be given a product to sell. Then we can sell those products to other people and get points. With these points, we buy ranks to increase our profits. However, we can also buy perks with those points to increase our current gains or get more merchandise to sell." I look at her for a second before my brain kicks on.

"That sounds like a pyramid scheme, Kitty Cat." Her smile slowly fades away. "Usually, only the people at the top of the pyramid make money." After my comment, I saw her eyes gain realization as if her brain's cylinders had started firing.

"You mean to tell me that I…"

"Yes, Kitty Cat, you were scammed like the desperate idiot you are. They saw that desperation of yours and suckered you in." My words seemed to pierce her like blades as she deflated. Her fantastic plan was just an illusion. "So, are there any other ideas that are actually good?"

"I think I have a pretty good one myself." Pinky decided it was her turn for the spotlight. So I ushered her to speak. "Let's hijack a bus heading to Trinity or Gehenna." I could only stare dumbfounded for a second. "Once on board, we convince each student to sign transfer papers to Abydos by force if they want off the bus." Before I could fully grasp her plan, Little Jackal shot up.

"That sounds like a good plan. Tell me the target, and I'll handle the rest!" Bwah.

"Absolutely not! Do you hear yourselves right now!" Ayane seemed to be seething next to me. But I see the most accessible ticket out of helping them.

"Miss Okusora is correct. You can't do that." Ayane sagely nods her head with my statement. "Instead, you should kidnap people individually!" I notice Ayane's mouth agape at my proclamation, the whiplash stunning her. "Think about it: you go after a bus, someone's bound to notice. A passerby might call the respective school, and one student on board might take a picture of you all and post it on social media. The school bus you're hijacking might have an emergency call button; the school in question notices buses that weren't late suddenly are." I take note of all of their stunned faces. I must keep this momentum going.

"Next, how will you convince them to stay, let alone come here? You can force them to sign transfer papers, but that doesn't mean they must show up here." I turn towards the whiteboard, grab a marker, and then begin to write out the steps needed to kidnap an individual correctly. "Firstly, you must kidnap someone in the middle of the pack; these people usually go unnoticed in all facets of life. Second, research this person, how many clubs they attend, and whether they also participate in other parts of the community. Third, how many people do they keep in their life? Family, friends, and co-workers. Do they keep in touch with them well or not really?" After I finish those steps, I begin writing the next set of steps.

"Next, you wanna keep them here. If you have enough charisma, maybe you can convince them with words. But sadly, not everyone will want to hear you out, so force will be needed. When using the force method, you hope to inspire Stockholm syndrome. I recommend using jumper cables with car batteries, knee breaking with hammers, potato peelers to skin them, and waterboarding with petrol. However, make it a punishment and reward system, slowly whittling down their willpower. Make them believe no one is coming to help. Offer them things they desperately want if they behave. Punish them if they try to escape." I feel sickened at my writing, but I know how to get people to not associate with me. I finally turn towards them and speak one last time. "So, any questions?"

Each one of them had a horrified or disgusted face. I don't blame them in the slightest.

"Get out of our school." Was what Pinky uttered.

"Very well, if you don't want my help, I'll go. I hope you don't come asking for help later 'cause I'll tell you no." I walk over to the door. "Good luck and happy trails, you five," I say while exiting the classroom.

The walk through the building until I'm outside again feels like a somber victory. But in the end, this is the best option for my own peace of mind. I make it past the school's entrance gate and finally find myself walking back through the neighborhood. The only positive at this time is the feeling of sunlight. Sadly, it doesn't help that I now have a new problem, Arona. I'm banking on the hope she can't hear anything when she's completely shut down. Cause if she can, it'll be hard to weasel out of her fury or sadness. I eventually hit the intersection and bumped into many helmet-wearing girls again. Each one stops except for the red-helmeted girl.

"A wa- deul meom-chyeo-sseo….." She utters before staring at me.

I'm unsure if this group is the same group I met earlier this week. It doesn't help that they all look alike. However, I'm curious if they know English.

"If you're going to speak with me, speak in English." I fix my gaze toward the little Miss Red. I'm pretty sure she's the leader of this group. That seemed to be the case for the last group.

"Y-y-you're the guy that lied to us!" She sounded both angry and slightly scared. "You got some nerve showing your face around these parts." However, it seems whatever fear she had vanished.

"Oh, ah, forgive me, it's just all of you helmeted 'gangsters' look the same." I watch her fists ball up in fury at my comment. "After all, failure seems to be the prerogative of your lot." She swings her rifle around and aims it at me.

"You think you can mock us and not get riddled with holes!" Each one of her girls now trained their weapons on me. "So what do you have to say now, tough guy."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Shoot." The air is still the second I utter that sentence.

"Maybe we'll do just that." She says, readying to fire.

"Boss, he doesn't have a halo!" One of the goons shouts. Miss Red flicks her gaze toward my head. Then she gazes back at me; even with her goggles and mask hiding her face, I can feel hesitation from her.

"Oh, what's wrong? Pull the trigger if you want me to take you seriously!" I get closer to her only to notice she wavers a little, stepping back."What's wrong, don't have the guts?" I quicken my steps enough to get within range to grab her gun and shove the barrel in my stomach. "Well, killing people should be normal for a gang, right."

"I…I…"

"What's wrong? Little Miss Red? Never killed anyone before? Don't worry then we can change that." I reach toward the trigger of her gun with my other hand and pull it. I feel the bullet pass clean through my stomach and out my back.

"Well…congrats…you..killed me." I feel warm liquid pour out of me. Honestly, however, I'm not concerned because I know I'll heal. I'm more concerned that I didn't feel pain. I rest myself against a wall and look at Miss Red. "You might…want to…run." She immediately takes my advice and sprints away. They all do it while screaming. I guess people don't really die from bullet wounds around these parts, huh?

I slink down against the wall as I feel the pain of my stomach knitting itself back together. Pandora got it wrong twice since I felt my stomach tear itself in half first, and then the feeling of necrosis took root. Thankfully, it only took Pandora two tries. The good news is I probably scarred those girls for life, which can potentially mean they'll turn away from their lives of crime. Bonus points if I ever find them again and they have regular part-time jobs. Oh, who am I kidding. They'll need therapy.

Eventually, the pain emanating from my stomach subsides, allowing me to stand again. Slowly, I stand, not wanting to move too quickly. I checked my shirt, and the poor thing had a decent-sized hole. This poor shirt has been through the wringer and then some. While I can stitch the hole to fix it, I don't want this shirt to become a stitched mess.

"Well, I better take this shirt off." I drag my shirt off and zip my fleece jacket up. I can't go walking around with my stomach in the open air. I fold my shirt up, then tuck it under my arm. Hopefully, the walk back to Schale will be way more peaceful. But I'll hold my breath; nothing has been simple here.

I continue my trot through the Abydos district. The streets are as quiet as ever around here. I haven't seen many first shifters walking or driving home, which makes Aybdos feel even more lifeless. It's horrible because it's also a Sunday; many people try to get weekends off. Now that I think of it, where are all the teenagers and kids? Surely, they wouldn't be in school. It's a Sunday. Those five were in a school building, but I'm sure they were hanging out in it more than anything.

'Perhaps a difference in culture?' A calm voice echoed

"Yeah, that makes-" I stop my sentence before finishing. Who said that?

'That would be me, Pandora.' The echoing of a male and female voice in sync proves it's true.

"Oh god, I can hear you in my head now. Why can I hear you in my head now?!" I let out a low growl.

'I'm repairing old systems. Also, I believe it would grow tiresome for you to look at your phone constantly.' Pandora's monotone voice reverberated in my mind.

"Grand," I mutter as I finally reach the central plaza of Abydos. A car or two whizzed by me, but that was it. The stores today were empty compared to yesterday. I eventually made it to the train station, which was as barren as the streets I walked through. Shame, too; Aybdos seemed like it was once a lovely little place.

'At least you dealt with those girls accordingly.' Pandora's words do nothing to put me at ease. The idea I must let people die so I can go home isn't grand, but if it's the surefire option, so be it. The grass is green, the skies blue, and people die; what can you do? Few people would probably even notice those girls are gone. 'The world is cruel.'

Yeah, it's always been cruel, but that's reality. It's cruel, but it's fair and doesn't play favorites. Now be silent for a bit Pandora. I don't feel like talking for the rest of the day, or rather, I don't feel like talking to you.

'As you wish, my fool.' I feel Pandora recede into the corners of my mind. But silent for now, at least. I take a seat and wait for the train to arrive. I look around the train station and notice a couple of fliers here and there. Most were once again school fliers, but some were shops in Abydos advertising their goods. Maybe it is a desperate last gasp to attract customers coming to Abydos.

"Now arriving at Abydos station." The P.A. rings out. I watch as the train enters the station, slowing to a halt. As the door opens, not a single soul steps out. "Next stop, Trinity District." I board the train. And wait for it to begin its journey to the Trinity district. "Final call for the Trinity District." Soon, the train started moving after its last call. The ride is uneventful; the in-cabin television isn't even on. Probably the only exciting thing is the person across from me inside a…chicken, duck costume? They eventually noticed my stare and got up.

"Peroro, peroro, peroroooo!" They got entirely off their seat and began to sing and dance. I could only stare dumbfounded.

"What..what are you doing?" Upon hearing my question, the mascot individual stops.

"Peroro, peroro?" They touched one of their winged arms to their face.

"I'm….not a fan of whatever you are. So you don't have to do what you're doing." I'd rather ignore them, but this is too bizarre not to question or put a stop to. But it reaffirms that I'll have to deal with people whether I like it or not.

"Peroro, peroro, peroro!" After their declaration, they sat down and sagged like a defeated bag of chips without air.

"Rough day?" I look them over and notice a halo above their head. So, either a fully grown adult human woman, a low chance, or a student. The halo in question had a serpent-like symbol I can't make sense of inside the center of the ring.

"Perororor." Is the only response I get from them at all.

We both return to silence as we zip through the city. I watch the buildings change from typical city architecture to a more dated appearance—the type I've only seen in Broadway plays. I've never seen the Trinity district, but it doesn't seem natural from a distance. It looks like it is meant to be a place of harmony, elegance, and etiquette.

"Coming up to Trinity Station." Well, that's my stop; I get up. I look over at my silent yet weird traveling companion, who seems to be staring at me intently. I hope they fell asleep; otherwise, this will be much creepier than what I'm thinking. "Now arriving at Trinity Station."

The doors open up, allowing me to step out. I watch a multitude of people enter the train as I exit. This station is far busier than Abydos and even D.U. Central. I flash my express card at the clerk, and she lets me through the gate leading to the central plaza of Trinity. Soon, I'm greeted by the noise of Trinity, which is gentle melodies and constant chatter.

"Alors, est-ce que c'est l'endroit idéal dont les gens parlent?" I heard a girl with blonde twin tails speak.

"Indeed it is; we are on the precipice of new frontiers!" A pinkish cream head of hair says back to her. Both girls went inside. I guess Trinity is English and French. Thankfully, every French sign has an English spelling beneath it so I can't get lost. Although I don't know how to navigate the layout of Trinity, I'm sure I can ask someone for directions or find a map. I look around, hoping to spot anyone who would seem willing to give directions.

"Let's see here." I spot an orange-haired girl with glasses haggling with a bookseller. Next are a corgi person and a bird person who look like tourists. Finally, I spot two girls wearing uniforms similar to Hasumi's. I guess those two are the best option. I walk on over to them, and while approaching I pick up pieces of conversation

"This section has been completed. Our next destination is the residential area." I noticed her smaller wings flap once. I also saw her skirt, which is ungodly short. Please don't tell me Hasumi's group is all dressed like her and this girl.

"Hmmm." The other girl looked positively bored. She also looks like a ghoul, especially since her wings look decrepit. Unlike little wings however she's dressed much better. She's got a lot of red on her uniform though.

"Excuse me, ladies, can I have a moment?" As I walk up, they turn their heads toward me

"Is there a problem sir? If so, the JTF can handle it!" Little wings sounded ready for action. Is the district actually crime-riddled, and I just haven't noticed it?

"Oh no, not at all. I was just wondering if you could give me directions to the Peace Bridge. I didn't want to wait an hour on the train before returning to D.U. Central, so I got off here." The mega train goes through every single district before arriving at D.U., and I don't want to be on a crowded train or with that mascot.

"You must take Bellflower Avenue on the left road over there." The ghoulish-looking girl stated. "Then, after about a block, turn right on Wellspring Lane. Finally, you'll come across a Chapel directly across from the Peace Bridge." For looking ghoulish, her voice is raspy and soft.

"I see; well, thank you little ladies, I'll be off. So happy trails." I walk toward Bellflower to begin my journey.

"Be safe homeless man!" I sigh at being called homeless again but what can I do besides get new clothes. The first piece I should buy might need to be a shirt.

The walk so far isn't bad, per se. A whole lot of high schoolers are wandering about. If they see me approaching on the sidewalk, they will make a wide berth from me or cross the street. Thanks, more room for me to walk. This block has a lot of clothing stores, salons, and accessory stores, each too elegant for my tastes. I feel out of place here since everyone is appropriately dressed and groomed.

"Look at that mangy guy over there."

"Is he homeless?"

"Do you think he's got no one left to help him?"

"Poor thing hopefully the sisterhood finds him and helps him."

"He must be poor since he doesn't have a gun."

Four of those whispers I'm hearing make sense; the last doesn't. The worst bit is that these girls think they're quiet, but I can hear them clearly.

"Look at that diseased-looking guy."

"He's definitely a bum."

"Bet whoever he was mooching off of had enough."

"It's like watching a corpse shambling along."

And, of course, I've got nasty comments aimed at me. You can't have the good without the bad. It's nice to know this place isn't as idyllic as it's trying to seem. I hit the end of this block and turned right. Wellspring Avenue appears to have a clergy in it, so far from what I could tell. A lot of fliers were sponsored by something called the Sisterhood. I stop at one wall to read the fliers. One was inviting people to sermons, another was an invitation to confession, and finally, asking people to help with food drives.

"At least they do food drives I guess." I stop reading the fliers to continue my stroll. I observed some buildings and noticed many doors seemed to have crosses on them, too. At first, it was just one or two doors. Now it's every other door. Scratch having a clergy in it; the clergy seems to have a stranglehold on the people here the further you go in. Thankfully, I haven't seen anybody yet, so at least no problems can occur. But I'm starting to get worried. Each house has a cross hanging outside its door, making whatever this clergy is feel like a cult. But I'll hold out hope they aren't one.

After about five minutes, I saw the chapel little Ghoul had told me about. It's a quaint little thing, not too awe-inspiring but not too bland. There is nearly a perfect middle ground between the two. It would take a masterful architect to pull this look off. It even has lovely lilac flowers planted in the beds near the door.

"Excuse me, sir, are you okay?" I turn toward the voice and see a young nun with orange hair staring at me. Her headdress was also concealing a set of animal ears.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just taking in the chapel; it's well made." I gesture her attention to it. "So, little lady, you one of the caretakers of this place?"

"Oh no, I'm from the main cathedral of the Sisterhood. I only came to assist with cleaning the chapel." Her tone of voice is soft and polite. I guess that's to be expected from a nun.

"I see. Well, happy trails." I turn to walk away from her.

"Wait but a moment sir. I can tell something is troubling you. I know it may not be my place to pry. However, having an ear to listen may lighten your load." I turn back towards her.

"Look, I bet you have a nice set of ears, but I don't know you. I also don't have a dilemma that a stranger should be hearing." I watch her ears flick under her headdress.

"Then what if we just talk about how your day is going instead?" Something tells me the little lady won't let me go without a fight.

"How about we walk and talk? I gotta cross over the Peace Bridge." I thumb toward the bridge. She nods her head and walks with me.

"To start, how about we share our names? I'm Lochi Mari." She radiates a pleasant aura.

"Vagues." She looks at me, expecting a bit more. When I don't go on, she speaks again

"Do you not have a last name, sir?" A quizzical look graces her face.

"Nope." I never thought about making a fake last name for myself. I already have a fake first name; there's no need to double down yet.

"Were you perhaps disowned? If so, I'm sorry for bringing a bad memory back up. I hope you can forgive me." Her voice dipped into remorse as if she had done a bad thing.

"Don't beat yourself up, little lady. Besides, I can't recall how I lost my last name, and it doesn't matter. After all, I'm more than my first and last name." I smile at her.

"Yes, you're right about that, but I still feel guilty reminding someone of such a moment." I stare at her with a deadpan expression.

"If you keep feeling like that, I'll steal your little headdress." I half-heartedly try to snatch it, but she takes a step away.

"Even joking about such a thing is terrible, you know. It can make others dislike you." She wore a little frown, her ears also folded back.

"I'd rather have you dislike me than feel bad about something you had no hand in," I say, shrugging at her.

"That isn't a good mentally to have. Even if you are doing it to make someone feel better about themself, it could cause them to spiral into darker places." I smile at her.

"Look at you, quite wise for a little lady. But, you are right, it can, yet it can also make someone hold on a bit longer. In fact, there was a tale about two men. I can tell you about it if you want." She politely shakes her head no.

"I will have to pass on such a tale. Since it seems we're straying from the original topic." She coughs into her fist a little. "So, how has your day been?" Her eyes have an expecting feeling coming from them.

"Fine." I give a thumbs up.

"That is not true since you seem troubled." Her ears were at attention.

"You ask me how my day is going. I gave a response that covered the day I've had so far." The only sour part was the beginning of the day.

"Then what about today has been good and bad?"

"I've met problematic and mellow people."

"Just the people have been the issue?"

"So far, yes, but otherwise, nothing of note has happened."

"Is there anything that you would hope happens?"

"No headaches."

"Then I'll pray that you don't get any."

"I don't think you should waste a perfectly good prayer on something like that."

"Nonsense, everyone deserves a prayer to help them along, even for the little things."

"Guess I better concede since you made a good point."

"That sounds like a good idea." She laughs after that last statement. I look at Peace Bridge, realizing our time is at an end.

"Welp, this is where we part way, Little Sister." I pat her head. I'm surprised she doesn't stop me in the slightest.

"Little sister, isn't that a bit on the nose?" She tilts her head.

"Welp, it's the best I got since you're a nun and little." I pull my phone out to check the time—5:47 pm. Jeez, I didn't think it was that late.

"Oh! You have a phone. I didn't think you had one based on your appearance." When I turned to look at her she became embarrassed under my gaze. "It's just that I was going to invite you to a homeless shelter run by the Sisterhood since I thought you might be…..homeless." I blink once at her last statement.

"Well, I have a job and a place I live, so I don't need your generosity, but thanks for the offer." She was starting to look really flustered now. "That's why I'm heading to D.U. Central, I work in a tower over there." If she could be more flustered, she would turn into a tomato.

"I'm so sorry for assuming things about you. I should know better." She goes to bow her head in apology. Only to find herself face-planting into my hand.

"Now, now, no need to apologize. I don't exactly dress like I got a house after all. It was an honest mistake." She peaks up a little before entirely removing her face from my hand.

"Still, it's wrong to assume things abo-" I flick her forehead before she can finish her sentence.

"YES! I'm well aware of assuming things of people makes an ass of them and myself. I already told you to let it go. Besides, it doesn't bother me, and I've already forgiven you." I watch her rub her forehead.

She slowly looks back at me and looks close to tearing up. When she moved her hands from her forehead, I noticed a welt forming where I flicked. That doesn't make sense. I've seen these girls take bullets. How does a flick to the head cause a welt?

"I…I'm sorry I didn't think…" What would have happened if I used a bit more strength?

"I'm sorry for bothering you, goodbye." She left me standing near the bridge. I don't blame her. I'd leave me here too if someone else hurt me that badly.

"Great work, Vagues." That is all I mumble as I walk over Peace Bridge to D.U. Central.

(Schale Building Main office 11:45 pm)

I was blankly staring at the computer screen in the office, looking over documents Knife Ears sent me. Most were new patrol routes the Chief Defense Officer wanted me to go through. One was back through Abydos, which must be done a week from now. The Futaba Park of D.U. Central tonight at midnight. So, I have a goal for tonight. Shame I didn't check it out before, however for Abydos I most certainly will.

It's just more busy work. Not that I can complain; it gets my mind off things. What I'm dreading is Arona. I look at the chest, breathe deeply, and power it back on. The large blue S appears, and soon, I'm back inside the classroom. I look around a little only to find Arona asleep at a desk deja vú. I go to poke her cheek but hesitate a little.

Arona's eyes begin to flutter open before I even try to gain the guts to poke her. Her halo flicks on, and she stares right at me and then immediately pouts.

"You!!! How could you just shut me down for so long?! I wanted to hear and experience things, too!" Her halo was its usual spikey self.

"Sorry about that Little Star. I forgot to switch you back on, is all." Her pouting expression doesn't weaken in the slightest.

"That feels like a lie! Can you at least tell me how it went with the students?" Her halo swaps over to a question mark.

"Let's say it was rough." I can't think of any other way to describe it. Arona's halo changes to its original aqua color.

"What the matter?" Her halo turns into a question mark.

"I messed up, but there's always tomorrow," I get down on a knee as she approaches me. She's only slightly taller than me.

"I'm sure whatever happened, you'll make it better." She wears a reassuring smile. The kind a child would have. It makes me forget she's an A.I. for a second.

"Yeah, I'll try too, but we have other things to focus on for now." I ruffle her hair. I can't stomach telling her I left five girls to terrible fates or I hurt a girl by accident.

"Okay, but if there's anything I can help with just ask okay!" I nod my head and stand. For now, I want to take my mind away from today, and that's where work comes in.

"Hey Little Star got anything to recruit some more students?" She thinks for a second before her halo turns into a lightbulb. She goes over to a locker in the back of the room and opens it. She takes something out and scampers back over.

"Here you go! I meant to give you this earlier; it's a free ten recruitments on the house!" I look at the blue ticket with an email icon on it. I took the ticket.

"So….how do I use it?"

"Just throw it in the air while inside the chest." I follow Arona's advice and watch it flash into a bright blue light. I look toward Arona, only to be struck again by a packet in the face.

"I'm sorry!" I removed the packet from my face, seeing her halo turn into that drippy dark blue appearance.

"It's alright; we'll consider it a thing we do." I sign the packet as it quickly shoots up from my hands. Soon, I see seven blues, two yellows, and a single pink.

"You have amazing luck S.Sensei!" It sure doesn't feel like it. Each one flips, revealing the students

Kotama, Shimiko, Hare, Haruka, Yoshimi, Juri and Haruka. Was the seven Blues, although I'm positive Haruka already sent an application I approved.

"Hey, Arona. Why did Haruka send another application?" Arona's halo turned into a yellow question mark.

"Don't know." Was her glorious response. I can only sigh

Junko and Hanae were the two yellows. The pink is a girl named Saya. Overall, it's not a bad recruitment. Some new faces signed up, and Haruka sent another application for some reason.

"Alrighty then, how about making a new team?" Arona nods her head and teleports us to the formation page. "Alright, let's see here." I decided to throw some random students together. "Team leader Haruka, Suzumi support, Junko dealer, and Hasumi dealer. Back lines gotta be Saya and Hanae." Yeah, that should work out somewhat. However, Haruka and Suszumi are pretty weak in comparison to everyone else. Both are just one star, which could be bad since they don't have all the necessary skills. However, increasing their levels could help out. I hold one of the girls with my finger to bring up their stats.

"Are you leveling some of the students?" Arona was now watching intently as I went about this business.

"Yup, I got these reports, so I might as well." I finish leveling each one to fifteen. I'll need to do those commissions to get more reports later. But for now, that'll do. I don't have anything to level skills sadly. "Arona, would you please take me to Mission Select." When we teleported in front of the missions, I saw the first part of the park. Futaba Park, nice to know the mission is reminding me of the place's name. I tap enter and see three girls dressed as part-time workers. I select the start tile and press on the team I just made. But pause for a second.

"What's wrong S.Sensei?" I take us back to the formation screen. Then, gesture at the team's name.

"No team is complete without a name, so any suggestions of your own?" She rubs her chin in thought before that lightbulb comes back.

"How about chipmunks? Most of them are really tiny. They also look like they have cheeks you could pinch." I look at their faces after Arona's statement.

"Yeah, some of them have pudgy cheeks, but I feel we're doing a disservice to Hasumi and Suszumi. " I rub my chin before I get an idea myself. "How about team Raven?" Arona shakes her head at my idea.

"That sounds too moody; some of them look colorful, so it wouldn't work." We sat there for a little bit after Arona's statement. However, another name came to my mind.

"How about Magpie? Their feathers are quite eye-catching and a little chunky like a chipmunk." Arona seems to mull it over in her head before her halo turns into a heart.

"Yes! That's a great name! Magpies also look pretty cute and cool at the same time." Well, Arona certainly likes the name, and I kind of do too.

So it's perfect.

"Welp, time to start the mission; hopefully me and team Magpie will do okay." I stretch a little to brace myself for the encroaching bullet storm. I press begin mission.

"Good luck S.Sensei!" I hear Arona say as I start the first combat engagement.

(Futaba Park 12:32 am)

To put it bluntly, this drop-off wasn't as bad as the last one. Junko hits the cover next to me as submachine gun fire roars a hail above our heads.

"Miss Morizuki, please throw a flash at the two enemies west of me by about ten meters." I hear a stun grenade go off; I then direct Junko to blast the other submachine gunner. Before I could direct Hasumi to take a shot, Haruka blasted the final riflewoman in the face at point-blank range with her shotgun. Honestly, this is going way smoother than D.U.

"Alright ladies, let's take the bridge next!" Junko and I vaulted over the cover we were using. Hasumi and Suzumi kept pace in the flank while Haruka was the vanguard leading. As we approached the bridge, six more girls blocked our path. "Miss Igusa, pressure them!" Upon hearing my order, I saw the most impressive and terrifying thing ever. She started slam firing her shotgun at an unbelievable speed. Showering the six girls in front of us with what I can only assume was buckshot. The six also let out shrieks upon being peppered so mercilessly.

"Please die, please die, please die!" Haruka is even asking them to die! Eventually, the dust before her settled, and I saw all six of the part-timers down for the count. Haruka was hugging her shotgun while standing amongst the poor souls. I can only stare blankly before speaking.

"Good job, you timid-looking little thing; I knew you could do it!" I call out to her; she looks at me, surprised by my acknowledgment of her achievement. She looks away, then back at me; I give her a thumbs up and a small smile. She gives a nervous smile back.

"Alright everyone, let's get to the next zone." I begin to walk ahead while surveying the area. It looks like the part-time workers have begun construction of some additions to the park. There are wooden crates and roadblocks everywhere on the bridge. They were being moved to a different location to set up since putting them on a wooden bridge meant for walking would be strange. I stopped observing the area and noticed no one was walking with me. "Damn, I forgot about that quirk." I bring the chest out and tap the next tile.

"Substitute, please wait for us!" I look up from the chest after hearing Suzumi. To see the five jogging towards me. Haruka was walking only because she was relatively close to me.

"How did you get over there? You were just next to me!?" Junko sounded surprised that I was on the bridge. I guess when they're frozen in place they only remember the last thing they see.

"Reckless, stalwart, and fleet-footed, what a combination of traits," Hasumi uttered while approaching. I wouldn't say I'm quick, but I don't think she'll believe the tablet can stop time.

"Substitute, why didn't you give me an order to use my latest elixir? I wanted to try this new batch out." I notice Saya appear from behind Hasumi. Her mouse ears seemed agitated, and her leathery tail was wagging.

"Look, Miss Ya-kushi, I-

"It's not Ya-kushi. It's Yakushi."

"Oh, sorry, Miss Yaku-shi-

"You said it wrong again; no pauses in my name."

"Miss Yakushi?"

"Yes, just like that!" The other girls laugh after Saya gives me a passing grade on saying her last name.

"Well, Miss Yakushi, if I see a perfect opportunity, I'll let you throw one." She smiles upon hearing my words. I'm curious whether her concoction is mustard or tear gas. Or maybe some new gas attack she whipped up herself that isn't that bad. "Welp, time to get walking to the next combat zone. Haruka, come on and scamper up next to me." I look towards Haruka, who's at the back of our merry group.

"H-h-huh m-me?" She points to herself

"Yes, you, you're the leader of this merry band." She seems surprised at my statement.

"I-I-I think you're mistaken. There's no way something like me could be a leader." Oh no, the poor thing has self-esteem issues.

"I'm not mistaken since I made you the leader of the Magpies. We can leave it to vote after the mission if you want." Not only am I looking at her, but everyone else is as well.

"Th-that would be great." She sounds both sad and pleased with that outcome.

Soon, I saw another group of part-timers readying themselves for us. They had crates and more roadblocks for cover. Now that I think of it, why are we fighting part-timers? Also, it seems to be in the middle of noon. It was midnight when I started this mission. I pull my phone out and check the time; 12:47 am is what my clock says. So that must mean the chest sends us forward in time or backward. Honestly, the chest from what I'm learning about it is strong. It's a shame I'm choosing not to be the registered person the chest is meant for. But I can't deprive the teacher of its usefulness when they arrive.

"Alright ladies, let's send them packing! Miss Morizuki flash the group if they bunch up. Miss Yakushi, use one of your concoctions at the same time." They ready their respective equipment.

"Roger"

"I can't wait to test this one out!" I shift my attention

"Miss Igusa, hang back; only engage if they try to push out of the danger zone. Miss Hanekawa and Miss Akashi, blast them if they try to run away instead of towards us." The three nod at my words.

"I-I-I'll try my hardest."

"Hopefully whatever Saya throws I'll see past."

"I'll ensure the troublemakers don't escape."

After their responses I address our little combat medic. "Finally, Miss Asagao, it should go without saying, but keep on standby for emergency aid."

"You got it Substitute!" She gives me a little salute while laughing.

I shake my head a little. "We'll get this plan underway at the snap of my fingers. So once you hear the snap, we'll get the party started. So hide until then, yeah." Everyone scatters to hide. This means now I just need a primer for maximum enemy devastation.

"Excuse me, you five." All five part-timers stop what they're doing and aim their weapons at me. "Can any of you tell me where the bus stop is? I kinda got lost." The part-timers look at each other before one speaks up.

"You're gonna wanna go down the left side path next to you. Then make right at the crossroads." One girl spoke up. The girl next to her slapped her arm.

"Well thanks little ladies, I'll be going now." I turn to take the path she mentioned, then snap my fingers.

"Holy crap, what's th-" Before the girl could finish her sentence, I heard a massive explosion go off. I turn back toward them only to see soot and ash. The five are as okay as one would expect, but still.

"Huh, so that elixir will explode if something of minor concussive force goes off inside it." I looked toward Saya, who was nestled in some bushes. Her mouse-like eyes peering at me.

"So, ummm, should we continue?" Junko's question caused me to snap back. I give a gesture for us all to continue forward.

Jogging past the torched poor souls, I could see another five part-timers prepping to engage us. Unlike the last five, they looked more than ready for a surprise attack.

"Miss Akashi, mow down the two to the right." I hide behind some cover. When I don't hear the sound of Junko's gun, I look for her. I see her across the way eating some dongo on a stick. She makes eye contact with me and at least realizes that eating in the middle of a firefight isn't a brilliant idea. She shrinks a little as I glare at her since she knows how dumb she's being. Luckily, a bullet hits the dongo dead on, causing it to fly out of Junko's hand. As it hit the ground, Junko seemed to snap at the thought of not eating it.

"You jerks!" Is all she yells as I watch her pull out another assault rifle from nowhere. She fired both in a straight line, gunning down three of the remaining five in front of us. Right before I can give another order, another one of Saya's vials hits one poor girl in the face.

"OH GOD IT BURNS HOLY SHIT!" The part-timer screamed in absolute agony before falling to the ground. The last part-timer, still standing, threw down her weapon and raised her hands in surrender. I have all the girls lower their guns.

"Someone cuff her, Miss Asagao please check on the one who was just screaming." Hanae hurries to the girl still holding her face and begins to look her over. I noticed that Saya followed her to the poor girl she hit in the face with whatever the hell was in that vial. I check the chest and see the final tile before the boss has a gun on it. As much as I don't want to walk over there, I guess we'll have to. I tap the tile and begin to walk.

"There he goes, walking off without us again!" I heard Junko shout. I don't even slow down; I speed up a little. Causing all of the girls to speed up. I speed up a little faster, causing them to speed up again.

"Why are you going even faster?!" Hasumi sounded both shocked and slightly annoyed. This caused me to start jogging.

"Why are you suddenly jogging?!" Now, even Suzumi started to sound slightly annoyed, which spurned me to start sprinting.

"Oh no, he's sprinting now!" Hanea sounded somewhat winded already despite us only just now sprinting. Eventually, we all reached the spot where the chest was guiding us. It was a weapons cache. Some of the girls seemed quite winded compared to others. We didn't even sprint that far, only a good six hundred meters.

"Well, nice to know that some of you have endurance, and we need to work on some other people's endurance." Suzumi, Saya, and Haruka seem okay. But Junko, Hanea, and Hasumi seem to be exhausted.

"It's…hard…to sprint….in heels." Hasumi got out between gasps. I can only stare at her gasping form and shake my head. Who thinks wearing heels as part of their combat attire is good? It doesn't take a genius to realize heels suck to fight in. Forget just running in heels.

"Next time, give us a warning if you start sprinting." Suzumi looked at me disappointingly. I rub my chin in thought. "Please tell me you're not thinking it over." The misery in her voice is palpable.

"Don't worry. I'll give you a heads-up next time." I chuckle while walking towards what seems to be a large ammunition container. Opening it, I was greeted by AP rounds, HP rounds, tracer rounds, etc. "Hey little ladies, anyone want special ammunition?" They all came over to check out the crate after hearing my statement. Each of the girls engaging in combat took ammunition that suited their weapon. "Once you all have enough, let me know, and we'll head to the next combat zone." I preemptively press the boss tile so the girls don't get frozen in place again.

"Uuum Substitute, are we going to go back so I can check on those girls we fought earlier?" I look at Hanea. Valkyrie came last time to grab the people we knocked unconscious. However, it did take them a while to arrive.

"Sure, Miss Asageo, we'll double back to ensure they're all fine." She smiled with contentment after my words. Last time, I hadn't doubled back at all in D.U. I just left those thugs we beat up on the ground until Valkyrie picked them up. "You made such a good suggestion, Miss Asageo; I'll always double back to treat the injured." She stared at me blankly.

"Wait…you weren't doing it before?" We stare at each other for a few seconds before I look towards everyone else.

"Substitute, everyone is ready to go," Suzime called over to me, giving me an easy way out of answering Hanea.

"Alright little ladies, let's get a move on." I begin walking towards the next combat zone as everyone follows suit. Hanea seemed to want to continue the conversation but seemed to hold her tongue for now. Thankfully, this gives me time to devise a good excuse for why we didn't double back during the first series of missions.

"It appears our foes are ready for us." Hasumi's words bring me back to the task at hand. A long bridge was before us, with plenty of part-timers ready to fight. Looking at their fortifications, I see they set this bridge up nicely. There is no way a head-on assault would work if this were a by-the-books assault.

"Welp, let's see if we can't recreate that explosion from earlier." We all rush forward to hit cover right as they spot us. "Miss Igusa shut those submachine gunners in front of us! Miss Asageo heal Miss Igusa the second she's hit!" Haruka began her slam-firing assault again. Right as a barrage of bullets hits her, a weird pink aura washes over her, but it must be good if her cuts and bruises heal the second said aura envelops her. "Miss Morizuki throw a flash at the minigunners east of us by four meters. Miss Hanekawa hit the one west of me by five meters." A bang and sniper sounding off silenced the minigunners in the back lines. This means we have only five enemies left to deal with.

"Alright ladies let's move it up." We all dash forward, engaging the remaining foes. They all clumped up, with one in the middle barking orders I couldn't hear. "Miss Yakushi, throw a vial; I want them scattered!" I watch an orange vial sail straight toward the girl in the center. The moment it breaks apart and spreads the gas inside, I hear a chorus of coughing. I stop my advance and so does the rest of team Magpie. We all stand there as the coughs turn to gagging, then what sounds like vomiting. Eventually, the noise from the gas quiets down, and when it clears, every part-time worker is completely collapsed.

"Huh…I expected a response akin to tear gas. I didn't think they would vomit until they fell unconscious." Saya utters while approaching all of us. We can all only stare at Saya. Clearing out the rest of these missions got a lot more interesting. However, there's one thing to do first.

"Welp, all in favor of Haruka remaining the leader. Raise your hand." I raise my hand. Suzumi does, and Saya, Junko, and Hanea follow suit. "Welp Haruka is still the leader." Haruka began to ramble nervously, saying she didn't deserve such a position. Hasumi agreed with her but didn't elaborate when I asked, only saying she'll tell me later.

(Tuesday Sanctum tower 3:45 p.m.)

"No, for the last time, you can only do bounties five times daily!" I glared at the pink-haired little potato chip-munching gremlin

"That doesn't make sense. I should be able to do every bounty that becomes available that day. Give me a good reason; I can only do five!" I watch her tail slam on the ground in irritation.

"Because ever since you completely ignored me and started doing twenty-five a day, Rin's been getting on my case and giving me different work to help with!" She goes to reach into her chip bag, but I quickly yoink it out of her hand. "Give that back!!" She lunges to try and take her bag back. I promptly stuck a hand out, stopping her in her tracks.

"Or what, shorty? You going to nibble on my ankles?" She tries to use her lizard-like tail to snag the bag of chips. I quickly put my head back and threatened to dump the chips into my mouth. Causing her tail to stop in its tracks.

"NOOOOOO!" She shrieks as I take a position to devour all of the chips.

"Then let me continue doing the number of bounties I've been doing, and I'll hand over your chips." She flails her arms and tail feebly while trying to get to the bag.

"I already told you five, and that's it! If I let you do the amount you've been doing, Rin will make me work on harder things. And those things are usually joint projects with her." She glared at me past my hand. While her voice may radiate anger, her face appears to be pout, not fitting for someone of her station. I move the chips quickly, just out of reach of a sneaky tail swipe.

"How about fifteen?"

"No! I said five and only five."

"Fifteen."

"Five."

"Fifteen!"

"Five!"

"How about ten?" She stops her pathetic struggle for a second.

"I can do ten only if you do the bare minimum of commissions." I watch her tail wag slightly, obviously hoping I take the deal.

"Fine, then ten with bare minimum commissions." I sigh. "Oh, here, catch." I throw the bag of chips back at her. I watch her tail catch it midair.

"Hmm, glad we could agree." She wore a smug smile that irked me.

"Of course, though, remember, if you don't give me those ten bounty tickets, I'll raid your snack cabinet." I watch her face morph to surprise then horror.

"How do you know about that?"

"Knife ears."

"Who?"

"Rin." She looks horrified at the idea I call Rin Knife ears.

"You haven't called her that to her face, have you?" I nod my head to her. "Holy crap, you're either brave or stupid, hahaha." She began laughing.

"You know, little gremlin, I heard you order lunch for 1:30 pm. It would be a shame if someone took it." Her laughter ceased.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

We stared at each other before a silent declaration of war was made between us. I left the Administration office to head over to where Ayumu was. I cross through a small sky bridge, enter a massive lobby-like room, and see the little winged lady sitting at a desk. Swamped in paperwork so high, I doubt she could see. I slowly creep close to the desk, and the sounds of clacking from a keyboard become noticeable.

"Oh no, I worded that terribly. I guess I better start that sentence from scratch." I could hear a sad sigh. But I know my time to strike is now.

"You should probably send a to whomever it may concern email facility wide," I whisper, causing Ayumu to jump out of her skin practically.

"What?!" She turns to face me, and she calms down a little upon seeing me. "Oh thank goodness it's just you Substitute Vagues." She looks completely relieved.

"Yup, it's just me; I came to drop off those reports knife ears wanted." I go in my coat and hand over two packets. I put them on top of a small stack of papers.

"Thank you for getting all of those done today. Sadly a new set of tasks, investigations and reports need your attention." I watch Ayumu get up to walk to a cabinet not that far away. And watch her pull out a massive stack of papers. She waddled on over with the stack. "Here you are." She passes them off to me. "Also Rin said she wishes to speak with you." I can only sigh.

"I see, well is she in her office?"

"Yes, I'll buzz you through."

The door unlocks, letting me into the massive office. Which is quite empty all things considered. Well besides the massive stacks of paperwork near knife ears. She didn't even notice me approaching her desk with how engrossed she was in said work. I watched her quickly scan through important bits of a document then make a sign off.

"So should I go…or wait?" Knife Ears stopped what she was doing and looked up at me. Her eyes looked like a zombie. "You okay?" I'm kinda concerned now.

"Am I okay? No, I'm not." Her ears went rigid. "In fact, I'm swamped in quite a large mess of paperwork." I watched her grab a document from out of the pile to her right. "Massive cool whip spill on W.B.Mason street. And before you say that doesn't sound too bad, fifty people were run over." I shut my mouth after hearing the last bit.

"Well uh Miss Iwa-bi-tsu told me you needed me." I watch knife ears lift her glasses and pinch the bridge of her nose.

"We need to get someone to help you learn how to pronounce things." She sighed while grabbing a report and placing it on the desk. "Shiranui Kaya, chief defense officer, said she gathered reports of an unknown group entering a bullet train underground station in Abydos." I looked at where Knife Ears was pointing. "This group appeared last Sunday and are heavily armed. I want to know why they're there." Makes sense

send me in to investigate since Schale is the federal investigation department. Though one problem blocks me.

"I loved to investigate Knife Ears but the school hasn't allowed me to operate in their district." I watch Knife Ears pull out another piece of paper.

"Yes that would be the case as per one of your limitations as the Substitute of Schale, however Aybdos doesn't have a student council and this part of the district belongs to Kaiser." I look at the map of the Abydos district Knife Ears slapped down. Seeing how Abydos was mostly owned by Kaiser, what the hell happened? "Now normally the GSC can't openly go after Kaiser, but you're not GSC you're Schale. Meaning you can operate freely in their district." I looked up at Knife Ears confused by what she meant.

"Now I know I have no clue why Schale was formed or when it was formed, but no matter how you look at it Schale is just an arm of the GSC." Knife Ears nodded her head to me.

"You're correct, however Schale has certain powers that the GSC doesn't have. And while those powers were only for Sensei. The president at least gave you access to some. The one I'm asking you to do is an emergency investigation into a neutral district." Huh, my contract made it sound like I had practically no power.

"So you want me to go in quietly and not draw attention right?"

"Precisely, if this group has ties to Kaiser then I don't want Kaiser knowing it was you or the GSC that rooted them out. It would be a mess since certain laws do protect Kaiser."

"Ok, when."

"Tomorrow, I want to know what they're doing out there. The old bullet train stations in Abydos haven't been used in years. So the fact these heavily armed individuals are setting up there."

"Right, it means they're planning something big. I'll handle it." I took the documents she put on the table and began to leave.

"Please avoid unnecessary risks. I rather you come back unharmed." I look at knife ears who seemed genuinely concerned about what she's throwing me into.

"Don't worry Knife Ears, I'll be fine. After all, I was chosen as a placeholder. So happy trails!" I give her a thumbs-up as I leave the office. Looks like Wednesday is going to be an interesting day

(Wednesday 8:57 pm. Abydos Kaiser owned section)

Night in Abydos was very quaint. The stillness gave it an ethereal feeling while walking down what should be busy roads. I take the map out to make sure I'm heading in the right direction. I was hearing the train station it's only a bit further ahead. Turning the next corner I see an interesting sight. The Little Jackal was standing there staring at a poster with a frown gracing her face, she also had dark circles under her eyes. I could avoid her but the train station entrance was right next to her. So I got no choice but to walk by her. The second I get closer to her I watch her jackal ears stand up.

"I know that smell, it's you Substitute." She turns toward me. I'm a bit surprised but in all honesty, I guess it makes sense she would have a decent sniffer.

"Well Little Jackal, what are you doing out so late?" I watch her turn toward the poster on the wall. When I go to look at it I see the words.

'Kuromi Serika of Foreclosure Task Force. Last seen leaving Shibaseki Ramen.'

The rest was the typical call here if you have any information regarding their whereabouts. "How long has she been gone?" I turn to look at Little Jackal.

"Three days. She hasn't answered her phone. She hasn't even shown up to her part-time job." When she looks at me I see tiredness,concern, fear, and despair.

(Help her) A random text box appeared in front of me. I blink a couple of times then rub my eyes. I haven't slept in five days so it's probably a hallucination.

"Are you ok Substitute?" I focus my attention back on her. I nod my head toward her, I want to help. Yet if I do my chances of going home could get far worse.

(Please help her) I noticed the box appeared again. Damn it all.

"Well, do you want me to help Little Jackal?" Her ears perk up.

"But I thought you said you wouldn't help us." Ah, she hasn't forgotten what I said.

"I said if you came looking for help I wouldn't help. This is me offering to help, it's up to you to accept or not." She seems surprised for a second before speaking.

"All of us discussed what we should do back at school. Ayane brought up asking you for help. Hoshino shot it down saying someone like you couldn't be trusted." Smart, I wouldn't trust someone who did a thorough breakdown on kidnapping and torturing people.

"Well, I'm asking Shiroko Sunaookami if she wants my help."

"Yes I do, please help me find my friend."

"Okay, I'll find her and bring her back. Even if she's dead." Shiroko freezes at my words.

"No…Serika she's-"

"There's no guarantee she's still alive. She's been missing for three days." I cut her off and gently put my hand on her shoulder. She stares into my eyes completely distraught at the idea.

"W-w-why would you say something like that?" Her eyes tell me she didn't want to consider the possibility.

"Because it's very likely, especially because you haven't gotten a ransom for her back." I feel bad about telling her that Serika could be dead, but it has to be done. "You have to be ready to accept it, but that doesn't mean the low chance of her being alive is mute. So hope for the best, but be ready for the worst." Based on her face she doesn't want to believe me, but she knows that sadly I'm right. "Now go home and get some sleep I'll take it from here."

"No! I can still-"

"Shiroko, you look ready to collapse. When was the last time you slept?" She doesn't meet my face. "I'm sure Serika was kidnapped while well rested. Imagine what would happen to you, do you think Serika would want you to share in her fate?" I watch her ears flatten atop her head.

"No…I don't think she would." I can feel her trembling.

"I promise I'll try to get her back to you in one piece. Alive or dead, now go get some rest. I'll handle it from here." She looks at me silently before leaving. I wait for her to completely disappear from my view before leaving

Pandora, I have a question. I feel Pandora stir in my mind.

'Yes these people who Rin sent you to investigate snatched poor Serika away.'

That's all I needed, thanks. Oh, also, don't read my thoughts ahead of time.

I walk towards the entrance to the underground train station. I slowly make my way down the disabled escalator. The lights are mostly off with a couple flickering on and off. When I hit the midway point of the escalator I hear people shouting down people.

It sounds like a decent bit of people. I count about two voices. I doubt that's all of them though.

Pandora, are there any cameras in the subway that are active?

'Asking me something out of the blue as if I have that capability?'

I have a gut feeling you can.

'Your gut is correct. There are thirty-seven cameras. Only fifteen are active, however, I can't pinpoint the active cameras. Luckily I can make you invisible to them, though if the camera can detect sound or has thermal optics it will pick you up.'

Good to know the limitations at least. Though I doubt subway cameras can pick up heat. Pandora doesn't respond to me. I slowly approach the bottom of the escalator and get low. All around are crates with supplies, barricades, and automated turrets that aren't active. I can only guess the turrets aren't on because the flow of power is horrible. I hear a door open east of the side of the lobby, causing me to duck for cover behind a barricade.

"Look I don't care what Captain York orders, especially if it's impossible!" The anger in the guy's voice is evident.

"Ich weiß, dass du wütend bist, ich muss die Stromsituation klären." The other speaks calmer.

"I don't care if you have to sort out the power situation! I'm mad because she damn well knows we can't. That generator is on its last legs. For fuck sake, we have to divert all power just to use the damn train!" I hear the man yell back while opening a door. They still bicker but they're muffled now. I peek my head quickly scanning the area. Thankfully there's no one else though but I need to move fast.

I quickly dash over to where they came and open the door. The interior has a maintenance tunnel-like look to it. Shame I can't read the signs posted about, only ways forward. I walk through the tunnel at a steady pace while focusing on any noise. I doubt these are the type of people to handle others nicely. I continue the hall until I hear a noise ahead. I move into a side section and wait for a moment.

"Ох, почему я должен снова подавать электричество в вестибюль." A girl walks by muttering something. Her outfit was unique, striped black and white combat pants. Along with a white kevlar vest and black dress shirt, she also had a ballistic mask on. Her halo was similar to her color scheme.

Once her footsteps become distant I continue forward. I stopped at the door she came from and cracked it open, peeking out of the slit. I notice ten guards in a makeshift canteen to the right. Straight across from the door are three others playing cards in front of a drone. So that leaves the left unknown but my probable best option. I open the door slowly and round left down a vacant hallway. I see a booth at the end of a hallway and a bathroom to my left. The door in the booth suddenly begins to open forcing me to break left into the bathroom. Once in I realized I'm in trouble.

Damn, Pandora, any advice?

'Perhaps a vent is inside the bathroom.'

I look toward the bathroom ceiling, nothing. I check in the stalls and notice a small vent in the corner stall. It'll be a tight squeeze but I'll fit. Ripping the vent grate off I shimmy as quietly as I can to another exit. I can hear the muffled voices of people talking. Each being in a different language. I hit the end of the vent and watched two people come out of a room in the back, a girl and dog person. Neither said a word but I sensed hostility between them. I scooched back some when they began walking towards the vent. Once they passed I waited a moment before forcing my way out.

After getting completely out of the vent I walk down the hallway towards the door those people came out of. I pass by a couple of doors each having a simple number on them. From one all the way to three, door three was wide open though. A single chair sat in the room with bloodstained cuffs on the ground. A small table with jumper cables, a hammer, and pliers sat on the table. Whoever was in there had a shitty time. I reach the door those two came from and go inside. There are multiple monitors as well as servers. One main computer sat at the front of the desk. When I went to access it I was expecting a password to be needed to log in. Yet it seems those two didn't properly log out. I better scan these documents quickly.

The computer had a good couple of files. One was apparently a contract from a private party. It seems this group was hired to expedite the removal of the girls from Abydos High. If they succeed they'll be paid a hefty amount of cash. About 23,000,000 million yen if the job is done perfectly. They'll get a bonus to their payout if they can capture Hoshino. It doesn't matter what happens to the rest of the girls. It causes a slight fury to burn in my heart.

The next file was a detail discussing personnel. Apparently, the chain of command goes as follows: Lt. Border, Captain York, and finally Staff Sergeant Vicar. Apparently, Captain York and Staff Sergeant Vicar have issues with each other. This caused the current detachment of their mercenary company to split into two factions. Especially since Lt. Border was recalled back to Bounty base for classified orders. The person who made this file recently sent a copy over to someone called General Koral. It ended with a statement giving glory to the Herd company.

I hit the final set of files. Each one made by interrogator Lance Corporal Jasper. I read the names of the first two logs both being men one named Chopper and the other being Dolton. It's the third log that catches my attention.

Log #3

Date if Creation: Sunday 11:37 pm August 23th

Captive: Serika Kuromi

Final update: Tuesday 1:27 am August 26th

Captain York gave me the all-clear to begin extracting information from our esteemed guest. As per protocol she was handcuffed and bound to a chair. Also had the typical large, thick black bag over head. I first started with the boring back-and-forth of telling her that she'll get her freedom if she gives us what we want. Fortunately, she didn't say a thing meaning I had to get physical. I began wailing on her for a bit with my fists but I'll admit I ain't got the strongest swinging arm. Doesn't help that people are used to getting shot with bullets. I asked if I could use a gun but Captain York said it was a waste of ammo. So I gave a couple of good gut punches and blows to noggin thankfully she didn't crack. Meaning tomorrow I can bust out the jumper cables.

Before I got started today Staff Sergeant Vicar was blocking the room. Told me I wasn't going to be allowed to handle the extraction of info anymore due to my methodology. I told her I had exact orders from Captain York to get said information no matter what as long as I didn't kill the girl. Staff Sergeant Vicar knew I was telling the truth, but she and her yellow bellies were cowards and couldn't do what needed to be done! I told her that if we didn't screw this up we could all be set up for life and she would be able to afford the medication she needed to save her boy. She wouldn't need to risk her life anymore to provide for him, especially since she was all the family the boy had left. She didn't know what to say to that but she moved aside. I knew she would, a mother always chooses her own child over a random kid. So I walked in and started my work again.

The shock method is a pain sometimes. I have to put the jumper cables in the right spot or I run the risk of frying people to death. So I hooked the cables to her sides and let them rip. Her screams were heavenly the first go around. I gave her the same choice just like the previous day but she still refused. I love when I get fighters, they're rare but so delightful when you get them. I zapped her again and after that one she began to sob but still wouldn't tell me what the brass wanted to know. Gave five more good shocks while upping the voltage a little, although I had to stop, couldn't risk permanent damage yet or accidentally killing her.

The next day I brought my favorite hammer. I started with her fingers. I chose her right hand since it looks like she's a righty. I slowly worked my way from pinky to thumb singing this little piggy to the beat of my hammer. When I finished breaking her fingers she was a sobbing mess. Still wouldn't tell me what I wanted to know though. This is beyond loyalty; this is someone who sees others as family. Hell I had people older than her break by now, girls the same age as the two of us sing after just a couple of punches. I think I'll miss this Kitty Cat when she's gone. After her hand I decided her knees would be next to a couple more hits but I broke them eventually. The sound they made was heavenly.

I couldn't get at her today! We had just worked our way to pliers, I had put a device in her mouth to keep it wide open. Clamped my pliers to one of her canines and was just about ready to start pulling when some guys busted in. They said Captain York grew tired of waiting for results and demanded I hand her over. I argue they couldn't rush perfection but they wouldn't have it. Told me there were consequences for not following orders. Bastards even aimed their guns at me, so I let them take her.

I growl at the log. I copy the three files found and then insert a thumb drive I brought with me. Rin will want all of this, maybe she'll know about this Herd company.

"Captain York, I found the intruder." I hear a voice behind me. I guess I got too wrapped up in reading this stuff.

'It seems they used their communication links instead of the P.A. system to alert everyone an intruder had broken in.'

No shit Pandora. Though I have a question.

'What would that be?'

How durable is my body? I've noticed that chunks aren't blown out of my body when I'm shot, even at point blank.

'Your body and limbs can take 65.1mm without having chunks blown out. Your heart if hit by a 21.5mm will be destroyed. Your head can take 57.3mm.'

That's good to know. I take the thumb drive out of the computer and pocket. I feel a single round pierce my lung. Pandora, why do smaller rounds still pierce my body?

'It's easier to heal paltry wounds compared to stopping them. Although concerted fire from smaller arms will still be problematic until all systems are operational.'

I'll keep that in mind, so let me handle all of this. Pandora recedes into my mind once more. Turning to the mercenary I have only one goal in mind. Good thing I left Arona back at Schale, I wouldn't want her to hear this.

"Hands in the air buddy, it's obvious that the bullet must've hurt. So please come quietly, I don't want to hurt you." He sounded sincere. Sadly I don't respond to him, instead, I lunge for him and he fires off some more rounds but it doesn't stop me. When I reach him, I cause his eyes to shut for the last time.

(Abydos Desert 4,000km outside of the main district. Unknown mercenary POV)

"Encampment delta come in." I try to raise someone back at the train station but it's just static. I swear if Pvt. Hornet fell asleep at comms again.

"Is something wrong?" I look back at Zap. The automaton walked over to me.

"Na, I swear if that bastard is asleep again I'll kill him." I need to know if we can use the train, driving back would take too long.

"This unit has an inquiry Pvt.Kushi."

"Yeah what's up Zap?"

"Do you perhaps wish to vacate this zone? My scans of you show increased stress levels." Damn why did I give him those types of sensors.

"No Zap it's just…me being tired." His blank metallic faceplate gazed at me.

"This unit's scans picked up no fatigue." Of course he scanned me for fatigue too.

"Mental fatigue Zap." The singular slit of light coming from his face plant glows a bit brighter.

"Could it be that you didn't wish to bury the corpse? I don't understand why you told this unit that burying the dead was a good thing." Of course, he doesn't get it.

"It's good he they died of natural causes. Not if…."

"They were terminated."

"Yeah….that." He's as blunt as a hammer. I gotta make him an adaptive intelligence core.

"Why is that a bad thing? Surely it is no different than when units like this one are recycled or decommissioned." I can only sigh at what he says.

"Because people aren't easily replaceable. She probably had others relying on her." I watch Zap tilt his head.

"This unit does not understand fully. Perhaps more data is needed." Zap stands motionless.

"I know buddy, we'll talk about later. I just want to push this day past me. If only Lt.Border was here, none of this would've happened." That girl would've never been tortured and she would still be alive. "Hey Zap, mind going on overwatch near the ridge. It looks like I'll have to get the jeep fixed up." I point to the northern dunes.

"Understood this unit will begin running overwatch protocols." I watch Zap walk on off. His patchwork legs carry him forward. I shake my head while walking towards the jeep. I popped the hood open, noticing the inlet manifold was pretty roughed up. I know we bought out burner cars but still, this thing won't even make it into the district. The battery was also close to its last legs, acid was beginning to form on the top of it. While I can give both a patchwork fix with what we have there's no we're making it further in without proper replacements.

The work is tedious and long, taking about thirty minutes. Yet after a couple of missteps, I'm positive this is the one. I walk over to the driver-side door and get in. Turning the fob and then hearing the roar of the engine at long last.

"Damn, I'm good." I cheer for myself. It took so long to get this thing to work. But it paid off, here's hoping we find a shop with parts to actually fix the car. But now I gotta go get Zap since his comm relay is still busted. "I really gotta fix that damn thing."

I walk out of the car near the dunes he was supposed to be looking over and don't see him anywhere. "HEY ZAP WHERE ARE YOU!" My voice echoes across the dunes but nothing responds to me. Not until I hear a faint broken voice.

"H…hos…" Running over to the sound I find Zap ripped apart and his head half torn off.

"No, no, no Zap are you okay?!" Oh my god who could have done this. It had to be a strange creature since there was no bullet damage done to him. He had been completely mangled and oil was pooling out of him. "Come on Zap, don't die on me!"

"R…ru….run." The second Zap says that I hear a noise behind me. I turn as quickly as I can, gun ready to fire.

Only for darkness to suddenly take me.

(Vagues' POV)

I shake my fist and look at the bloody remains of the girl I just killed. I broke her skull open with ease causing her gray matter to stain the sand.

'That was the last of this mercenary detachment in this area.'

So all thirty-five have been eliminated?

'Yes, I detect no other life signs.'

I walked to where the girl came from. Over the dune I see a jeep and what seemed to be a shovel a bit of a ways away. I walk past the jeep toward the shovel and rip it out of the ground. Then proceed to dig at the spot. After a little while, I hit a long yet thin steel box. I uncover the rest of the box then once it's fully revealed I pry the steel cover off throwing it to the side. I can only feel pity for what I see.

"Sorry Kitty Cat, looks like I was too slow." The tear-stained face of Serika Kuromi gazed at me. Her eyes glazed over with no halo over her head. A mangled body burned into my brain