A few weeks have passed, but Anby is still prohibited from taking any commissions.
Anby is displeased with Nicole's reprimanding her whenever she asks for a mission, and it does not help that Nekomata and Billy are doubling down. She believes that her leg is already healed, but the amount of corruption within her wound at that time seems to scare her adoptive sister enough to put her on indefinite house rest. She admits she is still limping, but not a burden enough to hold them back in their job.
After all, she is still an employee of Gentle House.
Being stuck in the apartment for weeks gets boring over time, and she has watched all the movies on their shelves repeatedly. She has decided to get some fresh air today, and by the time she opens the door—it already feels liberating. With a crutch on her left side to support, she goes down the stairs carefully.
The sight of a huge blob is within the distance, yet it eerily matches the blue sky above. Breeze comes over once again, alongside the swifts flying in the air. Freedom, the notion of living for a moment—those birds remind her that life can only be lived once.
Anby continues her way in the streets, without any destination in mind. All she knows is that walking has never felt freer than before, while also escaping the thought that has been bugging her for a long time.
Soldier 11 now knows she is alive.
This comes to a halt.
Anby lifts her chin, eyes only staring at the sky.
Only to find someone before her after lowering her gaze.
Remarkable enough, there is a young petite woman with eyes covered with a black mask. It seems counterintuitive—but she believes that the person before her is not ordinary. It surprises her that her instinct does not activate to guard herself, yet she cannot feel any hostility coming from this blond-haired stranger.
"Are you…Anby Demara?"
Anby frowns a bit.
"Who are you?"
The blonde smiles.
"I'm Trigger from Obol Squad," Trigger introduces herself, "I'm Soldier 11's partner."
Anby's eyes widen when Trigger speaks again.
"Don't be afraid, I don't mean anything harm. I believe so…you feel it, too?"
Anby lowers her guard and can tell that Trigger does not mean anything funny.
"What…brings you here?"
Another smile.
"I just want to know about her most guarded secret," Trigger says, "Since her heart is a little troubled that can cause detriment to her own good."
Anby purses her lips.
"Then…what exactly do you need?"
Anby has the least expectation that her detour will lead her accompanying Soldier 11's teammate into a burger stand. The cashier, as well as the cook, is still frying the patties and the scent of the beef is enticing her appetite already.
Sitting at the last seat in the makeshift burger stand, Trigger is just right beside her.
"This street is peaceful," Trigger comments, "It seems away from all the trouble."
Anby just nods, "Fourth Street is far from the companion Hollows, and has the least occurrence to form one. Even the one beyond Fifth Street was eradicated immediately from months ago, which makes this area peaceful. There's this sense of complacency around this area, but at the same time everyone knows that a Hollow can just spawn out of thin air."
Trigger stays silent and seems to contemplate her reply.
"Maybe that's why everyone is trying hard to lessen such possibility," Trigger says, "But sometimes, people in seats can decide what's favorable or not at the expense of commoners."
An ample pause.
"I was curious about one thing," Anby says, her tone slightly shifting, "Were you sent to spy on me?"
"No."
"Then why?"
Trigger is unmoving.
Anby patiently waits for an answer. The sound of oil cracking in the heat pan accompanies the uncertain silence. The scent of the food becomes stronger, but Anby's attention is all focused on her unlikely companion.
"I am here in my own volition, I just wanted to meet you," Trigger says, "What I say is true that I wanted to know Soldier 11's most guarded secret. And it's you. I can see why, maybe, she wants to protect—"
"I won't get ahead if I were you," Anby cuts in, "Until now I don't have answers. And I'm not sure if I can satisfy her with my words. She's capable of forgetting about me if it means I truly…betrayed our oath."
The patty is now being placed in the buns and preparing to be served.
"Here's your order." The cashier serves the burgers on a plate, alongside cold drinks. Trigger grabs the burger and Anby watches the masked soldier eating it. Figuring out that Trigger will not speak sooner, Anby also eats the burger.
With the tension earlier, Anby somehow forgets it with each bite. Burger is always a happy meal.
A giggle on the side.
Anby looks at her side, and Trigger is staring at her—unironically.
"Now I understand why she dislikes burgers," Trigger reveals, "It reminds her of you."
Anby's chewing slows down and a pang of pain hits her chest.
"She's still putting too much chili in her noodles, I believe?" Anby asks.
Trigger chuckles.
"Yes."
The position of the sun already indicates that a few hours have passed. Anby is right in the corner near their apartment, and Trigger is on her way to go.
"This day has been awesome, thank you for giving me some of your time, even though I know it's precious to you," Trigger says.
"I don't have any job to work on," Anby says, "Let's say I'm on a holiday."
Trigger smiles, "Then see you next time."
"Are you telling her?"
Trigger shakes her head, "It's not in my place to meddle in a personal affair. I'm certain that 11 will dislike it even. I genuinely wanted to meet you, Zero."
Anby clenches her fists.
"Please don't say that name again, if you may…" Anby says.
"I apologize if I crossed the line," Trigger says, "I still firmly believe that a broken mirror can still be brought together as a whole. See you again."
Trigger turns her heels around and leaves. Anby watches the masked soldier diminish in her sight, and it is her cue to also return home. Trigger seems friendly and not the type to lie in front of her, while her thoughts want to keep her grounded. Soldier 11 is not going to sacrifice her duty just for her, but she remembers that time in Hollow Zero.
Anby shakes her head.
It's better to keep my expectations low… She sighs. It's best not to…
"…Wish for a happy ending," she mutters.
It is another uneventful night and Anby decides to watch a movie again. The chat logs in their Knock Knock group suggest that Nicole and Nekomata will stay overnight in their client's place, while Billy is still on his way home from the Outer Ring. Home alone once again, Anby hopes that her left leg will be completely healed soon.
At the same time, this kind of luxury is rare to happen.
Anby puts the videotape on the player and goes back to her seat on the couch. The introduction shows the camera moving towards the buildings, and lastly, reveals a scene inside a Hollow.
The first installment of Raiders of the Hollow.
While this first movie has received a lukewarm reception, the future installments become a hit. Despite this, Anby feels that the first movie resonates with her the most—which is why she is watching it again tonight.
The line between raiders and researchers, and proxies and investigators, is even more blurred if one bothers to look deeply. While the latter options are considered safe by the government's standards, it cannot be denied that the existence of the former ones is still needed for specific reasons. Sometimes for the better. Most of the time for the worse.
And sometimes, the ones who are deemed allowed are the ones who make things hard for innocent people.
A knock gets her attention towards the door. Anby stands from the couch and checks the eyehole—and sees a familiar visitor, Belle.
Anby opens the door.
"Belle," she greets, "What brings you here?"
Belle smiles and waves her hand.
"I told you I'll be visiting today!" Belle says as the short-haired proxy tilts her head, such a hit of playfulness, while waiting for Anby's affirmation.
But Anby looks even more puzzled.
"I…believe I didn't receive any message," Anby says, "Or maybe I forgot something from our last conversation…"
"Eh, I sent you a message this morning," Belle says, "Don't tell me…"
"Let me check."
Anby fishes her phone from her pocket and scrolls through the screen. Clicking Belle's contact, the last message is from a day ago.
"You didn't reply to my message last night even," Anby says. Belle seems bewildered and looks at Anby's phone.
Belle checks her phone next.
"I'm pretty sure, I sent a message…"
Anby watches her for a bit and opens the door fully.
"Just get inside first, Proxy," Anby says.
Belle walks in while still scrolling on her phone. Anby closes the door and returns to the couch, and Belle sits beside her. Anby grabs the small table and brings it closer to them, so the snacks can be easy to reach. The proxy siblings have been long-time business partners of Gentle House, and sometimes they visit each other places like some sort of family. After all, Phaethon and Cunning Hares share a bond that is deeper than the ocean.
Anby continues to watch and brings the snack closer to Belle when the latter shrieks.
"Oh shoot," Belle giggles nervously, "…I forgot to send."
Anby glances at her, "I was worried for a second if my signal is bad in here."
"No, no, it's on me, hehe…" Belle says, "Oh, well. But I was about to say in the message if I can stay overnight here."
Anby ponders, "I don't mind. Nicole and the others won't be around anytime soon."
"Hehe, that's still embarrassing."
"Here, some snacks."
Belle leans back on the couch and gets engrossed in the movie as well. Silence has been their next company, and it seems this is also their kind of shared bond. Both as movie enthusiasts, they respect each other's space before speaking and usually they share their opinions whenever a movie is finished.
"How's your leg, Anby?" Belle asks suddenly.
"Still limping," Anby says, "But I'll be fine soon. The doctor said that I just need more rest."
Belle nods, "…Still I apologize about…what happened."
"It's alright, Belle," Anby reassures her, "Hollow Zero is unlike the other Hollows, I'm still lucky enough to survive and this is the only injury I got."
Another silence. Anby eats some chips, as Belle contemplates her next words.
"I heard that a soldier found you," Belle says, "I'm glad that soldier is fast enough to act. The carrot data I had have been given to several rescue teams, and I wasn't able to learn the name of who found you."
Anby feels something is choking her throat.
"I wish I could have asked," Anby says.
"I'll surely look for that person," Belle says, "I almost…lose a friend because…I'm not aware enough."
Anby reaches for Belle's head and pats it.
"But I'm still here. Let's just be more careful next time. You're still the best proxy I worked with," Anby says, "Snacks?"
Belle smiles, "You're also one of the best I worked with."
Flames.
From an unknown time and place, Anby's face is covered with dirt and blood. Her hands are trembling while holding a sword, with an image of two individuals in front of her. Crystals are around their body, and it is only a matter of time before a core appears in their head.
"Leave now, Zero…" A voice of a young man says. Anby gasps as a crystal sword pierces through his stomach.
"Echo!" Anby yells. She turns to the side when a young lady with twin braids is lifted by a Dullahan.
"Zero…save yourself…"
"J-June…"
"…Leave!"
Anby wakes up in cold sweat.
She tries to control her breathing, but her heart is pounding wildly. That day. That scenery. That operation.
Her hand runs to her chest and only the pounding is what she feels. How come that memory resurfaces again?
She turns to the side and realizes that Belle is sound asleep. It is a good thing that Belle is facing away from her while cuddling a pillow. She does not want to disturb her, and seemingly sharing a bed this time is a bad idea. Aside from Nicole, Belle is the closest person to be called her sister, and whenever she visits their apartment, Belle usually sleeps in her bed.
Albeit using Nicole's pajamas.
Anby sighs.
This is the first time in forever since Anby dreams of that distant memory and it troubles her a bit if it may disturb the proxy.
Belle suddenly moves.
An arm falls to her chest alongside a breathing near her neck. Anby finds that Belle is close to her—but still asleep—and this makes Anby a little nervous.
But at the same time, she feels somehow at ease.
Anby turns to her, and despite it is dark, she stares at Belle's face. Something about Belle brings this sort of calmness and brightness—that sometimes hurts her heart.
An old friend.
Anby moves carefully and pulls Belle nearly. Belle seems to reciprocate it and moves closer, making Anby smile. She leans a bit to make herself more comfortable, having Belle cooped in her arms. Anby closes her eyes and makes a silent wish that their friendship will last.
And hopes it will never escape her grasp again.