That afternoon, the sun hung low, casting a crimson hue across the cityscape. The heavy rain from the morning had left the pavement slick, its mirrored surface reflecting fractured images of towering buildings and the streaks of the fiery sky. Wisps of clouds stretched like brushstrokes across the horizon, their damp presence keeping the air cold and humid.
Zhu grabbed her PUBSEC mobile keys from her desk, her movements purposeful but her thoughts scattered. She made her way to the parking lot, her boots clicking against the wet pavement. Qingyi and Jane followed her, their chatter softened by the muffled ambiance of the city, while Seth dashed toward a convenience store nearby, muttering something about snacks.
Sliding into the driver's seat, Zhu rested her hands on the steering wheel, her gaze lingering on her personal phone propped up on the dashboard. The screen was devoid of any new messages. No updates from Elias. Even the number Lighter had provided displayed a simple "sent" status, mocking her patience.
She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against the cool surface of the window. Her breath fogged the glass slightly as she sighed. "I hope Miyabi shares something useful tonight," she muttered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else.
Jane from the back seat, perked up. "What's up, Cap?" Her tone was light, but her gaze sharp.
Zhu remained silent for a moment, the crimson sky catching her attention in the rearview mirror. She straightened, fingers tapping rhythmically on the wheel. "Jane?"
"Yeah?" Jane replied, leaning forward slightly, her curiosity piqued.
"Remember Hyun Li?" Zhu's voice was casual, almost too casual, as she glanced at Jane through the mirror.
"The Public Violator and Assaulting Persons of Authority guy in our holding cell?" Jane's face broke into a grin. "How could I forget? I practically nailed the good cop, bad cop routine to help you crack him."
Zhu's lips curved in a faint smirk. "Right. That guy." She paused, her fingers continuing their rhythmic drumming. Qingyi shifted beside her, casting a subtle glance Zhu's way but saying nothing.
"Well," Zhu began, her voice quieter now, "we found out he was commissioned to create a decryptor device. But the guy who hired him? Found crawling out of the Hollows—barely alive."
Jane raised a brow but kept her expression neutral, her interest sharpening beneath the surface. "Go on."
"He was rescued by our team, but HSO whisked him off to ERI. He's showing signs of etheric corruption," Zhu said, glancing briefly at the sky outside. The fiery red seemed to deepen, as though reflecting the weight of her words.
"Wait," Jane interjected, leaning back again with a tilt of her head. "How'd you even track that guy down?"
Zhu exchanged a glance with Qingyi, who merely raised an amused brow. "From a delivery bangboo inside the hollows," Zhu said with a faint sigh. "Rigged with explosives."
Jane whistled softly, her tone teasing. "A rigged bangboo? That's... creative."
"He probably knew someone was after him," Zhu continued, her voice quieter now. "So he stayed hidden inside the Hollows. But here's the kicker." She turned back to the rearview mirror, catching Jane's curious gaze. "When we met him, he couldn't even move—tied to a wheelchair, only capable of pressing yes or no buttons. And you know what he did?"
Jane raised her brows, the faintest flicker of mischief crossing her face. "Denied everything,I'm guessing."
"Exactly." Zhu let out a dry chuckle, shaking her head. "The whole thing's one big tangle of dead ends and half-truths."
Jane stayed silent, her expression unreadable now. Her focus seemed to drift to the city outside, but Zhu could sense the wheels turning in her mind. If Jane had her suspicions, she wasn't about to voice them—not yet.
The distant hum of traffic and the soft patter of a late drizzle filled the silence. The fiery sky dimmed further, its red tones bleeding into deeper shades of purple as the city prepared for nightfall.
"Let's hope dinner clears something up," Zhu murmured, more to herself than anyone else, as she turned the key in the ignition.
Seth hurried across the parking lot, juggling a precarious stack of red bean bun boxes. His breath fogged the cold, humid air as he spotted the PUBSEC mobile already idling, headlights cutting through the dusk. "Captain! Wait for me!" he shouted, picking up speed and nearly skidding on the damp pavement.
In his haste, one of the boxes tilted ominously, but Seth caught it just in time. He finally reached the vehicle and threw himself into the backseat, landing beside Jane with a triumphant grin.
"What's that?" Qingyi asked from the front, arching an eyebrow as she eyed the pile of neatly tied boxes. "Did you blow your cut-off salary on those?"
Seth beamed, holding the boxes up proudly. "Red bean buns! Deputy Yanagi loves these." His voice practically sparkled with excitement, as though he'd just discovered the secret to world peace.
The three women exchanged a synchronized, theatrical roll of their eyes. Jane was the first to pounce. "What exactly are you trying to prove, Bun Boy?" she asked, her voice dripping with mockery as she leaned back dramatically, one hand pressed to her chest like a fainting heroine. "Are we really about to hold up dinner for this?"
"We might need to leave without him," Qingyi added in a deadpan tone, her lips twitching at the corners.
"No, please, Captain!" Seth exclaimed, clutching the boxes like a knight guarding a treasure chest. "It's just a gift! And—not just for Deputy Yanagi!" He was practically sweating now, eyes darting around as if they'd confiscate his precious buns.
From the driver's seat, Zhu adjusted the rearview mirror and fixed Seth with a pointed glare that could freeze a Hollow in its tracks. Her voice was soft, almost too soft. "No stupid acts, Seth."
Seth gulped, clutching the boxes tighter, his earlier bravado fading into an awkward nod.
Meanwhile, Jane cast a sidelong glance at the buns, her lips pursing as if in silent judgment. "Must be nice," she muttered under her breath, loud enough for only Seth to hear. "All that effort for buns." She leaned just enough to let the words hang in the air, leaving Seth squirming in confusion.
"What does that mean?" he asked nervously, but Jane only shrugged with a cryptic smile, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Zhu suppressed a smirk as she shifted gears, the PUBSEC mobile lurching forward. "Buckle up," she said. "If those buns don't survive the drive, neither will you."
The evening promised to be entertaining—and not just because of the red bean buns.
Zhu's terminal buzzed, breaking the rhythm of her fingers tapping idly on the steering wheel. She glanced at the message from Yanagi, her thumb hovering over the screen as she read it.
We'll be waiting at the restaurant.
Her chest tightened, an involuntary hitch in her breath. She didn't need the address—her pulse filled in the blanks before her mind could catch up. That restaurant. The same one Elias used to pick for team meetings, back when he wasn't just a ghost haunting her thoughts.
Her grip on the wheel tensed as the familiar road came into view, each turn dredging up memories she wasn't ready to face. The late dusk glow shimmered against the rain-slick streets, but all she could see were fragmented images: Elias leaning against the car, his rare smirk, the way his voice would lower when he spoke just to her. Moments she had buried suddenly resurfaced like an uninvited guest at a carefully planned dinner.
Her stomach churned, a mess of nostalgia and unease. She swallowed hard, forcing her focus back on the road. "I missed you," she admitted under her breath, the words almost tasting bitter.
"And yet, here I am, hoping you'll stay gone. Typical, right? Don't make me connect the dots and find out you're the villain in this mess."
In the backseat, Jane's phone glowed faintly as her fingers moved with an urgency that didn't match her usual carefree demeanor. She shifted, crossing and uncrossing her legs, her gaze darting toward the passing city lights outside the window. Her reflection in the glass betrayed her unease—restless eyes and a subtle bite to her lower lip.
Seth noticing her, "What's wrong Jane? Did I do something wrong?" purposefully asks.
"Nothing. -I felt that I just forgot something." Jane replied, her voice low that didn't reach Zhu's ears.
"Captain?" Qingyi's voice tugged her consciousness, the quiet curiosity in her tone cutting through Zhu's haze.
"What?" Zhu's response came too quickly, too sharp, as if trying to outrun her own thoughts.
Qingyi's eyes flicked to the window, then back to Zhu, her lips twitching. "Are we...?"
Zhu followed her gaze, her jaw tightening. The restaurant loomed ahead, its soft neon glow spilling onto the street like it had so many times before. She forced a shrug, the casualness feeling like a bad imitation. "Guess Yanagi and her crew have the same taste in restaurants as..." She trailed off, biting her tongue.
"As your ghost agent," Qingyi finished, her smirk fully formed now.
"Not funny," Zhu muttered, heat rising to her face. She gripped the wheel tighter, staring straight ahead as if her gaze alone could change the topic.
The restaurant's parking lot was packed, a kaleidoscope of headlights reflecting off rows of cars. As Zhu eased the PUBSEC mobile into a tight parking spot, the late dusk glow painted the parking lot in hues of amber and deep shadows. Her hand lingered on the gear shift when a glint of movement caught her eye—a familiar silhouette pulling out from the far end of the lot.
The car's sleek lines gleamed faintly under the streetlights, stirring a twinge of recognition. She leaned forward slightly, squinting through the windshield.
"That car looks... familiar," she murmured under her breath, her fingers tightening on the steering wheel as a fleeting thought crossed her mind.
For a split second, she entertained the idea of stepping out, chasing it down to confirm her suspicion. But before she could act, Seth's voice rang out from across the lot.
"Captain! Hurry up, will you? These boxes are heavy!" Seth waved at her, red bean bun boxes stacked precariously in his arms. Qingyi stood beside him, visibly amused, gesturing for Zhu to get moving.
Zhu sighed, leaning back into her seat. "I'm probably wrong," she muttered, forcing herself to dismiss the thought. "There are dozens of cars like that in the city."
Still, as she grabbed her bag and locked the vehicle, she couldn't help but glance once more at the empty corner of the lot where the car had been. Her chest felt a little tighter than she cared to admit.
Zhu trudged across the parking lot, her steps weighed down by memories she didn't ask for. The glow of the restaurant's neon sign felt like a spotlight on her inner turmoil. "Why does the universe keep torturing me?" she muttered, throwing a glare at the sky like it owed her answers. "I'm trying to move on, for crying out loud!"
The faint echo of laughter—the kind she once shared with Elias—seemed to dance on the breeze. Her chest tightened as she approached Seth and Qingyi. Seth, for his part, resembled a circus act gone wrong, wobbling under a precarious tower of red bean bun boxes.
"Where's Jane?" Zhu asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
Qingyi leaned lazily against the restaurant's entrance, arms crossed. "She said she forgot something in her car. Then she conveniently remembered traffic exists and bolted for Quarters."
Zhu groaned, pressing her fingers to her temples. "What? Seriously? That better be a life-or-death excuse. She's probably halfway through blaming the traffic by now." Still, she waved them forward, masking her irritation with a thin veneer of calm.
Inside, the familiar scent of freshly brewed tea and grilled delicacies hit her like a sucker punch. The soft hum of conversation mixed with the clink of utensils, and it was all too much. Her stomach churned with nostalgia. I should've suggested a hotpot at Lumina Square. At least I wouldn't feel like I'm walking into an emotional ambush.
The three of them were guided through the warmly lit dining area, where elegant wooden partitions divided tables for privacy. A cozy booth near the back caught Zhu's eye. Miyabi's ears was standing out, Yanagi was already beside her; they were already seated, chatting comfortably. A waiter was clearing dishes, the remnants of a meal too recent to ignore.
Zhu plastered on a smile and waved, masking her unease. "Zhu-mato..!" Miyabi greeted with a soft grin, her sleek black hair framing a foxlike smirk.
Zhu rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Section 6 Chief's being childish? That's new." She glanced at the table. "Did someone just eat here?"
Yanagi adjusted her glasses with a graceful motion, her pink hair catching the light. "Ah, yes," she replied smoothly, offering no further details. "Come, sit. Harumasa and Soukaku will be here soon—they just stepped out to grab something."
Qingyi, ever the epitome of calm, slid into the booth first, casually greeting, "Hi Chief, Deputy. It's been a while."
"Qingyi, drop the formalities," Yanagi teased, flashing a disarming smile.
Zhu hesitated as she slid into her seat. It was warm, the kind of warmth that made her heart skip a beat. She stared at the cushion, her thoughts spinning. Did someone just—no, focus. Focus, Zhu.
"Who was your guest?" Zhu asked, trying for nonchalance.
Miyabi's sharp eyes twinkled with mischief. "No work talk." she declared with a sly smile. "We're here for food, news, and, oh yes, your little secret—"
"Miyabi!" Zhu's cheeks flared, the heat creeping all the way to her ears. "So this is an interrogation. Great~" she deadpanned, crossing her arms in mock defiance.
Yanagi, ever the observer, tilted her head slightly, her gaze locking onto a figure weaving through the restaurant. Seth, oblivious to the world around him, struggled to navigate a maze of tables while carrying the mountain of red bean bun boxes. The topmost box teetered dangerously, and he nearly collided with a server.
"Red bean buns?" Yanagi murmured, a curious lilt to her voice.
Zhu followed her line of sight and couldn't suppress a laugh. "That's Seth," she said, shaking her head. "Your... fanboy." Her tone dripped with exasperation, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward despite herself.
Seth finally reached the table, his triumphant grin barely visible behind the fortress of boxes. "I made it!" he declared, completely unaware of the spectacle he'd created.
Zhu pinched the bridge of her nose, her earlier tension melting into reluctant amusement. Maybe the universe isn't entirely against me.
Seth finally slammed the stack of red bean bun boxes onto the table with the enthusiasm of someone offering gold bars. "Uhh... Deputy Chief, please accept my gift to you! I'm a fan," he announced, his ears practically glowing red with embarrassment.
Zhu and Qingyi exchanged synchronized, award-worthy eye rolls. They'd been perfecting this art ever since Seth joined the team.
Yanagi's delighted laugh only fueled Seth's awkward energy. "Oh, thanks! These are my favorite. How'd you know?" she asked, her glasses catching the light as she beamed at him.
Qingyi, ever the instigator, propped her chin on her hands like she was watching a rom-com unfold. "He stalks you on your socials, Deputy. He's got likes on posts you made three years ago."
Seth gasped, his face going from cherry-red to a deep tomato. "That's not stalking!" he protested, sliding into the seat beside Zhu. "I'm just... you know, a fan!"
Yanagi couldn't resist. "Oh, so you're OfficerMoemoe! I always wondered who kept liking my cat photos."
Seth looked like he might combust on the spot, which nearly made Zhu snort her drink. She cleared her throat, feigning seriousness. "Well, Seth, congrats on officially crossing into 'weird fan' territory. I'll get you a badge for that."
Before Seth could dig himself any deeper, two figures strolled in across the dining hall. Harumasa, carrying a convenience store bag in one hand, led the way, while Soukaku followed close behind, both hands occupied with a sandwich. She was eating like she'd just crossed a desert and found the promised land.
"Soukaku," Yanagi scolded in her trademark big-sister tone, "you're going to ruin your dinner."
Soukaku, unfazed, took another unapologetic bite. "This is an appetizer. Totally different!"
Meanwhile, Harumasa set the bag of snacks down on the seat like he was presenting an offering to the dinner gods. "Where's Aquila Zero?" he asked casually, looking around.
Aquila Zero? Zhu blinked, her brain screeching to a halt like someone just hit the emergency brakes. Was that a codename? It had to be, right? But why did it sound like the kind of name you'd hear in an over-the-top spy drama or comic superhero? That some sort of Starlight knight that I've never been heard off?
Her thoughts raced faster than her mouth could follow. Aquila Zero? Did I miss a meeting? Are we working with undercover superheroes now? her stomach did a weird, nervous flip.
She tried to play it cool, leaning back in her seat and pretending she wasn't about to launch into full-on detective mode. But her gaze darted around the room, looking for any clues, any faces that might match the codename. All she saw was Seth awkwardly trying to scoot further away from Yanagi's amused smirk and Soukaku sneaking another bite of her sandwich.
Great, Zhu thought, I'm officially living in a sitcom.
"Hi, Officer Zhu Yuan, Seth, and Qingyi! It's been a while!" Soukaku perked up, her bright voice cutting through the chatter as she peeked over the edge of the table. Her sharp eyes darted toward the pile of red bean bun boxes. "Are these for me? Wow, thank you!"
Seth practically threw his hands up, his voice hitting an octave higher than usual. "Nooo! That's for Deputy!" He sounded like a kid defending his prized action figure from a playground thief.
Yanagi laughed softly, ruffling Soukaku's hair. "More snacks for Soukaku then?" she teased, nudging one of the boxes.
Zhu, meanwhile, wasn't laughing. Not because of the bun drama—though that was amusing in its own right—but because her brain was caught on a single name like a loose thread snagged on a nail.
"Who's Aquila Zero?" she asked, her voice just casual enough to mask her growing unease. "Your new team member?"
Miyabi raised a brow at Zhu, her nonchalant expression dipping into something half-serious. "Just our consultant," she said lightly, but then pointed her chopsticks at Zhu, adding in a sing-song tone, "And Zhu-mato, no work talk! We're here to eat. Focus on dinner." She waved down the server with her free hand, flashing a charming smile.
Zhu didn't argue, but her thoughts weren't at the table anymore. Her mind replayed the chain of oddities: the warm seat she'd slid into earlier, the half-eaten food that had been cleared before they sat, and—oh, right—the familiar glint of a car she'd seen parked outside.
Her chest tightened as the pieces swirled around, refusing to form a complete picture. Was it just coincidence? she thought, her brow furrowing slightly. Or am I walking into something I'm not supposed to know about?
The sound of Soukaku happily chattering and Seth stammering over Yanagi's teasing was background noise now. Zhu's gaze flickered toward the restaurant entrance, as if expecting someone to walk in at any moment.
She leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms, but the tension in her posture betrayed her. "Something is definitely up here," she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing at Miyabi's too-serious demeanor.
Her pulse quickened, though she masked it with a nonchalant sip of water. If Aquila Zero was who she thought it might be—no, that was impossible. It had to be a coincidence. Right?
Right