Facing Ferinish and Faller stood a woman wearing glasses. Her expression, hard and serious, made her question sound important.
"Let me get this straight, did you just destroy all the Renkatas on the last Inferius you went on a mission?"
"Sorry, Miss Sinhaygter. We were too excited about our mission!" (Faller apologized, dropping into a childish pose.)
Instinctively, Ferinish did the same.
"You know the association and I need them! But I'll forgive you just because you're with a newbie!"
The woman clicked her shoes and walked away. Ferinish, still with his head down, looked at Faller.
"Who is this woman?"
"It's Aurora Sinhaygter, known as the most intelligent woman of all. Many say she surpassed the "Servant of Truth" himself."
"...and she's our leader in the Destruction Hunter class; her intelligence is very valuable to everyone here."
Ferinish was confused by the term, questioning.
"Servant of Truth?"
"Yes, he was a mysterious member of the Complexity Hunters. But after the Second Renkai Awakening, he was never seen again."
"..."
Ferinish seemed to draw his own conclusions...
***
Sitting on a chair, Slady was eating a brownie he'd recommended from a snack bar. Elisa and Shaphira, who had just finished a short mission, looked hungry.
"Thanks, Slady. This is amazing!" (Shaphira confirmed, eating a snack)
"I'd say the same. Everything is very good." (Elisa said, sipping a milkshake.)
"I'm proud of how you're adapting to the D.C.A. (Demon Hunters Association). You deserve to be pampered a little." (She replied with a small smile on her lips.)
The girls seemed content with this simple treat, continuing to eat and chat with their mouths full.
"Hey, Slady. Now that you're back in Libretanhya, are you going back to working at your 'Service'?"
Slady coughed, remembering how she referred to her assassination service. Elisa seemed to quiet down, wanting to listen too.
"No, I think I'm going to be a librarian after all."
They were both surprised. Elisa raised an eyebrow, and Shaphira tilted her head, her ears swinging beneath her hair.
"What do you mean?" (Elisa asked.)
"Does being a librarian pay a lot?" (Shaphira added)
"Despite the technology and navigation systems. This kind of work still earns me a good amount of Lynes, especially if they rent or buy the books. Of course, my old "job" was a significant extra income. But for now, I'm going to be a librarian."
The two girls decided to chat amongst themselves for a few seconds. After separating, they said sincerely,
"If that's what you want. Ferinish and I are helping. You must be better at managing the money." (Elisa confirmed)
"Oh, yes! Elisa told me that Faller and Victoria aren't the best examples of Lynes management." (She imitated Elisa's voice.)
The other girl rolled her eyes at the imitation.
Suddenly, a cough was heard. When they looked to the side, it was Faller and Ferinish.
"How long, Slady?!"
Unable to react, Slady was carried like a child, hugged tightly by Faller. The girls laughed, and Ferinish simply reveled in the sight of his partner trying to escape his friend's arms.
***
"But it's great to know you're okay!"
Victoria commented, looking much prettier, her dress adorned with magical equipment and her hair adorned with ribbons that gave her a more regal appearance.
"That's right..."
He glanced over Victoria's shoulder, seeing Faller helping in the kitchen, Ferinish trying to do the same. Behind him, Shaphira and Elisa were taking a short break on the sofa.
"It's good to see everyone together, honestly."
"Yes, I agree. It's nice to see Faller has a friend and someone she can see as a rival."
"Yes..."
Slady looked at Ferinish, feeling good to see her overcome her social fears, accepting some simple touches, but nothing too over the top.
"I'm also glad Ferinish can count on people other than me."
"Exactly."
Victoria put her arm around her friend's shoulder, cuddling him against her soft chest.
"You know, it all seems balanced, doesn't it, Slady? You and I are the calm part of the relationship, Ferinish and Faller are the dominant, more powerful part." (Friendly stroking his mechanical arm)
"It makes sense..." (He said in a muffled voice)
"Ferinish seems like a good woman, strong and protective. You're very lucky, Slady."
"I am, very."
***
At the D.I.C.L (Libertany Criminal Investigation Department), Rin Yuang knocked lightly on the door to Roger's office/dormitory. The door opened, revealing the shirtless man, likely in training.
"What do you want?"
Rin was taken aback by the scene, but decided to return to her friendly yet serious tone.
"Can we talk, my friend?"
"... Just come in."
The woman entered the dorm, sitting on her friend's bed, observing her surroundings.
The room was simple, but had plenty of fitness equipment.
Roger sat in the chair, resting his elbows on his knees, waiting for Rin Yuang to speak. She was silent for a few seconds before taking a deep breath and asking,
"I don't mean to intrude, but why are you acting like this? You treat me badly, and even your younger sister doesn't feel safe with you."
"..."
The man placed his hand on his head, sighing, and replied with the same seriousness.
"I don't know... Suddenly, as if I didn't feel anything anymore. That's why I walked away. I don't want to cause trouble."
"But we can talk about this, Roger. You're my coworker, and even if we're competing for a position, our friendship is more important than mere status."
Roger was silent for a few seconds, until he stood up and placed his hand on the sides of Rin's face, squeezing her cheeks in a... not very friendly way.
"No, and to be perfectly honest, I don't feel anything for you anymore. I'm going to get this position, even if I have to sacrifice you to do it." (He said it in a low tone...)
The harsh, cruel words struck Rin's heart like a knife to her soul. She tried to control her tears, but couldn't.
"And you better not cry, woman. Because it makes me feel even more disgusted by your weak ways."
He released her abruptly, opening the door to her dorm.
"Get out of here, now."
Slowly, Rin Yuang left that office, her heart shattered into many pieces. She simply entered her dorm and sat in a corner, starting to cry silently.
"What did I do to make him hate me? Am I that weak? Am I a terrible investigator?"
Her mind was in conflict, everything made her think she should give up, that she was too weak to face human cruelty...
But a memory flashed through her mind...
***
"I trust you."
***
Perhaps, for Rin Yuang, she lacked the support of her "friend," perhaps she lacked the strength or stomach to face injustice...
But remembering her past, those she lost, the struggles, the families devastated not only by Renkai Creatures, but by criminals, made her stand up and wipe away her tears.
"I don't fight for power, I don't care how much it hurts, I fight for justice, I won't let Roger be right this time..."
She clenched her fist...
"I will arrest the Theatrical Killer, no matter how dangerous he is..."
"I will give my life for justice to be served!"