Three knocks.
Steady. Patient.
Aya walked toward the door while Ren remained on the couch, one arm stretched across the backrest like he had lived there for years.
Another knock followed.
"Civic Expression Authority," the voice said calmly from the hallway. "We'd like to ask a few questions."
Aya opened the door.
Three people stood outside.
All wore dark coats with a small silver emblem pinned near the collar — a thin geometric symbol that represented the Civic Expression Authority.
The woman in front spoke first.
She looked to be in her early thirties. Athletic build. Composed posture. Her dark hair was tied neatly behind her head, and her eyes carried the quiet focus of someone who missed very little.
"Good evening," she said politely.
Her tone was calm.
Measured.
"My name is Investigator Livia Hart."
She inclined her head slightly.
"Apologies for the late visit."
Aya leaned lightly against the doorframe.
"You're not the first."
Behind Livia stood two others.
A younger man with a tablet tucked under his arm, already scanning the room with curious eyes.
And a broader, older agent who said nothing at all.
Livia continued.
"There was a significant Resonance disturbance several blocks from here about thirty minutes ago."
Her gaze drifted past Aya and into the apartment.
She saw Ren immediately.
He gave a small wave from the couch.
"Evening."
Livia nodded politely.
"Evening."
Her attention returned to Aya.
"Would you mind if we stepped inside?"
Aya opened the door wider.
"Of course."
The agents entered.
The younger analyst's eyes moved quickly across the room, noting the sculptures on the desk.
"Interesting work," he said quietly.
Aya nodded once.
"Thank you."
Ren watched the interaction lazily.
"You guys want tea?" he asked.
The room paused for a second.
Livia blinked once.
Then she smiled faintly.
"That would be lovely, actually."
Ren looked at Aya.
"You got tea?"
Aya walked toward the kitchen area.
"I do now."
The older agent moved closer to the wall, silently observing the apartment layout.
Livia remained standing in the center of the room.
Her eyes passed over the sculptures.
The furniture.
Then Ren.
"You live here?" she asked him.
Ren shrugged.
"Sometimes."
Aya placed two cups on the small table.
"Don't mind him," she said calmly. "He just talks."
Ren lifted an eyebrow.
"That's not inaccurate."
Livia accepted the tea with a polite nod.
"Thank you."
She took a small sip before continuing.
"As I mentioned earlier, we're investigating a Resonance incident."
Her eyes shifted between them.
"Five masked individuals. Significant environmental damage. Multiple artistic constructs."
Ren whistled quietly.
"Sounds messy."
The younger analyst looked up from his tablet.
"It was."
Aya leaned against the counter.
"Did you find them?"
"No."
Livia's tone didn't change.
"They disappeared before our arrival."
Ren nodded thoughtfully.
"Artists can be slippery."
Livia watched him for a moment.
"You're correct."
A brief silence settled in the room.
Then she asked gently,
"Were either of you in that area tonight?"
Aya answered first.
"I was nearby."
Ren raised a finger.
"I was also nearby."
Livia smiled politely.
"Nearby where?"
Ren gestured vaguely.
"In the general vicinity of streets."
The younger analyst coughed slightly, hiding a laugh.
Livia did not react.
Her eyes moved again to the sculptures.
Then slowly…back to Ren.
"Your Resonance signature is unusual."
Ren tilted his head.
"Is it?"
"Yes."
Another quiet pause.
Aya watched the conversation carefully.
Ren looked completely relaxed.
Too relaxed.
Livia placed the empty teacup down.
"Mr…?"
"Ren."
"Mr. Ren."
Her tone remained perfectly calm.
"But there's a small problem."
Ren leaned forward slightly.
"Oh?"
Livia reached into her coat and placed a thin device on the table.
It activated instantly.
A projection of chaotic sketch constructs filled the air above it.
Ren's sketches.
From the battle.
The room became very quiet.
Livia folded her hands politely.
"Our sensors recorded this during the incident."
Her gaze met Ren's.
"Would you like to explain why your Resonance signature appears at the center of it?"
Aya glanced sideways at Ren.
Ren stared at the projection for a moment.
Then leaned back into the couch again.
"Honestly?"
"Yes."
Ren shrugged.
"Looks like my handwriting."
The older agent near the wall finally spoke.
Low.
Serious.
"That's because it is."
Livia's polite smile returned.
And the calm atmosphere shifted slightly.
"Which means," she said quietly,
"we're going to need a longer conversation."