I strolled down the vibrant district of Velrion, the air thick with the scent of spices and the hum of city life. Sherach walked beside me, firing off a string of jokes that had Ria and Sinata doubled over in laughter. Despite his status as a high-ranking Captain, Sherach had a way of making us forget the hierarchy, treating us more like younger siblings than subordinates.
However, my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't stop thinking about the restless energy I'd felt from Kageno and Kael earlier.
"Sherach?" I called out.
"Yes, Oliver?" He replied, glancing back with a lazy grin.
"I'm going to split off for a bit. I need to track down Kageno and Kael."
"Alright, no problem," he waved, his eyes closed as he continued his stroll. "Catch up when you can."
I nodded in approval, but then remembered my empty pockets. "Actually, Sherach… could you lend me 300 Aster coins?"
Ria snapped her head toward me. "Oliver! Aren't you being a bit pushy with the Captain?"
"Relax, Ria. No problem at all," Sherach said, reaching into the pocket of his black trousers. "In fact, here—take 500."
He tossed a small pouch of gold-tinted coins toward me. I caught it mid-air, surprised by the weight. "Whoa, this is more than I asked for."
"Don't worry about it," Sherach said from a distance, already walking away. "Just try not to do anything too lovey-dovey on the way. You've got a catchy face, kid. Don't let the city girls kidnap you!"
"You bet I won't," I replied with a smirk, waving the pouch as his voice faded into the background noise of the crowd.
I continued my walk, passing through the throngs of non-awakened civilians. The rhythmic echo of my boots on the pavement felt grounding, but my eyes were constantly scanning; checking shops, rooftops, and dark alleyways for my missing teammates.
As I walked, I couldn't help but notice the stares. A group of young ladies passed me, whispering behind their hands.
"Hey, look at that hottie. Isn't he cute?" one whispered loudly enough for me to hear.
"Uh-huh. Should we ask him out?" her friend giggled.
"Don't you dare. Look at that uniform. He's a Vanguardian Elite."
"Hiii!" they suddenly said in synchronization, waving and giggling as I passed.
"Oh, hey. Hi," I waved back, offering an awkward, polite smile. My attention was quickly diverted, however, by an old man behind a Kushiyaki counter. He was staring at me with an intensity that felt out of place, even as he expertly flipped noodles and grilled meat over a charcoal flame.
Our gazes met. I assumed he was just waiting for me to patronize his stall, and frankly, the smell was divine. I stepped up to the counter.
"Good day, sir. I'll take a bowl of those noodles, please."
"Hello, young man," the old man replied, his voice raspy but kind. "One bowl, coming right up."
He prepared the dish with professional grace. The steam carried an aroma that made my mouth water instantly. I hadn't planned on a feast, but once the bowl hit the counter, I lost all restraint.
"I'm digging in!"
I finished the first bowl in seconds. Then the second. By the time I regained my senses, ten empty bowls were stacked neatly in front of me.
'Damn it! I muttered inwardly, a cold sweat prickling my back. "Did I just eat way past what I can afford?" Sherach had just given me 500 Aster coins... but I'm short.
I summoned the courage to ask for the bill, ready to start negotiating for a dish-washing shift. "So… how much for the lot?"
"That'll be 1,500 Aster coins, young man," the old man said with a knowing smile.
I was about to stammer an apology when a miracle happened.
"Don't worry, this is the complete payment."
A familiar voice cut through my panic. I turned to see a woman with black hair and striking blue-patterned stripes. She reached into a silken pouch and dropped several gold coins onto the counter.
'Not again', I thought, buried in embarrassment. 'This is pathetic.'
"Captain Suki. What a coincidence," I managed to say.
"..."
Silence.
She didn't reply. She just looked at me with an Ice queen gaze that screamed 'You are a disaster.'
"I'll take two more bowls," she ordered the old man.
She sat on the stool beside me, the awkwardness in the air thick enough to cut with a blade.
"Hmmm...mmph!
I cleared my throat. "Um… thanks, Suki. Truly. You saved me from a very long night of scrubbing floors. I'm grateful."
"..."
No reply.
I began to regret opening my mouth. The old man dropped her dishes in front of her. "Enjoy, ma'am."
Suki stared at the bowls for a second, then slid one towards me.
"Huh? Suki, I just ate ten bowls," I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
She turned her gaze toward me which was sharp, cold, and utterly non-negotiable. "Take it or not."
"Yeah… okay. I'll take it," I replied quickly.
As she ate with surprisingly elegant speed, she finally spoke. "Were you always this awkward? Why walk into a city without a budget when you have the appetite of a glutton?"
"I spent my last paycheck on combat equipment for the first mission," I replied defensively.
She scoffed. "So, how was the mission? You don't sound like the carefree brat I knew back at the Academy."
"Yeah. You'll put it that way. The mission changed a lot in me," I said, my voice softening with sincerity. "But that doesn't mean it changed how I feel about our friendship, Suki."
She exhaled sharply, standing up after finishing her meal in record time. "You're quite the nuisance."
'Quite the nuisance huh?' I thought, trying to digest the words.
She paid the remaining balance and nodded to the old man. "Thanks for the meal."
"No problem, young lady. Come back soon!" the old man waved. Then, his attention snapped back to me. He rubbed his chin, his eyes twinkling with a sudden, joyful realization. "Hahahaha! You look just like him!"
"Like who?" I asked, confused. "Have we met?"
"We've met, kid, but you were too small to remember," the old man said, pulling out a smoking pipe. "This situation… the appetite, the awkwardness… it reminds me exactly of your father and mother."
My heart skipped a beat. "You knew my parents? Who are you?"
"A long story for another time," he replied. "But tell me… how is my daughter, Mira?"
"Mira? You mean my maid?" I asked, my eyes wide.
"Yes. She is my daughter. And I hope you haven't been maltreating her, or else…"
His aura suddenly flared which was a brief, terrifying glimpse of a power that rivaled some of the Captains. It made the air feel heavy and dangerous.
"N-no! Mira is fine! She's great!" I stammered.
"Phew. Good," he relaxed instantly, the pressure vanishing. "She has been devoted to the legendary Veyrons since you were a babe."
"Tell me more about my parents," I leaned in, desperate for information the System refused to give me.
"Not while I'm at work, kid. Drop by my shop or my house three blocks away later," he said. "And don't call me old man. My name is Yamacha Schiweh."
"Okay, Mr. Yamacha. I'll be back," I promised with a grin, finally heading out.
As I walked past a cluster of industrial buildings, I spotted a figure sitting high atop a stone ceiling.
"Hey, Kael! What's the matter?" I called out, leaping into the air and landing gracefully on the roof beside him.
"..."
Silence. Kael sat with his knees tucked to his chest.
"What's wrong? We've been looking for you."
"People…" Kael whispered. "I. Am. People. I don't want to see people."
With his attitude, I immediately understood what he meant. Kael struggled with crowds which was likely some form of deep-seated social anxiety or trauma. I reached out a hand. "Kael, I get it. Not everyone wants the spotlight. But remember, we're a team. I've got your back. We'll always be there for each other."
He looked up at me from under his dark fringes, eventually taking my hand to stand.
"Have you seen Kageno?" I asked.
Kael shook his head, but then crouched down, pressing his palm against the tiled floor. He closed his eyes, sensing the minute vibrations of the city. He slowly pointed his hand toward the East which was the industrial district. He could sense a flare of intense, dark energy.
"Over there? Alright," I said, my expression hardening as I sensed the danger too. "Let's go."
Together, we leapt from the roof, heading straight toward the brewing storm.