The safehouse door slammed open.
Not gently.
Not dramatically.
Just—
violently.
"PLAYER!!!"
Elric didn't even look up.
"…If that's another drone," he muttered from the couch, arm draped over his face, "tell it I'm off-duty."
"It's worse than a drone!"
That got his attention.
He lifted his arm slowly, blinking toward the entrance.
Mii stood there.
Drenched in neon light from the outside hallway, arms spread wide like she was about to start a concert.
"…You're smiling," Elric said carefully. "…That's never a good sign."
Mii gasped, offended. "Excuse you! This is my default charming expression!"
Pix's voice echoed from somewhere upside down near the ceiling. "No, your default is chaos gremlin with glitter."
"RUDE!" Mii snapped, pointing upward. "I am elegance! I am grace!"
"You tripped over a chair yesterday," Pix replied.
"It was a dramatic fall!"
Elric pushed himself upright with a groan.
"…Alright," he said, rubbing his neck. "What's the problem?"
Mii froze.
Then...
She leaned forward.
Way too close.
Eyes sparkling.
Smile dangerous.
"…It's not a problem," she said sweetly.
A pause.
"…It's a date."
Silence.
Pix dropped from the ceiling.
"OH."
Kaida-9 turned from the doorway, arms crossing instantly.
"…Clarify."
Lyra didn't move from her spot near the wall... but her eyes sharpened.
Sera stopped mid-step.
Elen's hand, resting lightly on a nearby table, stilled.
Elric blinked.
"…No."
Mii grabbed his arm.
"Yes."
"I said no."
"I heard you," she said cheerfully. "I ignored it."
Pix clapped once. "YES. I SUPPORT THIS CHAOS."
Kaida-9 frowned. "…This is inefficient."
Lyra's voice cut in, cool and sharp. "We are being hunted."
Mii spun toward her. "Exactly! Which means we need morale! Emotional bonding! Narrative progression!"
Elric pointed at her. "…Did you just say narrative progression?"
She pointed back. "Don't question the script!"
Sera tilted her head slightly.
"…A 'date' is a social bonding ritual."
Pix leaned in. "With potential for emotional damage."
Mii gasped. "OR emotional growth!"
Kaida-9 crossed her arms tighter. "…Unnecessary."
Elen finally spoke, softly.
"…Where?"
Everyone looked at her.
Mii smiled triumphantly.
"Upper Meridian."
That changed things.
Lyra's eyes narrowed immediately.
"…Absolutely not."
Kaida-9's stance shifted. "…High-risk zone."
Sera murmured, "…Corporate surveillance is highest there."
Pix grinned. "Which makes it perfect."
Elric leaned back slightly.
"…Let me get this straight," he said slowly. "You want to go on a date…"
He pointed upward.
"…in the most dangerous, high-security part of the city…"
He looked at Mii.
"…while we're actively being hunted."
Mii nodded brightly.
"Yes."
Silence.
Elric rubbed his face.
"…Yeah," he said. "…that tracks."
Lyra stepped forward.
"No."
Simple.
Final.
Mii turned to her, hands on her hips.
"Why not?"
Lyra didn't hesitate.
"Because it's reckless. Predictable. And stupid."
Mii gasped.
"WOW. RUDE."
"It's accurate."
Pix leaned between them. "I mean, she's not wrong… but also, it sounds fun."
Kaida-9 shook her head. "…We should remain here."
Sera added quietly, "…Exposure risk is too high."
Elen looked at Elric.
"…What do you think?"
Everyone went quiet.
Elric blinked.
Looked at Mii.
At Lyra.
At the others.
Then leaned back again.
"…Step one," he said.
"…recognize a terrible idea."
Mii beamed.
"…Step two," he continued,
"…accept that we're doing it anyway."
Pix CHEERED.
"YES!"
Mii grabbed his arm instantly. "PLAYER APPROVED!"
Lyra closed her eyes briefly.
"…Of course you did."
Kaida-9 exhaled. "…Then we adjust formation."
Sera whispered, "…I will monitor variables."
Elen smiled softly.
"…Then it's decided."
Mii pulled Elric toward the door.
"Come on! We have to prepare!"
He stumbled slightly as she dragged him.
"…Prepare what?"
She turned, walking backward, grinning.
"Your date outfit, obviously."
Elric froze mid-step.
"…I'm sorry... my what?"
Pix snorted loudly.
"Oh this is gonna be GOOD."
Lyra watched them go.
Arms crossed.
Expression unreadable.
But her gaze lingered.
Just a second longer than necessary.
"…A date," she muttered under her breath.
"…Ridiculous."
And yet...
She followed.