Involvement

A gentle shake roused me. I opened my eyes.

"Yes, I'm awake. What is it?"

"I've found people involved in Igor's death," Yin Hee said.

I didn't answer right away. My eyes scanned the room—Mark was gone, and Calvin sat calmly at the table, eating as if nothing had happened.

"That's good," I said, stretching. "But tell me later. I need to head out." I checked my phone. Morning already.

"What about the kid?" Yin Hee pointed at Calvin.

"Watch him while I'm gone." I stood up from the couch, loosening my limbs.

"I'm not babysitting him," she snapped.

"You said you wanted to help me. Was that a lie?" I asked, locking eyes with her.

She hesitated before reluctantly giving in. "Fine, I'll watch over him."

"Thanks. Just… don't do anything unnecessary."

I gave one last warning before taking a puff from my smoke, shaping it into a hoverboard, and flying off.

After I left, Calvin finished eating and casually walked out the door.

"Hey! Where are you going? Stay put!" Yin Hee shouted, hurrying after him. She reached to grab his shoulder—

—but a humanoid robot emerged from the shadows and caught her hand instead.

"I'm not sitting still after learning the truth. Those Revenant bastards… I need to kill them."

Yin Hee stared at Calvin, puzzled. "Are you really just a kid?"

"What? Because I'm young, I can't kill—but adults can? When adults kill innocent kids, they don't face retaliation just because the victims are 'too young'?" His voice burned with rage and hatred.

Yin Hee didn't respond. Slowly, she retracted her hand. Calvin took the silence as permission and began walking again—only to feel something approaching fast.

Cunning fox! he thought, convinced she had tricked him.

But instead of an attack, Yin Hee gently wrapped her arms around him. Calvin struggled briefly, but the resistance faded.

His head rested on her shoulder. His eyes, once distant and hollow, began to close, softened by the warmth. Her embrace was firm yet gentle, a quiet promise of safety.

His breathing slowed, falling into rhythm with the comfort of something he hadn't felt in a long time—belonging.

At Synth HQ, I made my way to the meeting room and spotted a familiar face.

"Good morning, Sunny."

"Morning, RD," I replied, shaking his hand. "Congrats on your recent mission."

"Thanks. Wasn't easy. Lost a lot of good friends." His voice was heavy, exhausted. "When will this war end?"

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, withdrawing my hand.

He shook his head. "No, it's okay." A brief pause. "By the way, I heard something about you and Vie."

"It's nothing. Why?"

"Because I like you, Sunny. You're the only person here I respect, so I'll be straight with you—be careful around Vie. And Synth."

My eyes narrowed. "Did something happen?"

"It's Ginto… His house exploded. His sister and dog died. He's the only one who made it out." RD's voice dropped. "Synth claims they're investigating, but I'm convinced they're behind it."

Rage surged in my chest, barely restrained.

"What?" I said coldly, my voice trembling with contained fury. Around us, the air rippled—on the verge of cracking.

"Calm down!" RD stepped back, alarmed. "I get it, I'd be furious too. But losing control won't help."

"They killed someone precious to my comrade. And you want me to act like it's nothing?" My voice was ice. RD flinched at the killing intent radiating from me.

"I'm not saying that," he said firmly. "But if you act recklessly, it'll only get worse. You have people to protect, right?"

"Are you threatening me?" My eyes sharpened.

"No," he replied. "I'm trying to protect you. You know what Synth is. We can't take them down head-on. We have to play it smart. Do something now, and you'll be the next target."

His words settled in. Slowly, the air calmed. I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing.

"Why do you think Synth's behind it?" I asked, more composed now. "Ginto never went against them."

"He must've found something in Vie's house."

"You're sure?" I leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"What else could it be?"

Maybe Ginto had stumbled upon something crucial—something Synth wanted buried. So they made an example of him.

"Or it could be someone else, using the situation with Vie as cover," I suggested.

"Not many would dare make Synth an enemy," RD replied.

"There's someone," I said.

"Them? It's possible," he admitted. "What will you do now?"

"Pay them a visit. I've got unfinished business with them." I pushed off the wall. "Why are you so sure Ginto found something in Vie's place?"

"Honor intuition," he said simply. I searched his face—no signs of deception.

"I see. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be on my way." I motioned briefly with my hand and continued walking.

"Yeah… stay safe."

His voice faded behind me.

Then I heard it—soft, almost a whisper: "Stay safe, kid."

I turned around, unsure if I'd imagined it. RD was gone.

I stood there for a moment longer… then moved on.