“Guhhhh,” Celia grunted, a few a bead of tears forming at the corner of her eyes. “This is not fair.”

Rin was silent, following her on the white street while patting her back. A troubled yet amused expression was on her face as she struggled to find the proper word to comfort her friend. ‘This... wouldn't have happened if you put just a little more research into what kind of place you were bringing us in.’

It was with a forced smile that Rin finally said, “I-it's okay, Celia. It's not... really your fault.”

The orange girl raised her head and glared at her. “It is!” She said, grabbing her collar while approaching her head a little too close for Rin's comfort. “We both know it is! You don't need to lie about it! You don't know how anyway.”

Rin simply gulped, unable to move under the girl's intense red glare. Celia noticed and instantly loosened her grip. The orange girl didn't move away, though, and instead, leaned her head on her shoulder. Rin twitched from the sudden action but didn't have it in her to push her friend away.

“Damn it, you still ended up paying for me in the end,” Celia murmured in a guilty tone.

The word strangely made Rin smile. She even chuckled a little. “It's... alright, Celia. Really.” She placed her hands on the orange girl's shoulder and pushed her just a little to look her in the face. “Thank you.”

Celia looked at her for a second before returning the smile. Then she plunged into her arms again. “I'm broke, now, though.” She said. “It was so delicious, too. You liked it, right?”

Rin glanced at her before raising her hand to pat her— only to blush when she realized just how much attention they were gathering. “It... It was indeed delicious.” She choked out.

Celia finally broke the hug. “Then it's alright.” She paused. “Wait, no it's not.”

Rin didn't want to linger anymore. She began to walk, pressured by the many gazes around her. Where to, though? She wanted to ask but her friend seemed to still have things to talk about. For now, she chose her path home.

“You're not in trouble, right?” Celia asked, following behind her. “For using that much money, I mean.”

Rin gave her a sideglance. “No... I am, technically, rich, after all.” She said. ‘My family is, at least.’

She didn't need to look back to hear the sound of relief coming out of Celia. She smiled at that— but only for a moment.

She couldn't ignore it anymore, could she? At first, she thought she was just being paranoid but, now that they've walked a fair bit of distance from the restaurant, she couldn't be mistaken. A gaze was lingering on them. They were being followed— ‘No, That's not exactly it.’ Rather than being followed, it felt more like they were being monitored. Like someone was watching over them.

‘Am I... 'exposed' already?’ She thought, her heartbeat quickening. ‘No...’

She turned toward Celia.

“B-by the way, Celia...” She said hesitatingly. “You... you do know we're being followed... right?”

“Eh?”

“I mean...” Rin pointed behind them at the rooftop of a far away building. Without her enhanced sense, she probably wouldn't have picked up on the...' follower's presence but, it wasn't like it was impossible either. Moreover, the follower didn't seem to be doing much to hide their presence.

Celia squinted in the direction she pointed before a light bulb lit up in her head. “Oh, that's...” Her eyes widened before turning back to Rin. “You noticed!? As expected of you!”

“... you knew?” Rin asked, her heartbeat slowing down a little.

“Ah, yes. That's my friend from...” Celia's expression instantly fell. “From...” She looked away from Rin and stayed silent for a while. Yet, with a very audible gulp, she forced herself to continue. “From... Ark.”

Rin heaved an internal sigh of relief, her eyes lingering on the distant follower, a girl apparently. She returned her gaze at Celia— then winced at herself as she noticed the expression on her face. ‘Right, if I stay silent here, Celia will think...’

“Why...” ‘-is she following us?’ was the question Rin was going to ask, however, after pausing and thinking a little more: “Why is she so far away?” She asked.

“Eh? Ah, that's, ehh, urm...”

‘—Because I'm here.’ Rin guessed.

There was probably a good reason why the girl needed to be with Celia but since Rin was here... The orange girl probably requested things to be layered out like this. Rin couldn't help but feel amused at that. Going to such a length of trouble was not necessary, was it? Even if Rin wasn't comfortable with talking with a stranger, especially an Elite one, she could at least try, no?

“Celia,” Rin said. “Can you... call her?”

Celia opened her mouth several times at the request, yet let out no sound. Seeing her, an idea popped into Rin's mind. She widened her eyes with a little nastiness to them and, slapped her friend on both of her cheeks. “Ouch!” Celia let out, immediately rubbing her face.

“It... Hurts, right?” Rin asked amusedly. Then she took a breath. “I... already said that you didn't need to worry about... ‘those’ matters that much, right? So, please, don't worry about it.”

Celia looked at her.

She looked back.

“A-alright...” Celia finally said hesitatingly. “I'll try.”

Rin widened her smile and gestured at their 'follower'.

Celia turned in the girl's direction, took a deep breath, and yelled: “SOPHIA!!!”

Rin instantly winced, nearly facepalming. ‘Why are you yelling?’ She thought, strongly. ‘I didn't mean call her like this...’. Normally, wouldn't you first try to use your phone to send a message? Didn't she have even a little bit of shame? Rin blushed furiously at the amount of attention they'd once again gathered.

And yet, Celia took another deep breath.

◇

“I'm Sophia. Sophia Veneer.” The green-eyed girl presented herself while extending a hand at Rin. “It's nice to meet you., I do hope my first impression didn't come off as... too ‘creepy’.”

The girl's black hair was arranged into a ponytail at her side, which Rin noted was very long. Sophia was a few inches taller than her, and probably a few years older, too. Her face contained sharp features and could have been beautiful, if not for the scars. Rin tried not to stare too much but there were just too many of them. A long, vertical line going from her neck to the bottom of her face, a large circle composed of pointy line on her forehead (thankfully hidden by her bangs), and a few more unsightly marks. Even her hand... the girl wore gloves but Rin could feel some 'unnatural' parts as she held it. Prosthetic.

Rin repressed a wince, trying to not be rude.

“N-nice... to meet you too.” She said, then hastily added. “I'm Rin. And... no, you aren't creepy. You were just...” She tried to justify the girl's action and only then realized she didn't actually know what she was doing.

Sophia picked up on the unspoken question. “I was just keeping watch on this little girl.” She said, placing her hand on Celia's head like a big sister. “Monster appearance keeps increasing as of late and since she just recently obtained her power...”

“I... see,” Rin replied with a small smile. ‘She really isn't here for me, then.’ She thought with relief.

“Things would have been much simpler if I just tagged along with you from the very beginning, though.” Sophia eyed Rin. “Do you mind?”

Rin opened her mouth, but Celia answered before her.

“She does mind.” She said, as of it was a matter of fact. “She's very shy, after all. I mean, she practically doesn't talk to anyone but me.” A smug smile found its way to her face.

Rin twitched. That comment really stung. Especially since it was true (unless you counted her conversation with Aiden, but she didn't want to count them). It wasn't like it was her fault, though. Or was it? She just wasn't comfortable around other people.

Sophia narrowed her eyes at her with an amused smile. “Is that so?”

Rin's eyes darted to her right. “I-i don't.... mind.” She said, sweating a little.

“You're a terrible liar, Rin,” Celia answered, and Rin gave her a glare for it. “And there's that, too! The way you speak. Each and every one of your phrases have a paus—”

With a tint of red on her cheek that wasn't the result of the snow, Rin hastily covered Celia's mouth. “That's... enough.”

“See!” Celia still managed to convey.

Sophia chuckled at their side. “You two get along very well, I see.”

Rin blushed even further. “I-I'm going home...” She said, marching away from the two.

Needless to say, since Celia followed her, Sophia tagged along as well. “Don't be so embarrassed, Rin. I think being shy is very cute, you know?”

Rin didn't humor her anymore. According to Celia, she didn't speak to anyone anyway. It was high time for her to find another friend. How, though, was a question she asked herself every single day. ‘If only things could be a little less complex.’ She thought, glancing at the big grin Celia was wearing.

‘Then again...’

Rin smiled—

—And trouble came knocking, wearing the face of a very, very irritated Kein stomping in her way. ‘...And here I thought things could end on a happy note.’ Rin thought, heaving a sigh and suppressing a headache. The small hope that seeing Kein a few blocks away in front of her was just a coincidence was crushed as soon as the boy yelled.

“What did you do, Trash!!”

‘...Why are people so intent on gathering attention, today?’ She thought, gulping down her fear.

Rin blinked once and the bespectacled boy was already gripping her collar like it was some sort of vile creature. Three years had passed but she was still used to her cousin's irresponsible use of power. The two behind her, though, she could practically feel their surprise. Especially Sophia's.

“What. Did. You. Do?” Kein repeated his question.

‘...Did he know?’ She thought, sweating as her mind began to race.

No, he shouldn't, because otherwise, that would imply her family was monitoring her. Rin doubted that. She really, really doubted that. They had no reason to, for one, and, frankly speaking, they had neglected her too much at this point for them to even consider doing that. Though, if they did monitor her, it wouldn't make sense for them to just send Kein her way. Or... did it? Now that she thought about it, it wasn't like she knew her family all that much.

Why else would the boy be so angry, though?

Before Rin could gather the semblance of an answer, a hand settled itself on Kein's shoulder.

“Let's calm down first, boy,” Sophia said warily, placing her other hand atop the wrist of the one that held Rin's collar. “Don't be so forceful. That's not sweet, you know?”

Kein shot her an irritated glare. “Don't touch me, you fake!” He yelled, flinging the girl away from him with a wave of his hand. Thankfully, that also meant he let go of Rin.

“Ha? Fake?” Sophia shot back, growing equally irritated. “And who the hell are you?”

Rin took a step away from the boy, unconsciously arranging her clothes. Celia edged closer to her. “Don't tell me that's...” She said in a whisper. Rin glanced at her, then nodded.

“You don't know who I am? Ignorant. I am Kuroki Kein!” He said, puffing his chest yet remaining angry. “Etch that into your mind, Fake, and get out of my sig—”

“Ohhh! So you're the bully!” Celia interrupted shamelessly, standing tall in front of Rin. “Rin did tell me you had an inferiority complex but, this.”

Rin instantly stiffened. As did the boy for that matter. Inferiority complex? Did she ever say that? Yeah, she had the vague impression she did. Long ago. Once. Why did Celia remember that? Kein grew red and fumed smoke like a boiling hot water. Before he could go grab the ginger girl, however, Rin grabbed both of her shoulders and shoved her aside, receiving the full brunt of his glare in her friend's stead.

Kein clicked his tongue, silently cursed at Celia, but seemed to remember the reason he was here. “You didn't answer my question.” He asked.

Rin narrowed her eyes at him. “What... do you mean?” She asked back.

“Don't play dumb, Trash. What—”

Rin felt her entire body pulse.

Someone was coming. He was coming. She was certain of that as much as she knew how to breathe, and, apparently, so did Sophia and Kein considering how serious their expression turned. The only one out of the loop was Celia, who just tilted her head with a frown. South-East and directly from above. Rin turned in that direction and extended her sense to their limit. ‘Any seconds now.’

Three.

Two...

A blur of dark mass flew down from the sky and smashed into the ground, rising into a cloud of both snow and dust. The cry of pedestrians resounded, and she could only pray that none of them were injured.

“Wow!” A voice exclaimed, marching in their direction. “I always dreamed of making this kind of entrance. Could use some work, though. Damn, I think I sprained my ankle.”

The figure of a grinning man slowly came out of the smoke.

“You...!” Sophia widened her eyes, a surge of power suddenly coming out of her.

Five spherical black masses the size of a hand suddenly appeared and hovered in the air, pointing at the figure as Kain narrowed his eyes.

Rin clenched her hand, glaring dagger at the irritating smile of the man.

“Rin,” Aiden called, spreading out his hand while looking back at her. “Kuroki Rin.” He hastily added. “In the name of the glorious organization that is the Garden, I am here to kidnap you.” He said, trying not to laugh.

‘...What?’

As soon the words left the man's lips, one of the spherical balls pierced through the air and headed straight for his head. Aiden caught it with his hand like it was nothing.

“Oh, come on, not even going to present yourself?” He asked her cousin, his hand trembling as the ball tried to wiggle out of his hold.

“Kein.” The boy calmly answered. “Remember it when I send you to the Darkside.” The remaining five balls moved.

Aiden laughed. “Straight to the point, huh.”

Another cloud of dust rose, yet Rin was under no impression the man had been hit. Neither did Kein, as he advanced to the front, barring his feral blue Aura for the world to see. Not a heartbeat later, Aiden appeared right in front of him, releasing his own whitish Aura.

“This is why I love you, Noble.” The man finished.

Another second of stillness passed quietly before the two of them disappeared in a blur of speed. Sophia followed— or would have if Rin hadn't hastily grabbed her arms. The older girl looked at her with a frown but she glared back this time.

“Kein... will be fine.” She said

“I don't think so,” Sophia replied instantly. “That man is openly known as the strongest Elite ever. Even if that boy is a Noble,” She looked back ahead, trying to follow the high-speed battle. And visibly failing.

Sophia Veneer was a name Rin was familiar with. She didn't concretely what her power was but she at least knew it was a Singularity. Which logically meant that she hadn't been endowed with an Aura. Noble were different, but for Elite, it was generally one or the other with only a few exceptions like Aiden. And without an Aura, chances were, there was little she could do to help in this fight. Moreover,

“Kein... is bad with a team.”

Rin didn't actually know if that was true, but, based on his personality, it probably was. More than all of that, though, there was something— someone else they needed to take care of right now. She turned her head toward the other end of the street, where another bunch of bystanders ran from and frowned.

Sophia's retort got stuck in her throat as she finally saw what Rin was seeing.

An abomination. A Demon— or at least that's what she wanted to call it. The absence of any Rift anywhere, and the fact that evacuating alarm hadn't resounded made her think otherwise. It definitely wasn't human, though. A mutant, perhaps? ‘No, all of them should be dead at this point.’

“Run.” Sophia instantly said. “Celia, go back to the H.Q and request back up.”

“Eh?” Celia uttered, still in a kind of stupor.

“Now!”

Rin considered for a second to follow her order, go back home, take her mask and her sword and then come back. ‘But, that'd be utterly stupid.’ She thought. Now was clearly not the time to worry about secrecy. Lives were potentially in danger. Plus, Aiden had loudly announced he was going to kidnap her, so probably no one would think to link her to him. ‘Why did he say that in the first place, though?’

“R-Rin?” Celia looked at her, bemused.

She exhaled a breath, and focused once more on the monster— only to see another figure at its side. Time slowed. Sophia was ready to yell her order again, and Celia, panicked, was trying to grab her hand. Too late, though. The man was just far away enough that she knew she couldn't reach him but close enough that his voice could be heard.

‘...shit.’ Rin couldn't help but curse internally.

“Don't Move.” Even among the sound of fleeing people, the order was clear as day.

Three pair of eyes instantly lost their light.