There was a one-foot distance between me and every other civilian, and I could tell from the looks the cops were giving me that all the other humans had told them about my lack of heroism. Oh, this is going to go well. It seemed like they were saving me for last, an hour crawling past as civillians were called up one by one to be interviewed. By the time it was my turn most of the Doves had left too, and the cop narrowed his eyes at me. “Name?”

I kept my expression neutral. “Teru Kouto.”

“Can you describe the events that happened to me?”

“I got onto the train, and after about five minutes there was an announcement that ghouls had taken control. I saw one of them going to the driver’s cab, he left his bag nearby and there was a gun inside. I wanted to arm myself just in case something happened, so I stole it while he was away.” I hesitated for a moment, then cleared my throat. “The ghouls killed someone. And…later, the CCG arrived.”

He narrowed his eyes. “And you did nothing to stop it even though you were the only one with a weapon?”

I looked away. “.....no.

His disgust was palpable, but even though I put on a good show outside I was internally restraining myself from biting his face off. “You’re a coward. You may as well have killed him yourself.”

Ass. One gun isn’t going to help me if I start a fight with twenty ghouls. “Are we done here?”

“So you don’t have anything to say for yourself?”

I moved to walk past him. “Unless you have something else to ask me, I think I’ll be going-”

Fire speared through my ribs. NO-! Blood thundered and my skin split as I shut my eyes, gasping for breath as a I grappled for control. nononononono- “HEY!”

I managed to pull myself together and opened my eyes in time to see Liana slam into the policeman, holding him by the collar. “What the fuck did you do?!”

The policeman thrashed in her grip, eyes wide as he stuttered. “I-I just held him back! I didn’t hit him, I only wanted to keep him from leaving!”

Of all the fucking times- My voice shook like a leaf in the wind but I managed to get the words out. “I-I’m fine. You can put him down.”

She glanced back at me for a moment and concern flickered across her eyes, hesitating a moment before she dropped him. “What happened?”

I straightened up, trying not to look like I’d been hunched over and half a second from collapsing. “It’s nothing. He startled me. I’m fine.”      

The cop glared as he found his footing. “Y-you bitch! You have some nerve assaulting a-”

A tall figure loomed over him a moment later, and the man froze as Loren cracked his knuckles. …I guess he got all the European tall genes. The height difference between the six-foot-seven irishman and the five-foot cop was almost comical, the trident in his hands still stained with blood as he stared down at the man. “What did you just say?”

The five-and-a-half-foot cop seemed like he was about to shit his pants, muttering something about needing to go back to the station and fleeing the scene as I slowly relaxed. Liana smiled at her twin, and as he approached I rubbed the back of my neck. “Um…thanks.”

Loren scowled. “Don’t think I believe you. I just hate people who use the ‘personal responsibility’ excuse more than I hate brats who don’t respect their pa-”

In the blink of an eye Liana’s foot lashed out like a viper’s tongue, Loren bellowing something in Irish and clutching at his ankle as Liana cleared her throat. “What my brother meant to say was ‘you’re welcome’, and that he will never, ever, under any circumstances, speak to you again unless absolutely necessary. So if you’re willing to put up with seeing his face every now and then, you’re more than welcome to rent out the apartment above the café with a discount.”

“I’m sure Crata would be happy to have you back at the store, and you need a break after what just happened. You can pay for a couple days or for a few weeks, for however long you need.”

For a few seconds, I could only stare at her. ………is this a trap? When I finally got control of myself I averted my gaze and cleared my throat. “Uh, that……that’s very kind of you. But……”

If it was a trap then her brother would have kept his mouth shut, unless they’re smart enough to double bluff me. I didn’t act that suspicious, and they did defend me……… I glanced at the empty streets. If I go motel bouncing any longer my funds will run dry. Still… “…I need to think about it.”

Liana looked almost disappointed, but she just smiled and nodded. “Of course. We have to debrief first anyways, so take your time.”

The two of them headed over to where the last few Doves were discussing, and I sat down on a seat nearby to let out Sumi as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Okay, so the main issue is that they might suspect me. It’s certainly plausible since I survived the entire ordeal without a scratch and I had a gun, but Liana seemed to have believed me and it looks like she’s the boss between the two of them. I cracked an eye open, but nobody was paying me any attention. Looks like they don’t see me as a threat, in which case my cover should be intact.

Liana was speaking avidly with the other Doves, and I watched her and her brother in silence.  I guess it wouldn’t hurt in the short term as long as I keep up the act. It’s unlikely they’ll bug the apartment, but I can sweep it if needed. It’d be easier to find accommodation and a job in another Ward if I had a place to stay in the meantime, and in the event that the apartment is secure and I stay in the Doves’ good graces……

The twins walked over shortly after and she cleared her throat. “So……have you decided on anything yet?”

I rubbed the back of my neck and avoided her gaze, putting on a show of being sheepish and shy. “Um……I…I’d like to take you up on your offer.”

She beamed brightly enough that almost all my suspicions were incinerated. “Perfect! I’ll call my mother and tell her to clean it up a little, there’s a station a couple blocks away we can take back to the 19th.”

My grateful smile wasn't entirely an act. “Thank you.”

The one she returned it with was definitely genuine. “I’m just glad I could help. And as for you-”

Her cheer sharpened dangerously as she grabbed her brother by the shoulder and leaned in close. “If you even think of pulling some yankee-ass bullshit again I will tell Kyoko every single detail of it.”

The man scowled but muttered something in line with ‘fine’ before Liana turned back to me. “Alright, let’s go!”

She started off, dialling her mother as we walked. “Mom? Yes, we’re fine. Better than fine, actually. We retook the train with minimal casualties, Loren and I weren't injured, and we bumped into Kou!” There was a pause, then she laughed a little. “He managed to keep his mouth shut long enough for me to convince Kou to rent, he’s with us right now. We’re on our way back, could you-” A smile touched her lips as she listened to whatever her mother was saying, and she nodded soon after. “Yeah, thanks. I’ll see you soon. Love you!”

She hung up a few moments later, but an odd emotion plucked at my insides. …envy. A rueful smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. I guess no matter how high I put my walls there are some things that won’t change.

As we walked Loren and I drew about level, a couple steps behind Liana as I carefully avoided looking at him. I did use reflective objects to check on him though, and it was kinda hard to miss the burning glare he was shooting my way. Still, he didn’t say anything and I was used to silence. Never have been much of a talker, so this suits me just fine. Small talk is rather- “Have you had dinner yet?”

I stiffened and turned to find Liana looking right at me. “Uh……yeah, I had a bite to eat before I got on the train.”

“Are you hungry? After an experience like that it wouldn’t surprise me, want to come over for dinner?”

Loren’s stomach grumbled and he reddened slightly, scowling deeper. “We had to postpone dinner when they called us in. They weren’t that dangerous though, they probably could have managed without us.”

Sumi bunted my hand as shey lay on top of my bag and I started to pet her, but Liana kept turning back and smiling. Her brother noticed after the first couple times and scowled at his twin. “What are you so happy about? I’m starving!”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh shut up, I wasn’t looking at you. I was looking at Sumi and Kou, they’re so cute!”

I almost tripped, silence panning over the three of us as we stopped dead on the sidewalk. It took me a few seconds to process what she said, my cheeks colouring as I turned away and coughed a little bit. ‘Cute’? “Um……I……uh…thanks? I guess?”

Her eyes widened and she clamped her hands over her mouth. “Oh. Oh. Oh my god I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to say it like that! I just meant that you looked- uh, well, your cat looked adorable, and you look handsome-”

I choked on air as she blushed furiously and turned back around, Loren scowling even deeper. “This is why you don’t have a boyfriend. Are you done yet?”

The silence was suddenly a lot less comfortable as we got on the subway, sitting with a seat between me and the two of them for their quinques. Well, that wasn’t awkward. I very quietly took a deep breath in and out, releasing some of the tension from my body. She must have been pretty flustered to refer to me as cute. When I was still able to go to school I was always told I looked intimidating by younger students or that I looked grumpy by my classmates, ‘cute’ never really applied to me after I turned 13.  

It almost felt too easy; as soon as we got back Ms. Kito fussed over her children, apologizing again and forcing her son to bow to me. We ironed out the details of the tenancy agreement rather quickly, and after politely refusing an offer to eat dinner with them I played the ‘draining eventful night’ card. They quickly left me to my own devices, and once they were gone I pulled my phone out. A few camera tricks helped verify the apartment wasn’t bugged, and when I was satisfied I let out a sigh of relief and dropped into a chair. Over at last.

I was feeling pretty drained, but after taking a moment to breathe and center myself I stood back up and started setting up. I let Sumi out and unpacked her food and water, letting her settle in as I quickly typed up an email to tell Crata I was going to be staying after all. Probably asleep by now, I wouldn’t want to wake her when I want my job back. When I was done scheduling a send for the morning I took a quick shower and lay down, stretching and sighing. This bed is okay, but not as firm as my old one. After a few minutes Sumi jumped on, bouncing gently and meowing. I rolled my eyes. “Yes, this bed is different. Shut up and get over here.” She padded over and curled up in front of my chest, and I closed my eyes. Peace at last.

)o( 

Akise was at his desk doing what looked like a maths paper, so I sat down on his bed and  waited for him to finish. My gaze drifted to the photos on his desk, and I tilted my head at a slightly newer photo. After a minute or two he closed the book and sighed, turning around. Then he screamed and I nearly jumped out of my skin. “JESUS-! KOU?! How did you get in here!?”

I gave him a deadpan look. “Oh, I climbed up to your roof and phased through the ceiling. I used the door, how else!? I’ve been here for five-!”

The door burst open suddenly, and I stared at the people who skidded to a stop behind it. The three young women stared right back, and after a few moments of awkward silence Aki cleared his throat. “Right, introductions. Kou, these are some friends from a nearby school. Reiji, Seiji, and Keiji. Guys, this is Tenko. He’s a friend from my old school.”

I waved hi, and one of them stepped forward. “I’m Reiji. That’s Seiji and that’s Keiji.”

I flicked my gaze over each of them, trying to find identifying features as they turned to my friend. "Is everything okay? Is 'Tenko' a welcome guest here?"

Aki waved his hand. "No-! I mean, yes; he's a guest. I was just...surprised. I didn't notice him come in."

I did a quick scan of the room and narrowed my eyes. “Akise, you told me you transferred to Kasakei High." 

He tensed slightly, but quickly covered it up with a cough. “I did. I mean I do! I-I did tell you that, and I do. So?”

I glanced back at him. “That’s nowhere near the closest CCG Investigator Academy.”

All four of them tensed. Akise suddenly wouldn’t meet my eyes, stuttering as he stared at a section of wall. “I- Um- That’s- I didn’t-”

I waited silently, and after a few moments he sighed and sat down. “Nothing gets past you, does it?”

I crossed my arms. “Why did you lie to me?”

He opened his mouth to respond, but someone cleared their throat from the doorway. The triplet with a double helix piercing was watching me curiously. “Before we get to that, how could you tell we went to the Academy?" 

I huffed an irritated breath. “You all have earring holes, but none of you have earrings in them; a clue that you're athletic. All three of you were gripping something inside your bags when you barged in, and although I didn’t see what it was you were holding I did see part of an ID card. White background, gold frame around your photo. I know two schools in the area with that arrangement on their cards; first, the CCG Academy. Second-” I flicked a glance back to Aki. “-Kasakei High. Aki said you guys went to a school ‘nearby’, so it was obvious that something was up.”

It was dead silent for a few seconds. I sighed. “There’s also a photo of the four of you in front of the academy on Aki’s desk.”

Reiji rolled her eyes. “You must be fun at parties. So, Akise, why did you lie to this guy if he’s one of your ‘closest friends’?”

I furrowed my brow. “He said wha-?”

Aki cleared his throat. “I...may have told all of my friends that I was going to Kasakei. I just thought you guys might think it was….weird.”

I raised an eyebrow. “‘Weird’?”

He looked away, and I sighed. “It’s not weird, it’s dangerous. You know what happened with that eyepatched lady a few weeks ago fighting alongside people like that and against ghouls is dangerous.”

He sighed. "I know it's dangerous, but it's important to me. I knew that you wouldn't really approve of it, and that the others would ask a lot of questions, so I thought I'd tell you guys later."

The triplets tensed at that second bit, but I ignored them for the time being and sat down so I was level with him. "I may not approve, but it's your choice; all I can do is give you advice, if you want it. You don't have to hide things from me just because I may not agree with it."