A vibration.

My sleepy brain brushes it off.

Another buzz.

My body ignores the jolt on my wrist, but my mind snaps awake, no rest for the wicked. 

I roll onto my back and open my eyes. The motel room has a completely different vibe in the morning. Warm morning light fills the room, in defiance of the rain tapping gently against the windows. Rain and Sun—it’ll be an interesting day.

Beside me, Lili lies with her back to me. The soft sunlight tracing her curves. Her breathing is slow and steady—still asleep. Good. We had a great night, but I can’t stand morning small talk after a one-night fling.

I sit up quietly, bare skin slipping free of the rumpled sheets. My watch buzzes again, cutting through my brief moment of peace with a new mission order. It never stops. But I know the drill—this is what I do best, aside from pleasing ladies.

Our clothes are scattered across the floor, and I take a moment to visually locate mine before I even start moving. I need to be quick and quiet; the last thing I need is for her to wake up and want to chat about our steamy night.

The bed doesn’t squeak or shift when I stand up, which is a relief. Thank the Capricorn owner for not skimping on the bedding—at least they know how to keep things quiet, as if they’re foreseen the need for some of their patrons to make a silent escape like this. I tiptoe around, grabbing my pants and plotting the most efficient path to grab all of my clothes and exit the room as quickly as possible.

I’m only halfway into my jeans when Lili’s sleepy voice cuts through my concentration.

“Hey there, stranger.” I can practically hear her smile. Great. 

I take my time pulling up my jeans, buying myself a moment to think about what to say and how to make a smooth escape. Our eyes finally meet.

“Good morning, Lili.” Keep it simple, Hana. Maybe I’m just imagining things. Maybe it won’t be that bad.

She sits up, her long dark hair spilling down her shoulders and over her generous breasts. I can’t deny it—she’s a pretty girl. A yawn escapes her, and she stretches, arms raised with a satisfied smile.

I begin sliding into my sport bra in silence.

“You’re leaving already?” She asks, a playful tone in her voice. “I thought we could grab breakfast together. I’ve heard the food here is pretty good, or if you’re still hungry for something else, we could…” Her voice trails off into a purr at the end while she inches closer to me on all four.

“I’m good.” My buttoned shirt keeps me busy as I avoid her gaze. I know exactly where this is going, and I’m not a fan. 

“Good? Seriously? That’s all you’ve got after last night?” She sits back on her heels, a frown forming on her face. Here it comes.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself.

“Listen. This was just a one-night thing. Remember? Nothing serious.” My tone is steady, trying to keep things calm and light.

“So, you were gonna sneak away without a word. And I thought girls were supposed to be better than that.” She lets out a cold, sarcastic laugh.

Two months of longing, and of course, this has to happen the moment I can finally have some fun. I turn to face her, fully dressed now—no more escape. She looks up at me with that judging expression I know so well, ready to cast me as the bad guy in her morning drama.

“Listen, Lili, I’m sorry. I had a great time but I really need to get to work.” I put on my most sincere sorry face— though I know it never really works. I’ve tried all kinds of tactics for handling heartbroken, demanding flings.

She’s not buying it.

Her eyes show a mix of disappointment and annoyance as they lock onto me. But then, to my surprise, they soften. She looks away as if lost in thought for a moment, before dragging out a long sigh and returning her gaze to mine.

“Can I get your number, at least?” Her voice has lost its edge, and it feels like she’s given up on judging me. “It’s really not just about hooking up, I like you, you’re fun to be around! How about we grab a snack sometime? Just chill, you know?” 

Her genuine smile hits me like a wave of relief. I won’t have to be the complete jerk I’d need to be if she had pushed it. Maybe we can even be friends; she’s not a bad person after all.

“Sure. But just friends, okay?” I need to make it extra clear to avoid more awkward situations.

She grins. “Just friends.”

She slides back toward the bedside table to grab her phone, giving me a nice view of her round booty. Nice move, Lili, nice move.

“Okay, I’m ready.” She looks at me expectantly, phone in hand, waiting for my number. I hesitate, thinking about all the ways this could go wrong. I can always block her number if things go south. I give it to her while I finish putting on my jacket, getting ready to head out.

My phone buzzes—of course she made sure I didn’t give her a fake number. The notification on my watch lights up with her message. “Can’t wait to experience your expert fingers again~!<3”

I give her a deadpan look.

“Aw, c’mon. It’s just a joke!” She giggles, cheeky girl. 

I let out a brief chuckle, amused by her boldness.

 “Alright, I’m out, Lili. Take care.” I open the door, ready to get moving; that mission order isn’t going to wait.

“Bye-bye, Hana! See you soon!” Her playful tone trails after me as I shut the door.

It’s still pretty early, around 7 a.m., and the motel is quiet. Its residents are still recovering from their night of fun. The wine-colored carpet muffles my footsteps as I head to the stairs. Never take the elevator- that’s a crucial rule for a Neutralizer. There are creatures out there that can mimic them perfectly. I’ll let you imagine what happens when you step inside.

Outside is just as I expected— sunshine mixed with rain. It’s that annoying light drizzle that doesn’t soak you but feels like a constant spray on your face. Or worse, when you’re wearing a helmet.

My helmet.

I mentally facepalm myself.

How did I completely forget my helmet? That’s not like me at all. And now The Capricorn is definitely closed. Honestly, the thought of coming back tonight isn’t so bad; I can see Casey again.

Still, I hope I don’t run into any cops on my way to the mission. Speaking of which, I pull out my phone to check the details. Am I tracking a lycan or staking a rogue vampire today?

Great. A meeting.

And with the DHRA. The bureau of Demons and Human Regulation and Activities. Office meetings aren’t really my thing. I’d much rather be out in the field than stuck listening to higher-ups. Especially when it comes to reunion with the Demons. More often than not all they want us neutralizers for is to drag us along on missions where they know they’ll be outnumbered.

Well, there’s only one way to find out. I hop on my trusty bike, and the engine roars to life, like a beast awakening. I’m about to put my helmet on when I remember I left it at the club. I stop mid-reach and let out a frustrated sigh. 

What a rookie move.

The DHRA is situated in District 23 of Skyline City, right in the business hub. Towering glass buildings rise so high they block out the grey sky, like giants keeping watch over tiny ants below. Because of that, I just call the Demons’ office D23.

Their premises blends right in with the surrounding area. You’d never guess it’s the headquarters of demon control. Most Plainfolks imagine demons sporting big horns, red skin, and rows of sharp teeth. But not these guys—they show up in expensive suits and carrying briefcases, like they’re off to a PowerPoint presentation.

The guard at the entrance of the underground parking lot watches me closely as I arrive—without my helmet. 

I could’ve played it cool and just shown my Neutralizer ID, but no. I’m kicking myself for that.

As I head down and park, my phone buzzes in my jacket. I check and instantly regret it. I should’ve known better. The buzzing goes on, and it feels like we’re locked in a duel—it demands attention while I play the stubborn one. Finally, it goes quiet, and I feel like I’ve won the battle…for now.

I take the stairs, as always, and make my way up to the ground floor. I pass another guard before finally reaching the main lobby. The space has a surprisingly chill vibe for a demon office. With high ceilings and big windows letting in plenty of light, it feels oddly welcoming for a place that handles renegade demons. Comfy seating areas invite casual chats and digital screens flash reminders about meeting and snack breaks. I never really understood the snacks screen but I’m guessing it has to do with the Gluttony demons.

“Hey! China! Since when are ye ignoring yer boss, eh?!”

I blink slowly, feigning deep interest in the treat options on the screen. But there’s no escaping this one. I turn to face the mountain of muscle striding toward me, her annoyed expression saying it all.

“Sorry, Kate. My phone was on silent.” I don’t mind lying to someone who, first, can’t remember my name and second, who thinks I’m Chinese, just because I’m Asian. I  mean, come on—after seven years, you’d think she’d remember I’m actually Japanese. But that’s classic Kate- she barrels through life with the subtlety of a freight train, oblivious to anything that doesn’t fit her narrow world view. Respect? Nah, she doesn’t do that. But give her a mission and a team and she’s a powerhouse. One of the best leaders in the Equilibrium Network.

She plants herself in front of me, arms crossed. Like a human skyscraper. That tight shirt strains even more against her muscular arms. I have to tilt my head back just to meet her eyes. This woman is three heads taller than me. She could probably bench-press me.

 “Yeah, right. On silent. Get yer skinny ass to the meeting room. Everybody’s waiting on ye!” To an outsider, she’d come off as a ferocious beast—a walking warning sign you’d want to avoid. But to me? Despite her sharp tongue and the fact that I have to crane my neck to look her in the eyes, I’d trust her with my life on a mission. She might give you a hard time, roll her eyes, but if the chips are down, she’s the one you want by your side. She’s like a grumpy bodyguard who’ll insult you while simultaneously saving your butt.

“Yes, boss.” I shoot her a laid-back smile. She knows I’m her best agent, and while she can throw shade all day, it doesn’t faze me. I’ve earned my stripes in this crazy game.

She lets out an annoyed huff, keeping up her grumpy act as we head to the meeting room.

We stroll past a few security checkpoints, flashing our ID’s like its second nature. I just walked in, and I’m already over this place. After two months of nonstop missions, I thought I’d finally get a breather. But no. Here I am, diving straight back into the chaos.

The deeper we go into the agency, the more those glaring surveillance cameras seem to pop up, as if they’re watching our every move. It’s amusing how supernaturals are always bragging about their superiority, yet here they are, relying on human tech for almost everything.

The meeting room sits in a stark, brightly lit hallway, all frosted glass and harsh white neon light.

Room 4–our usual hangout. It’s got all the charm of a corporate dungeon.

Kate bursts through the door without so much as a knock.

“A’right, we’re here.” She barks like she owns the place. The three people inside jump, clearly caught off guard. Three sets of eyes flit between Kate and I, two surprised and one annoyed, trying to gauge if we’re here to save the day or just make things awkward. 

The uncomfortable silence after Kate’s tactful arrival is, thank god, broken by a cheerful voice. 

“Hi Hana!” That’s Angela—everyone calls her Angie— full of energy as always. She’s a tiny ball of sunshine, with big bright eyes that twinkle with every thought. Her bubbly personality is contagious, and she has this adorable laugh that could make anyone smile. She’s a Lust demon, but not in the usual way—more like the quirky, offbeat kind.

I smirk back. “ Hey there, Angie.”

I had a crush on her. Past tense.

I threw all my best moves at her, but she turned me down nicely, with that sweet smile of hers. I know she’s got her sights set on someone else—someone I can’t compete with. An ice-queen, a strict machine, and the one currently giving me those judgemental eyes. 

Jaahra. 

“Can we start now that everyone has finally arrived?” That’s her. A Pride demon. One of the higher-ups and Angie’s boss. All sharp angles and corporate vibes, the complete opposite of my boss, Kate.

“Yeah, yeah.” Kate replies, completely brushing off the harsh tone as she drops into one of the chairs around the square table.

“Take a seat, Hana!” Angie chirps, pulling up a chair for me. She’s just the sweetest. I settle next to Kate, facing the screen, Jaahra and I sigh. 

Akio.

He’s giving me those pitiful pleading eyes, and I know exactly what’s coming.

Imagine a person who’s like a chaotic puppy—always underfoot, barking about food, and so loud you can’t think straight. That’s him. That’s Akio. A Gluttony demon. Now that I think about it, that snack break screen must have been put up just for him.

Most of the time when the Demons call us in, it’s because they’re short on agents for a mission. They usually pair us with one of their own, which is fine—I guess. The issue is, I always seem to get stuck with this guy. Which bumps up the mission’s complexity and exhaustion factor by about 75%.

I let out a discreet sigh, feeling that familiar weight of resignation. I shift my attention to the Pride Demon. 

Same old story- some rogue demon is wreaking havoc among the Plainfolks, flexing their power. It’s exhausting, but we have to confront this head-on before it spirals out of control.

As expected, I’m stuck with Akio.

Jaahra shares a few more details, making sure we’re all on the same page, then finally lets us go to prepare.

I can’t help but hope I’ll have enough time to swing by the Capricorn and grab my helmet. And maybe catch a glimpse of Casey, the cute coat-girl. The thought of her makes me smile. A little moment of normalcy might be what I need to recharge my batteries after this mission with Akio.