It was good while it lasted.

"(I recognize that uniform and that guard!)" he thought.

Sano clenched his buster-blade harder than he ever did since meeting Licca. As the guard approached him, he went still. The officer had a side-arm and was carrying a box.

He points that thing anywhere near red-head, he's meat! I'll eat him here and now!

Inch by inch step by step, the guard got closer and closer. When Sano was at the apex he still wasn't sure what to do. He could only raise his collar to hide his scarred neck.

"Excuse me, sir." Churchhill said politely.

Sanos mind went blank. He almost moved like a zombie out of the guard's path.

Then the guard walked past him entirely without even a glance and gave a salute towards Hibari.

"Oh, uh, did you have an appointment today? I haven't been informed." Hibari said searching through her holo screens.

"We were actually supposed to be sent 1 month ago, but things in the Far East are harsher than described in other branches. Our first convoy never made it past the first checkpoint, and before that, we had to send a separate group to see to the return of the two pilots for burial. I'm here today to finally deliver the replacement helmet for Inmate 1103. If the director is available I'd like to deliver it straight to him." Churchhill said.

"Oh...uh..." Hibari hesitated. Looking at Sano was still in place as a block of ice.

She quickly returned focus on the Prison Guard and acted on her instinct.

"The Director is currently in the quarantine zone of the branch. Even after he comes out he'll need to go through standard decontamination and 24-hour observation before seeing anyone in person. It is best you leave it here so you can reduce the risk of exposure. The Black Plague is very contagious and we can't have strangers wondering the building." Hibari explained.

"I see...well make sure he gets this. Where is the inmate right now?" Churchhill asked, adjusting his collar to hide his nervousness.

"Currently assigned to a post in the more risky Black Plague zones. Even if he interacts with people, he'll only end up infected." Hibari said. Her demeanor was bold.

"Is that right? Well, I guess since that helmet broke that was your best option to control him. But now that you have this, it won't' be an issue at all." Churchhill said patting the box. He placed it on Hibari's desk and rummaged through his pocket. He placed a black oval-shaped device in front of the box.

"Once you get this on him, this button here will give him a jolt that'll keep him behaved. I warn you right now that's no man you've over there, it's an animal. You should all be very careful when you get this on him. Take no chances, kill him if you have to." Churchhill said coldly, Hibari twitched, clenching the hem of her skirt to vent her anger.

"Anything else we should know?" she asked, keeping her stalwart demeanor upfront.

"I think my Warden and the Director hashed out the details, just make sure this helmet doesn't break. We have to go through a lot of legal channels to acquisition one helmet. Didn't even know the things could break. Guns certainly don't do the trick. But anyway if my presence will only hinder the delivery. I"ll leave it in your hands." Churchhill gave a salute and turned back to the door. As he closed the door behind him, Hibari made a grotesque face.

The room filled with harsh winds and golden light as soon Churchhill left.

Hibari peaked through her hands at Sano in Burst trembling with his god-arc in hand. She could also hear growling and not from the god-arc. The man in the red hat and Janitor Lady were slightly blinded by the light.

Sano clenched his jaw. He could feel the scars on his neck writhe.

"(Bastard-Didn't-Even-Recognize-ME!!!)" Sano thought furiously.

He looked at Hibari, then at the box.

"(It's going back on isn't it?)" Sano thought grimly.

Outside of prison the helmet meant to tame Felon God-Eaters was mandatory. Always. Sweating for hours on end? It stays. Through wind, it stays. Through rain, it stays. Through snow, it stays. Starving to death? Well, it still stays on until you're back in the prison. That was the life in Super Maximum security. No right to talk, no right to complain, no right to anything.

With a frown, Sano felt his arm go limp loosening his god-arc.

Hey, now none of that!

Sano!

Hibari adjusted her eyes and started towards the inmate.

"Please talk to me. Did you know him!? How can I help!?" Hibari said, sincerely. She inched closer and closer through the harsh wind. The moment she entered arms-length the golden light died down and Sano turned away from her.

"Sano?" Hibari said, with worry.

"Do what you have to. It was good while it lasted." Sano said. Then he made for the stairs.

There was so much pain in his voice.

"Sano, wait-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP." Hibari was interrupted by the rings from her desk. With a frustrated sigh, she went to the holo-screen and answered.

"Everything is under control. Yes, there was an oracle reading in the building but it's been resolved." Hibari said calmly. However there was another ring, and she started to get tense.

"No everything's fine now. There's no danger, DON'T RAISE THE ALARM." she said loudly.

BEEP BEEP BEEP

"(Oh my god!) Hibari speaking. You need me to connect you to the research team? Ok." Hibari said and with a huff, she punched the box housing Sano's helmet. She sadly continued her work with diligence unable to escape her duties.

"(Sano...)" she thought.

Sano stood at the elevator, his eyes glued to the floor and his eyes hid behind his hair. "(What was I thinking?)" he thought.

CLANK

Sano raised his head back up but turned his head as soon as the doors opened.

"AND DONE!" Kanon declared, pumping a fist into the air.

"YEAH, WE ROCKED IT!" Erina shouted, doing the same.

Uuuuuggggh

Behind the two was a sprawled gentlemen face down on the metal floor.

"Good Job, Emil, you finished 10 minutes faster than last time!" Kanon cheered clapping.

"You get an A for effort from Kanon, but I say you should get a lighter training regiment. We're built different, right Kanon?" Erina bragged flexing her muscles. Hearing this Emil raised his head and gazed at Erina with his usual splendor.

"I. Will Never Yield!!!" he said bravely. Right as he collapsed with a thud.

"Jeez..." Erina said bitterly.

"OH HEY SANO!" Kanon said happily. Erina turned to the side of the Felon God-Eater and immediately hopped out of the elevator with a smile with Kanon.

"I think we set a new record today! It was SO intense!" Kanon bragged as she jittered towards the inmate.

"Greet-hngs, Sorh Blaghk Knoit!" Emil's muffled voice said.

"Can we think about adding more laps? I don't think 5 is doing it for us anymore." Erina asked, trying to cozy up to the inmate.

The two waited for his response, but Sano did not turn to face them. The inmate dare not look them in the eye. Not as the tears built in his eyes.

"(A little longer. At least I have that much.)" Sano thought. A tendril extended from his god-arcs core and it snaked up his sleeve. It gently wiped away the tears, and only then did Sano face the pair.

"Kane." Sano said firmly.

"Yes?" Kanon replied, feeling cut off from the topic of their running.

"Do you have any missions soon?" the inmate asked.

"No, I usually wait until after we train to get a mission." Kanon said.

"Then today we move on to the next part of your wish." Sano said.

Kanon lit up and hopped in place letting out a scream.

"Am I ready? Am I really ready!?" she beckoned.

"Am I too!?" Erina clamored.

"I think you could wait one more month, but I can't. There's no better time than now to plan this out. (With that helmet on they won't' hear a word.)" Sano thought bitterly.

"For real!?" Erina squealed.

Kanon paused her cheering, staring confusedly at the inmate.

"We'll pick up your god-arc and meet at the firing range. Erina this is for her so I don't have anything else for you today. Sorry." Sano said, sadly.

"Uh, ok..." Kanon said quietly as she walked to the elevator.

"Um, can't I help with anything?" Erina said.

"Just make sure Emil's not dead for now. " Sano said as he grabbed Emil and flung him to the couch.

"Yes, Sir! Get it together Emil, I have it my way we'll be doing 10 laps! Work it off!" Erina did her best to "motivate" Emil. He only sunk deeper in the couch.

The inmate snickered, feeling his heart lighten. He went to the elevator and waited with Kanon. Kanon peaked at the inmate, noting while he smiled Sano was still sad.