Introducing Squad Zero (1)

A lot of things had happened these past few weeks. It might just be the little autumn's imagination, but deep in her heart she knew, that something is amiss. With the appearance of Number 129 and the government's order of capturing the people who are affiliated with Krama - both in a good and bad way - Yuzuru Aki has this terrible feeling that maybe… just maybe…

Krama truly has returned.

After years of being their guinea pig, it doesn't take her long to realize how familiar these occurrences are and how they are all similarly related. The public knows how unswerving Krama is when it comes to their so-called rebellion. But for the Numbered? Every one of them knew just how terrifying that organization is when it comes to manipulating the flow of society.

However, life continues despite everything, and all she can do in this time of crisis is to take each step forward along with the people who matter most to her.

Because if she doesn't, how will she ever face the people who have given their lives just to save hers?

And so with a heavy heart, she turns the sign of their cafe, mentally preparing herself for another day of service. The little autumn also noticed how bleak and cloudy the sky is, visibly sighing how everything looked dull in her eyes.

'Not that I could blame the environment for dampening my mood.' Aki thought to herself as her dull and lifeless gaze began to inspect their surroundings. The owner of the nearby flower shop was moving the plants inside their store, and the restaurant at the other end of the street was still closed. Raising both of her eyebrows, the little autumn once again gazes upwards, making her think if the news said anything about having a rainy day.

"Hey, Cassandra?" Aki then stepped inside their store, noticing her friend's stare from the counter, ushering her to go on. "What's the weather forecast today?"

"Sunny."

Frowning, Aki almost lost all her trust in the weatherman. Seriously, how do they always mess these things up?

Chuckling at the little autumn's reaction, Cassandra simply grinned, prompting the little autumn to notice how her smile considerably differed from the overall atmosphere today.

"Ah, your eyes widened." Just as she leaned forward to capture the little autumn's attention, Cassandra's eyes fractionally softened. "Are you grateful that I instantly brightened this place up? I heartily accept any compliments, you know!"

Rolling her eyes, Aki chuckled. "You know how thankful I am, Cassandra. Must you always hear it?"

Wrinkling her eyes as she laughed, Cassandra answered. "I demand constant affirmation of it. Don't you already know that? Keep up, Yuzu!"

"..."

Bewildered at her friend's antics, the little autumn almost forgot her trepidation and is thankful to have someone like Cassandra by her side.

Hours have then passed since they began their service. A few of their regulars - most of who are always running late for their job - have already stopped by, giving them a few minutes to breathe before a batch of new customers once again walk inside their cafe.

And just when their lunch service was beginning to end, the rain suddenly poured, prompting some of their customers to groan. Noticing their dismay, the little autumn glanced at the umbrella rack and was relieved that most of them brought one.

Then the door opened and the bells chimed, signifying the arrival of new customers.

But seeing who they are, and what their attire is, Yuzuru Aki doubts if 'customers' is the right term to use.

"Hello, Aki, Cassy," Greeting both of the cafe's employees, Police Chief Baldur gently smiled. "How are you faring?"

It took them a few seconds to even realize that a few of their customers had already spilled their drink, or dropped their utensils. After all, seeing an official who holds one of the highest power in this land is not an everyday occurrence.

"Seriously Bal?" Perceiving that Cassandra has the same thought, Aki could only sigh. "Must you really wear your uniform? You're scaring our customers!"

Amused at her reaction, the chief of police eventually strode his way to the counter, all the while ordering quite a few numbers of bread, tea, and cake. As he was doing so, the little autumn made her way towards their surprised customers, making sure to provide them any kind of comfort due to their benefactor's sudden appearance. It's not as if she doesn't know that he'll visit them soon, she just doesn't know when the exact date of his visit.

"I've invited a few of my colleagues to join us." He says after noticing the skeptical look that the blonde lady had given him. "I hope you don't mind."

Cassandra mumbles a few words, which prompted the Police Chief to laugh. Unfortunately, the little autumn was too busy to even hear what her friend had said to him.

She wasn't exactly curious about the topic of their current conversation, so with her work in mind, the little autumn continued serving their customers, all the while preparing their needed space for the meeting.

"Oi Yuzu!" Upon hearing a portion of her name, Aki abruptly turned around and unimpressively gazed at her friend. "Ugh, don't look at me like I'm worthless. Bal wants to ask you something!"

'The Police Chief?' Raising both of her eyebrows, the little autumn slowly made her way to the counter and wordlessly gazed at the man in question.

"How are your wounds?" He asks, worry apparent in his gaze.

And as monotonous as she made it out to be, Aki replied. "I'm okay."

"No pain?"

Noticing her lie, the little autumn had no choice but to be honest. "There is. But it's fine. Time will heal the bruises."

"You should have seen it, Bal." Cassandra then interjected, grimacing when her gaze locked with the little autumn. "It was horrendous. It's been a while since I last saw her in that state."

But before he could open his mouth to speak, the door once again opened, revealing three officers. At this point, most of their customers simply chose to ignore their sudden appearance, as their actions of lowering their gaze has been instantly caught by the little autumn.

'Ignorance is bliss, as the vendors would usually say.' Aki quietly thought to herself before wordlessly serving all of Sir Clyde's orders, ushering them all to take a seat at the very corner of their cafe.

Fortunately, there is a pillar that somehow separates that table from the rest, prompting the little autumn to have an idea about putting some kind of barrier and creating a make-shift private room. But then again, considering their current profit, it'll be a long time before they could start renovating the place.

"You're awfully quiet." Cassandra interrupts her thoughts, making Aki frown. "What are you thinking about?"

"Future renovations."

Blinking at how random her response was, Cassandra could only chuckle as they continue to prepare for the upcoming meeting with the police chief and his subordinates.

***

"Allow me to introduce my subordinates," The chief of police then cleared his throat, just when the little autumn had verified once more that their last customer had finally stepped outside before turning their sign outside to close. "You've all met Lieutenant Rainer and Officer Ain."

With a wave of his hand, Officer Ain instantly brightened up, prompting his superior to smack his head for being 'childish'.

Sighing at their antics, Police Chief Baldur continued. "And I've also chosen another officer to help with this case. I'm sure that Aki has already met her though…"

Humming, the little autumn wasted no time in gazing at his third subordinate who was currently taking a sip out of her tea. To be honest, Aki didn't even think that she'll ever see this lady again, considering how she hates to stay in their suffocating building. But then again, as she would often think about it, the way how this world works is weird - mostly in a contradicting manner.

"It's good to see you, Miss Aki." Officer Maria formally greets her, her emerald green eyes boring into the little autumn's soul. The confidence she emits while sitting is undeniably superior, prompting Aki to finally take her sit beside Cassandra and lower her head. "You too, Miss Cassandra. Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Maria Dela Cruz."

"Ah, yes." Visibly uncomfortable, Cassandra could only nod her head and awkwardly replied. "It's also nice to meet you."

"..."

Blinking, Aki finally lifted her head and snicked. "Wow, it's been a while since I heard you talk like that."

"..."

And just like that, the tension broke. Sir Clyde sighed while Cassandra could only pout, her ears turning red for each second that passes. "Yuzu! Stop teasing me!"

Unimpressed, the little autumn simply shrugged her shoulders before finally lifting her cup of coffee to take a sip.

Clearing his throat to get everyone's attention, Sir Clyde once again open his mouth to speak. "I've also invited another man to attend this meeting. He's not part of the bureau, but his criminal investigations rival my own."

Hearing him say that, almost everyone at the table raised their eyebrows, curiosity etched within their gaze.

Except for one man: Officer Ain. He probably doesn't even realize that the little autumn noticed his unusual response, prompting her to shift her body closer to Cassandra's. As much as she wants to trust him due to his protectiveness back at the local precinct, trust isn't something that can be easily acquired by a person.

It has to be earned, constantly.

"But unfortunately, due to the rain, he just texted me to start with the meeting." Sir Clyde continues, his gaze shifting to that of the window. "So…"

"Shall we?"

*****