Lost Without Purpose

Got my equipment so I was feeling relaxed. This world isn't so simple. Been a while, but now that I think about it. The reason why I feel so uneasy was because there were similarities to the world, but also a difference.

Mr. Takemura was someone who had made a name for himself. If I remember correctly he had many rivals. Opportunistic sons-of-bitches. He also has this reasonable yet despicable attitude.

And that was my last time contacting him. Because I know it better that even if I get into trouble with Mr. Takemura. Even if I shoot my way out thinking that I was fake. Goro Takemura, the head, the owner of the tower he named himself will die soon.

His death didn't take long. After two days of waiting for something to happen. I saw Mr. Takemura's competitors, assaulting his tower. He probably tried to fix the 'weakness' of the tower, but he was facing the death squad of a person that was even more awful than he is.

Mr. Takemura was executed by a shot to the temple. The rest of the tower was scavenged by this group of people who came very prepared. The Black Gaunlet's works were nonetheless terrifying, and from the looks of they held a grudge against Mr. Takemura. I don't remember much about the details and truthfully I wasn't interested.

Mr. Takemura was a reasonable person. But with how the policy is going. I doubt that they'll allow someone like Mr. Takemura to continue on. Probably why it was also just the right time for that bitch named Leiko to beat me almost to death.

Jisoo sent the furniture to me. The 'cleaners' also were diligent in cleaning the blood that me and Leiko shed. I was about to take a rest when my bracer that I had equipped, warned me of something. Although my third-person ability allows me to feel far more safe. I don't like relying on it when I'm not in combat.

So having the anti-personnel module attached to my left forearm made me feel better. I already reserved a single inventory slot for my Morgan disguise. I keep the hook-bracer and the N9 shooter so I have three slots for them. For the outfit. For the hook-bracer and N9. The rest was the skull digital mask that Jisoo gifted to me and some of the items I keep in my pocket.

I approached the door of my apartment and saw three figures waiting outside. I stared at them before letting them in. It was the trio that somehow found my apartment. No, I think Nance already knows where I lived.

I opened the door. Nance went in immediately followed by Milana. They quickly occupied the living room's couches and treated my apartment like it was theirs. Somewhat peaceful and at the same time it made me question whether they just feel right or making fun of me. The only one who was rather apprehensive was Miss Audrey who found her friend's behavior… somewhat childish.

"Sorry. About them. Being like this."

"It's alright, Miss Audrey. I should be honored having pretty girls visit me like this."

"Well, good, I guess?"

She thumped my shoulder and moved to the living couch while placing her hands inside her denim jacket. Milana and Nance have tans. Audrey looks like she has not slept since forever.

"Coffee?"

I asked her. Audrey raises her head. Milana and Nance tried to ask me for drinks. I ignored them and brought Audrey her coffee to which the two booed and demanded to know something else.

"Favoritism! Now, you can't just do that when you have us!"

I opened the can of coffee. Passed it to Audrey who took the drink with one hand. The two stared at the coffee can. Audrey rolled her eyes at the, I didn't move from where I was standing and watched the two quietly.

"Geh, when you two became a sourpuss?"

"That reminds me, Nance. How's your broken heart?"

"Pretty good. Not too healed, but still fine."

"Mind me finally asking why we're bothering, Nikolai?"

Milana shrugged. "Didn't you say that the city is dangerous? That there are a lot of things happening? Or was that all for nothing?"

"There is something happening," Audrey said. "Confidential happening. My superiors told me that I should keep my nose out for now. No need to worry about work. So I was expecting you girls to take me somewhere nice. Girl's day off, and yet we come here."

She stared at me. Then she accused the two with her eyes.

"Going somewhere while leaving me alone."

Nance folded her arms. "Would you even come with us?"

"No?"

"Then why are you complaining?" She leaned back on the couch. "Besides, this apartment is nice. Your couch seems new. At least far better than your last apartment. Maybe next time you'd have a mansion?"

"Hope no," I said. "Must be tiresome to clean and besides I lived alone."

"You heard that?" Milana teased. "Our poor brother is so lonely."

"Well, no one would have me. Guess that's that."

Milana grinned. Nance flicked Milana's forehead before she stuck out her tongue. Milana raises a brow at Nance before nodding at her slowly. Didn't know what she understood from that flick.

"Look at them. Two single people standing around looking so moody and grumpy. Is that why Maybe these two need to relax or get together!"

Audrey wiped her face and took a drink of her can of coffee. She probably joined these two to get some relaxing done. If anything she should have known that they would do this. Knowing that they have been friends for a long time.

"Fine, I won't complain. Stop teasing the both of us. You'll make Nik mad and then you two wouldn't have a safe space, no, a patient friend to somewhat endure the two of you."

Nance eyed me. "I haven't seen him get mad at all. Do you even get mad?"

"I do," I showed her the bandages on my forearms. "Got myself almost beaten by a thug. Got mad and all that."

"Oh," Nance squinted at my wounds, "must be quite a fighter to injure you like that."

"Caught me off-guard," I said. I sat on a stool. Audrey carried her can and sat on the side while Nance came to me and asked in a hushed voice.

"So were you working hard again? If you really are injured and all that. I can go to a karaoke bar instead here."

"Well, I really am not that battered. I don't mind, really."

Nance's brows met. "Are you sure? Well, if you're sure then don't mind me," she grinned happily. Her face looked at the screen of the television.

It didn't take long for them to start singing. Since the two have taken my apartment hostage again.

I moved to my kitchen where I browsed the internet while Audrey followed. She carried a courier bag with her. Inside was her work laptop. She started typing on her laptop while sometimes responding to her friends.

"Must be quite busy."

"That I am. Nance and Milana despite their acts. Are still my good friends and I like seeing them mess around. Feels like I'm an older sister watching over her siblings. It feels nice and probably why they kept inviting me."

"Guess they know that you'd be working. Even now you are working, Miss."

"It can't be helped. That reminds me. Your job must be paying well. Have you paid your taxes?"

"The company usually takes care of it. It's legal, Miss."

"I hope it is. I'd hate to arrest you, Nikolai."

"Well, I ain't much of a fighter. I'd prefer to drive folks around."

"That's good. Well, if you have any problems with getting employment. You could always work for the precinct. We need a lot of graduates. Or you could be Milana's bodyguard. She pays well, you know?"

"That so?"

"Yup. She's quite rich. I sometimes even wonder why she hangs out. I mean you do realize that she just does her hobbies, right?"

I haven't looked up Milana's hobbies or social media. But I do understand that she's probably someone who has a family rich enough or has struck gold. She has peculiar friends. No, if anything she has a friend who might be working with criminals and the other was a law enforcer. It's like she's fence sitting.

"Milana, are you hiring a bodyguard or a driver?"

I asked. She stopped singing. Her eyes widened. She looked at me seriously. "You want to become my driver? Or a bodyguard?"

"Just asking."

A trace of disappointment appeared on her face.

"Boohoo, I thought I was going to strike gold. Anyway, if you are bored of hanging out with prettier ladies, then you can always count on driving JK's like me."

"So shameless!"

Nance snorted at her. Milan threw her hands up and said.

"It can't be helped that I'm the youngest here!"

Audrey gave her the look of disgust. Shook her head and returned to working on her laptop.

Their karaoke became louder. As usual it was up to me and Audrey to get their drinks for the day. We left my apartment and headed to the nearest convenience store. The convenience store was a five minute walk. On the street, where you could feel this strange tension due to the broken tower of Mr. Takemura. Audrey's eyes would casually glance at that tower. She should know what happened.

"Nikolai, have you thought of leaving this city?"

"I have."

That crossed my mind. This city's a mess. It has many faults. I could make a list of what I hate about this city. Nevertheless there's a reason I still stand in this city. A reason why I still think of staying.

"Are these really that bad?"

"It is. I ain't going to sugarcoat it. If this continues then there'd be a bloodshed. People will die."

She clenched her fist.

"But it is right that we take care of these dirty individuals. Even if it's intended for them to raise themselves up. It's the only way to demand justice."

"Sounds… troublesome."

"It is," she said. She tried to wipe her face off that vengeful look. Took her a while. We continued walking. Cars passed by. Aerial vehicles that carried important folks flew overhead. The streets were congested. Men and women of the city were waiting on the side of the street, hoping that they could cross the other side of the avenue.

The overhead pedestrian bridge was crowded. Students waited on the bridge while staring at the burning tower. Reaching the apartment, we threw the beers to the two and sat back on the kitchen.

I thought about it. If things really do get bad here in Pacifica. I found no reason to stay and endanger my life. And yet I found myself looking at the three in front of me. Will they be staying? What about Jon Locke? The girls working for the Solomons? Jisoo? Hell, even Timotei… they'll probably stay in this city.

"Are you going to be in the frontlines if things happen?"

"Probably."

"Hope you don't die, Audrey. Despite how grumpy you are. I think you should stay alive."

"What's up with that?"

"Nothing. Just thinking about how things are. How things might change for us. I hope that nothing bad happens. Despite it all. I do somewhat like this city, despite its flaws."

Her eyes quieted. It lost that vigor.

"There are good people here in Pacifica."

She looks at her friends fondly.

"And if they consider Pacifica City their home. Then I'd like to make sure that they could live here in peace."

Her voice was rather sweet and low. The fondness and melancholy in Miss Audrey's tone made me wonder what makes her so sure. Duty? Or is it because of the folks she likes that she's doing this?

Then it came to me that among the folks here. I'm as lost as them. Without purpose. Without anything other than earning money and living this life as a bystander on the side.