5-1 Stolen Data (1)

Date: September 5-6

Place: Kyoto Headquarters

[Rei]

"Help me!" I hear struggling screams over the other side of this forest.

"They're in a cave!" Cedrick says on the transmitter.

I already knew that this is a dream, but even my body doesn't react as I want it to. It's like I'm only a spectator of my memories. everything was on fast forward and the killings are much more gruesome. I even see myself on that form and was on a killing spree. I couldn't make any changes to my actions, I can barely watch this. I just hope for everything to end. But the loud explosion happened. And this time, it was different. Only I survived and everyone was lying dead on the ground.

"Come back to us," I can only hear a voice say without a visual. "I can repair you," he added. Then everything went pitch black.

"Give in and let me devour you!" I instantly woke up with that last shout. It was not a human's voice. It was cold and deadly. Like a predator begging its prey to stay still if I don't want others to get involved, leaving me with no choice but to sacrifice myself.

I looked around me and found all of them still sleeping. "What's this?" I blurted when I saw something on the foot of my bed. It was a sleeping pill and a glass of water. I glanced again to see who might have predicted I needed this. It must be either Cedrick or Yui. I drank it and went back to sleep.

But I still woke up earlier than anyone in this room. I gave up on getting more rest, picked up myself to get a towel, and head to the shower room.

[Cedrick]

I woke up with the sound of things falling to the ground and found Rei picking all the files she dropped as she looked my way.

"Did I wake you up?" she says with an apologetic tone and puts everything she picked up to her bed and gets her shoes from the corner.

"Good morning," I yawn, ignoring her question. "Why are you in a hurry?" I asked getting out of bed, getting my hands on some towels preparing to take another bath because my hair wouldn't stay down. These bed hairs are killing my mood.

"I just want to prepare some things back at the lounge. Save me a seat," she says dashing out the door after she did her shoes.

~~

"Did you found out anything about the file last night?" I asked Rei who sits in front of me at the cafeteria's table. She frowns and shakes her head to answer me.

"I still haven't reviewed the voice records yet," she admits, taking a bite of the bread she stole from my tray.

"What about today's schedule?" I asked, hoping to get more of her attention.

"Let's go with what we did yesterday. I think the other three know something about this matter," she suggested, finishing her food.

"Ohー," says Vincent who stopped walking when he saw us. "Can we eat here too?" he asked as he looked at our empty table that can fit a few more people. Rei nodded and he sat on my left, already eating without waiting for his friends.

"Where are the others?" I asked Vincent when I saw Rei who was not interested to make a conversation.

"Over there, still getting their food" he pointed to their direction without even batting an eye. I found myself looking in their direction to see them teasing and laughing at each other as they found their way to our table.

"Excuse us," says Shawn who sat beside Rei.

"Hi," says Patrick who sat at my right.

"Good morning," says Noel, smiling at Rei and sat beside her on the right. Why do I feel that even our new members have their little group? Noel is often with Patrick and that goes the same for Vincent and Shawn.

We chatted about some things, whether it was about the missions or about the life we have now, I feel refreshed and happy. Although, I can't help but get distracted by Rei who is staring into space as she drinks her water whileーblushing?

Then, my attention went to Patrick who was secretly taking pictures of Noel and Rei who sat next to each other. I didn't bother them and went on ahead to return my and Rei's empty tray as I leave her there to chat with her 'reunited friends'.

"Sigh..."

"What's wrong?" I jumped a bit as I was surprised at the sudden appearance of these two pokemon.

Haru and Kazuma were beside me also returning the trays of their girlfriends.

"Where's the other two?" I asked hopefully distracting their attention over to something else.

"Don't change the subject, Ceddy," and just like that, my nickname that was used by my parents came out of their mouth. I tried to ignore them but they were too persistent.

"Come on tell usーCeddy," both smirking and awaits my answer. "It's about Rei isn't it?" Kazuma pry.

"Ceddy is jelly〜" Haru teased when they caught a glance at our table.

"I am not! And stop it with the Ceddy!" I shouted out of anger but they just laughed at my reaction.

"Woah, take it easy," Haru says taming me to calm down. "Besides, you're not going out yet," Kazuma added flame to the fuel. He laughs while ran and wouldn't let me catch up with him.