4-5 The Villain (2)

Date: September 5

Place: Kyoto Headquarters

[Rei]

    Time passed by fast and it's already night, I'm walking with Cedrick to the cafeteria to get dinner. Everything was normal, we sat with our friends and talked like nothing was wrong with the world. With every care gone on our thoughts, we joke and laugh to our heart's content. It would be nice if it's like this every day.

"There's another call, " I say, enough for only Cedrick to hear. He nodded as a response and tried to go back into the conversation he was having.

"Is there any news? Something new?" asked Cedrick while they were busy shaking their head for a negative response and continued eating.

"Oh! I have one. I heard a rumor. I don't know how accurate this is but it's up for you to decide, " says Misaki.

"What is it?" asks Cedrick.

"You like gossips, are you that old already?" teased Kazuma. And everyone just laughed at his joke but Misaki defended herself when she saw Haru laughing with them.

"No, I'm serious. It's about the new type of some unOrdinaryー" I didn't bother to hear the rest when my sight only sees Noel who's eating at another table in front of me.

"I've missed this," I blurted out and everyone on the table looked at me for a moment, smiled, and continued with another topic to talk about.

[Cedrick]

    Eight twenty, walking with Rei to the Supreme Leader's Office.

"What do think he wants this time?" I asked.

"I have no idea," she sighs. "I hope it's nothing serious," she added but it was the opposite of what we both wished for.

    He handed us yet another black file. And I can already guess that this is a dangerous mission or a private one.

"What's this?" asking like she doesn't know the contents when she took a glance at what's inside it. She sits in the only chair as I stand right beside her with both of my hands behind my back. She soon hands me the materials given to her only to find some pictures and printed names of places, also, some tape records.

"You've been asking for an easy mission but I'm afraid that your current members are skilled and well informed enough to take this case," he answered.

"I wanted an easy one for Noel," she suggested that Akashi frowned and touched his eyebrows to express his frustration.

"Some of my men have been reporting to me. Something about unexplainable things. They filed me some pictures and records of their conversations when they are out exploring the next headquarters that we're targeting. And I just want you to scout those areas and decipher what's going on," he explained and dismissed us without letting us say our own opinion. I guess that's what kind of leader he is.

    But some luck must be following Rei when someone burst into the room as when we were heading out. It was someone who is wearing a white and long lab coat with her hair tied into a bun.

"Excuse me," she says and walked past us. "Sir, the research team needs restocking on samples," she says nervously. And Rei hasn't moved from her position when that girl entered the room. I can already guess what she's up to.

"Again?" Akashi seems angry and tired from the glare he uses. Before I knew it, Rei was already at Akashi's table, leaning on it and smiling at him.

"Would you like me to help you lessen your problem, Sir Akashi?" she asks with a wide grin displayed in her mouth like she knows that he wouldn't dare refuse. He didn't answer back but just waved his hand, signaling for all of us to go out. "Alright," Rei replied, held the girl's wrist and dragged her along with us.

    Ten forty-six, we got back to our rooms and I'm ready to sleep. I took a glance around and found everyone sleeping besides Rei who's still at the lounge, making some files for Noel's first mission that is to be announced tomorrow. I insisted on helping her but she chased me away to have some 'peace' for herself. She's going to be tired and sleepy tomorrow so I at least need to be prepared to take her place when she decided to throw all the responsibility to me, again. I closed my eyes and slept.

[Rei]

    I'm in the lounge, circling the room with a cup of milk in my hands. I can't help but think about Noel, I saw him once again on the way out of the office. I got a glance of him from the hallways, he was standing next to the fountain again. But this time, he was almost crying. I couldn't help but wonder why. Ever since then, I haven't been confident if I did a good job hiding my reactions to Cedrick. I don't want to see what his reaction might be when he realizes that I'm thinking of someone when he's by my side. Especially when I told him and our friends that I'd like to make it clear when everything is back to normal or soon.

    I stopped and sat on the chair when I realized what I'm overthinking. He doesn't even remember me. And it would be best if he doesn't ever find out. I even promised myself that I'll take my distance so I can focus and move on...

    What am I even thinking! I need something to distract me. Ah, right! I have a file to review and another to type and print forーNoel...

    Whatever.

    I got up, leaving my cup on the table. I sat at the chair that has wheels and brought my laptop out of my desk as well as the files and papers that I'll be needing. I took a deep breath and started typing with no distraction on my mind, I was able to focus. I was not surprised when I also found all three USBs back in their rightful place. And as soon as I finished, I checked everything one last time and locked the lounge to return to my room.

"Rei," someone says as I yawn and walked past him. Until I realized who it was.

"Noel?" I almost shouted. What is wrong with me today?

"Have you been doing some work?" he asked after he took a look from the direction I went from.

"Yes, I just finished and was about to head to bed," I say and asked him where he was going and he replied that he wants to go to the toilet but was lost in this vast corridor. I showed him the directions and we parted ways.

"Goodnight, Rei," he says walking away.