[b][i][u]Location: Glory Star Orphanage - Backyard[/u][/i][/b] [i]Masaru did as Kaito asked and went after Lucent and Kiragi. While following them, he saw the duo playing in the backyard.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/UapOVou.png[/img] Kiragi: Hahaha!! You won't catch me this time!! [img]https://i.imgur.com/QV4UM01.png[/img] Lucent: Oh, I will!! [i]Lucent ran and catched Kiragi, raising him in the air. The boy laughed and smiled from ear to ear as Lucent joined him with his smile and laughter.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/7FHpAOX.png[/img] Kiragi: That was fun!! Let's play with a ball next! I'll go fetch it! [img]https://i.imgur.com/3jccryV.png[/img] Lucent: OK. I'll be waiting here. [img]https://i.imgur.com/f5nFkR2.png[/img] Kiragi: Don't leave or I'll be really mad. [i]Kiragi ran inside to fetch a ball for them to play. While he went inside, Masaru approached Lucent.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/vK3uHoL.png[/img] Lucent: Oh, Mister Masaru. I didn't know you were watching. [img]https://i.imgur.com/txOEg2x.png[/img] Masaru: It's fine. I didn't want to bother you two. [img]https://i.imgur.com/Ot8Q0XG.png[/img] Masaru: I'm glad you're smiling around me now. Seeing you scared when we met worried me... [img]https://i.imgur.com/9W2NWsK.png[/img] Lucent: I... I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention. [img]https://i.imgur.com/OG83MU9.png[/img] Masaru: It couldn't be helped. I was a stranger and I immediately scared you. I wasn't being respectful... [img]https://i.imgur.com/83cdpUp.png[/img] Lucent: P-Please stop, Mister Masaru. I'm already feeling guilt from what I did earlier... [img]https://i.imgur.com/qymPqLD.png[/img] Masaru: But you don't have to! [img]https://i.imgur.com/Kub07aL.png[/img] Lucent: I did something wrong, trying to coerce people into killing me. Rayla was right when she screamed at me back then. Still... I'm scared. Scared that my power will take control of me and do what I don't want to happen. [img]https://i.imgur.com/QkTZpGM.png[/img] Masaru: Lucent... [i]At instinct, Masaru hugged Lucent tightly.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/DLrxL3W.png[/img] Masaru: We're all here for you. No matter what, don't think you're alone. Kaito, Reeta, me... and the others... we will support you, no matter the cost. So please, live. [img]https://i.imgur.com/qsihRDH.png[/img] Lucent: ... I will... try. For you all, I will... [i]Lucent hugged back for a little but soon Masaru broke the hug.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/X4C5YDC.png[/img] Masaru: Ah, sorry! I forgot that you're still a little- [img]https://i.imgur.com/y8AMJjI.png[/img] Lucent: It's okay. I don't know why but I don't fear you at all. [img]https://i.imgur.com/P51wQcd.png[/img] Masaru: R-Really? [img]https://i.imgur.com/gjuIKoT.png[/img] Lucent: Yeah. It's kinda like talking with Reeta and Kaito. I can't explain it, but I don't feel frightened at all. [img]https://i.imgur.com/Z2pb9Az.png[/img] Masaru: Lucent... you don't know how glad I am to hear that. [img]https://i.imgur.com/y3Ms0By.png[/img] Lucent: I-It's no big deal. [i]Soon, Kiragi returned with a big rubber ball.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/WWApZ6z.png[/img] Kiragi: Big Bro Lucent, I found the ball! [img]https://i.imgur.com/6WDzsG5.png[/img] Lucent: Oh... OK! Let's play then! Mister Masaru, you want to play too? [img]https://i.imgur.com/oWMDf9z.png[/img] Masaru: I do, but with one condition. [img]https://i.imgur.com/vK3uHoL.png[/img] Lucent: Huh? [img]https://i.imgur.com/Ot8Q0XG.png[/img] Masaru: Stop with the honorifics, alright? I'm your friend. Just call me Masaru from now on, OK? [img]https://i.imgur.com/MUPiZJi.png[/img] Lucent: Alright then. Kiragi, toss the ball! [img]https://i.imgur.com/7FHpAOX.png[/img] Kiragi: OK, get ready to catch it!! [i]Kiragi tosses the rubber ball and Lucent runs after it, with both Masaru and Kiragi running after him.[/i] [b][i]Location: Glory Star Orphanage - Maki Harukawa's Room[/i][/b] [b][i]BGM: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOmnZEOVME8]Interrogation Room (Persona 5)[/url][/i][/b] [i]Inside her room, Maki began to talk with Auror about the message received.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/za6l2MN.png[/img] Maki: So it was a direct order from your father... Auror: [i]Yeah. He wants the situation to get foggy again before I rush out into a hunt.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/MGafC6d.png[/img] Maki: But how am I going to get the money now? Auror: [i]He said he'll do the donations personally, just so your identity won't be at risk as well.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/KqRtDeJ.png[/img] Maki: That's... a little of a relief. But what are we supposed to do? We swore to defeat all of those vermin, didn't we? Auror: [i]I understand what you mean. I can't believe it either. I'm heavily thinking about going on a hunt without him knowing tomorrow...[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/GPtfAit.png[/img] Maki: Cancel it. Tomorrow's going to rain. Auror: [i]Really...? Shit, this is so frustrating...[/i] [i]Outside of the orders given by Magnus to Auror, Maki was curious about the Circle once again and decided to ask him about it.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/NqabrY1.png[/img] Maki: Auror, what do you think about the Circle? Auror: [i]I can't wait to have my knife up on each leader's throat. Those scumbags are responsible for the trash lurking around town.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Npn2FRk.png[/img] Maki: I can't stand them either. Just the name is entirely capable of being repulsive. Auror: [i]I heard from the underground that we have a new face that recently joined the Shinaha. Runs by the name of Ling Gui.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/XkpFbUf.png[/img] Maki: Anyone who joins the Circle is a scum, assassin or not. Auror: [i]Also, got an info from the maids that those guys attacked a mansion at the Summer Area. One of them was passing by, near the site, and saw the whole thing beginning before running away.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/d7abVgi.png[/img] Maki: What? Aren't the Shinaha controlling the Spring Zone? Auror: [i]Yep. However, their connection with the Circle leader of the Summer Area is actually friendly enough to let those bastards run amok.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/CWz3ph6.png[/img] Maki: Those assholes... destroying our peace as they see fit... Auror: [i]When this "break" is over, I'm going to do some talk at the Guild and see what they have to offer about the Shinaha. Depending on what we can do, breaking those fools up will be a nice start to crumble the Circle apart.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/3yDXz2V.png[/img] Maki: Don't forget to call me in. Stabbing them to death will be my good action for now. Auror: [i]Chill, I'm going to inform you whenever. Anyway, I'll talk to you later. Gotta help Vivi with her homework...[/i] [i]Maki turned off the call and went back to the entrance. She wanted to see someone before the night could come.[/i]