Y/N: It should be down these stairs.

The librarian serving as Angela's unwilling assistant led the way down the stairs, showing the way to Roland who took a good look around. There wasn't much to observe, just the regular sight that they would often see on the higher floor.

All around them, golden pages were flying like butterflies, following them with the behaviour of small and curious fairies. The only sound echoing for the longest time was their footsteps as they ventured deeper into the place they were trapped in. The Fixer slowly turned his focus to his guide.

Roland: Are you sure that you're alright? Especially after what happened a few days ago.

Y/N: ...It's fine.

He softly mumbled the most blatant lie possible. The one nicely dressed was not one to focus on small details but even he couldn't ignore the visible signs. He proclaimed that he was in good condition but his hands were still trembling and his eyes moved around with paranoia plastered on his face.

He still wasn't informed of what caused him to have a mental breakdown but its trace was still visible on its victim. Both Angela and him were not able to get a single word out of the librarian about that matter.

The scene was still vivid in Roland's memories. He was completely taken aback and confused about what was happening and these emotions persisted for a while. After the initial shock, the panicked ex-agent would scream for no reason, avoid corridors and run away from dark corners like he was about to be murdered if he didn't escape fast enough. The last 2 ones were learned the hard way after receiving a punch that knocked him out for at least a full hour.

Thankfully, his mental state slowly was able to recover but still, his first words only came out 2 days after the incident. During this whole ordeal, the AI living alongside them refused to acknowledge Roland's words and would silently ponder to herself, often visiting the mentally unstable worker.

As for the other assistant librarian?

"...Don't bother asking me, I'll just make everything worse."

The girl dug deeper into her depression and would sit in the corner of the room she woke up in. The lack of cheerful people greatly worsened the atmosphere. Roland was the only one still trying to converse with the other residents, only to be met with a failure each time.

Roland: I can find it by myself, you don't need-

Y/N: I'm fine.

He cut him off with a sharp voice. Yet, even his words were not able to carry the same weight as they used to. His arms were clinging to a book that he has yet to look at and his body actively remained as close as possible to the lights around them.

The uninvited guest wanted to ask him more details about what caused all of this mess but his time ran out. The both of them were at the bottom of the stairs and setting foot in a completely different area of the Library.

Roland: Just as Angela said. We really got another floor to the Library.

He mumbled in wonder to himself. The entire place was completely illuminated, temporarily calming down the stressed ex-employee. The duo walked further until Roland raised his voice.

Roland: Hello~ My name's Rolan-

However, he was abruptly stopped by his guide with a silent movement of his hand before pointing in a direction. Immediately afterwards, a voice erupted.

???: Angela... I still can't forgive you...

Without saying nor making a single noise, Roland and Y/N peeked around the corner. The former stood at the peak of his height while the latter was leaning against the Fixer. using him as support.

???: Angela, you...!

Y/N: ...No way.

He mumbled to himself once he recognized the girl exclaiming her anger. He was struck at full force by memories, some good but most of them terrible.

Angela: I thought we were already done with that topic. You simply need to cooperate without complaint. That was the deal, remember?

Also in a bad temper, the director crossed her arm and reflected a glare, not in the mood to deal with her attitude. This only made the long haired girl confronting the machine angrier.

Angela: And try to appreciate that fleshy body of yours you've finally earned back.

The unknown girl's frown only grew stronger in response to her words. Her hands tightened around the book she was carrying, which caused the assistant to do the same.

???: Did you really think you could make me happy by just giving me a human body? Don't forget, I still don't agree with you!

Her finals words pierced her interlocutor effortlessly, causing her stare to grow stronger just like her annoyance. She was done listening to her spewing words at her and it was made evident once she snapped her fingers.

Angela: As you wish.

Finally, just like a wavering illusion, her body vanished. Silence returned but the air around remained frigid, the lingering emotions were still not gone. Thankfully, it meant that the duo who arrived could finally make their presence known.

Roland stepped in first.

Roland: Damn, that was tense.

Surprised by the sudden voice, the girl on her own turned her head to greet the man, heaving a sigh to calm herself.

???: Hello there. I'm the Patron librarian in charge of the Floor of History...

However, before she could finish her presentation, the second man walked in. To the Fixer's surprise, the trauma and fright his actions carried until now was subsided to the point that he had to concentrate to see the little movements his hands and legs did. His facial expression did a perfect reverse in terms of mentality and revealed a smile instead of the frown he carried until now.

Y/N: Malkuth!

Malkuth: ...Y/N?

Her line was cut short by the librarian but it didn't matter to her in the slightest. Her body froze the time it took her to recognize the voice calling her, which was then followed with a bright smile.

Malkuth: Y/N!

Y/N: Yea... uh?

He at first replied with a slightly wider smile but that quickly vanished once the Patron librarian ran in his direction. A bead of sweat fell down his face as he realized too late that she was not going to slow down, ending with him receiving at full force the girl in front of him. Needless to say that he was not prepared for this surprise attack.

Y/N: Ow ow, my back.

He let out a few noises of pain as his spine collided with the floor. Malkuth, on the other hand, simply tightened her grasp on the man. It was only after being forcefully pushed off that she realized that she was being a bother.

Malkuth: Sorry Y/N, I just got too excited!

Y/N: Yea... can tell.

He softly whispered as he stood back on his feet, dusting off his outfit and making sure to keep a good hold on the book he was carrying.

Roland: She seems lively at least~

He mentally groaned, knowing that the whole disaster that occured a few days ago could have been easily solved with someone like her around. As he did so, Y/N and his attacker exchanged a few words.

Y/N: I see that Angela is giving you as much trouble as I do.

Malkuth: I wouldn't say to that extend... but-

Y/N: She's a pain in the ass.

Malkuth: ...

Y/N: I honestly felt like jumping in during that conversation but I know that the only thing I would have done is throw insults at her so I stopped myself.

Roland: About that, what was that all about?

Malkuth: I have some unfinished business with Angela.

Roland: Hm... so the same as Y/N.

Y/N: To some extend.

He nonchalantly replied, not fully admitting that it was the exact same reason.

Malkuth: You probably heard bits of it, but... I have no choice but to follow her orders, no matter how I feel.

Roland: I guess we're all in the same shoes! Though, we all have our reasons.

Y/N: Hey, that makes us buddies, all of us trapped here against our will.

He flashed a smile to the duo facing him as he spoke up. Roland nodded in return and Malkuth returned the smile.

Roland: So, can we help you with something?

Malkuth: Hm... I suppose you can bring me books. Now that I'm in charge of the Floor of History, I'll be sorting the books you bring and collect those that are about history!

Y/N: I mean... that's literally the floor's name, I wasn't expecting you to start collecting books about science.

Malkuth: You're not wrong...

She let out a small chuckle out of embarrassment and swiftly returned to the main subject.

Malkuth: Once you bring us the books, us librarians will read the collected books, gradually making our floors whole and complete the Library. With that process, we'll be able to unlock more floors and awaken their Patron librarians!

Roland: So, the other librarians are asleep for now?

Malkuth: Yep, they are-!

She exclaimed with her usual smile. However, it quickly shattered once a hand took hold of her arm, taking her by surprise. Even the Fixer himself was shocked to see the man standing next to him grab the girl forcefully.

Y/N: Really?

Malkuth: O-Of course!

A bead of sweat fell down her face as she desperately tried to answer. It was hard to do so when her interlocutor stared into her soul with a broken gaze. He also was no longer hiding the fact that his limbs were still trembling, causing him to look like he was about to die at any moment.

Y/N: Then...

Suddenly, as if struck by a light that cleared his worries, his body calmed down and released her. A revelation was given to him and with it, hope returned as a faint flame, a feeble peeble in his scattered thoughts. His dead and frozen gaze melted and revealed a pair of eyes that the one previously called a Sephirah hasn't seen in what felt like an eternity coming from him.

Y/N: She's here too...

He mumbled to himself and tightened his grasp onto his odd book.

Roland: Hm? She?

Y/N: I have to do my best! Even if I have to... ugh, tolerate her.

He couldn't even pronounce Angela's name, just the mere thought of it ruined his mood. Roland was used to that sight so he didn't comment on it and Malkuth did the same, raising a fist in the air.

Malkuth: Let's do our best together!

Roland: Alright~ Let's give it our best shot!

Not allowing himself to be tossed aside, the Patron librarian of keter's floor also showed a wide smile to the people in the room. The sight was so bright that the next step would probably involve all of them piling their hands on top of each other before raising them above their heads.

Fortunately, for the sake of their pride, this didn't happen. Soon enough, the optimistic air began to dissipate, leaving an awkward silence behind.

Roland: ...

Y/N: ...

Malkuth: ...

There wasn't much else to say, now would have been a perfect time to go their own way. Sadly, the long silence basically made that option impossible to take, the air was too uncomfortable for any of them to move from their spot.

Malkuth: ...So Y/N, are you doing fine?

Y/N: Eh, Angela makes my life a living hell, nothing much out of the ordinary.

He shrugged in return.

Roland: The both of you seem really close.

Malkuth: Mhm, of course we are!

She let out a joyful voice as she looked back into the past. Y/N, on the other hand, placed a hand against the back of his head and averted his gaze.

Y/N: It's... a little complicated to say the least.

Roland: Really? How?

Y/N: You want the short of long version?

He tilted his head in Roland's direction, his eyes scrutinizing his face for an answer. Feeling the sudden pressure placed on him, the uninvited guest sighed and asked for the short version. This, however, only made the librarian hesitate even more.

Y/N: Ok... but I want you to promise me something.

Roland: Sure, what is it?

Y/N: Don't get too weirded out.

Roland: I've seen a lot of thing in the City during my life, I doubt it'll be on that level.

He reassured the one beside him, which allowed him to take a deep breath to calm himself down. Then, with slow steps, he approached the girl and moved his hand to present her like she was a new item for sale.

Y/N: Roland, this is Malkuth. She was my superior during my previous work...

A moment of silence followed before the librarian finally let out the sour part.

Y/N: ...And my ex, to a degree.

Roland: You were going out with your boss?

He nonchalantly asked with not even a 1/10th of the shock that Y/N was expecting to see on his face. His hands returned in his pockets as he asked his question.

Y/N: W-Wait, that's it? I was expecting at least something. Isn't this a big deal to go out with your boss?!

"Man, this kid is way too innocent for the City", Roland thought to himself those words as he saw the poor assistant's face turn red at the thought. While these words wandered in his mind, the one with a flushed face pinched the bridge of his nose.

Y/N: Even I don't know why he did that...

Roland: He?

Malkuth: Haha... sorry about back then. I used to be much more persistent.

Y/N: It's fine, at least that mess has been dealt with.

He calmly replied in an attempt to not stress out the recently awakened librarian. Thankfully for him, that was not something to be worried about when facing the long haired girl. She let out a small chuckle and nodded back before extending her hand towards him.

Malkuth: Now that we're fully working together, I hope we can get along.

Y/N: It'll take me a while to get used to it but I'll try my best.

The man grabbed her extended kindness once the initial hesitation vanished. As he did so, it was his turn to remember the few memories he could collect in his broken mind that involved the both of them. Many of them were not pleasant ones and the very few that weren't felt so distant that he couldn't associate himself with them, it felt like seeing memories belonging to someone else.

In a way, that thought was not a complete lie. His past actions diverged greatly from the ones he took leading down to this outcome. All those cycles led to different decisions and events, none were fully the same and thus, none were truly "his" except the ones belonging to the lastest and final cycle.

Y/N: I hope we can be friends.

He pushed that tought in the back of his mind and showed the best smile he could make with his still recovering sanity. It was a good cover, but not perfect. Upon looking at it, one with a good perception would be able to note that something was amiss.

Malkuth: ...

Due to the nature of her previous work, the ex-Sephirah had to be able to note said changes effortlessly, making the mask shown to her completely worthless. However, she did not let her knowledge show on her own face. She instead played the innocent card and kept that information to herself for now.

Something was wrong, she knew that but couldn't pinpoint what exactly.

Malkuth: If you don't mind, I would like to start organizing this place so I'll take my leave.

Roland: Oh, sorry for bothering you.

Y/N: Yea, wouldn't want to get in your way.

The men acknowledged her demand and began making their way out, sending a few waves her way as a "farewell".

Malkuth: Wait...

...But to their surprise, the one who wanted to put an end to their conversation called back to them. This caused the duo to turn their gaze back to her with visible question marks floating above their heads.

Malkuth: Since you're here, maybe you can help me.

Complete silence followed. Roland and Y/N exchanged a long look and during that process, not a single movement was seen between them. 

Y/N: Right, I suppose we could since we're here...

Roland: ...I guess we don't have a-

Then, out of nowhere, the both of them turned back to the stairs and sprinted out of the room, ignoring the girl calling to them in order to escape their duties. The only response she got was very muffled.

Y/N: Sorry Malkuth, maybe another time!

Malkuth: Hey!

She yelled but already knew that the both of them were already gone by now. She couldn't believe it, the both of them ditched her in order to avoid helping, maybe out of laziness or maybe for another reason. Whatever it was, it caused the Patron librarian to make an upset pout.

...

Y/N: I see that we both had the same idea.

Once far enough, the assistant turned to face the deserter who followed his footsteps. The guest took a few deep breaths to calm his beating heart and raised his head from the floor to look at his interlocutor's.

Roland: What do you mean? I was totally chasing you~

He replied with one of the worst acting the ex-employee had ever heard in his entire life. Hell, he was even smiling as he spoke those words. This prompted the previous worker of L Corp to let out a good chuckle.

The sight left the Fixer slightly taken aback, especially after the incident that occured a few days ago. Going from a mentally crushed person screaming in paranoia to this was giving him whiplash. It looked like that small conversation was able to dispel some of the remaining stress that was remaining, something that became apparent once the man in a suit noticed that the both of them were standing in a spot far from the nearest source of light without any issues.

Y/N: Yea, sure, let's go with that excuse.

Without a single comment on his side, Angela's unwilling assistant grabbed the panting man's hand and pulled his body back in a better posture.

Y/N: Alright, you go "chase" me down there, I'll go see a certain someone in the meantime. Sounds good?

Roland: Thanks for the help.

Y/N: Angela's been working you like a slave, it's kinda my job to act as the "good" guy in this situation.

He shrugged back in return before walking away from where they were both standing, sending one final wave in his direction. Now all on his own, the Fixer took the time to catch his breath, going his own way afterwards.

Where? Somewhere that he could take it easy for a while before Angela forces him to take someone's life once more.

Roland: This place would be a lot less crazy if I had a drink to compensate~