A couple of weeks went by before Mrs Jogh finally called them back for a covert meeting. Besides the Student Affairs head and Mr Evans, a detective and a lawyer was also present.

"We're going to conceal Nastia's identity and use her involvement and statement in a charge we're pressing against Prof Egorov. We expect to settle this outside court, though," the lawyer said to Nastia's relief.

"Thank you, thank you," she said, sobbing in relief.

The Student Affairs head also said her counterpart at Gosu University has been informed and will do the necessary to help Nastia transfer her credits to another university that is closer to her hometown.

"I would like to apologize again, Mrs Jogh. I did what I did, knowing it would cause harm to the fish and your entire research. I can't apologize enough," she wailed between hiccups.

"It's not easy getting away from Egorov's claws, I've been there. Even my husband wasn't able to say no, that's how we all ended up here. There, there," Mrs Jogh said.

"Please let me continue serving you at the lab. I won't take my allowance. I will even do shifts for each of you," she promised Ballqis, Aga, Micah and Iqball who were also seated in the meeting as they had to sign a few documents.

"That, on top of classes and 80 hours of community service you needed to do around campus? You're going to be left without hours to sleep," Mr Evans cautioned.

"I'll help you do community work," Aga said suddenly, shocking everyone.

"I'll help too," Molly said.

"We'll help too," Ballqis said upon Iqball's nod.

Nastia wailed, this time even louder.

"Alright, I'll chip in a couple of hours," Mirna said with a smile towards the Russian girl.

"Fine, me too," Micah sighed.

Mr Evans raised a brow.

"Not bad, Nastia. Your friends are all rooting for your redemption," Mr Evans remarked dryly.

"I will never do anything bad in my life ever again, I promise!" Nastia said as she reign her tears and sobs.

***

Mrs Jogh wanted to communicate with T7 almost daily, so much so the fish complained.

I am a fish, he carped. I don't feel like talking. I want to be just a fish today, he summed before keeping his thoughts to himself.

Ballqis didn't dare repeat all that, so while she scribbled exactly what he said, she only told Mrs Jogh that the fish said he wasn't up for a conversation that day.

The next time T7 refused to talk, Mirna repeated exactly what he said to Mrs Jogh.

Is it human to be so curious? Aren't you tired asking questions all the time? he questioned, his tone full of attitude. Mirna backed off when Mrs Jogh asked her to be more persuasive.

T7 told Iqball he was tired of answering Mrs Jogh's query.

I'm glad the fries can't talk like I do. In fact I'm glad for the rest of the fish that they can't communicate with humans. It was easy when it was just talking to you. I don't like these questions she kept asking.

Iqball sighed.

"What is it? What did he say? Did he like fatherhood? Are the babies suddenly able to talk to him like he's talking to you? What did he say?" Mrs Jogh asked Iqball.

Ballqis, who was doing the bulk of the chore because Mrs Jogh wanted Iqball to play messenger, sighed as well.

"What did he say?" asked Mrs Jogh who had turned towards Ballqis.

"Mrs Jogh, I think the fish is tired of being asked questions. He said he's glad his offspring didn't have his ability," Iqball tried to put it gently.

"But there is so much to learn from the fish! We've only covered 20 percent of the questions I've prepared for him," Mrs Jogh exclaimed.

I can't answer most of it as I am different. My friends knew how different I am. I am lucky enough my mate would accept me in spite of that.

"T7 said his answers won't reflect the rest of his peers because of his strange ability," Ballqis repeated.

"Mrs Jogh if I may, I think the fish needs a break. Maybe we should let him rest," Iqball tried again.

Mrs Jogh sighed.

"I'm treating him like a lab rat, aren't I?"

The two students remained silent, and Ballqis continued to wipe all the tanks.

"I believe T7 started talking to us because he was lonely. He could not really talk to the other fish, and some humans do not have the wavelength he could tap into. He just wants a friend," Iqball put it simply.

That's right. Do friends ask questions all the time? Is that a must? T7 suddenly chimed in.

Ballqis almost laughed but kept the bubble in.

"I guess I should take a break too. I must prepare for our Finland journey anyway. It's great that everyone's extending. We have just the right number to travel in a minibus," Mrs Jogh finally retreated.

"I'm so glad you're able to help T7 out, Iqball. I would not have dared," Ballqis admitted after they had finished their shift.

"We can't let her tire T7 until he refused to communicate for good," Iqball replied.

"It's good that the Finland trip will be done without transporting any of the fish, at least all the fish in the lab would be able to get some rest," Ballqis remarked as they reached their usual hound of a convenience store.

"Yeah, I'm sure the researchers given the side duty would not spend so much time with them since they still have work to do," Iqball said as he handed her favourite apple juice.

She got them a bowl of instant porridge this time. Ballqis found out last week that Iqball loves porridge as it reminded him of his time feeding his mother when she was ill.

"I'm quite excited to be going on this trip. Two weeks at a country I never thought I'd visit," Iqball said while waiting for the porridge to cool.

"Me too. I thought Iceland would be cool to visit, Finland never entered my bucket list. But this is an awesome opportunity," Ballqis said.

"It's super generous of Mrs Jogh to offer Mirna for her work with T7 and Molly a seat as a thank you for recording that video of Nastia talking to Egorov," Iqball mused.

"It is a key piece of evidence, the lawyer said. I'm sure without that video there would not be a strong case against the mad professor."

They ate the porridge and talked about the things they'd do and the stuff they'd bring to the Scandinavian country. Iqball said he wanted to bring a cap to wear inside his hoodie and wondered if he'd look silly. Ballqis told she'd lend him a beanie instead as she owns a few in pink.

"Hey guys," Nastia's voice suddenly interrupted their light banter.

"Hi Nastia," Ballqis said. Last week they both had contributed four hours each of their time to help the Russian girl clean an old beach house that belongs to the university which has not been used for years. Aga, Molly, Mirna and Micah also came that Saturday, so the beach house was cleaned well and Nastia cleared a chunk of the hours she needed to clock in. While Aga did the duty, he was still giving Nastia the cold shoulder throughout the day.

"I wanted to give you these," she said as she handed them each a black pack.

Iqball and Ballqis accepted her gift.

"I heard you all are going to Finland in the tail end of winter, so you'll need these," she offered.

"Gloves! Thanks Nastia, I didn't think of getting a pair," Iqball admitted.

"It's really windy where you'll be going, the cold will be biting. Iqball, could you please hand this to Aga? He still won't talk to me," Nastia pleaded as she tried to shove another pack towards the couple.

Iqball hesitated.

"You should give it to him in person," Ballqis said and nodded towards the convenience store.

Inside, Aga was paying for a bag of chips while carrying a water bottle. He knew the couple would be hanging out at the store once their shift at the lab was over. He needed some company.

Outside, Molly who had the same idea arrived with a bag of hot potato cakes.

"Hey guys! See Nastia, I told you you'd find them here today at this hour. The Balls are so predictible," Molly laughed, not seeing Aga who had frozen in his tracks at the sight of Nastia.

"Grab a chair, guys," Ballqis tried to mediate.

"I'm tired," Aga said, but Molly had pulled his arm and dragged him to the couple's table.

"Stop acting like a kid. If you still want to, play nice," Molly whispered into his ears.

Caught off-guard, Aga sat obidiently.

"You're right, Ballqis. Only Molly gets to order Aga around," Nastia tried to joke.

Aga was the only one not laughing. Molly pinched his arm. Aga gritted his teeth, refused to react.

"Aga, this is for you. I hope you all will enjoy the Finland trip," Nastia said as she extended the pack for Aga.

Aga reluctantly took it and mumbled a thanks. Ballqis and Iqball exchanged looks of dismay. Molly pinched him harder.

"I'm sorry, Aga. I hope in time you'll forgive me," Nastia said as she gathered her bag, ready to leave.

"I already have," Aga said quickly as Molly's pinch intensified.

"Really? Thank you Aga, thank you. I promise I won't make the same mistake again. I ..."

"You used me. You made me think you like me but you just wanted to incriminate me. Make me your black sheep. It's hard for me to forgive you. But I have. I don't think we can be friends like we used to be," Aga finally said everything that has been eating him.

"I do like you, Aga. But yes, I did use you. I can't pretend that I didn't. I won't make any excuse. I just want to thank you for your friendship and your forgiveness," Nastia quickly replied.

They both looked at each other like everyone else had disappear.

"You're welcome," Aga said finally, and Nastia left it at that. She picked up her bag and left the table.

"Aga, did you have feelings for Nastia? Is that why you're being so difficult about this?" Molly slowly asked.

"I thought she's a friend. Friends don't use friends," Aga sigh.

"So you don't have the hots for Nastia then?" Ballqis asked, perplexed. All this while she thought Aga was halfway in love with the Russian, hence his dramatic refusal to forgive her.

"I don't. I just thought she was masking a sad secret with her cheerful demeanor, and I was right. She was used, just as I was but at a worse degree. That's why I got mad. She should have trusted me and we would have helped her break free somehow," Aga said tersely.

Iqball, as usual was nursing his own thoughts before speaking.

"You know, I doubt we could do it if the matter had not escalated to involve the police," he finally said.

"She would have to be on the run forever or return to the university where she'd face Egorov's wrath for failing," Molly agreed.

"And Mrs Jogh would not have anything solid she could use to stop him," Ballqis added.

Molly stood without warning.

"She did want to be caught! That's why she used your ID, Aga. She must have known you'd be decent enough to report her to Mrs Jogh! She knew you enough and trusted you that much. Ooh, she's smart. Sure her reputation as an exchange student would suffer but she managed to rope in higher authorities to join her fight against Egorov. And since she's the whistleblower now, Gosu will have to assist in her transfer to protect her. Ooh she's clever indeed," Molly ranted.

Ballqis and Iqball smiled, Molly's quick analysis did make sense.

Aga's eyebrows hit up.

"Wow, Molly. You should be working with CIA or something," Ballqis gushed as Iqball clapped his hands in appreciation.

"Naah, I still want to help my dad at his restaurant. Indian food cures cancer, don't you know that? I'd still be saving the world," Molly said proudly.

"You know what, Molly, you're really something," Aga said finally.