Following up with what happened yesterday, I come with June to her work and meet up with the Elector of the Republic of America, Anden Stravropoulos.

Whenever I see pictures of him, I can see some sort of familiarity as well. Though it is very vague and it seems unreasonable, I can feel some hatred... jealousy, even, every time I look at him.

When June and I are already a few steps away from his office, I suddenly feel June's hand reaching mine. And I don't let go. Instead, I hold her hand, clutching it tightly as if I don't want to let go. I assure her with a squeeze. That's why when I receive an answer of squeeze as well from her, I try to catch her attention and give her a smile to assure her that it will be fine.

She tries to give me a charming and reassuring smile as well, although hers is hesitant.

"The Elector will be pleased to meet the two of you, Mr. Wing," a soldier dressed in a lieutenant's uniform comes our direction and salutes. "Commander Iparis," he continues, acknowledging June's presence.

June simply nods and I try to remain neutral with everything. And neither June nor the lieutenant dares to ask me why I've been so quiet and finally decided to act like a mute, given that I've just begun to get to know the soldiers in the Republic again after ten years of not being here.

The lieutenant ushers us through hallways, and at the very least possible, leads us to where the Elector might be now. He escorts us to the elevator and when it only leads us to another series of new hallways on the fourth floor, I can't help but getting bored.

If I'm given the chance, I'll just scale every floor of this building and find where the Elector is. There's more thrill, given the idea that I get to risk something. It just gives me the urge to try, you know? Even if I don't know why I have that sudden urge to do so.

The lieutenant immediately stops and salutes me and June. "The Elector is in."

June nods at him and dismisses him. She then knocks on the door.

When the lieutenant is out of our sight and gone behind the other turn of the hall, I turn to June and smile, "Is it really in your nature to make every soldier in the Republic scared of you?"

"It depends on how you see it," she replies, monotonous.

I sigh. "You even creep me out. But seriously, darling, seems like you get to knock me out so hard that I still fall for you all over again."

She suddenly stares at me, surprised and off-guard.

I thought at first that she will just let the subject go or maybe she won't mind if I say it so suddenly, like it's a common endearment. But she is surprised when I look into her eyes. It's like nothing happened between us last night, it's like it was the first time that she'd heard me saying it.

Well, I don't know, okay? Sometimes, my mind is just playing tricks on what I think. I just hope that my feelings aren't because I don't want to disappoint her. I want to trust her.

I want her to trust me.

"Come in," a voice says from the other side of the door.

Before June could grasp the door knob, I hold her wrist and make her look at me.

"June," I start. "I might never know who you were to me in the past. And we might never return to who we were ten years ago, if there's really a past between us."

Her brown eyes with gold flecks are boring into mine and I can see from her stare that she is begging me to remember at least even a few. I can't let her have it, if I will never be able to remember them fully. But I let her know that I'm willing to know. The only problem is... what if I can't bear those memories, once I remember?

"I just want you to know that I'm willing to know you much better in the future," I continue. I then lean closer and press my lips on hers for a few seconds before I feel her pulling away.

She steps backward and smiles sadly. "I just hope as well that we have the rest of our lives for that."

And even when it's painful how fast she becomes so composed and distant with me, she turns the knob and even I am not sure of it, I can see the sadness and longing on her eyes, clouding the authority and determination in them.

* * *

I walk into the room with June and we stop to salute the man behind the desk.

The man is probably close in age to us. He has dark wavy hair and green stern eyes. Well, he is how I always see him on his pictures posing as the Elector of the Republic—Anden.

"Elector," June states with authority, still saluting. And when she brings her hand down, I do the same.

Anden rises from his seat and looks at us for a moment, and then offers a handshake to June. "Commander Iparis." And then to me. "Glad to meet you again after ten years, Mr. Wing."

"Likewise," I reply.

"Have a seat please and make yourselves comfortable," he replies as he sits down on his chair. June and I sit down on the two opposite chairs across his table.

The room as I investigate it is like an ordinary room. The walls are plain, and colored steel gray. Behind the Elector is the wide transparent window that reveals the cityscape from the fourth floor of this building. And the only pieces of furniture inside are the Elector's wooden desk, his seat, and the two chairs that I and June are seated on.

"I guess we'd better start with a happy reunion, Mr. Wing," the Elector starts. "How are you after those years in Antarctica?"

I smile. "My doctors assured me that I'm doing well. My vital organs seem to be better than it was ten years ago. And I am planning to make my return here final, to stay here where I really grew up and belonged to."

"It's so good to hear that. Do you think so as well, Commander Iparis?" the Elector asks as he turns to June.

June, who seems to be comfortable, suddenly flinches when Anden acknowledges her. She nods and answers, "Yes, Elector. Mr. Wing could help us with the biological research team we have here in the Republic."

The Elector nods in agreement. "Yes. Yes. That's what I am thinking as well. And Mr. Eden Wing... I hope he too is doing great."

"Yes," I reply with pride. Of course, I am Eden's older brother. I am proud with every little accomplishment that my brother has. It is only a proof of the better future that is waiting him. "He is appointed to lead the engineering team here. That's why I am also planning to make our stay here for good."

"That's good to hear," Anden answers. "I guess, a banquet will be prepared to celebrate your return here on the Republic, Mr. Wing - including your brother's success. I hope you won't mind if we have the dinner tonight in a very short and sudden notice."

I notice June stiffening and I know that the Elector's decision of having the party so soon has also caught her with surprise.

I smile again. "I won't mind, Elector. As long as I can enjoy it."

The Elector smiles. "I'll make sure of it. Don't worry. Your propaganda on promoting the Republic's actions will be staged for later tonight as well, if you don't mind."

"Of course."

"Elector," June suddenly blurts out, having spoken only a few lines since we entered this room.

Anden and I turn to look at her. I, for instance, am surprised with her voice cracking in fear of talking. I don't know if it is out of fear or if she is still surprised about the banquet the Elector is about to hold.

"You need to know what happened last night," she adds.

Last night?

What happened last night?

We slept together in her apartment...

No, wait. Earlier...

We celebrated June's birthday.

No. Too far... Oh, goddy hell.

I almost forgot about it.

"What is it, Commander Iparis?" Anden asks, worry slowly taking over his voice.

June looks at me for a while and then turns to Anden. "Elector, there's a plot to assassinate either Mr. Wing or I."