"Miss Mito, there they are!"

The brunette turned to where Yuno had called from. Her student was pointing at a flying object in the distance.

Reina squinted a little to get a better look and her eyes widened. "Go get the other Seekers!"

"Yes!"

Right as Yuno ran past her, the two caught up with the ship and landed on the lower deck. Fran's eyes met hers as the woman held on to the man's other arm and took him off her shoulder.

"What happened?"

"Denial." The questioning look she got made her sigh. "I'll explain once we reach mainland."

"Brace yourselves!" San's voice called from a higher deck. He took out a device and two screens popped out from either side. Then, a hologram expanded in front of him. "Red Sol! Blue Nogue!"

LBXs appeared from all over, creating a thick wall between the ship and the island. Right at that moment, multiple explosions set off on the island, destroying everything in sight. Some debris flew and hit the wall, causing several of the red and blue robots to fall.

San clicked his tongue at this. "Nee-san! It won't last long!"

"Understood. San, let me borrow them." Knowing full well he would, she didn't wait for a response.

She held out her arms and a wave travelled over the ocean and through the LBXs. Another chunk of rock came flying at the wall, but this time, it stuck. More and more pieces of land came, but it only made the wall stronger. For a moment, everything was loud. If there was someone screaming on the boat, you'd hardly hear them.

Then it was silent. Too silent.

The wall of rocks fell into the ocean. When Fran lowered her arms, the LBXs followed. San opened her device again and the LBXs rose before disappearing into thin air.

The brunette wanted to ask, but decided to put it off. Right now, she has to focus on helping her friend.

~~~~~

As soon as they reached mainland, the docks were flooded with children. Buses were lined up and the adults were briefed about which bus should which child enter.

Among the ruckus, the two found the light blonde boy with some of the other Seekers. When he noticed them, he waved them over. "Fran. San."

"Asta." The three shared a short hug, quickly letting go of each other before anyone could notice.

"How was the school?"

"We were there for only a couple of weeks, but it was fun. Even if we had to stay a little distant from the rest of the class."

Fran's tone had a business-like air around it, but the two boys could tell that she was upset. Still, they had no choice in the matter. It was all for the protection of the students.

They were a fail safe in her plans. She had predicted what would happen if she hadn't succeeded and tasked them to protect the other children if things got worse. But that was where their mission ended. Now, they, along with the rest of the Seekers, were at a stalemate.

~~~~~

"I look like a wreck, don't I?"

He was the last person to get off the boat. By then, it was already the evening. He found a single car parked right by the end of the staircase.

The window rolled down to reveal a familiar, friendly face. "Young master, it's time for you to come home."

He managed a nod and got in, strapping himself in the front passanger seat. His butler continued to make small talk, in hopes of cheering him up, in which he would only hum replies to.

He was grateful, though. He could keep his mind off of the horror his own thoughts were giving him.

"I failed! I couldn't do it! I couldn't save them!"

His chest felt tight. For a moment, he forgot to breathe. A rumbling noise snapped him back to reality.

"May I assume that you haven't eaten all day?"

Jin knew his ever-loyal butler was not going to take 'no' for an answer.

"Perhaps something simple to help you relax? How about omurice?"

"Mmhm..."

He didn't think he could handle a full course meal at the moment, anyway. Not with all the images popping up in his head.

"I'm sorry... I'm so, so sorry..."

He managed to convince the elder to let him help cook. He couldn't bare the idea of just sitting alone with his thoughts running wild.

He opened the fridge to take out whatever he needed. Two eggs, rice, some sauce...

Though it smelled good, his butler was the one handling the stove and the plating. He prayed it wouldn't look like something out of a kid's menu.

Two plates were set on the table. In only 15 minutes, both were wiped clean.

"Thank you for the meal, Jiiya." He stacked them before heading back into the kitchen. "I'll handle the dishes. You should rest."

"Those are my lines." Somehow, the elder was already standing in front of the sink. He took the plate off of his hands with a stern look. "Young master, I must insist that you clean yourself up and go to sleep."

"But-"

"Your friends had all informed me of what happened. I understand that you do not want to let yourself think too much of it, but is overworking yourself to the point of exhaustion really the best solution?"

"I..."

"What would Lady Evangeline say if she saw you right now?"

Before he could respond, his necklace glowed, and the android boy appeared. A strange orb began to form in one hand. "She'd threathen you with a virus to put in your laptop. In other words, if you're not under the covers in a few more minutes, you'll be dealing with me for the rest of the week."

Eva knew, better than anyone, how much of a hassle his work would be without his gadget. She always, always, used it against him, especially in cases where he forgets to take care of himself.

Still, it was Eva. She wouldn't actually do it. But Mizel...

Red eyes glared his way, daring him to try. The android couldn't help a smirk forming on his face. He could do much better than 'try'.

"...Fine. Good night, Jiiya."

"Rest well, young master."

"I love you... Goodbye."

He doubted he would.

~~~~~~~~~~

Morose: Sullen and ill-tempered

Two chapters to kick off the first week of 2020! :D