"Where are you heading?" Kaagad na tanong ni Ero nang patuloy na naglakad palayo ang dalaga pagkalabas nila ng opisina. "As far as I am aware, that isn't where we'll be holding our conversation, Zai."

Asta stared at Zai's back as she walk away with no reply. Akmang susundan na ito ng doktor ngunit isang kamay sa balikat ang pumigil dito. She looked back to Asta who's giving him a stern gaze as she shakes her head. Ibinalik ni Asta ang kaniyang mga mata sa likod ng dalaga. "Belair St. Block 12, room 15. We'll be waiting there."

Nang mawala na sa kanilang paningin ang pigura ng babae ay binitawan ni Asta ang balikat ng lalaki at tinaasan ito ng kilay. "Even soldiers have times like this, are you dense? You quack."

--

"You weren't the type to lay low, so I was suprised not hearing anything from you," Rui maintained his eye contact with Trois. "The others as well weren't exactly worried about your well-being. We were more worried for those who you'll encounter. You have a rash character, after all."

Walang komentong ibinigay ang kausap. Simula nang dinala ito sa interrogation room ay walang ingay ang narinig mula dito. Nanatili itong nakatitig sa binatang nasa kabilang banda ng lamesa habang hindi nakikitaan ng kung anumang usual na emosyon ang mga titig nito.

"Are you gonna remain silent?" Hindi pa rin sumagot ang binata. Rui sighed and slid the folder to Trois' side. Mula sa binata ay ibinaba ni Trois ang kaniyang tingin sa isang litrato ng nakatalikod na lalaki na naglalakad papasok ng isang establisyemento. "Why is Shane snooping around the black market? Quite bold for someone like him."

"Don't know." kaagad na sagot ni Trois.

"We found out you were in contact with him for the past four years, surely you know." Rui's eyes sharpened. "Was he the one who instructed you to head to General Yan and Clay's location? Why?"

"Don't know. To kill you?"

Rui's brow twitched. "To kill me...? Shane did?" Trois didn't confirm. Hinila pabalik ni Rui ang papeles at ipinihit ito paharap sa kaniya. He stared at the picture as he tap his finger on the table. He must've realize I'm a nuisance, though it is shocking to hear it was his order. Aside from that, it's good we confirmed these two were indeed been in contact. He was also informed I was initially assigned to that task, did he plant someone here?

Tumingin siya kay Trois at muli itong tinanong. "I don't think you're lying. Then that means you just follow his orders around and you won't even ask about his activities?" Katulad ng kanina ay walang ibinigay na kompirmasyon ang lalaki. Rui's eyes squinted. It's a relief I decided to investigate into Shane's movements. I found some things that are barely usable but with this, I don't think I can ignore that coward's presence any longer. It's annoying.

Tiniklop niya ang folder at idiniretso ang kaniyang likod. "So? You voluntarily locked yourself here to wait for an opportunity to aim for my head?" He smiled. "That'll be a problem, on your part of course."

Nanatili pa ring tahimik si Trois habang tinititigan niya ang nakangiting binata. Saglit siyang tumingin sa malapad na salamin sa kanilang gilid. This brat is just a captain but his authority is suspiciously beyond its boundary. Tiningnan niya si Rui at nakitang maigi siyang pinagmamasdan nito. Shane didn't tell me a reason why this kid should drop dead but I have a good guess as to why. If my intuition is right, I don't think Shane's decision is correct.

Trois tilted his head and looked down on Rui. "How's the rebellion going?"

The people from the other side paused with his question. The student who's accompanying Aki gnashed his teeth. "He must be guessing." Nanatili namang tahimik si Aki habang maiging tinititigan ang dalawa.

Hearing Trois' question, Rui chuckled. "This is what you wanted to know? You could've just asked me, Zai would notice anyway." His smiling eyes squinch habang kaniyang ipinapatong ang kaniyang baba sa magkasiklop niyang mga kamay. "What exactly do you want to know? I'll answer you truthfully once."

Saglit na nagkatitigan ang dalawa bago nagsalita si Trois. "Among us, you were always the one with a fragile will to stay by her side. That's why I was keeping tabs on you, I'm not surprise you didn't fail my expectation." For a moment, Trois' gaze stared at nothing. "Since Zai began recruiting some people, I always kept in mind that there'll always be someone who'll betray her, I was no exemption to that. Most of my doubts were directed at the female soldier, then to Shane, then to you-- an abandoned child who instantly become happy after receiving little affection from somebody. Of course, this thought wasn't mine alone. Even Zai has these."

Mula sa lamesa ay direktang tinitigan ni Trois ang mga mata ni Rui. "My late actions were not intructed by Zai so I stayed to confirm if my decision was right or wrong. I'll just ask you one question," Trois' gaze gloomed as Rui sense a foreboding atmosphere. "What is your name?"

The onlookers were confused with his simple question but they were baffled with their captain's silence. Nanatili itong nakatitig sa madidilim na mga mata ng kaniyang kaharap na lalaki, not giving an immediate reply.

The male student muttered. "What a stupid question."

Only those two know what that simple question actually means. Rui hates his surname and so, he refuses to utter it. On top of that, his first name is not that different. "Rui" was also given by Zai and if he refuses to say that as well, then who is he? He was a boy with no name until that woman found him and acknowledged his measly life by giving him that name. Rui knew, it wasn't suppose to question his identity. Instead, Trois Oxen was actually giving him a warning.

'How dare an insignificant creature as yourself bite that person's hand.'

Nang lumipas ang ilang minuto na hindi nagbigay ng response si Rui ay tumayo na si Trois. "As I thought. I really should've convinced Zai to abandon you on the ditch. What a waste." he pulled the shackles apart, causing it to snap and break. He swirled his wrist as he look down at the seated boy with an eerie gaze. "Know your place, you rat. If you cross the line, regardless of Zai's order, I'll hang your corpse on the plaza."

In a blink of an eye, Trois was no longer in sight. Akmang aakto na ang isang estudyante ngunit tumigil ito nang pinigilan siya ng bise kapitan. Aki pressed the button of the intercom. "Should we authorize a pursuit, Captain?"

Rui raised his gaze and pulled the corner of his lips. "No, it's fine. With this, we no longer need a warrant next time." Tumayo ito at inayos ang silya. He stood still and sneered. 'If you cross the line' huh... That means my movements are not totally disadvantageous for Zai, she might even utilize it. Sacrificing intel about the rebellion in exchange for these small details is worth it. Rui grinned and fixed his necktie before exiting the room. It's convenient how complacent he is, I'm relieved that didn't change.

"You seem satisfied, Sir." Aki mentioned nang makalabas ito ng pinto. Rui turned to her and simply smiled. Aki smiled and walked alongside him to the exit. "You seem enthusiastic enough to finish your paperwork."

"..."

--

"Allen Signa. You're finished with your work, correct? Then bring this to the captains' office immediately."

Umangat ang ulo ni Allen mula sa pagkakatitig sa kaniyang papel nang marinig ang iniutos ng kaniyang guro. "Eh? But Sir--" he paused when he met the professor's gloomy gaze.

Tumaas ang kilay ng matanda. "You have something to say, Mr. Signa? Speak up or I won't hear you." Allen's hand clenched around his pen as he look down at his unfinished writing. The teacher clicked his tongue and faced the board. "If you have nothing to say, then don't dally and deliver the documents as you are told."

"Yes, Sir..." Tiniklop niya ang kaniyang mga gamit at akmang ilalagay na ito sa loob ng kaniyang bag but a hand intervened.

"Hey, you done right? Can you lend me yours?" The boy seated next to him asked.

"Ano--"

"Thanks!" he said and snatched the notes. Tumalikod na ito at ipinakita ang binuklat na notebook sa kaniyang katabi. Allen bit the inside of his cheek and was about to reach for it but,

"SIGNA!"

Flustered by the teacher's shout, mabilis na tumayo ang binata at nagtungo sa harap. Kinuha nito ang mga dokumento at lumabas ng silid. His eyes squinched with what a student muttered as he slid the door close.

"What a pushover."

Nang sumara ang pinto ay isang buntong-hininga ang lumabas sa bibig ng binata. He turned on his feet at tinungo ang hallway palabas ng building. His eyes are directed to the floor while his mind wanders off to somewhere else.

Why am I still here? No matter how high my academic grades are, I won't graduate as a soldier. I should transfer to a different department and restart. I should be doing that but... Humigpit ang hawak nito sa box na naglalaman ng mga papeles at kinagat ang loob ng kaniyang labi. There's no other choice than that, idiot. Ba't ka nagsasayang ng oras? Give up on that fantasy already. With your brain, I'm pretty sure you'll do well in the other branches. Support, medicine, business, manufacturing... you'll do great. Yeah, isn't that enough?

Tumigil ito sa paglalakad at mas idiniin ang kaniyang ngipin sa loob ng kaniyang labi. He sniffed and wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his uniform. Binilisan nito ang paglalakad at hinigpitan ang hawak sa bagahe. Don't hope. You won't graduate as a soldier, not even barely. It's not like an opportunity will suddenly appear that'll make you force them to...!

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng binata nang makakita ito ng isang pigura sa gitna ng field. On reflex, he hid behind a pillar and stared at the opposite wall with bewildered eyes. Ba't ako nagtatago? More importantly, who's standing at the center of the field at this hour? Wait, the center? Isn't that where...?

Pinihit niya ang kaniyang katawan at sumilip muli sa field. There he saw a long-haired woman with her hands tucked inside the pocket of her black coat. Nakatayo ito sa harap ng espadang halos isang dekada ng hindi nabubunot mula sa kinalalagyan nito. The woman is tall and seemed to be in her 20's. Pale skin and solemn sharp eyes that he can view from the side. Medyo may kapayatan rin ito na tila ba hindi ito wastong kumokonsumo ng nutrisyon ng ilang linggo.

Allen raised a brow. She doesn't seem to be from here, she must be a guest. Kumunot ang noo ng binata. Why is she standing there, doing nothing? Also, can't she see the sign and the fence around that thing? She's not suppose to be there.

Zai stared at the familiar sword in front of her. Ginapangan na ito ng halaman at medyo damaged na rin ito dahil sa panahon at pangingialam ng ibang tao but it still can be repaired. Her eyes remained staring at it as her hands remain inside her pockets. Ilang minuto niya pa itong tinitigan bago niya marahang tinanggal ang isa niyang kamay mula sa bulsa at marahan ring inabot ang handle nito.

Allen tilted his head when her hand stopped midway. She won't be able to touch it but still, why did she stop? Maigi niyang tinitigan ang mukha nito and one thing he noticed was how solemn her expression is. Is she perhaps... hesitating?

Allen watched as the woman's brows furrow and her eyes shut followed by a light sigh. She grabbed the handle and pulled it out before swinging it once to remove the vine. That's when Allen only noticed a scabbard behind her coat, designed as if it was a natural partner of that blade. Allen, finally having a good view of her front profile, met the woman's gray orbs. Having a hunch of the person's identity, Allen held his breath and slowly took a step back, only to bump into someone's chest.

Nilingon ito ni Allen at nanlaki ang mga mata nito sa blond na binatang tinititigan siya ng may mga nanlalaking mga mata na mukhang natural dito. The man's eerie smile widen. "You're creepy." The blond commented.

Mabilis na lumayo si Allen at ibinagsak ang box sa sahig. Although trembling, he took a stance and never took his eyes off Trois Oxen's figure. Trois grinned. "You call that a stance? Kid, go back to grade school." he mocked. Trois chuckled and tilted his head as his eyes gloom. "Just so y'know, no matter who, someone who takes a stance in front of me is basically asking for a brawl. Perfect timing, I really need something to blow off steam."

Ang nanginginig na binata ay halos nagtatago na sa nanlalamig rin nitong mga kamao. His legs are also losing its strength as he assess the situation. Walang tao sa lokasyon nila ngayon since mostly ang mga silid na nakapalibot sa field ay mga equipment room, conference room, training halls, at iba pang mga silid na hindi masyadong binibisita ng mga tao ng ganitong oras. It's also class hours, the time when it is strictly forbidden to roam around without a teacher's permission. Meaning, he has to deal with the situation alone.

Hinigpitan ni Allen ang pagkakatikom ng kaniyang mga kamao habang desperado niyang kinakalap ang mga natutunan niyang mga bagay mula sa mga guro at mga kapitan. They said it's more advantageous to attack first, right? To let the opponent know that you're not intimidated? Was that it!? How do you attack first again?!

Allen shut his eyes to gather enough courage to move ngunit nang buksan niya ito ay nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata nang makita ang tuhod ng binata malapit sa kaniyang mukha.

"You're a basic idiot."

Allen was in panic but someone suddenly yanked him from the back and tossed his body to the grass. He stumbled on his feet before his heel tripped and he fell flop on his butt. Ang mga nanlalaki pa ring mga mata nito ay tumingin sa itim na pigura ng babae.

Hindi siya binigyan ng kahit isang tingin nito at naglakad lamang palayo. "Let's go, Trois." Trois followed her without any other word. He didn't even glance at the boy.

Nang magregister sa utak nito ang mga pangyayari ay mabilis na lumingon si Allen sa likod ng babae. She saved me... right?

"Oi," mula sa malalim na pagkakaisip ay nabalik ang binata dahil sa boses ng lalaki. Trois crouched and smiled at him as if he just forgotten the recent events. "Where's the infirmary again? They transferred Clay there, right?"

"Eh?" Captain Claysen?

Bago pa makasagot si Allen ay halos tumigil ang hininga nito nang hinila siya patayo ng binata at hinatak patungo sa direksyon ng babae. Zai looked at their direction and gazed at the almost fainting expression of the young lad. "Just ask him some directions. Why are you bringing him along?" Zai remained staring at Allen's pale face but the boy only flinched at her gaze. "He looks like he's dying."

"That's good, right? He needs injections. So whoever-you-are, bring us to the clinic before you die." Trois smiled.

"You're suffocating him."

"I am?"