-People have been committing sins from a long time ago. Why do they commit such a thing? Even when they know it is bad?

Y/N: ...

I slowly opened my eyes, groaning to myself due to the fact that it was not out of my own volition but my body's. My internal clock was throwing some punches at me, forcing me to wake up. As I did so, the sight of my room greeted me.

Y/N: Why do you have to be such a pain in the ass?

I mumbled to myself out of annoyance and dragged my heavy body out of my comfortable bed.

As I do, my eyes scanned the room I was slowly getting adjusted to and saw the box from yesterday resting on my desk, greeting me. A long moment of silence remained as I stared at the object, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Sure, the way Angela gave me said box was rather... aggressive to say the least but at the same time, there's an aura of mystery around it. A few surprises definitely can make one's life more interesting.

Y/N: Plus, it's just a box, I doubt I'm gonna open a portal to another dimension.

With that train of thought, I opened the lid and peeked inside. What I found was a rather odd object that looked like a mace and a suit underneath it.

Y/N: That's... uh... an odd choice of weapon.

I whispered out of bewilderment as I took out the large cross. The suit was also something that made me frown slightly. Was I supposed to wear this? It looked like someone slapped some knee pads on a suit, gave it a new color and called it a day.

Sadly, as much as I would have liked to complain, time was not on my hand and so, I hurriedly changed into the uniform given to me. It certainly felt weird at first but the feeling quickly dissipated as I moved around.

Y/N: Anyway, I better hurry up if I don't want to be late.

I spoke to my own reflection and clapped my hands. It's my third day, now's not the time to start getting lazy and arrive late! I gathered my energy and made my way outside of my room, ready to face the new day.

On the other side, as I made my way to the Control team, a voice called out to me, causing my head to turn in its direction.

Alter Ego: Oh Y/N, Malkuth is looking for you.

Y/N: Malkuth? Where is she?

However, before she could answer my question, a voice broke the conversation, moving our gazes towards the origin of the noise.

???: I can't do that!

Alter Ego: ...I think this way.

I slowly walked to the source of the voice and saw the Sephirah looking at the pile of paper in front of her. One look at her was enough for me to see that she was preoccupied by something. As we stepped closer, I raised my voice.

Y/N: Don't worry, I know you can do it.

She jumped for a moment but that fright of hers slowly vanished as her eyes made contact with mine.

Malkuth: Good morning Y/N...

She tried her best to send a smile in my direction but the worried expression she had a moment ago returned. Finally, after a long debate with herself, she heaved a sigh.

Malkuth: We are losing so many people on the control team, are we really able to do something?

The sight left me surprised. Malkuth was not one to wallow in negative feelings, at least from what I've seen of her. The change of attitude left me speechless for a moment.

Probably due to this unusual sight, I soon found myself let out a few words of encouragement.

Y/N: Don't worry about that! It wasn't your fault, I'm sure of it!

To be honest, said words were mostly used in an attempt to break this sad scene. Alter Ego glanced in my direction and immediately sensed my intention. Without a moment of hesitation, she jumped on the subject and revealed her own smile.

Alter Ego: We just have to try our hardest and prevent any injuries!

A long period of silence followed. The one in charge of the Control team was motionless, processing the words we spoke. Finally, she blinked and the moody atmosphere dissipated. She stood up and properly faced us with her usual face.

Malkuth: You're right, we are the Control team after all!

She gave us confident look once again and walked closer to me.

Malkuth: I'm relying on you, you are one of the best in the Control team.

A bead of sweat fell down my face as her words made their way to me.

Y/N: I'm not so sure about that but if you say so.

A feeble chuckle to evacuate the awkwardness slipped out of my lips. Without another word, Alter Ego and I resumed our walk and began our work. The workers around us were walking around with documents craddled in their arms. All around, the smell of coffee was floating in the air like a chill breeze during an evening stroll and the ceiling light was slowly humming a song to itself.

Y/N: Another day...

Alter Ego: It is.

We both whispered to each other with no true prupose other than to drown the noise coming from the lights above us.

Y/N: ...

I quietly looked around, trying to find a way to pass the time. As I did so, my eyes caught a glimpse of our Sephirah in the back of the room, staring at me with a vacant stare.

Did I do something wrong? I don't think we can be yelled at for being lazy considering the lack of orders coming from our superiors.

Y/N: Why is Malkuth staring at me like that?

I leaned my head in the direction of the girl sitting next to me. Following my gaze, she took notice of the scene in front of us but could not provide a perfect explanation.

Alter Ego: She might be daydreaming.

*Beep*

Finally, as if telling us to focus on more important matters, a familiar beeping noise echoed. We both turned around and saw our names along with the abnormality we were supposed to work with.

Alter Ego calmly walked in the direction of the beast's containment chamber and meanwhile, I was assigned to a new one.

O-02-56

Y/N's mind: I hope this one isn't bad to deal with.

A sigh came out as I tried to imagine what the "abnormality of the day" would be. Sadly, with the examples we got so far, everything seemed possible.

I slowly made my way to the reinforced door and opened it. When I walked in, I was surprised by what I saw on the other side.

Y/N: ...That's a bird, why is there a bird in the room?

Of all things to be surprised by, I was certainly not expecting a regular bird. As if sensing my surprise, the entity present in the room tilted its head to the side.

The "bird" was sitting on a branch and was looking at me with its tiny eyes, drilling into my soul with its lifeless gaze.

Y/N: I guess I should get started.

I mumbled to myself and raised my notepad, taking out a pencil to start my examination afterwards. During the whole process, the small thing simply observed my movements, judging me silently.

This lasted for at least a few minutes. Then, out of nowhere, it flew into the air, leaving its perch.

Y/N: What?

Unsure about if I should report this or not, I simply watched it do its thing and waited for its next action. The air around swiftly changed once the little bird charged at me, pecking me.

Y/N: Hey! Stop that!

I blocked its attacks with my notepad and ran a few circles to avoid its attacks. One thing was certain: it was relentless. After enduring many of its attacks, I aimed for the door and opened it, locking the thing inside. On the other side, I took one last peek and saw the small bastard land peacefully on its perch, as if nothing happened.

A bead of sweat fell down my face as I tried to ignore the small injuries I sustained during this "battle". Alter Ego was already back from her work the moment I returned from mine.

Alter Ego: So, how's the new abnormality?

She asked with a hopeful smile on her face, happy to see that I was still standing.

Y/N: That little shit just attacked me!

I let out my frustrations and wiped my forehead. However, what I assumed to be sweats turned out to be a much more... crimson substance going down my head. The bird must have done a number on me without me realizing it.

Taking a moment to observe my wounds, Alter Ego jumped back on her feet and began looking for a first aid kit. I waited for her to come back but Malkuth was faster than her.

Malkuth: What happened?

Y/N: The new monster attacked me.

I rolled my eyes.

Malkuth: Come on, don't be like that, show them who's the boss!

She spoke with pride fueling her words as she took care of my wounds, a weird sight considering that a Sephirah wasn't supposed to interfere with the employees' jobs. Not wanting to sound rude to what was basically my boss, I simply shut my mouth and let her do her stuff.

Malkuth: There you go, ready to go now.

Her beaming smile was like a confirmation, telling me that I shouldn't be worried anymore. As she said that, Alter Ego walked in with a med kit, watching what was going on.

Alter Ego: Malkuth?

Immediately, the air froze. Time stopped and all the employees around ceased their activities, sensing a wave of dread overwhelming them. The office workers glanced at each other while Alter Ego and I simply gained some distance. Finally, like a robot coming back to life, her head turned around to face us.

...Well, not "us" and more precisely "me".

Malkuth: What's the matter Y/N?

Y/N: Uh...

I frowned back in response, unable to formulate a sentence capable of dispelling the tension. For once, I was hoping to get an assignment so that I could leave this awkward atmosphere but it didn't happen.

Malkuth: Well?

Her blank eyes were piercing my soul like it wasn't even there to begin with.

Y/N: I-I have to leave.

Deciding that I was making my own escape, I lied through my gritted teeth and looked to the side, refusing to meet her gaze.

Malkuth: But why? There isn't any assignment for you.

*Beep*

Alter Ego: That's for me, are you coming Y/N?

Y/N: Definitely!

The both of us were making grand gestures in an attempt slip away from what was essentially a horror scene, as if we were in a comedy skit. An awkward smile was plastered on my face during the whole process.

Malkuth: This isn't your duty.

She solemnly cut the act short with a cold stare, unamused by our antics. I was fully frozen in place, held in place by the deep eyes of the Sephirah facing me. By my side, the girl with long hair shrugged with a worried look

Alter Ego: At least I tried, try to distract her.

Y/N: You're leaving me?!

I strained my voice as I whispered my shock back at her. As much as I would have liked her to stand by my side, I didn't her to get fired just to assist me. With that, I relunctantly waved at her before focusing on the real problem.

Malkuth was standing completely still, her eyes locked on me.

Y/N: Could you not do that?

My first attempt to defuse the situation went through and without a single word, she took a nearby chair and sat down, still looking at my eyes.

Y/N: Not that, I mean you staring at me!

With a silent compliance on her side, she simply closed her eyes, her hands resting on her thighs and as she did so, her fingers locked between each other. Yet, even with her current state, I could still feel her eyes drilling into my skin.

Y/N: That's not helping.

Malkuth: You should start getting used to it, I'm going to be monitoring your performances.

Y/N: ...What? Why now all of the sudden?

Malkuth: I want to make sure that you're the best at your duties, that's all.

Y/N: ...That's not... Why just me?

I pinched the bridge of my nose as I questioned her odd action but obtained no answer. Deciding to not let her get to me, I took a seat and sat down, staring back into her lifeless eyes.

Minutes went by with none of us moving. The employees in the background tried their best to not interfere and actively avoided being between us, not mentally prepared to step in during this duel.

*Beep*

Y/N: ...I gotta go.

Malkuth: I'm not done.

Y/N: ...The Manager's not gonna be happy about that.

Malkuth: He already knows, he knows everything.

Y/N: ...

I swiftly tossed the ominous words she let out in the back of my mind, directly into the trashbin. The mere thought of thinking about it was like feeling a guillotine floating above my head.

Time went by with none of us moving a muscle. The Sephirah looked like a still corpse while I was busy trying to not crack under the pressure. Occasionally, the girl facing me would write down something on her notepad without averting her focus from me.

Finally, like an angel descending from the skies, the warning telling us that our duties were done for the day echoed in the room, causing the workers to almost jump in victory, knowing that they can leave the Sephirah behind for now.

Alter Ego: Sorry about that problem.

Emerging from the horde, the girl with a frail smile stopped by my side, putting an end to our staring contest. I smiled back in return just before hearing a voice next to us.

Malkuth: Good job everyone!

Her smile returned, almost like it was never gone in the first place. She casually send her farewells to everyone.

I tried to use that opportunity to slip out alongside everyone else but I was promptly stopped by the Sephirah that I was starting to fear.

Malkuth: I knew that you could do it, you know how to follow orders!

Y/N: I... uh...

Alter Ego: Give him a break.

To my surprise, Alter Ego retaliated with a weak frown, mostly unsettled by the woman facing us. This, of course, swiftly soured the Sephirah's mood.

Malkuth: Hm? I am simply showing my gratitude towards his efforts, is it so wrong for me to congratulate them?

Y/N: Honestly, I'll pass...

I mumbled under my breath before taking my leave, Alter Ego standing by my side as I did so. She sent one last look over my shoulder before giving me a worried glance.

Y/N: I'm fine.

Looking back at the "battle" we just had, I could feel shivers go through my whole body. In an attempt to calm down my nerves, she spoke with a soft voice into my ears, fearing that Malkuth might be listening.

Alter Ego: I heard that they will open a new departement soon, we just have to endure her for 2 more days.

Y/N: I'll gladly change of Sephirah at the first chance I get.

I groaned as I responded to her news. After what just occured, I was not willing to face the energetic girl like on my first day.

We both walked out and went to our rooms without any more problems except trying to go through the horde of people from the second shift. Upon landing on my bed, my mind simply shut down and I flew into the world of dreams.

...

Calm footsteps echoed around the room occupied by the Sephirah of the Control team. Her smile was barely holding together as she went back and forth through the empty space. Finally, after a long struggle, her emotions escaped her head

Malkuth: Trying to leave me? That's not true, it's not!

She was holding her notepad with both of her hands as a way to evacuate her anger. She didn't even bother hiding it anymore and every emotions she was holding back flew inside her mind, causing her to be conflicted about what to do.

After hearing the conversation they had as they took their leave, she didn't know what to do. She had so many ideas, thoughts and feelings.

Malkuth: Y/N wouldn't leave me, he wouldn't! That girl is interfering!

Her systems broke for a brief period of time, just long enough for dark ideas to form in her head. Her mind silently processed them and her wrath came out like venom.

Malkuth: Like I'm gonna give up because of that brat!

She frowned and walked outside of the room, charging into a group of employees without a single care in the world, her heart filled with anger.