As captain of the Criminal Investigative Special Response team, Zhu Yuan took her job seriously—everything to a fault as well. Prideful and hardworking (even noted to be a workaholic at this point), it wasn't surprising that she was able to get everything, if not almost, done by the end of the day. There were some days where she'd be stuff in the office running reports, filing paperwork, or still clocking-in on the job doing investigative work, but those were rare.

A star student and top graduate of the NEPS Academy to easily obtain such status, Zhu Yuan was admired for her hard work ethic and dedication, upholding the laws and principles of protecting the citizens of New Eridu from the Hollows and Ethereals. She loved it and she wouldn't trade it for the world; especially after coming home to a relaxing day, knowing she'll get a good dinner and some relaxation time with her romantic partner.

Speaking of which, Seth had just come back from getting the snacks and lunches from the Coff Café in the Lumina Square branch, proceeding to hand them out to his seniors. Zhu Yuan received hers last, a turkey and pesto sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes, paired with her usual espresso with steamed goat milk; a personal favorite of hers that she would always ask Mùyáng to make for her. When she received her items, she noticed a sticky note on the side of the espresso cup.

She took it off with a satisfying "rip" noise to it and read the delicate cursive handwriting.

"Don't overwork yourself too much, Captain Overtime!~"

-M

Zhu Yuan cracked a small smile, feeling her heart being tugged in all directions as she tucked the sticky note into her pocket and resumed her work at her laptop. There was so much that she loved about that man—her partner.

His sweet words being one of them.

Chapter 2 | Closing Time

Work was steady. Things were peaceful and lively. He loved it.

It was the late afternoon, and Mùyáng continued to take orders as he worked away, humming along with the music that played in the background.

In the morning when the world came awake
Before you knew me I knew your name
It was painted across the day as it breaks
An impression in your window frame

When you saw me out your window, singing from the garden
Only the beginning, I'm getting started
I don't mind the digging, baby, I'll work harder
I've been washing dishes, singing from the bottom

But one day I'll be running this place
And one day I could take you away
But I want you to wonder what's my name
'Cause I need you to want me the same

'Cause when you saw me washing dishes, singing from the bottom
Only the beginning, I'm getting started
I don't mind the digging, baby, I'll work harder
I've been in the ashes, singing from the garden

Where everything reaches the sun
Still unsure of what we'll become
But I need you to reach out to me
See in me more than I could see 'cause I'm afraid that

One day is only two words we say
I don't want to let them get in the way
Of all the plans that we should be making right now
Right now
Who took the time and where did they take it?
I want to take it back, I won't want to let them break it
All these plans that we should be making right now
Right now

You see, now, one day I'll be running this place
And one day I can take you away
But I want you to wonder what's my name
'Cause I need you to want me the same

When you saw me out your window, singing from the garden
Only the beginning, I'm only getting started
I don't mind the beginning, baby, I'll work harder
I've been washing dishes, singing from the bottom

But one day is only two words we say
I don't want to let them get away
All these plans that we should be making right now
Right now
Who took the time and where did they take it?
I want to take it back, I don't want to let them break it
All these plans that we should be making right now

He wiped the counter down with a clean rag as he continued along with the beat and the melody, swiftly moving onto making more coffee as he picked up more orders. Skillfully passing items and mugs behind his back with his hands, sliding them across the counter and to the dispenser with ease, displaying such things like a carnival show or some sort of live cooking event.

Mùyáng moved through the workspace like a professional dancer, in a way, his footwork refined and fast, quick and clean as he moved from one place to another. People were simply in awe of how he moved from place to place like swift wind, the scenic view like eye candy to them. Mùyáng slid three more cups of coffee onto the counter and called out the orders, the customers receiving them with their thanks before moving to the small tables in the shop and finishing them in roughly thirty minutes.

Many people adored this cafe because of the soft, chill, and welcoming atmosphere the establishment gave off. People wondered if there was some sort of clandestine technique to achieve such a thing for a place like this, but Mùyáng would deny anything about that. He just figured that the customer service he was giving out was very serviceable. He took his own pride in this work—offering it's own fulfillment and happiness to himself while also providing a comfortable space for people to just interact with one another.

It was a type of atmosphere and feeling that he never...got to have—the luxury to obtain at his previous work. His previous work was far more demanding and crass, as in a more serious outlook on particular assignments.

But he left that life behind now. He was simply known as Mùyáng; the laidback and cool aspect barista of the Lumina Square branch of Coff Café. Kind and well respected.

A status he hopes to continue achieving for as long as possible—forever, he might add. But still, something about the letter felt completely off to him this morning. That symbol was something he hadn't seen in such a long time. How long had it been, truly?

He shook his head. 'No. Leave it. I left it in the past for a good reason. Don't think on it—not a single minute to dwell on it.'

The doorbell jingled, Mùyáng opening his eyes to see one of his part-time employees walk in. It was a young girl that attended the nearby high school, an apologetic, close-eyed, sporadic expression on her face.

"Aahh, I'm sorry for being late, Mr. Mùyáng!!" She profusely apologizes, bowing multiple times. "I swear, it won't happen again!"

Although he sighed, he shook his head with a smile. "You're here now, that's all that matters. Come on, chop chop. Orders and brewing coffee isn't going to handle itself, you know."

"Yes, Mr. Mùyáng!! Right away!" She trots off into the back room to change.

"And it's just 'Mùyáng'!" He shook his head again, "That girl..."

"Mùyáng!! Double whiskey on the rocks!" A random patron called out.

"That's a bar item, sir, which isn't what I'm running," Mùyáng replies. "Are you drunk?"

"No!" The patron then burped. "...Maybe."

It was quite odd that his speech wasn't slurred, considering his face looked very intoxicated right now. Face was all red and everything; a clear sign that he was buzzed and stuff. Still, rather strange that he was speaking clearly.

Mùyáng sighed exasperatedly. "I'll get you a drink of water instead..."

---

At the Janus Quarter precinct, everything seemed far too smoothly to Zhu Yuan's liking. Not that she disliked it, but she did wish for a little bit of a challenge to be let-in.

She had quickly flown through the paperwork she was given, now she was just sitting in her office, vividly tapping her foot repeatedly on the smooth marble flooring. That rhythmic tapping noise persisted in her ears like an alarm clock, which she was beginning to be overly annoyed with, but found herself unable to stop.

She sighed. Her sandwich was already finished and down the gullet, wrapper tossed into the trash can with only a fourth of her coffee left for her to drink. Zhu Yuan leaned back in her chair, her eyes glossed at the lights in the ceiling as she was mumbling to herself.

Zhu Yuan's subordinate, closest ally, and mentor in certain other aspects of life, Qingyi looked over at her and raised her eyebrows. Although Qingyi is an artificial human, Automaton as the official designation of the type of machine she is, she is considered to be one with how much she's evolved and learned as a machine in the first place; with her own emotion module and extensive knowledge. Taking a sip of her hot water from her cup, she flings a small, crumpled up paper ball over at the black-haired young woman with red streaks.

Reacting to this, Zhu Yuan lazily looks over, though looking mildly annoyed. "What was that for, Qingyi?"

"You're tense. Are you not happy with how today is progressing?" Qingyi's tone was light and mellow, casual and laid back. Rather strange for a PubSec officer.

"I mean, I am happy with how progress is. But I won't lie that I do wish for something to... Happen."

"Something to happen, hmm?" An amusing tone lingering in her voice, Qingyi simply grinned. "Then how about going out and finding someone to talk with?"

Zhu Yuan was confused. "What do you mean? Aren't we talking right now?"

"I'm not talking about me. I'm talking about you going out and finding a partner."

"...Huh?"

"And not a 'partner,' but I'm talking about a 'partner' partner," Qingyi clarifies, a finger raised up as if to prove her point whilst she had an eye closed. "Your mom has been—"

"You've still been talking to her about that!?" Ah, right.

Zhu Yuan hasn't told anyone, not even her parents, that she was already in a relationship. A relationship that she dearly loved, don't get her wrong about that, but a part of her felt that she didn't feel the need to tell anyone. Yet, at least.

It would be good for her to tell her parents. But something worried her, thinking that her parents wouldn't like Mùyáng at all. She loved him so much. How sweet he was, kind, responsible, and dedicated. He could be considered a great example of what should be a morally good man. Well, they also knew each other since high school as well, but they never really talked much, a majority of their interactions was when they were assisting others and the faculty. That's part of where his kind natured personality stemmed from the most.

However, unlike most of her friends, she never really introduced him to her parents; let alone brought him to her house. It's not to say that she doesn't want to bring him over, but simply because she's just afraid. Afraid of how they'll possibly perceive him, simply being someone that's taking advantage of her. But that simply wasn't true, having spent so long with him, having met again when they were in their early twenties, bordering on the line when she was nineteen and still in PubSec's Academy. Spent a couple of months just being friends and testing the waters, but didn't fully get together until they both were twenty-three, having gone on their first official date together as boyfriend and girlfriend when Mùyáng took her out to that hotpot restaurant on her birthday.

It was nice, from what she could remember. The atmosphere was pleasant, they had a good time having small chats with one another, and he ended up paying for the entire meal—as much as she disliked it and was willing to pay for it herself. Overall, since then, Mùyáng had always been sticking to his ideals and morals, always being the one taking care of her, and doing his best to make their relationship work; to be the best person there for her as much as possible.

And to her, so far, he's done everything right. Every interaction, everything they've done so far, had been so meaningful to her. But...

"Qingyi, we really don't have to do that..."

The Automaton girl raised an eyebrow. "How so? You're at that age where you can start looking for one, and your mom has been pestering me about when she'll get grandchildren from you."

Zhu Yuan blushed a beet red. "Qingyi...!"

"Come on, you've thought of it before, right? Don't you wish to have a family of your own?"

"I do...!" Her blush persisted, especially since she couldn't shake the image of a family with her and Mùyáng from her head. "Wait, why are you even questioning me about this?? Not to be offensive, but who would you know about this when you're an android?"

Qingyi only let out a chuckle, an almost smugness in her tone. "Oh, my dear friend, Zhu Yuan. You're mistaken from all the extensive knowledge I've obtained."

"Watching videotapes and documentaries about love does not count as knowledge," Zhu Yuan deadpanned.

"But still," Qingyi said, clearing her throat (more like servos or something like that to be correct), "your mom is worried about you. She just wants you to be happy."

"I know, I know. I'm just...taking my time."

"...Unless you're hiding a secret boyfriend I don't know about."

"Qingyi!!" Zhu Yuan's face blushed even more.

---

Evening was now around, and the crowd in the cafe began to die down considerably.

The part-timer that was here earlier throughout the afternoon had bid her goodbyes recently, having left now to go back home in order to do homework and assignments, whatever she needed to do. Mùyáng was fine with that. He acknowledged how important classes and school was. Education was vital to applying to jobs after graduation.

By now, however, there were no more patrons left. The coffee shop closed at around 7:30 PM or 8 o'clock. At the current moment, it was about 7:13 PM. While it was getting close to closing time, Mùyáng usually extended the ordering window to about ten or fifteen minutes after the closing time in case people still wanted to order something.

Wiping and drying some mugs down, Mùyáng hummed himself a small tune as he enjoyed the calming atmosphere of the moment. He didn't have the radio playing, but just listening to his own humming tune was satisfactory to him.

As he continued such actions, the doorbell rang loudly as he opened his eyes. Walking in was a particular young adult woman. Blue short hair that reached to the top of her neck, earrings and all sorts of accessories littered her visage—most particularly being the orange "N" hair clip on one of her bangs. Her outfit was very street, vintage like, a black long-sleeved shirt with orange and white writing on a dialect he was familiar with. Well, it was his home dialect, that is. It read, "Her wit is outstanding."

To complete her outfit, was a vest-like jacket with many pockets, the usual accented colors of grey and orange to match her overall, complimenting aesthetic, a light grey skirt with some sort of orange colored pattering underneath it, a music player hanging from her hip on an orange belt, one black mid-thigh high, and streetwear sneakers. Needless to say, the girl was very expressive when it came to her choice of appearance.

Mùyáng brought up a kind smile. "Belle! What can I do for you?"

"Hey, Mùyáng!" Belle greets, a cheery attitude as always. "Just wanted to stop by and grab a coffee before I head home."

"Sure. Usual as always?"

"Yep! Caramel macchiato please! Also, to-go."

The white-haired male nodded and got to work. Putting the mix into the dispenser and grabbing a styrofoam cup and putting it under so the blend could be placed in there, he turned his attention back to Belle.

"Surprised that you're down here, though. Not to say that I don't enjoy your patronage, but Tin Master has his own on Sixth Street, right?"

"Well, yeah, but I was also in the area here. I was at the HIA Club earlier playing the VR game. I would've stayed overnight, but Wise has been getting pretty worried about me for staying too long," Belle admitted with a sheepish smile.

Mùyáng laughs, "Well, I won't deny that the HIA Club tech is fun, but use it in moderation, okay? I get that you're a tech geek and all that, especially being a videotape connoisseur and the like, but you've got to be more active."

"I know, I know. Don't sweat, I've been taking care of myself," she says. "How about you? How have things been going on your end?"

"Me? Well..." Mùyáng hums. "Not much, really. Aside from going to work, I just do my daily stuff. Got to run some errands after this as I'm running out of things for the fridge back at home. Anyway, how's Wise doing? I haven't seen him around either. Well, not as often as you."

"He's good. He's been holding down the fort with Eous back at the video store. We haven't seen you much down on Sixth Street either, Mùyáng. We're starting to think we're losing our favorite customer," Belle jokes.

"Haha, sorry about that. Life's been busy, as you can tell. That, and my girlfriend has her own worries to do as well."

"Oh, right! You've told me a little bit about her before, but you've never told me who she actually is! What's her name? I may know her," Belle says with a rather quirky, mischievous grin.

"Well, that my, dear friend, will have to be something you'll have to figure out on your own." He responded with his own grin.

The blue-haired girl groans, "Aww, come on, you can tell me! I can keep a goood secret.~"

Mùyáng laughs again. "Maybe someday, Belle. Someday." The dispenser let out a ding once done dispensing the coffee. "Anyway, it looks like it's done. Here you go, one caramel macchiato to-go. Oh, and easy on the sugar, Belle," he finishes with a wink.

"Alright, alright. Thanks, Mùyáng," Belle said as she took her order. "Hope to see you again soon!"

"Yep, for sure."

Belle left the store. Mùyáng chuckles once more as he goes back to finishing the closing shift. As he finishes putting the last mug into the dish rack, the doorbell rings.

Mùyáng begins to rise up from behind the counter, "Sorry, but we're hitting the closing time, so I apologize for the inconvenience—"

He cuts himself off, grunting as he halts in his place. A furrowed brow on his face, an almost worried expression making it on, he stands there, slightly stunned.

Standing at the doorway, a somewhat medium height woman with sleek black hair, reaching all the way to her middle back, stood in a suit and an umbrella. Putting it to a close and taking off her dark sunglasses with flourish, her brown eyes glimmered with a certain bit of anticipation and desire, a sly and cunning stare as she focused on the white-haired young man.

"It's good to see you again, Mùyáng," she greets. "Why don't we have a chat, you and I?"