“Child. It’s kind of fun, right?”

‘…Yeah. It’s a rollercoaster, but it feels good to be still alive.’

“Hmm… listen. We still need to find about ourselves. Our memories. I trust you won’t be distracted.”

‘I know. I’ll do what it takes to find justice, to my memories and myself.’

“Good.”

…

…

“Wake up, sleepyhead!”

“Huh? I’m still tired from the drink… And you, of all people to say that.”

“The sun is up, and we have a briefing! Quick!”

“W-what… brie…fing?”

Mido felt a numb pressure on his face. He woke up, opened his eyes, and to his surprise, saw green eyes, and a pouting face.

“W—Wiz?!” He gasped, and quickly tried to get up, pulling the bed blanket to him.

“Why are you here?!”

“First day on the job, Mido! It’s my responsibility to… wake you… up.” She suddenly stared at him, came to her senses and flustered.

“Anyways! Your ID, uniform and all are in the table. I’ll wait!” She quickly ran outside, closing the door. Meanwhile, Mido is still processing what happened. Did she really bust in Gris’ room? In any case, the man will wake him up, but it was Wiz who did that responsibility. He did not remember much of last night, as he was too exhausted, and their drinking, even though he drank little, only added to the small gap in memory. One thing was for certain, however, as Mido scanned the room…

This was not Gris’.

He quickly got up and found the bathroom, which was now adjacent to the bedroom.

‘Huh. How convenient.’

-BREAK-

“So you were hammered too?” asked Wiz as she turned on the TV, and sunk on the sofa. She was already wearing her black and red uniform.

“Hmm… I think. But I only drank a bit…” Mido said as he wore his upper apparel.

“By the way, Wiz… Is this your room?”

“Hm? Oh, this is your new unit! Come to think of it, this has a nice view…” She said as she munched on some chips she grabbed out of nowhere. The full window overlooks quite the same scenery from Gris’ room. The bliss of the landscape always takes them.

“I see… then… How did you get inside?”

“Well… I may have… kept your ID when we went back here last night…” She said, the pitch of her voice became littler the longer she spoke.

“So, you planned this visit all along huh…” Mido laughed, much to her surprise. He did the last buttons of his shirt and wore his new top coat. It was black and red, same as Wiz’s, and seemingly made of a synthetic thread. Whatever it is, Mido knew it is not cloth, but sure had the comfort and feel of one.

“I did not, thank you very much!” Wiz huffed as she put her foot to the coffee table. She then took a glance at Mido, arranging himself on a mirror.

“Ooh, looks good on you!”

Mido spun around to face her. “Really?”

He certainly was in need of more work trying to groom himself. The back and sides of his attire were untidy, and he seems to not notice it. Wiz, however, blew raspberry when she saw that sight, startling Mido.

“I guess… you’re good enough?!” She laughed as she stood up and approached him.

Sighing, she smiled and helped Mido fix his outfit. “Here, here…” The man obeyed whatever Wiz asked him to do. While she’s helping, Mido took a glance at Wiz. Her smile is unfading, it’s like a natural feature of her. She’s caring, and had a pleasant aura, even though she’s only tidying him up. Mido’s throat went dry as he held his breath.

Well, what would you expect of the first person who welcomed you with an open heart?

Exhaling, Mido held her hand.

“It’s fine. Thank you, Wiz.”

Needless to say, she blushed a bit.

“Well… Alright then!” She managed to pull herself together before anything embarrassing happens. Both of them looked to the mirror. Both of them, wearing matching uniforms actually satisfied Mido.

“You look better now!”

“Mhhmm…”

“Mido. Always be proud. We might travel the world, with you as a new man. Don’t bother too much from that anger, hm?” Wiz assured. She tried to see Mido’s tone again with her ability and held his hand beside her. Closing her eyes, she visualized it…

‘Your flame does not bite… It’s warm. It feels like the hearth of a home. I see… I’m glad my risk didn’t betray me.’

“I’m… happy.” She whispered, leaning herself to him. He was a bit taller than her, however, so her head landed to Mido’s shoulder.

“Uhh… Wiz?”

“Hmm?” Her eyes are still closed.

“You’re dozing off.”

“Huh?!” She quickly jumped and leaned to the sofa. Mido was admiring his new look so much that he did not notice Wiz clung to him. He undoubtedly shrugged it off.

“Eh? I did not see you as dense, Mido…”

“Whatever you say, Wiz…” He said as he reached for the door. Wiz was still leaning to the sofa, staring at the space.

“Well… wanna go?” asked Mido as he opened the door, the hallway greeting him.

“Yep!” Shaking herself, she got up and followed him.

They were in the lobby, all present except for their captain.

“Look at you, kid! No more costumes, you perfectly blend in among us!” Gris jested, urging Wiz to hide behind Mido’s shadow. In turn, her action made the man laugh.

“Sir Gris, aren’t you hung over?” said Mido.

“Not to worry! Booze does not beat me easily. Them, however…” As if it was déjà vu, Gris pointed to Enna and Gen behind him. They were like shriveled vegetables on the lobby sofa, heads banging from their hangover.

“I’d exempt them from the briefing, if I were Fein, but all members need to be present. Sit here, you two. I’ll fetch something for these vegetables.”

Both sat to an available seat. Sora was noticeably away from them.

“Sora?” Wiz asked.

“Yo.” He let out a monotonous nod.

“What’s bothering you?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired, Wiz.” He said as he fiddled with his phone for a bit and set it on the table.

It was an awkward moment for them. After a while, Gris came back with two chilly cans on both hands. From the looks of it, they were energy drinks. Fizz came out of them when he opened the cans. Without hesitation, he forcefully let them drink.

“Open up, children!” The cold liquid startled the two as it entered their mouths.

“For fuck’s sake, Gris!” Enna and Gen exclaimed in unison, as they jumped up. The man laughed as he set aside the cans.

“You two. Fix your faces. We’ll be meeting with captain soon enough.” He said as he slapped their flushed faces.

“Alright, we get it, old man…” As Gen spoke, he saw Mido.

“Well, Mido. You finally got the job, eh?” unexpecting of him, Gen extended a hand to Mido. He gladly accepted it.

“Congrats.”

“Thank you, sir Gen.” When Mido said that, Wiz’s mouth visibly twitched trying not to snicker. Gen face warped, and he eventually laughed.

“Don’t ‘sir’ me! I’m only a few years above you, judging from your face alone. You’re aged like our princess over here—”

“Oi, Gen! Teasing me like that…” Wiz raised an eyebrow.

“I sincerely apologize.”

“Well, I prove you wrong now, right?” She said, proudly.

Gen sighed. “Have it your way then, Wizbette.”

“It’s a good thing we are going along quite well, Mido!” Enna remarked. For some reason, the drink Gris presented was effective enough to make the two recover, at least for the occasion.

“I think you’re right, miss.” As Mido looked at Enna, they locked eyes.

‘Really… What’s with those eyes of yours?’ Enna was mesmerized, before she calmly looked away.

A constant beeping interrupted them from their thoughts. Gris fumbled his clothes and turned it off.

“It’s time.”

The Apprehension Group Offices were a few levels above them. For Mido, it must be the cylindrical structure that protrudes around the side of the mountain.

There were no elevators to access the portion. They needed to use winding stairs from the room units to enter the offices. When they did, Mido’s assumption was right.

The place was dominated by mostly people with white and red uniforms. Now that he sees this, the uniforms must be color coded by department. Because they were on field work, they wear black clothing. The logistics and operations department wear white.

“This place is very populated, huh…” Mido looked around.

“You may not notice it, but the whole mountain is a busy place. Even the area below has as much foot traffic as here.” Wiz answered his musings.

They walked a bit more and climbed another set of stairs before Gris finally told them to stop.

“Here’s the place.”

They were faced by a wooden door, a far cry from the glass and metal around them. The walkway ran around like a semi-circle, and when one leans on the balcony, the same design repeats along the upper and lower floors.

After waiting outside the door, it finally opened. Fein got out, along with some other people, wearing the same outfit as them. They saw him chatting with one member. Eventually, everyone on both parties interacted. It looked like a small reunion for them.

“This here’s your new recruit, Fein?” A blonde, blue-eyed and ruffle-haired man, likely the same age as Fein, pointed to Mido.

“Yep. Vouched for him myself.” He seemed proud while saying that.

“Oh! Promising…” He approached him. Mido was somewhat insecure for new faces to show up, but he shook hands with the man.

“Nico Morrow. Nice to meet you, mate.” He had a somewhat smooth accent.

“Mido. A pleasure.”

“We are D-5. We’re quite close with your group here, as you can see.” He pointed to his members. They were all familiar with each other. They were composed of only five members: Nico, the man who greeted them, a tall, imposing man, two women, likely twins, and another woman, with an aura uncannily similar to Enna. It struck to Mido that every group number corresponds with its members. Maybe it was coincidence, since D-7 ran as a group for almost a year containing only six members, until his arrival.

Nico turned back to Fein, and gave a handshake, before calling his members.

“We will see each other on the field, my friend. Live, as always.”

“Right. Live, as always.”

They then departed. It was a short reunion, but it seemed that it gave everyone a positive mood boost.

“I would’ve waited for all of you, but well… good job on not being late for once.”

“Tell me about it.” Gris chuckled. “These two were hammered last night and had to be dragged here.” Enna and Gen nervously laughed.

“Hmm… Must’ve missed the party, then.” Replied Fein.

“Well, everyone! Let’s go.” Fein enthusiastically said. He pushed the doors, and in his back tailed all of D-7.

A figure rested behind a desk. They were sitting, but an aura of authority absolutely lingered inside the enclosed premise. One would hear silence at first, but as soon as the footsteps of D-7 rained, they twitched a bit, tidied the scruffs of their white sleeves, and stood up.

Secretary Ayane waited for them.

“Good morning, Ability Apprehension Group, Designation Seven.”