(Family, huh?)

I choose to look away from what I consider an incestuous couple and cause my gunbai to rise higher up the apartment building. A reckless boy who fights for family? A familiar scenario, to say the least.

"Quite the duo, aren't they?" I hear somebody say.

I look up and see Chates, still in this Oren figure's form, at the top of the complex.

"You shouldn't be following me." I state. "Where I go outside of our agreement is none of your business."

"Truth be told, I just want to learn more about you."

"To sate your curiosity about your partner? Or is it to simply imitate him better?"

"Both perhaps."

(Obnoxious little prick. Talking with him is always a waste of time.)

I land on the building roof and sit next to Chates.

"Jealous?" he asks.

I put my gunbai over my shoulder, then look down towards the ground.

"Well?"

."..Yes."

"Can't say I blame you."

"Well, Chates. You never took me for a family man."

"Family or friends, I wouldn't want to be alone, that's for sure."

."..Well, to each their own."

"You prefer solitude?"

"How should I explain this... I don't like being alone. But, sometimes, being alone is better than being with those you love."

"And when would that be?"

"When you don't want anyone to hurt you."

Silence ensues following this statement.

"Dodge wanted to speak with you again," Chates says, breaking the silence.

"So soon?"

"Three more days, including today."

(So, it's finally coming to the climax.)

"He wanted to give you something," he adds.

"Did he?"

"Yes. Come with me."

We return to the lab. When we enter the room, the giant crystal before us seems to glow in even more colors than before.

So...this is what they've been working on. A multi-rhime crystal. Much like the infamous Rhoken. But how do they plan to use it against the wealthy class? And what else have they refused to tell me? I am hired as an assassin, in case any unnecessary complications arise. But what is their plan?

"So, you've returned." I hear Dodge say, putting away his gaming system.

"What is it you wish to discuss?"

"I will assume my brother told you of the schedule?"

"As much as you usually tell me, anyway."

"I suppose that will suffice."

"When will you inform me of what the full plan is? You promised me vengeance. You promised to make things happen? But you never said how you plan to fulfill both of the promises! I grow impatient! When will you...?"

Dodge holds something out to me. Some small green bottle with an unknown liquid.

"For you." Dodge says.

I stop talking, look at Dodge for a short time, then slowly walk over to him and take the bottle.

"I see that you're curious about this 'Oren' individual, no?"

"I...cannot deny that."

"Can I trust you'll fight him with all your strength when the time is right?"

(I said I would before.)

And yet...

This is about Hisashi, isn't it?

Those words.

However, like it or not, he is my friend. And I refuse to let you hurt him in any way! I may have other personal reasons to fight you, but I won't let you do anything to him either!

What is Hisashi to him?

What would he think...if he knew?

"You seem hesitant once again." Dodge observes.

I come back to reality, then look at the bottle once more.

"Trust me, I'm fine."

"Well, just in case, we got that concoction for you."

I hold it up to the light.

"And this is?"

"I will only say Hunter got it for you."

(That suspicious serpent? What's going on?)

"That is a last resort in the event you're unable to fight hard enough to complete your task."

"You know I'm the strongest one here." I say.

"Perhaps, but you're the bodyguard, not us. You're meant to be the fighter, so we expect results."

"Again, what is this?"

"It has a 95% chance of awakening your harmone."

!!!!!!

"What!?" I shout.

"Brother, are you serious!?" Chates yells out with equal volume.

"If you've had this the whole time, why didn't you use it already!?"

"It's because of the side effects. The awakening isn't certain. But death following consumption is guaranteed."

(I see. A suicide concoction.)

"We expect results. You vowed to put everything on the line for your vengeance. Athough I do not wish to sacrifice you, I'm holding you to your side of the bargain."

I bring my arm down, my gaze still on the bottle. A chance to awaken my harmone! Even if it's only temporary, to have such power is definitely appealing! The real question is when to use it.

Indeed. That is the question.

My original goal hasn't changed. The rich must pay. We've waited too long to remove them from their thrones.

And then...there's that boy.

A boy of the people I've come to hate. The people who betrayed me. The people who broke my heart. The people who left me alone. Alone amidst rising flames in a sea of the blood of innocent children. My second vengeance. Both embodiments of hatred in the same place.

But...why? Why do I hesitate with that boy?

Is it because of his concern for Hisashi?

Why would he care? He shouldn't care about someone like Hisashi. What are his motives? Friendship? Oren shouldn't need friendship. There must be something else.

I look at my reflection within the bottle.

I shouldn't hesitate. I am Selot. I've dedicated so many years of my life to these very events. I am a fighter. An assassin. I shouldn't hesitate. Clear my mind of hesitation. Clear my mind of doubt. An assassin has no need for sympathy, especially for the enemy. Next time, I will not hesitate.

Next time, harmone or no, Oren will die at my hands.