The people in the restaurant were looking over at Julian and Arielle arguing. It wasn't very often that someone would cause a scene in a public area since Imperium soldiers were on patrol around every corner. Causing a scene would only land you in jail.

"Look, we're trying to have a date here. Why don't you and your goons piss off?"

"Hmpf...Like you would know anything about dates."

Arielle and Julian were glaring at each other while Iris just sat there without saying a word.

"Hey boss, I think we could take him if we all went at him together."

One of Arielle's squadmates was now standing beside her.

"Oh shut up! If we were to do anything here then we'd be the ones getting locked up. Have you forgotten why we came in the first place?"

"Sorry, boss."

The boy backed up and rejoined the rest of his squad.

"So why have you come here?"

Julian already knew what her goal was. If she were to get him to attack her in public, then he would be arrested for causing a public disturbance. Getting locked up would hinder Julian's growth, so she would have more time to get stronger than him.

"I don't think that it's any of your concern."

Arielle had her arms folded across her chest with her chin out. She looked like she was trying to imitate what people in high society did.

"If you're here interrupting my date, then I believe it is my concern."

Iris finally spoke up.

"Hey Julian, let's just go. I don't think we're welcome here anymore."

Julian looked over at Iris and saw that she was very uncomfortable.

"Sure, let's get out of here. There's plenty of other places we could go."

Julian and Iris got up to pay their bill and walked out the door.

'You can't run from me forever, Julian.'

Julian and Iris walked along the shopping district looking at shop windows and market stalls. Iris was smiling the whole time looking through clothes and jewelry.

"You want one of those?"

Julian pointed at one of the bracelets in a market stall. It had a shiny pink color with a white crystal embedded in the center.

"You don't have to. I was just admiring how pretty it is."

"Excuse me, ma'am. We'll take this one."

The woman behind the stall smiled at Julian while wrapping the bracelet.

"You two are so cute. What I would give to be young and in love again."

Iris and Julian both blushed. They weren't sure what to say since they weren't officially dating.

"Thank you, ma'am."

Julian took the wrapped bracelet and walked away from the stall.

"Hey, Julian. Have you ever been in love before?"

Julian stopped walking and was quiet for a minute. He wasn't sure what to tell her. In this timeline, he hasn't been in love yet, but she knew about his past timeline, so he didn't see the point in lying to her.

"I was once before. In my previous timeline."

"Oh. Who was she?"

Julian turned to look at Iris. Their eyes met and Iris noticed that Julian had a hint of sadness in his.

"You've already met her. Not too long ago, actually. Her personality isn't too fun to be around."

Iris looked down to think. There was only one person that she could think of, and she didn't have the best impression of her.

"So you and Arielle were in love with each other?"

Julian started to laugh.

"I don't think it was mutual. I believe that my lust for power gave me tunnel vision. My negligence towards her probably caused her to grow to hate me."

Iris looked back up at Julian and blushed before she spoke.

"Well...do you love me?"

Julian didn't say anything at first. He just stared at her and said nothing. Then he cleared his throat and spoke up.

"I'm not sure. I don't want to rush into anything just yet. I can say that I've had fun with you tonight. I'd be happy to continue doing this with you. When it's the right time, you can ask me that again. Okay?"

Iris was a little disappointed at first, but then she smiled at the idea of not being rejected outright.

"Well, as long as there is a chance, I'm willing to wait."

She ran up to Julian and wrapped her arms around his waist. Julian was surprised at how bold she was being, but he gave her a hug back and they stayed like that for a little while.

"It's getting late. I'll walk you home."

Julian backed away and handed her the bracelet he bought.

"Sure. Thank you for today."

Julian walked Iris back to her house and said goodbye before returning home.

..........

"It's time for us to make a move! We can't keep hiding in the shadows!"

In a dark warehouse in the 21st sector were 10 figures in masks surrounding a round table.

The one who spoke first was a woman in a white mask with no holes or features on it. Then a tall man with a green mask with only one eyehole on it spoke up.

"I know that you're tired of all of this sneaking around, but we can't risk our organization getting taken down because of our carelessness."

"I agree with the 5th, we can't risk being seen just yet. We won't be able to achieve our goals if we're caught right now."

"Fine, then let me be the one to do the bank job. I promise you that I can get it done!"

Everyone looked around the room in silence waiting for someone to speak up. Finally, the only person that was sitting stood up and spoke through his black mask with horns on it.

"I see no problem with the 8th carrying out the bank job. All in favor?"

Everyone in the room raised their hands.

"Then it is settled. The 8th will carry out the robbery of the North Trust Bank."

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