— Just one ticket for High Ring, please! — Angela exclaimed to the lady behind the glass counter, raising her voice against the loud hum of conversation around them.

  Despite that, the young girl still had a polite smile on her face.

  The lady’s eyes slowly traveled from Angela’s torso — hidden by the counter — until they eventually landed on her face. She wore an unimpressed look, likely exhausted from her long shift.

  — How old are you, kid? — the cashier said in a raspy voice, like her throat would rip itself to shreds if she raised it even slightly. — I’m sick of y’all brats trying to get into H.R. with a fake I.D., alright?

  The woman raised her hand to tap the “Next” button, ready to call the next person in line. However, Angela spun her backpack onto her chest, reached inside it, and slammed a document onto the counter, laying it over two notes of centai naishus. Realizing she had used a little too much force, Angela closed the zipper and slid her pack over her shoulder again, looking at the cashier with an apologetic, embarrassed smile.

  — Uh, sorry — Angela chuckled awkwardly. — That should be enough for a ride, right?

  The woman was unfazed by the noise but reluctantly took the items displayed in front of her. She fanned the notes, then slowly slid the document back to Angela. Angela took the card and shoved it into her pocket.

  — Follow the orange line. That’s the subway you’re looking for. — said the woman with a tired expression, handing the student a ticket.

  Angela nodded, the corners of her mouth lifting as she took the ticket from the lady.

  — Thank you so much, ma’am! Have a nice day! — she said before turning and walking away from the crowded line.

  Hakus 15th, 07:47 P.M.

  The difference between those two was simply astounding. While the Middle Ring had specific places filled with neon lights that could probably fry one’s eyes, this place had buildings that pierced through the sky. The High Ring streets were lit elegantly, like just staring at the surroundings could cost your life savings.

  Angela stared at a particular building. It was stretched into the sky like it had somewhere more important to be. Its walls were all glass — endless, floor-to-ceiling panes that caught the light and held it, turning sunset into molten gold. From the outside, you could see shadows moving behind the glow — tall rooms and quiet luxury stacked one on top of the other, like secrets arranged in perfect symmetry.

  At the front, thick marble pillars guarded the entrance, pale, smooth, and impossibly tall, holding up a canopy that felt almost theatrical. Warm light spilled through the towering doors and onto the dark pavement.

  The doors opened automatically when she entered, and Angela was greeted by the young secretary behind the clear marble counter. The whole reception room was decorated almost entirely in white and black, like a fancy minimalist style.

  — Angie! — Rebecca whined. — My shift was supposed to end… like, one hour ago?

  The young secretary checked her watch before groaning in frustration. While her outfit was wedding-like formal, her behavior had absolutely nothing to do with it.

  — One hour and a half ago! — the young girl exclaimed, burying her face in her hands. After a pause to grieve, she peeked between her fingers. — Since you’re closer to Iris, can you tell her that I have a little brother to feed, please…?

  Angela chuckled, approaching the counter and ruffling the other girl’s fiery scarlet hair.

  — You can go home, Becca. I’ll tell her your lil’ brother needs his dinner. — Angela said with a smile. — Tell the kid I said “hi.”

  Rebecca’s eyes instantly widened and turned almost starry. She stood up at Angela’s eye level. The secretary kicked her feet together and saluted with a huge grin on her face.

  — Thank you so, so much, Angie! And sure, I’ll tell the brat. Just make sure Iris doesn’t scold you for this, okay?

  Angela nodded, shrugging like scolding was something perfectly usual for her.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  — Of course! See ya!

  The two girls waved to each other. Angela then walked into the elevator, pressing the button corresponding to the twenty-fifth floor.

  Angela stepped inside the office. The door was nearly always open for anyone, and when it wasn’t, entering was a death wish. As usual, the sound of papers being shuffled filled the room, while a scent of strong coffee lingered in the room. Already used to the sensation, the girl cleared her throat.

  The sound of shuffling stopped, and from another door leading to a small storage room, footsteps could be heard.

  A woman came out from the storage room. Despite having the biggest authority in the building, her build wasn’t exceptionally imposing like Claire’s tall frame. Iris was a finger shorter than Angela and didn’t have much of an athletic figure.

  One thing about Iris that always caught Angela’s attention, though, was her heterochromatic eyes. Not only were they unusual, of course, but the beauty in the mixture of golden and violet also amazed her.

  — Oh! Hello, Angie. Back so soon from school? — said the woman with a curious tone. She adjusted her glasses and looked back at the room she had just left. — Don’t mind the mess. I’m looking for my lenses. I removed them earlier; I should’ve remembered where I put them.

  Angela nodded, taking in the woman’s messy, long dark hair, as if she had spent the last hour rummaging through piles of paper.

  — Of course! And it’s eight o’clock, boss, school ended a few hours ago. — Angela remarked with a polite smile.

  Iris paused, her gaze shifting to the ceiling in brief thought.

  — Right… dang, you all know that I’m not good at keeping up with time. Anyway, c’mon.

  Angela’s first reaction when entering the other room was a gasp. It looked like a storm just passed through and no one dared to clean after it. Open cabinets, drawers, closets, papers scattered around, and a few pieces of furniture out of place.

  — As you see, Angela… I looked for them everywhere.

  — I see… have you looked inside your safe, boss?

  Iris stopped once again, then started laughing to herself, running a hand through her hair.

  — Of course it’d be there. How did I even forget? — Iris chuckled, walking toward a specific closet and opening it.

  Angela waited, hands behind her back, while short “beeps” could be heard from the safe. Iris then closed the closet, adjusting the lenses until her eyes were as dark as her hair. She clapped her hands together.

  — Perfect! — she said with a smile. Then she removed her glasses, sat at the desk, and looked at Angela with curiosity. — Now, the report about Ilya Moren.

  Her tone changed so fast that Angela’s heart almost skipped a beat. Almost, because she was pretty much used to this constant alternation. The young girl cleared her throat.

  — He seems to be… fine, to be honest. Sure, there are still a few physical symptoms, but overall, he’s good to go. — Angela said, fixing the hem of her skirt.

  Iris searched slowly through a pile of papers, pulling one of them out.

  — A rank II Wandering, is that so? Hm. — Iris muttered, placing the paper back onto the table. — Stella’s cleanse is still developing. Are you sure he’s free from Resonance?

  — Yep, he is. Just some headaches and unease, but that’s common after wiping. Anything more? Maybe we should let him go; he seems well enough.

  Iris slowly took off her glasses, hopping off the desk and shoving one of her hands inside her pocket while nudging her glasses over her head.

  — You just need to watch over him for a few more days. At least until the symptoms wear off. Until then, make sure to note down everything he does, like I previously instructed. Do you understand? — Her tone was calm, blank, devoid of emotion.

  Angela hesitated. She stared at the floor, then reluctantly forced herself to face Iris once again. The atmosphere in the room, at least in Angela’s perspective, felt too heavy for even the coffee scent to lift. The young girl spoke up in a small voice.

  — I understand, but…

  — Angela, we’re aiming primarily for his well-being over moral background. I know you feel guilty about it, I truly do. — She paused, silently clenching a fist inside her pocket. Then sighed. — However, you’re the best option for close-contact surveillance. We’ve sent other agents, but you’re by far the most capable of all of them for this task.

  Angela felt, besides the obvious guilt, a hint of relief at Iris’ words. The thought of watching over Ilya still didn’t sit right with her, but Iris’ reassurance about prioritizing his health at least calmed her down.

  — Fine. I guess that’s… tolerable. I’ll get going, then. See you, boss. — Angela muttered, heading to the doorway.

  Iris lifted her hand in a brief wave, leaning back against the desk she had once been seated on.

  — I’ll be waiting for your next report. Tomorrow — don’t miss it. — Iris said casually, but with a hint of firmness.

  Angela nodded and left the office’s storage room, seemingly in a hurry. After hearing the soft door click from the main entrance, Iris went back to the first room, sitting in her usual chair.

  — “No Resonance,” hm? Interesting… — Iris muttered to herself, looking at the glass panel behind her and watching the streets from above. — That she’d lie about that.