The car moves through heavy rainfall, wheels rolling against wet asphalt as raindrops bang against the fogging windshield.

  [I'm feeling a little strange.]

  [Why?]

  She grips the wheel tightly after asking, squinting to see past the flickering lamps.

  Run-down buildings shine under the harsh glow of their signs.

  [Just thinking. I wanted to ask... Are there other Centers?]

  [There are.]

  [I see.]

  He shifts in his seat, running his fingers over the cold black leather.

  [Haven't seen a single one, though.]

  The old woman exhales, slowing down. A slight frown forms on her face.

  [They're more like secret institutions than, well... What we have here.]

  He stays silent.

  The muffled screech of grinding metal catches his attention as a train clatters across the bridge above, shaking water from its pillars.

  His gaze lingers on the cars whizzing by, their lights reflected in trembling ribbons across the road.

  [Where is it?]

  [You'll need to drive some more.]

  His voice is flat, almost swallowed by the rain.

  She curses under her breath, tapping her phone. The stillness of the map only adds to her irritation.

  A man fumbles with his umbrella, splashing through deep, rippling puddles.

  [You seem calm.]

  [That's because I am.]

  A chuckle escapes him. Leaning his head on the window, he closes his eyes to the rhythm of the rain.

  The car brakes slowly, stopping under a traffic light. The bright red shines through the raindrops, faintly lighting the crossing ahead. A large auditorium can be seen in the distance.

  [I've been for a while.]

  [I'm glad. You seem—]

  [Is that how you feel all the time?]

  [What?]

  Green.

  [Calm, I mean. Floating.]

  [You never really take part in life. I mean, I guess it's better to advise rather than help.]

  [Flee the scene, right? And when all goes wrong, you can just say you told them. Well, I can't advise anyone. Though fleeing, that's better.]

  [It's way better.]

  A loud honking startles Jenneah as she jumps in her seat. Tapping the steering wheel, she steps on the pedal.

  The wipers swipe against the windshield, setting up a hasty tempo.

  [Turn left. We'll be there in 5 minutes.]

  Veering to the left, they move under a bridge. The pattering subsides shortly, shadows stretching at the lack of light.

  Light.

  They cross. His eyes set on the tall, clamped buildings above.

  Flickering neon shines on billboards and signs, casting their glow on the streets below.

  The rain subsides. Thin drops fall, reflecting on the surface of the skyscrapers.

  [It's that one.]

  Extending his arm, he points.

  [The one with the red light on top?]

  [That one.]

  The old woman nods, eyes set on the building. A single floor lights up in the middle, warm light lost within many colors.

  Stopping at the entrance, she parks the car.

  Reaching for the handle, he opens the door.

  [Have fun.]

  [Right. Bye.]

  His shoes click on the wet pavement as he gets out of the car. Closing the door, he walks towards the entrance.

  The white light scatters outside, tiny particles floating around.

  Standing in front of the door, he waits as it slides open.

  With his eyes itching slightly at the white tiles, he makes his way to the reception desk before greeting the woman sitting behind it.

  [Hi. Heading to Floor 57.]

  [Sure... Have a good night.]

  She says, a confused expression on her face.

  He makes way to the elevator, pressing the button for Floor 57.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Turning around, he stares at his reflection as he fixes his black hair.

  After a ding, the elevator stops, sliding its metallic doors open. They scrape against the ground.

  Peeking to both sides of the corridor, he breathes in before making way to the door in front.

  Part of the city can be seen through the windows next to it.

  Exhaling sharply, he knocks at the door.

  Waiting as he hears muffled shouts and laughs.

  With a soft click, it opens. A head peeks outside.

  [It's been a while, Ayumu.]

  [You came after all! Come in.]

  Swinging the door open, Ayumu ushers him inside.

  Taking his shoes off, his feet brush on the soft carpet.

  [Whose place is this?]

  [Someone I doubt you want to see again.]

  Stepping through the short corridor, he takes the view in.

  Many plants and flowers are scattered throughout.

  A dark gray wall in front, made of bricks, a large TV hung on it, playing the news.

  To the left, a few other people sit on the sofa, listening attentively.

  [Hey, look! He's here!]

  Ayumu shouts.

  He approaches the sofa, stretching out a hand. An embrace startles him.

  [I've missed you! It's been so long...]

  Letting his hands fall to his side, he glances at the person hugging him.

  [No way... You never hug anyone, Kanna.]

  A girl next to him says, a playful smile on her lips.

  [Do you remember me?]

  She points to herself.

  [Yeah, right. You're...]

  [Anise. We met at the Assessment.]

  Kanna lets go of him, tears in the corners of her eyes.

  Kanna: [I've missed you...]

  Anise: [You've already said that.]

  Ayumu steps in, patting her back.

  Anise: [Today's gonna be a party!]

  Ayumu: [There's a bit of time left, still. You can sit down on the couch, get comfortable. Anise, come with me to receive them, they're here.]

  Ayumu and Anise leave after waving goodbye. He sits on the couch, twiddling his thumbs.

  [Is today really that special?]

  Kanna: [You already know it is!]

  He chuckles nervously.

  [... For sure.]

  She sits next to him, listening to the news. His gaze stays fixed on her.

  [How's everything going?]

  Kanna: [Hm? Ah, it's alright.]

  She says, focused on the TV.

  He tugs at his shirt.

  [It's a little suffocating here. Really humid.]

  Kanna: [We don't know how to get rid of it, so we're waiting for her to arrive.]

  [Her?]

  Kanna: [Well, she owns the place. Figured she'd know.]

  A knock at the door.

  Kanna: [I'll get it.]

  Without waiting for an answer, she stands up, rushing to the corridor.

  Glancing at the TV, he listens closely to the news.

  [Everyone's expectant. Celebrations will start around...]

  He stands up at the sound of approaching steps.

  [You've grown, little brother.]

  Cold hands pinch his cheeks. A girl grins widely, her black hair brushing against his nose.

  [Hitomi...]

  Hitomi: [I'm sorry Ayato couldn't come today. He's sleeping.]

  Ayumu: [Leave him alone...]

  Hitomi: [Ah, right.]

  Letting go, she steps back.

  Anise: [Why do you call him your little brother?]

  Kanna: [Right...]

  Hitomi: [Because he is—]

  [For no reason.]

  He says, smiling.

  Ayumu: [Uh huh... Well, it's about to start. I can't wait anymore...!]

  Rubbing his palms together, Kanna sits on the sofa. Anise sits, too, keeping some distance from Hitomi.

  Kanna: [You should get comfortable, too.]

  [Will you watch it on the news?]

  Kanna: [Not like we're invited elsewhere.]

  [Right. I'm... Going to the rooftop. Rather see the people cheering through the streets than a flat screen.]

  Hitomi: [You're weird.]

  [Wouldn't want to hear that from you.]

  Turning around, he makes way to the door, grabbing the handle. A hand clasps around his wrist.

  Ayumu: [Wait.]

  [Hm?]

  [Can I go with you?]

  Hesitating for a while, he finally nods.

  [Sure.]

  Exiting, they wait for the elevator. Getting inside, they stay silent all the way through.

  With a stop, the doors slide open. Getting out, both step up the narrow, dusty stairs to the rooftop.

  Walking on the wet surface, he leans against the railing, its thin glass pressing against his forearms. A faint red lights the wet concrete.

  [You think they'll do something special this year?]

  A soft sound rings in his ear. Tiny droplets hit his skin as the wind sweeps through, forcing him to breathe deeper. Ayumu stays behind, hands in his pockets, as the wind brushes through his hair.

  [Last time, it wasn't that much.]

  [Not that I'd know much. I stayed home that day.]

  [Look, there are already people in the street. Adults, children. Old people, right?]

  [I love seeing them cheer and shout. It's festive. Brings joy.]

  [It almost—]

  [Hinozu.]

  His words are cut short.

  [What's wrong?]

  [Why...?]

  Colors leak through the tall buildings, blending as they shimmer through the light drizzle.

  [Why didn't you show up, to the Assessment?]

  The tapping on umbrellas and overlapping conversations contrast with the silence above.

  Mist spreads as he chuckles, leaning further to gaze through damp locks.

  [I don't know.]

  [I guess... I didn't want to.]

  Ayumu walks up to him.

  [That can't be all, man.]

  [Why can't it?]

  [That's not... who you are. There has to be something else. You should've...]

  A whistle can be heard in the distance, followed by a bang. Colors shine through Ayumu's eyes.

  Hinozu sighs deeply, tapping his fingers on the glass.

  [You know, these past few months I've been... Really calm. Relaxed.]

  [It's almost ironic. After all the time I spent stressing and fighting...]

  [All I had to do was... this. To let go. Stop caring.]

  [And I still feel guilty, deep inside. Disappointed. I guess I do.]

  [Because I don't train anymore. I don't search anymore. I don't dream anymore.]

  [Don't care, anymore.]

  [Or, at least, it seems that way.]

  [Even when I did all those things.]

  [But I like this better.]

  [Maybe that's the answer I was looking for. You think someone like me could become an Exterminator? I'm not even strong for a normal human, how do you expect me to fight demons and compete with people who can use magic?]

  He scoffs, running a hand through his hair. His clothes dampen as they press against the glass.

  [Kanna's leaving, too.]

  A voice, tinged with melancholy.

  [She thinks she's done enough.]

  [I-I really respect her decision.]

  [Because, even if she stayed, it wouldn't matter.]

  Hinozu's eyes widen.

  [What... Do you mean?]

  [How many Isothe attacks have you ever seen? Two, three? People still roam at night, as if nothing will happen. It won't make a difference. We just... fight any threat to save any life.]

  [The first year, I spent behind a desk. Kanna, too. And still, I've only ever fought three of those demons in the two years I've been an Exterminator. That number doesn't really matter how much time you spend at the IEM. All they want is power through fear. They tell you that without Exterminators, it'll all be over. That demons will massacre everything.]

  [And then, those same Exterminators do nothing more than get rich and famous, to live the lives they've always wanted through the illusion that they're heroes. Sure, they save some lives. But that... The military can do, too. Without robbing the people or blatantly lying to them.]

  [Without stripping people like you from their dreams.]

  Ayumu tugs at his damp shirt. Hinozu scoffs.

  [Was I wrong all this time?]

  [It was useless, after all, right?]

  [Everything.]

  [I guess... It would've been cool. If it was like... in movies, a-and series. It would've been harsh, I guess. But at least I could've gotten some nice action scenes.]

  Silence falls as they gaze ahead.

  The rain has stopped.

  Hinozu: [I need some time alone. Would you mind...?]

  Ayumu: [Sure. Don't stay too long, or else we'll have to eat without you.]

  Hinozu smiles softly as Ayumu turns around, leaving the rooftop.

  The door closes with a loud thud, followed by a soft click.

  Thunder splits the sky, lighting the concrete white.

  Hinozu stays still, gazing below.

  Stepping back from the railing, he moves to the left, splashing water around with each step.

  Slowly, he jumps up to a low concrete wall before sitting down.

  Lampposts light up the empty street below, warm light rippling on the wet pavement.

  A thin raindrop falls on his nose.

  [Liar.]

  [If there aren't many demons... If it doesn't matter...]

  [Why did something so improbable, something so unimportant...]

  [Ruin everything?]

  He stands up, staring below.

  A pigeon beats its wings before setting next to him. Tilting his head, he stares at it.

  A train runs somewhere in the distance.

  Hinozu leans forward.

  Cutting through the wind.

  A stray tear shoots upwards.

  As his body smashes against asphalt.