“Taj, look,” Luna said and laughed, looking out of the window. “Look, they’re really here, these reporters, aren’t they?”

  “O, I noticed,” Taj started to speak but stopped.

  His blurry projection sighed, which made Luna abandon watching reporters outside and turn to him. “Taj?”

  “Luna, I know we agreed on this—us to participate in the idea of this trap. Though your Silly didn’t specify how they wanted to communicate it. What I read in the news is not polite, to say moderately. If not for our agreement, if I were not with you, it would put you in a difficult spot, no?” he asked.

  “I know. I think what you said before is precisely how we need to do it. Si, if we decide to hide, I think he could look for us, but he won’t be pushy. I think so.”

  She stopped for a moment.

  “But, about Lukai, we didn’t talk yesterday. When you and Si talked, I was outside the arena with Lukai. Imagine he said nothing—not even a word, truly. He was observing you. In a way, I also need to add, as if you were gold or something. But he is not using your name easily, Taj. I think he’s not treating you right, as if you weren’t a person. I do not like it. Your thoughts?” Luna said it all in one go.

  She needed to—she was genuinely worried by Lukai’s behavior. She didn’t know this side of his character. Lukai emanated a power lust, and she sensed it.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Correct.” What Taj said made Luna gasp.

  “Then what do we do?”

  “Observe. I hope that we will evaluate their behavior very soon and then decide. I’m aware of Lukai; I’ve noticed. I have a notion we won’t be able to avoid him or his organization. His organization, though. Not without a reason is their name as it is. They were radicals from the very beginning… Wei would not appreciate it, Song the same.”

  Taj said the last sentence as if to himself only. But Luna knew about who he was talking about.

  “Luna?” Taj sounded as if he had made up his mind. “You asked before whether I could guard your Si. I will, and I also will use something I probably shouldn’t—to help him. Let’s consider it as decided.”

  She nodded.

  “Good. Now, let’s manage the situation calmly; wait for them to send the details of their plan. Participate, but at the same time observe. Then, decide and act. As Song would do… Luna? Did you write the message to your friend Avery, the other—as you call him—weirdo? You know it is offensive; I need to ask, as always,” Taj added.

  “I did, and no, it is not. I mean, he knows; he also calls me like that. Two white-haired weirdos we are. Yes, I wrote to him; he didn’t reply yet,” Luna said and then recalled something.

  “Taj? Taj, I forgot; you surprised me with your question earlier, but I managed to find it. It is not common now; it wasn’t easy to find, but some very, how did you call it? Vintage? Vintage cosmetics place had it. I bought it. Could you tell me why? For what?” Luna asked; she was curious.

  It was very atypical for Taj to ask about something like this. He didn’t eat. Why then?

  “You found it? Amazing. Some time ago, I started considering that I needed to face it. Slowly, step by step, as they say. Yesterday, I confirmed my decision after I loaded myself more. It is to remind myself of the past. This kind of kids’ sweet toothpaste was Song’s favorite. I want to recall the taste. I finally need to remember,” Taj said, and after a moment, he added, “Thank you, Luna.”