The festival night had ended for most of the people but not for me. Itsuki asked me to follow him without saying a single word where we were going. Ending up back at the area of Treasury Tower. We skipped all the light shows that were now turned off, walking around this dark and, what it felt like empty space.

  Tomorrow this will all be taken down. All of the stalls, stage, festivities. The stillness of the night echoed through me. Heartbeat pounding, beating rather nervously.

  In silence we walked next to each other. We did not hurry and were not going slow but a steady pace of walking. My legs were starting to ache from all the walking we had done already.

  Eventually we soundlessly reached the destination, Treasury Tower.

  I’ve never been inside the building, remembering that there was a museum there. I knew we were not going to see any art. It was shut and closed at this hour. At least it’s supposed to be.

  Walking one step after another the building was still open. The doors unlocked for us to come inside. There was a wide corridor that led to the doors that were shut. It was a path to the museum that was very locked down at this moment. The gates, shutters are all shut down.

  Itsuki turned left instead towards the stairs. Grey doors that were open, leading to many steps that were going up towards the very top of Treasury Tower. That’s where we are heading.

  Each floor made my legs weaker but I did not let it show. Steadily we climbed all of the sixty two floors. It was just that many floors going in a round circle, eventually reaching the destination. Another grey door at the top of the tower. Akasia’s Treasury Tower city’s watch tower. A sight from up there that enters the view for the whole city! Akasia seen from the middle. Like a heart this building felt so precious and chilling.

  Itsuki did not say a single word. His face voided any emotion right now. Like a blank canvas he was simply walking up.

  I followed now slightly behind him.

  His tall back exposed. He wore a long black coat, which did look good on him. Hands in the pockets, walking up. Many, many steps later we ended up at the top. Itsuki did not enter himself but motioned his arm for me to go ahead.

  “Someone’s waiting for you.” Itsuki spoke up.

  I looked at the guy, he already turned away from me to sit down on the stairs. He was waiting outside.

  I hesitated for a moment but eventually walked out there.

  A tall figure was standing, overlooking the city lights from above. It was really dark, so I could not make out the colours or who the silhouette was. The presence felt still, they were just watching the distance, knowing that someone had entered the space.

  I quickly scanned the surroundings. We were alone. Then I slowly walked towards the silhouette, my eyes lingering at the distance trying to look in the same direction the other person was. I stopped just a few steps away, not standing too close.

  The person now should feel me at least approaching them but they did not change their position, instead kept their back turned to me watching the outside. The lights from the homes all around the Akasia. Even if this was a late night after a festival night. Not all people have fallen asleep yet. The city never sleeps.

  I stood there a solid minute not sure what to say…simply I had no idea who I am meeting right now. Awkwardly, eventually I cleared my throat.

  “The responsibility beholds on the one at the top. A single person cannot survive alone…it needs the next step…generation to continue what’s already begun…many moons ago.”

  Before I could even speak any words this person…a guy spoke up. That voice, I heard one time, speaking into the microphone, acknowledging his new role: Nobu Ichigo.

  Standing there looking down at the town that was his and speaking words that did not resonate with me.

  I did not reply, just stared at his dark silhouette.

  “...it’s quite odd…that there is no movement. The more you are still the more worried I am.” Now he turned to me, finally acknowledging my presence.

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  “Rory Aisaka…it’s nice to meet you!” Nobu Ichigo held out a hand to me. Asking me to take it.

  One step lingering, I held my gaze up. Even in this darkness the two lights twinkled watching me. His gaze fixated on me.

  I could manage to see his mouth move into a pleasant smile.

  “Nice to meet you too…Nobu Ichigo…” I acknowledged who was in front of me and shook his hand.

  A firm lingering handshake.

  Our arms parted.

  It was still dark but my eyes adjusted to it and could point out him looking at me, watching me with that gaze that felt like through me. Trying to decipher my being.

  “Why so still?” Nobu Ichigo asked, voice changing to a lighthearted tone.

  “It’s cold out here…” I replied, slowly and unsure.

  Nobu Ichigo watched me a moment longer.

  “I didn’t mean that…but true, it is rather chilly tonight.” He looked away from me and once more outside the watch tower. He slowly moved again to look at the sight ahead. “Do you think the first snow is coming very soon?” Nobu questioned while glancing out there.

  “I don’t know…” I answered honestly, shrugging my shoulders.

  “What do you think of Akasia?” Nobu Ichigo asked me.

  I opened my mouth to answer but he spoke again before I could.

  “Do you enjoy your life in our university?” He asked me. His light tone sounded like a long lost friend, catching up excitedly to know how their friend was.

  Again…I opened my mouth to answer but before I could get my words out Nobu spoke again, turning back at me.

  “How is it? To be raised by a murderer?”

  Suddenly a chill went through my spine. His question was like a snake shriveled into the air. Unexpected chillness went through me and it was not the cold weather. The chill Nobu Ichigo just gave me as if I was the one who killed his mother.

  That’s why I was here. The surveillance by Shin and Yukari. Reigen’s plot against me. Even Itsuki’s presence. The reason for it all was standing right in front of me. The full cycle began from this guy.

  As much as I did not believe the words Reigen told me about my dad’s supposed crime, I couldn’t bring myself to decline their allegation to Nobu Ichigo’s face.

  “What do you want from me?” Instead I stumbled on my defense and asked the weakest question I could humble.

  Nobu Ichigo kept looking at me. Pausing between our interaction to preserve his dominance.

  “Why are you so still? Are you waiting for the right time? Biting your chance for conditions to align? Tell me Rory Aisaka! What the hell are you doing here?” Nobu Ichigo’s voice was cold. Asking questions to me. All the ones that I had no answers to.

  “I am just simply studying…” I said, quietly and embarrassed.

  I had no idea why I felt like this. Like I was scolded right now. For my existence… Rory…for real…what am I doing here?

  I inhaled deeply, held my breath and exhaled.

  “Don’t tell me things that I already see…you convinced Shinichi, Yukari and even Reigen that you are just a clueless girl who knows nothing. I was already expecting those two to say that but when Reigen came to me…I was deeply impressed, so I came to meet you.” Nobu Ichigo told me why we were meeting right now.

  “Did Sano really send you here without telling you anything?” Nobu continued to ask me.

  Meanwhile, I stood there like a schoolgirl. Ashamed of my existence. Hiding out here because Sano was not here for me. Hiding in plain sight and just waiting for time to pass to tell me. To miraculously have all of my answers on a silver platter.

  How naive!

  I still need so much growing up to do.

  Sano is not here to guide me. He divorced my mom and left me. All by myself. I will never reach my potential if I am like this. Truly…I wanted to put my head in the sand and ignore all of it. To try the safest route and eventually hope for the best.

  There is no hoping. There is no pining.

  While everyone else might be years ahead in this game. My role is to catch up.

  I understand now. My potential isn’t just what I can…how fast I can catch up.

  Time is against me. I need information!

  “Tell me what you think?” I stood taller again. Asking a question to Nobu Ichigo.

  He again paused and then snickered.

  “I am not here to be your professor…yeez! That’s what he sent here? This puny girl? Of all of the potentials he could choose…he chose this?” Nobu Ichigo shook his head unimpressed.

  “Though, your mom knows things…maybe it’s her that I need to look out for instead?” Suddenly Nobu changed his voice, pondering out loud.

  The words that left his mouth made me take a double take. Suddenly my body moved, without thinking I went for him. My fist curled up for an attack. Before I could reach him, I was pulled back. My body picked up and pushed in the opposite direction. Away from Nobu Ichigo, who I was attacking.

  Itsuki intervened.

  “Ah…” Nobu took a double take at me.

  “If I wanted to send someone safely to blend in with an enemy…he prepared you…in a level that he didn't need you to tell anything. You will act on his will thinking it's your own!” Nobu Ichigo kept speaking, not even noticing the way I tried to get to him.

  I was still desperately struggling behind Itsuki, who held me back.

  Nobu Ichigo smiled for the first time ever.

  “Rory Aisaka!” He pointed at me.

  That made me stop.

  Itsuki let me go the moment I calmed but stayed close.

  “What is it? What is your deal?” I asked, annoyed.

  “Finish your development course at a record speed. Show me the skill and I will make you my number two! That’s probably what that man wants…for you to get as close to me as you can…well the head of the city…the title.” Nobu Ichigo gave me a challenge.

  “As his daughter, wouldn’t you want me to be further away?” I asked.

  Nobu paused, staring for a moment.

  “I want to see what he wants…so I will let you be.” Nobu Ichigo replied.

  Then he looked at his arm, at the watch on it. A small light brightened the dark Treasury Tower space.

  He was leaving, after having a look at me, Nobu Ichigo was done.

  Just like that.