Juniper hovered her arms, trying to maintain soft gliding distance, sticking to the shadows of the buildings. She was in the notorious Shadow district, known for hosting villainous crews, and infamous cape warlords, even the SCRA didn’t freely patrol the area. For some reason, this part of the city looked more well off than other parts. Like whoever ran the planning for it made sure it’s residents got the best of it. Probably villains, probably corruption.

  I wonder how Kanako can stomach working in a place like this.

  [Corporations don’t stop just because super villains wreck the streets. Nothing a little protection money can circumvent, either. Where do most of the remnants of pre-colonial companies operate? War-torn and impoverished countries, no. ]

  Syschan made a good point, there was little oversight here. It was easier to cut corners, to do something morally illegal.

  As she hovered over head, she caught sight of sketchy activity below– some guy selling glowing stuff, to a woman, covered head to toe, both of them in ski masks. Once they made eye contact with her, they immediately looked away immediately. She kept moving, none of her business. She didn’t want to get in a fight here, draw the wrong attention.

  The darkness and the eerie quiet seen among the shadow district was unsettling. Sparse were the foot traffic, or the endless commute. Armored cars, sport vehicles, and the rare sighting of a VTOL buses were normal around here.

  She climbed the wind upwards, leveling her body with the increasing pressure of the air.

  She spotted the towering building, most of the windows were dead. Kanako stated she would be at the top floor, and there were only one with its windows open, the light fled the building and into the early night.

  Juniper stopped midair.

  “Sys-chan, listen to me.” she started, breath heavy.

  [Ooooh, serious mode activated. I’m all ears, sugarplum.]

  “Not a peep, not a word, not a thought, I need this.”

  [Bold of you to assume I can just turn off my dazzling commentary.]

  “Then you wait, you don’t interfere, you don’t comment, you don’t warp my head around, I need to talk to Kanako, woman to woman.” Juniper demanded.

  [Ugh, fine. Boss. As you say.]

  “Thank you.”

  She stood still for a moment, gathering her courage, drifting slowly in the air. What was this strange feeling, that overtook her. Anxiety. Frustration. Concern. Perhaps fear of losing Kanako before she had her in her grasp, what if Kanako’s secret was life changing, what if she didn’t like Juniper anymore.

  Juniper nodded to her self.

  Kill the bad thoughts, Juniper. You can do this, Juniper, you can do this.

  Juniper accelerated herself, hovering towards the isolated room, She miscalculated her landing, her foot catching the window’s edge, she lands awkwardly in a heap, narrowly missing Kanako’s desk.

  “Ow.” She rubbed her head.

  Kanako’s stared at her with mild shock, her mouth aghast. She stood up, walking over.

  Juniper lay flat on her back. There was a moment of silence, and then they met each other’s eyes for the longest time again. She noticed Kanako’s hair was shorter than last time, it was neck length, bobbing, loose with bangs falling over her face.

  “Hi.” she waved, smiling at her.

  “Are you okay, Jun?” she asked, concerned. Juniper smiled, doing her best to appear unfazed. It did hurt, the landing bump. “You were supposed to climb over the window, not crash-land.”

  “Don’t worry… I’m fine.” Juniper held her breath, forgetting to breathe.

  Kanako shook her head, “Still as lovably clumsy as ever, huh? “

  “I’m sorry, I guess I’m stuck this way, superpowers or not.” Juniper took in the sight of her appearance, thoughtfully. “I like your cut, you look cuter than usual.”

  “Thanks, but do you plan on getting up, this really important to me.” Kanako said, face half flushed. By the sounds of it, her spirits were a bit…low.

  “Right, apologies,” she stood up right, dusting herself up, and readjusting her hair. She had forgotten how, formal Kanako could be in comparison to the other girls she ogled.“So, is there a reason I couldn’t use the front door or rather the reception area.”

  Kanako sighed, her shoulders sagging. “Unfortunately–”

  The door to Kanako’s office opened and a suit-cladded man rushed inside. He held a baton in his right and a pistol in his left, lean and muscular, his face riddled with scars and hair rolled back in a ponytail.

  Juniper dug into her pocket, slipping on the emergency mask, she had gotten from John. A just in case, failsafe in the nick of a horrible moment. Such as this.

  “Ojou-Sama!!! He shouted. “Kisaragi-sama, Stay calm, I’ll handle this right away…”

  The man moved his gun towards juniper, ready to fire on her. Her heart sped up.

  Hell no!Ojo? Kisaragi? What was she missing here? Why the gun?

  “Wait! Matsuda! Wait, this is my friend.” she shouted, attempting to wave him off.

  Matsuda lingered, he hesitated, his eyes inspected her before he lowered his weapons, visibly suspicious. Then Kanako held out her hands, attempting to ease the situation, Juniper was stunned. Not knowing whether to flee or how to deescalate, she was damned if she allowed herself to be willingly shot again.

  “Matsuda, I informed you about her, please leave now.”

  Matsuda bows, then turns around, slowly leaving, but before he does, he mutters something to Juniper. He brows furrowed, “Yakara!”

  The door slammed shut.

  Juniper removed the mask, looked at Kanako sternly. “Kisaragi? Matsuda? What’s that all about?”

  “Juniper,” She started, agitation visible in her voice. “Juniper sit, we need to be clear with each other right away. I don’t have much time to talk, but let me get something's off my chest first, I know you have a lot of questions. ”

  Now, that was an understatement. Juniper also felt a touch of disappointment, she’d never seen Kanako act this way. The whole interaction was strange, what was stranger is that Kanako had requested she fly through the window.

  A shocked Juniper stared at her. She climbed into the chair in front of Kanako, her hands resting on the firm, sleek desk. She sat discomfortable, unable to find a good spot, she fidgets.

  Juniper’s anxiety grew, this isn’t how she’d expected it would go. Things were already starting off tense.

  Who is Kisaragi? Sama meant someone of greater status. What’s going on here.

  Juniper opened her mouth. “Kanako, I’m confused, where do we even begin.”

  “Let's start with you. You’re a cape, a hero–no, a vigilante, how long have you been one.” she asked, voice quickend, part judgmental..

  “Wow, starting off with an interrogation? Your bold.”

  “I’m serious Juniper speak to me, I need to clear the waters from the river before I drink from it.” she lowered her voice, tone softer.

  Juniper breathed through her nose, looking down. “About three weeks ago, the day I landed in the hospital, I got my powers.” Kanako nodded, unsurprised. “I didn’t Join OBB until two days before the fire crisis broke out. I promise.”

  “That makes sense, most cape powers, while triggered by some hereditary gene, often are caused by severe physical or psychological trauma. Kanako let out her own breath. “Okay, so you haven’t been keeping it for long.”

  “No,” Juniper said.

  She pulled a smart tablet from her desk, opening it with a swipe. The screen flickered to life, playing a series of videos. She swiped between them, all of them footage of Juniper in the field. “I had to pay for some of this information, I needed to be sure of who you were, you scared me on that day, I was conflicted…I thought someone had gotten to you or rather to me.”

  Juniper frowned. “Where the hell did you get this? That’s drone footage—SCRA only.”

  “Cape leaks of course, nothing evades the internet, where else. It was really hard, Someone cracked down hard on these videos, I doubt you’d find it anyway. It’s a good thing you were masked, mostly?”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Junipers mind lingered on her boss, she did say she would take care of the information about her floating around. Juniper would just have to inquire, this was something she couldn’t allow happening again.

  Juniper felt uneasy, Kanako had practically gone and used external information when she could have asked herself. “You? Buying cape info? You? I don’t understand.”

  “I’m not who you think I am Pinewell, Juniper.” she started. She retrieved an identification card displaying her personal details. “Nor did I come here by accident or because I got stranded or because I fled Japan.”

  Was that a lie?

  Juniper read the social security name thoroughly on the card. “Kisaragi, Kanako. Japanese foreign national. Naturalized citizen of The state of Core Pacifica."

  Juniper froze. She wasn’t Kanako Kamizuki at all. “I’m sorry I don’t understand, you used a fake name, Kamizuki, what else are you hiding, and who was that guy and why are we discussing it here and not at your apartment. When was the last time you were at the a–”

  “Juniper, wait.” She cut her off and closed her eyes. “I was hiding, okay, I was hiding.”

  She went silent, looked at her palms, slammed her hands on the desk. Juniper was partially frightened, she has never seen her this frustrated before.

  “Because my family is dangerous, and when the fires broke out, my cover got burned, I’ve been hiding for some time now. They found out, and I was asked to return to the company at least. My family, they're very strict, very traditional. ” She looked distraught, like she wanted to shed some tears, but couldn’t show it.

  Juniper still didn’t quite understand. Is this why she was so closed off, so secretive, no social media? “So what? I don’t care who they are, What’s important is you.”

  “You don’t get it,” She started chewing on her nails, wary. “My family. My family Is tied to the Japanese underworld.”

  Juniper’s throat tightens, she rubbed her hands, bit her lip in response, nervous. “ The What?”

  “You heard me, Juniper!” her hands started to tap on the desk. “My family owns Kagetsu-Gumi” industries, it’s a family corporation, I came here to run from them, but things never work out for me, they never do.”

  Juniper’s breath caught in her throat.

  Juniper mind started to race. Had Kanako ever been honest with her? Maybe. But doubt had crept in, sinking its teeth deep. When the soldiers had let them through, the mountain pass. They seemed fearful of her, could this be why?

  “They’re notorious but untouchable. Please read this article, atleast the headline.” she shoved the tablet in Juniper’s hands. The screen displayed an old city report—three years ago, but damning all the same.

  Juniper only read the core words. Kagetsu-Gumi; Japan Linked to weapons trafficking, human rights violations, ruthless business practices.

  The last trace of joy drained from Juniper. Where was Kanako going with this. Kanako had paid her medical bills, did that mean that this ‘yakuza’ family did it, was she affiliated or indebted to them now? Was Kanako involved and how much?”

  “Have you participated in any of this?” Juniper asked, fearing the answer..

  “No,” there was a sliver of a doubt. “But, managing this, I may as well be.”

  Juniper scratched her head her anxious. “D-do the authorities know.”

  Kanako nodded. “Of course they do. They’ve known who I was since I entered this country. Remember the twins we met the other day, Mila and Vera, you’d think they were just some rich girls, didn’t you?”

  Juniper never thought about them again, since that day, she even got Mila’s number from her, she never thought inquiring about that world would be important, because she wasn’t from that world.

  “There is a mutual corporate connection between me and them, I only learned the other day. They knew who I was, they didn’t approach without reason. Which goes without saying, I can’t live the incognito, cozy live I wanted with you. I’m out in the open, There’s already Pr going around without my consent. They’re propping me up for a role in this city.”

  A thought came to mind, Evelyn had warned her, told her to stop messing around with rich girls it was the day after they went to the beach, just before emery had confronted her. If Evelyn knew something she should have spoken.

  Kanako moved her hand forward, brushing their hands together. Juniper hands started shaking, she didn’t know if she wanted to deal with this extra baggage, she had so much on her hands as it stood. The meeting at the cape summit, Quixis instructions, The traveler entity, dealing with OBB’s bullshit training week. Aegysthos who wanted to question her, The social worker lady calling again. That’s not even half of it.

  Now she learned her not-girlfriend was some corporate crime heiress, it’s disrupting.

  The awkward silence finally ensued. Nether of them spoke. Just staring.

  “And so this brings at the crossroad, my love.” Her dark black, eyes gazed at Juniper’s, her tone emotional. “Do you want to continue despite everything, can you stomach taking it a step further?”

  Kanako, started playing with Juniper’s hand, tracing her finger along her palm towards, her wrist. Juniper pulled away. If she didn’t pull away, she’d be stuck there forever. She felt like she was in another one of her nightmares. Her heart kept pounding. She had walked into another mess, and she had no idea how to maneuver and respond to it. She just didn’t know how.

  Kanako wasn’t guilty of anything, was she? She never hurt her or try to hit her. She was a natural caretaker, judging by how she handled Effy, she looked out for her brother, when Juniper never asked her to. And yet the building they were standing in were telling.

  Kanako’s own words were telling. Juniper found herself in a conundrum.

  What do I do here?

  Kanako spoke, staring at the mute Cape with anticipation. “I have to make choices, very soon, I realize I’m putting a lot of pressure on you.”

  The pressure was mounting, suffocating, it’s not like Kanako was directly responsible for any of it. She needed to– she needed to get this off her mind as soon as possible.

  Juniper shifted the conversation. Deflecting from the sudden ultimatum. “What about my cape stuff? Does that weird you out? You’ve seen footage of me, you saw I had to turn away that day?”

  “Not at all. I know what vigilantes do.” Kanako smiled. She pulled juniper’s hands closer. again. This time, Juniper lingered. Her soft skin, was alluring, comfortable. She loved how Kanako raked her nails across her skin. She didn’t want to pull away, she could stay like this for hours. It was maddening. “I like weird, I like you Jun, but can you say the same?”

  “I–I don’t… I don’t know, you’re throwing rocks in front of my passage, this is, not what I expected.”

  “You wouldn’t be the first cape I’ve been with, Juniper. I had a forced engagement back home.”

  Juniper blinked twice, “Marriage?!” Kanako was not only ahead in life but was experienced too.

  “I never loved him—it was… political. I annulled it before took a flight here, before the restrictions were so heavy. I was instructed shortly after by the family head to take charge here for a while to make up for my sins.”

  Now she was curious. Who was this head in relation to her. “Family head?”

  “I don’t want to discuss her now, I’d rather not.” Kanako waved her hands. “You’re also deflecting, I want to come to the point my clock is ticking.”

  Juniper looked away half blushing, “you’re right, I’m deflecting, I…just don’t know, how to deal with this.” Juniper let an exasperated groan.

  “It’s simple really.”

  “Do you want to commit to me, or not. decide here and now.” Kanako demanded. “You’ve always complained to me in our short time together that you never got to make your own choices, here’s your chance.”

  Juniper started shaking again, she wasn’t used to being put on the spot like this and to make a choice between happiness and what might not be happiness.

  “Y-you can’t just put me on the spot like this. I don’t care if your family is defacto yakuza back home as long you aren’t involved, but do we really have to do this now?” Juniper exhaled sharply, her breathing quickening as anxiety clawed its way up.

  “Juniper, I ask because some of my family members have come here, after I took a long absence, leadership that came after me wasn’t good, I’m asking, because with them here it’s going to get messy for me.”

  Why was she pushing so hard.

  Juniper bit her lip. She was definitely not invited to the dinner table.

  [Okay, so I hate to break our little vow of silence, but family is messy business as far as I’m concerned. You might never get this chance again.]

  Juniper took Kanako’s arms, tightening her grip. “I want to say yes, but… what happens if I say no? Are you going to leave me completely? I don’t care about your family members, I have worse things haunting me.”

  Kanako gave a confused stare, and juniper did not have the energy to explain.

  “My hands aren’t gonna be clean in the future anyway. Let’s reconcile slowly.”

  Kanako shook her head. “I already told you I’m out of time.”

  Before she could finish, The door busted open and again, and the mask found its way to her face.

  Masuda had arrived again. This time with a two-man entourage. “I hate to interrupt you, Ojou-sama, your sister, has found out about the cape in the building. Informed us to take precautionary action. I’m afraid your friend has to leave.

  Sister? And how did they know she was a cape, she could have roped herself inside.

  Kanako sigh, she stood up, then slammed the table. “Masuda, You dog! Does trust mean nothing to you."

  “My hands are tied, my lady. It was your sister's instructions. She monitors the building, you know I can’t disobey.”

  Kanako clicked her tongue.

  “Masuda, withdraw yourself before I lose my temper.” She demanded.

  “I can’t do that. I apologize in advance, you may punish me afterwards any way you deem fit Ojou–”

  Kanako sighed in defeat. “This is what I was referring to, they are controlling ultimately, they spy on me, they move me around, I can’t defy them, alone…but with you–”

  “Your sister? Your family?”

  “ I want to explain it all to you, but my time is up. You need to decide Juniper right here and now so I can decide the way forward.”

  “Lady cape , we implore you to leave, we’d hate for the SCRA to deal with a cape of your caliber."

  “You know who I am.” she asked dumbfounded, The mask did nothing to obscure them. She wasn’t surprised, every rich fucker under the sun seemed to know who she was.

  "Only your alias, we wouldn't disclose your identity without government oversight however, our state of the art intelligence, has identified you as the one known as mimicry."

  "Bullshit!"

  “We live in age where all information is susceptible to intelligence leaks. We at the kagetsu group, control information flow in the city we know everything we need to, you made yourself a priority the moment you fled inside here, we have sensors, and artificial intelligence farms. "

  Juniper's face warped in disgust.

  “Juniper, ignore him, look at me. I'll deal with it later, but,” Kanako begged. "But you have to decide, right now.”

  Juniper let the weight settle in her stomach, closed her eyes. Another do-or-die situation. Only she'll lose just as much as she'll gain.

  “Alright, to be honest, I’d like that very much. But the circumstances, are unpleasant. Really icky.” she said, shyer and more self-conscious than usual, the extra pair of eyes, didn’t help her case.

  Kanako breathed a sigh of relief, and shed a tear. “I’m happy then.”

  She leaned forward, and brought in juniper’s face closer with her hands, and kissed her on the lips. Juniper became befuddled and stared in shock, then turned to the disturbed bodyguards.

  “Ojō-sama, sono yōna furumai wa goichizoku no na ni doro o nuru mono desu!” Matsuda schreeched in Japanese.

  Juniper didn’t know what it meant.

  [He means it’s disgraceful; ignore him. He's hating.]

  Kanako shook her to juniper’s face, shaking her. “We’ll speak soon, I’m going to be held up for a few days. I’ll text you, and then, maybe we could…”

  “Time to go!” Masuda shouted. Waving around his baton, like he was chasing away a loiterer. "Leave now!"

  Kanako called out to her. “Juniper, be careful, don’t die again, please?” kanako said.

  “Again?” That rang alarms in Juniper’s head, she’s never been dead.

  “You know what I mean, I thought what had happened last week– never mind we’ll speak, please go now.” Juniper grunted.

  “Goodbye Kanako.”

  “Goodbye Juniper.”

  Matsuda and the bodyguards approached her from behind. They pushed her around as she moved her towards the window she came in.

  “Jesus, let go of me!” She shouted at them before jumping out the window, She hovered in the air, slowly raising herself. Kanako had rushed to the window to see if she was safe. She stared back at her. Flying midair, not quite sure what she was feeling.

  Juniper headed, home. Frustrated and confused. The kiss had lingered on her mouth. But the conversation had been sour.

  If things continued to escalate beyond this point, she was going beg morrigan to help her manipulate the future. it was time to get a checklist. Start with the training week. Then the summit, then Kanako and everything else.

  Wink wink