Kazuki shifted upwards in his bed, making enough noise to get Eliza's attention.

Kazuki ripped a monitor patch from his arm, as an alert was sent out. "Guess they'll be aware…"

Eliza shot him a look, staring at him... Kazuki felt some aches on his back, as he made a move to scratch beside his exospine.

"Ah, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Eliza started, slamming her holo-top close and folding it into her pocket. She stood up, leaning towards Kazuki. "I did some repairs, just a tad bit, sorry."

Kazuki paused, as he placed his hands in his lap. His torso was covered in bandages, as Pi was sleeping beside him, curled up beside his pillow. He felt the innate need to pet the phoenix, and he did, ruffling its warm feathers. "How bad was it?"

Eliza tilted her head left and right thinking. "Went quite well, just needed some reinforcements here and some fixed circuits there, not as bad as my worst fears," she explained.

"Hmm." A silence came over the two as Kazuki felt relieved that she wasn't harmed. "You're right…" Kazuki said.

Eliza raised an eyebrow. "Sorry?"

"We'd make a good team," Kazuki said. "Though… I'd prefer if you weren't in the line of fire."

"It can't be helped, sometimes, right?" Kazuki guessed so. Eliza's eyes slowly glance at his exospine, barely visible on his back. "Your cybernetics... how deep do they run?" Eliza asked.

Hmm? His implants? Kazuki thought for a moment, ticking off boxes on a list. "Whatever you think it is, add half. Double it. Then you're about there," he said.

"What? she inquired, sitting down on the bed beside him, petting Pi as it hummed in its sleep. Then, Kazuki took a moment to peel away Pi's dead skin, letting a sense of bliss fall upon his pet Phoenix in its sleep.

"As far as you're concerned, there's more steel in my body than flesh," Kazuki said. Her face slowly contorted into worry. Kazuki continued, "My cybernetics are all linked to my exospine. Whoever made it is clever enough that it could be converted to a life support system. Fix my exospine and it and my body will do the rest."

She let off a small sigh of relief. "Thank goodness... here I thought I'd have to perform live surgery on you... I'm a bit squeamish on that part."

"Dr. Sylvia normally does the surgeries for me. She's the one that put it on me to begin with," Kazuki said. "And you? Your injuries."

"Oh, they were superficial at worst," she said, glancing off into space for a moment. "I should have smuggled a gun in. Archius was with us as well…."

Eliza sighed. "As fine as being passed out for a few days can be... if you're going to petition Fer-Charleota for your weapons... I think you should teach me how to use one."

Teach her how to shoot? Maybe... "And what would you do if I taught you?" he asked.

"Huh?! Defend myself?!" she raised her voice defensively. "What else would I use it for?"

"Against what?"

"Everything?!" she said, "It just seems that we're under fire from all directions... it'd be nice to know how to defend myself, at the very least."

Ugh, he can't just tell her no. Especially since she made some sense for this, but Kazuki cannot allow this to continue. "Who do you think you'd be up against?"

Eliza paused, thinking to herself, before spouting the obvious, "Criminals... people like that? Like those from the train station?"

"So you think I'd be able to train you till you can kill veteran criminals?" Kazuki asked.

"Yeah? Well... preferably not to kill, just self-defence, that's all."

"And that's the kicker," Kazuki said bluntly. Eliza furrowed her brow angrily "When defending, you go the full light-year. No stops. Death or nothing."

Eliza leaned in, lowering her voice to just above a whisper. "Not kill... Kazuki... just self-defence, and why?"

"It's a very big galaxy, Eliza. You do not half-arse killing," Kazuki said. He sat up and slowly stood up. He was wearing a hospital gown. He walked up to the dressers and started to change back to his normal clothes. Hospital clothes were too light for his taste. "One mistake can kill you, and when you're fighting to defend, but not to kill, you'll quickly find the mistakes piling up."

She sighed, agonising over what he said, still petting Pi. "Kazuki... can't you just hear me out for this one?"

"My answer remains the same," Kazuki stubbornly remarked. "I won't train you to defend yourself."

"Why—"

"—Because to defend yourself, you must be ready to kill. Are you capable of killing people, Eliza?" Kazuki asked. "And I'm not talking about stickmen like what Archius says..."

Eliza instantly rebuked him, "We... you saw that Archius tested me, I passed, didn't I?!"

"That was an excuse to join us. You know he loves to play around," Kazuki said.

"We're getting off-topic," she said. "You're not capable of killing people, Liz," Kaz said, finishing getting changed and sitting down on another chair.

"This is insane… You can defend yourself without killing people."

He cut in, "—you talk of sanity. There is nothing sane about this. You want me to teach you how to kill. That will not be happening."

"Defend! Not kill!

"You'll be up against mercs, officers, soldiers, criminals," Kazuki snarled. "They make a living off killing. And you? You think you can defend against them?"

Eliza stopped in her tracks, continuously petting Pi as she shifted across the bed, sitting opposite Kazuki.

Kazuki said, "Determination is one thing, but the people that are after me will be the people you have to defend against. For them, you have to be a little crazy... Why do you think we're so calm when we kill. Quinn, Lilly, Zymuel, Claire, Amyé. We're mercenaries. Contractors, yes, but mercs nonetheless."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"But they're more than that!" Eliza shouted.

"They are. But it takes a level of insanity to survive in this industry,," Kazuki said. His eyes were wide, glaring at her. "Seeing bodies without limbs, children without heads, brains leaking out. That is the norm of what we're up against. Is this what you want to be a part of? You said it yourself: you're no Contractor. But you help us in ways I cannot. And for that… I am thankful."

Eliza opened her mouth to object to him but found nothing to say. It seems she understands, as she glances downwards, feeling down. Kazuki patted her on the shoulder, before downing a whole handful of Halolazil. Both of them petted Pi, curled up in a circle.

A silent moment passed between the two, as she said, "You're harsh… But you're right. What was I thinking?" Eliza grumbled to herself. "Fighting? Someone like me?"

She chuckled, hiding away her disappointment in herself. Kazuki nodded. "It's fine. Just know that it's all or nothing. That's what Hartius, Freyja and Svenn taught us."

Standing up, Eliza did some stretched, as she nodded in agreeance. "Yeah..."

Another peaceful moment passed, as the two remained silent. Pi gawked at Kazuki, as he began to stroke the bird once more, it returned another soothing tune for him.

"How long was I out?"

"One standard rotation... the dance is due in four days, so you haven't missed much," Eliza said. Kazuki nodded. "On the topic of that…"

Kazuki paused, remaining still. Eliza trailed off for some reason.

"Spit it out," Kazuki demanded.

"Well... it's nothing," she said. "I just wondered if you'd be interested in going, I mean... it's good for networking and—"

"—no," Kazuki snapped without thinking. "I hate dancing. Having to know all those synchronised moves... ugh..."

"But you do know them, right?" Eliza asked, standing up as she turned around. She started off at the planet the palace was orbiting, a large gas giant of various vibrant colours. "You know the Caramel Swan at least, right?"

"Of course... My mother made me memorise everything in case I needed it. Never did," Kazuki said.

"So... this would be the first time you've been to the Dassant and actually... danced?" Eliza asked. Kazuki walked around the hospital bed, leaning against the window.

He said, "Your sister asked me." He bit his tongue, forcing his heart to shut the fuck up. Eliza glanced at him, intrigued at the very least. "I said no."

"Do you regret that decision?" Eliza asked. The answer was obvious. "Yes," Kazuki sneered. "I do regret it. Happy?"

"Huh?" Eliza twisted to face him. "Oh, I wasn't asking like that..."

"Never mind that,," Kazuki snapped. "I just assume the worst."

"I wasn't going to..." Eliza trailed off. "We haven't been seeing eye-to-eye for a little while, but I know you have the best of intentions... even if I protest against the how."

Synthia propped up onto Eliza's shoulder. 'Finally, it seems you two are getting somewhere!'

Eliza quickly turned her off, looking away from Kaz.

Whatever that remark was about did not bother Kazuki, because his mind snapped to the door, Pi flew up high into the air, before pouncing down on the person entering. Yuki... Pi perched on her head, chirping loudly with his wings extended out.

"Yuki. What do you want?" Kazuki asked.

"KAZU! YOU'RE AWAKE!!" Yuki ran over and tried to lift him up. What the fuck was she doing? Both he and Eliza stared at her, confused. "I—I told mother and father that you were injured!"

"Oh wow," Kazuki remarked sarcastically. "Did they give you a pat on the back?"

"Huh? WHAT?! NO! We're all worried!" Yuki shouted at him, wearing a motley assortment of clothes. It looked as if she rushed here. "But now that you mention it... I believe I DO deserve a pat on the back for helping carry you!"

Kazuki glanced at Eliza. She responded, "Well... technically? She tried to help, but the Knights were very adamant about not letting her... injure you more."

"Wow." Kazuki only had one word to describe the whole situation.

One word filled to the brim with malice, frustration and spite. He glanced at Yuki, seeing her as nothing more than an annoying rat... What about all the other times he's been on death's doorstep?

His parents were never by his side. All they ever spout are lies. They don't care about him.

"HEY! It's the thought that counts!" she shouted. A second person rushed through the door, panting. Nathan, his crimson hair blending with his red face. "Nathan, agree with me!"

"Huh? What... Urk..." Nathan quickly realised that everyone's gaze was on him, including the Contract-Breaker's. "I—sorry, I don't think I can help with that... Yuki... what are you doing?!"

He lowered his voice near the end, rushing up and dragging Yuki off Kazuki.

"I was seeing if my brother's alright! You'd do the same if your brother was hospitalised, right?!" Yuki pointed at Nathan.

"If you don't leave me alone, I'll cover your twin tails with soap," Kazuki stated.

Yuki recoiled backwards, into Nathaniel's arms. "You… wouldn't dare?!"

Eliza let off a small laugh under her breath, watching the two siblings quarrel. Kazuki was being entirely serious about his threat. He knew full well his mother and father would be angry. But he didn't care.

He wasn't one of them, after all… He'll never forget who he is.

Nathan patted Yuki on the back, accidentally touching her hair. "I'm sure he was joking… right?"

Yuki's face turned into a small scowl, resembling a startled cat's face. "You don't get to touch it either!"

Shooting his hands into the air, Nathan looked like he was surrendering. "Hey! Hey!"

Kazuki closed his eyes, thinking. He raised a hand, as Pi flew from her head to his hand, licking his face with warm, health-filled slobber. Turning back outside, there was nothing.

Yuki watched Pi. Kaz... lowered his hand, and it licked Liz. "Heh..."

That one bit of emotion sunk deep as Eliza chuckled.

Outside was just empty space. Kazuki's mind followed his soul, dragging down into pure emptiness. Yuki had an even brighter reaction. "Kaz!? You can laugh?! I must call Mother right away!" she jeered. "This is a momentum occasion!"

"Momentous," Kazuki corrected her.

Yuki clicked her fingers. "Yeah, that, that's what I said, right Nate?"

Nathan chuckled nervously before nodding. "Yes! Yes! Anything you say."

A knock came to the door.

Kazuki's head snapped, as a messenger stood at the door. He instinctively placed his hand down to his side to a non-existent holster, expecting a fight. It was a messenger. He was dressed in a fine white suit with well-maintained facial hair, clearing his throat to get their attention.

"Good evening, gentlemen and gentlewomen, words have spread far about what has happened," he said.

Eliza was immediately piqued in interest. "Ah, is it the Marquis?" she asked, stepping forth and nearly tripping on the hospital bed.

Yuki and Nathan were arguing and fighting in the corner. Kazuki ignored their bickering.

The messenger cleared his throat again, finding something hard to say. He gave Eliza a small nod. No… I am here on behalf of the Jara-Jin. They wish to speak to the two of you, alone…"

"Alone?" Eliza glanced at Kazuki.

Kazuki nodded, patting Eliza on the shoulder. "Let's not keep them waiting."

Eliza caught up to him as the two passed by the messenger. "Oh and… I believe you two will require this." He presented the two with tickets.

An Opera? Ugh… Kazuki couldn't stand those. He watched Eliza take one, analysing it slowly. "The Gystrian Tragedy? It's quite a tear-jerker!"

The messenger smiled. "You know your operas, ma'am," he said. Eliza nodded.

Kazuki snatched his own ticket. The Gystrian Tragedy was little more than a retelling of history, an operatic musical surrounding the start of the Intergalactic Crisis, centred around Foreign Minister Azaha Gystrian…

Thinking deeper, Kazuki realised just how many of his family would still be alive if the Intelligence Division didn't betray the Minister…

"Kazuki?" Eliza piqued up.

"It's nothing…" Kazuki gave the messenger a nod. "Opera booth 34A," continued the messenger. "Refreshments are on them."

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