The moment the door clicked shut, the bustle of the outside world receded into silence.
The air inside the shop was a complete departure from the chaos of moments ago, settling into a heavy stillness. Swallowing a sigh, I caught the eye of a familiar clerk who had poked their head out to gauge the situation. They seemed to catch my drift immediately; with a single nod, they retreated into the back.
At the counter, the Doctor muttered to himself while swirling a glass of water with his fingertip.
"Honestly… this is why I can’t stand brats. He didn’t even notice the transmitter you planted on him."
His voice was laced with a thick layer of exasperation, punctuated by a dry cackle.
"Does he really think he can just waltz into an enemy’s nest and walk away scot-free? Is Eradicata truly that desperate for warm bodies these days?"
He flicked his gaze toward me as if expecting an answer to the latter, but I didn't offer one. It had been years since I’d left that life behind; I wouldn't know. The roster had likely undergone plenty of changes since my time.
I was well aware of the transmitter, which was why I hadn't bothered to remove it. This shop was rigged with a mechanism that tagged visitors with an ultra-small transmitter the second they stepped through the entrance. It was a nasty piece of tech—the kind that entered the body.
Because it was so microscopic, it would naturally be absorbed into the system within a few days. While that made it temporary, it was also a tactical advantage; the evidence simply vanished on its own. Since the kid hadn't noticed a thing, we could track his movements for a while.
It was better to let him run loose if we wanted to uncover the link between the Order and Eradicata. A small-timer like him could be snatched up whenever I felt like it.
"Well, I suppose we can just count on them to lead us home. All the way to the cult's nest," the Doctor muttered, tilting his glass. The ice gave a sharp clink.
I activated my communication terminal with a wry smile. I figured I should at least report this to Junkhead, just in case.
Watching me over his shoulder, the Doctor raised his glass. "Junkhead? Knowing that scrapheap, he’ll probably just say, 'You should’ve finished the job.'"
However, the connection failed to go through. There was no response from Junkhead’s identification code—only the hollow ring of static.
"……That’s strange."
I knitted my brows. That tin head rarely ignored a communication. He didn't have a mechanical chassis for a brain just for show; he was highly resistant to jamming and external interference. Even if he were caught up in something, a man capable of parallel thought processing should have been able to answer a simple call.
"I hope he hasn't gotten himself dragged into something too massive…"
The moment the words left my lips, the terminal buzzed with an incoming call. A familiar crest appeared on the screen.
Rainburg Family.
…This side, then. When I accepted the transmission, a formal, nostalgic voice resonated through the speaker.
『—It has been quite some time, Mr. Haijima. The preparations are complete. Regarding the matter you contacted us about, you are welcome to visit whenever you please.』
"Is that you, Sebastian?"
『Yes. The young ladies are also eagerly awaiting your arrival.』
There was a slight weight to his tone, as if he were holding something back. After a brief exchange telling him I was on my way, I cut the connection. I had a feeling that the butler and the old man were pulling some strings behind the scenes, but there was no use overthinking it now.
As I tucked the terminal away, the Doctor jerked his chin at me.
"Rainburg, huh? Did something happen with that previous business?" His gaze was probing, but his tone suggested he wouldn't push for answers if I didn't want to give them.
"Yeah. I’m heading there now."
The Doctor took the hint that no more information was coming and gave a simple, "I see." Then, he turned his attention to Kaya, who was standing beside me. "And what about the girl over there?"
Kaya had approached my side, holding a coffee cup likely provided by the clerk. I took the saucer from her, enjoying the aroma before taking a sip. A refreshing, vanilla-like scent drifted through my nose, followed by a balanced acidity and a rich, toasted flavor.
Good beans.
Kaya quietly looked up at me, a hint of anxiety in her eyes.
"……If possible, I’d like to take her with me."
Technically, Kaya was a "sample" the Doctor had liberated from the Order. I couldn't exactly walk off with her without his permission.
"Well. That’s probably for the best." The Doctor snorted as if he’d already reached that conclusion. "The Order seems more persistent than I gave them credit for, and now Eradicata is in the mix. The risk of keeping her here is too high for my liking."
Though he spoke casually, his eyes were grave. He stroked his chin, lost in thought for a moment, then clapped his hands together.
"Fine. I’ll lend her to you. On two conditions: you handle all maintenance and management yourself, and you bring her back to me the moment I call for her. How’s that?"
It was practically a gift.
"Fair enough."
When I nodded, Kaya smiled, looking visibly relieved. "Hehe. Being treated like property by you isn't half bad."
"Enjoy it while you can, because I’m going to take a long look at your internals later," the Doctor threatened with a grin. Kaya merely responded with a playful shrug.
With the deal struck, Kaya and I prepared to head to the Rainburg Manor. Since I’d left my own car at the office this morning, I asked the Doctor to lend me one of his serviced vehicles.
He pulled a car out from the depths of the garage. It was a matte gray armored sedan—heavy plating, adjustable-pressure tires, and an old-school engine block. The metallic skin of the vehicle gleamed dully under the garage lights.
As I climbed into the driver’s seat, the cushions sank low. When I turned the key, the unique drone and micro-vibrations of the energy-driven engine hummed through my palms. It was an older model, but well-maintained.
The Doctor walked up to the open window. "I’ve synced the transmitter’s location data to your terminal. I'll be in touch if anything changes on my end."
He stepped back and gave Kaya a small, encouraging smile. She responded with a polite nod.
I pulled out of the garage and into the street. Light rain pattered against the windshield. It wouldn't be a long drive to the manor. As the sedan glided through the streets, the rain began to fall in earnest.
Kaya stared out the passenger window, her eyes tracking the neon lights of the city like a traveler visiting a foreign land for the first time.
"……It’s been a long time since I’ve been ‘up’ like this."
"Does it feel strange?"
"A little bright." Kaya brushed her hair back with her pale fingertips and squinted at the passing lights. She had the physical appearance of a boy, but the soul within gave her a certain sultry air. "Still, the sight of you behind the wheel is nostalgic."
"Is it?"
"Yeah. Though you used to drive a much shabbier car."
A comfortable silence settled between us, a space where the past and present seemed to overlap.
Eventually, the city lights began to thin out. After passing through several security checkpoints, the familiar manor came into view. The gates to the high-class residential district opened smoothly; Rainburg had clearly paved the way, as a simple ID check was all it took.
I’d expected some friction regarding Kaya, but it seemed the Order had already set up a functional ID for her. It cleared the sensors without a hitch.
So, a clean history has been fabricated for her.
I was relieved I didn't have to resort to more illicit methods, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. I made a mental note to look into it later.
The sections of the estate that had been scorched during the previous incident had been meticulously restored. You didn't see that kind of efficiency in the Lower District; down there, repairs were a myth. The massive crater in the center of the district was still a gaping wound.
I drove through the heavy gates, past the security detail, and pulled up to the main entrance. A man in a crisp black tailcoat was already waiting.
"We have been expecting you, Mr. Haijima."
Sebastian. The man was etiquette personified. The elderly gentleman wore the same placid smile he’d had during the crisis.
From behind him, a woman practically lunged forward.
"Rei-san! You actually came!"
Lucia Rainburg. She’d spent some time in the police hospital after the dust settled, but she looked as energetic as ever. I’d heard from Roselia when she was discharged, but this was the first time I’d seen her since that night.
Beside her, a woman with silver, silk-like hair appeared. Cecily Rainburg. She had once been a frail girl living in a prosthetic body, but thanks to a certain turn of events, she was now the picture of health. She offered a graceful bow.
"It has been a long time. Thank you… for everything."
The softness of her voice made it hard to believe she had stood amidst the smoke and blood of that night. Behind them, a black-haired maid stood in silence, still serving as Cecily’s shadow. She offered me a small, respectful nod, which I returned.
It was a peaceful reunion—until everyone noticed the "foreign object" in the group.
The silver-haired boy stepped out from behind me and gave a casual wave. "Hey. Nice to meet you all."
Lucia blinked in confusion. "Um…… who is this?"
I opened my mouth to explain, but Kaya beat me to the punch.
"I’m his partner. Well, former partner, anyway."
"……Eh?"
As Kaya chuckled and waved, Lucia and Cecily exchanged bewildered looks. Despite the boyish exterior, there was an undeniable maturity in the way Kaya carried herself. They seemed to instinctively realize that this was no ordinary child.
"……Partner?" Lucia repeated, her voice trailing off.
"Now, now, everyone. We can discuss the finer details inside," Sebastian interrupted, clearing his throat to regain control of the situation.
Treading over the polished stone, we stepped into the manor. The heavy doors shut out the chilly night air.
I just hope this talk goes smoothly.
Lucia and Cecily walked on either side of me, beaming, while Kaya followed behind with a smile I couldn't quite read.
I let out a long, silent sigh, swallowing it before anyone could notice.