A few weeks have passed, but Anby is still prohibited from taking any commissions.
Anby is displeased with Nicole constantly reprimanding her whenever she asks for a mission, and it does not help that Nekomata and Billy are siding with Nicole. She believes her leg is already fine, but the extent of corruption in her wound at the time must have scared her adoptive sister enough to put her on indefinite house rest. She admits she still limps, but not enough to hold them back on the job.
After all, she is still an employee of Gentle House.
Being stuck in the apartment for weeks gets boring, and she has repeatedly watched all the movies on their shelves. She has decided to get some fresh air today, and by the time she opens the door—it already feels liberating. With a crutch on her left side to support, she goes down the stairs carefully.
The sight of a huge blob is within the distance, yet it eerily matches the blue sky above. Breeze comes over once again, alongside the swifts flying in the air. Freedom, the notion of living for a moment—those birds remind her that life can only be lived once.
Anby continues her way in the streets, without any destination in mind. All she knows is that walking has never felt this free before, as if each step helps her escape the thought that has been troubling her for so long.
Soldier 11 now knows she is alive.
This comes to a halt.
Anby lifts her chin, eyes only staring at the sky.
Only to find someone before her after lowering her gaze.
Remarkably enough, there is a young-looking woman with eyes covered with a black visor. It feels counterintuitive, yet she believes the person before her is far from ordinary. What surprises her even more is that her instincts do not urge her to be on guard—there is no trace of hostility from the blond-haired stranger.
"Are you…Anby Demara?"
Anby frowns a bit.
"Who are you?"
The blonde smiles.
"I'm Trigger from Obol Squad," Trigger introduces herself, "I'm Soldier 11's partner."
Anby's eyes widen when Trigger speaks again.
"Don't be afraid, I don't mean anything harm. I believe so…you feel it, too?"
Anby lowers her guard completely and can tell that Trigger does not mean anything funny.
"What…brings you here?"
Another smile.
"I just want to know about her most guarded secret," Trigger says. "Since her heart is a little troubled that can cause detriment to her own good."
Anby purses her lips.
"Then…what exactly do you need?"
Anby has the least expectation that her detour will lead her accompanying Soldier 11's teammate into a burger stand. The cashier, who is also the cook, is still frying the patties, and the rich aroma of beef is already tempting her appetite.
Sitting in the last seat of the makeshift burger stand, Trigger takes the spot right beside her.
"This street is peaceful," Trigger comments. "It seems away from all the trouble."
Anby simply nods. "Fourth Street is far from the companion Hollows and has the lowest chance of one forming. Even the one beyond Fifth Street was wiped out months ago, making this area relatively peaceful. There’s a sense of complacency here, but everyone knows a Hollow can still spawn out of thin air."
Trigger stays silent and seems to contemplate her reply.
"Maybe that's why everyone is trying hard to lessen such possibility," Trigger says, "but sometimes, people in seats can decide what's favorable or not at the expense of commoners."
An ample pause.
"I was curious about one thing," Anby says, her tone slightly shifting. "Were you sent to spy on me?"
"No."
"Then why?"
Trigger is unmoving.
Anby patiently waits for an answer. The sound of oil cracking in the heat pan accompanies the uncertain silence. The scent of the food becomes stronger, but Anby's attention is all focused on her unlikely companion.
"I am here in my own volition, I just wanted to meet you," Trigger answers, no wavering in her voice. "What I say is true that I wanted to know Soldier 11's most guarded secret. And it's you. I can see why, maybe, she wants to protect—"
"I won't get ahead if I were you," Anby cuts in. "Until now I don't have answers. And I'm not sure if I can satisfy her with my words. She's capable of forgetting about me if it means I truly…betrayed our oath."
The patty is now being placed in the buns and preparing to be served.
"Here's your order." The cashier serves the burgers on a plate, alongside cold drinks. Trigger grabs the burger and Anby watches the masked soldier eating it. Figuring out that Trigger will not speak sooner, Anby also eats the burger.
With the tension earlier, Anby somehow forgets it with each bite. Burger is always a happy meal.
A giggle on the side.
Anby looks at her side, and Trigger is staring at her—unironically.
"Now I understand why she dislikes burgers," Trigger reveals. "It reminds her of you."
Anby's chewing slows down and a pang of pain hits her chest.
"She's still putting too much chili in her noodles, I believe?" Anby asks.
Trigger chuckles.
"Yes."
The position of the sun already indicates that a few hours have passed. Anby is right in the corner near their apartment, and Trigger is on her way to go.
"This day has been awesome, thank you for giving me some of your time, even though I know it's precious to you," Trigger says.
"I don't have any job to work on," Anby says. "Let's say I'm on a holiday."
Trigger smiles, "Then see you next time."
"Are you telling her?"
Trigger shakes her head. "It's not in my place to meddle in a personal affair. I'm certain that 11 will dislike it even. I genuinely wanted to meet you, Zero."
Anby clenches her fists.
"Please don't say that name again, if you may…" Anby says.
"I apologize if I crossed the line," Trigger says. "I still firmly believe that a broken mirror can still be brought together as a whole. See you again."
Trigger turns on her heels and walks away. Anby watches the masked soldier fade into the distance, taking it as her cue to head home as well. Trigger seems friendly and not the type to lie to her, though her thoughts remind her to stay grounded. Soldier 11 does not abandon her duty, not even for Anby—but still, she remembers that moment in Hollow Zero.
Anby shakes her head.
It's better to keep my expectations low… She sighs. It's best not to…
"…Wish for a happy ending," she mutters.
It is another uneventful night, and Anby decides to watch a movie again. The chat logs in their Knock Knock group indicate that Nicole and Nekomata will be staying overnight at their client's place, while Billy is still on his way home from the Outer Ring. Home alone once more, Anby hopes that her left leg will fully heal soon.
At the same time, this kind of luxury is rare to happen.
Anby inserts the videotape into the player and returns to her seat on the couch. The introduction begins with the camera gliding through the cityscape, moving past towering buildings before finally revealing a scene inside a Hollow.
The first installment of Raiders of the Hollow.
While this first movie has received a lukewarm reception, the future installments become a hit. Despite this, Anby feels that the first movie resonates with her the most—which is why she is watching it again tonight.
The line between raiders and researchers, and proxies and investigators, is even more blurred if one bothers to look deeply. While the latter options are considered safe by the government's standards, it cannot be denied that the existence of the former ones is still needed for specific reasons. Sometimes for the better. Most of the time for the worse.
And sometimes, the ones who are deemed allowed to are the ones who make things hard for innocent people.
A knock gets her attention towards the door. Anby stands from the couch and checks the eyehole—and sees a familiar visitor, Belle.
Anby opens the door.
"Belle," she greets. "What brings you here?"
Belle smiles and waves her hand.
"I told you I'll be visiting today!" Belle says as the short-haired proxy tilts her head with a hint of playfulness, patiently awaiting Anby’s affirmation.
But Anby looks even more puzzled.
"I…believe I didn't receive any message," Anby says, "or maybe I forgot something from our last conversation…"
"Eh, I sent you a message this morning," Belle says. "Don't tell me…"
"Let me check."
Anby fishes her phone from her pocket and scrolls through the screen. Clicking Belle's contact, the last message is from a day ago.
"You didn't reply to my message last night even," Anby says. Belle seems bewildered and looks at Anby's phone.
Belle checks her phone next.
"I'm pretty sure, I sent a message…"
Anby watches her for a bit and opens the door fully.
"Just get inside first, Proxy," Anby says.
Belle walks in, still scrolling through her phone. As Anby closes the door and returns to the couch, Belle takes a seat beside her. Anby pulls the small table closer, making the snacks easily accessible. The proxy siblings have been long-time business partners of Gentle House, and they often visit each other’s places, almost like family. After all, Phaethon and Cunning Hares share a bond deeper than the ocean.
Anby continues to watch and brings the snack closer to Belle when the latter shrieks.
"Oh shoot," Belle giggles nervously, "…I forgot to send."
Anby glances at her. "I was worried for a second if my signal is bad in here."
Belle chuckles nervously. "No, no, it's on me, hehe… Oh, well. But I was about to say in the message if I can stay overnight here."
Anby ponders. "I don't mind. Nicole and the others won't be around anytime soon."
"Hehe, that's still embarrassing."
"Here, some snacks."
Belle leans back on the couch and gets engrossed in the movie as well. Silence becomes their next companion, a shared bond in its own right. As movie enthusiasts, they respect each other’s space, speaking only when the time feels right. Typically, they wait until the movie ends before exchanging their thoughts.
"How's your leg, Anby?" Belle asks suddenly.
"Still limping but I'll be fine soon. The doctor said that I just need more rest."
Belle nods. "…Still I apologize about…what happened."
"It's alright, Belle," Anby reassures her. "Hollow Zero is unlike the other Hollows, I'm still lucky enough to survive and this is the only injury I got."
Another silence. Anby eats some chips, as Belle contemplates her next words.
“I heard that a lone soldier is the one who found you,” Belle says, hugging her knees close, her eyes heavy with a somber tone. “I’m glad that the soldier didn’t waste time and fast enough in locating you. The carrot data I gathered was spread to several rescue teams, but that area is way too dangerous for anyone to just simply…head on. I wish I could’ve known who rescued you.”
Belle is just staring to nowhere as Anby feels a lump on her throat. There is still guilt in Belle’s voice, but Anby cannot fault her in an accident. It is no one’s fault. The only wrong that day is being found by Soldier 11.
"I wish I could have asked," Anby says.
"I'll surely look for that person," Belle says, "I almost…lose a friend because…I'm not aware enough."
Anby reaches for Belle's head and pats it.
"But I'm still here. Let's just be more careful next time. You're still the best proxy I worked with," Anby says. "Snacks?"
Belle smiles, "You're also one of the best I worked with."
Flames.
From an unknown time and place, Anby's face is covered with dirt and blood. Her hands are trembling while holding a sword, with an image of two individuals in front of her. Crystals are around their body, and it is only a matter of time before a core appears in their head.
"Leave now, Zero…" A voice of a young man says. Anby gasps as a crystal sword pierces through his stomach.
"Echo!" Anby yells. She turns to the side as a young lady with twin braids is lifted by a Dullahan.
"Zero…save yourself…"
"J-June…"
"…Leave!"
Anby wakes up in cold sweat.
She tries to control her breathing, but her heart is pounding wildly. That day. That scenery. That operation.
Her hand runs to her chest and only the pounding is what she feels. How come that memory resurfaces again?
She turns to the side and realizes that Belle is sound asleep. It is a good thing Belle is facing away while cuddling a pillow. Anby does not want to disturb her, and it seems sharing a bed this time is not the best idea. Aside from Nicole, Belle is the closest person she can call a sister, and whenever Belle visits their apartment, she usually sleeps in Anby’s bed.
Albeit using Nicole's pajamas.
Anby sighs.
This is the first time in forever since Anby dreams of that distant memory and it troubles her a bit if it may disturb the proxy.
Belle suddenly moves.
An arm falls to her chest alongside a breathing near her neck. Anby finds that Belle is close to her—but still asleep—and this makes Anby a little nervous.
But at the same time, she feels somehow at ease.
Anby turns to her and, despite the darkness, gazes at Belle's face. Something about Belle brings this sort of calmness and brightness—that sometimes hurts her heart.
An old friend.
Anby moves carefully and pulls Belle close. Belle seems to reciprocate and hugs her tight, making Anby smile. She shifts slightly, adjusting for comfort with Belle nestled in her arms. Anby closes her eyes and silently wishes for their friendship to last.
And hopes it will never escape her grasp again.