The dark cloud almost covered New Eridu, the defense force city against the Hollow. Despite the Ether spheres being all over the world, they can't change the nature of the Earth. The process of vaporizing water, gathering around the clouds, and heavily pouring down are still there. The rain of the post-apocalyptic era can't flood away the persistence and willfulness of humans.

  "I don't know how the others are doing~"

  Yuri moves next to the window as she holds her chin in her hands, looking outside while thinking about life. Fortunately, after the accident and being discharged from the hospital, her boss didn't turn bck and force her to investigate other Hollows. However, earning money from the capitalist isn't easy; she is tied to the office at H.I.A in the Lumina branch to work on the paperwork.

  Looking at the heavy rain, Yuri's mood becomes subtle. Her mind can't help but take off to Mars. Rina has taken a day off to prepare for something, while Zhu Yuan is too busy with the criminal case, and so is Qing Yi. Grace-nee is still Grace-nee, researching and creating babies like a maniac scientist.

  *Knock knock*

  "Coming in"

  Yuri pretends to be a serious worker as she picks up some materials from her office desk. Fortunately, her office doesn't have a camera installed, so her boss doesn't know how she fishes at work.

  *Click*

  Before her eyes, a tall blonde man walks in, immediately grabbing Yuri's hand and nding a gentle kiss. His every move is elegant and noble, like that of a gentleman from the high css.

  "Lady Kamiyama, good afternoon. Did I bother you?"

  A whisper tickled Yuri's ear, making her face red. Nevertheless, that red face isn't because of embarrassment but cringe.

  "Hey, you walk into the H.I.A headquarters like nothing happened, Mr. Biggu Bossu of Mockingbird organization, Hugo"

  Yuri retreats her hand out of politeness.

  "So, do you want to catch me now, A light without past?"

  Hugo keeps a genuine smile, but he doesn't forget to poke at the sore spot of the other party. Even though Yuri has caught a glimpse of this person in the boy's memories, she can't help but feel troubled when dealing with this kind of person. The other party has been in the society for too long and has a huge experience when dealing with people. Yuri is no match in front of this man.

  "Anyway, catching you is a huge pain in the @ss, Mr Modern Robin Hood"

  Yuri slumps down in her chair and expins helplessly.

  "Hahahaha, my dy, your nguage. How about my invitation? Do you wanna join in our Mockingbird?"

  "We're somehow simir to each other anyway, but you chose to be the knife of those standing above. I'm quite sad"

  Hugo pats his chest and sadly says.

  "No, I prefer to be on my own. This cooperation between us is enough"

  Yuri draws a clear line. She had a deal with this man. If it weren't for the 'past life' memories, she would've rejected him and found a way to deal with him. Nonetheless, he must've been a good person since he would be pyable in the game's future. This is how Mihoyo works to create a new character. The cliche 'Hey, this is a bad guy, then, no, he is just a misunderstood good guy' is also a selling point.

  "It's a pity. But, I have some news for you, Lady Kamiyama"

  "Congratutions! You've unearthed an Ethereal experiment from a bad-guys organization"

  Hugo spreads his hand, revealing a supposedly shocking secret.

  "Heh~"

  Seeing uninterested Yuri's expression, Hugo knows that the next deal with her will need to increase the price.

  "Their catchphrase is 'May the Creator refine me'"

  "And this organization called 'Exaltist' believes Ethereal is the final form of Human's evolution..."

  Hugo expins softly while looking at Yuri's expression.

  "So, the thing inside the monument is indeed a failed experiment of those maniacs"

  Yuri nods her head.

  "As expected from Lady Kamiyama, Bravooo~"

  Hugo cps his hands as a reward.

  "Then, is this organization reted to my past?"

  Yuri can't help but ask. After all, this is her deal with Hugo. He somehow manages to establish a retionship with other big shots, and she happens to be the softest one, because she doesn't have the disgusting smell that Hugo hates the most. Therefore, he acts simply pleasant in front of her.

  "Sorry, my dy. For now, they're still hiding in the dark. Even the Mockingbird can't find any trace"

  Hugo expins halfway. This is the process he wants. Since Yuri guessed almost the structure, he must y a fragrant bait to drive Yuri into his deal. Therefore, he only half closes and opens the information.

  "You have people inside them?"

  Now, it's Yuri's turn to be surprised, but she's soon disappointed when seeing Hugo shaking his head.

  "Once was...She is now my member of our Mockingbird"

  "What do you want then?"

  Like a fish being hooked, Hugo is satisfied with this result as he announces his term.

  "I want to be the representation of Perlman's case"

  Hugo suggests.

  "Huh? Perlman? Do you wanna investigate the true mastermind behind this incident?"

  When Yuri says that, Hugo's eyelid twitches slightly. He does not seem to know what kind of brain this is. Hugo doesn't even know whether Yuri is too smart or stupid, sometimes, but he prefers the former. Yet, Yuri is right. It can't be consecutive coincidences. The Vision Company's project was to execute a 'ka-boom' TNT, not only demolishing the old buildings, but also the thing inside the monument. The residents nearby were just caught in order to reduce the expense.

  "Kinda"

  Hugo shrugs his shoulders.

  "Oh, it's okay. I accept this deal, but what's your real name then?"

  Yuri asks without hesitation.

  "Hugo...Hugo Vd, my dy"

  "Heh? Is that so? As a light without the past, I can only say 'don't be stuck too deep in the past'"

  Yuri raises her cup of tea and takes a sip.

  "Thank you for your advice, Lady Kamiyama"

  "About my real name, perhaps this isn't the appropriate time"

  "Just use this name, Hugo Vd"

  Hugo hands out his ID card to Yuri, knowing that Yuri won't care too much about his profile. It's both fake and real anyway. Since he doesn't want to reveal himself, Yuri doesn't bother to force him.

  "I understood"

  "Let's deal this way"

  Yuri sighs as she agrees to his deal with a long process of thought. And then, she stands up and gives Hugo a ride to get out of her office.

  "By the way, Lady Kamiyama, I also have something to say to you"

  "The knife you're holding is a double-edged one...And running away isn't a smart option"

  Hugo adjusts his hat and waves goodbye, leaving the office and the dumbfounded Yuri.

  "Ciao, my dy"

  Like a true phantom thief, Hugo sneaks out until he disappears from Yuri's sight.

  She shakes her head and buries herself in a pile of work.

  6th street, Eridu's subway.

  The darkness is still there, but the rain has left this New Eridu city, leaving the moist atmosphere and mini kes on the street. Wearing a pair of high boots, Yuri walks step by step and leaves the train station. Her hands are busy with a paper bag and a set of milk tea cups. Her face is emotionless like a walking machine; fortunately, the rain has just stopped, as nobody is willing to pay attention to her.

  'Running away isn't a smart option'

  Standing in front of the Random Py Store, Yuri raises her head to the sky as she thinks of Hugo's advice. For a moment, she admits Hugo is right about her. After all, the third party has the most accurate point of view. The insiders are all influenced by blind spots and emotions, so she has to reexamine herself.

  "Halo~!"

  The moment when the door of the store opens, the emotional Yuri returns to her facade personality as if all the thoughts are just a joke.

  "Wicchan, Bellechan"

  She called out to the siblings, indeed. However, there is only one of them here.

  "Oh, good evening, Yuri-san, but don't come up with a weird nickname out of nowhere"

  Wise sighs helplessly.

  "Hehe, Wicchan, where's Bellechan?"

  Yuri looks around, but doesn't find any trace of her.

  "Ah, about that..."

  Wise is about to say something, but can't utter a word. How can he say that his sister is receiving a commission from the Victoria Housekeeper Co.?

  "Oh, she's pying somewhere outside? I just spent my hard-earned sary to treat her to a cup of milk tea..."

  Yuri's mood goes down, but it doesn't affect her too much. Yuri has some sympathy feelings for them, because she's already known their hidden job.

  "Sorry about that, I'll put her potion in the fridge and tell her when she gets home"

  "Let me help you check your bill"

  Wise smiles gently as his eyes shine with Denny. After getting Fairy, one of the four advanced A.I.s, their electric bill is always tight.

  After the procedure and the receipt bill are done, Yuri intends to leave because she has nothing to do at their store anymore.

  "Eh? You don't want to hire another film?"

  Wise is surprised.

  "Guahh"

  Yuri lets out a yawn instead of replying.

  "You see, Perlman's case and an Unknown Ethereal have erased my rest time without giving me a chance to watch a movie, anyway"

  Yuri expins.

  "An Unknown Ethereal?"

  Wise pretends to be an innocent citizen to get more information from Yuri. Of course, Yuri knows Wise very well, as she sees through his acting skills.

  "Yeah, yeah, the H.A.N.D organization's boss pushes more workloads on me, the pitiful patient has just recovered herself"

  Yuri cries without tears.

  "It sounds bad. I suppose to?"

  Wise is puzzled by Yuri's performance.

  "You just need to know this, the Unknown Ethereal is a sensitive topic, because it might be a work of art from people. After all, there is nothing more evil than human"

  Wise's pupil shrinks. He also has the same thoughts as Yuri's. Otherwise, why would a mercenary group steal the evidence?

  "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind"

  "Goodbye, manager. When my schedule is empty, I'll come back to support your store"

  "Tell Bellechan that the Shiyu Defense needs to refresh the date this weekend"

  "I'll remember that"

  With that, Yuri leaves the Random Py store...

  "Yuri-chan, wait a minute"

  A soft but mature voice calls out to Yuri, causing her to turn her head halfway.

  "Elfy-san?"

  Yuri mutters in surprise.

  "Stop! Don't persuade me anymore!"

  Yuri drops her voice as she changes her mood. Noticing Elfy-san's intention, Yuri doesn't want to walk on that path again.

  "No, Yuri-chan, I just want to say..."

  "Music isn't wrong..."

  "Bming and running away from it...I can't stand to see you extinguish that beautiful and strong melody"

  "..."

  "Please, as an adult watching you grow up, please think again, Yuri-chan"

  Running away...It's here again...