The world outside kept moving despite what went on in that interrogation room. Cops on edge. Rumors already rippling outward... and a certain dark-haired young woman still anxious over her friend being taken into custody.
Yui.
45 minutes had passed since the incident.
Since they took her in for questioning.
Her mind replayed it all again.
The footprint burned into the road...
The whispered accusations from witnesses of "seeing a purple streak dash in and out of the fire"...
The practical—
"Earth to Yui."
"Huh? What?"
"S-Sorry, could you repeat that?"
Ren sighed as he sat back down on the bench.
Yui watched him sit beside her as he leaned forward, arms on his knees.
He watched the kids playing nearby while adults groaned at their side conversations, the sounds of screams and laughter from rides filling the air.
"Chaotic. Controlled chaos."
"Hm?"
He glanced at her, jacket swaying briefly as the wind picked up.
"What happened back there?"
"What really happened?"
Her eyes met his for a moment. Emerald clashing with sky blue as the chaos around them slowly escalated.
She loosened her grip on the armrests as a breath slipped out.
Her gaze drifted forward. Nothing in particular.
"Did you hear what they said?" she murmured. "About her."
His jaw clenched as he followed her line of sight.
"Riot-class hybrid broke into a 15-story building and was caught holding a child," he recited.
The phrasing made her teeth tighten as she gripped the metal again. "'Got caught holding a child' ?" she hissed. "What is she? A predator?"
His eyes flicked to her reddened fingers. "Easy there."
A harsh, uncontrolled exhale left her as she let go.
"They're treating her like she's some kind of... monster."
"Sheis."
That earned a sharp swing from her
—had he not stopped her hand mere inches from his face.
"I knew it." Her voice venomous, restrained anger bleeding through. "I knew I shouldn't have introduced you guys to her."
"Calm down, Yu. Like it or not, it's the truth—"
"And who gets to decide that?!"
"IT ISN'T ABOUT WHO GETS TO DECIDE. IT'S IN THEIR BLOOD, YUI."
A few glances.
Odd.
Judgmental.
Cameras waiting for another highlight reel.
He shut his eyes and released her hand, turning away.
"You don't know Akira like I do, Ren."
"No, but now I'm starting to wonder if I ever wanted to."
"How can you say that after everything she's told us?! After everything she's been through, don't you feel any compassion?!"
The dark-haired woman's eyes were wide and angry, clashing with the distant blue of the taller figure now staring back at her, ignoring the people watching.
"You think I want to feel this way?" he said. "You think I don't feel any compassion for her?"
Closer now.
"You think I didn't want to walk away the second I read your text saying she's a hybrid?"
His hands clenched in his pockets.
"I did. And for a moment I didn't know if I was safe with the idea that a goddamn hybrid was going to be in our friend group—"
"THEN WHY DID YOU BRING US HERE?!"
"I DON'T KNOW, OKAY?! I DON'T."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Some now already invested.
Others already drafting posts.
"Think she's cheating on him?"
"I don't know."
"She looks wrecked though."
...
His jaw tightened again as he gave Yui space.
"Look." His eyes lost their warmth again. "Like it or not, the facts line up with the behavior. We all know it."
He backed away. "Hybrids are dangerous because hybridskill."
Colder.
"They always do."
Quieter.
"That's why we should fear them."
"'We'?" she muttered. "Who the hell is 'we', Ren?"
His eyes scanned the crowd.
Big and small.
Human and not.
"All of them," he said, not looking at her. "Society. People."
Now at her.
"Humans."
That one landed like a physical punch to the gut.
Her eyes glistened as she looked at him.
"Don't you dare..."
His boots shifted as he turned to leave.
"I'm going back to campus. James called."
Yui's face twisted in anger. "That's the one thing I hate about you, dammit! You say something hurtful when I know you don't mean it."
"Idomeanit."
...oh.
Her expression softened slightly as her grip on him loosened.
He glanced at her glove.
"Face it, Yu," he muttered. "You can't pretend around me. I can smell it all over you."
"W-What..?"
"It was subtle at first. Small. Barely there. But now I'm sure. Maybe she even noticed it too."
"What are you talking about...?"
He looked her dead in the eyes.
"You're afraid of Akira, Yui."
Her body froze.
Her senses dulled as her pupils dilated.
Her hand slipped off his arm as he began to walk away.
"Don't feel bad," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
"You're not the only one."