Evolution. II

As we hit the asphalt, I felt an incredible pain shoot through my hip and elbow. All of it in an effort to cushion Katy’s fall…

W-what just…?

Even so, the pain only lasted an instant.

Both of us breathed heavily, lying on the ground, just a few centimeters apart.

After brushing the strands of hair from her face, I found myself speechless.

“Isayama?”

After a long moment, she finally whispered something to me.

“You’re bleeding…” She pointed delicately at my nose with her perfect hands.

“Huh?” And just like that, the magic was gone.

“I’m sorry, I just got scared for a moment…”

“Hey, hey, are you two okay?!” A man shouted at us from across the street.

We both sat up.

“Are you all right, Katy?”

We quickly sought shelter under nearby awnings and balconies.

“Yes, sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s fine. Shall we head back?”

It’s better not to make a big deal out of this. I don’t want things between us to get complicated again…

“Y-yeah, let’s go back…”

Together, we started walking, sticking close to the facades of the buildings.

A surveillance drone, somewhat lagging behind, hovered in place, still watching us as we walked away.

…

The rain weakened as we made our way back to the car, which was parked in front of Kenzo Miura’s building.

For some strange reason, Katy seemed to still be in shock. Distant. Her expression and gaze betrayed her state—she didn’t even seem to care about being drenched anymore.

When we reached the car, we got into our respective seats.

“Wait here…” I got out again, heading to the trunk.

A few moments later, I returned with a valuable item in hand.

“Look, I didn’t expect anything less from our company.” I chuckled, showing Katy a small promotional towel with the Cellos logo emblazoned on it.

She glanced at it curiously.

At the same time, I turned on the car’s heater to help us dry off a bit.

She remained distant.

“Here, let me—this will take forever otherwise.” I grabbed the towel back and started drying her hair myself.

Gently. Carefully. As if I were tending to a piece of fine art.

“I didn’t know you could be so chivalrous…” She allowed me to dry her off.

“What are you talking about?! Can’t you see I’m freezing? The sooner you’re dry, the sooner you can take me home.” I sneezed. “Damn it!”

She started laughing, and soon enough, I was laughing too.

Crisis averted.

Once we got past that awkward moment, we started heading back—either to our homes or to the office, depending on how you looked at it.

Not my fault they were in the same place…

Driving through the now gentler rain. All the while, under the watchful gaze of that surveillance drone…