True Happiness

Zafkiel: "Oh no, they reacted faster than I anticipated."

They were in the car, still fleeing the crime scene. A military vehicle followed them. A man in the turret fired warning shots.

Caliel: "The police?! We're fucked!"

Zafkiel: "Open that drawer."

He pointed to the drawer in front of her. She opened it and handed him the most eye-catching object inside. It looked like a spherical grenade.

Zafkiel: "Get down!"

They both lowered their heads as the turret began shooting at the windows to break them and see inside.

Zafkiel: "The car is bulletproof, but the windows can't withstand those bullets!"

He tried to open the door window, but it was stuck. Before he could think of a solution, the tires were shot and the car began to skid. He forced the door open and threw the grenade, which exploded in a small radius and disabled the military car.

The turret began firing more violently as Zafkiel stepped on the accelerator and reached maximum speed, leaving the soldiers behind in seconds.

He parked the car in an underground garage to avoid suspicion. They were both overwhelmed by the speed and the danger of death. Their hearts would explode if they didn't stop.

Zafkiel: "Look, I'm gonna have to dispose of this car now."

Caliel: "Where?"

Zafkiel: "In one of my hiding places. There are still some useful items inside the car, so I need to take a walk."

Caliel: "Am I finally going to meet your companions?"

Zafkiel: "No, I want you to return home or go to school. I can't risk taking you there."

Caliel: "After everything we've done? I'm still a little overwhelmed, but I can handle a lot more!"

Zafkiel: "It's not about taking more or not. It's about being seen. You can't be seen with me in this wrecked car. Nobody can see you with me, not even my henchmen."

Caliel: "We'll still see each other, right?"

Zafkiel: "At school, yes. That's the only safe space we can be together. Also, I think you should take this with you."

He handed her the voodoo doll.

Zafkiel: "Maybe it'll bring luck? Who knows."

Caliel: "Eh? You don't want it? As a memorial of me?"

Zafkiel: "That's exactly why I can't have it. If someone kidnaps me and sees the resemblance to you, you'll be a target."

Caliel: "Geez, talk about an excess of precautions. This doll doesn't even like me."

Zafkiel: "I need you to know that any mistake could put you in danger. Here, take this."

He handed her a lot of money.

Zafkiel: "Call a taxi. I can't leave this car."

Caliel: "I'm afraid all this is really necessary."

She left the car.

Zafkiel: "If someone approaches you suspiciously, call me as soon as possible. They won't let you react if they're close enough."

Caliel: "Y-Your paranoia is contagious... I'll see you tomorrow at school."

The day passed and, to their surprise, nothing happened. They looked at everyone suspiciously, drawing suspicion to themselves.

Caliel: "If it weren't for him, I would never have gotten into this life. I can't wait to see him and relax a little."

They see each other at school and smile with relief.

Caliel: "Can't say I regret that decision, though."

Zafkiel: "Cal-... Yuuwaku, I didn't send any messages because I forgot to give you a spare phone. Here."

He handed her a new phone.

Michi: "If you feel you are being followed, break this phone or leave it far away from home."

They hugged each other.

Yuuwaku: "So? Do you have a plan for today?"

Michi: "Of course I do. It's more dangerous this time."

Yuuwaku: "More?!"

Michi: "You don't have to agree. It gets riskier every time we leave this school together."

Yuuwaku: "So be it. You said you had extra precautions, right?"

Michi: "Yeah. Don't worry about how much they cost, my dad has everything covered."

Yuuwaku: "Our lives are more valuable, right? But I don't want you to waste them to protect me."

Michi: "Waste is relative. Protecting you is costless to me. But this time we'll be more offensive."

Yuuwaku: "Wasn't blowing up a landfill offensive enough?"

Michi: "They started the conflict. We just defended our identities."

Yuuwaku: "Alright, so... don't tell me we're gonna rob something."

Michi: "Bingo! That's the most basic crime an outlaw can commit, right? I'll send you the coordinates. It's better if we go there alone first.

She arrived at the place he had mentioned. It was a rural area, outside the city. He was smoking a cigar, leaning against a tree.

Caliel: "What is that?"

Zafkiel: "A happiness inducer. We're about to have a blast, so I have to boost my dopamine. Don't even think about asking for some."

Caliel: "Why not? I have trouble having fun too."

Zafkiel: "I'm an addict. Trust me, you don't want to be in my shoes. If you use it, you'll have the best time of your life, but only once. After that, nothing will make you feel truly happy again. You'll only end up hurting yourself and everyone you love."

Caliel: "That sounds harsh..."

Zafkiel: "Because it is. Don't try to cheat your emotions. The side effects will always come stronger."

Caliel: "I'm so glad you care about my health. So what exactly are we going to do?"

Zafkiel: "Skydiving."

He opened the trunk of the car and took out two parachutes, handing one to her.

Caliel: "Really? I don't even know how to use this thing... Also, how are gonna reach the sky?"

Zafkiel: "That's where the robbery come."

He pointed to an open area on a farm. There were several hot air balloons parked there.

Caliel: "A balloon?! I've always wanted to ride one of those things!"

Zafkiel: "We'll have to be quick, or the farmer might see us."

They approached the entrance to the farm. He took out his cell phone and opened a special camera. He looked around with it, but nothing appeared.

Caliel: "A heat sensor?"

Zafkiel: "Yes. Looks like the farm's empty."

He opened another app and searched for cameras. He took out his silenced pistol and shot the ones in the way.

Caliel: "Since when do you have this gun?"

Zafkiel: "They're not hard to get. The hero association gives them out for almost free."

Caliel: "Are you a hero?"

Zafkiel: "A hero of the crime. Japan abandoned the law that prohibited guns a while ago. Haven't you learned that in school?"

Caliel: "They don't teach interesting or useful topics."

Zafkiel: "Fair enough. Luckily I don't waste time on school."

Caliel: "Waste is relative. Though school is a waste to me too."

Zafkiel: "Don't say that about yourself. You have a great future awaiting for you. I may earn a lot now, but it's a temporary solution. New problems arise all the time. Having a stable life is better."

Caliel: "But also boring. What's the point of having a boring life?"

Zafkiel: "So we can have not-so-boring moments like this."

He cut the ropes holding the balloon. They jumped in. He lit the igniter and they began to rise into the sky. When they were high enough, a truck passed by. Driving it was the farmer who owned the balloons. He saw them and immediately called the police.

— Hello? Some punk's stealing my balloon! Call a helicopter, quick! And don't shoot unless necessary! I don't want any wastes.

— Sir, you are out of town. We have no jurisdiction there.

— Jurisdiction, my ass! They're heading towards the city! Get a helicopter ready, now!