Chapter 28: — "Neon Conversations"

The restaurant’s neon glow reflected off the wet pavement as I ducked inside, shaking off rain from my coat. My shoes squelched softly against the tiled floor, and I spotted Kaito already sitting in a corner booth. He was slouched, arms resting on the table, eyes staring at the menu like he was trying to memorize every item without actually reading.

Rin burst in a few minutes later, rain dripping from her jacket. “Didn’t think you’d actually survive the drive home,” she said, half-joking, half-serious. Kaito gave her a small smirk, but didn’t answer. Typical. Rin rolled her eyes and plopped down across from him, shaking the water off her hair.

I slid into the seat beside Rin, apologizing softly. “Sorry I’m late…”

“You’re always late,” Rin muttered without looking at me. “I’m starting to think it’s intentional.”

I couldn’t help but let a small smile escape. It was the kind of joke I’d always laugh at if I weren’t so frazzled. My thoughts kept drifting back to everything that happened, the drones, the car chase, Kaito going full insane with that stolen car, and the box. The box.

We all sat in silence for a few moments, just listening to the muted hum of the restaurant and the soft jazz that played in the background. Rain streaked the windows, making the outside world seem like another planet entirely. I could feel Kaito’s tension radiating across the table, and Rin’s impatience crackling beside me.

Rin nudged the table, making me jump slightly. “Don’t just sit there looking like a ghost, Yuzuki. You survived, didn’t you? And you’re still alive, which is technically an accomplishment.”

I forced a laugh, but it came out shakier than intended. “Yeah… alive,” I muttered, gripping my coat tighter. My eyes flicked to Kaito. He still hadn’t said a word, staring blankly at the menu like it contained all the answers to the mess we’d just escaped.

The three of us didn’t order anything yet. I think Kaito wanted to wait, and I couldn’t blame him. Nothing felt normal anymore. Everything had changed. And yet… sitting here, away from the chaos, I could finally breathe a little. A tiny, hesitant breath of calm in the middle of our storm.

Rin muttered something under her breath, clearly trying to lighten the mood, but her attempt fell flat. I stole a glance at her, a little embarrassed for her. Even she wasn’t laughing. Not that I could blame anyone.

I leaned back in my seat and whispered to myself, more for the walls and the soft hum of the restaurant than anyone else, “We survived… but now what?”

The waiter had just dropped off three glasses of water when Kaito finally spoke.

“So…” he began, his voice low but steady. “About the box.”

Rin immediately leaned forward, elbows on the table. “You mean the one that nearly got us killed?”

Kaito gave her a dry glance. “Yeah. That one.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, tracing a finger along the condensation on my glass. The memory of that holographic voice still echoed in my head, cold, distorted, talking about corrupting humans like it was some sort of project. And Kouji…

Kaito’s brother.

He hadn’t said much about it since that night, and honestly, I didn’t blame him.

Rin sighed and tilted her head back. “I’ve been thinking about that message. The way the voice said ‘phase two.’” She made little air quotes. “That means there was a phase one. What the hell was that supposed to be?”

“No idea,” Kaito muttered. “But whatever it was, they’ve already started it.”

His tone made my stomach twist. The way he said it, so certain, like he’d already seen proof of it.

Rin crossed her arms, studying him. “You’re thinking about your brother again.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Kaito snapped, then immediately sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Sorry. Just… can’t wrap my head around it. Kouji wasn’t like that. He wasn’t…” He trailed off, staring at the table again. “He wasn’t supposed to be the bad guy.”

The rain outside was still steady, tapping against the windows in a rhythm that somehow made everything feel heavier.

I decided to break the silence before it crushed us. “Do you think Ecliptix Corp knows what’s happening under them? I mean, Syntrix Umbra being their hidden branch... that’s not exactly something you can sweep under the rug.”

Kaito shook his head slowly. “No. If the public side knew, there’d be chaos. Either someone’s covering it up from the top, or…”

“Or your brother is the one pulling the strings,” Rin finished, her tone sharper than she probably meant it to be.

He didn’t answer.

The quiet came back, longer this time. I wanted to say something comforting, but what could I even say? Hey, maybe your brother’s not actually an evil mastermind trying to enslave the planet? Yeah, that’d help.

Instead, I muttered softly, “We’ll figure it out.”

Kaito looked up, meeting my eyes for the first time that night. His expression softened a little. “Yeah. We will.”

Rin drummed her fingers on the table, impatience creeping in again. “So what’s the next move, boss?” she asked, half teasing, half serious.

“First…” Kaito glanced at the laminated menu, like the sight of food might somehow help him think. “We eat. Then we plan.”

Rin raised an eyebrow. “Eat first, save the world later. Priorities, huh?”

“Something like that.”

She chuckled faintly, the tension loosened... just barely.

The menus sat open for what felt like forever. Rin was tapping her nails against the table, impatient as always, while Kaito scrolled through his phone like the menu was optional.

“So,” Rin said finally, “this place has sushi, waffles, and soup. Someone couldn’t pick a theme, huh?”

Kaito didn’t even glance up. “It’s called fusion, Rin.”

“It’s called identity crisis.”

I bit my lip to stop from laughing. “I think it’s kind of cool. You can get noodles and pancakes in the same meal.”

“That’s exactly my problem,” Rin muttered.

The waiter walked over, tall, smile too rehearsed, holding a digital notepad. “Ready to order?”

Rin sat up like she’d been waiting her whole life. “Yeah, gimme the spicy ramen. Triple chili, make it hurt.”

Kaito raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to regret that.”

She shrugged. “Pain is flavor.”

Kaito turned his gaze to me. “And you?”

I froze. “Uh… maybe I’ll just skip.”

Rin frowned. “Skip? What, are you on a diet now?”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “No, it’s just… I, um… kinda didn’t bring money.”

The words came out way quieter than I meant them to.

There was a pause. Kaito looked up at me, then snorted softly. “That’s it? I thought you were gonna say you had a deadly allergy or something. Don’t worry about it, I’ve got it covered.”

I blinked. “Wait, no... you don’t have to—”

He waved me off. “Relax. You can pay me back when you stop being broke.”

Rin grinned. “So, never?”

I glared at her. “Keep talking and I’ll make you pay for everyone.”

She raised her hands in mock surrender, laughing.

The waiter cleared his throat, trying not to smile. “So… ramen for the lady, and you, sir?”

Kaito nodded. “Same ramen, but without the death wish.”

“Alright, and for the young lady?” he asked, looking at me.

“Uh, teriyaki noodles. No butter, no cream, no… anything that might kill me later.”

“Got it. Drinks?”

“Milkshake. Strawberry,” Rin said immediately.

Kaito looked at me again. “You want one too? My treat.”

“Oh— no thanks,” I said quickly.

Rin smirked. “What, too fancy for a milkshake?”

I hesitated. “I’m… lactose intolerant.”

She blinked, then burst out laughing so hard half the restaurant turned to stare. “Oh, that’s rich! You can survive gunfire, explosions, and killer drones but not a glass of milk?”

My face burned. “It’s not funny!”

“Oh come on, Yuzu, what happens if you drink it? You just— boom! stomach explosion? Should we call an ambulance now?”

“Rin!” I practically yelled, and a couple at the next table flinched. “You’re such a jerk!”

Kaito sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Rin, cut it out. She’s serious.”

Rin chuckled, lowering her voice. “Alright, alright. No milk jokes. Scout’s honor.”

“You were never a scout,” I muttered.

Kaito gave me a small, reassuring smile. “You sure you don’t want something else? They’ve got fruit shakes.”

“I’m fine. Water’s good,” I mumbled, still red-faced.

When the waiter left, Rin leaned her cheek into her hand, smirking. “You know, Kaito paying for dinner and defending you... if I didn’t know any better…”

I threw a napkin at her before she could finish that sentence. “Don’t you even start.”

She laughed, dodging easily. Kaito just sighed again.

For a while after that, the table got quiet. Not awkward quiet, just… peaceful.
The restaurant’s soft hum filled the space: clinking silverware, low music, chatter from nearby tables. It felt normal. For once, we weren’t fugitives, rebels, or whatever the hell we’d become. Just three tired people sharing a meal.

The food finally came, hot bowls of ramen steaming up the table, my teriyaki noodles smelling way better than they had any right to. For a few minutes, none of us said a word. The sound of chopsticks clinking against bowls replaced the chaos that usually filled our lives.

Rin slurped her noodles obnoxiously. “Okay, this is actually good,” she said with her mouth half-full.

Kaito gave a small smirk. “Told you fusion wasn’t so bad.”

“Still think the concept’s cursed,” she said, but kept eating anyway.

I tried to relax, but every time my gaze drifted toward the window, the city outside looked different. Darker. Lysithea’s skyline shimmered, neon lights painting the streets, but something about it felt off now. Maybe because I knew what lay beneath all that glow. The fake smiles of Ecliptix Corp… and the shadow that was Syntrix Umbra lurking under it.

Kaito noticed me staring out. “You okay?”

I hesitated. “Just… thinking. It’s weird. We’ve all been walking around this city for years, and now we find out it’s built on lies.”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah. Makes you wonder what else we’re missing.”

Rin set her chopsticks down, leaning back in her chair. “You think Kouji’s still in the city?”

Kaito’s expression hardened. “He’s somewhere. Probably hiding behind a desk, pulling the strings while Umbra does the dirty work.”

There was a long silence after that. None of us wanted to say it out loud, but we all knew this wasn’t over, not even close.

Kaito finally spoke again. “I’ll start digging tonight. Kouji left traces before, he always does. I’ll find them.”

Rin crossed her arms. “You’re not doing it alone.”

“I won’t,” he said. “But if I find something, I’ll reach out. Until then, stay quiet, both of you. We don’t know who’s watching.”

That warning made my chest tighten. I hated the thought of going home pretending everything was normal while my father unknowingly worked for the same company plotting to corrupt the world.

Our food was nearly gone when the waiter came back to collect plates. Kaito stood up before anyone could stop him and handed over his card.

“I can pay for mine,” Rin said quickly.

He shook his head. “I’ve got it. Don’t start.”

She shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Fine. Thanks, sugar daddy.”

“Rin,” I said glaring sharply, and jealousy sparking inside of me.

She grinned. “What? Compliment.”

Kaito sighed audibly. “Remind me why I invited you two again?”

“Because you’d go insane alone,” Rin replied, smirking.

He didn’t argue, which kind of proved her point.

After everything was paid for, we stepped outside. The night air hit cold against my face, carrying the distant hum of the city. Hovercars zipped by above, lights painting streaks across the skyline.

“Guess this is it for now,” Rin said, stretching her arms.

“Yeah,” Kaito replied, sliding his hands into his jacket pockets. “Get some rest. We’ll need it.”

I nodded. “Thanks… for dinner. And, um… for paying.”

He gave me that small, tired smile again. “Don’t mention it. Just don’t go lactose-crazy on me next time.”

I groaned. “You too?”

He chuckled softly, and Rin laughed so hard she nearly stumbled.

Then we all went our separate ways, three silhouettes fading into the glow of Lysithea’s streets, each of us carrying our own weight of thoughts and worries.

For once, there were no explosions, no drones, no alarms, just the sound of a city breathing beneath its neon skin.
Quiet. Heavy. Waiting.

And deep down, I knew this was only the calm before whatever came next.