Let's talk about Ro

Connecting to Device MHYN751195...

Device not found.

Still too far. The motorcycle thrums underneath me as I ride between other speeding vehicles. The X-fram3 lives up to its name, having an X-shaped frame connecting the wide front and back tires. The whole thing is matte black with neon white rims, leaving it feeling unfinished.

Unlike back at home, the roads of District 18 was much more spacious but also had more traffic going through them. With the city and cars combined, driving past so many colors is almost dizzying if not for the helmet I'm wearing. The visor has ARtec, much like most things in this city, and it assists with toning down bright lights.

Connecting to Device MHYN751195...

"-ended up picking the same song, so they decided to sing it together. Thing is, separately their voices are okay, but together, after a few drinks, it was sooo bad, like cats fighting in the middle of the night."

It connected. I hear Diana's voice but I don't see anything.

Switching to front camera.

The apartment ceiling. Gin must have put down his phone on the kotatsu table.

"Wait, aren't they the same ones who showed up wearing similar clothes?"

"Yes! They kinda had similar faces too. It's like they're siblings separated at birth or something."

"But didn't you say Ray is adopted? She never actually met her biological parents?"

".....Oh shit, that's right. You don't think...?"

That's odd. Things seem to be going well, not particularly romantic but why send the SOS? Regardless, I'm here now so might as well join in.

Disconnecting from Device MHYN751195...

I park the motorcycle by the street right outside the path leading to our home. I take off the helmet and make sure to activate the forced parking security before removing the key like Deci told me. With no one else in sight, the street turns silent. I walk through the cramped alley and knock twice on the front door.

The electronic lock beeps and the door swings open. Gin is standing right there with his hand on the knob. He's wearing the outfit we picked out earlier. Diana is sitting by the kotatsu with a thin red cardigan and a white top. She seems to have curled her hair recently as well.

"Apologies for being late Diana. A friend of mine called in a favor I owe them and I couldn't exactly say no."

"No biggie! A promise is a promise after all. Though I can't say I'm not curious as to what it was..."

Diana looks at me with a curious smile. Specifically, she's staring at my clothes, her and Gin both.

"...She wanted me to drop her off somewhere."

Then in tandem they start interrogating me.

"So you own a motorcycle?"

"No."

"So it's your friend's motorcycle."

"Yes."

"But she wanted you to drop her off, instead of riding there herself."

"...Yes. She dressed up for a... social event."

"Are you going to pick her up after this?"

"...No, someone else will take her home."

"And she just let you keep the motorcycle."

"I'm returning it tomorrow. Hey Diana, has Gin told you the story behind Ro? Let's talk about Ro. Ro is interesting."

I walk in and sit down by the kotatsu. I pick up the miniature flower at the center of the table and begin telling the tale of Ro. Soon Diana starts to get so invested in Ro's history that she starts asking questions about where to get her own... rather than questions about where I've been.

However, all throughout the conversation, despite how well he hides it, I could sense something amiss with Gin. I couldn't tell through his voice but living with him for over eight months left me no choice but to observe his habits and body language. He seems upset... and disappointed.