Episode 19

Tokiya's POV

(Am I really changing my emotions towards them...? I certainly don't mind Haruka as much as I did the first time we met... Maybe, I should just accept the reality that we both are chosen to be partners. Heh, who am I kidding...? I should get over the fact that in the end, they all care about me, and all the times I've said I don't really need them, I actually do. I really have changed...)

All these thoughts swirled through my mind. I was just sitting there, lost in my own thoughts until a familiar voice that I knew very well brought me back to reality.

"Tokiya, Tokiya! Since I'm back from the challenge now, we could finally get back to our day off. Care for a, uh... Sun shaped sandwich with some sort of red meat filling...? I don't really know the name but it's so good!"

It was Haruka, who was standing right in front of me with two unknown sandwiches in her grasp.

"Momoi bought snacks, remember?"

"Oh, umm, sure." I accepted the peculiar-looking snack from her hand.

"What happened to you? You seemed lost in your own world or something." She asked as she slowly sat down beside me on the bench.

"It was nothing..."

"Oh come on, you don't usually space out like that. You know, even though we've been partners for quite a while now, you're still a total mystery to me. I honestly don't know much about you and neither do you about me, right?"

"Why should I bother? It's not like we're stuck in here permanently, we are soon going to escape this place and forget about all that happened during this time. If we do actually manage to get out of here, we'll be complete strangers to each other again..."

"I know, I know, but... I want to make the most out of this situation we're in. And I mean, think about all the other partners we've met like Momoi and Nagi or Asumi and Yamato. I was just thinking that it's about time we start getting along too, don't you think? I mean, you are super annoying at times but I think that you are actually a nice guy under that rough exterior of yours."

Knowing how stubborn Haruka was, I asked, "*Sigh* You won't give up even if I say no, would you?"

"Nope!"

"I figured as much... *Sigh* Fine... It's a new, fresh start from here onwards." I agreed, a wry smile on my face which I soon hid with a serious expression.

Back to Haruka's POV

(Wait, did I just see him smile, or was that only my imagination?! And also, did he just agree to cooperate better with the whole partner thing?! Wow, I can't believe this but it makes me really happy at the same time.)

"Well, now that you've accepted, it's time I get to know more about the real Tokiya. Hmm, alright, I have a question for you! What exactly is your favorite color?"

"Black."

"I should've guessed that considering that you are dressed in black... Okay since you told you're favorite, I'll tell mine. My favorite color is purple."

"Oh, I see."

And just like that, we spend the rest of the time asking each other random questions and getting to understand each other a lot better. I was still amazed by the fact that Tokiya really changed his opinions about me and opened up for the first time. It was really nice since we actually got along and didn't bicker like usual. Maybe having him as a partner won't be such a bad thing after all?

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After a while, Momoi exited a nearby shop and approached as she began, "Hey Haruka. Nagi and I were wondering if you two are interested in taking a look around Solaire. Oh, it sure appears like you and Tokiya are having a peaceful time."

"Oh, sure. Haha, yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Well, it's great to know that you two are getting along a lot better than before. Anyway, we should go now if we don't want to get our next mission too soon."

"Okay! Come on Tokiya." I grabbed Tokiya's arm as I stood up and got ready to go.

"H-Hey...!"

We went through all the various shops and saw a ton of things that we could buy.

"Wow guys, look at this!"

"What's up?" Nagi asked as he ran up to me, Momoi and Tokiya behind him.

I showed them the small object that had grabbed my attention. It was a dainty little charm, molded beautifully in the shape of a sun. The light in the store's ceiling shone off of it, making it reflect a brilliant rainbow.

"Woah, that sure is pretty!" Nagi stared in awe.

"Yeah, why don't you buy it if you want?"

"It is cute, I guess...?"

"So, young lady, want one? It's a unique souvenir specific to the kingdom of Solaire." The clerk asked from behind the counter.

"Umm, the thing is, I don't really have the money for it, so I'll pass. But thanks anyw-" As I was giving my response, suddenly, I saw a familiar hand put a few coins on the desk.

I spun around to see who it was, finding someone I didn't expect to see.

"Tokiya...?!"

"You wanted it so here." He took the charm and placed it in my palms.

"Thanks..." I spoke with a smile.

"I didn't do something big that needs praise, you wanted it so I bought one for you. It's as simple as that." After speaking those words, he turned and headed for the exit, leaving me behind with my own thoughts.

(Tokiya, it's not something so little... The old you wouldn't have even bothered to see the charm, to begin with. Thanks a lot, that was really sweet of you.)

I smiled as I clutched the charm tightly in my palm which I held to my chest.

That's when I had realized that the others already left the store without me so I hastily ran and shouted, "Hey, guys, wait for me!"

"So, what now? There are only two hours left for our next mission. Want to stay in another hotel again?" I asked the others as I caught up to them.

"I guess, let's just go find one then." Momoi replied.

So with that, we went off to find a nearby hotel to stay in for the rest of the remaining time we had.

"I just hope that this time the owner isn't some sort of psychopathic man again!" I spoke as we continued walking, remembering Mr.Koume.

"Right! That was really somethin', wasn't it?"

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After a while, we ended up finding a hotel to stay in. It seemed decent enough and the owner was at least a sane person. We got our key card and went to the room to relax and freshen up. And that was when our second day off came to an end at last.

"We got our next mission guys!"

I read the mission aloud:

Congratulations you four, you are approaching closer to the ending of this game. The mission this time is to locate the master of Echo Order and execute him. You have three days.

Good luck.

(Echo order, what's that...? Wait, the man in that facility who trapped us! Didn't he mention that name?!)

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