Before the End of Night

Shirou immediately recognized the uninvited guest. His boss hurried him inside, rambling on about how “lucky” he was to even come across with this job.

The man stood in the VIP lounge with his back toward them, looking out at the setting sun through floor-to-ceiling windows. He was taller than Shirou expected and wore an expensive velvet shirt and long black trenchcoat. Although he profiled as a rather handsome man, for some odd reason, he wore a pair of shades indoors. In the dim light, it was impossible to read his expression. Shirou’s mind drifted back to a few days ago. He was at the port when he ran into this stranger, who was disembarking from one of the ships. The shades perched on his face, and the fascinating stories he shared about the outside world, were seared into Shirou’s memory.

“Do you plan to take a trip?” The man asked as they parted ways.

“Not yet.” At the time, Shirou assumed the man was just another tourist. He felt a rush of pleasure from the humid ocean breeze and the visitor’s surprising frankness, “But one day, I’m getting out of here.”

The boss dutifully greeted them. “Sorry to keep you waiting, sir!” After hearing your request, I brought you Shirou as quickly as I could! He’s the best delivery man we have! You don’t have to worry one bit about your package being robbed. The only thing is you may be concerned about his trustworthiness because of his background...”

The man tilted his head as if considering this statement. Shirou could feel the man’s eyes settle on him through his shades. It was the same scrutinizing look Shirou was used to getting. Just like everyone else out there... No biggie. But then he grinned.

“Mr. Schiffer, I think you’re worrying too much. I recognize this deliveryman. Just a week ago, he got back my stolen wallet at the port. He showed a remarkable sense of responsibility and justice.”

“Oh? Is that so? How about that...”

“Shirou, we meet again.” The man greeted him, “I’ve been to the port twice since, but I didn’t see you. I remember you said you often go there to watch the ocean—”

Shirou regretted being so honest. He forced a weak smile but was quickly interrupted by his boss.

“But sir...,” Mr. Schiffer interrupted, “his last name is García.”

García used to be a hero’s surname. Shirou remembered those days fondly. For almost a hundred years, Griza was in a constant state of conflict. The city’s gangs were constantly launching attacks in an effort to wipe each other out. At the time, his father was a famous arbiter whose mere appearance could stop gang members in their tracks. Even during the Great Collapse, it was his father who saved Griza from erupting into an all-out war. However, his father was then accused of smuggling and betrayal of Griza secrets. No one knew how the rumor started until all believed it, and very soon, Shirou’s father died a mysterious death.

From that point on, everything changed. The trust the García family had carefully built within the city morphed into endless torrents of hatred. Whenever they walked outside, the Garcías were greeted with angry glares, spiteful comments, and even physical confrontations. Neighbors who once viewed Shirou’s father as their savior now threw garbage at him. All of a sudden, life in Griza turned into a hideous nightmare that Shirou couldn’t wake up from.

Back in the room, the man murmured and scratched his head. “My last name is Oliveira.” He extended his hand to Shirou. “Is it something you do around here to announce your last name? How strange! Is there anything else I need to know? If not, let’s talk in private. Don’t worry, my job won’t take up too much of your time.”

Shirou took Mr. Oliveira’s extended hand and gave it two symbolic shakes. “Thank you.” He flashed a smile, “But I don’t have any spare time these days.”

“Shirou!” His boss yelled, “My apologies! What he means is, if the price is fair, he will carefully consider it...”

Shirou took a step back, and then another. The setting sun lent a warm, golden hue to his face, displaying the wound on his nose and the stray strands of hair sticking up on the back of his head.

“Please excuse me.” With a heartfelt note in his voice, he continued, “If there’s nothing else, I have to run. I have another appointment today.”

Mr. Oliveira didn’t reveal the slightest hint of displeasure. “That’s a shame.” As he spoke, he fished out a business card and took a big step forward. Shirou suppressed the feeling of wanting to hide and watched as the man tucked the business card into his pocket. “If you change your mind, feel free to come see me.” He patted Shirou’s shoulder affectionately and whispered softly, “I’ll make your dreams come true.”

Mr. Oliveira’s a strange man, Shirou thought. He bypassed the company’s formal procedures and was willing to pay a huge sum to find someone to personally “run an errand.” But Shirou had been countless times before, and nine times out of ten, there was some hidden reason. In Griza, you had to constantly adapt to the rules that were implied. No one would interfere with anyone’s business as long as no line was crossed.

Shirou’s social circle was relatively small. His mother soon fell ill after his father’s death, leaving just him and his little brother behind. However, the two brothers weren’t very close. Tatsuya was an obedient child when he was small. Still, later he found himself isolated by his peers because of his father. He gradually became withdrawn and irritable and started hanging out with street gangs. When his mother died, he didn’t even go to the funeral.

Tatsuya wasn’t the only one facing the difficulties. But as the only grown man of the household, Shirou had been hiding his feelings and putting his family’s needs first. It turned out that no matter how formidable his kung fu was or how sincere his pleas were, they were powerless in the face of people’s cold eyes. Over the years, only a handful of people were willing to befriend him. Fortunately, better than none at all.

Shirou rode his scooter under the warm glow of an early summer sunset. He bought a bouquet of roses from a roadside store, then pivoted into a block and stopped in front of a small double-story building where a long-haired cat was dozing on the second-floor balcony.

Holding the bouquet in his mouth, Shirou jumped off his scooter and rang the doorbell. His heart thumped in his chest from the long ride. As he checked his appearance in the reflection of the window, he was disappointed by the sunburned cheeks because of the long ride.

There was no answer. He was five minutes early. The cat on the second floor was woken up by the bell and meowed loudly in discontent. Shirou cocked his head and made a face at the cat. He walked over to the right side of the steps and sat down.

Sherry never broke her promises... She must have been delayed. Shirou leaned his head on the railing and thought, watching the clouds drift westwards in the sky. The snow-capped mountains in the distance were being enveloped by the evening sun. Soon they would boil over, leaving only a pale white outline.

He’d known Sherry for as long as he could remember. As his neighbor and classmate, she was the only friend who defended him after his father passed. Four years ago, Shirou gave up his dream of higher education to ease the economic burden. He went to work on the streets, taking on whatever jobs he could find. Meanwhile, Sherry continued school at City College in law.

The warm, balmy wind felt pleasant on his skin. Suddenly, Shirou found himself dazed by the image of a tall girl with dark skin, black hair, and deep blue eyes standing in front of him with a soft smile on her face.

“I thought you weren’t coming.” He blurted out, feeling a little embarrassed. “Happy Graduation Day,” he stammered.

“If I hadn’t come, would you have waited for me?” Asked the girl.

He nodded without hesitation, “Of course.”

Sherry stared at him for a long time. “You’re lying. Your family is all liars.”

“No! Not at all! I’m telling the truth,” he said in a panic, “I wanted to see you. I want to stand by your side without feeling any shame.”

Sherry frowned, her pretty blue eyes filled with sadness. “Still, you are a García.”

Seeing Sherry’s pained expression felt like twisting a knife in his heart. “Don’t be sad, Sherry. I’m saving up money... in fact, I almost have enough saved for a ticket to leave. When the time comes, I’ll leave this city and go to a place where no one knows the name García. I’ll work my ass off to be successful and famous. Then will you accept me?”

Sherry’s face blurred together with the embers of the setting sun. Shirou could vaguely make out a buzzing sound. Suddenly, Sherry looked up with a smile. “Sure.” Her gentle eyes instantly transformed into a cat-like mischievous gaze. Under the eerie light, she reached out without warning to grab Shirou.

Shirou’s forehead hit the floor hard with a “thud.” He jumped back up, shrouded in the darkness of the night, the dark blue sky sparsely lit by the distant stars. Sherry’s cat purred and leaped away from him. It was just a dream. Shirou’s heart beat wildly as a string of emotions stirred in him. The first loss and then a sense of gladness that the calamity wasn’t real. Thank god it was just a dream.

The building in front of him was pitch dark, his bouquet of roses torn apart by the cat. The only remaining rose swayed pitifully in the night breeze. Another buzz came from his pocket. As he lifted his hand, a thorn sank deep into his palm with a throbbing sting. Sherry’s name flashed across the screen of his phone. He took a deep breath.

“Hi Sherry, are you okay?” The hoarse and urgent sound of his voice betrayed him. “I was right outside your door, but you never came back. Um... I don’t mean to rush you; I was just a little worried. Did something happen?”

The other side remained silent for a second. “Shirou. I’m fine.” She began to speak in a more soothing tone. “Listen... I’m at the Warder’s Guild. Do you think you can come here?”

The Warder’s Guild was a law enforcement agency set up by the gang alliance. Their motto was “in gunfire we trust.” They were responsible for maintaining law and order in the city and had unquestioned authority to make arrests and hand out punishments, just like the “police” in other areas.

Shirou straightened his back and immediately replied: “Of course I can. Do you need me to gather some others to help?”

“No, there’s no need.” Sherry sighed, “it’s Tatsuya.”

“Oh.” Shirou froze as the cat began to lick its fur slowly and methodically next to him, purring mockingly as he glared at it. “Umm, I see. I... I’ll be right over.”

The phone hung up. He looked at the flowers again, turned, and threw them in the trash before limping to his scooter.

It had been nearly six months since Shirou saw his brother. Tatsuya usually lived on the school campus and made every effort to avoid him even when he came back home for holidays. Shirou remembered the last time they met. Tatsuya almost got expelled from school for fighting, and Shirou came to take him home from the hospital. The brothers got into a severe scrap, which ended in hurt feelings all around.

Shirou arrived at the Warder’s Guild. In the detention room, several men with cobras tattooed on their arms were playing solitaire. Not far away, Tatsuya had curled himself into a tight ball and was sleeping in the corner. For some reason, Shirou felt he had grown taller again. He would have been around the right age to have a growth spurt. Compared to his silent, gentle father, Tatsuya had more of his mother’s stubbornness. He could make out his dark eyes, thin lips, delicate features, and a few freckles sprinkled across his pale cheeks.

“Shirou!”

Sherry hurried towards him. She was followed by a young, tall boy with dazzling blond hair and a prominent nose, who was wearing a graduation gown just like hers. Shirou couldn’t help but take a second look at him. Today was supposed to be Sherry’s graduation, a day they had agreed to celebrate together a long time ago, and yes, it was supposed to be just the two of them.

“I’m so sorry.” She said softly, “He was arrested for fighting and... theft. They told him to notify a guardian, and for some reason, he gave my phone number... I came as fast as I could, but they refused to release him until a family member has arrived.”

Shirou glanced over at his brother’s back and forced a smile, “It’s me who should apologize. I’m sorry for messing up your special day.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Sherry smiled faintly, “Fortunately, Vincent was kind enough to drive me here. He was supposed to be representing all of the students on stage.”

Shirou stiffened and looked up at the boy again, “Thank you, Vincent.”

“It was nothing.” Vincent looked him up and down and pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, “It’s just a shame. For some reason, she was willing to give up her own graduation ceremony for a García.”

“Vincent!” Sherry glared at him, “This isn’t about you... You should consider other people’s feelings.”

“If Mr. García had considered others or even had a little compassion...”

“Are you done?”

“You’re right,” Shirou spoke up suddenly. Looking at them calmly, he carried on, “He was a scumbag. Can you let me through now? I have to fill in the paperwork to get my brother out.”

By the time he led Tatsuya outside, both Sherry and Vincent had disappeared. Shirou glanced down at his phone again. A notification had just popped up. “7000 Coins have been transferred. You have 15 Coins remaining. Thank you for using Griza Bank’s services. Have a wonderful day.”

Shirou turned back to Tatsuya, who walked along with his head down and hands in his pockets. He kicked a stray stone alongside the road, his expression obscured by the darkness of the night.

Shirou observed the soft swirl of his hair. The arrogant look on the face of the officer handling the paperwork came into view again. “Theft, assault, fraud,” he said with a sarcastic smile, “tomorrow’s shining star, huh? The García’s never a disappointment. He’s not the main culprit, and not 15 yet. You can take him back after you pay the bail.”

He shook his head, banishing the garbled thoughts from his mind. He focused on the breathtaking night scene in front of him and pulled himself together. “Come on, I’ll take you to dinner.”

Tatsuya, who hadn’t looked him in the eye since being released from confinement, replied stiffly, “No, I’m not hungry.”

“Tatsuya, I think we should have a good, long talk. You...”

“I’ve got nothing to say.” Tatsuya shook off his hand as if he’d been burned. “What are you trying to say? Did I disappoint you?

I’m a García, after all. Why is any of this a surprise?”

“Hey! That’s not what I meant. Calm down, okay?”

“Forget it. I knew what you were going to say as soon as I saw your face.” Tatsuya sneered, an emotional barrier firmly erected between them. “Whether it’s you or Mom, it’s always the same hypocritical nonsense. Pop was a criminal. Now we have to carry this disgraceful family name wherever we go. Still, Mom wouldn’t even let us talk about it. She believed his lies all the way to the grave. And what about you? Why do you keep playing the part of a caring brother? I know you’re planning to leave here. Deep down inside, you can’t wait to get rid of me, right?”

Tatsuya glared at him. His eyes reminded Shirou of his mother. A glimmer of light surrounded by darkness, full of anger, disappointment, and a hint of unfathomable sadness. It felt like a vicious slap in the face.

“How did you know? Who told you?”

“Who do you think receives all your letters when you’re not home?” Tatsuya sneered, “Next time, remember to find an agent who knows what a confidentiality agreement is; they’ve even sent door-to-door ads.”

For the average resident, leaving Griza costs a heck lot. Aside from the cost of transport tickets, it also requires extra money to get through customs and pass the complicated credentials inspection process. Later, some underground agents emerged who leveraged their contacts to provide a full range of specialized services.

“It’s not like that.” Shirou said, “Listen, I’m not planning to leave right now. I’d wait until after you enter college, at least.”

“Who cares? I don’t want to hold you back.” Tatsuya took a few more steps back and said coldly, “If it were me, I’d want to leave, too. This place sucks. What’s the point of staying? Don’t worry, I can live without you.”

He turned his head and left. For some inexplicable reason, Shirou didn’t try to stop him. By the time he snapped back to reality, Tatsuya was long gone. Giant, ever-changing holographic advertisements floated between towering buildings as traffic wove across the elevated bridges overhead. Shirou slowly crouched down. The large roadside screen played various mundane ads: a bizarre coffee-milk shower gel; Horizon’s latest mechanical prosthesis, the lightest and most convenient version yet; and the new chief executive’s election night victory speech... Shirou tilted his head and watched as the man spoke eloquently.

He closed his eyes, imagining he was standing on a ship leaving the port. White northern gannets flapped their wings as they soared among the clouds, and the sails rustled in the wind.

Everything was dark. Shirou had no idea for how long it had been like this. His martial arts instincts kicked in that someone was approaching. The person crept up behind him and tapped his shoulder.

Without thinking, he quickly reached out and grabbed his opponent’s wrist, intending to throw them over his shoulder, until he heard a familiar cry of pain: “Shirou!”

Startled, Shirou immediately let go of the hand and opened his eyes. “Sherry?” The dark-haired woman in front of him rubbed her red wrists as he apologized incoherently. “I thought you’d left.”

“I shouldn’t have snuck up on you.” Sticking out her tongue, she said playfully, “You used to say, ‘Never sneak up on a martial arts master’, right?”

Shirou also used to be a troubled youth. He grew up learning karate and aikido with his mother. By the time he reached elementary school, he was already a formidable fighter. The delinquent youth gangs on the streets parted ways whenever they saw him.

Shirou felt his cheeks burning: “Where’s Vincent?”

“I told him to go back first.” Sherry continued, “Shirou, I’m so sorry for what happened earlier. Vincent is an idiot, but he means no harm. He had an uncle who died in that accident a decade ago because of you know what; that’s why he reacted so badly. You know, it’s just...”

It was in that disaster that your father instigated. Shirou nodded, “I understand.” He rubbed his face and wearily flashed a smile, “I’m not angry. It’s something I’m used to.”

Sherry turned her head and simply looked at him for a while. He sensed the emotion brewing in those blue eyes of hers. “You shouldn’t get used to it.” She suddenly said, “It’s not fair.”

Shirou was taken aback by the anger in her tone. He looked up and watched as Sherry pulled a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“Listen, Shirou. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I know what kind of place Griza is. Violence is celebrated, the law ignored, and gang wars and assassinations all the time. The weak are devoured by the strong. Whoever sets the rules governs us. They don’t care what kind of person you really are or what you’ve actually done.”

“I want to get out of here and leave right after I graduate. I want to go to a place where humans don’t have to live like animals, where I can truly use the things I’ve learned for good.” She continued, “Maybe I’ll go to New Dawn or La Luna.”

Shirou listened to her in awe, the colorful flickering light casting a soft glow on her hair. It was quiet all around them. He could hear the gentle sound of branches and leaves rustling in the wind and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat pounding.

“What I’m trying to say is... Do you want to go with me?”

The southern part of Griza was always the most chaotic area. When Shirou arrived at the White Whale Gang’s warehouse, it was late afternoon, and the overcast sky had finally given way to a downpour.

Two days ago, Shirou pulled the business card out of his wastebasket and dialed Mr. Oliveira on a whim. However, the enthusiasm on the other end of the line blew away his expectations. “Oh my, Mr. García. I’ve been waiting a long time for your call!” The man spoke with an exuberant voice, “I knew you’d come around. What? No, of course not. I’d only offer this kind of opportunity to the best person for the job.

Mr. Oliveira was an unknown quantity and didn’t seem trustworthy. Under normal circumstances, Shirou would never let himself get involved with such questionable characters, but he now had no choice.

Mr. Oliveira was generous with the pay, and Shirou needed funds urgently. This one errand could earn him a one-way ticket out of the country. All it required was a “special” visit to the White Whale Gang while going along his daily route. Those door guards wouldn’t pay much attention to a deliveryman.

This day was the anniversary of Griza’s founding. A brand new clock tower had just been completed, and a crowd of people was flocking to the city center to watch the unveiling ceremony. The rest of the city seemed much quieter than usual. He followed Mr. Oliveira’s instructions and carefully searched every one of the White Whale Gang’s warehouses. However, he found nothing more than crates of lumber, sweet oranges, frozen fish, and rubber products.

Shirou soon lost patience. As he swung open the door of one container, he asked, “Why would you be interested in a small fry like the White Whale Gang?”

“Well, that’s a good question.” In the headset, Oliveira’s voice flowed out leisurely. “Recently, their inbound records seem highly abnormal. Isn’t it a little strange for such a small group to have a monthly balance similar to a behemoth like Horizon?”

“It is strange... how do you know that?”

“Our friends have hackers who know their way around a network.”

Shirou decided to try a different tack. “I didn’t know you were concerned about the integrity of an enterprise.” He paused to point out, “Do you think you can give me a hint, so I can actually find something around here?”

“A few months ago, my boss lost something in Griza.” Oliveira spoke slowly, “It was nearly ten tons of H6. The people above me are panicking, so I was called in to put out the fire.”

“What did you say?” Shirou froze, certain that he’d misheard Oliveira. “You mean H6 the explosive?”

“Oh. Did I say that out loud? Well, please excuse me. Remember to keep that between us. If that information was leaked, my boss would kill both of us.”

Shirou was speechless. For a moment he couldn’t tell if Mr. Oliveira was being serious: “Ten tons of H6, that means...”

“If you set if off in the center of Griza, you could vaporize the entire city.” Oliveira paused while making some serious calculations. “I don’t think the person who stole it could be that desperate, right?”

The tone in his voice gave Shirou the urge to drag him out through the phone and beat him senseless. Is he crazy? Shirou felt a wave of confusion wash over him. “Have you reported it? You should notify the Warders ASAP...”

“It’s pointless.” Oliveira spoke calmly, “I only just arrived in this city, but I quickly realized that no one here cares about how to solve problems. All they think about is how to take advantage of the chaos for their own benefit.”

“Then why...”

“Why tell you? Because I have to rely on you to help me with this matter. Shirou, you’re not like anyone else I’ve met here. How can I put it... It’s something I’ve missed, like a familiar scent that vanished long ago.”

“You and I?” Shirou almost laughed out loud — it sounded ridiculous. Oliveira continued, “I’m in a difficult position. There’s no way to make this public, but Mambas can’t trust any other factions. You’re the exception. You’ve been ostracized by the entire city and left without a single friend. I asked for your help in the hope that you’d be less suspicious than those talkative gang members.”

“Personally, I’m willing to take the risk because I trust you. Even if your last name is García, you’re not going to spill your guts on this.” This sentence managed to silence Shirou. “If you have no more questions, shall we continue?”

Shirou hurriedly checked the rest of the areas, even the toilets, but still, nothing came up. Maybe Mr. Oliveira was wrong, or perhaps he shouldn’t have listened to a madman’s nonsense in the first place.

He slipped out of the White Whale Gang’s facility through the back door. The rain was falling heavily outside. He noticed a circle of people gathered nearby, surrounding some random person in the middle of what appeared to be an inter-gang brawl.

“Go around.” Mr. Oliveira spoke into the headset, “Don’t draw too much attention to yourself. This isn’t the time to play the hero.”

Shirou pressed down on the brim of his hat and tried to slip silently behind the group of thugs.

The gang leader’s hair was dyed blond, his arms covered in full sleeve tattoos. His shredded muscles burst out from under his black undershirt. As he crouched down to take a look at the unlucky man who was beaten and bruised, the onlookers let out a roar of laughter.

“Look at this García kid, you guys. His life is hanging by a thread, and all he can think about is his money!”

Tatsuya struggled to get up and slowly wiped his bloody nose. “I told you before. That was the last time I help you guys.” He raised his head without flinching. “As long as you give back my bail money, we won’t owe each other anymore.”

“Bail money?” Didn’t that dumbass brother of yours get you out? Why do you care so much about it?”

“This has nothing to do with him!” Tatsuya growled like a wounded beast. “This is between us. Leave him out of it.”

The gang leader kicked Tatsuya, and his thin body slumped backward. Not satisfied, he quickly stepped forward to grab the boy’s hair, intent on teaching the arrogant child a painful lesson. “You should learn how to talk to us—” but his fist was held back before he could lay a blow. Someone had grabbed his wrist from behind, making it impossible for him to move. As he turned around, a vicious punch made contact with his nose. His body fell backward and hit the side of a parked truck.

The other person closest to Tatsuya was in shock. Shirou grabbed him by the shoulder and flipped the man in the air before slamming him face down into the ground.

“Sorry, Mr. Oliveira,” Shirou murmured, glancing behind him at his dumbfounded brother. Bowing slightly, he held his fists to the side of his face in the standard martial arts defensive stance and said to himself, “First thing first.”

The thugs finally snapped back to their senses and lunged at him angrily. Shirou’s muscle memory instantly recalled his past training. He hadn’t been in a severe fight in a long time, and his blood began to boil with rage. Duck, evade, advance, strike! The joints in his hands popped and clicked as they connected with flesh. Shirou controlled his breathing and found the perfect opening to attack in between the swarm of oncoming opponents.

Soon, the rabble-rousers were easily dismantled. Shirou calmed his breathing and looked at the floor covered with bodies. Suddenly he felt uneasy: “Did I screw up?”

“Not bad at all.” Oliveira finally spoke up, not at all annoyed by Shirou’s impulsiveness. “Still, considering the commotion you just made, I suggest you don’t stay long.”

“Who are you talking to?” Tatsuya stared at him blankly. His face was severely swollen, and blood trickled down his face, mingling together with the rain. “Why are you here?”

“It’s a long story. I’m working...” Shirou wanted to go and give his brother a hand, but as he took a step forward, Tatsuya took a step back. All he could do was looking around for something to ease the tension. Finally, his eyes fell on the van in front. Its side was covered with a corny advertisement of a building standing against a blue sky. It read, “White Whale Realty, at your service.”

He stared at the faded image for a while. Suddenly a thought flashed through his mind, and he spoke up. “Mr. Oliveira, I remember something.”

After the Great Collapse, most of Griza’s gangs were reorganized into formal organizations that operated in the open. Together they formed a union to make big decisions. The White Whale Gang had a number of construction companies under its name, which mainly took on new construction projects and demolition work, like the clock tower that’s being unveiled today in the city center.

“You mean, they may have already moved the stuff?”

“It’s pretty common to use explosives to demolish buildings. No one would be the slightest bit suspicious of them hoarding explosives. I saw one of their cars near where I live two days ago...” He lowered his head in an effort to remember. In the corner of his eye, Shirou caught one of the thugs getting up and attempting to sneak away while he wasn’t looking.

After catching him, the man immediately screamed: “It’s got nothing to do with me, goddammit! I just follow orders from the boss... I didn’t do anything!”

Shirou twisted the man’s arm harder, “Who do you think I am?”

The man shouted in pain, “Aren’t you an investigator from the Warders?” Tears welled up in his eyes. “I said many times this was a step too far... But those poor bastards refused to move. The boss said we’d just blow up one or two empty buildings just to give them a scare...”

Shirou’s mind hummed as he strung all the clues together. “I heard about those disputes on the news. Many parts of the city were going to be rebuilt and the White Whale Gang was put in charge of the project. But many of the locals refused to leave... It sounds like they were planning to use some special tricks to make the people disappear. Mr. Oliveira—”

“Yes, I heard you.” Mr. Oliveira’s voice grew hushed. “Ask him where the explosives are being placed.”

“I don’t know.” The man opened his mouth in bewilderment, “There were so many cars... Only the boss knows where they went.”

“When?”

“Huh?”

“When do you plan to detonate the explosives?”

“Ouch, ouch, ouch! Stop twisting. I’ll talk!” the man wailed. “Today. It’s happening today. With the celebration going on in the city, no one will notice anything else going on. Our boss said it’s the perfect opportunity...”

Those poor people had no choice but to stay put in their homes and now they’re going to be blown to bits.

Shirou’s face went pale. He let go of the thug’s hand. He then took advantage of the distraction and fled in an instant.

“I understand now.” Mr. Oliveira added, “Good job, Shirou. Your assignment ends here. Your payment will be credited to your account. Now, get Tatsuya out of there.”

“Mr. Oliveira, what are you going to do?”

Oliveira smiled bitterly: “I’ll have to talk with my boss first. After all, this isn’t my call. But this is a Level 1 emergency. I’ll do what I can.”

Without any warning, the signal suddenly went dead. Shirou tilted his head and stared blankly at the overcast sky. All of a sudden, his legs carried him over to a nearby wall where several motorcycles were parked.

He skillfully picked the lock, tinkered with the engine for a bit, and got on the motorbike. “Tatsuya, can you get back by yourself?” He turned the throttle, and the engine let out a roar, “I have to try something.” Shirou felt a tug on the corner of his shirt. Lowering his head, he was met by Tatsuya’s startled face. As he slowly pulled back his hand, their eyes met, and a surge of warmth welled up in Shirou’s heart. He patted his brother’s head gently. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

Thanks to his excellent sense of direction, Shirou quickly arrived outside City Hall. However, just as he expected, he was stopped outside the entrance.

“No chance, buddy.”

“Come on,” Shirou pleaded in a hushed voice, “I have something really important to inform the Warders Guild about.”

“They are very busy. If anyone could just show up and have a meeting with the Warder Chief, he wouldn’t even have time to sleep.” The guard looked him up and down, his eyes glowing with contempt. “What could someone like you have that’s so important? Get out of here.”

“Can’t you make an exception?”

“No way.” The guard raised his hand impatiently to shoo him away, but before he could lower it, Shirou snapped his hand in a lightning-like grip. In an instant, the security guard’s entire body was swept off the ground—

Shirou threw him over his shoulder into another guard and stormed into the building without looking back.

The building had barely changed from when his father used to bring him as a child. Back then, everyone treated them with great respect, and the old-timers would sneak him candies when his father wasn’t looking.

“There’s an intruder!” The guard who was finally back on his feet yelled behind him into the radio, “Get him!”

The alarm rang louder and louder, overlapping with the chaotic clatter of footsteps. Countless guards continued to pour in, desperately trying to catch Shirou, who found ways to evade the crowd of bodies despite the confusion around him.

The Warder Chief’s office was on the top floor. Shirou shook off the last remaining guards and got in the elevator. However, before he could reach the next floor, the doors were pried open overhead. He had no choice but to burst through the elevator ceiling and climb up the shaft, leaving the guards waiting at every entrance in the dust. The guards searched frantically through the entire building for a long time, before finally cornering Shirou in the last stairwell.

Shirou looked at the heavily armed guards in front of him and began to regret his impulsiveness — should he really go through with this? Would he be treated like a thug, just like his father? His breathing grew sharper. Suddenly, at that moment, a voice shouted out, “Stop.” Shirou noticed the man in front of him hesitate and he looked up.

“What did you want to see me about, friend?”

Shirou looked up at the man standing on the stairs in a fresh-pressed suit and cleared his throat. He recognized the man. He recognized the man. Originally, he’d been involved in his father’s controversy, but later on he became one of the most popular politicians in Griza. Now, with the unanimous approval of the gangs, he was the “representative” of this fair city. “Yes, I have something very important that I have to tell you in person.” He bowed his head, “I’m sorry it had to be in this way.”

“No, it is our duty to listen to the voice of the public.” He smiled as he looked over Shirou. The guards who had been so aggressive and unreasonable retreated. “Come on up.”

In his mind, Shirou envisioned all sorts of possibilities, but after he was politely brought into the office and sat down on an expensive, soft leather couch, his doubts quickly dissipated. This man was humble and courteous, a person in power who was trustworthy and a far cry from his father... He suppressed the disappointment he felt in his heart.

After Shirou gave a clear account of what happened, the Warders Chief stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, deep in thought.

“Mr. Mark?”

“It seems like a grim state of affairs... if what you’re saying is true.” The Warders Chief slowly turned back; half of his face was obscured by the light. “Shirou, that’s your name, right? Did you mention this to anyone else?”

Mr. Oliveira’s smiling face clad with sunglasses appeared in his mind’s eye, but he firmly shook his head.

“Good.” The Warders Chief smiled, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this.”

Shirou breathed a sigh of relief. He felt a hint of guilt for having betrayed a friend, but after all, Mambas was still just another faction vying for power. When it came to the lives of Griza’s citizens, he couldn’t fully trust Mr. Oliveira to take the responsibility. “Well, I’ll be on my way then...”

Mr. Mark nodded at him in agreement. Shirou stood up and walked toward the door. However, his habits honed from years of practicing martial arts helped him catch a glimpse of the Warders Chief’s movements. He pulled open the drawer and took something out of it—

“Pew!”

Shirou veered his head in time for the silencer’s bullet to graze his ear and leave a clear hole in the powder-white wall.

Griza’s new Warders Chief held a pistol in his right hand while wearing the same courteous smile on his face. “I remember you, Shirou García.” He pointed his pistol at Shirou and walked up to him leisurely. “Another ill-informed García... “

He pulled the trigger again, but Shirou hastily dodged the bullet while pulling down a bookcase to create a barrier between them. The Warders Chief’s honorary awards, medals, and photos noisily crashed to the floor.

“Just like your stupid father.”

Shirou hid behind the bookcase, his heart pounding. “Do you still remember him?”

“Who in this city doesn’t.” The Warders Chief continued, “A decade ago, he had to come and spoil my plans, and now it’s his son’s turn.”

“Your plans... So you knew about this from the very beginning?”

The Warders Chief erupted into laughter and fired several shots in the vicinity of where Shirou was hiding. Shirou had no choice but to crouch lower as the bullet shells clattered to the ground in front of his eyes.

“Your stupidity amazes me. There are rare mineral deposits buried under this city with a market value ten times more valuable than gold. These resources will be crucial for our experiments. But aside from their ignorance, the citizens of this city allowed that human garbage to occupy these valuable mining sites. Since they’re not willing to move peacefully, we have no choice but to operate on those cancerous tumors.”

The coldness in his tone sent shivers down Shirou’s spine. He softly whispered, “You’re committing murder.”

“I prefer to call it optimization. Just imagine how humanity could change if Horizon gained access to these resources.” The Warders Chief slowly and methodically loaded his magazine, “Of course, I’m sure you can’t understand. After all, you’re a García. A long time ago, I became familiar with your father’s pedantic mind. His indiscriminate sympathy...”

Shirou suddenly leaped out from his hiding place. The Warders Chief hastily swung his pistol, but Shirou didn’t flinch. He took a bullet to the left shoulder and pounced on Mr. Mark.

Shirou suddenly leapt out from his hiding place. The man hastily swung his pistol, but Shirou didn’t flinch. He took a bullet to the left shoulder and pounced on the Warders Chief.

“Yes, he was innocent. There couldn’t be a more goddamn innocent and kindhearted man in the world.” The Warders Chief grinned as blood continued to gush out of his nose. His expression grew ghastly and hideous, “Go ahead and spread the word. Let the truth be known to the world. Do you really think those people outside will believe you after all this time?”

Shirou was stunned. The Warders Chief seized on this opportunity and suddenly raised his left hand. Shirou tried to move out of the way, but his face was surrounded in a puff of smoke. His eyes burned and stung, and he felt as if a heavy hammer had hit his chest, knocking all the air out of his lungs. His strength rapidly began to drain from his body. He let go and fell to one side, convulsing.

The Warders Chief got up unevenly and kicked Shirou with all of his rages. He stumbled forward a few paces to pick up the pistol.

“Let me teach you a lesson courtesy of your deadbeat old man.” He pointed the pistol at Shirou, placing the muzzle on his heart, and smiled, “In this world, right and wrong are insignificant. You can tell people the truth, but they won’t accept it. They’ll refuse to admit they did something wrong and slandered a good man’s name. It’s enough to make people think they can control their own destiny. The elite will use them to their greatest advantage to maintain their grasp on society. This is the only way human civilization can truly progress.”

A gunshot rang out.

Shirou watched Mr. Mark body fall to the ground. Tatsuya stood behind him, gasping for air, his hands shaking so hard he could barely hold the gun.

“How did you get up here?” The two brothers looked at each other for a long time before Shirou finally squeezed out the words, “Didn’t I tell you to go home?”

Tatsuya pulled a device out of his pocket and tossed it to Shirou. “I stole your phone.” He staggered forward, and Shirou caught him before he fell. Tatsuya lifted his head in his brother’s arms and spoke weakly, “I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I could tell by the look on your face you might make a mess... so I called for help.”

Suddenly, he heard the hum of propellers. Shirou looked up to see a helicopter hovering outside the window, its propellers roaring as they sheared through the glass pane. Shirou had to raise his hands to protect himself from the strong gust of wind. The door of the cabin opened and Mr. Oliveira appeared in front of them. For the first time, Shirou felt that his sunglasses fit the moment.

“To be honest, I feel a little hurt that you betrayed my trust.” He spread his hands wide, “But I have to admit it was the most effective way.

Shirou looked at the battered doorway. No other guards had broken in, and it looked like the Mambas had cleaned up the mess. Still, he didn’t feel any relief. A torrent of words erupted in his heart, like scathing lava desperate for a release, “You see? They were lying.” He opened his mouth and was met by the sound of heavy breathing, “I’m not the son of a criminal.”

Tatsuya took his arm and pressed the hot palm against his skin, until Shirou’s trembling slowly subsided. In a flash, all of the rage he felt was carried away and replaced by deafening silence.

Mr. Oliveira took off his shades and reached out his hand. As for why the Mambas attacked City Hall in broad daylight, an explanation will have to wait until tomorrow. Shirou, are you ready to get out of here?”

Shirou glanced over at his brother, who nodded back at him. The two brothers held each other up and walked towards the fragmented light.

The departure day was at dusk. The giant ocean liner leaned against the harbor as crowds bustled in its shadow. For Griza it was another sweltering summer. From then on the days would be longer than the nights and the dry season had driven away the endless storm clouds of the previous few months.

The García brothers sat in a cafe on the beach, looking out over the pier from afar. A newspaper sat on the table beside them, a few dark rings already left on it by their coffee cups. The news on the front page read that the Mambas and Horizon had reconciled after an armed conflict a few days ago. The Mambas had paid a large fine for flying a helicopter into City Hall, but the new chief was forced to resign in disgrace after being unable to deflect many uncomfortable questions.

“Are you sure about this?” Tatsuya had a band-aid across his cheek and his left eye was still half-swollen. “She’s been waiting for you all day.”

“I know. I left her a letter.” Shirou, who also had a bandage across the bridge of his nose, whispered, still unable to keep his eyes off the girl in the distance. “I’m staying, Tatsuya. I’m not doing this just for you... It’s my own decision.”

“What the heck! When did this become about me?” Tatsuya’s face turned bright red, “That’s what annoys me the most. Always trying to play the hero.”

“No, I never really wanted to be a hero.”

“Oh? And who almost lost their life in City Hall?” Tatsuya rolled his eyes at Shirou. “The point is, what did any of it have to do with you? Didn’t you already have enough money to walk away?”

“I don’t know... Back then, I just felt that I couldn’t leave it like that.” Shirou continued, “Pops didn’t give up on the city, and I won’t give up on it either. You and I still have a lot to figure out, don’t we?”

Tatsuya grunted, “That’s one way to put it.” Shirou felt something stuffed into his hand. He lowered his head, his eyes widening in surprise.

“This is...”

“A little support from that Oliveira. I’d hate to owe you anything.” Tatsuya coughed and shot a glare at him, “You’re not going down there? This is your last chance to say goodbye.”

The ocean liner’s whistle sounded, and the tide of people on the pier roared into motion as if a wave had crashed onto the shore. Sherry was reluctantly persuaded by the attendant to pick up her luggage and head for the gangway. Vincent followed her as they trudged through the heaving crowd when suddenly something bumped into her shoulder. A man quickly leaned down, picked up her luggage, and placed it back in her hands. His face was hidden by a hood, but Sherry somehow felt he looked familiar. It was as if a gust of wind had passed in front of her.

“Wait...” she shouted sharply, but it was only a moment before the man dissolved into the sea of people and disappeared.

Sherry lowered her head. There was something else in her hand, wrapped in kraft paper. She slowly unrolled the paper as if she knew what to expect.

Inside was a bouquet of roses in full bloom. Neither the evening sunlight running unbridled across the sky nor the flickering flames of the ocean liner’s furnace could rival their magnificence at that moment.

She jerked her head up. Before her eyes, Griza was nestled like a beast in the embers of dusk. Lights flickered on one by one until the whole city gradually became illuminated.

THE END