The night passed, and the Sun's light began to peer through the spaces between the buildings over the horizon. The next day came with a warm new morning. Felix stood in front of two women in front of the hospital as they all conversed.
"Sir." The two women spoke.
"You all did well, I'll be sure to have you properly compensated. As for Robin three, Hotaru Nishino—"
"I'm sorry about her behavior, it's just that the request came out of the blue, and she hasn't been working recently."
"Her actions were brave and commendable. I'll be sure to put the word in for her for a bonus." Felix praised her with a sad smile, as if to apologize.
The two smiled at each other, and one of them spoke jokingly, "She wanted to make the Blue Phantom proud, after all."
"I just hope that she—" He looked up to one of the windows.
"She'll be alright. She's strong, that one."
"Right. By the way, give this to her. Tell her it was from me?"
"Chips?"
"But she hates this brand."
"O-oh…" Felix mumbled out.
"But I'm sure she'll appreciate it regardless."
"You are dismissed, thank you for your efforts."
"Yes sir. It was an honor working with you, sir." They said with a slight bow and promptly left.
Natsumi walked out from the hospital doors in a hospital gown, "Look at you, being all friendly with the robins."
"We're not friends. We're strictly employer and employee."
"Is that so? Well, you sure are a nice employer."
"I was always taught that if I treated my tools well, they would work well." Felix replied mechanically, with an eerie empty smile plastered on his face.
"I see, so that's how it is. We are friends, right?"
Felix smirked slightly, "Depends if you hire me again."
"I see, well, maybe I'll pull on some strings and make you mine. Maybe Natsumi Aster wouldn't sound so bad." She playfully teased with a snicker.
"Put a few years on you first, cheeky brat." He responded in a grumpy and ice-cold tone.
Natsumi pouted at his response, "I guess I should do more research on you to pull you out of your siscon syndrome."
"I don't know what that means but there shouldn't be any record of me available…"
"Don't ever underestimate an idol!"
"I—" His expression softened, and he stopped before he could scold her. "I see… So that's how seriously you're taking this. Then, make sure you do your part when you're finally the CEO, understand? You gotta learn how to get information from people without the idol bit, someday."
With a focused gaze and a bright smile, she answered earnestly, "Of course!"
Without a hint of cheekiness to her, she expressed to him her determination. Felix smiled back.
"She was the one who hired the three thugs from the other night." She muttered, "Feels like the world's closing in."
"Because it is…" He answered.
She exhaled, then a colder, more exhausted smile, "You gave me one more reason to become the head of Obsidian someday. I saw that people like you are necessary, so that more people will be saved. More people who could protect the peace."
She said as the bullet that nearly pierced her dangled on her chest on a necklace.
"Besides, I don't want corrupt people to take over papa's company."
"Right."
The two waved to each other one more time, and as she entered the hospital building, she flashed out one last bright smile before she left Felix's sight.
As Felix left hers, however, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number. She then let out a violent coughing fit. She looked at her palm and saw blood dripping down her fingers.
She then recollected the doctor's words to her as she sat on the operations table, "Though the bullet didn't penetrate your body, the impact shattered two of your ribs, as well as ruptured both your lungs and nearly caused your heart to stop. You're going to have to post-pone your idol activities for at least six months to recover, but…"
Her eyes narrowed with frustration, but her call suddenly connected, and she placed her phone on her ear, "Hello, papa? Yes, I'm still alive… I'm sorry for worrying you like that, but I'm convinced."
She then covered her mouth as she coughed, "We could use more people like him." She wheezed, "More espers… Tell the Director he has our support."
Natsumi pulled out a bullet from her pocket, saying, "Now it's my turn to step a forward."
*
Dragged back into the chief's office, Felix sat eating seaweed snacks. Maria slouched forward, staring at a tray of sushi rolls on the table.
"For the twenty four hours you were employed, your results are satisfactory. Dealing with the threat, and keeping the heiress alive… and entertained, according to her." The chief said, reading his report.
"Entertained?" Maria raised an eyebrow.
"I definitely could've done better…" He said, remembering the bandaid on Natsumi's chest.
"He's sad he let the heiress getting shot." Maria commented, placing a sushi roll in her mouth.
"We've proven ourselves to Obsidian. Our funding will undeniably increase." The chief patted his shoulder.
"Why didn't you tell me David was there?" He asked, squeezing his hands together.
"His position as first rank allows him to act independently without permission. Guess he wanted to watch over you." The gray-haired woman answered.
"Oh, speaking of, she's already made the news." Maria said, looking at her phone.
"Hm?" The chief pressed on a remote, and from the top corner of the room, the voice could be heard from the television, "Numerous eyewitness reports claim to have seen a strange yellow light rise—"
"Did it happen again…?" Felix's gaze tightened.
"No, that's just recordings. I'll switch the channel." Chief said, switching the channel.
Maria tilted her head, "Weird… has there always been a tv here?"
The screen flipped, and a Japanese voice spoke with English subtitles on the bottom, "The pop star, Yumiko Sakurazawa, who has been hospitalized after a backstage assault, has recently announced her retirement from the idol group. Whether this is temporary or permanent has yet to be disclosed."
"Retire?" Felix stammered in disbelief.
The chief took a drag from the cigarette between her fingers as she repeated, "She's alive, so be content with that."
Felix sighed, his expression a mix of disappointment yet acceptance as he watched Natsumi's smile through the television screen.
"Sooo…" Maria spoke up, "While you were gone…"
"Hm?" He turned towards her.
Chief glanced at her, shaking her head in disapproval, "There's… other things we need to go over, but for tonight, I think you've earned your rest."
"Yeah… yeah, I'd like that." Felix exhaled deeply, and quietly headed out the door.
As soon as he was outside, he leaned against the door, looking it at his hand, "It finally worked, but…"
But Maria opened it, and he nearly toppled over.
"M-Marie?"
"Come on, bud…" She took his hand, "Let's get some real sushi."