Interlude (2)
Fortunately, my recovery was swift. Once the mana in my body regained its balance, a mage's unique regenerative powers got me discharged in just two days.
And today, my discharge day, I struck all sorts of poses in front of the full-length mirror, running a final check on my illusion magic.
This should be fine for wandering around...
I felt a tug at my sleeve and turned to see Sofia gazing at me with worried eyes.
"Sis, are you really okay? The doctor said not to overdo it..."
I chuckled and stretched languidly.
"Psh, they say you actually recover faster if you move around a bit at times like this. Besides, didn't you nurse me so diligently?"
At my words, a faint blush colored Sofia's pale cheeks. Adorable.
In truth, the muscle aches lingered, and the mana flowing through me wasn't at peak condition... but it beat rotting in a hospital bed, inhaling that stale antiseptic stink.
"Alright, alright. Everyone ready? Let's head out. Dinner's on me tonight."
Innkeeper Walter rolled up the sleeves of his worn shirt and took the lead.
Today, we were heading to the bustling streets of the 17th District Residential Area for some rehab-cum-sightseeing.
"Take care, then."
"Yeah, you too. Don't roll back in here injured, or I won't go easy on you."
We bid farewell to a smirking Zero and stepped out of the clinic. The city's smog hung as thick as ever, but after so long cooped up, even its acrid bite felt almost nostalgic.
Our first stop was Neon Green Sector, a landmark of the 17th District. The name evoked images of a lush forest, but reality was far stranger: an abandoned vertical farm building repurposed into a bizarre amusement park.
Flowers and fluttering butterflies filled our vision the moment we entered, accompanied by an oddly cloying floral scent that assaulted the nose. All holograms, of course—the scent simulated via olfactory implants. It struck me as grotesque, but to locals, distinguishing artificial from natural was a luxury they never bothered with. They just cheered at the sight of plants at all.
"Whoa...! Sis, look at that! It's a flower...!"
Like Sofia, who was bounding around with childlike glee. Untouchable illusions, every one, but to a girl raised in the 17th District, even fake greenery made of light was a marvel.
Back on Earth, parks overflowed with real grass and blooms like these. A pang of bitterness hit me, and I ruffled Sofia's hair.
"...Pretty amazing, huh."
"Heh heh, Sofia. Like it?"
"Yes!"
Sofia giggled, reaching out a finger. A holographic butterfly alighted delicately on its tip. Watching her, I whispered softly,
"Someday, I'll show you real flowers. The kind that feel soft when you touch them."
"Whoa...!"
Magic to grow and control plants had to exist somewhere, right?
After two or three hours admiring the holographic flora in Neon Green Sector, we crossed a steel bridge over an artificial stream and headed into the 17th District's food alley.
Whenever Sofia's attention wandered, Walter gripped her hand tight, glaring down any shady solver gangs eyeing us.
"This area's patrolled by the vigilantes anyway... but better safe than sorry."
We chatted idly as we approached a skewer vendor.
"Three skewers here. Not synth-meat—make 'em as real as possible."
Walter's order ran 10,000 credits per skewer—a day's food budget for slum dwellers. He grumbled but handed me the biggest, best-grilled one.
"Eat up proper-like. Zero said your body's basically an empty tin can right now."
"Thanks, old man. But I don't have much to pay you back with..."
"Bah, I'm not that stingy! Just enjoy it!"
We settled on a bench at the edge of the vast plaza. A fountain spewed filthy black water amid waddling chick-drones. It could've passed for a typical Earth park at a glance.
Munching street skewers, I gazed at the sky where purple and orange sunset hues bled together.
"Sis, the color's so pretty today."
Pollution-warped and eerie, but to Sofia's eyes, pure beauty. She leaned her head on my shoulder and murmured,
"...Not just the sky... you too, sis..."
As our brief, joyful outing wound down,
"Sofia, wanna grab one more cotton candy over there? Your dad needs a word with sis here."
Walter, who'd been checking his terminal, slipped some bills into Sofia's hand as she drowsed against me.
"Sure!"
Beaming, Sofia dashed to the opposite stall. Now it was just Walter and me.
The air shifted palpably, heavy with unspoken weight.
He seemed about to speak, then pulled out a battered cigarette and lit up instead. The long sunset shadows carved deep lines into his wrinkled face, deepening as he inhaled thoughtfully.
"...Looks like you have something to discuss with me."
Today's outing was probably just an excuse. Rehab my foot—the real purpose started now.
His expression, smoke-veiled, promised no light topic.
Soon, Walter spoke gravely.
"You..."
Then,
"You're not tangled up with the Management Bureau, are you? Your identity issues too... I know a solution."
His question blindsided me.
"...!"
I stiffened.
"...You knew?"
How?
Whoosh—Walter exhaled smoke skyward with a sigh, continuing,
"Their eyes are everywhere. Watchers, or Examiners as they're called—shadowy operatives carrying out the Bureau's dirty work."
"..."
"This spot's blind to them. That's why I brought you here."
Watchers. The Management Bureau Executor, Miya—she'd mentioned the "witch" with keen interest. And her "urgent business": [Who knows? Something came up, so I had to drop by the 17th District on short notice.]
I'd puzzled over the Bureau's sudden activity, but "Watcher" explained it. If that business was hunting me—the "witch"—and I'd been tailed since before the black market...
It fit perfectly. Had they uncovered my Ether Bio Pharma ties? A chill raced down my spine.
I thought I'd hidden well, but was it unraveling already?
"I know you hit the black market. And an unprecedented Executor showed up there. No coincidence."
"..."
"Your efforts to hide your identity. A mage fallen to the slums. I don't know your past, but..."
Walter's blue eyes met mine.
"I want to help you. Can't just let fate's threads drag you under."
"..."
I nodded slowly.
"Help, huh. Music to my ears. The board's gotten too big for one player."
Facing the Bureau alone was impossible. Miya alone was a superhuman monster.
Pity or ploy, I had no room to refuse an outstretched hand.
"Good. So, I'd like to introduce an ally who can back you up. He's at odds with the Bureau too—like you. Teaming up would help big time."
Walter glanced at Sofia waving innocently with her cotton candy, then lowered his voice.
"Bit of a prickly cynic who sneers at the world... but his skills? Top-notch."
He pulled a crumpled paper from his pocket—a rough map of the 17th District Residential Area.
"Swing by tomorrow, or whenever. Drop my name; he'll get the gist."
As our covert talk wrapped,
I voiced my nagging doubt.
"Who the hell are you, really?"
Walter. Too many suspicious traces for a simple village innkeeper. Especially after boldly dissecting the Bureau today—doubt hardened to certainty.
He stared blankly, then chuckled, stubbing his cigarette.
"Me? Just... an ordinary old codger. ...Yeah, you won't buy that."
"Least you don't seem ordinary."
"Just... wandered a lot in my youth. Nothing grand."
Walter skirted the answer, eyes fixed on the sunset.
"..."
Silence stretched. He broke it.
"...Better head up before that cotton candy melts. Sofia's waiting."
Night was falling.
The next day, I followed Walter's map to the ally's place. Unexpectedly, the "ally" was someone I knew.
"...Am I hallucinating...?"
A man muttered in disbelief.
"Hey there?"
I barely suppressed a laugh, greeting him. The absurdity of it all.
"I said I wouldn't go easy if you rolled back in! Why are you here again! Arghhh!"
The bald, sunglassed doctor. Zero wailed at my return after just one day.