Stages of Affection
Lin Kseszbet leaned in closer, whispering into her ear. "No matter how much you struggle, this barrier will eventually move exactly as we've planned. Neither you nor that pathetic priest will escape my grasp."
Kseszbet finished speaking and released Cheisi's hand with a laugh. Cheisi clenched her trembling fist, grinding her teeth in fury and helplessness, the tension between them turning the alley even colder and darker.
"Go on, struggle all you want. Oh, right—Shatter Light, the proxy. Why don't you beg Freigel Shtafenberk to save you? You two were pretty close, weren't you?"
Cheisi froze at the words. Freigel could have mediated this situation. With his immense power, perhaps. Or he could have cleared things up alongside her. Even knowing the rumors were false, he'd let it slide.
What for?
Cheisi bit her lip, sensing Lin heading back toward the management bureau. Kseszbet turned coldly and strode out of the alley toward the bureau. The smirk on her face had vanished. Lin's mind was a whirlwind. She'd just received a report that part of her intelligence analysis department was being shaken by Kyle Walker from Lumen Guard. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She wasn't sure how much he knew, but letting this drag on would only make things worse.
"I can't let them dig any deeper in this situation. I have to turn every shred of evidence to ash. Leave nothing behind."
She quickened her pace, convincing herself she still had everything under control.
"Kelun?"
Like Tiny Bell and Lucia, Adolf, who had been moving with Kelun, stopped in the market alley and spoke to Kelun, who had halted. They weren't in their stuffy uniforms but in casual clothes like any street locals. No uncomfortable stares followed them anymore, but Adolf had held back from speaking, noticing Kelun's troubled expression the whole way.
Kelun flinched at Adolf's call—uncharacteristic for him—then composed himself into his usual serious, mature demeanor.
"Ah, sorry, Lieutenant. Which direction should we investigate?"
"Hmm, since the captain took on the church investigation, we should stick to our original goal: finding Mr. Shtafenberk."
"Agreed. I'll follow your lead, Lieutenant."
Kelun's firm response drew a smile and nod from Adolf, who then asked cautiously, "Something bothering you?"
Those gentle black eyes looking at him with concern made Kelun feel oddly guilty.
"Sorry if I worried you for no reason, Lieutenant."
Kelun scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, averting his eyes before hesitating and answering.
"Lucia's words from yesterday have been sticking with me."
Adolf tilted his head. "What words?"
Kelun rubbed his nose, his sharp features softening into an embarrassed flush—an expression so out of character it felt refreshing to Adolf. Then Kelun blurted it out.
"Yesterday... Lucia kept going on about wanting that bracelet, and it's been nagging at me."
"Ah, hahaha."
Adolf burst out laughing at how endearing Kelun's kindness was, then quickly added to spare him embarrassment. "It's sweet. Kelun, you like Lucia?"
"Yes!?!?"
Kelun flailed his hands in panic at the straight pitch. He'd only ever seen Tiny Bell get flustered like this before; now experiencing it himself, he finally understood a bit why she'd once swung a baguette at Adolf.
"N-no, Lieutenant! It's not like that. I just remembered her saying she really wanted it."
"Right. Haha, but didn't Lucia say it would be meaningless unless it's from someone you share it with?"
"Yeah... But we don't know when we'll be back in Rain Code. I just thought I'd buy it and give it to her to wear."
Adolf tilted his head again. "You don't like Lucia?"
Kelun whipped his head away in flustered denial, only to meet Adolf's innocently pure gaze and sigh in defeat.
"I do like her. But I like you too, Lieutenant, and the captain. It's not the same kind of feeling that bracelet implies."
"Are there stages to liking someone?"
Adolf asked with genuine curiosity, and Kelun gestured to a nearby bench before sitting. While Tiny Bell and Lucia wandered the church, these two men were slacking off in earnest—not quite shirking, but close.
Kelun spoke first. "Not stages, exactly... more like different meanings."
"How so?"
Kelun pondered how to explain to his favorite senior, paused, then answered.
"Liking comes in kinds. For example... being happy around someone, hoping they do well. That's definitely liking them."
Adolf nodded quietly and sat beside him.
"But love is... being ready to act foolish for them. Thinking it's okay even if you get hurt, letting one person upend your whole day."
"That's a tough distinction."
"I don't know it perfectly myself—just a feeling. Take it as reference."
Adolf smiled warmly, thought for a long moment, then confessed honestly. "Even with your explanation, I still don't quite get it."
Kelun laughed and nodded. "You can't know right away, Lieutenant. But—"
He glanced at Adolf beside him and continued. "Do you like Captain Bell?"
Kelun regretted the question the moment it left his mouth—what kind of thing was he asking his senior? But before he could backpedal, Adolf answered swiftly.
"Of course. I like her."
The immediate reply left Kelun staring blankly before he ventured, "So... you two like each other?"
He'd phrased it roundabout, but he was curious. He'd noticed Tiny Bell's changing demeanor lately and figured kind-hearted Adolf was the influence.
Adolf pondered briefly, then answered with a wistful look. "No, I'm not sure about that."
"Ah, got it."
Kelun replied quickly and fell silent. The bustle of passersby, distant bell tolls, and sunlight filtering from the sky enveloped them quietly. A sweet, spicy aroma tickled Kelun's nose.
Finally, Kelun chuckled softly and spoke. "What if someone loved Captain Bell?"
He'd half-meant it as a joke, but Kelun was startled by Adolf's expression.
It was as if he couldn't bear to imagine it—almost angry. Even Adolf seemed flustered and hurried to smooth it over.
"Sorry. I've never thought about it once. I was just sorting out the feeling."
Kelun quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, what's your plan for finding Mr. Shtafenberk?"
Adolf's face brightened again as he replied. "Kelun, about this Shtafenberk guy. The records show he was highly capable, the kind who could get special treatment even from the central management bureau, right?"
"Yes."
"So why stay in Rain Code?"
Kelun thought hard. "No family... maybe because of the Harkens here?"
"Could be. But if I were him, with no family and no prior connection to me, I wouldn't choose this place just for shared ethnicity."
"True. Ethnicity is just that—others are others."
Adolf nodded lightly and continued. "Thanks to your explanation of liking versus love, I'm more convinced now. For a proxy with no family... maybe there's a family-like presence here?"
Kelun's eyes widened. It made sense; if he were in that position, he'd do the same.
"Yeah, that tracks, Lieutenant. But no sightings of Shtafenberk anywhere—it's frustrating."
"If he'd been in the Harken district, he'd be a hero and stand out. Since not, he's probably neutral. Maybe his 'favorite' is a Bnyak?"
Kelun's eyes lit up at that. "Lieutenant— that shop Captain Bell, Lucia, and I went to yesterday. Perfect for a neutral zone. Plus, Lucia said last night the crowd made it hard to sense, but something felt off. She can distinguish proxies by heartbeat, right?"
Recalling Lucia, Kelun thought she was impressive; Adolf felt a fresh wonder. Remembering their old training together, he replied warmly.
"We should check that shop again. Bnyaks and Harkens mingled without prejudice. And the owner didn't bat an eye at our proxy uniforms—even when we all piled in."
Kelun sighed shortly. "That means Mordan's already seen proxies there before!"
A smile spread across Adolf's face. "Exactly. If she's dealt with a famous proxy like Shtafenberk, it explains why she wasn't surprised by us."
Kelun couldn't hide his excitement. "Let's go, Lieutenant!"
Adolf and Kelun hurried to the shop. Pushing open the door, it was bustling as before, but their eyes locked straight on the robed man sitting in front of Mordan. His sturdy build was unmistakable even under the hood. Dressed casually, not in uniforms, they entered without drawing attention and breathed a sigh of relief.
They slowly approached the corner table from yesterday. Mordan glanced up casually, recognized them instantly with a flicker of surprise, then recovered with a natural smile.
"Back again! Sit comfortably!"
But his eyes brimmed with intrigue. Adolf caught it and asked carefully.
"Have you seen Mr. Shtafenberk here?"
Mordan's expression stiffened subtly, but inwardly he chuckled at how sharp these kids were. Good thing, actually—it saved him the trouble of dragging the stubborn, statue-like Freigel into motion.
"Oh, no idea. Let me know if you think of an order! Heh heh heh!"
Plenty to gossip about with Freigel later, he thought with a smirk, returning to his spot wordlessly.
Convinced the mysterious man at the bar was Shtafenberk, Adolf and Kelun exchanged glances, tense, and approached slowly. The man sipped his drink leisurely under his deep hood.
As Adolf drew near, the man lifted his head. Sharp, piercing eyes gleamed out.
"Hah—not bad instincts."
A rough masculine laugh echoed from beneath the robe.