“Two seconds is way more than enough time to ensure your demise. Even if a dagger like that poses little threat, a weapon from a Remnant will be deadly. However, it seems our little play Remnant would rather not stab you even with the huge opportunity,” he says, noticing Angel’s sloppy handling of the blade.


    “Apologies, I didn’t wish to make anything more than a point. I’d rather not make you uncomfortable even though it’s not dangerous.” She gives a lopsided smile.


    “Yeah, I can’t ever see her being the type. Angel is an accurate namesake she’s kept ever since we were little, eh, Ishimoto?”


    There is no reason. Everyone turns to see the chubby boy laid out on the ground, exhausted from the run.


    “Heh, he’s stealing my job a bit right now, isn’t he?” Shoji states.


    “Yeah, maybe, but at least he has a reason to be tired. You’re more like a plant with no sun all the time, Shoji.” Keiko pokes his cheek.


    “I… am going… to… die…”


    “Oi, there he goes, breaking his smart person act with slurred speech, sounding like a drunkard right now.” She laughs, approaching him. There is a reason; there is a flame of anger inside her from being taken by surprise. She doesn’t wish to acknowledge it.


    “Leave… me…. Alone… or give… water…”


    “Yeah, yeah, I brought some along with us, I’ll fix you right up.” She takes a pocket-sized canteen from under her skirt.


    “Now she’s doing the conjuring of items act!” Keiko says, shocked.


    “He’s really right about our perception…” she says. “Anyway, mind opening up now? Would be a shame to have you dying on us due to exhaustion.”


    Ishimoto finds it humiliating, but he does so anyway, water pouring in and his body regaining strength. “I feel like a beached whale right now.” Usagi blinks, taken aback by his comment. She does her best to not laugh but can’t contain it as she starts to giggle. An unusual sound, for sure. “Ooooh! Usagi, you sound so girly when you laugh like that!”


    “Keiko, hush up, please.” She keeps going, easing herself out of her girly chuckle and sounding like her normal self.


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    “You know it’s not bad to laugh like that. I do it all the time,” Angel says, her own giggles escaping. She certainly isn’t lying.


    “You sound the same as when we were kids; never changed at all!” Okazaki gruffly snickers, his arm wrapping around her.


    “I can’t say the same for you, Mister Tower. You’re practically airplane-level now.”


    “So all of you have been friends since you were little? Small world it is,” Kubo voices, amazed by the probability. Highly strange, this situation almost seems fated. “Angel, I have a question for you.” The choker on her neck catches his attention. “Are you also a Remnant?”


    “Oh no, this is like a fashion statement, look.” She removes it, spinning it on her finger. “I do recall Remnants not being able to do this, so I am not one of the lucky ones, or, well, unlucky ones… Kubo told me everything about what happened the other day…”


    “Now that you mention it, it is in a different style from them. And I’ve never seen a Remnant remove it without succumbing to their fate. However, it is a little tasteless, isn’t it?”


    “I am well-aware…” She puts it back on. “But I don’t believe people should be constrained to fashion norms because of bad people. I believe wearing it is more of a statement of change and a remembrance of hero Remnants of the past.”


    “You’re a strange one, Angel. I can’t say I’m too thrilled to have to wear this forever. Then again, after a while, it feels more like an extension than clothing. But back to the thing about Kubo, you told her everything that happened the other night?”


    “Yes, that’s why I decided to have her join us; also, she herself seems to have talent. Seems you’re a convincing girl, aren’t you, Angel?”


    “You can say that, yes. I’ve always had an affinity for people taking a liking to me, even if it is a surface-level thing. Whenever I went to my old school, people would fawn over me, they would give me gifts and offer me many dates, and another thing is, people would often give me what I wanted, including things I wanted to know.”


    “So you’re more of a succubus then Angel?” Usagi says.


    “N-no, I would never do such a thing. It’s simply that I’m convincing to others, and Kubo thought it would be helpful if I found leads for you all. The Remnants are a slippery bunch; nobody knows where or when they’ll strike next, and you all need all the help you can get.”


    Usagi scoffs. “Fine, maybe you’re right. But don’t expect us to go saving you if you get into trouble.”


    “Usagi!” Ishimoto stands. “We need to help everyone, her included.”


    “Yes, yes, I know, apologies.” She crosses her arms, and Takei sees the disdain in her. It’s unclear as to why, but it seems she isn’t warming up to their new addition.


    “It’s great to have you join us. This will make our training even more fun! Oh, oh, random question, but do you know anything about cards?”


    “I can’t say I’m too familiar, but I do know how to play Go Fish.”


    “Maybe we can play sometime! I know Ishi and Oki used to talk about you a lot when we were little! Oh, what if we all play together!? That would be amazing!”


    “Later. Now is not the time for games,” Kubo retorts. “I believe it’s time for the next part of our training. A duel.”


    “A duel? What are you suggestin’, old man?” asks Okazaki