Leaving Everything for You

How many times has this happened now? I know I don't have the cleanest record, but this is getting out of hand.

And I get the feeling they aren't acting alone either. There's something all too organized about their attacks. They aren't much of a threat, but I am getting tired of fending them off all the time.

Who sent you?

You know I can't reveal my client. That's tantamount to betrayal.

Much as I respect your professionalism... Are you really getting paid enough for your silence?

I'm willing to bet you aren't, despite doing all this dirty work.

Whoever your client is, they're not worth your life.

Ngh...

Look, I'm only saying this because I care about you. That's what friends do, right?

I think...the client is someone affiliated with KMS.

You think?

I've never actually met them. All I know is that there's a big reward for whoever brings you in alive. But I'm guessing they've got something to do with that company because the handover location's in KMS City.

They want me alive, do they? That certainly explains why no one's come at me full force. Are they after my power to control others?

I don't know if it's of any use to you, but they gave me a list of their targets. Want to see it?

It looks like they're also after...

Curio.

Dewey.

And Suzette. Then whoever's behind this might be from the Sapient Complex.

Since they're not after the Dawn versions of these people, the mastermind's probably from the Twilight Time Layer. And if even Curio's made the list, I can't just leave them to their own devices. I need to take action.

How? Are you going to track down every single member of KMS? I've already told you everything I know.

Then I have no further use for you.

Okay. Time to put that connection of mine to good use.

My, my, this is a surprise. What can I do for you?

I'll explain later. Where are you?

I'm vacationing at my villa.

On my way. Don't go anywhere.

This is all rather sudd...

His villa's in KMS City. I'd better get there ASAP.

I see... You're looking for a researcher from the Sapient Complex.

Some will still be at KMS, but others have gone off on their own. It won't be easy to find them all.

I'm no stranger to a bit of legwork. Just give me the list of researchers.

Or do you intend to deny my request?

Of course not. I still owe you for getting me back from the Twilight Time Layer.

Still, I'd like to know: Do you plan on fighting this person? Unlike those assassins that came after you, your target will be a regular civilian. Kill them, and you'll go back to being a wanted woman.

Do you really think that's enough to stop me at this point? Don't forget who it was that attacked you.

Besides, the authorities here can't hold a candle to the Twilight EGPD.

Even so, wouldn't you prefer a less bloody solution?

It sounds like you have an idea.

I'll be hosting a company party soon. I could add you to the guest list.

How can you be so sure that researcher will be there?

Because they have the means to hire all those assassins, which they can only do with the backing of a big organization. And there's no way the head of such an organization would pass up a chance to get close to me. That's how.

My, you sure are confident. Fine. I don't know what you're up to, but I'll play along for now.

By the way, do you have anything to wear to the party? If not, I could find you some suitable options.

It's not my first undercover operation. I have something that will help me blend in.

Perfect. Then I'll contact you with the date later. Let's meet in front of the KMS City hotel on the day of the party.

I only wore this because I heard there was a dress code, but... If you're wearing your white uniform, maybe I should have done the same.

Don't worry about it. You'd stand out too much in your uniform anyway. Besides, that dress really suits you.

Ah, there you are. Thank you both for coming.

Thank you for having us. But I thought this was a company party. Is it really okay for us to be here?

I wouldn't have invited you if it weren't. To tell the truth, I actually have a favor to ask of you. You see, I invited Twilight Isuka to today's party as well and...

A researcher's targeting us?

Have assassins been coming after you too, Curio?

Luckily, I've been safe so far. Likely because I was in IDA City.

The other Isuka plans to track down the mastermind at the party. But there's no telling how far she's willing to go to accomplish that. Which is why I want you two to act as a deterrent.

We'd be happy to help. I can't let Isuka end up a terrorist in this time layer as well.

I knew I could count on you.

All right. Isuka should be here any minute now.

Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.

......

What? Don't tell me you were expecting me to dress like the other me there. Tacky and garish really isn't my style.

Hey!

You do realize a fight's in the cards for this evening, right? You can't fight in a dress like that.

It's easier to move in than you think.

Anyway, care to tell me why these two are here, Leo? Because I certainly didn't invite them.

Sebastia will be at the party. And I can't just let the granddaughter of KMS's chairman wander around all by herself.

So we're her escorts?

A man can invite his fiancée to a party, can't he?

It's your life. Do as you like.

One problem: I don't see Sebastia anywhere.

I expect she'll be fashionably late as always. I'm sure she won't mind us heading in first.

Isuka.

Let's do this together. I'll make sure nothing happens to you.

Suit yourself.

Quite the crowd. I wonder how many of them are assassins.

Calm down or people will start getting suspicious. Just act natural, like you belong here.

We can start by dancing.

Dancing?!

It's what people do at parties.

You think I know how to dance? I never had time to indulge in such nonsense.

Then I'll take the lead.

Hah. You won't be leading me anywhere. If you want to dance so badly, go by yourself.

Sebastia. Is something wrong?

As if you don't know! I told you I wasn't coming to your stupid party! What do you think you're doing, sending someone to pick me up?!

And Aldo of all people!

You sure you don't wanna go? I heard there'll be tons of good food there.

You really think "good food" is all it takes to change my mind?

I'm not going, and that's final!

Oh dear. Looks like Sebastia won't be joining us after all.

Well, I guess she won't be needing escorts anymore. But since you're here, why not stay and enjoy the party?

What a joke. You knew she wouldn't be coming all along.

Well, time to get to work. Let's see what we can find out about our fellow party-goers.

We just landed a huge deal for our new non-lethal weaponry. Things are finally starting to look up for us.

Non-lethal weaponry?

That's right. It uses something called a "mosquitone" to break the target's focus and make it harder for them to think. Meaning you can overpower an enemy without any physical contact at all!

A weapon that doesn't kill? How nice.

The way I see it, we've got to leave barbaric violence behind and start doing things the smart way. My hope is to expand our sales channels to the EGPD and IDEA someday. A device like this would be perfect for maintaining public order in the city.

Some business sense he has. Can't even tell when he's pitching to the head IDEAlist herself. He just lost himself a perfect business opportunity.

Did he, though? Even if we started negotiations here, it couldn't have gone anywhere.

Ah, it's so good to see you again! How have you been since we last spoke?

Huh? Oh, um... Well, you know, um...

Funny I should see you here. My daughter was super excited about the whole thing. Maybe some time we could...

Listen, um... Why don't we talk some other time? Excuse me.

Damn, I just made a total fool of myself! I was sure he'd recognize me from our deal, but clearly not...

I guess there's no guarantee you'll remember someone after meeting them just once...

A common mistake among those in the business.

Not something you've experienced, I imagine.

True, I've never forgotten a business partner nor been forgotten by one. But I've seen it happen.

And that man was a textbook example of what not to do in that situation. If he'd just pretended to remember, he could've bought himself time to work out who he was talking to. It may have led to another deal down the line.

...And here I thought subterfuge was only needed on the battlefield.

That was way too close! I didn't think anyone would recognize the other me...

You like gaudy dresses?

That came out of nowhere. Why do you ask?

Because you keep staring.

N-No I don't...

Your eyes don't lie.

It's not that, it's just... I feel like I've seen them before.

Seriously? That's the oldest line in the book. You'll need to try a little harder if you don't want to make a fool of yourself.

Isuka, wait! You've got it all wrong!

Well, I'll be. They're actually here.

Except for attracting a few odd looks here and there, I don't feel like I've achieved anything so far. Where do we go from here?

Huh?! What is she doing here?

Hm, looks like someone recognizes me. Let's see what he has to say for himself.

Ahhh!

I'll leave him to you!

Um... What just happened?

Hello. Mind if I have a quick word?

Out of my way!

What was that all about? I've never seen someone so desperate to leave a party.

He's probably been called in by his boss. So much for a day off...

Hey. Did a man in a white coat come through here?

Yeah, he just ran outside. Why?

He's an assassin out to get me and the others. He came to the party pretending to be a guest.

An assassin? That doesn't sound good...

Aldo! What're you doing just standing around?! Your friend is in danger! Go help her!

Huh? Oh, right!

Well, now that he's gone, guess I can head home.

I mean, a defenseless little girl like me shouldn't be out alone if there's danger afoot, right?

Whew! For someone so slow, you sure gave me a run for my money.

Ack...

Isuka, are you okay? I'm here to help!

Great work, Aldo. I knew you'd come.

Damn! I didn't want to attract attention, but you leave me no choice.

Get them!

Is that your guard? Consider me impressed.

Are you planning on letting this thing loose in the city!?

Not on my watch!

Now behave, if you value your life.

Ngh...

I have a lot of questions for you. But first...

We need to get away from all these prying eyes.

I'll help.

While I appreciate the offer...are you sure you have the time?

Your charge appears to be fleeing the hotel.

You've gotta be kidding me! She promised she'd go to the party!

I can handle things here. You go after her.

I'm so sorry! I'll be back as soon as I can!

Perfect. Now there's no bleeding heart around to stop me from interrogating you. I hope you're ready for this.

Wh-What are you going to do to me?!

Oh, calm down. We're just going to have a little chat somewhere quiet.

Leo's villa should do the trick for now. No one will interrupt us there.

First things first. Tell me why you're doing this. I thought the Twilight KMS was just getting back on its feet.

So why come to the Dawn Time Layer and risk everything with these assassins?

For revenge. Why else? You took everything from us, our colleagues, our accomplishments, the one place we belonged! We HATE you.

So you won't be satisfied until you get revenge? How bold of you. Not that I expect any sympathy, but even those who sided with Cardinal Vestige were killed. You're not the only victims here.

Some of the researchers you killed weren't even involved in the conflict with Cardinal Vestige.

That's war for you.

I understand. But that doesn't mean I accept it.

And neither do they.

Hah. Is your little "gang" of scientists supposed to scare me? Sorry, but a bunch of sad, data-obsessed researchers are no threat to me, no matter your numbers.

Maybe not, but if you kill us, you'll be a murderer in this world too. You'll never get to live in peace again.

And you're willing to risk your lives for that?

Yes.

When we heard you people were living without a care in this world, we just couldn't stand it anymore.

Why should you get to lead normal lives?

Murderers shouldn't get to just walk off into the sunset and live happily ever after!

Are you done yet?

Not quite. We want to make a deal with you.

A deal? With the person you hate oh so much?

We're just researchers. We're not strong enough to get revenge, so we tried turning to assassins, but even that didn't work.

So, let us kill you. Just you. And we'll promise to leave Curio be.

Seriously? Did you think I'd agree to that when I could just kill you all instead?

We thought you might say that. But all of us here are core members of the Twilight KMS. Kill us, and KMS will never recover. And if it doesn't, the Twilight Time Layer will be pruned.

My life...for the whole Twilight Time Layer? That is quite the twist.

The rest of you may be outcasts, but Curio is the head of IDEA. He has responsibilities over there. If your selfishness destroys that time layer, Curio would despise you as much as we do.

You'll have to do better than that.

You don't think he would hold that against you? Well, maybe you're right. But Curio isn't like you. He has friends there. A home. You can't take away the world he knows and loves and expect him to be okay.

You'd be trading your life for his future. It's a pretty good deal, don't you think?

Let me think about it.

(I doubt I'm the only one they're making this offer to.)

(That's right. They want Curio just as much as they want me.) (Maybe this ridiculous deal is just a way to split Curio and me up?)

(Curio... I wonder what's going on back at the party. I hope nothing bad has happened to you...)

Care to explain what's going on here?

Care to explain what's going on here?

There must be some misunderstanding. Nothing's going on here. I just want to take you somewhere we can talk. I'm sure we'll be able to clear everything up there.

Misunderstanding? So you're not the one behind all those assassination attempts?

Well, I wouldn't go that far...

I'm more like...their representative. In return, I hope that it will allow me to continue my research at the Sapient Complex.

Then you have a different goal than the others?

Not that wanting to continue your inhumane research makes you any better than them.

I beg to differ. People from other time layers effectively don't exist in this world. They have no citizen numbers, no rights. What crime would I be committing by using them in my experiments?

You and I clearly place a very different value on human life.

Now! Do it!

Ngh! What the?!

Our new non-lethal weapon is proving to be quite useful. We wouldn't want our test subjects getting hurt now, would we? By breaking your focus with the mosquitone, we can prevent you from using your power to control others.

We can't stay here! We need to get out right now!

And go where? This sound is playing throughout the city. You have nowhere left to run.

Ngh! What's that noise?!

Now's our chance! Get her!

We prefer not to risk our positions by raising a hand against you. So do what we say and you won't get hurt. Deal?

Deal. With my guards immobilized, it's not like I could take you on anyway.

If only there was something I could do...

Ugh! What is that noise?! You okay, Sebastia?

Do I look okay?! We need to stop that noise!

Where's it even coming from? And how're we supposed to stop it when my head feels like it's about to explode?!

Lucky for us, we know someone who's immune to this stuff!

Riica, we need you!

You called, Sebastia?

Yeah. Mind finding out what's causing this sound?

Understood!

Cause detected! The source is a non-lethal weapon that utilizes a high-frequency sound known as mosquitone! It is being broadcast from the 20th floor of Central Tower!

Great work. Now go and stop it.

Leave it to me!

Eeek! Wh-Who are you?

I demand you stop using that non-lethal sonic weapon immediately!

What? How did you... No can do, I'm afraid.

Then you leave me no other choice.

I must protect Sebastia, even if it means using force.

No! Stop!

What is it? I'm in the middle of something. You captured Isuka? We just captured Curio, too. We'll be heading your way then. But don't you dare kill her. My experiment comes first. You can have your revenge later.

Revenge?

Don't be stupid, he'll stand out like a sore thumb on a cargo bus! I'll send a transport ship, so stay put. Where are you now?

Executive Leo's villa?! What on earth possessed you to go there?! Get out at once! Think of my position!

The noise is gone...

This is our chance!

What the?!

Run, Curio! I'll handle these guys!

But there's so many of them! How could you possibly...

Please, this is nothing! So don't worry about me. Go save her!

Thank you!

Sounds like Isuka's at Leo's villa.

I'm coming, Isuka! Please be okay!

Isuka!

Curio? What are you doing here?

I came to save you.

You fool. You shouldn't have come.

Get out of here now or they'll get you, too. It's supposed to be my job to protect you...

I'm not as weak as I used to be. I don't need you to protect me anymore.

Given what Cardinal Vestige did, I can't blame you guys for hating us... But the blame doesn't lie with Isuka alone.

My my, someone's gotten cocky.

Well, you've made your point. You watch my back, I'll watch yours, okay?

Of course. I'll always have your back, Isuka.

What are you...waiting for? Kill us already...

If we kill you, the Twilight Time Layer might disappear. So we have no choice but to leave you alive.

You expect us to run away with our tails between our legs?

If it saves our time layer, then yes.

And don't you even think about ending yourselves. Only I have the right to kill you after how you treated me in the Sapient Complex. Yet here I am, giving it up.

Dammit...

Let's go, Isuka. Everyone at the party must be so worried by now.

Curio... Do you think you'll ever go back to the Twilight Time Layer?

Of course. I can't leave IDEA forever.

Won't you?

You have duties there. And a future. But me? I'm just a terrorist.

With the Twilight Time Layer finally at peace, I would only be a burden to you.

Then you're going to stay here?

I think of it like being exiled. Not that I miss our world and want to go back or anything. Considering the crimes I committed, I'd say I got off pretty lightly.

Then we might never see each other again.

It wouldn't be much of a punishment if we did.

(It needs to hurt, like parting with a loved one forever...)

Hey, Isuka... Do you want to dance?

What?

It'd be a shame to come to a party with you and not actually, well, party.

You know how to dance?

Sure. These things come up at school.

Ah, at the rich kids' parties.

Do you wish I dressed like that?

Only if it's how you want to dress.

Besides, I remember that dress. You wore it in the surveillance footage we had of you back when you were a terrorist.

Now that I know you did all those things to protect me, when I see you dressed like that, I...

Don't.

If you say the words out loud, you won't be able to put on that white uniform again.

You're right. But just for now... Let's dance and let everything else fade away.

Go ahead, take the lead.