The street of Gemini’s residence was a place that was favoured mostly by the ex-lecturers of Heritage Basestation, who had taken up teaching jobs at Ark City’s tertiary education institutions after Ark City’s flight to the Wildlands. Although the escape had managed to bring along a fragment of the Intersection, the old Heritage Basestation was now cut off from the Intersection as a whole.

           More importantly, the passageway to Heritage had been destroyed entirely. It was fortunate that the city had prepared for the possibility that Heritage would be inaccessible, and had prepared a huge store of gemstones as a result.

           Erudition Street, like the classier districts of Ark City, was clearly built with an order in mind. Each residence had its own allocated space, and they were spaced evenly, unlike the more crowded and urbanised areas within Ark Exterior. Of course, this also meant that the prices here were more costly, and that there were fewer people residing in Erudition Street in general.

           “There are still some houses that aren’t occupied around here,” said Gemini. “That’s mine over there, and the two beside it is still—oh.”

           Two people had opened the gate to one of the houses Gemini had just indicated. He recognised them as two of the lecturers in Heritage Basestation — a Lecturer Ziegler and a Lecturer Shirou. The latter, in particular, had seen Gemini, in the guise of En, protect Heritage Basestation against the Last Star’s attacks months and months ago.

           “So there’s one left,” said Ars-Lila. “I should buy it before anyone else gets it, right?”

           “I was about to ask you which one you preferred, but since there’s only one left, I guess that’s it.” Gemini took out a title deed, walked over to the empty house to the left of his own, and wrote the unit number down on it.

           “That’s it?”

           “Being one of the strongest defenders of Ark City has its perks,” Gemini replied. “But I can’t evict anyone, so that’s that. Not that I want to, either…c’mon, let’s go say hi to our new neighbours.”

           He waved at the two people setting down their luggage, who waved back immediately. With Ars-Lila at his side, Gemini walked over to the duo and said, “Welcome to Erudition Street, Lecturer Shirou and Ziegler.”

           The two exchanged looks, and Lecturer Shirou smiled, his expression hiding a hint of force within it. “You can drop the ‘Lecturer’ bit. Shirou will do.”

           “Just call me Ziegler,” the golden-haired woman at his side added on. “Dear, you’re using your trait unconsciously again.”

           “Am I?’          

           “Yes.”

           Shirou’s white hair rippled, despite the absence of wind, and the forcefulness emanating from his placid expression vanished. Gemini hadn’t noticed it much, but it seemed that its effect varied from individual to individual. Ars-Lila had been gripping onto the side of his shirt from the moment he talked to Shirou, only to release it unconsciously after Ziegler spoke.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

           “That’s better, dear,” said Ziegler. She turned to Gemini. “And you’re?”

           “I’m Constellation Gemini,” he replied. “Nice to meet you.”

           “Gemini…that Gemini?” She asked. “Oh, please don’t get me wrong. You must know that some of the younger generation idolise heroes like you, even in Ark City, despite the…histories between Ark City and the South.”

           “Heroes?” Gemini shook his head bitterly. “We’re nothing but butchers.”

           Shirou nodded in sympathy. “We’ve heard the rumours about you guys. About how the Human G—”

           “Shush, dear,” said Ziegler. “He’s not the only one here. You can do your research later…if it’s fine with you, Gemini. There’s a lot of things we can learn.”

           “I’ll be more than happy to,” Gemini said. “I sincerely believe that within my ex-comrades, there are others like me too.”

           “I see.” Shirou replied with a smile. “That’s good, good. And your friend here is…?”

           Gemini nudged Ars-Lila lightly, and the girl took a nervous step forward. Ziegler giggled and said, “See? You scared our new neighbour! Now she’s scared to talk to you!”

           Shirou’s pale face flushed. “I apologise. I was unable to rein in my trait.”

           Ars-Lila nodded nervously, but her hand was once again clutching the back of Gemini’s shirt. “I-I’m Ars-Lila. N-nice to meet you.”

           Ziegler slapped her forehead. “My husband’s a lost cause. We’ve been married for less than a week, and he’s scared seven of my relatives already. We can add an innocent neighbour to the count too!”

           Gemini and Ars-Lila laughed, with Ziegler’s little joke somehow overcoming the latter’s fear. A hint of satisfaction appeared on Ziegler’s face, and she began ushering Shirou into the house after a round of farewells and another round of apologies.

           “See?” Gemini waved at the departing duo. “There’s always nice people to meet everywhere. You just need to keep the eyes open, and look towards the light. Even if I’m not at home, and I usually won’t be, you can always make friends with other people.”

           A small smile appeared on Ars-Lila’s face. “I’m not a kid, Gemini.”

           “Just in case.” Gemini smiled back.

           The two returned to the unoccupied house. It didn’t take long for Gemini to get her settled down — the process simply involved a few forms that Ars-Lila had to sign. The privileges of a Paragon in Ark City were rather mindboggling, but as a beneficiary, Gemini couldn’t really complain.

           Ars-Lila’s new residence was rather barebones, much like Gemini’s own, and the two of them sat down on a simple wooden table after cleaning out her new home. Both of them were drinking from their own water canteens, a testament to the fact that no matter how hard-boiled one was, cleaning the house was as tiring as camping outside.

           After a particularly hearty gulp, Gemini set the canteen down. “Ars-Lila, can I ask you something?”

           “You’re still calling me that?” She pouted slightly. “Lila will do. Call me that, and I’ll answer your question.”

           “Lila, then.” Gemini repeated her name without much hesitation.

           “T-that’s better.” Lila clapped her face for some reason, and then said, “What do you want to ask?”

           “This might be a sensitive question,” Gemini began, “but what exactly is hissatsu? And how does one do it?”

           The girl took a good long look at Gemini’s expression, and closed her eyes. “Hissatsu is the act of killing a demon permanently. This is achieved through…”