MC sat in his mother’s hospital room. The television blared the usual news channel, this time filled with reports of hope and change. With the elimination of Jin declared, the people of Strongzinburg city were delighted with a taste of pleasant stories rather than terror striking horror stories. The detectives were given full credit for getting rid of the biggest threat to the city. The Black Diamond was talked about like a dying breed. Economic stability and financial success were paired with comments about the Black Diamond forces crumbling without their main coordinator.

  Juliannna blankly stared at the television like usual. Even the death of Jin didn’t bring her out of the decade-long stupor.

  MC’s red swollen eyes told stories of sadness. It was the first time he’d cried since William died. It was the first time he felt like he could cry.

  “If only you could have told me,” MC said with a chuckle. “Now I can’t do anything but laugh and cry. You know, this has given me a lesson on perspective. If I had only known the whole story, I’d be in a different place now. I suppose some favorable things worked out because of that bastard though. Now I almost wish I had got to know him or something.” He stood up and looked out the window.

  “I guess there’s not much else to do besides finish the job. For so long my hatred was directed in the wrong direction. He was right for what he did. He assembled a team without any of us ever realizing it. More than that too, he assembled probably the best team of the most talented individuals in the city. With a team like that he could rest easily knowing that we would finish the job that he couldn’t on his own. Now, we’re going to go after those who are truly responsible for all of the misery that’s impacted us. For all of the hate that I’ve harbored.” He gripped his fists. “They’re going to pay.”

  Sora flopped down onto the couch after dying for the tenth time in a row in her video game. “Sure has been quiet around here lately,” said Sora. “I figured that MC would move back in with us, but it seems like he’s content on his own.”

  “Seems that way,” said GM, sipping out of a coffee mug and reading the newspaper.

  “Is that really all you have to say? Don’t you miss him at all?”

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  “I’ve been enjoying the peace and quiet. I’ve got plenty more free time now that I haven’t been stuck training and monitoring his ass,” GM chuckled. “However, I suppose he did provide a certain element that makes it feel a little empty here without him.”

  “We’ll be busy again once Gil and Emi get things situated for our mission against the twins. Who knows if The Vampire will even opt to play a part in that or not. I’m thinking he might, since he’s taken a liking to MC.”

  “Let’s hope so. His strength is definitely worth having on the team as long as he cooperates. Still creeps me out though,” he said with a shudder, before gulping down the rest of his coffee.

  Aiko and Emi sat in the detective office diligently working on their laptops. “Emi, it’s been several days since he read that letter. Do you think he’s ok?” asked Aiko.

  “I don’t know. You should have a better answer than I would.”

  I’m just worried about him. What if he goes off and does something stupid.”

  “Not likely. If anything he’s probably just moping around. Guys are like that.”

  “You really think so?”

  “What do I look like? A psychologist? I have no idea. Why don’t you try calling him again if you’re that worried?”

  “I already called three times today.”

  Emi sighed and rolled her eyes. “Then I suppose you’ll just have to wait until he comes around.”

  “I can't wait. This is killing me!” said Aiko, pounding her fists on her knees.

  Emi laughed. “You’re so dramatic. We’ve still got work to do anyway. We need to narrow down the possibilities of what Kuro and Shiro could be planning. In the letter from Jin, he said they’d be planning something big, but there’s a hundred things that it could be.”

  “You’re right, I need to focus. There are bigger things at stake here than my relationship. What are some of the possibilities that seem most likely so far?”

  Emi picked up a piece of paper and read her notes off of it. They spent the next few hours narrowing down a list of the top ten worst case scenarios and then called for a team meeting. The meeting didn’t help much other than identifying that there were not enough staff in all the police force and detectives combined to monitor all of the possible scenarios. Each one seemed equally likely.

  They based the research on the Black Diamond stealing as much money or acquiring as much resources and terrorizing the city as much as possible. If they took control of a large portion of the city by pushing The Organization away, they could acquire trade routes and resources to make enough money for expanding their forces and becoming stronger again. It was almost a game of chance. Would the Black Diamond have the forces to be able to take over more territory or not? Unfortunately for the detectives, they were far off track. The twins no longer cared about money or power. For them, it was about honor and sacrifice.