Chapter 401: _Kindness Breeds Hesitation

Two Days Later, Aurelia City

"This is Audrey Paloma with breaking news for the ABC network."

"Following the mysterious murder of a man in the city of Los Angeles, officials from the IHC have sent out a notice about a suspect linked to the case—the owner of the Richards and Sawyer Law Firm, Attorney Ramona Richard."

A recent photo of the woman was placed at the corner of the screen.

"The woman is reported to be an Esper, although officials haven’t given any more details on whether she’s truly behind his death. Or on when exactly she got to Aurelia. Civilians in both Aurelia and Los Angeles are warned to be on the lookout for her and to report any suspicious sightings or activities to the appropriate authorities..."

★★★★★

Blue Diamond Academy

In his office during recess, Augustus saw the news on his phone.

Dumbfounded barely explained how he felt right now.

The nice lady who had taken his number a few days ago... was actually a killer on the run?

"God," He groaned, setting the phone aside. "We were supposed to have dinner tonight too. Fuck!"

He and Ramona have been discussing via text these past few days. He thought they were building a genuine connection. One thing led to another, and he asked her out on a date.

Should he report this to the IHC? Maybe to a contact at Phoenix Flight. Or—

DING!

A notification popped up on his screen, making him pause.

It was a text message.

The contact name attached to it almost made him shoot off his seat.

Ramona!

>"Hey, handsome. Are we still up for dinner tonight? Xo."<

His heart pounded so fast he thought it would explode out of his throat.

What the fuck?

"She can’t be for real..." He shook his head, torn between blocking her and ignoring the text altogether.

However, another text popped up before he could even make a decision.

>" I know you’ve seen the news." <

A few seconds passed.

>" And I know you don’t trust me anymore. But I promise, it’s not what it looks like."<

He blinked.

This bitch was playing in his damn face.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

He snapped his neck to the office door.

"Augustus, it’s me." Ambrose’s voice echoed from the other end. "Can I come in?"

"Oh, yeah. Of course."

The door was pushed open, Ambrose’s head peeking in first before the rest of his body. A small smile curved the corner of the SS-Rank’s lips.

"I take it you’ve seen the news." He took only a few steps into the office, shutting the door softly behind him. "About... that ’parent’ friend of yours."

Augustus inhaled through his mouth. "Why do you sound like you knew something already?"

"Because I did." Ambrose didn’t bother sugarcoating it. "I’ve been in talks with the most important contacts I’ve got in the IHC. We just had to keep things cool until we got enough evidence to send out an official public notice."

His face turned grim. "She’s dangerous, Augustus." His head tilted inquisitively. "Ever since that other day, you haven’t seen her around here, right?"

"N-No," The S-Rank shook his head immediately, subconsciously turning his phone screen to the desk. "I’m just... so surprised. She didn’t seem threatening. I wouldn’t have even guessed she was an Esper if I hadn’t seen her eyes glow weirdly that day."

Ambrose stayed silent.

He was glad the IHC decided to announce the woman was a rogue Esper and not an ancient Eldritch horror wearing a dead woman’s body.

People like Augustus won’t be able to handle the truth yet. Not without causing unnecessary panic.

Ambrose studied Augustus for another brief moment before the tension in his expression eased ever so slightly.

"Alright," he nodded. "Just... stay alert. If she contacts you again for any reason, don’t try handling it yourself. Call me, the IHC or Phoenix Flight immediately."

"I will."

Only after Ambrose seemed satisfied did Augustus finally manage to breathe properly again.

God.

Lying had never come naturally to him.

Needing something—anything—to steer the conversation away from Ramona, he suddenly snapped his fingers.

"Oh, that reminds me." A sheepish grin spread across his face. "I heard a little rumor around the staff room."

Ambrose narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What rumor?"

"That somebody’s birthday is tomorrow."

"...Who told you?"

"I’m not exposing my sources."

Ambrose sighed through his nose, though the corners of his lips betrayed him by lifting ever so slightly.

"They really can’t keep a secret around here, huh?"

"So it is true."

"It is."

Augustus folded his arms. "Got anything planned?"

"Nothing crazy." The Guide shrugged. "Probably dinner with my partners, Orion, and everyone else if they insist on turning it into a celebration."

"They’re definitely turning it into a celebration."

"I know." Ambrose rubbed the back of his neck with a helpless laugh. "That’s exactly what I’m afraid of."

Augustus chuckled. "Well... happy birthday in advance."

"Thanks." Ambrose pointed a finger at him. "But keep it down, okay? If Devon catches wind that people are already wishing me happy birthday, he’ll somehow find an excuse to make tomorrow even more embarrassing."

"I make no promises."

"You absolutely should."

Both men laughed, the heaviness from moments earlier finally lifting.

"I’ll see you later," Ambrose said, opening the office door.

"Take care, Hunter Hale."

"You too."

The door clicked shut behind him.

The smile disappeared from Augustus’s face almost instantly.

As though waiting for that exact moment—

DING.

His phone vibrated again.

His pulse quickened before he even looked down.

Ramona.

His thumb hesitated before opening the message.

> "I figured you’d say no after seeing the news." <

Before he could process it, another arrived.

> "So I won’t ask you to come." <

Then another.

> "I only wanted to thank you. You were the first human who treated me kindly." <

Augustus frowned.

Human?

Not... man?

His fingers hovered uncertainly above the keyboard without typing a single word.

★★★★★

Several districts away, Ramona sat alone on a wooden bench overlooking a quiet public park.

Children chased one another across the grass while parents watched from nearby, their laughter drifting effortlessly through the warm September afternoon.

She calmly slipped her phone back into her handbag before crossing one leg over the other.

A faint smile played upon her lips.

Humans truly were fascinating.

Fear made them flee. While kindness made them hesitate.

And hesitation... that, more often than not, proved far deadlier than either.