I'm back.
Just four simple words, like sunlight piercing through layers of dark clouds.
They eased the tension that had kept Kanzaki Rin and Asaka Akie on edge.
Kanzaki Rin in particular had been under immense pressure ever since Isis appeared. With Kamikawa Takumi and Sato Hayato still missing and their lives uncertain, she hadn't dared show how she felt in front of anyone.
Fang Cheng's return let her finally release all the pressure she'd been carrying.
Asaka Akie didn't stop. She flew straight to the rooftop and came to Fang Cheng, beaming. "Cheng-kun, you're finally back."
If she hadn't still been wearing the Individual Combat System, she probably would've thrown her arms around him.
Fang Cheng looked her over. "Akie, are you all right?"
Asaka Akie shook her head. She'd gotten a few scrapes when she fell to the ground earlier, but they weren't serious.
Only then did Fang Cheng drop from the rooftop, landing in front of Kanzaki Rin.
Kanzaki Rin had regained her composure. There was no joy on her face at seeing Fang Cheng; instead, she said in a heavy voice, "You already know, don't you?"
Now that he was back in Machine City, there was no way to keep Isis's arrival from him.
Fang Cheng nodded. He'd just returned to Machine City when he heard the Government Building had been attacked, and he'd rushed there immediately.
But he was too late. Isis and Kamikawa Takumi were nowhere to be found, and it was Minamoto Kaori who told him the Blood Queen had attacked.
He'd had Qingxue take Minamoto Kaori and the others to the Underground Shelter, then searched the city for Kanzaki Rin and Asaka Akie.
"Since you already know..."
Kanzaki Rin stepped forward and raised her voice. "Why haven't you left? Are you staying