A quarter of an hour later, Robert returned to his office alone.
As usual, he stepped through the door, lightly scuffing both feet against the carpet by the entrance before stopping—the seat behind his desk was already occupied.
"Good afternoon, Secretary-General."
A young man's voice came from within. It was the typical voice of a young adult, somewhat high-pitched, with a faintly restrained nasal quality whenever he spoke softly.
"Avinash?" Robert called out quietly.
The cushioned chair creaked as it turned around, and the young man in it waved at Robert.
By blood, Avinash belonged to District 11. He had the brown skin and slightly curly black hair common among District 11 natives. His deep-set eyes were bright, pale green like peridots. Like the first impression he gave as a whole, they were gentle and clear.
Robert was not surprised to see Avinash in person at this moment. He had personally issued the young man an ultimatum the night before: if he failed to show himself before six o'clock today, the employment agreement he had privately signed with the Third District United Government would be voided immediately.
"There will be a press conference here tomorrow afternoon," Robert said without preamble. "We need you to attend and speak—as the representative of Tanyi City's first Quicksilver Needles Task Force. It's time to announce our plans."
"I'm afraid I can't comply," Avinash replied calmly. "Didn't we agree on this long ago? Whenever you bring that newcomer over, that's when I take over the task force... I don't like dealing with the media."
Though this was not his first conversation with Avinash, the other man's blunt, almost unfeeling attitude still stirred Robert's suppressed irritation. He narrowed his long, slender eyes. "What if I insist that you attend?"
"Then I'll need personally signed letters from