Cool mist rises slowly from the lawn, leaving only a shadowy outline of the hospital wing's streamlined white architecture.
I squeeze the dog plushie named Lucia. I'm genuinely puzzled about what Mia's intent is.Is this just a gift?

"Have you made any progress?"Zayne sits down next to me. He gives me a cup that's filled with a drink. I don't know what it is, though.

"Is this milk tea, a health drink, or a fruit slushie?"

"Warm water."He calmly looks over before lowering his head.
Then, he gently squeezes the dog plushie's cheek. As usual, he delivers his dry humor with a straight face.Furrowed brows, pursed lips, and a scrunched-up face-all symptoms of severe dehydration.

"There's no way my face is..."I quickly relax my expression, but my brows furrow again upon seeing Lucia.

"Mia clung to this plushie from the site of the explosion to the medical center.Now it's with you. What did she say?"

"I said I'd help her find her brother."

"Kevi?"Zayne pauses, his thoughts drifting for a moment before he shifts slightly. His tone becomes more solem "Something or someone must be behind his disappearance. However, by getting involved, you'll have to confront people who are also searching for him."

"I know. While the Farspace Fleet dealt with the culprit behind the explosion, the whole thing feels... too similar to what happened to me.I'm not sure, but Ever must be involved somehow.Kevi must have something they're after.Or there's a secret they're desperate to keep hidden."

"The closer you are to the truth, the closer you are to danger. You truly thought this through?"

"Once they make their move, there will be a second time and then a third."

I can't just stand there and watch the same tragedy repeat itself with these two.

"Aside from Ever, there's another curious matterI studied in Skyhaven and worked at Willow Medical Center for a while. As a result, I'm familiar with the general atmosphere of this place.But l've noticed how different it is from what l remember."

"What are you trying to say?"

"The fleet. Back then the fleet wielded a considerable amount of influence beneath the modest façade. They spent most of their time carrying out explosion missions In the Deepspace tunnel the majority of people who worked here for eight years had never seen what their vessels looked like. This sort of large scale operation where their forces have been deployed on the ground is unprecedented"

"Yeah, it is strange. It's also something that wouldn't be noticeable unless you lived in Skyhaven for several years."Captain Jenna mentioned this before I leftLinkon. The Fleet's response to the explosion is different from what they've done in the past.. "I'll keep a close eye on the situation. But for now.I need to find Kevi as soon as possible.He's been missing for a while now and could be in danger."

Zayne nods and looks up at the dark clouds in the sky. "Did you find any leads?"

"It's been a week since the explosion. The Fleet must have searched through every nook and cranny of the explosion site and the surrounding area.If they can't find him, Kevi must have either been taken away by someone or hiding in an even more secluded place...
While the latter seems unlikely, I look at Lucia's big, wide eyes.Did Mia give me a clue?"

"Let me take a look."I give Lucia to Zayne. He scrutinizes it for a moment before tugging its charred tail.There's a burst of static before a voice crackles from the plushie. Noticing my surprised gaze, Zayne places Lucia back onto my lap and strokes its head. "I've seen similar toys with sick children."

"I knew it was a smart move to turn to a doctor."I carefully pull Lucia's tail and listen to the conversation again. Then, I realize something. "Maybe Kevi hasn't been taken away. He might be hiding...Is this "secret base" his hiding place?" I turn back to look at Zayne and speak. "Thank—"

"Don't. I'm tired of hearing that."

"When we're back in Linkon, I'll buy you the latest item on Maltosio's dessert menu."I suddenly recall how Zayne had taken several consecutive days off after returning from Chansia. It's something he rarely does.You've already used up some of your vacation time. Will you be busy later?"I can get the dessert to go and give it to you at the hospital instead?"

"This is the first time l've heard of someone inviting another out for dinner by using a complaint."

I'm" afraid I'll bother you when you're busy."

Zayne slowly leans back, studies me for a moment, and then reaches for the cup of warm water. His expression remains indiscernible. "I suppose what you need isn't water, but something that's more than lukewarm."

"What do you mean?"

Noticing my confusion, Zayne slightly tilts his head and responds with a smile that carries amusement and resignation. "We both have to deal with challenges, one after another.If we want to see each other, then there will be moments like this where we can sit together. No matter how hectic things get." He lifts Lucia's head and the plushie stare at me with its dewy black eyes. "Once you help Mia, take some time to think about what you'd like to eat with me."