♫I try to keep my hands clean, but they still seem polluted. ♫
-- Bump of Chicken, カルマ (Karma)

His striking sky blue hair flowed to his movements, and his gorgeous bright blue eyes focused on Peach. If it was in a different situation, Peach would admire how handsome he looked even though he was dressed in a casual outfit.

"Are you okay?" Celeste turned to ask Peach.

Peach didn't hesitate to crash right into him, engulfing him in a hug. She definitely couldn't let him see her this closely no matter what.

"I-I was so sc-scared!" she stuttered out, making herself sound afraid.

The boy only gave Peach a weird look.

The drunkard pushed himself back up, stumbling, his face growing redder. "You fucking twat! I'll kill you!"

"Mister! That-that man was trying to molest my little brother! I tried to stop him!" Peach reasoned, her naturally high-pitched voice, along with her height, made everyone assume she was a teenager.

"Move aside." Celeste said curtly and Peach gladly moved aside.

She didn't know what Celeste was doing here, and she wasn't keen on finding out either.

The man charged at Celeste and he dodged him easily, proceeding to counter the drunkard's punches with ease.

Peach slipped away quietly, dragging the boy along at the same time. She held her glasses and hat tightly in her hands.

***

"Lady, I think you can let of me now."

Peach released the boy's hand, wearing her hat quickly and adjusting her glasses. She cast a cautious glance around their surroundings, before pointing at the boy, narrowing her eyes at him.

"If you are going to get yourself into trouble, don't do it in front of me next time." Peach warned, walking away in a brisk manner.

"La-lady, wait!"

Peach sighed, spinning around and giving the boy a questioning look.

"Thank you." The boy gave a shy smile, and Peach gave him a small wave.

Meanwhile, Celeste who had already won the fight had already noticed Peach slipping away with the boy. He didn't bring along any handcuffs since he didn't want to be identified, but he gave the drunkard a stern warning as a detective. The drunkard scampered off, and Celeste glanced at the direction Peach had disappeared to, an inscrutable expression on his face.

***

Peach came face to face with two burly guards standing by the entrance yet again. Unlike the others, she always entered via the back entrance where regular customers knew about. Moreover, the guards only allowed those regular customers that they recognised to pass through.

One of the guards had a "2081" tattoo on his clean-shaven face, that was tattooed with a cursive font. The other guard only greeted Peach with a nod, stepping aside to let her pass.

The "2081" guard remained in his position, his face stoic, not letting Peach pass. Peach stared at him through her glasses, blinking innocently.

"De jättelika kräftorna försöker ta över Jorden. (The giant crayfishes are attempting to conquer The Earth.)" Peach stated in her high-pitched voice, still maintaining the same innocent expression.

The stoic expression on his face cracked, and a smile lined his thin lips.

"Awww, Peach, du är jättesöt! (you are very cute!)" He cooed as he laughed. He leaned forward, unable to resist how adorable Peach was and wanted to hug her.

However, before he could do it, the other guard pulled him back by the collar. The "2081" guard raised his eyebrows, while the other guard narrowed his eyes at Peach.

"Hey, don't look at me. Your boyfriend told me that the passcode was for me to say a Swedish phrase." Peach raised her hands up in surrender.

"You tried to hug him."

"He tried to hug me!"

The other guard turned to the "2081" guard, narrowing his eyes further. "No hugging, Viktor."

"Jay, I'm gay, and your boyfriend," Viktor stated. "I also can't get hard for anyone else other than you."

Peach cringed, not wanting to hear such information. Meanwhile, Jay released Viktor, and took a step closer to Viktor. Peach widened her eyes in horror, putting her arms down.

I'm not staying here to observe your make-out session!

"I'm out of here," Peach shoved past them, her steps brisk. "Löne, please switch on my music."

Resuming your music playlist.

Peach didn't want to hear any kissing sounds behind her either.

The route to Maddog's place was something that Peach could find her way to even if she was blindfolded. She looked up at the worn-out sign that displayed his shop name "狗皮膏药".

She recalled the definition of that Chinese idiom, seeing the decrepit state of the exterior.

"That name really suits the shop now." Peach snorted, rather amused and she entered the shop.

"You were mocking my stall name again, weren't you?"

Those were the words that greeted Peach when she entered the shop. Seeing Maddog sitting at his usual seat, tapping his cigarette against the ashtray.

"Maddoggy, you are really awake!" Peach grinned. "And let's face it, your shop suits the definition of the name right now."

"Hmm, maybe," Maddog smirked. "You dropped in at a weird time. What, you broke something again?"

Peach approached the counter, leaning against it. "No, I received your message about your package."

"I just sent it," Maddog widened his eyes slightly, noting the time on his lenses. "You wanna deliver right now?"

"I can't sleep," Peach shrugged. "So why not? But lemme see what's the package about first."

"You can't deliver it right now. The client is rather...cautious."

"Fine, just lemme see it."

Maddog extinguished his cigarette, heading into his storeroom quietly.

Peach drummed her fingers against the counter, her eyes landing on the monitor at the far end where Maddog was only allowed to access.

There were hidden cameras placed around the vicinity for Maddog to observe his surroundings. The black market was notorious for the countless robbery cases, and those who were robbed definitely couldn't report it to the police, unless they wanted to get arrested themselves.

Peach smirked playfully, she pushed herself onto the counter, shifting towards the other end and landing on the cemented ground softly.

Approaching the monitor, she observed intently and she saw someone lingering in front of the store. They seemed to pace back and forth for a moment, before they stopped and glanced up.

"What the fuck?!" Peach almost shrieked out when she recognised the person, recoiling back.

It's that blue-eyed hottie again! First with that little boy, and now here?! Is the police investigating black markets again? Son of a bitch! What the hell am I supposed to do now?!

She saw him pushing the door open and she widened her eyes, hearing the door opening from her side. She instantly crouched down, fully hidden behind the counter. At the same time, Maddog exited the storeroom, carrying a metallic box with one hand and he seemed rather strained from the weight of the box.

Maddog frowned to himself when he saw Peach nowhere in sight, placing the box on the counter top with a huff.

Peach saw him looking around for her, reaching out to grab onto his pants to alert him.

Maddog, you better not call my--

"Peach?"

Peach grabbed at his pants at that moment, blanching. She stared up at Maddog, looking utterly dreadful.

"What are you doing down there?" Maddog frowned even further. "And I don't recall allowing you to cross the counter."

"...I'm so fucking dead..." Peach muttered out, covering her face with her palm.

"Huh? Dead?" he responded in a confused manner, lowering his voice instinctively since Peach was doing the same. "What are you--"

"Look in front!" Peach hissed out, and Maddog turned slowly, still confused.

Maddog was surprised to find an unfamiliar face glancing around his stall. His face lit up at the thought of a prospective customer, and he beamed, his tone welcoming.

"Hello, sir! Would you like me to recommend you some of my most popular products?"

Peach wanted to punch him.

Celeste spun around, nearing the counter, appearing emotionless and Maddog continued smiling brightly. He assessed Celeste's outfit, and his cold mannerisms, as well as his devastatingly handsome looks, immediately jumping to the conclusion that he was utterly rich.

The more money, the better!

Maddog thought happily.

Peach had crawled away carefully to the storeroom as Maddog assessed his newest customer. She definitely didn't feel safe hiding behind the counter, especially after Maddog called out to her ailas like that.

"Here you go, sir! Let me show you the products that I--"

"You said Peach." Celeste interrupted, noticing that Maddog seemed to be talking to someone beside him before.

"Peach?"

Celeste nodded, casting a casual glance over the counter. He saw nothing beside Maddog, and Maddog followed his eye movement, regarding Celeste with askance.

"Are you here to buy something? Or are you here for something else?" Maddog's tone was no longer polite.

"..."

"...what?"

"You don't recognise me." Celeste answered with something unrelated yet again, his tone slightly disappointed.

"Am I supposed to know you?"

Celeste dug into his pocket, taking out an item that resembled those in the glass cases. He placed it gently on the counter top, sliding it across to Maddog.

"Just so you know, I don't buy secondhand...hold on."

Scrutinizing the object, Maddog was astounded as he recognised it within seconds.

"This...this is impossible, I made this years ago as a prototype, it shouldn't even exist," Maddog mumbled out in disbelief. "How did you even get something like this? I only passed it to--"

Maddog snapped his head up to Celeste in realisation, gazing intently at him. A moment passed, and none of them spoke a word. Peach who was eavesdropping on their conversation in the storeroom was bewildered by the silence.

"Li-little Ash?" Maddog slowly straightened himself, his eyes growing wide. "You are Little Ash?"

A smile curved at Celeste's lips, making him look even more handsome.

Those who knew Celeste well would know that earning a smile from this aloof man was extremely rare. It was like finding a needle in a haystack.

Maddog dashed from his seat, engulfing Celeste in a hug. "It's been three fucking years! Damn, it's good to see you!"

"Yeah."

Celeste continued smiling, hugging Maddog back and they released one another.

They know each other?!

Peach overheard their exchange, horrified. She slumped against the wall, staring into space with a blank look.

God help me, I'm so fucking screwed.

A/N: Sorry for the long disappearance, kinda lost my inspiration to write. It still isn't completely back, but well...at least it's something. Have a good weekend, everyone!