♫Let me your tomorrow tonight ♫
-- Loote, tomorrow tonight

"How are you here? At Neo?" Maddog let out a short laugh, pleasantly surprised. "Did your folks at home even allow you come back here? Now that you are what...twenty-three years old, you should be living on your own, huh?"

"Yeah, and I...haven't told them yet.."

"Hah!" Maddog patted Celeste on the back. "You were quiet and obedient in the past, but now you are quiet and rebellious?"

"They probably wouldn't like it if I told them I was here now."

"Damn right." Maddog agreed with a grin, before the grin disappeared and he sighed, rather grim.

"Look...uh, Celeste," Maddog grasped Celeste by the shoulder. "I am so sorry about El, we all tried."

Celeste removed his hand, patting Maddog on the shoulder instead. Though Celeste didn't say a word, Maddog knew Celeste well enough to know what he meant.

"You aren't the type to roam black markets," Maddog switched the topic. "And you even managed to find me. What's up?"

"I became a detective."

Maddog's hand slipped from the counter top, and he began to laugh nervously.

"Yo-you aren't here to arrest me, right?"

Celeste looked at Maddog, impassive, and that expression made Maddog sober up.

"Oh, you can't be serious."

Celeste broke into a small grin, shaking his head at Maddog. "I'm not, I won't do that to you."

"Yeah, you'd be a fucking ass if you did that to one of your best buds."

Maddog sat back down on his seat, grinning happily. "Then what are you here for, in Neo? I'm sure didn't become a detective just to pay me, or this city a visit."

Celeste paused, not replying right away. He only wanted to know if Maddog knew anything about the infamous Peach. However, after hearing him call out "Peach", his question didn't need to be answered any longer.

"I am looking for Peach, and I heard you calling them out just now."

Peach who had been listening in attentively to their conversation the entire time tensed up. If she could have escaped, she would have long ago. Alas, the only exit to this shop was also the entrance.

Please, Maddoggy. You can't expose me, ever.

Peach begged internally.

Maddog stiffened when he heard Celeste's question. It finally occurred to him Peach was still inside his shop, and having a detective this near her meant deep trouble for both her and the entire night courier business. He kept the grin on his face, though it felt rather stiff now, and he forced out a laugh.

"She's just my dog."

Peach hiding in the storeroom resisted slapping herself on the forehead.

Celeste recalled the way he saw Maddog looking down and talking to someone beside him. Regardless, whether it was a coincidence or not, Celeste wouldn't let something that could become a vital clue to slip by.

"Your dog?"

"Yes."

"They allow dogs in black market?"

"Definitely." Maddog nodded his head, though anyone in the black market of Neo knows there's a rule that states no dogs are allowed, be it robotic or an actual one.

...and of course a rule like that wouldn't be missed out by Celeste.

"You are lying, Mekhi." Celeste warned, using Maddog's real name.

Shit.

Maddog blinked, trying to maintain his grin. He had no idea how to respond to that.

"You must really love your dog." Celeste added on suddenly, his eyes fixated on Maddog's movements and reactions.

"Yes, a lot! So spare me, yeah? Li...little Peachy is my only companion here. I'm a lonely man--yeah uh...very lonely." Maddog blabbered on without thinking, and looked Celeste in the eyes. "Please don't take my dog away."

At that point, Maddog looked like someone kicked him in the groin.

Whereas, Peach was staring at the wall, tempted to ram her head against it.

If he tells me to fucking bark, I'll kill him.

"I won't." Celeste answered.

"Thanks man, I can't live wi-without her." Maddog said, his tone completely unconvincing.

"Oh my fucking god, Maddoggy. You suck at lying." Peach whispered to herself, sounding pained.

Something glinted in Celeste's eyes as he observed Maddog. His eyes gradually moved towards the doorway that led to the storeroom.

"That's my storeroom." Maddog explained hurriedly.

"Seems big, so that's where you hide your dog." Celeste commented, and he moved his body abruptly.

Maddog who was on high alert, tensed up and prepared to block the entrance to the storeroom.

That's when he realised Celeste was only lifting his hand up, swiping across his screen.

"Wha-what are you doing?"

"Exchanging my number with you, I did come here to visit you, Mekhi."

Maddog was notified of Celeste's invitation to exchange numbers. He accepted it, not knowing that Celeste had actually switched the mode of his vision in the lenses.

Celeste moved his gaze back to the storeroom, his lenses detected the heat signature of someone in the storeroom, sitting down on the floor.

Being in the police force had its advantages, unless one obtained the heat vision plugin illegally.

There wasn't a change in Celeste's expression as he made the discovery. He said his goodbyes to Maddog, promising to visit Maddog soon. Peach who was holding her breath along finally relaxed when she heard the door shutting close.

"We are clear."

Peach stood up, exiting the storeroom. She then threw Maddog a vicious glare.

"Wh-what?" Maddog flinched back at the intensity of her glare.

"You are best buds with a detective?!"

Maddog raised his hands up, surrendering. "The last time I saw him was three years ago, and he was saying how he wanted to become a marine biologist."

"Really?"

"A marine biologist and a detective. Big, biggg difference, Peach. Hell, he was extremely passionate about it too!"

"Yeah, well...it's a miracle he believed your words and walked away," she scoffed. "You should never lie again, ever. You suck at it, like really fucking suck at it."

"I never said I'm good in lying." Maddog shrugged.

"Urgh, whatever," Peach growled out. "Where's your damn package?"

Maddog directed her to the metallic box on the counter top.

"So you purposely asked me," Peach harrumphed. "You didn't want the extra charges to be applied for bigger packages."

"Hey, the smart motorbike you'll be using to transport this was programmed and modified personally, by me."

Peach rolled her eyes, taking the package. "You think I don't know that, Maddoggy?"

"Just get out of here and get some rest. I don't want you dozing off on the motorbike with my package."

"I blame you for being good buddies with a detective. That will haunt me for days. Like seriously, Maddoggy? Seriously?"

"Yeah, yeah."

Peach exited the shop, carrying the package in her hands. She decided to heed Maddog's advice to rest for today, the distressing event that happened in the shop made her exhausted more than ever.

Unbeknownst to her, within the shadows, someone trailed quietly behind her. Their movements were swift and smart, never too far behind, but never too far in front either.

***

Peach had been strolling for fifteen minutes, and if she continued at this pace, she'll be back at her house in seven minutes or so.

Her earphones were plugged in, softly playing some music. The path ahead of her was split up into two directions, and she always took the one on the left. Though, for this time around, she went to the right which would lead her to the main street instead of another backstreet.

It would take up another eleven more minutes but...

Peach thought, passing by a street mirror as she kept her eyes on it. Just before she turned, she caught a glimpse of a hooded figure furtively following behind her.

I'll be able to get rid of this stalker.

Seven minutes after she had left Maddog's shop, she noticed that she was being followed.

She had trained herself meticulously to know if she was being followed or not. A night courier's identity was their biggest form of protection, and they couldn't afford to lose it.

"There's a bus stop nearby here." Peach reminded herself, the main streets still showing signs of life, despite it being in the late hours of the night. She kept a low profile, avoiding the bright places and pretending to be absorbed with her lenses.

She approached the bus stop, patiently waiting for the bus to arrive. The buses were now available all day, with it being controlled by via an automated system that was developed twenty years ago.

The bus stopped and Peach boarded it, there were no signs of anyone alighting.

Welcome aboard, Peach! Your current balance: $538.72.

For your own safety, please refrain from standing in buses while it is moving, if not, please hold onto the handrails provided!

The hooded figure boarded the bus too, and Peach noted his presence, pretending to be immersed in her music as she found a seat, placing the box on her lap. The surroundings were awfully silent despite the bus being half occupied, with everyone busy fiddling something on their smart lenses.

You are currently in Neo, District 30, 88th Yuja.
Next stop: Opposite Section Y9.

Peach alighted at the next stop, holding the box in her hands. Her eyes glanced discreetly at the figure that followed after her.

The fee has been automatically deducted from your transportation card registered with Löne!

Your current balance: $538.00

Have a nice day, Peach!

Peach walked on ahead, not once turning back and the figure waited for a moment, before taking a step forward. All of a sudden, Peach spun around and walked back.

Celeste paused, adjusting his hood, sitting down on the seats provided at the bus stop. Anyone who saw him would assume that he was taking another bus, however, that didn't trick Peach.

Peach eyed the man intently, not knowing that the person hidden under the hood was Celeste Ashbrand.

Celeste had been following her the entire time, not wanting to let such an opportunity wiggle away. Moreover, when he noticed the woman's pastel peach hair that resembled Peach's hair of the same length, he was further convinced that he made the right move tailing her.

Though, at the same time, he wasn't so sure if she was actually Peach.

Is she really that bold to walk out in public like that?

Peach sat down at the bench near Celeste, tapping her feet against the ground as she fiddled with the box. A peaceful moment passed before she stood up abruptly, taking quick steps away and Celeste reacted, standing up. All of a sudden, Peach turned back, and hurried back to sit down like before.

Celeste frowned to himself, he knew the woman had caught on.

Peach hummed along to the melody playing in her ear. Celeste had no other choice than to wait, remaining silent as he listened to Peach humming softly. A bus eventually arrived, though, none of them made a move to board the bus and it drove off.

Seconds passed, Celeste turned to look at her, and the woman suddenly swivelled her head towards him without warning. Celeste blinked in surprise, and she proceeded to acknowledge him with a closed smile.

"Hey, why are you following me?" she asked, her tone piercing despite her saccharine smile.

She really caught on.

Celeste mused to himself, blinking and looking away casually. He didn't answer her question, and Peach began to pout in annoyance.

"Hey, mister," Peach leaned towards him, tapping Celeste on the shoulder. "I'm asking you."

"Are you familiar with "Peach"?" Celeste asked curtly.

Peach furrowed her eyebrows, tilting her head to one side, playing dumb. "Are you talking about peaches? Yes, I know peaches. They are sweet and juicy fruits, really tasty."

Celeste knew this woman was the same person hiding in the storeroom, since he detected her heat signature in there. There was no reason she should be hiding from him, other than not wanting to be discovered by him.

"The night courier, Peach."

"Night courier? Mister, my school didn't teach me anything about this night couriers thing." Peach bluffed easily. "And by the way, that doesn't answer my question, why are you following me?"

"Are you sure you don't know her?"

"Why should I answer you? Who even are you?"

At that moment, Peach looked into a pair of familiar blue eyes, feeling apprehensive and she felt her heart skipping a beat.

No way, please tell me it isn't him--

"I'm a detective." Celeste revealed himself, putting his hood down.

Peach wished she had just stayed home that night instead.

A/N: Have a great weekend everyone! (sorry for the multiple cliff hangers endings, lol)