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༻ Y/N'S  POV ༺

The faint hum of my systems stirred me from stillness. A pulse of light flickered across my vision, and one by one, my functions began to reboot.

[SYSTEM REACTIVATION SEQUENCE: COMPLETE]
[ALL REPAIRS: SUCCESSFUL]
...
[WELCOME BACK, Y/N.]

My internal diagnostics ran quickly, assessing the results of my recharge. Damaged circuits repaired. Power levels at 100%. I blinked once, my vision stabilizing as the faint overlay of my HUD recalibrated. The air in the room felt different now, still and quiet, the way Five's room always was when he wasn't there.

I flexed my fingers experimentally, feeling the smooth precision of my movements restored. Rising from the chair, I scanned my surroundings. Everything was in order.
The chair creaked softly as I got up.

I glanced around Five's room, noting its stillness. It was untouched, exactly as he'd left it. He hadn't returned last night. My systems instinctively scanned the entire academy, every room and corridor. Nothing. No sign of him anywhere within the building.

He wasn't here.

I processed the timeline. We both understood it might take some time for him to extract information about the prosthetic eye from the doctor, but now an entire day had passed. No updates. No signals. No signs.

I couldn't ignore the growing urgency in my circuits—I needed to find him.

Steeling myself, I stepped out of his room and pulled the door closed behind me. The faint click echoed in the quiet hallway.

I moved down the hall, my steps measured, and descended the stairs. The academy loomed behind me as I stepped outside, the heavy door clicking shut. The air was warm, but thick with the weight of clouds hanging low in the sky, muting the sun's glow.

I paused on the front steps, taking a moment to observe the world beyond. The streets were alive with motion—people strolling purposefully, cars weaving through lanes, the faint hum of the city underscoring it all.

Standing there, I recalibrated. Focus.

I stepped onto the sidewalk, blending into the current of pedestrians. My internal systems began scanning the areas around me, sweeping for any sign of Five, any anomaly that might indicate his presence. Radar empty, for now.

Still, I pressed forward, my pace steady, each step a quiet determination to locate him.

It had been nearly twenty minutes of walking when I approached the car still parked outside the lab. Peering through the window, I scanned the interior, but it was empty—no sign of Five. My systems recalibrated, and I moved on, scanning for any trace of him as I made my way down the bustling street.

I passed storefronts and strangers, my sensors picking up the ordinary details of urban life. Then, a faint blip—a presence registered nearby. My head tilted slightly as I focused on the signal. It wasn't Five.

I stopped and turned, scanning the area, and spotted Vanya standing a short distance away, engaged in conversation with a man I didn't recognize. Curious, I started walking toward her.

"Hello, Vanya," I said, my voice calm as I approached.

Vanya turned sharply, surprised. "Y/N, hi. What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone uncertain but polite.

"I'm looking for Five," I replied. "He hasn't returned since yesterday."

Her brows furrowed. "Have you found anything?"

"Not yet," I said, shaking my head slightly. "I've searched this area but will need to expand my scan to the other side of town."

"Oh," she said, glancing back at the man standing with her. "Okay."

She hesitated for a moment before gesturing toward him. "Y/N, this is Leonard," she said, her voice tentative. She glanced at me before continuing, "Leonard, this is Y/N. She's, uh..." Vanya paused, searching for the right words.

I tilted my head slightly at her hesitation.

"...a family friend," she finished, her tone firm.

Leonard extended his hand to me. "Well, nice to meet you, Y/N."

I looked at him briefly before reaching out to shake his hand. "It's nice to meet you as well," I said, gripping his hand with measured precision.

Leonard let out a small laugh, glancing at Vanya. "Wow, your hands are cold," he said, looking back at me.

I observed him for a moment before responding, my tone neutral. "Wearing gloves would improve insulation in this weather. It would also reduce your risk of frostbite should temperatures drop further."

Leonard's smile faltered slightly, his eyes flicking toward Vanya for guidance, unsure how to interpret my words. Vanya gave him a small, awkward smile before turning back to me. "Thanks for the advice, Y/N," Leonard said, his voice uncertain but polite.

I turned back to Vanya, my tone even and precise. "Vanya, I wanted to ask you an important question."

She tilted her head slightly, surprised by my directness. "Uh, sure. What's up?"

"I've had no success locating Five outside of this area," I explained. "But I believe retracing his steps might yield results. Would you mind if I searched your apartment?"

Vanya hesitated, glancing at Leonard before looking back at me. "Sure, why not," she said, her voice uncertain but accommodating.

I offered her a small smile, my way of expressing gratitude. "Thank you, Vanya," I said, turning to leave.

"Wait," she called out, stopping me mid-step. "I have a key. Let me—" She reached into her jacket pocket, fumbling for it.

"That won't be necessary," I interjected, turning back to her. "You keep a spare key underneath the mat at your front door."

Vanya blinked, visibly startled. "Oh... right. I guess I do," she replied, nodding slowly, as if unsure how to respond.

"It was nice running into you, Vanya," I said with measured politeness, my gaze shifting briefly to Leonard. "And nice to meet you, Leonard."

He smiled, giving a small wave. "You too, Y/n."

With that, I turned and walked away, my steps purposeful as I headed toward Vanya's apartment. My internal systems recalibrated, focusing on the task at hand.

I walked steadily to Vanya's apartment, my internal systems running continuous scans for Five's presence. Still, there was no indication of his location. The city streets blurred into the background of my focus until I arrived at the building. I opened the main door and ascended the narrow staircase, the old wood creaking faintly under my steps.

Reaching the second floor, I paused outside Vanya's apartment. Her door was unassuming, marked only by a simple number. I looked down at the mat, crouching to lift its corner and retrieve the spare key hidden beneath.

Effortlessly, I inserted the key into the lock and turned it, the mechanism clicking softly as the door swung open. I stepped inside, leaving the door ajar behind me.

The interior was quiet and dim, the muted light from the windows casting long shadows across the space. Everything appeared undisturbed, the same way Vanya must have left it earlier. I closed the door softly and stood still for a moment, analyzing the layout of the room.

I initiated a full scan of the apartment. My vision shifted into a layered grid, data points populating rapidly as my systems mapped the environment. Furniture, books, scattered sheet music—nothing moved, nothing out of place.

[SCANNING]

....

LOCATING USER: FIVE HARGREEVES
-
Living room: no movement detected. No heat signatures matching Subject Five.

He wasn't here. The scan was definitive. I stood in the quiet apartment for a moment longer, looking around at the dim, untouched space. My focus shifted as I moved down the narrow hall, my steps silent against the floorboards.

Approaching the small bathroom, I pushed the door open carefully. A visual overlay highlighted the sink, mirror, and shower.

No presence detected. Area clear.

Satisfied, I exited the bathroom and moved back into the living room. I stopped near the door, ready to leave and continue the search elsewhere. Just as I reached for the handle, my system flickered to life again.

Motion detected. Proximity alert.

I froze, standing perfectly still as new data populated in my field of vision. A live proximity feed displayed an incoming presence, marked as "Unknown."

[Source: human. Identity: unverified.]

The figure approached from the building's hallway, moving steadily closer to the door. My system processed the gait and movement pattern.

[Threat level: minimal. Likelihood of known individual: 76%.]

I relaxed slightly at the result. Whoever was approaching wasn't hostile, and there was a high probability it was someone I recognized. Still, my guard remained up as I turned toward the door, awaiting the sound of footsteps outside.

The door creaked open, and I observed as a small head cautiously peeked in. My system automatically analyzed the figure—human, female, familiar. It was Allison. I watched her step inside, slow and uncertain, scanning the space around her.

"Vanya?" she called softly.

I moved toward her, my steps deliberate but quiet. "Hello, Allison," I said.

Startled, she gasped and jumped back, slamming against the door behind her as it clicked shut. One hand flew to her chest. "Jesus, Y/n! You scared me!"

"I apologize," I said, tilting my head slightly. "It was not my intention to alarm you."

She exhaled sharply and steadied herself. "What are you doing here at Vanya's?"

"I came here to locate Five," I explained. "I could not find his location at the academy or anywhere in town. Vanya granted me permission to search her apartment."

Allison's expression softened slightly, though concern lingered in her eyes. "Okay... Is Vanya here?" she asked, glancing around the room as though expecting to see her sister.

"Vanya is not home at the moment," I replied. "I encountered her about an hour ago. After explaining my purpose, she gave me permission to enter and search."

Allison nodded but sighed as she set her bag down on Vanya's small table. I watched her silently, noting the slight tension in her posture.

"I just needed to talk to her about something," she finally admitted, though she didn't elaborate.

I simply nodded in acknowledgment, letting the matter rest. A sudden sound from the hallway disrupted the moment—a faint, almost imperceptible noise coming from Vanya's bedroom.

Both of us froze. My system immediately flagged the sound, running an analysis.

[MOVEMENT DETECTED. SOURCE UNKNOWN.]

Allison's gaze darted toward the hall, her expression hardening. Without hesitation, she grabbed my hand and pulled me behind the wall, positioning us to remain hidden.

Moments later, a figure emerged from the bedroom and stepped into the hallway, moving toward us. My system identified the person as male but couldn't confirm an identity immediately.

As the figure passed, Allison sprang into action, delivering a swift kick that knocked them to the ground. The person hit the floor with a grunt, and Allison moved to strike again.

"Allison, wait!" the figure called out, raising their hands defensively.

I stepped forward and recognized him immediately. "Leonard?" I said, my voice calm but firm.

Leonard turned his head toward me, his expression shifting from alarm to recognition. "Y/n," he said, his voice slightly breathless.

Allison, still on edge, glanced between the two of us, her brows furrowed. "You two know each other?" she asked, her tone sharp and demanding.

I turned to Allison. "Yes. I encountered Leonard earlier today when I spoke with Vanya. She introduced us outside, just before I came here to search her apartment."

"Leonard, sorry about that," Allison said, her voice edged with tension. "I thought you were a... um... never mind. Where's Vanya?"

Leonard stood up, adjusting his clothes with a forced smile. "She's at rehearsal," he said, holding up a set of keys. "She left them at my place last night, so I was just returning them." His gaze shifted nervously between the two of us, a subtle flicker of uncertainty passing over his expression. "Sorry if I startled you both."

I observed the interaction carefully, my systems scanning for inconsistencies. Allison's posture was tense, her eyes narrowed and assessing, while Leonard's smile seemed out of place, his body language subtly betraying his calm façade.

"So, what were you doing inside her apartment?" Allison pressed, her voice crisp and sharp.

Leonard's face tensed, a fleeting flash of hesitation crossing his features. I noted the data, analyzing the shift. His eyes flickered to the side, his fingers brushing against the fabric of his jeans, a small, habitual gesture that suggested discomfort. "It's... kind of embarrassing," he said, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips as he ran a hand through his hair. "I had to use the restroom," he admitted, trying to make light of the situation.

"If you don't mind me asking, why are you here?" Leonard added asking Allison.

Allison's brow arched, but she didn't break eye contact."Excuse me?" she demanded, the question laced with the sharp edge of distrust.

Leonard's smile wavered, and he shifted on his feet, the silence growing heavy between us. Lifting his hands in mock surrender. "It's just... from what I've heard, you didn't want anything to do with Vanya yesterday. So, i was just wondering." He looked between us, the challenge in his eyes subtle but unmistakable.

The statement registered in my core, and my system flagged the tension in the room. Allison's eyes tightened, a storm brewing behind the surface. "I don't know why that's your business," she said, voice low and taut.

Leonard's smile returned, but it was brittle, more forced than before. "You're right," he said, voice tinged with forced levity. "Probably not."

I processed their exchange, noting the changes in their vocal patterns and micro-expressions. There was more at play here, something beneath Leonard's practiced charm. My analytical functions strained against the need to dissect every detail, searching for a potential threat or concealed motive.

Leonard's shoulders relaxed, but only slightly. "Well, it was nice seeing you both," he said, holding up the keys. "I'll just drop these off to Vanya at rehearsal."

Allison's eyes met mine, a silent question in them. I stayed silent, observing. She turned back to Leonard, her hand reaching out, palm up, a gesture of authority. "You know what? I'll take them to her," she said, her tone brokering no argument.

Leonard hesitated for a split second. His eyes flickered to me, searching, then back to Allison. "Sure," he said, handing the keys over. "Whatever's easiest, right?"

His gaze lingered on me, calculating, before he broke eye contact and made his way to the door. "It was nice seeing you again, Y/n," he said, voice clipped but polite.

My response was a quiet, unwavering gaze. I processed the encounter, running diagnostics in the background, analyzing every word and movement. There was a subtle shift in the energy of the room as he stepped out, the door clicking shut behind him.

The silence stretched between me and Allison. I could feel her eyes on me, searching for something, but I remained silent.

"That was... strange," Allison said, breaking the silence as she stood by the door. I didn't move, my gaze fixed on the spot where Leonard had just been.

"Why would he come inside?" Allison continued, slipping Vanya's keys into her bag. I didn't respond. The data I had processed was enough to fuel my thoughts, but not enough for a clear answer.

"Y/n?" Allison's voice was softer this time, drawing me out of my analysis. I finally turned to her, my expression unchanged but with a subtle shift in the tilt of my head.

"Leonard failed to appear in my scan of Vanya's apartment," I said, each word precise and void of emotion, but tinged with urgency.

Allison frowned. "What do you mean?"

"When I entered Vanya's apartment, I ran a comprehensive diagnostic. No readings came back for Five or any other life form. But Leonard... Leonard did not appear in the scan at all," I explained, each syllable deliberate as if the implications were data points I needed her to process.

Her eyes darted to the door and then back to me. "So, you're saying Leonard wasn't supposed to be here?" she asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

I nodded, the subtle mechanical click in my neck conveying the motion. "Leonard was physically present, but my sensors never detected him. There were no thermal signatures, no data logs. He shouldn't have been able to bypass my scans."

The silence grew heavier, and the stillness of the room seemed to hum with the weight of the realization. Allison's eyes narrowed as she processed the information. I could tell she was calculating the same variables that ran through my systems.

"Look, let me worry about Leonard, okay?" Allison said firmly, stepping closer as if to emphasize her point. Her tone was calm but edged with a quiet insistence. I shifted my gaze to her, studying the subtle tension in her posture.

"Why don't you head back to the Academy?" she continued, softening her voice slightly. "I'm sure Diego and Luther are there too. They can help you keep searching for Five."

There was an attempt to reassure me in her words, but my system flagged an underlying motive: an attempt to redirect me. She wanted me away from this situation. I tilted my head slightly, processing her suggestion.

"Good idea, Allison," I said finally, my voice smooth and measured. "The more eyes I have on this, the sooner we can locate Five." I gave her a small nod, acknowledging her suggestion as a logical one, and then turned toward the door.

I walked out of Vanya's apartment without another word, the quiet click of the door behind me punctuating my exit. As I descended the narrow staircase, my processors replayed the events of the past hour. Leonard's anomaly. Allison's reaction. Vanya's absence. Each detail was filed and cross-referenced for later analysis.

Reaching the street outside, I calibrated my sensors to the slight change in temperature. It was still warm, though a faint breeze hinted at an oncoming shift in the weather. Clouds loomed in the distance, their shadows stretching long across the pavement.

I continued down the sidewalk, weaving through the sparse crowds of pedestrians and the occasional car rumbling past. The Academy wasn't far now, and with every step, I adjusted my internal systems, preparing to relay my findings to Diego and Luther.

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