There was a time when the little autumn thought that the police were their saviors. She wished for it, back in the day, for those righteous men and women to attack Krama's base and to save its victims – to save them.
But instead of accomplishing that kind of feat, the 'Numbered' weren't even recognized.
In the end, the only memory of the little autumn that involves the police is when they deliberately forced her out of their precinct, all because she was too dirty, and she was spouting nonsense about an organization that experiments on human beings.
Though it wasn't nonsense. It's anything but that.
That incident happened during her second year in Krama's base – her second year of being a 'Numbered'. She couldn't recall the entire situation at the time, but seeing how small she was – being a nine-year-old gal – she managed to miraculously escape.
Yes, she did manage to achieve the impossible.
It was raining that day, and all the little autumn can remember was how she continuously ran barefoot, gasping and panting, desperately looking for a place where she can ask for help.
With blisters and bruises covering her whole body, she could barely even open her eyes as the rain continues to obstruct her vision. She was just a nine-year-old girl, who was practically running away for dear life, praying to whoever is out there to lend just a tiny bit of help.
And after running for hours, she discovered it – a building that towers over her small frame with people wearing some kind of uniform. Of course, realistically speaking, she couldn't even read what was written on its wall, but coincidentally, she came to the right place.
Or so she thought.
"Please help me." The little girl whose hair has been brutally cut all over the place limps at the front desk, as the people behind it stared at her incredulously. "Please, I beg of you, people are dying!"
"…"
"…"
'Huh?' Lifting her head, she comically widened her eyes after seeing the uninterested gazes that bore into her small and fatigued frame.
"Are you shitting me?" A man whose face she can't recall cried out, making the little girl flinch from fear. "This is the third time this happened. We're not fools, young lady. Just go back to your mama and show her your acting skills. We don't have time for these pranks!"
"Pranks?" The little girl's lips began to tremble, as she reached forward to hold onto the man's sleeve. "This isn't a prank! Please help us! They're trying to kill us! Mister please!"
"Let go of me!" He then shoved the little girl, one that made her fall to the ground.
Hopelessness.
It was the only emotion Yuzuru Aki could remember at the time. Instead of feeling anger or sadness, all she could think about was how cruel and unfair the world is.
And how a disappointment it was.
That's why her general view of these officers is nothing but pure idiots who lazes around a building that millions would associate with peace and safety.
But this guy, this man-
He's different.
Even Cassandra, who abhors yet is terrified of them knows exactly what the little autumn was thinking. Just from his gaze alone, Rainer O'Neal is a man who dedicates himself to public safety.
When the blonde worker has finally finished making his drink, Cassandra immediately calls out to him, with a wish for them to leave this instant. A wish that wasn't immediately fulfilled.
For he spoke – that stoic police lieutenant spoke.
And he asked a question that appalled almost everyone who had heard it, especially the little autumn. "Where were you when the crime occurred?"
'Wah.' Yuzuru Aki raised her eyebrows, impressed at the action he made. 'He's too blunt. It would surely affect the person he questions…' Gazing back at her friend, and noticing her forced smile, Aki frowned. 'In a negative way.'
It was a question that left Cassandra sweating since she doesn't know what to reply with. She just stood there, waiting for him to receive his order.
But he doesn't. Not until she answers his question.
How troublesome.
Sensing how disturbed her friend is, and how Aki hated seeing her like this, the little autumn took it upon herself to force Officer Rainer to take his goddamn drink, all the while smiling for the sake of public service.
And before Cassandra could protest, Yuzuru Aki spoke. "We went to the convenience store, that night. Does that answer your question, officer?"
"Eh?" Surprised by her answer, Cassandra immediately tried to pull the little autumn's elbow, unsure of what was happening. "Yuzu?!"
"It's the truth." Aki continued, all the while giving her friend's hand a gentle pat. "Besides, there's no use in lying in front of two police officers on duty, right?"
'And hiding the fact that we weren't inside our home that night would place us in a difficult position.' Aki thought to herself while eyeing the police lieutenant as he takes a sip out of his drink. It doesn't help that his chaotic partner is trying to take a sip as well. What happened to the serious atmosphere?
But instead of acknowledging her response, police lieutenant Rainer O'Neal then took his pretzel, bid them a short bow, and finally stepped out of their café.
Leaving his partner behind.
"Hey!" Enraged, Police Officer Ain took out something from his chest pocket before giving it to the little autumn. "He's a cold and ruthless bastard, don't you think?"
"Well…" Aki simply smiled, taking into consideration how her comment might affect the image of their café. But if there's something worth noting about him, is that he's too straightforward.
That's why she sighed in relief after noticing the object in his hand. Luckily, Officer Ain didn't need a response to his question. He was simply venting out, after all. "Here's my card. Just call us if you found anything suspicious."
And just as she was about to reply, he then bolted off, spewing out curses towards his ignorant partner.
"…"
With them out of their café, the tension was suddenly released as both employees slumped on the ground, exhausted from the unexpected psychological warfare.
"Why are our customers nowadays so chaotic?" Cassandra couldn't help but point out, eventually making the little autumn laugh from the absurdity of it all. First, there was Gail and Sera, now it was Rainer and his partner Ain. Was it just a coincidence?
But coincidence or not, Aki didn't know the answer to that question.
Seeing her chuckle, however, wasn't what her blonde friend was expecting. "This isn't a laughing matter, Yuzu! Why did you have to be so honest?!"
"If I wasn't then we'll both become suspicious in their eyes." That statement was all it took for her blonde friend to shut her mouth, forcing her to contemplate the matters at hand. Sensing the change of atmosphere, the little autumn added, "Besides, they look smart enough to see things through."
"Are they?"
Shrugging, Aki replied. "Maybe."
"That's not very convincing, you know." After finally accepting this kind of outcome, Cassandra then stood up, offering a hand to the little autumn. "We still have work to do. Our customers are starting to look at us weirdly. I can't believe it's still lunch service… ugh. Come on, stand up."
The little autumn can't help but agree with that statement. A lot has happened, and yet, they still have work to do. So, after taking a deep breath, Aki replied. "Yeah… okay."
But before reaching forward, with a childish idea in mind, Yuzuru Aki pouts and crossed her arms over her chest. Cassandra was about to ask what was wrong, but the little autumn was the first to speak. "But to clarify, they're looking at you because you have something on your face."
"Huh?!" The lady in her immediately took over as she dashed in front of a mirror, checking out her features. Aki had to cover her laugh after seeing how serious her friend was in checking her face.
Upon seeing that there was none, a shadow loomed over Cassandra's eyes, just as she tilted her head to gaze at her mischievous friend. "Yuzu, are you messing with me?"
The little autumn replied with a grin on her face, just as she removes the dust off her pants. "One hundred percent yes."
"Yuzuru Aki!"
Seeing how Cassandra's cheeks turned red from embarrassment, the little autumn couldn't help but sigh, praying that the events earlier won't turn their lives upside down.
All she wanted was to have peace, after all, especially after experiencing hell itself.
Little did she know of what would transpire later on.
As if being put through hell wasn't enough, fate deliberately plunges them even deeper, down to its unending hole of torment.
*****