The woman wearing the trench coat smiled in return.
"I'm glad."
Nico felt a warmth spread through his chest. This comfort and ease… pushed away some of his consecutive traumas from the forefront of his mind.
Which was a welcome relief.
Toni - dressed as if she was about to enter a court at any moment - walked up to her sister and scrutinised Nico more intently. From his man-bun, vivid birthmark, maroon pupils… all of it entered her gaze.
Eventually, a soft smile appeared on her usually impassive face. "I'm sorry for using you earlier. I'm glad you're alright."
The brown-haired boy chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. He was still a little wary of the smartly dressed lady, however, upon noticing the sincerity in her gaze he relaxed.
Just then, he sensed the last member of the peculiar trio making her way over. Nico recalled the moment the lackeys of the Stanburg Family had fled after the woman revealed merely a hint of her power.
They had also called her the 'Saintess'.
'Where have I heard that name before?'
He searched his mind for any clues. The name did certainly ring a bell. He just didn't know from where or when.
As she approached, the brown-haired boy shelved the thought for further expansion at a later date and took a deep breath.
"I'm indebted to you. Thank you for saving me," Nico bowed, doing his best to show the armoured lady the genuineness in his words.
"Don't be silly, there're no thanks needed!" The Saintess helped him rise, gently lifting him from his bow.
"Are you sure?" Nico responded with a hesitant expression.
"Of course." A polite smile split her face.
"But I want to repay you…" The brown-haired boy chewed his bottom lip absently in thought.
"Then, how about hanging out with the three of us for a bit?" her eyes twinkled slightly with amusement.
Nico's brows rose in surprise before he quickly smoothed his face into a pleasant smile.
"Sure!" he agreed.
"Is that fine with you, sisters?" The Saintess turned her gaze towards her siblings.
Toni and Noble both nodded with genial smiles.
The former's grin widened… as if she had just thought of an excellent idea. "How about we go to the Arcade?"
The Saintess glanced at her little sister deeply. Eventually, she sighed and gazed at Nico, who shrugged in return trying to act as nonchalant as possible.
The lady in the trench coat had no opposition to the idea either.
The armoured female took a breath, peeked at her bracelet, and then turned around and began heading in a certain direction. A slight smile bloomed on her face.
"The Arcade it is then."
***
Situated near the centre of the Outer Circle, a street stretched for a considerable distance. Most of its wide expanse consisted of taverns and similar establishments, offering food, accommodation or even items such as console games for the U-Tron 3000.
The clamour and bustle of large groups of people crowded together filled the air on this street. As a certain quadruplet approached the more lavish area of the Outer Circle, the crowds instinctively parted, sensing an ethereal presence nearby.
One look over their shoulders affirmed that notion. The Saintess walked with a calm and gentle disposition. The air around her tranquil and undisturbed.
Several immediately became enraptured with her ever-shifting mood-ring eyes.
She nodded politely to those people but spared them no more attention. Although it was unnerving being stared at constantly, she had unfortunately become accustomed to such a thing.
With her level of strength and social standing, it was practically impossible to shy away from the public eye.
Trailing behind the lightly armoured female, were the three figures of Nico, and the Saintess's siblings.
The boy chatted amiably with the duo, listening for the most part, but also occasionally adding in a quip or two when it felt appropriate.
A small smile graced his face, reflecting his inner feelings. He idly played with the strap of his pack as he gazed at the fashionably dressed duo walking beside him.
He had learned from Toni and Noble that the two of them had a relatively easier childhood thanks to their big sister. She had showered them with her warmth, for which the two were eternally grateful to have received.
Nico was a little surprised the smartly dressed woman could exhibit such an expression when talking about her older sibling - one filled with a deep sense of respect and gratefulness.
The boy shifted his gaze and stared at the Saintess's back.
He could empathise with her slightly, having experienced the responsibility of taking care of a younger sibling. And while it certainly wasn't easy, Nico had come to appreciate Charlotte's purity in a world filled with such strife and darkness.
Looking at the armoured female's silhouette, Nico could tell that a ton of responsibility plagued it. Even so, she remained unwavering and resolute, dealing with everything one step at a time.
As he learned more about the Saintess, the boy couldn't help but admire and look up to her. It seemed her title was very fitting.
'Humanity needs more people like her…'
Nico smiled slightly at the thought.
Just then, he noticed the Saintess slow to a stop. He followed the direction of her gaze, his eyes reflecting a tall, sleek building, littered with an innumerable number of glass panes.
One word came to mind as he stared at the conspicuous architecture:
Luxury.
An excited expression appeared on Nico's face. He had heard of the arcade before - it was a must-visit attraction to those visiting Airedale for the first time - yet; he had never received an opportunity to do so…
… until now.
He chuckled to himself imagining Charlotte's jealousy of missing out on going to the Arcade.
Sharing a brief glance with Toni and Noble, the trio wasted no time and walked up to the Saintess, who allowed a warm smile to grace her face in their presence.
Then, as one they entered the opulent doors of the Arcade.
An expression of awe gradually took hold of Nico's face as he studied the interior of the place they had just entered.
Lush red carpets spread through the floor, leading them towards a wide reception area. All around, cleanliness reigned supreme.
Not a hint of dust or sordidness were on display, evidently having lost their battle to leave a grubby mark on the place.
Feeling the soft material under his feet as he walked, Nico sighed contentedly.
His excitement dimmed once he thought of how Henry would have been beyond thrilled if he had entered such a luxurious place.
'I miss you, buddy. I hope you're doing well up there in Heaven…'
Noticing the boy's demeanour turn gloomy, Toni opened her mouth, "What games would you like to play?"
It took Nico a moment to process her words before his eyes lit up. "Anything to do with the U-Tron 3000," he replied immediately.
She smirked, a competitive light igniting in her eyes.
Noble rolled her eyes at her sister. It seemed as if she had just found someone else to bond with over her violent tendencies.
As the group of four approached the reception, an employee seated behind a desk noticed their arrival.
"How can I help you today?" she spoke in a professional tone.
The Saintess glanced at her party in silent question.
"Me and this kid over here are gonna fight some Demons!" The smartly dressed lady declared grandly, an overwhelming thirst for the barbaric intensity of virtual combat taking hold of her figure.
The brown-haired boy displayed a similar reaction.
Noble and the Saintess shared a silent glance, their shoulders trembling slightly.
"It's decided then. I'll go with her to the area with mundane games." The eldest sibling nodded.
The receptionist who overheard their choices got to work and soon the quadruplet received sufficient tickets after paying the fee.
Bidding each other a temporary farewell, the trio of siblings split up and entered two separate doors beside the reception desks.
One entered the entrance toward the virtual arena with Nico, while the other two clearly opted for a more chill and laid-back time.
An excited grin coloured Nico's face at the prospect of battle.
It was time to let off some steam.