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The sun was blazing hot, even more so by May's standards. Alear was sitting down on a bench he found nearby. Just trying to relax after all the vigorous work he just had to do.
“I gotta say, you're definitely going to have to work on some things if you're going to be full-fledged thief material.” Sommie teased. He was making himself known, but Alear knew well enough he was there.
"I know, I know." Alear sighed. He hated how the red track jacket brushed up against his skin. In combination with the heat, it certainly wasn't pleasant. All he could think about was heading back to the store, sitting by the fan set up in his makeshift room.
“Oh! Hello again.”
Alear looked to his left. A younger girl, about a year or two his junior if he had to take a guess— was standing next to him. White-streaked hair and shining eyes that Alear could tell had something more to. Alear had seen her a handful of times before, particularly in that previous incident outside the guidance office a couple weeks ago. Warned not to go near Alear due to his “reputation”.
“I came over here because it looked like you were alone,” the girl pointed out. Making Alear’s present situation uncomfortably noticeable. "Where did everyone else in your group go?"
Alear sighed, fidgeting with the sleeves of the jacket. “I don’t know. They ditched me a little while ago.”
The girl's expression turned somber, as if that made her upset to hear. “Oh… I see.” She looked up to meet Alear’s gaze.
“I don't have a group either. So, I guess that makes us even?” she tried cracking a smile. It was definitely genuine in some regard, but Alear could not help but think of the kind of smile that Rosado showed him upon their first meeting. A first meeting that ended in tears, and a resolve that set everything in motion.
"Do you mind if I sit over here?” The girl pointed to the vacant spot on the bench. “Everywhere else looks occupied."
“Sure, I don't mind.” Alear replied, and the girl took a seat next to him. She looked around, trying to start a conversation.
"So, how's today gone for you?” she said, trying to make small talk.
"It's been okay." Alear replied, looking out to the river nearby. “Honestly, today hasn't been too bad.”
Alear could tell that the girl could just get it.
“Y'know…” she began. "I haven’t gotten the proper chance before now.. but I just wanted to apologize for what happened outside of the guidance office a few weeks ago." The girl's bright purple eyes darkened as Alear replayed that conversation in his head. Even just hearing that monster in human skin’s voice pissed him off. This girl obviously had no actual opinion to go off of.
Maybe that is why he did not shudder at her calling him a criminal?
"I wasn't really thinking… After all, I was just told about you… I've heard lots of things about you from my classmates, too.”
"What kind of things?" Alear inquired. Not that he actually cared, but he figured he would at least indulge her.
"Stuff that you yourself probably wouldn’t believe.” The girl replies, exaggerating her tone before resolving into light laughter. "I've never been much for rumors and stuff anyway."
The girl turned to look him in the eyes. "I know I haven't known you long, but you don't seem like the person they say."
Alear felt… touched. It felt good to hear someone say that.
"Wait!" The girl suddenly had a thought, from the looks of things. "I don't think I've given you my name yet." She sat up from the seat, ready to introduce herself formally, when the splitting cry of a little boy rang out nearby.
A bright red balloon was slowly rising in the air, and on the ground- the little boy tried desperately to grab a hold on the string. Unfortunately, to no success. “My balloon!” he cried, trying as hard as he could.
Thinking quickly, the girl got a slight running start, able to grab the balloon with only a few seconds to spare before it was lost to the trees forever. Alear was impressed, to say the least, and Sommie looked like his mind was blown, but quickly slunk back into Alear’s bag, as to not be caught.
“There!” the girl exclaimed. She bent down to meet the gaze of the younger boy, who quickly rubbed his hands against his eyes to wipe his tears. “You might want to be more careful, okay Kana? You don't want to lose your balloon again. So, hold on to it tight!” The little boy’s smile went right across his face as the girl handed him the balloon, tying the string around his wrist so it would not fly away in the wind. "Thanks so much, V!” the boy exclaimed, quickly going on his way— presumably to tell his parents about the heroine who just made his day.
“V” ran back over to where she was sitting with Alear. “Phew! That was close. I’m sorry about that.” she tried to apologize. Slightly exasperated from the sudden burst of activity. Though she quickly turned a faint shade of pink as she seemed to remember what she was going to do just mere moments before. “I was going to tell you my name before. My name is Veyle. It’s good to meet you.”
“It's nice to meet you, Veyle. You can call me Alear.”
“Alear… I think I’ve heard your name before.”
“Yeah, by a bunch of rumors.” Alear retorted, but Veyle shook her head.
“No,” she said. “I don't mean that. I meant to say that I've heard my father talk about you.”
“Really?"
“Yeah. Besides, you've been a bit of a talking point around school lately, Alear. Regardless,” Veyle smiled the same smile she did earlier. “I think we'll get along just fine.”
“She seems interesting.” Sommie muttered, but it was not like he had too, Veyle could not hear him anyways.
“Anyhow,” Veyle said (Alear was partially grateful she did not just hear a cat). “I think they might call it soon. I'd better get going. I hope to see you around, Alear!” Veyle waved him goodbye as she jogged off.
“You know,” Sommie said. Chiming in as soon as Veyle was out of earshot. “I bet that kid could help us out a bunch. Besides, she seems nice. Why don't we give her a chance?”
Alear silently agreed. Maybe it was worth getting to know her.
-///-
Once again, memories are fading in and out of his head as the prosecutor stares him down. No doubt ready to bombard him with more questions.
“According to our reports,” she begins. “The Phantom Thieves’ abilities in metaverse concepts are more advanced than the average man. Of course, it can be attributed to those other two members associated with you– but how could you have gotten this much intel from something that barely anyone understands? Tell me!”
-///-
I am thou, thou art I.
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall becomes the wings of rebellion, that breaketh thy chains of captivity
With the birth of the Faith, thou hast obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power.