Sera stood adjusting her new black shirt in front of the airport shower room. Naturally, she was the last one out. Even so, she didn't take as long as she would have at home—she knew this wasn't a vacation.
When she stepped out, she found Mickey and the others waiting.
"See? I told you to bring a change of clothes," Mickey said.
"You think I believed you?"
Everyone had brought a change of clothes—they'd prepared beforehand, knowing there was a high chance things would get messy.
And they'd been right.
"Take her," Mickey said, placing Sally's hand in Sera's. The girl looked confused—just like Sera.
"Take her where?"
Mickey pointed across to a Victoria's Secret.
"We all have fresh clothes. The kid doesn't."
Fair point. Sally's outfit was covered in soot and concrete dust.
"You idiot. Victoria's Secret sells perfume, dumbass. Where do you see clothes?"
"Then take her to some clothing store."
"... Why me?"
The answer was simple.
"You have money."
"... So that's all I am to you? A wallet?"
"Just go." Mickey waved her off.
"Tch."
Sera scoffed and started leading Sally away, but the little girl hesitated.
"... What's wrong, Sally?"
"..."
She didn't answer, just looked down.
Mickey: "... Maybe she doesn't feel safe with you?"
"What!?"
"Just kidding."
Still, the kid did look wary, so Mickey called out.
"Syd!"
"... Huh?"
"Take the kid to buy clothes."
"Me? You want me to take that brat shopping?"
"She'll feel safer with you."
"What's the big deal? Just walk in, grab stuff, pay, done."
Despite grumbling, Syd joined them. Sally's eyes lit up the moment he arrived.
"Boss~!"
She clung to him immediately.
"... This guy's really her safe zone?"
Sera suddenly felt sorry for the girl.
But that wasn't the end of it. Sally positioned herself right between Mickey and Syd, then gave Sera big puppy-dog eyes, making it clear: She's only going if both of them go too.
And now Sera understood—this little brat was way too clever.
She wouldn't deny that Mickey and Syd were good-looking, but Sally's smug little smirk behind those innocent eyes made things obvious.
So that's why she called him "Boss"… crafty little thing, just like him.
"Let's go."
Syd dragged Sally like a sack of potatoes toward a designer clothing store nearby (Louis Vuitton), with Mickey following, and Sera taking the rear—because she knew if those two handled it alone, it'd end in disaster.
. . .
"Where did those three go?"
"Shopping for the kid," Toshi answered Jody's question. He pointed at the store they had just entered and checked his watch.
"Now that we have the kid, what's our next move?"
"We're not going back to London."
"...?"
"Well—technically we are. But only briefly, just to change planes."
"..."
"Change planes and go where?"
Toshi didn't answer right away. He turned and looked at her seriously.
"We'll personally escort the kid to the other side. You ready to be stuck in a seat for another 10 hours?"
"Like we have a choice, huh?"
"Just being polite."
He shrugged.
"Why not just fly straight to Moscow from here? I'm sure Sera's jet can do it."
"... Only the agency's aircraft can land there. Sera's can't."
"...Right..."
Makes sense. If a private jet like Sera's could get in, it wouldn't be a "secret base," would it?
"Then why not use those two teleporting agents?"
"The distance is too far. They can't do it. Worse, we might get ambushed on the way. We need to ensure Sally's delivered safely."
"...Okay..."
Guess they had no choice.
"So, this 10-hour flight—where's it going?"
"..."
"You can't tell me?"
"Not sure if I'm allowed to name the country… hmm..."
"Moscow."
The one who answered was Roxxy Barrett.
She had her arms crossed, standing not too far off. Jody shifted her focus to Roxxy.
The air changed from the casual tone she had with Toshi.
"...Russia?"
"We've got accommodations ready."
"... The agency's HQ is there?"
"Not exactly."
Roxxy kept her answer brief, but Toshi knew the drill. He had already overheard Mickey and Roxxy discussing what she needed to do, so he quietly walked off to rejoin the others—giving Roxxy some space.
Once he was out of sight, Roxxy spoke up.
"... About what happened today... I'm sorry."
She looked down.
"My head wasn't right... When I snap, I lose control. I didn't even realize what I said back then. But I want you to know I didn't mean it. I'm sorry."
"...It's fine."
Jody replied.
"...Sera already told me."
She added,
"Brain chemistry isn't something you can just control. No hard feelings..."
Jody made it sound so easy, but Roxxy couldn't let one thing go.
"... Jody… Were you really not mad?"
"..."
"What do you think?"
Roxxy froze at the question. She considered being honest.
"... I think… you took your anger out on the enemy."
Jody didn't reply right away.
"So you were mad after all."
"..."
Jody let out a long breath, then met Roxxy's eyes—those same empty, piercing eyes from the construction site.
"I don't like it. When people say cruel things. Especially the word 'cripple.'"
"..."
Roxxy held her gaze. There was no sarcasm, no joke. Jody meant every word—honest and direct.
Her expression softened as she gave Roxxy a polite smile.
"..."
Roxxy didn't reply. But she could feel it—the subtext.
Jody Johanson... was a very interesting person.
Now she understood.
"I remember every word you said."
Jody continued.
"You don't like me—and that's fair. From your perspective, it makes sense. You're not wrong to feel that way."
"..."
Jody looked toward the clothing store.
"I don't know what you've been through. So I'm not going to judge."
"..."
"That's all I wanted to say."
Then she looked back at Roxxy.
"If I ever do anything else that pisses you off... I'll apologize in advance."
"...I promise it won't happen again next time I lose control… I'll try harder."
"..."
Roxxy had just shown her professionalism. They didn't have to like each other. But the mission came first—and respect went both ways.
It could've ended there, but Roxxy had one last question.
"...What about Syd? Why aren't you mad at him?"
"..."
"..."
"...Roxxy..."
Jody answered calmly.
"He's the exception."