For one day, Ethan and Rion were given a day off. Arrival of Somi has changed many things in recent days. Since her arrival, Ethan and Rion had extra training time. For Ethan, training always was tough and since her arrival it has increased by an hour and half.
The day off was given by Giovanni to keep their spirits high. And Ethan and Rion decided to meet their friends at the cafe
In train—to the city
Rion and Ethan sat side by side in the the crowded train. Rion seemed to hate the crowd, but Ethan didn't showed any issue .
"You don't seem to travel in train much" Ethan spoke up, he wasn't asking but stating his observation.
"Why does that has to do with you? I travel my share in train." Rion said with a hint of uncertainty. She quickly opened her mobile and started scrolling, dismissing him.
Ethan sighs and nods "alright, my bad"
"In two weeks, our assignment will be over. What now? They haven't even given us a single hint about Franciscco" Rion murmurs.
"I don't know ,they said after one month. They will explain our plan and they haven't said a word and it's two weeks past"Ethan responded.
The time passed quietly and slowly. In the crowded train, Ethan noticed a mother of a 6 year old boy standing in the crowded train. Holding her son. Ethan remembers his mother and a hint of smile appeared on his face .
He remembers how his mother always used to take him on vacation each summer. How they would travel so together. Back to reality Ethan noticed an uncomfortable reaction on the woman's face.
He noticed a salary man standing behind her, it was enough for Ethan to realise she was getting harassed. And perhaps the fear of the public scene, she is holding back. Ethan was about to stand up but Rion hand came forward to grab him by arm and pull him back down
"What do you think you are doing? Playing hero?"
"But she is getting harassed"
"Who gives a damn Ethan. We are professional killers in training. In the future we might even get to kill innocents for jobs. " Her words were harsh but were equally true. They weren't training to be a hero but a cold blood killers
She crossed her arms and said "If you don't learn to mind your business, you will get more bruises from public disputes rather than your own work. Let her handle her own"
Ethan went silent. As much as he was disappointed by her words, the truth wasn't hard to ignore. There exists no killer who is good, such acts won't change anything but make him hypocrite.
"Don't feel bad Ethan, I am not asking you to ignore everyone in need. We still will protect people we love, but we don't have time for strangers " Rion said in a slightly softer but no less firm tone. She returned her focus back on mobile.
Ethan sat quietly. He does remember the day his Mother and him spent an entire hour to help a kitten down from the tree. And he also remembers how the mother cat was grateful without a word.
It was a fact that mother love doesn't have a race. Only emotion. The same emotion he carries for his mother and the same emotion his mother carries for him. Love, unconditional love. If so the woman was his mother, he wouldn't have stayed quiet.
Ignoring Rion's earlier words, he stood up. Her hand came again to pull him back on the seat but he gently extracted his hand . He spoke to the woman "ma'am, you can take my seat"
"Idiot" Ethan heard Rion frustated whisper but it lacked heat.
Woman gratefully accepted the seat. A soft smile appeared on Ethan face, he felt less like a failure for a moment. But the reality of his work, pushed him back to his normal self. The warmth faded as soon as it arrived leaving a conflict of emotions.
At thier destined station
"Let's go, hero" Rion said sarcastically. Already moving into the city.
Ethan followed "sorry, for ignoring your words. But I don't regret what I did"
Rion didn't respond but her shoulder tensed and her steps fastened. As if ignoring the conversation she isn't ready for. "Just follow, idiot"
Ethan thought she was disappointed, that she was angry at him. Little did he know, she was frustrated ,But she didn't know why.
At cafe.
"Yoooooooooo" a loud shout filled with excitement reached Ethan and Rion as they entered. The glanced
"Who's that gorilla? I thought i invited JM and Charizard" Rion asked.
"He isn't a Gorilla. He is my roommate. Arthur"
Arthur ran over, his eyes filled with unshed tears and he hugged Ethan. His heavy rock like body knocking air out of Ethan
"Jesus christ " Ethan chokes out before basically just dying from air shortage in lungs.
"Leave him Arthur. " Robert called out.
Arthur finnally let Ethan breath. Ethan took quick short breaths, giving thumbs up as reaction to Arthur. Arthur glanced at Rion and his eyes widened. He points at her and asked Ethan
"Who is she my brother from another mother. Sister in law?"
Rion landed a kick at Arthur Chin, sensing common sense in him. Arthur rubs his chin"sorry, sister in law"
Rion went cat mode and tried to scratch Arthur but JM and Charizard holds her "calm down boss. He is just joking"
"Excuse me, can you please take a seat. Other customers are getting disturbed" Waitress said politely.
Finally everyone settled down.
"This is my classmate, Rion,JM and Charizard. And guys, these are my roommates. Arthur and Roberto" Ethan introduced both parties.
"Cool" Arthur gave a thumbs up as if there wasn't massive bandage on his chin. Rion jaw clenched at just sight of him.
"I don't know, this son of a bitch is pissing me off. Gang him up after I take Ethan back to estate" she whispered to JM and Charizard.
Rest of the afternoon goes through the choas. Arthur trying to get a boxing match with Ethan in middle of cafe. Everyone forgetting Roberto was there and JM and Charizard giving Rion the ideas about how to gang up on Arthur.
In this chaos, Rion noticed Ethan laughing at Arthur joke. The sound, unhinged and fully him. The jaw relaxed and a hint of smile appreared on her face. Afterall, Ethan was laughing after such a long time since that incident.
But the happiness was never long lasting, before anyone could speak anything. Two police vehicles stopped in front of the cafe. The armed police officers took position and they spoke through mic
"Ethan cole. Surrender. You are under arrest for stealing jewellery from Balleni estate"
Everyone went completely silent. Ethan went pale, his hand trembling. "I didn't"
"Come outside and surrender. Otherwise we will open fire." said the police officer through mic. Everyone in cafe got scared and hides under table. Looking at Ethan with anger. Some even shouting at him
"Surrender, otherwise we will also die you thief"
" People like you shouldn't exist"
"Go and surrender. Waiting for what?"
Rion hand went to dagger but JM stopped her. Arthur and Charizard looked him with confusion. Ethan at the end, realising he was set up. Raised his hand in surrender