Prequel to the rest, actually. Betaed by Eliza and Rune.

Watari's return to Schwarz is a demotion. He acts suitably distraught and refuses to part with his labcoat. They think it will be a good reminder of his failure. He finds it convenient for carrying pencils and a pad of paper.

Tatsumi greets him with a glint in his eye, and Tsuzuki beams from around a giant cream puff. Good signs that the unfamiliar boy reading beside Tsuzuki is the team member they've waited for.

The boy glances up; Watari almost pities Esset at the look in those eyes.

"He's ours," the boy says. Tatsumi smiles.

"Let's topple an empire."

~END~