At the entrance to Blackwater Alley, Zeri walked in front with a sour little face, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
Behind her was a boy who'd taken off his hat—dark-skinned, with white hair. His face was painted with white pigment in a pattern that looked like an hourglass. His eyes stayed on Zeri's back while he rubbed the back of his head.
"Sorry, Zeri. I misunderstood. I thought you were trying to join us."
"But I didn't mean any harm. I just… I thought we were the only ones in Zaun still fighting the chem-barons."
"It's fine. I'm not that petty." Zeri turned her head to look at him as she spoke. "But I'm not joining your group. I'm joining the Spirit Blossom Gang. I've already decided."
Then she tilted her head. "Although… I still don't know your name."
"I can't join your group, but we can still be friends, right?"
The boy just stood there blankly, and Zeri smiled at him.
"I feel like we'll get along. It's weird—I just have that feeling."
"My aunt told me my instincts have never been wrong."
Zeri was lively, chirping and bouncing like a little sparrow as she talked, hands flying around in front of him.
She wasn't trying to suck up to him. She genuinely felt it—like something out there was telling her that she and this guy were supposed to be friends.
It was strange… but compared to the fact she could shoot electricity and control it, this didn't feel that strange.
"My name is Ekko," the boy said.
He looked at her and added, "Leader of the Firelights."
"Whoa—so you're the boss?" Zeri blurted out, shocked.
"Kind of." Ekko thought for a moment, then nodded.
Then he asked what he'd been wanting to ask the whole time.
"By the way, Zeri… what's this Spirit Blossom Gang thing supposed to be? I've never heard of a group like that in Zaun before. A group bold enough to fight the chem-barons, protect a community, and help residents."
"Crazy, right?" Zeri grinned.
"Yeah."
"But I saw it myself." Zeri lifted her hand, making a little finger-gun gesture and waving it. "If you want to know more… how about you come with me to Hope Community and take a look?"
"…"
"Just go like that?" Ekko hesitated.
Shark District was way too close to the Lanes. Walking in openly felt risky.
In the Lanes, a lot of people recognized him.
"Why not?" Zeri said like it was obvious. "Over there you don't need to hide—nobody's paying attention to you. Everyone's busy with their own business, busy making the community better. As long as you don't cause trouble, you're fine."
"…Alright. I'll go with you." After Zeri patted her chest to promise it, Ekko took a deep breath and nodded.
He really was curious.
The Firelights usually stayed hidden. They didn't interact with the outside, living in their own world and their own territory. Most of the time they were self-sufficient, but there were still plenty of things they had to buy out in the streets. So the Firelights weren't as cut off from Zaun's news as people might assume.
If anything, Ekko kept a close eye on what was happening in Zaun.
Because what he wanted wasn't just for the Firelights to survive safely—he wanted all of Zaun to get better.
That was why this suddenly appearing "Spirit Blossom Gang" fascinated him.
If it was real, could the Firelights cooperate with them?
They'd carved out a place right near the Lanes, and somehow they weren't crushed by Silco's pressure. That meant their leader had to be strong.
With that thought, Ekko followed after Zeri.
An hour later, the two of them arrived at a community.
"Every time I come here I get excited," Zeri said, standing in front of Ekko with her arms spread wide, sucking in a deep breath. "This is what a community is supposed to feel like—like a home!"
The Grey hit her lungs and she immediately started coughing, again and again. Then she turned around and thrust a hand out to Ekko.
"Come on, Ekko. I'll show you around—I know this place!"
Ekko looked around.
The people here really were different from other areas. Their faces had an expression Ekko recognized instantly.
Hope.
The same look the Firelights had—eyes full of anticipation, full of belief in tomorrow.
He glanced at Zeri's outstretched hand, hesitated, then reached for it.
Zeri grabbed him and swung her arms as she walked, dragging him left and right through the streets.
"In this place, as long as you don't start trouble, everyone welcomes you," Zeri said proudly. "Ekko, see that woman over there? That's Marna—her little cookies are insanely good, and they're cheap!"
"Over there is Uncle Marvin's meat stall—his fried frog meat is amazing!"
"And this shop—this is my favorite!" Zeri leaned in like she was sharing a secret. "Ekko, I don't know what they put in the candy here, but it jumps in your mouth. It's so intense!"
Ekko followed her, listening to her rapid-fire chatter. It was obvious Zeri genuinely loved this place.
And her mood was contagious—Ekko found himself relaxing.
He also realized she was right. Nobody was staring at him. Everyone was busy with their own lives.
So he let his guard down and kept walking with her.
But then a group of people in graffiti-painted clothes appeared, and the street instantly got louder and livelier. Zeri spotted them and shook Ekko's hand hard, practically vibrating.
"Look, Ekko! Those are Spirit Blossom Gang members!"
Ekko looked over—
And the moment he saw the pink-and-blue graffiti on their clothes, his pupils snapped tight. His hand moved on instinct toward the weapon behind him.
But Zeri's excited voice—and the residents swarming around the Spirit Blossom Gang members—made Ekko slowly lower his hand again.
…Right.
Not her.
Not every pink-and-blue meant her.
He didn't need to be that tense.
Ekko lifted his head and watched as the group smiled and greeted residents along the street, then actually paid money to buy things from the stalls.
Then one young man happened to glance at Ekko and Zeri.
He looked away—
Then whipped his head back around, staring at them in shock.
And he started walking straight toward them.
"Manzu?"
Some of the others looked confused when the young man broke off from the group.
Ekko watched him approach and felt a flicker of familiarity, but couldn't place it.
His body tightened. He quietly pulled Zeri's hand closer, while his other hand slid toward his weapon, ready to strike if needed.
The young man came nearer, staring at Ekko with a puzzled look—
Then his eyes lit up.
His walk turned into a run.
"Whoa—" Zeri had no idea what was happening. She looked at Ekko, then at Manzu, completely lost—but also thrilled for no reason.
Ekko, meanwhile, was coiled tight as a wire.
Two seconds later, Manzu reached them. Laughing, he flung his arms wide and wrapped Ekko in a crushing hug.
"Holy—shorty!"
"It's really you!"
The moment Ekko got grabbed, that familiar nickname hit his ears, and—
Ekko just froze.
Completely stunned.