Nero was surprised, thinking that it hadn't even been an hour since he decided to become a detective and he already had work to do.
Nero left his home and closing the door.
He leaned against the door and stared intently at the man.
"My name is Digadel Miltron, patriarch of the Miltron family."
Digadel paused, gathering his thoughts.
"I need you to investigate Roxane Viligan. She's the lady of the Viligan house."
He swallowed and continued:
"You see, I suspect she's cheating on my son."
"I need proof that she is or isn't doing that. A photo, a video, or even a witness."
He surveyed Nero's neutral face, formed a weak smile, and said:
"Of course! The reward will be 10 Long."
Nero's expression changed immediately. "I accept."
Digadel nodded politely and said sternly,
"You have two weeks."
Nero nodded, waved goodbye, and went inside.
Closing the door behind him, he went to the sofa and slumped down, lost in thought.
I already have a job... Nero thought.
Kōri looked at Nero with slight concern. He returned her gaze and nodded slowly.
Sighing, Nero began to formulate a plan in his mind.
First, he would investigate people on the street. He would pose as someone lost and polite.
He would keep an eye on Roxane whenever possible and gather evidence using photos or videos.
If he didn't have enough evidence, he would infiltrate the Viligan family mansion...
Nero smelled a peculiar aroma coming from the kitchen, a mixture of meats and various spices.
He got up from the sofa and peeked his head through the kitchen door.
Inside, Rose and Sunday were talking and cooking some kind of meatloaf.
It wasn't long before Lux and Kōri arrived and immediately started helping with the cooking.
Nero came in smiling and shaking his head.
After a while of peeling potatoes, boiling vegetables, heating water, and seasoning the meat, the meatloaf was finally ready.
Nero and Kōri set the table and placed the forks, spoons, and knives in a symmetrical arrangement.
Lux and Sunday carried the meatloaf, while Rose set the five plates.
Each of them sat down in a chair, laughing and with smiles on their faces.
Sunday stood up, "First of all, we have to give thanks to the 20 principles for being alive."
20 principles?... Nero was confused but nodded happily.
Each of them stood up without thinking too much.
They joined their palms and began to pray silently.
Each person prayed for something different, but they all arrived at the same idea: 'to be grateful for being alive'.
After a few minutes of prayer, they sat down.
Rose cut the cake into 5 perfect pieces and placed them on each of their plates.
The meat sauce dripped onto Nero's plate, making him feel hungry and greedy.
The group happily began to eat...
"Lux, I haven't seen you using your Sinner abilities," Nero said as he put a piece of meat in his mouth.
"My abilities don't suit my fighting style," Lux replied with clear disappointment.
Rose raised her head, arched an eyebrow, and said:
"Sinner?"
Nero almost choked on his food. Searching for something to say, only one idea came to mind.
"Um... it's an old saying, don't worry."
Rose nodded dismissively.
Kōri, who was next to Nero, whispered, "You should tell him... even transform."
Nero shook his head and refused to continue talking about the subject.
She simply cannot... know.
"What did half-face tell you?" Sunday ate like a very polite gentleman.
"I have to investigate a girl."
Sunday nodded gracefully, glancing at the backpacks piled in the corner.
"We need to tidy that up."
Everyone glared at Sunday, silencing him.
Nero got up from the table, walked to the balcony door, and opened it.
The air of the beautiful sunset enveloped Nero.
He gazed at the sky with gratitude.
His thoughts turned to how beautiful life is... when it chooses to be.
Hands encircled his waist.
Rose rested her head on Nero's shoulder.
He hadn't noticed the others there, simply watching the sunset.
Each of them wore a peaceful expression.
There were no words to describe that feeling. It was freedom, hope, calm, and affection.
All of that could only mean one thing... everything will get better.
...
The next day, at 7 a.m.
Nero woke up after the small 'family gathering' he'd had the day before.
He had taken the middle room, next to Kōri. Lux and Sunday were in the left room, and Rose in the right.
I couldn't waste any more time, I have to work... he thought, determined to get those juicy 10 Long.
Nero got up, brushed his teeth, and showered. He ate a sandwich Rose had made for him and left the house.
He walked through the streets like a citizen of yesteryear, people turning to look at him because of the monocle in his eye.
"I guess that's a sign of elegance around here..." he thought, adjusting his hat.
Nero turned to look at a beautiful woman accompanied by a child.
He approached them, took the woman's hand, and kissed it as a sign of respect.
"Miss," his voice sounded calm and confident.
The woman blushed and smiled slightly.
"Yes, sir?" she said with clear enthusiasm.
The child hugged the woman's leg and smiled at Nero.
"Do you know the Viligan family's residence?"
The woman nodded, looked at Nero, and blushed a little more. "Yes, it's on 46th Street in Rutan..."
The woman wrapped her arms around Nero's right arm, in a position where he could feel her "two things."
Nero turned red and swallowed hard.
"Sir..." she whispered flirtatiously, "when you're free, come to my house. I live in room 29 of that building," pointing to the Nongua apartment.
She walked away with the boy, saying something Nero couldn't hear.
Nero sighed, trying to calm himself. This time, his body betrayed him.
Wait... did she say 46th Street, Rutan?
How far is that? I don't think it's very far.
Nero walked through the streets, again and again.
He asked more people where the place was.
Finally, after almost two endless hours, Nero found the Viligan mansion.
An imposing mansion, large and surrounded by high walls, appeared before Nero.
Those walls were at least 4 meters long and 50 centimeters thick, making it impossible to climb.
Nero was ready to carry out his mission, but there was something he'd forgotten... the camera.
He shook his head and could only continue walking.
Obviously, he wasn't going to break into the property through the front door... that was stupid.
He circled the perimeter until he found a small hole to squeeze through.
The hole was in one of the corners of the walls.
It didn't look natural; it was artificial... someone had created it.
Prioritizing not getting dirty, Nero entered without much trouble.
Nero crouched down.
"I can't show my face..." he thought as he crafted a black mask.
The mask had two small holes for eyes and another smaller one for the nose. Nero took the liberty of adding a few details to the mask.
He removed his hat and hid it in the bushes where no one could see him.
He took off his monocle and put it in his pocket with a soft sigh, tired from hardly sleeping.
He put on the mask and disappeared into the shadows.
His body moved with slow steps until he saw a small, tea-room-like platform about two meters above him.
He used his double jump to climb up.
He almost didn't make it, but he managed to push off by kicking a wall, which hurt him, being made of stone.
The sun shone on his face, something he couldn't care less about.
He rolled across the ground with a soft thud.
"Hey, did you hear that?" a man's voice called from below the platform.
Shit...
Nero opened the door that marked the entrance and exit to the tea room, trying not to make a sound.
He closed the door with a soft click.
"Hey! What are you doing standing there so quietly?"