Johannes Albion's Story

The day breezed by easily. Kurai didn't find himself too hyped about the first day, and though he was asked by a lot of people since he was from the other section it still was boring. But when that came...
"Konoha. Kurai. You two, come with me."
Momoko pointed at the two as she walked off, lab coat trailing behind her. Kurai stood up and followed his teacher, finding himself heading to the lab. Once they were there, Momoko whirled around to face them.
"You were lucky enough to be selected for the testing of the time traveling gadgets, Kanato. Though, you're aware that yours is just a test-type, yes?"
Kurai dug around in his white jacket and pulled out the compass.
"Yes, sensei. Powerful, yet unstable, right?"
"Yeah, like you. Anyway, for Konoha here, first thing I want to say is congratulations. You've officially been selected by the scientists of this lab as the third time traveler."
She turned around, pulling open a drawer and revealing a cell phone inside. She handed it to her niece.
"Here, it's your Time Driver. This is the completed version. Don't press anything just yet though."
Kurai looked a little confused.
"Momoko-sensei, can I ask something? Where's the prototype? Surely you still have it somewhere."
"I don't know. The display shows it as registered, but we don't know who's the owner. Maybe the management gave it to someone in advance."

---

As soon as Tsumi got back she was approached by a guard she knew very well.
"Ayato, what happened?"
"Lady Tsumi, a thief got into the house and escaped. Burton shot him in the arm, but..."
She nodded at the guard. Just then, as she stepped into the house, she was met by an unfamiliar sight.
"Ah, Tsumi! Thank God you're back. Did you hear about the theft?"
Her father asked worriedly. She nodded.
"Yes, Father, but...who is that man?"
She looked at the unfamiliar man on the couch. He looked pretty shady, so she was worried.
"Tsumi, this is Johannes Albion. He's a hired mercenary. We hired him to go look for the thief, so you can rest assured."
The man glanced at her before standing up, nodding to her as he approached.
"It's a pleasure to be working for you, m'lady. Stay calm, I'll find him in time. After all, many people have come to me asking for me to find him already."
"I understand, Mr. Albion. I wish you the best of luck."
Johann turned to leave.
"Ah, no need to be so formal, just call me Johann. Well, good night then."
The doors closed behind him and he started to focus.
"Now, where could that rascal be?"

Konoha felt a slight wave of panic go through her as her aunt called her over. She was then handed a... cell phone? She was then informed to have been chosen to wield the time stone.
"Y-You're shitting me, right, Aunt Momoko...?"
The silence started to freak her out.
"Right, Aunt Momoko?! I can't be a time traveller! Hell, why did they pick me?! Why not that girl, uh... Koemi! Why not Koemi?!"
Konoha was completely unprepared for this. She only came to this academy because she was sick of seeing her mom so depressed. And now she was asked to be a time traveller?! This year is getting worse and worse by the second.

Hisao finally managed to lose the guards. Panting slightly, he wrapped his bleeding arm in some bandages he looted from the hospital. He sighed when it was placed on.
'Fujikawa must be getting pretty lax if he's employing rookies. Smug bastard. Who the hell does he think he is anyway?! Is he insulting the common people further by employing retards to guard his stolen goods?! That will not be tolerated!!'
Seething, Hisao stood up again, angry at the whole situation. He could then hear footsteps of a horse. A loud and angry groan escaped from him.
"It's that fucking Rounder again. That means Mercenary isn't too far behind either. Fuck, this is why I needed Saiko to still be alive."
Hisao then jumped up to the roof and ran away from him, jumping from rooftop to rooftop.
'Try using that horse of yours to catch me now.'

Momoko looked on as the girl panicked. She motioned to Kurai. The boy instantly turned to her.
"Konoha-san, calm down!"
"My brother and I've worked on this for long, Konoha. Right from the start Ataro knew that you were capable of handling it. You should have seen the joy on his face when I confirmed it."
Momoko was strangely solemn as she turned back, unlocking a drawer. She seemed hesitant before she pulled out a gleaming pair of red scissors, examining it under the light. She turned around, placing it into her niece's hands.
"Keep it. It's your father's favorite pair of scissors......He always kept it when he was young. Keep it, and think of what he might think of you if you decline the offer to be a time traveler now."
Kurai watched the two silently. Never had he have a family member die on him, so all he could do now was stay quiet.

---

Johann was running to the harbor, in case he could find the thief there. Sure enough, he saw a dark figure jump onto a rooftop. He frowned to himself, pulling out the cigarette and extinguishing it on the ground with his boot. Looking around the area, he spotted a possible foothold so he could get up to the roofs.
"Alright, don't fail me now."
He started to climb. Thankfully it held, and as soon as he was up on the roof he started his chase again, following the thief as he pulled out a pistol. It was hard to aim while running like that, so when he fired some of his shots missed.
"You're not getting away!"

Saya stared down at the students going on about through the rooftop. Gusts of wind disturbed the regular arrangement of her hair and the hem of her skirt as she casually moved a hand to fix it. Glancing at her watch, she stroked its metallic casing. It used to be a bright bronze color, now, she had painted it gunmetal. It looks cool, in her opinion.
"Alright, let's see what else can I tweak around you."
Stroking the sides, she felt some adapters embedded in it. Makes sense at least, seeing as this is the prototype version after all. It can be equipped with all sorts of external features. The main body was also somewhat hollow, making Saya think that there is a hidden function within it.
"Now, what to do with you? Maybe I'll try it out in the meantime."
She chuckled to herself as she slowly made her way down to the grounds.

---

Still in pursuit, Yuki rode on, his eayes already set on the running thief. He watched him climb through the rooftops in order to avoid getting caught on the ground.
"Impressive. But--"
Yuki drew out the rifle saddled on his back. Filling it with gunpowder, he took aim at the thief. Just then, he was suddenly made aware of another man moving on the roof. He didn't seem familiar but, he was pursuing the thief as well and with a pistol to boot.
"That's not going to do any better."
He muttered under his breath as he and Valiant rode down on the alley, following the two in their escapade. He passed them by and managed to find his way to an open square. Taking his rifle again, he aimed at the beams holding the roofing together. Firing a couple of shots, the roof gave way, unable to compensate the weight of the two. As the deed was done, the other Rounders have finally caught up to him.
"Took a bit long? They're over there, at the collapsed mill."
He pointed to the collapsed mill where he had the two fall. There were some hay around it so their fall must have been cushioned somewhat.
"I'll leave the rest to you then."
Turning around, he left it to the other Rounders to come and pick up the men. He was well aware that Rounders are currently competing for captures but, seeing as he was fairly outnumbered, he allowed the three more Rounders there to claim the capture. One of them recognized the pursuer.
"Hey, this is the Fujikawa's hired guard right?"
"Aye. Let him off and cuff the kid."
The two roughly pinned Hisao to the ground and tied his arms. Turning to the other guy, they asked him what they have in store for this kid.
"Well, this is the rascal you were looking for. We'll let you handle him."
"Hey, this one stole from the Fujikawa's right? Why don't we take him to them?"
"Good idea. Hey pal! Guess it's best to take this kid to the manor for questioning eh?"
The Rounders presented to accompany this man to the mansion where, this thief will be judged.

Alexa stared at the pair of scissors now resting in her hands. Did Dad really believe that she was this capable? Did he believe in her that much? But... Why...? She was a pathetic HikiNEET who can't stay outside for 5 minutes or more. Still, tears were built up in the corners of her eyes when Aunt Momoko talked about her father.
"... Alright... I guess I could try out the time stone..."
She was hesitant at first but then pocketed the scissors. She looked over at her partner, Kurai something... He seemed like a bit of an idiot when she heard his introduction so she was somewhat reluctant to work with him. But, it's what her father would have wanted. ... This was going to be a long year. Wiping the tears out of her eyes since her mother wasn't around to catch her tears for her, Konoha looked at Momoko with slight determination mixed with sadness.
"What's our first mission then...?"

Hisao felt the shots graze past him. A heavy sigh escaped his throat.
"Fucking knew it..."
While some shots missed on their own, he dodged the remaining ones. He wasn't about to be shot again. Turning to face the Mercenary as he loaded his gun, he gave the man the middle finger.
"Shouldn't you be at home with your wife and kids, old man? Fuck you for making them worry!"
Though his heart turned to stone when Saiko died, it would always retain a soft spot for women and children. They were the ones who got screwed over the most in this society. As he ran, the roof beneath him suddenly collapsed.
"Fucking goddammit!!"
He let out more colorful language as he fell. The roof cushioned his fall enough. A low growl escaped as he landed.
"Fucking Rounder with his goddamn aiming..."
Still, this wasn't the time to complain. Rounder's buddies were sure to show up any minute now and even if they didn't, he was still fucked if Mercenary woke up. Quickly he leapt to his feet... which was a mistake. One of his ankles had been sprained.
"Oh come the fuck on!!"
He was about to fix it when the Rounders showed up and pinned him to the ground. A loud and annoyed groan escaped him as he was taken away, not even bothering to try and talk to them. They wouldn't understand his motives, they never did in this piece of shit society.

"I don't want to be too harsh right now, so try to get yourself acquainted with your Time Driver first. Kanato, you go with her."
Momoko spoke. Kurai's face dropped.
"Won't we get scolded for this?"
"Eh, I told the faculty. They'll excuse you guys."
She turned to her niece again.
"That blue button there is the button to Time Leap. First though you have to set the time you want to go back. Just set it to 60 years back, we can't risk any time paradoxes."
Kurai watched, leaning against the wall while inspecting his compass. There had always been the capability to purge the Stone, but that might break the Driver and he'd have to get a new one so he won't be Time Leaping for a while. He sighed.
"Sometimes I wonder why Dad signed me up for this..."

---

Johann shook the hay out of his hat before putting it back on. He stood up, keeping a firm grip on Hisao's neck as he walked on with the Rounders. A few minutes of walking later, the Fujikawa's mansion came into view. The master of the house was waiting in front of the door, then ran over.
"This is the thief, sir."
"Aha! So you're the one who stole those treasures, huh?"
Johann listened as the man continued to reprimand the thief. All he came here for was the money, but just then...
"This man should be killed by you, Mr. Albion!"
"That's a bit too harsh, Father."
Johann watched as the daughter of the Fujikawas came once more, brushing back her peach-colored hair. Her ice blue eyes opened, staring at the boy.
"M'lady, what do you need?"
"Tsumi! I thought you were supposed to be asleep!"
"Yes, but your ranting woke me up."
Tsumi turned to Johann.
"If it is possible, could you keep him in check? Watch over him?"
"M'lady, that is completely up to the Rounders if they will allow it."
The man wanted to light a cigarette already, but in the Noble's presence....

"Nn..."
Konoha fiddled a bit with the scissors in her pocket. She knew the girl in front of her didn't give a damn what happens to her so why should she? She merely kept silent after that. Kurai could talk for both of them. The idiot seemed capable of that much at the very least.

Hisao said nothing as he glared at the man who scolded him. Soon, a girl entered the room. That had shocked Hisao a bit. There weren't many females who could be Nobles. Most Nobles were male since in this time, women were denied the rights they needed. This left Hisao rather torn on the situation. The Noble girl then mentioned that the Mercenary should watch him. He scoffed at the idea and was about to curse her out but then he stopped himself. He spoke, his voice sounded strained as he did.
"Miss... I appreciate your concern but I can look after myself. I've done so for a while now."
Christ did it pain him to say words to a Noble, polite words to be exact. But still, it was in his code of honor to treat women with respect, one way or another.

Momoko was about to say something else when an all-too familiar girl entered the room. A hand slapped onto her forehead as she let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Heavens above, Itsuna, could you have come in at a better time?"
Kurai raised his eyebrows at the girl. Sure, she was the infamous Repeater of Canilim Academy, but what was she doing in the lab of all places?
"Sensei, what's she doing here?"
"More questions? Ugh. She's supposed to help out in the lab, you dimwit. To make up for her failing marks."
Momoko shot a glare at the pink-haired girl.

---

"Really now? But without correct supervision, you may commit your crimes again."
Tsumi pointed out at the young thief. Johann on the other hand was discussing a few matters with the Rounders and the master of the house. Nodding to each other, the Rounders agreed to let Johann keep a close eye on Hisao. The Mercenary walked over to the Noble.
"M'lady, they said it was alright."
"Thank you, Sir Johann. But it's too dangerous to walk out at this time of the night, so you two can stay for the time being."
With those words, Tsumi turned around, disappearing into the house again. Johann waited until she was out of sight before turning to the thief.
"Well, ya gonna get moving or not?"

Konoha stepped back to avoid breathing the same air as the pink haired girl. There was an air of arrogance to her that she didn't particularly care for. Plus she was invading her personal space.
"Please move..."
An accidental cut from the blades made her jerk the hand out of her pocket. She sucked a bit on the finger, licking the blood away. She then gently gripped the handles. Truthfully, her father's death made no sense to her. There was never a body and her mother never mentioned scattering any ashes. It all seemed suspicious to her... Shrugging it off, she turned to Kurai, seemingly hiding behind him but instead just keeping her distance so she doesn't cut up the girl in front of her.

Hisao glared at the Mercenary.
"Okay, okay! Christ, give me a minute!"
Hisao needed to get his pride back after the encounter with the Noble woman. When he did, he still didn't budge.
"Go inside if you wish but I'd rather freeze my ass off than go inside a Noble's-"
He was about to say more but then remembered that the woman offered him to stay in the house for the night. God, he hated his ethics sometimes.
"... Just don't breathe down my goddamn neck the whole night, got it?"

Kurai instantly knew not to mess with this girl. He backed away slightly before Konoha seemed to hide behind him. He perfectly understood- She was menacing, after all. Just then his teacher's voice snapped him out of the daze.
"For crying out loud, Itsuna, I just told you to stop taunting the newcomers earlier."
Momoko frowned as she got in front of the two and the pink-haired girl.
"I'll get the stupid papers done when I'm done briefing these two on the Drivers, alright? Damn."
She sighed, massaging her temples. Kurai watched in amusement, thankful for his teacher for the first time.

---

Johann raised an eyebrow at the boy as he led him in.
"Boy probably has a spot for women. Still, he's quite young, so I'll let that thought off."
Shown into a guest room by a rather friendly guard- Ayato, Johann heard the daughter of the Fujikawas call him- he sighed and took off his hat.
"Been years since I've been in something like this..."
He thought to himself while sitting on the soft bed.

In another room, Tsumi couldn't bring herself to sleep just yet. Wild animal attacks, and a Mercenary and a thief was in her house as she continued pondering to herself. What next, another time traveler?