The Zetta Sonic
Hide

The night was as clear as the weather forecast. The air is cold, quite cold. Suitable for making campfires and singing together. At exactly eight o'clock, the invited guest joined them.

Alex never met Honey Lemon in person. He only knew that the girl had studied at the same school as them even if it was only two years. Alex agrees that the girl is in line with the comments of the cyber-dwellers. Blonde curls like silk, her voice melodious, her face beautiful, very charming.

The girl performed one song on a simple stage made from a large tree cut. Then he took some students up to sing along. He also recounted his days at Wood Peak. As long as Honey Lemon was on stage, the students swung the lightstick in their hands.

Alex no. His right hand held the Zetta Sonic emblem.

He had talked to Tiger before. He has also read the latest news about their case. Alex is not surprised at all how the ICPA can send all the information easily even if they are not in the city. Cell phone signal alone is reduced by only one bar. That place is not remote at all. That's the good news.

The bad news is, Honey Lemon just finished a tour abroad for a month. He had just landed that afternoon and went straight to the camp. At such school events, supervision is minimal. The ICPA knows what it means. If the robot wants to kill or kidnap Honey Lemon, there's no better chance than doing it there.

Ever since learning about the information, Alex found himself getting cranky. How not. He'll have to use his powers when the killer robot arrives. Not only to save the girl but also protect her classmates.

“Alex?” Again Leta broke her daydream. The girl was still sitting next to him. Instead of standing and dancing with their schoolmates near the stage, the two chose to go back. Still thinking about the invitation to university or my question this afternoon?”

“Maybe, not both.” Alex looked at the girl beside him. Shapeless shadows covered his face, but were unable to dispel his charm. “I'm just enjoying this moment.”

Leta smiled then threw her gaze forward. His fingers smoothed the strands of hair that fell onto his face. Leta occasionally moved her head to the beat of music. Honey Lemon's voice sounded clear. The crowd of the show did not yet see the end.

“You should have danced with them,” Alex said.

“No need. I'm lazy to jostle. Anyway, I can watch everything from here.” Leta looked towards the stage. He was almost as tall as his friends. They can see clearly.

Alex fell silent. He never thought he could be near Leta that easy. His eyes did not stop from Leta's face. The girl bewitched him. Feeling misbehaved, Alex lowers both his hands to a wooden block just to make another mistake. His hand accidentally stuck to Leta's.

Alex hurriedly pulled his hand. “Sorry--”

Instead, Leta's hand just caught Alex's hand. “You're okay? Your hands are ice cold.”

The atmosphere there was indeed much colder than the capital. It's only natural that Alex still feels cold behind sweaters and jackets. Leta's hands were also cold, though not as cold as her own. This makes the girl pull Alex's other hand. Her slender fingers wrapped around Alex's larger hand.

“You brought gloves? I bring it if you need to,” Leta said again.

Leta observed his interlocutor for a moment. “Good.”

“Oh, yes. There's actually something I've been wanting to ask you for a long time.”

“What is it?” Leta brought her face closer.

Alex tried not to be dramatic when he asked, “Do you like liars? I mean, what do you think about people who lie? Sometimes, there are people who have to lie for good.”

“I hate liars!” There is seriousness in Leta's speech. “Long remains a lie. No matter what your reason. After all, no one likes to be lied to.”

“True. I agree.” Alex says things he can't confirm for himself. He agrees that no one likes to be lied to. He also does not want to be lied to. Ironically, if there was something he could be proud of other than his hacking ability, it was his lying ability.

“Why do you ask that? You're quite honest, in my opinion.”

“Wow, thank you. You're the first person to say that to me.”

Leta laughed a little. “Masa? You never cheat and imitate the duties of others. As far as I know, you usually cheat Willy. Everybody knows that. Small indeed, but it's a form of honesty.”

“Thank you.” Alex grunts amusedly. At least it's true. Alex doesn't have to cheat, there's no need. He was awarded an intelligent brain. If that's what Leta means honestly, about value, then Alex is not a liar.”

A short while later, silence struck between the two of them. Leta was still enjoying the sound in the distance. Music never reached Alex's ears. His mind drifted on various things. Concentration's divided. Especially when he saw the movement of the shadow not far behind them, among the trees.

“Wait here. I'm going there for a minute.” Alex left without waiting for an answer.

Alex left the crowd towards the area filled with trees. The shadow darted between them quickly. He heard footsteps and metal clinks in between. Even so, the location is wrong. The figure ran away from the crowd. Alex realizes he's further away from the campground. The sound of music sounded faint. The dancing campfire light could no longer reach them. Alex just follows instinct.

Behind the boulder, the figure curled up. Shortly after, Alex sees a fire. His hands tightly clasped the Zetta Sonic emblem. He doesn't have to think long. The place is quiet and dark. With a single press, the emblem attached to his belt covered his entire body in a combat uniform.

Alex squinted his eyes. The screen display on the helmet shows the condition better. He found the figure curled up behind a rock. Alex turns his uniform into stealth mode while moving closer. He never thought he would use that combat uniform just to catch students smoking.

Like other schools, Wood Peak also prohibits its students from smoking. So it is natural to find someone like that child. Smoking secretly. Alex was eager to report it or just douse it with water. But, on the other hand, the boy made her calmer. There are no killer robots. Only a student hides to smoke. It's not here.