Page 83 of Pandion

“You were the one that left.” It had been a shock. Not exactly earth-shattering, but a shock nonetheless. With no note, he’d always assumed Yajima had left because he’d been fed up.

“It was getting bad.” Yajima hugged his knees and stared at the wall across the room.

“It got worse after.”

“Shimizu?”

“I don’t even know anymore. But I don’t want to fuck this up now that it’s been bearable. I’ve been through enough bullshit, so please don’t add to it.”

“I hear you.”

“I should be heading to bed…” Kagesawa stood up to leave.

“Wait!” Yajima grabbed his hand and pulled him closer for a hug. “I didn’t think you cared about me at all. I was jealous and annoyed that you never noticed how I felt. It’s not why I left, but it’s why I didn’t say anything or leave a note. I’m sorry.”

“I’m just glad you’re OK. That’s all I wanted to know. Take care of yourself, all right? I’ve had enough grief for one lifetime.”

I recognise Mentor nearby. Do I connect?

What? Kagesawa stepped back.

I have lost the signal.

“What is it?” Yajima noticed Kagesawa’s confusion.

“I… I’m not sure. Probably nothing. I think I should go, though. Good night!” He most definitely did not want to inadvertently re-link with Yajima, even if that was possible.

Understood. I do prefer the current mentor as well.

“All right, um, sleep well and thanks for the leg up.” Yajima picked up his palm reader and waved a quick bye.

“Don’t mention it.” Kagesawa retreated from the room.

Chapter 31

Harumine woke up to an unfamiliar bustle and sounds of heated discussions outside the door. The mornings had never been this lively when he’d lived here, so, curious to see what the ruckus was about, he hurried out of bed and got dressed.

“Yours too? What should I do? Do you know anyone who could help?”

“Does anyone have a non-EA credit account or a regular bank account that’s still usable?”

There was some panic amidst the general hubbub. Most of the students were still trying to troubleshoot the problem but some were succumbing to desperation.

“What’s going on?” Harumine asked a student passing by.

“Have you checked your credit account? The EA accounts have been frozen. We were supposed to be leaving in the next few days, but if you haven’t paid for a ticket and can’t access credits, you’re stuck here. And what do we eat if we can’t pay for food anymore?”

“It’s not just students. If your whole family is employed through the EA, you’re screwed. I have one friend with some money to spare, so I managed to get myself a train ticket home, but I don’t have anything to eat for the next two days.”

The two students replying to Harumine’s question continued knocking on any of the doors still closed, asking for help from anyone who might be in a less dire situation than themselves. Harumine checked his palm reader for his account info, already guessing he was as affected by this as the students. Kagesawa came to the door.

“What is it?”

“The credit accounts have been frozen. Something catastrophic must have happened to the EA today. There should be something about it in the news.” He did a quick search and pulled up a few reports.

It was worse than he’d expected. It wasn’t a technical glitch. The government had been pressured to order a complete shutdown of the EA, citing numerous failures to disclose relevant, factual information about their activities.

In truth, it had more to do with the authorities failing to protect the empaths from the growing unrest. The AEM, SAI and JufO had signed a treaty to no longer actively pursue the empaths if the EA was dissolved immediately.

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