The next morning, the woman called Melati walks into New Eden, apparently ignoring the “Closed for Cleaning” sign hung outside. As before, she has on a smart-looking suit, taking off a pair of sunglasses as she enters the gym. She stays in the lobby, scanning the gym for a while. Eventually, Seia comes up from the basement from her usual training, coming into the lobby. 

Seia: Hello? Is someone there?  

Melati: Oh, hello there. Is Yui Arashi in? 

Seia: I’m sorry, who might you be? The gym is actually closed today.

Melati: I’m sorry. My name is Melati. I’m a Puella and I heard about what was going on here. 

Seia: Oh, okay! Let me just… (With some care, she slips behind the reception counter, drawing out a form from a drawer behind the desk) Fill one of these out and we’ll be with you in just a second. (She heads back downstairs to get Yui)

Melati sits down in the lobby with the form, taking a pen from inside her blazer. She reads the form over carefully before writing anything down. She gives a faint chuckle at the contents before putting pen to paper. 

Yui: (Yui emerges soon after, her eyes narrowing a bit as she spots Melati. Her appearance was unmistakable, especially since not even twenty four hours had passed since their encounter with Diana. She clears her throat, speaking out in English) <…Just so you know, there’s gonna be a six day waiting period on that application.> 

Melati: (She laughs appreciatively) How bureaucratic of you. Japanese is okay. We’re in Japan, and they don’t speak English where I’m from either. Melati is my name. 

Yui: Yui Arashi. Owner of this place. We uh… only do that kinda training on Sundays, but the healing clinic is open any time the gym is. I won’t turn a Puella away while I’m cleaning down the bench press, don’t worry. …I trust that isn’t a problem? (The question was pointed, but her conversations with Diana trained her for this. For the unknown.)

Melati: Of course not. I’m not from Japan– you can probably tell– and I’ve traveled far because I heard what was happening here. I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to talk before. 

Yui: …I’m gonna be straight about it. You an’ that woman, Diana Caelum, you got history, don’cha?

Melati: … Yes, I’ve been working to hunt her down for long years now. I’d appreciate it if you shared what assistance you can. 

Yui: … For who, exactly? Like, who’s asking, and why?

Melati: (She stands up slowly, drawing a card from the inside pocket of her blazer) Here. You’ll find all my contact information on there. 

Yui: (She takes the card, looking it over for a long moment. After a nod, and without looking away from the card, she throws a stiff, swift punch, aimed at Melati’s face)

Melati: (Apparently expecting this, she deftly steps aside, Yui’s fist missing by an inch. She speaks quickly, to forestall any further attacks) Not here to fight. (She slows down) That’s a common reaction by the time I’m called in, but I’m not part of any Erasure team. 

Yui: That’s my next two questions. Really ain’t your first rodeo, huh? (Fitting her oddly calm tone, she pulls her fist back, and doesn’t launch into any further attacks.) Not an Assassin type either, then. …Fuck, what’d she call it, again? You fuckers have too many names. I wonder if Velare ever met a Balancer… (She looks up, eyes narrowed) …So why are you here, then, senior Balancer? We’ve fended off two waves of this shit now, technically.

Melati: (She straightens her necktie, though it hardly looks like it was disturbed) Yes, I know you have. Diana’s not operating in any official capacity, mark you. She quit long years ago. No. Believe it or not, losing an entire Balancing team in such spectacular fashion isn’t common… and all without eliminating most of the priority targets either. So, you get stuck with me. To assess what missteps occurred that resulted in the troubles here, and the failed Balancing, and if your local Incubator, Kyubey, is… culpable. Or “engaged in conduct not befitting of an Incubator.” 

Yui: …And then, when you figure out what went wrong, y’all send in a team to cover our weaknesses, right?

Melati: Well, it won’t be me who handles that. Until then, in fact, I need you to stay alive. You all are witnesses now.

Yui: Dunno if you read this on me, but I’m kind of a punk. I don’t talk to cops. Not civilian, human cops, and not Balancer, Puella cops. In case my punch didn’t convey it well enough, Balancers are something of a sore spot. …And unlike Diana, you took away my plausible deniability with this business card… what the fuck is this, even? Like… who introduces themself like this? Like bein’ a psychotic mass murderer, a scarecrow, camera boy, assassin, brain fucked starlet or theater fop comes alongside “consummate professional” or some shit? Motherfuckin’… 

Melati: I don’t work for him, so I can’t speak to Kyubey’s taste in recruiting Balancers. He likes them “that way…” he never keeps them for long. 

Yui: Oh yeah? And how long have you and… (She glances back at the card, squinting at the drawing) …this “Aisha” been at it? 

Melati: Aisha, I couldn’t say. But… (She takes a second to consider it) As it happens, this will be my 200th year exactly since I made my contract. (Jokingly) I’m afraid I can’t accept gifts. 

Yui: I’m fresh out. …But damn, she wasn’t lying, then. Next time I see her, I’m gonna get so many answers… In any case, you’re just here about answers, then? About the failed Balancing from half a year ago, almost? 

Melati: Afraid that’s just how long it takes for someone qualified to get to your case. And with Diana here now, I’m afraid you might find yourself bumped down in priority again. 

Yui: (dryly) Lucky us. Y’know what? Take your sweet ass time. We’re not in a rush to get Balanced again anytime soon. I could use the time to train, recruit, all that fun stuff.

Melati: (She pulls out a white device which projects several holographic screens. It is apparently of Incubator make, too advanced for current human technology) I came here first to introduce myself since you seem to be the leader of your group, but… can I count on your cooperation for the investigation? 

Yui: You miss the part where I say I don’t talk to cops? Civilian, Puella, fuck, man, it’s all about killin’ for control, ain’t it? (Her tone lowers, though there’s no threatening edge to it, more that Yui is now speaking seriously.) …I’m not a leader. Of anyone, or anything. But I can tell you with confidence that no one’s gonna talk to you. Not if you tip your hand like this, or if you’re too slow for me to get the word out that there’s another fucking Balancer roaming Mitakihara City. We got scars, Melati, and they run deep. Not to mention they’re still fresh. …Ain’t tryin’ to be a bitch about it, but that’s just how it is. Now, if you want a defense from me about me runnin’ a Puella training center, just look at the bottom of that form. It’s my intention to keep a lid on this place, as best I can. Dunno if that’s good enough for you, Senior Balancer, but that’s the truth of it. …Anything else I can do for you today?

Melati: Hm, Kyubey’s note on you says you enjoy titles. (The screens collapse back into the device and she puts it away) Since she told you I was a Balancer ahead of time… it seems Diana finds ways to make my job difficult even in absence. I have enough for now. (She passes Yui back her completed form) An interesting document you’ve got there. I’ll be in touch. With you and the others. 

Yui: Good luck. Oh, and for starters… I fuckin’ hate titles. So have fun figurin’ out what else Kyubey fucked up. (When Melati departs, Yui glances down at the form, pocketing the business card) …Cheeky ass ancient Balancers, it’s a simple 1-to-5 scale, fuck d’you mean by crossing a big ass X through the entire thing? …If that Fiora chick’s still alive, I’m not giving her a form, mother fucker… And the fuck you mean “they already know,” god damn it, it’s a simple “will you keep the place secret” agreement… Wish being blank makes sense, at least, I knew I wasn’t getting that one for free… (With a sigh, Yui retreats into her office)