glaze

A city bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.

As she places two traffic cones in front of the hole, Ambriel senses someone watching her.

Seriously, Captain?

I get that you need to supervise me, but do you really have to hide like that?

Whoever's hiding behind the tree carefully pokes their head out. When their eyes meet, the person quickly hides their face again.

...A kid?

D-Don't come over here!

Say, school's not out yet, is it?

If you go back to class like a good kid, I'll pretend I didn't see you, okay?

D-Don't go, either!

Just... Just stay right there...

I... I just want to look at your gun.

My gun?

I guess you do look about right for the age when you'd pick your guardian gun.

Here, you can get a better look this way.

What, disappointed?

Wh-Why...?

Why... does it look like the ones the saint statues hold?

Well...

Still haven't decided on a guardian gun?

We've shown you everything in our stock. If you don't like any of them, then maybe—

I want that one.

Which one?

...The one that the saint statue is holding?

That's just a carving, though.

...I get it.

It's a classic model. I should be able to find a blueprint. It'll take a while to make it though, so come back in a few days.

Thank you.

It's nothing.

Afterall, it's rare to see kids who look up to the saints nowadays.

I didn't pick my guardian gun for any particular reason.

It's light and got a good range. That's all.

A good range? But I...

Don't worry. You don't need crazy talent to shoot it, or some kind of lofty ideal.

It's just a gun. You can pick one just like it.

As long as it's what you want.

No...

Sorry, I think you got me wrong.

The books say the bullets of the saints are how the Law punishes people. If you get hit by one, it hurts really really bad.

I just wanted to make sure if I sneaked through that hole, you wouldn't shoot me with that saint's gun, right?

After watching the child head back to school, the guard turns a corner.

The evening bells have not yet rung, and there are only a few pedestrians on the street.

Two scoops of chocolate ice cream, and sprinkle on some cacao nibs.

Sure thing.

Not much business today?

Tell me about it. Might be because the dessert shop on Panela's holding some limited-time event.

Limited-time event?

Yeah. Apparently they're selling some sort of special-edition 'chocolate sunset mousse' just for today, and only until 5:30.

Special-edition 'chocolate sunset mousse'...

5:30 you say... Lots of people will still be stuck at work or school, though. They wouldn't be able to make it, would they?

Exactly.

Even so, many people would rather take the leave to buy it. Can't compete with that now, can I?

Well, that explains a lot...

Here, make sure not to drop it. Thank you, come again!

The guard turns her head to see a manhole cover rattle through the corner of her eye. A strange sight, all things considered.

Hey, hey!

Is anyone there? Can someone help me?

...*sigh*

Here, grab onto my gun and I'll pull you out.

Oof, I suppose that's me saved...

Hmm? This gun of yours... Where have I seen that model before...?

...Magister?

Well, if it isn't Ambriel. It's been quite a while.

I'm glad to see you've grown to become an outstanding city guard.

Why were you in the sewer...?

Ahaha, well, I was communing with my guardian gun, just like how I used to teach you. Do you remember?

You mean that one class during detention?

My dad made a super-sweet shortcake! Who wants some?!

Oh, and who wants some honey cystymilkshakes from my family's shop?

Hey! What's the big idea? Give me back my chocolate! Give it back!

How long has it been? I'm so hungry...

If I boost myself up with this chair, I can climb out through the window...

Oh, good, it seems you really have learned something.

Magister?! I wasn't going to... I-I swear I won't do it again next time...

I understand. Detention can lock away the body, but it cannot lock away the spirit.

You used your gun to break the glass. I would say that's you communing with your gun.

I know it's against school rules, but I...

Do not worry, child.

The reason why guns are so important is because they allow you to come face-to-face with your heart.

And this is what allows Laterano to continue improving and become the paradise that guards its people's hopes and dreams.

Hopes and dreams...

Tell me, Ambriel, what is it you want most right now?

I... I want...

Chocolate.

Yes, yes, that's right! I hope you're not holding a grudge against me for keeping you in detention.

But judging by that chocolate ice cream in your hand, I can see you haven't forgotten my advice.

Ah, you kind of ruined it for me...

So, Magister, what kind of hopes and dreams dropped you into the sewer?

Is it really okay to leave your students alone and sneak out like this?

Haha, look, this is my guardian gun. I was praying with it in the school's prayer hall when I sensed something calling out to me.

Following its guidance, I found a mysterious passage below the hall. When I reached the end, I saw light shining down from above...

I thought I was about to witness a miracle, but... as you know, I was stuck in a sewer, unable to get the manhole cover off way.

That's a really nice mystery story you spun up, but you just wanted to get away from work, didn't you, Magister?

No, I think my guardian gun wanted something far simpler.

All it wanted to see was the Lateran sunset today.

But, if it so happens to coincide with a dessert shop's limited-time event, so much the better.

Figured.

That excuse isn't enough to let you off the hook.

You're suspected of tampering with sewer pipelines, disrupting traffic, and scaling the wall outside of designated hours, albeit through the underground...

Alright, Ambriel, I'll head straight to the Notarial Hall later to accept my punishment.