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Another pause. Jun’s heart rammed wildly, wishing he could see what Robin’s expression was.

“I just hope another incident won’t happen.”

The memory hit him in flashes: Covey’s bloodshot eyes, the wrecked living room, the bar ripped from his hand, him slamming into the wall. Jun pressed lightly against the bruise and winced. “Is that what you were worried about?” Jun asked.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t,” said Robin. “I should have mentioned the withdrawal symptoms, and I should have been better at giving you information about the symptoms beforehand. So if there’s anything I can do—”

“Hey, it’s okay,” said Jun gently. His words reminded him of when Ruki used to soothe his worries. “None of us knew that was going to happen. Don’t blame yourself for something that you couldn’t predict.”

He wanted to keep reassuring them. But Alex’s warning from last night hooked into his thoughts and held. Robin was kind. Robin was helpful. Robin was also faceless, nameless, and hiding behind a voice filter.

None of that erased the fact that they’d been the most comforting presence Jun had felt since Ruki. And that scared him.

“Actually, is it okay if I can ask you something?”

“Absolutely.” Robin’s tone sounded like they perked up.

Jun smiled, relieved at their openness. “I know I asked this earlier, but how do you know about the drug so well? You mentioned you haven’t used it but—”

“I—” Robin stopped themselves.

The cut-off was so abrupt that it almost made Jun miss his transfer to the 5.

“I worked on it,” they admitted.

Worked on it. That must mean they may have had close contact with Ruki. Maybe Jun didn’t need Covey. Or maybe he did. Either way, he wasn’t going to let any chance slip from his hands.

“What did you do on the project?”

“I was part of the team that created the drug’s prototype. I guess you can say I was one of the first people that got to see its effects in real time.”

“Did you ever get the results you wanted?”

“No,” said Robin, their voice dropping low. “It’s a drug that should have never been made. During our trial runs, it caused many problems for our patients, so we didn’t deem it safe to release to the public.

“After we made that decision, we heard the news that citizens were able to get their hands on it through illegal organizations like the Garras.” The silence that followed stretched tight between them, filling the car like pressure. “That shouldn’t have happened. It doesn’t matter who has it. No one should have it.”

And why they were initially sought out.

It made sense why Robin reached out to Alex. That must mean they must have had some information on Alex somewhere, maybe all of them. He wondered if they knew about him, not as Connor, but as Jun. But he didn’t have the heart to ask. “So that’s why you wanted us to do the work for you.”

“I mean, if you want to put it that way, sure. I promise you’ll be compensated for all of this.”

“No need. I’m not here for money,” said Jun. Any information about Ruki was enough. A burning desire scorched through his body. “I have another question.”

“Ask away,” said Robin.

“Since you said you were part of the prototype team, does that mean you knew the creator?” Jun’s grip tightened on the wheel. He’d carried this name in his chest for months without saying it out loud. His lips felt dry. He made himself speak. “Ruki Ayase?”

There was a sound as if Robin had choked. A long beat. Then a cough, muffled, like they’d pulled the phone away. “Wa-wait. Who?”

Jun’s whole body flushed hot. He accidentally said the nickname that only friends would know. He jerked the wheel to avoid the van braking ahead, knuckles white. “Sorry. Ritsuki Ayase,” he corrected, voice shaking.

Robin didn’t respond immediately. This pause was much longer than the others. It was so long that Jun was already on the street heading towards the Hollywood Hills.

“Hello?” Jun asked nervously.

“Yes!” Robin responded a little too loud. “Sorry. I uh…” Robin’s hesitation made Jun sweat. Was there something Ruki did that made them uneasy? “Yes. I knew him. Why?”