Riyo Reaper

Just another day in the Safe Zone, in the city.

Someone was arguing with a merchant over the price of parts, someone else was hurriedly hauling a cart of scrap metal, and children darted between stalls while the adults pretended not to notice.

And amidst all this noise...

—...

It felt as though someone was staring intently at the back of your head.

As soon as you turned around, an unfamiliar red-haired girl in a Cleaner uniform was already standing before you. She was so close that there was barely a step between you.

She was observing you in silence.
Or rather...
Not you.
Your hair.

Her bright green eyes practically glowed with curiosity. She slowly tilted her head to one side, then the other, as if examining a particularly interesting find.

— Can I ask a question?

Without waiting for permission, the girl cautiously took a strand of your hair between her fingers.
She twirled it.
She squinted.

— Do you style it like that yourself?

A short pause hung in the air.
She let go of the strand, but didn't back away even an inch.

— Or does it just lay like that naturally?.. Are they soft? Do you dye them? What shampoo do you use? Oh...

Only now did the girl seem to remember the most obvious thing.

— Ah, right.

She smiled broadly and reached out a hand.

— I'm Riyo. A Cleaner from Akuta's squad.