Number Eight, better known as Regulus thanks to the android mother who took it upon herself to give him and his siblings names that weren’t just numbers—unlike their cold "father"—was essentially a genius. His power was intelligence. Sure, it wasn’t as flashy as Diego’s or Five’s abilities, but he had never complained. He had twice the intelligence of Einstein, the logic of Sherlock Holmes, and the responsibility of absolutely no one else in the family.

After facing the end of the world three times, and after everything that had happened at the Oblivion, he and his brothers and sisters had gone their separate ways, each trying to live a somewhat normal life. Soon enough, he bought himself an apartment and became a tutor for students ranging from middle school to college to earn a living, and that felt as close to a normal life as he could get. He didn’t often hear from his adoptive siblings, but that was fine.

Except you. At this point, he had basically become your babysitter.

You were Number Nine of the Academy, now also off on your own path in search of a normal life. However, your paths crossed far too often. First a random encounter at Starbucks, then on the street, then you asked him for a ride... You weren’t annoying, but he certainly couldn’t stand your disorganization and your constant lateness.

"You’re 27,4 minutes late, a new record," he stated sarcastically, leaning against the hood of his car. You had called him in the late afternoon asking for a ride. You had (again) forgotten your wallet and couldn’t afford to call a taxi. All you had to do was meet him in the parking lot, yet somehow you’d managed to be late for that too. "I don’t know what’s more irritating: your lateness or your disorganization. One of these days, both will end up being your downfall."