~~~July 8, 2169~~~
It was the morning of July 8th, 2169. The sun rose over the land of the rising sun—Fukuoka, dazzling and alive as ever.
The walled city buzzed with chatter from its early risers. The sun had only just climbed, but Fukuoka was already wide awake—along with Squad Segment 663.
Sunlight slipped through the half-opened curtains of their apartment, scattering across the floor.
"Ow, ow, ow..."
Kara softly hushed.
"Jeez... you should've been more careful,"
Itoshi muttered, carefully replacing the gauze on Kara's head. The slash from shattered glass when they jumped from the hospital was still fresh.
He paused for a moment.
"Look at that... I hope it won't leave a scar."
"Don't worry!"
Kara assured, smiling.
The cut was near her hairline. Itoshi finished wrapping it, giving her a soft bonk on the head.
"Ow..."
"There, all done,"
He said, standing up.
"Jayu was exhausted trying to heal you, so for now you'll have to let it heal naturally."
He glanced at Jayu, fast asleep on her futon in the girls' room.
Kara nodded, scratching the top of her head.
"Mhm!"
Itoshi exhaled and turned toward the bright morning.
"On that note... Ayro and Ryujin are out early, huh?"
Kara looked the same way.
"Indeed."
~~~UWDS Office, Fukuoka Branch~~~
"Well?... are you guys sure you read the regulations regarding baiting?"
The room was plain white. Ayro and Ryujin sat side by side, with Miss Gigi standing before them—arms crossed, but not annoyed.
Behind her, a live feed displayed Hachi, connected with the leader and vice leader.
Ryujin avoided eye contact.
"Guess they found out, huh..."
He thought.
Through the screen, Hachi spoke, eyes closed.
"Had to make excuses to keep you two safe. You've gotta update me sooner."
Both leaders turned their gaze toward Hachi.
"Yes, sir."
"Be thankful to Miss Gigi—she also saved your asses,"
He added.
The two quickly turned to Gigi and bowed.
She nodded.
"Alright, good."
She paused.
"Now... let me tell you about the incoming horde."
The two straightened in their seats, focus sharpening as Gigi continued.
"The horde will be arriving in about five to seven days. Their timing depends on how often you use Itoshi's rhythm, They're 300 and above strong, definitely a good time for you to "farm" points."
She said, exhaling deeply.
"Me and Hachi want you to spend more time preparing—especially since you've got two injured members who can't fight at full strength."
Ayro's eyes lowered.
"Kara and Hoshi..."
"In addition to this..."
Gigi's tone dropped. Her expression grew slightly irritated, eyes closed, head bowed.
"Ryujin."
"Yes, ma'am,"
He replied.
"Itoshi needed that scolding... but are you certain you two will make up before the battle?"
Ryujin stayed silent, eyes meeting Gigi's steadily.
"Things have been rough with him lately. He's still a kid, after all—it might take some time,"
She added.
Hachi's voice chimed in.
"Your relationship with Itoshi is crucial. Mr. Hasegawa ordered that you two get it fixed before any serious engagements."
Ryujin leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes, expression calm.
Then—he smiled.
"Don't worry... Itoshi will do something."
Miss Gigi nodded.
"Okay... be sure. Well then."
She scanned the room, eyes narrowing as the mood shifted. Then she turned to Hachi.
"Are you ready, Hachi?"
Hachi nodded.
"Okay,"
Miss Gigi said, clapping her hands.
"I've got something regarding your little side quest."
Ryujin and Ayro's thoughts synced.
"Abolishing the deal..."
"The person who 'attacked' our crow a few days ago was confirmed to be The Ronin,"
Miss Gigi muttered in a low tone.
The Ronin — as Miss Gigi and Hachi had identified him — was a confirmed member of the shadowy background government that dealt in the country.
"Indeed. He's still in Fukuoka, along with Il-Min Song,"
Hachi added.
"Their connection to whoever is running the whole operation is now confirmed. You're chasing two men and two leads."
The leaders nodded.
"We suspect that, since they were defeated on the shore, they're now running toward the head of the operation,"
Hachi paused.
"Greater Tokyo."
"Depending on how fast you push the Seele north on the mainland, the faster you'll reach Tokyo,"
Miss Gigi continued.
"But I want to take a few measures—after all, exhaustion is our enemy."
Ryujin raised his hand.
"Ma'am."
Miss Gigi inclined her head, allowing him to speak.
"I want us to reach Tokyo in the shortest time possible. We'll infiltrate one of their ships and get sent to the United Korean Federation,"
Ryujin suggested.
"What about the heads in Tokyo?"
Miss Gigi asked.
"We'll take care of them without the whole organization finding out,"
Ryujin added.
Miss Gigi exhaled.
"The further this plan goes, the more impossible the ordeal becomes."
She paused.
"How can you be sure the Seven Skulls won't find out about the deal? Though... I suppose they're probably already aware of what you're trying to achieve."
Ryujin shook his head.
"This will be outside the organization. I assure you of that."
"Alright, fine. Now tell me more about your plan,"
Miss Gigi agreed.
Outside the office, a car waited — Bjorne's.
The two leaders stepped in, Ryujin taking the front passenger seat.
"Hoh? How did it go?"
Bjorne asked.
Ryujin simply shrugged.
"Not bad."
Ayro climbed into the back seat next, but flinched as soon as he opened the door.
"Tsk... this guy..."
Kirashi was slumped against the window, still asleep and drooling, a big bubble puffing from his nose.
Ayro flicked him on the forehead.
"Ah, fuck!"
Kirashi blinked rapidly.
"Oh! Ayro!"
Ayro clicked his tongue.
"Tsk... it's early in the morning and you're already swearing that loud. Move."
Kirashi stretched, yawning, and shifted to make space.
Once Ayro settled in, Bjorne glanced at them through the mirror.
"Where to?"
~~~Nagao Hospital - Fukuoka~~~
In the quiet white halls of Nagao hospital, a not so quiet man arrived.
Kirashi suddenly barged through the hospital door.
"We're here!"
Startled, the cat inside nearly jumped.
"Eep!!!"
It was Tomori, a cup of tea almost spilling from her hand as new bandages wrapped around her palms.
"You startled me!"
She complained.
"It's early in the morning!"
Kirashi scratched the back of his head.
"How are you feeling?"
Ryujin and Ayro entered behind him.
Still eyeing Kirashi suspiciously, Tomori took a small sip of tea.
"Not bad."
Her gaze drifted toward Ayro. Though her brows stayed furrowed, her cheeks tinted red the moment their eyes met.
The three settled into the chairs around her bed, Kirashi's facing the window.
"Weird not seeing you with Kara,"
Ryujin muttered.
She chuckled.
"She chose to stay at the apartment this time."
"How are you feeling?"
Ryujin asked again.
She glanced at him.
"Ah... I guess my rest got extended because of my new injuries."
Kirashi joined in,
"What the hell! Why am I treated differently!"
Hoshi's brows furrowed, face annoyed.
"Shut up.."
Ryujin closed his eyes.
"Alright."
"What's the next move?"
She suddenly asked.
Ryujin reopened his eyes, slightly startled.
"Excited for battle, are we?"
He teased.
"Well... I'd like to make a contribution already!"
Hoshi added.
Ryujin chuckled.
"Alright. You've got about a week."
A short pause followed.
Hoshi tapped her chin, eyes drifting up toward the ceiling.
"A week, you say..."
Then she quickly looked back at Ryujin with a smile.
"I can go by then, leader!"
She took another sip of her tea.
Ryujin laughed again.
"Alright, alright... no one's gonna protect Kara and Jayu when that happens. After all, we've got quite the horde."
Hoshi saluted from her bed.
"Copy that, sire!"
Ryujin waved his hand, face deadpan.
"No need to be so mannered. I'm not used to it. Ryujin is enough."
Then something flickered in his mind—Kara giving him that same kind of formal respect. A small smile crept across his face.
"Even she was that way..."
Ayro noticed the change in his mood.
"Hoh?... you seem excited," he said.
Ryujin shrugged.
"Well, who wouldn't? We're getting closer, after all."
Ayro smiled, turning back to Hoshi.
"I guess you're right."
Hoshi blinked, lost.
"Closer to what?"
Then Kirashi leaned back on his chair, balancing it on two legs. A gentle gust of wind steadied it just enough for him to meet Ryujin and Ayro's eyes.
"By the way... Ryujin?"
"Hm?"
"Will those Seele be back?"
He asked.
"The abnormal one we encountered."
"Ah..."
Ryujin's gaze lowered.
"There will be lots. Definitely."
He looked back at Kirashi, his thoughts deepening.
"Will they be able to handle those... Itoshi? Kirashi? Hoshi?"
Active Neuro(A.N.) Seele's — theorized to be the ones that had lived the longest. Their strange, almost coordinated movements were thought to come from years of adaptation, learning from countless battles against humans.
They weren't truly intelligent, but some had begun to show disturbing signs of awareness — like the one that recognized its wind gift.
Kirashi still watched him, waiting for an answer.
The silence hung until Hoshi broke it.
"Abnormal?"
Ayro turned to her while Ryujin's eyes stayed locked on Kirashi.
"Ah... the ones that move erratically. Almost coordinated, I guess."
"Hm... I think so?"
She replied, tapping her chin.
Ayro nodded.
"Alright."
"They run on two legs, right?"
"Mhm."
"Those bastards are a pain in the ass..."
She grumbled, crossing her arms with her brows furrowed.
"My outfit got ripped so many times fighting one..."
Then her eyes widened. A sudden wave of panic hit as she grabbed her head.
"MY STUFF!!!"
Ryujin turned to her again.
"Ah... your outfit? Don't worry, Kara kept them at the apartment."
"NOOO!!"
Hoshi wailed.
"I had a luggage hidden somewhere in the city! It's been days! My casuals—my phone!"
"Ah..."
Ryujin and Ayro muttered in unison.
"They're somewhere in this city... I dunno what the place is called but I know the way.."
Hoshi added, looking down.
"Alright.. I'll-"
Before Ryujin could finish talking.
"I'll go take them!"
Kirashi suddenly declared.
The three turned toward him with matching suspicious looks.
"You're kidding, right?..." they all thought.
Ryujin sighed.
"Are you sure?"
Kirashi stood up, full of confidence.
"Yes! I'd like to explore a bit anyway!"
[Few Moments Later..]
Kirashi leaned against the doorframe.
"You know where this is, right?.. Kirashi?"
Ayro asked once more.
"Yes!"
Ryujin and Ayro exchanged a short nod.
They opened the door leading outside, then turned back to Hoshi as they were about to leave. "We'll be right back,"
They all said in unison—Kirashi with his usual energy, and the two leaders with their calm nonchalance.
Hoshi waved back with a smile. The door closed, and the room fell quiet again.
She sighed softly.
"Ayro and Ryujin-san went back to the office... Kira-san's going to take my stuff..."
Her cheeks suddenly flushed.
"I hope he doesn't look into it... I have some stuff there..."
Another sigh escaped her as her eyes wandered to the dazzling city outside.
"Dang... leaving home took a lot of courage..." She murmured, her reflection faint in the glass.
After a pause, her expression softened.
"But something tells me... everything's gonna be alright... right, Nee-san?"
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
She turned to the door.
"Tomo-san!!"
Came a girl's voice.
Tomori instantly brightened.
"Hoh! Kara-chan!"
The door opened, and Jayu peeked in.
"Good morning! Tomo-nee!!"
Jayu rushed toward the bed.
"Good morning! Jayu-chan!!"
Kara followed behind, smiling.
"Good morning! Got breakfast?"
Tomori nodded.
"Mhm!"
"I brought extra!"
Kara announced, holding up a paper bag.
Tomori sweatdropped slightly.
"Ah—oh, okay!"
She gladly took the breakfast Kara prepared and opened it.
"Pancakes!"
Jayu's eyes sparkled.
Tomori lit up too.
"Hoh!!!"
Kara watched them with a small smile, but her gaze drifted toward the open door. Her brows furrowed, lips pursed.
"Oi! Koya!"
Tomori froze.
"K-Koya?!"
She thought, nearly spilling her drink.
"The flame boy is here?!"
She leaned toward Kara, whispering.
"Kara-san! He's here?..!"
Kara blinked once, then winked.
"What the hell are you trying to say..."
Tomori thought, confused.
Before she could ask, Jayu hopped down from the bed and darted toward the door.
"Jayu—what are you doing?!"
A man hissed.
Tomori and Kara looked up—Jayu was tugging someone inside by the wrist.
It was Itoshi. His long blue hair hung loose, his brows furrowed, eyes fixed on the floor.
"Yo. G'morning,"
He greeted, scratching the back of his head.
Tomori trembled as she answered,
"G-g-good morning!"
Her cheeks flushed, not out of fluster, but out of pure awkwardness.
Itoshi took a seat quietly while Jayu skipped back to Kara's side, smiling.
"What do I do?.."
Tomori thought to herself.
Kara took a deep sigh, eyes closed.
"Jayu-chan?"
Jayu raised her head, looking up at Kara.
"Oh?.. "
"Wanna explore the place?"
Kara asked with a smile.
"EH?! YOU'RE LEAVING ME HERE?! WITH HIM?!"
Tomori panicked in her head.
"Jayu-chan, please don't leave!"
She prayed.
Jayu brightened once more.
"Sure!"
Tomori's heart dropped—utterly defeated.
"Okay! Let's goooo!!!"
Kara cheered brightly.
In the next moment, the door closed. The room fell quiet; only the buzz of the air conditioner filled the air. Breakfast sat untouched to the side, and an intense awkwardness lingered between the two.
Itoshi broke the silence.
"Hoshizaki?.. Right?"
Tomori answered, slightly nervous.
"Y-yes!"
Silence again.
"Ah."
Itoshi paused.
"What do you want?"
He asked.
Tomori stiffened.
"There he is... he's still mad, isn't he... What a sinner am I.. Acting all dizzy dazzy with someone pure.."
She thought, looking toward the window.
"I want to find my sister,"
She said.
Itoshi raised his head. The sunlight hit her face—gold brushing against her sunset eyes.
"If you want to know what I want with this squad..."
She paused, turning to face him.
"I'd like to protect Kara and Jayu-chan... so you guys can focus on your jobs."
She lowered her gaze.
"After all... she helped me get through the shit I've been through. And.. It settles your mind.. Right?"
The silence that followed wasn't awkward this time. It was understanding.
Then came footsteps.
Tomori flinched at the sound. She looked up—her eyes met Itoshi's crimson ones. His gaze was calm as he walked closer.
Now, he stood beside her.
"So... you protected them yesterday, right?"
Itoshi asked.
"You've done what you wanted—to pay us back. What will you do now?"
Tomori didn't hesitate. She lowered her eyes once more.
"Honestly... that didn't satisfy me yet. I still want to protect them..."
She raised her head.
"Many, many more times! Until I buckle!"
She declared.
Silence again—then suddenly,
Itoshi lunged forward.
It wasn't an attack. It was a hug.
A simple gesture of appreciation from a young boy.
"Thank you... for protecting Kara..."
He said softly.
Tomori froze, her eyes wide. The warmth reminded her of the times she used to jump into her sister's arms.
She hesitated before hugging him back.
"Jeez... after treating me like I'm nobody, you do this to me?.. You're quite harsh.. Flame boy.."
She thought, smiling.
"Well... this is definitely better though.. Itoshi, you're still young..."
Relief washed over her. The wall that once stood between her and Kara—Itoshi had quietly torn it down with that gesture. His arms were filled with sympathy for her pain and gratitude for her courage.
At that moment, Tomori felt it for the first time—
the feeling of being needed,
of being appreciated.
"I promise you... I'll never let her get hurt again."
~~~To be Continued~~~