Shiori sat quietly on the edge of a chair , her fingers tightening around the crumpled note in her hand. The dim light flickered overhead as she unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the hurried words once more.
The paper slid free. The message was short, clinical:
"SUBJECT: RETURN REQUEST – SUBJECT-ID: PROJECT-REN-00A
To the current holders of Project REN-00A,
"It has come to our attention that Subject REN-00A was transferred in error. The Collector's Office asserts ownership and requests the immediate return of the subject. If voluntary return is not executed within seventy-two hours, the Collector will initiate reclamation protocols, including, but not limited to, retrieval teams with authorization for use of force.
— Collector's Office, Asset Management Division"
The paper trembled in her hand for a fraction of a second, then stilled. Shiori felt the air go different—thick, thin at the same time. Her mind crossed through the immediate possibilities with quiet efficiency. If the Collector's Office wanted Ren back, it would either come softly with paperwork and threats, or it would come with men who saw rules as optional.
She folded the note and slid it into her jacket pocket the way a soldier tucks away a blade: private, deliberate.
Her brow furrowed, lips pressing into a thin line. This wasn't just a warning. It was a threat.
Shiori stayed behind, her mind racing as she considered the implications of the note. The Collectors wanted Ren back. If they couldn't get him willingly, they'd come with force. What did that mean for all of them?
Reclamation by force.
Questions layered on questions. Who had sold what to whom? Why was Ren listed as a project? She had never considered Ren quiet, careful, scarred anything more than someone part of her team. A "project." The term felt like an accusation in thin paper.
Ten minutes later, the squad wound through a maze of sterile hallways until they found themselves in front of a large set of double doors.
Kaiori pushed one open and stepped inside, exhaling in awe.
"This place is huge."
The cafeteria stretched out before them like a cavernous hall — rows of long metal tables and benches lined the space. Steam rose from food stations where cooks moved efficiently, ladling steaming broth and arranging colorful plates.
The scent of grilled meat mixed with soy and fresh vegetables, a welcome break from the usual stale air of the facility.
Jin's stomach rumbled softly as his eyes took in the spread.
"I could get used to this," he muttered.
Hannah chuckled. "At least it's better than those protein bars."
Kaiori pointed to the buffet area, where trays of food ranged from hearty bowls of miso ramen topped with tender pork belly and soft-boiled eggs, to plates of glazed yakitori skewers, vegetable tempura, and vibrant bento boxes with sashimi and rice.
Raizo and Kenji said nothing, their expressions unreadable as they surveyed the bustling room.
They found a table near a corner, giving them a good view of the entrance and the other occupants. As they settled onto the benches, their eyes caught movement nearby.
Raizo was the first to notice the group of five sitting quietly at a nearby table. His jaw tightened.
Sqaud dire
Jin followed his gaze and saw them clearly Shota, the silent leader Izan, loud and reckless and is now wearing a cast Miyu, the speed specialist; Akihiro, the cold sniper and Koharu
Izan spotted them too and broke the silence with a smirk.
"Well, if it isn't Squad Gamma… and Kenji."
Kenji nodded slightly, replying, "Izan."
Akihiro's gaze swept over them and paused on Jin. "I don't recognize him."
Izan shrugged with a cocky grin. "Yeah, me neither."
Kaiori answered smoothly, "He wasn't here before. He was injured."
Hannah asked "Who is that"
Akihiro raised an eyebrow, then nodded toward Koharu. "her?"
Shota's voice was dark. "She's hardly ever here. Her missions are separate."
Hannah frowned. "Even if you're in the same squad?"
Shota's eyes glinted coldly. "Yes. She's important."
Jin was curious. "Why is your squad so small?"
Miyu's voice was calm but firm. "Once your squad reaches above Tier 5, you're required to have five or fewer members unless you're assigned to a division."
Hannah's eyes widened. "Really?"
Shota nodded. "Yeah."
Kenji looked at Izan. "So, what's your plan after Tier 5?"
Izan's expression darkened. "I'm Tier 4 now. My plan? Kill every Rift creature. Eradicate them. I watched my own sister die trying to save me. By the time the RRD arrived, it was too late. So I joined. Trained every day to be strong enough to protect everyone I love. My dream is to join the Vanguard."
Akihiro chuckled dryly. "Same here. I'll go wherever the Vanguard sends me."
Jin looked down quietly. "The vanguard huh."
"Not sure yet," Hannah said.
Kaiori nodded. "Same here."
Raizo stepped forward to speak but was cut off by Ren.
"Guys, I'm hungry. Can we go get some food?"
Laughter bubbled up around the table as they agreed. Squad Dire stayed at their table, eyes watching silently.
The squad moved toward the food stations, trays in hand.
Jin selected a steaming bowl of spicy miso ramen — thick noodles swimming in rich broth, topped with slices of tender pork belly and a perfectly soft-boiled egg. A small dish of pickled ginger added a tangy contrast.
Ren picked up a plate of grilled yakitori — juicy chicken skewers glazed with sweet soy sauce, paired with steamed rice and a bowl of miso soup.
Hannah chose fried chicken, mash potatoes and a soda "comfort food"
Kaiori went for a vegetarian donburi — sautéed mushrooms, tofu cubes, and steamed broccoli over rice, drizzled with a tangy sauce. "better then I expected"
Raizo quietly grabbed a simple but hearty meal — grilled fish, pickled daikon, and a bowl of steamed white rice.
Kenji's choice was a generous plate of curry rice, thick and fragrant with tender chunks of beef and topped with pickled red ginger.
Trays laden with food, they returned to the table and began to eat.
After a while, Shiori appeared, slipping into the seat next to Ren.
"Took you long enough," Kenji teased.
Shiori smiled faintly, bowing her head. "Sorry. Did you all have your fill?"
Ren nodded. "Sure did."
"I'll go get something too," Shiori said, standing again briefly before sitting back down with them.
Laughter and light chatter filled the space between bites. Hannah laughed loudly at one of Jin's jokes, Kaiori teased Kenji playfully, and Ren leaned back, relaxed.
Raizo, usually stoic and distant, finally cracked a small smile.
The cafeteria buzzed with the quiet murmur of others, the clatter of trays, and the faint hum of distant machinery — a brief moment of peace in their turbulent
The squad laughed quietly, the heaviness of their missions fading for a moment.
Even Raizo, usually distant, seemed more present.
They were family.