Taro and Kazuishi trudged through the nexus, the silence between them heavy, broken only by the faint crunch of gravel underfoot and the distant hum of Dremapol activity. The air carried a cool breeze, tugging at Taro's tousled green hair, still damp with sweat from the earlier standoff. Kazuishi finally spoke, her voice soft but edged with surprise. "That was unnaturally mature of you, Taro. I can't believe you took the advice I gave you."
Taro halted, turning to face her, his green eyes flickering with a mix of gratitude and resolve. He gently stopped her with a raised hand, the gesture firm yet gentle. "It wasn't just you. It was everyone—every lesson, every topic, everything that taught me. I wanted to accept his challenge, but it felt like a betrayal… a betrayal of time, friendship, and trust… to you too." His voice cracked slightly, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
Kazuishi's expression softened into an unnerving calmness, her glasses glinting as she delivered a light, playful punch to Taro's arm, the impact a soft thud against his sleeve. "Look at you, getting all serious because of your friends. You're a real carer, huh?" A faint smirk tugged at her lips, her slender frame relaxing.
"Hehe," Taro chuckled, a blush creeping up his cheeks as he rubbed his arm, the warmth of embarrassment mixing with pride. But then, his gaze sharpened, a decision solidifying behind his green eyes, the green strands catching the fading light.
"Okay, now onto the next squad—" Kazuishi began, adjusting her glasses, but Taro cut her off, his voice steady.
"Umm, Kazuishi, I've made a decision. I won't be visiting any more squads. I already know which of the four I want to pick." His tone carried a quiet certainty, the Reibone at his side glinting faintly.
Kazuishi's eyes widened briefly, her composure snapping back as she adjusted her glasses with a deliberate flick. "I see. Well, I was ordered to show you all the squads for this tour, but since you've already made up your mind…" She coughed lightly, feigning nonchalance, though a sense of gravity thickened the air. "So, which will it be, Taro?"
Taro took a deep breath, the breeze rustling his green hair as he met her gaze. "Well, to be completely honest, from the moment I stepped into the squad, I already knew I was gonna join it. It was already determined… without a doubt. The squad I will join would not be any other than…" He hesitated, the words catching, "…the best squad there is… Drenor… Mexus's squad. I'll be joining Mexus's squad. To me, that was the only true option." Another pause, his voice softening. "For me."
Kazuishi adjusted her glasses again, but this time the motion was slower, her facial expression shifting to a knowing smirk that seemed to whisper, *Ha, I knew it all along.* "Of course, it would be utterly alien to see you with someone like Tokkun or Fistman. I just know… it might have helped you grow, but you wouldn't have enjoyed your time there. You'd have these lingering feelings—'something's missing, but I don't know what it is'—and that would be Mexus. I already knew your answer. I don't know how deep your relationship with Mexus is, but every time I see you two together, you're always happy or having fun. There truly wouldn't be any better place for you…"
She turned forward, starting to walk, her voice dropping to a deep, teasing drawl. "So… what are you waiting for… you goddamn newbie?"
Taro's face broke into a deep smile, the breeze tousling his green hair and rippling his sleek battle outfit—dark fabric with subtle green accents, worn but resilient. "Yeah… um, let's go," he said, his voice warm as he fell into step beside her.
**[Later – Back at Mexus Squad]**
As they entered the main squad barracks, the air shifted to a mix of sweat and steel, the wooden walls echoing with the clatter of training. They passed a few Dremapols of Mexus's squad, including Brian—his face still swollen and discolored from their previous fight, one eye narrowed with a fresh bruise, his lips curled in a sneer. His gaze locked onto Taro, hostility coiling like a snake ready to strike, his broad frame tensing under a tattered tunic.
"Huh? Why's that guy looking at me all funny? What the hell did I ever do to him?" Taro muttered, scratching his green hair in confusion. But as they drew closer, a memory jolted him, and he blurted out loud, "Oh, I remember him—he's the loser who couldn't even take one punch!"
Brian's face darkened, a frustrated grunt escaping as he screamed, "Hey… you goddamn bastard, I swear to God, one of these days…" His voice dissolved into a background buzz, but Taro's mind raced. *Why's he so riled up?* Then it hit him—the fight's key moment: how Taro had absorbed one of Brian's strongest blasts with a shrug, reappeared in a blur, and felled him with a single, devastating punch.
"Wow, I guess that was bad, huh?" Taro thought, wincing internally. He approached the muttering Brian, whose tirade—"And don't you ever think for one second that—" was cut off by a loud clap as Taro brought his hands together, the sound reverberating through the barracks. He lowered his head slightly, green hair falling over his eyes.
"Listen, I'm sorry, okay? I guess I went a little too far in that fight. But as fellow squad members, I think it'd be in our best interest to get along." Taro raised his head, extending a hand, his expression earnest. "So… water under the bridge? Can we get along now?"
Brian tsked, his bruised face twisting. "Squad members, eh? So you're joining our squad, huh?" He slapped Taro's hand away with a sharp flick, the rejection stinging. "Fuck you, I don't wanna get along. I'm going to train—I don't have time for your petty camaraderie." He stormed off toward the training grounds, his heavy footsteps fading into the distance.
"Ugh," Taro sighed, a grunt of frustration escaping as he rubbed his rejected hand.
"Just leave him be," Kazuishi said, her voice tinged with tiredness, her glasses slipping slightly as she adjusted them. "That's just how he is. You'll get along in time… Let's just go meet Mexus." She turned, her slender frame already moving forward.
"Yeah, not a bad idea," Taro replied, falling into step behind her, his green hair swaying with each determined stride.
[Later]
As they opened the door to Mexus's office, the scent of polished wood and ink greeted them, the room a stark contrast to the barracks—neat desks, stacked scrolls, and a large window casting golden light. Mexus sat undisturbed in a high-backed chair, his sharp features framed by short, his gray eyes calm yet piercing. "Mexus," Kazuishi said, bowing her head slightly, but her attention snagged on two other Dremapols in the room.
One, Uriel, lounged under twin crescent decorations, blowing a bubblegum bubble that popped with a soft smack. Her long, flowing platinum hair, streaked with shadowy tendrils, cascaded over a black cropped top and loose jacket adorned with gold-star accents—unusual for Dremapol attire, giving her a celestial, untouchable aura. Her soft rose eyes glimmered like dusk, her slender frame exuding quiet allure. "Special Assistant Uriel," Kazuishi announced, a smile tugging at her lips.
To the left, Yaburu perched confidently against Mexus's desk, her long hair transitioning from deep black to silvery white, framing a delicate face. Her captivating purple eyes shimmered with mystery, accentuated by an array of earrings and a choker, her relaxed black oversized hoodie and high-waisted shorts paired with a heart-shaped belt buckle and knee-high socks adding an edgy, playful touch. "Wow, it's nice to see you two again," Kazuishi said, her smile faltering into a frown when meeting Yaburu's gaze, who returned it with a mirrored scowl—clearly a mutual enmity.
"Woah," Taro muttered, his green eyes widening at the intense presence of Kazuishi and Yaburu, though he was more surprised by their striking looks. "They sure dress odd a bit," he thought, his hand brushing his Reibone absently.
"Um, hey, Kazuishi and Taro? Got something you wanted to say?" Mexus's voice snapped them back, his tone firm yet warm, cutting through their distraction.
Kazuishi and Taro jolted to attention, Kazuishi especially alert. "Ahh, yes, Taro here has decided to join our squad. Well, well, can't say this was a surprise. I knew you'd make the right choice, kid," Mexus said, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Heh, thanks, Mexus," Taro replied, his smile wide and genuine, happiness lighting his green eyes at seeing Mexus again.
Mexus glanced at Uriel and Yaburu, then back to Taro. "Well, since you've joined, you should meet our squad rankers. Since you already know Kazuishi, let me introduce these two."
He gestured to Uriel, still blowing her bubblegum. "That's my Special Assistant, Uriel."
"Sup," Uriel said casually, flashing a peace sign with slender fingers, her rose eyes twinkling. Taro waved nervously, his hand trembling slightly.
Mexus then pointed to Yaburu, perched on the desk. "And that's my Secondary Assistant, Yaburu."
"Hmph," Yaburu tilted her head, her purple eyes sizing Taro up, her voice carrying a cute yet dismissive edge.
Taro waved back but thought, "Hmph? What the hell is hmph? That's no way to greet someone you just met."
"And along with Kazuishi, they're the squad rankers," Mexus continued. "I'll really like seeing what you're gonna do in this squad, kid. Hope you ain't gonna disappoint."
Taro grinned so hard his teeth flashed. "And since when was there ever a time… I disappointed?"
"Heh,I guess not" Mexus smirked, leaning back in his chair, the room filling with a shared, warm silence.