"I let... myself... fall into a stranger's hands..."
Hoshi's thoughts echoed faintly, almost breaking apart as the tension within her body slowly melted away.
Her shoulders trembled, her breath unsteady, but the storm inside her finally began to fade.
Her body softened as Kara wrapped her arms around her—tightly at first, then gently—as if afraid Hoshi might disappear the moment she let go.
Hoshi leaned into her, her chin resting weakly against Kara's shoulder, her heartbeat slowing with each exhale.
Kara didn't move. Not even an inch. She simply held her, the way one might hold something fragile and irreplaceable. The faint warmth between them was all that cut through the cold silence.
Though her own body ached from exhaustion, Kara stayed perfectly still. Every muscle screamed for rest, but she refused to shift, afraid that even the smallest movement might stir Hoshi from her fragile calm.
Her arms stayed around her—steady, protective, and kind. The only sound that filled the room was Hoshi's quiet breathing, rhythmic now, like waves settling after a violent tide.
Kara's mind swirled with thoughts she couldn't name—worry, guilt, resolve—but her body stayed unmoving. Patient. Devoted.
Because in that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the mission, not the danger waiting beyond the walls—only Hoshi's peace.
And as Hoshi's breathing deepened into sleep, Kara's eyes softened. She sat there in silence, keeping her close, guarding her through the quiet hours of the night.
[Outside the Girls Room]
Aldrin tried his best to listen to their conversation through the door. Putting his ear as close ass possible against the door but he caught nothing.
He glanced at Itoshi.
"Got anything?" Itoshi asked.
Aldrin just shrugged.
"Damn... I wanna see her face. She must be really hot,"
Itoshi muttered.
"Everyone still asleep? What really happened?"
Aldrin pressed.
Itoshi placed both hands on his hips, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm not sure... There was a man walking down the hall, then... suddenly I passed out—just like back at the station."
"Ah..."
Aldrin muttered, the unease clear in his voice.
Itoshi looked at Aldrin and asked,
"Got something?"
Aldrin just shrugged.
Suddenly, a small voice echoed down the hall. It was Jayu.
"Oi! What are you doing there?!" she called out.
She stomped closer to them, her tone sharp but playful.
"Kara-nee said no boys allowed, right?"
The two boys broke into nervous sweat and pulled out uneasy smiles.
"Ok, ok... we'll leave."
Jayu pointed firmly toward the boys' room. She carefully watched as they entered, then quietly slipped into the girls' room. Peeking around the corner, she squinted at the boys with suspicion.
In the boys' room, Itoshi wondered aloud,
"Why am I not allowed to enter? Kara's in there."
Aldrin shrugged and said,
"Whatever it is... it's probably something personal. Better not to peek in there, Itoshi."
"Ok, okkk!"
Itoshi replied, sounding annoyed but resigned.
It was the morning of May 9.
Everyone had finally come to their senses. The whole squad, along with Miss Gigi, gathered in the boys' room.
Ayro and Ryujin stood with arms crossed, mild annoyance etched on their faces. The room was thick with silence—until Miss Gigi broke it.
"So? What happened?"
No one answered.
She sighed, folding her arms with sharper authority.
"Okay... let me change the question."
"Why is there a stranger in the squad's room next door?"
Kara flinched.
But she didn't say a word.
"Seriously... no one has a clue?"
Miss Gigi's voice sharpened, frustration creeping in as she pressed her palm against her forehead.
Her eyes scanned the room—Ayro, Kirashi, Ryujin, Aldrin, Itoshi... Kara.
Nothing.
Just silence and avoidance.
"You're all awake now, aren't you?"
She added, her tone edging on impatience.
"Someone say something."
Kara's fingers curled slightly against her leg—but still, she said nothing.
Ayro took a deep breath, arms still crossed.
"We all passed out... when that man came."
Miss Gigi's head tilted slightly, eyes narrowing.
"Finally, someone spoke,"
She muttered, her voice laced with frustration.
She took a step forward, her presence pressing into the room like a weight.
"And this man—who exactly was he?"
Ayro's gaze dropped for a moment before he answered.
"I don't know. I didn't see his face. But the moment he passed, it felt like the air got ripped out of my lungs."
"Same thing happened back at the station, to Itoshi.."
Aldrin added, his voice low.
"What are the reasons you passed out, according to the nurses?"
Miss Gigi asked, scanning the room.
"Overuse of wind."
Kirashi answered.
"Same case ma'am.. Overheat."
Itoshi responded, hesitant.
"My case was... Like drowning. I couldn't breathe."
Ryujin replied.
The room went still.
All eyes turned toward Ayro.
His arms were crossed. He didn't speak at first.
Then finally—
"I was the last one to pass out."
His voice was steady, but laced with tension.
"The man's back was turned. I tried to strike him from behind."
"But he blocked it. Effortlessly. My body slowed like it was underwater."
"I crumbled. Couldn't move."
He exhaled slowly, jaw tightening.
"Before I blacked out, I saw him step back... frustrated. He started talking to someone through his comms."
Ayro looked up, his eyes sharp.
Miss Gigi's gaze darkened, her hand falling away from her forehead.
"And now there's a stranger in your team's room."
Kara's hands clenched on her lap.
But she still didn't speak.
Everyone's gaze turned to Kara.
She sat still.
Shoulders stiff. Eyes low.
The silence around her deepened.
[Girls Room]
Hoshi stood by the window, silent as soft morning light streamed in. Her gaze drifted beyond the glass, but her mind was far away.
Behind her, Jayu giggled as she played alone, hopping on the mattress with little thuds that echoed gently through the quiet room.
"I must be causing her trouble right now..."
Hoshi thought to herself, her fingers brushing the bandage on her hand.
Then—she felt a light tug on her leggings.
She looked down.
It was Jayu.
In the child's small arms was a worn, plush teddy bear. Its stitching was a little crooked, one ear slightly bent—but it was clearly well-loved.
"This is Kara-nee's,"
Jayu said proudly, holding it up.
"A... teddy bear?"
Hoshi asked, her voice soft and surprised.
"Yep!"
Jayu grinned.
"She told me to take care of it every time she's not around!"
Hoshi knelt a little to Jayu's level, eyes fixed on the bear.
"Oh..."
Her voice trailed off.
She looked at the bear.
Then down at her own hands.
Her expression shifted—uncertainty growing into something far more fragile.
"She trusts this little girl with something that clearly matters to her..."
Her brows drew together slightly.
Her chest ached with a feeling she couldn't place.
"What kind of person does that... especially for someone like me?"
Jayu sat cross-legged on the floor, a crayon in her hand as she gently moved it across a piece of paper. Her brows furrowed in childlike focus, tongue peeking slightly from her lips as she worked.
Without looking up, she spoke casually.
"You're a kunoichi? So cool!"
Hoshi sat by the edge of the bed, her hands folded on her lap.
"I-I guess..."
She muttered, voice barely above a whisper.
Jayu continued sketching.
"A kunoichi hides their identity, right?"
"Y-Yeah..."
Hoshi nodded slowly, eyes dropping to the floor.
Her voice cracked just a bit.
"But the whole squad saw me without the mask... They all know now."
A pause.
Then softly—
"I can no longer be a kunoichi."
Jayu jolted in surprise.
"Ehhh?! Why!?"
Hoshi gave her a small glance.
"My secret's out,"
She said simply, almost bitterly.
"Ah? Your face?"
Jayu tilted her head, confused.
Hoshi didn't answer.
Her silence hung heavy—thick with shame.
But Jayu just smiled.
She skipped over with a crinkled drawing clutched in her hands.
"Don't worry! No one saw the hero's face!"
She held it out proudly.
It was a drawing of Hoshi—standing tall, mask on, blades drawn, wind spiraling around her.
The pose was dramatic, exaggerated—but fierce.
Strong.
Cool.
Hoshi blinked.
She looked at the drawing, then at Jayu's beaming face.
Her lips parted—but no words came.
Something warm fluttered in her chest.
Something unfamiliar.
And for the first time that morning—her shoulders didn't feel so heavy.
[Boys Room]
Miss Gigi stood in front of the squad, arms crossed, her voice calm but stern.
"So? If there are infiltrations in the squad, you will face the consequences, Kara-san."
Her eyes were sharp.
"We don't know if she's connected to WESCU. We don't even know her full name."
Kara sat quietly on the edge of the bench, hands folded tightly on her lap. She didn't look up.
Miss Gigi continued.
"What will you do if something happens? If someone gets hurt because of this?"
She took a step closer, lowering her voice—not out of softness, but gravity.
"You're risking the entire squad's operations. These aren't games anymore, Kara."
A tense silence filled the room.
Then Miss Gigi let out a slow breath.
"I'm saying this because you're still kids."
"You all have a future ahead of you—a huge one. You can't afford reckless decisions like this. Value your life. Value your squad-mates. And above all..."
She glanced around the room before turning back to Kara.
"Be more careful around strangers."
Kara remained silent, jaw clenched. Her shoulders were rigid—but her eyes were full of conflict.
"Hoshi-san is not a stranger... at least to me."
Kara's voice was soft, but firm.
Miss Gigi paused at the door and turned slowly, her eyes narrowing at Kara.
Kara stood up, fists clenched at her sides.
"I'll prove it."
Her voice carried determination now.
"Just give me some time—she can be trusted, I promise!"
Miss Gigi exhaled hard, rubbing her temple.
"I can't risk the squad's safety on a promise that might not be kept."
She stepped forward again.
"And on top of that... you won't even let us verify her identity."
Kara faltered for a moment, then looked up, eyes pleading.
"She's not ready, Miss Gigi... Please. Just be patient with her.."
A tense beat of silence.
Miss Gigi stared at Kara, measuring the weight behind her words.
Then she turned and approached Itoshi.
"I'll give her a chance,"
She said coldly.
"But if she fails this squad—you'll know what'll happen to her."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and slammed the door on her way out.
The room fell into silence.
Itoshi quickly stepped up to Kara.
"Are you okay, Kara?"
He asked gently.
"Y-Yes, Koya,"
Kara whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Itoshi studied her. Even shaken, she held her ground.
And in that moment, his thoughts were clear.
"Kara isn't someone who makes stupid decisions for no reason... But still..."
He gave a small, reassuring nod.
"I trust your decision.."
Kara slowly raised her head. Her eyes shimmered, but her lips curled into a grateful smile.
"Thank you..."
~~~To be Continued~~~