[May 17, 2169 - 9:30PM]
Everyone in the boys' room was too stunned to speak.
They all shared the same thought
"W-What kind of smile is that?" — in the best way possible.
They had never seen their leader, who was usually so cold and distant, suddenly break into the brightest smile in the room.
Itoshi glanced around nervously.
"D-did I say something weird?"
Ayro chuckled softly.
"Are you certain you want to do that, Itoshi?"
Itoshi straightened up, determination returning to his voice.
"Yes!"
Ryujin closed his eyes, smiling faintly.
"Really, really sure?"
"Yes!"
Ryujin tilted his head, the smile widening slightly.
"Well then... how are you planning to face it?"
The room fell quiet. Itoshi froze — no plan, no clue, just a stubborn will.
"I-I don't know... but I'll manage somehow."
Ayro stood, arms crossed, tone firm.
"For things like this, you need a plan — and you can't do it alone."
He looked around, lowering his voice.
"You're going against the higher-ups, after all."
"T-that's true..."
Itoshi muttered, the weight of it sinking in.
Ryujin stepped forward, his tone low and heavy.
"How far are you willing to go? What are you willing to sacrifice for the dream you have?"
No one spoke. The silence was deep, heavy enough to make even the air hesitate. Itoshi's eyes dropped as he thought it through — really thought it through.
Seconds passed before he lifted his head again, gaze steady.
"My... my freedom."
The words hung in the air like a blade. Even Ayro's expression shifted.
Ryujin exhaled through his nose, smiling faintly again.
"You're a fool, aren't ya?"
"Don't say that while smiling! That'll cause a lot of misunderstandings!"
Itoshi barked, flustered.
Ayro sighed, folding his arms again.
"Alright. Let's get straight to the point."
Ryujin's smile faded, his tone sharpening.
"The main reason we came to Japan... was because we wanted to abolish the deal."
He paused, letting the words sink deep.
"Of course, doing our service plays its part. But the truth is... we've got other things in mind."
He folded his arms, eyes narrowing.
"Now, this is dangerous territory. We're thinking of going after leaders, after all."
The tension thickened. Everyone felt it. Ryujin's next words were calm, but heavy enough to crush hesitation.
"If you truly want the girls in this country to be safe... you'll have to go against the country itself."
Itoshi gave it one last thought — danger, rebellion, consequences — but none of it made him waver.
"I'll do it. I'll come with you guys. Let me help you abolish this deal."
His voice was quiet, but full of conviction.
Ayro and Ryujin exchanged a knowing glance, then placed their hands on his shoulders, grinning.
"Welcome to hell."
Itoshi flinched slightly.
"This is the least I can do for the squad. I'll follow you two until we reach the end. Until we finish this."
Then a voice broke in.
"Oi..."
Everyone turned. Kirashi leaned forward, chin resting on his palm.
"I'm part of this squad too, you know?"
He stood, smiling.
"I'll follow you guys until the end too!"
Kara hesitated, then stepped closer.
"M-me too! I'll follow where Koya goes... but I'll make sure to support all of you — even from the rear!"
Her quiet sincerity softened the air.
Aldrin didn't move from his seat, but his voice came steady.
"I'll take you guys there. Just call me."
He sighed.
"Though I'd really prefer staying away from trouble..."
The others chuckled lightly, understanding.
Ryujin looked around, meeting each of their eyes. His tone was calm, but absolute.
"Just make sure none of this gets out... alright?"
He paused.
"This isn't a mission of Squad Segment 663. This is our mission."
And just like that, the air shifted.
The squad wasn't just a squad anymore — they were silent rebels.
Jayu, sitting quietly the whole time, tilted her head in confusion. The talk was too complex for her young mind. Aldrin noticed and smiled, gently patting her head.
"What they're doing... It's all for your future. You should always be thankful for them."
Jayu looked up at him, eyes bright.
"I've already been thankful — ever since the day you all saved me!"
Her voice rang clear and honest.
For a moment, no one said a word. Then — one by one — smiles spread across their faces.
Without even trying, Jayu reminded them all what they were fighting for.
~~~Morning of May 18, 2169~~~
"Eh?.. You sure you wanna meet her?"
Ayro asked, brow raised.
"Yes!"
Kara insisted without hesitation.
It happened by the apartment hallway — Kara had approached Ayro, her steps quick and filled with purpose. She had one request: to see Hoshi.
Ayro folded his arms.
"Yeah... sure, no problem. But what about Itoshi? What do you think he'll feel, seeing you prioritize a stranger over someone familiar?"
Kara's smile faltered. Her gaze dropped to the floor, lips parting slightly but no words coming out.
Ayro sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Fine... I'll take you to her. But make sure you make up with Itoshi first — before you bring someone new here."
Kara's eyes lit up again. She looked up and smiled brightly.
"Hai! I'll make sure!"
As the two walked off, the door to the boys' room opened.
Itoshi stepped out, just in time to see Ayro and Kara disappearing down the hall.
"Eh? Where are they going?"
Behind him, Kirashi stumbled out, yawning and scratching his messy bedhead.
"Eh? Who?"
"Kara and Ayro-san,"
Itoshi replied.
"Ah..."
Kirashi paused for a moment before smirking.
"Kara-chan's replacing you."
Itoshi's expression darkened instantly. His eye twitched. He didn't even argue — just clicked his tongue.
"Tsk..."
Kirashi leaned closer, grin widening.
"Don't worry, Itoshi... you've got a backup, right? Jayu-chan?"
That did it.
Without warning, Itoshi lunged, and the two were suddenly brawling in the hallway — fists flying, grunts echoing, and the entire corridor shaking from their scuffle.
Ryujin passed by with a steaming mug of coffee, barely sparing them a glance. He took a calm sip.
"Lively as ever... that's good."
The girls' room door burst open.
"OII!!! No bullying each other!!"
Jayu's shout froze both boys mid-grapple. Kirashi had a fistful of Itoshi's hair; Itoshi had his arm cocked mid-swing.
"Yo! Itoshi! It's your—"
Kirashi started, but Itoshi cut him off by shoving his shoe straight into his mouth.
"SHUT UP!!"
Itoshi barked.
"Ejoiuwoie—!!"
Kirashi gagged, muffled by the shoe.
And just like that, the fight resumed — chaotic, ridiculous, and loud.
Moments later, Aldrin appeared at the end of the hall, blinking at the scene. Jayu stood with her arms crossed, puffing her cheeks like a furious hamster.
She turned to Aldrin with pleading eyes.
He sighed.
"Alright, alright..."
With one smooth motion, he stepped in and grabbed both by the back of their shirts, effortlessly lifting them apart like squabbling cats.
"Okay, calm down. You two done acting like toddlers, or should I grab a pacifier and a bib?"
The two boys pouted, breathing heavily but no longer struggling.
Jayu huffed.
"Hmph. Grown-ups are so noisy in the morning..."
She marched up and bonked both of them on the head with surprising strength. Two fresh lumps rose instantly.
"Jeez... Nii-san, sometimes you do stupid things for your age."
Her tone carried that perfect mix of disappointment and sass.
With a small sigh, she clasped her hands together and whispered a short incantation. A soft glow surrounded their heads — the swelling faded, and the pain dulled away.
"Next time I won't do this anymore! I get tired using magic too, you know!"
In perfect sync, the two dropped into a bow.
"We're sorry, Jayu-chan!"
Kirashi pleaded.
"Thank you for the healing, princess!"
Itoshi bowed.
Jayu giggled, clearly pleased by the title. She puffed her chest proudly.
"Carry me to my breakfast!"
Without missing a beat, the two crouched side by side, letting her climb onto their shoulders. Jayu perched between them like a tiny queen, lifting her hand dramatically.
"March, my loyal subjects! To the kitchen!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Both shouted.
Laughter filled the hall as they paraded toward the kitchen — Jayu riding high and proud, while Aldrin followed behind, shaking his head with a faint smile.
[Few Moments Later]
Ayro and Kara returned to the boys' room.
Kirashi was already knocked out again, head tilted back against the couch, drool trailing from the corner of his mouth.
On the floor, Jayu sat with Aldrin, happily playing with a small pile of Kara's stuffed toys.
Nearby, Itoshi leaned against the armrest of a chair, a lollipop hanging from his lips, eyes half-lidded as he stared at the flickering news on the old TV — watching more out of boredom than interest.
He noticed the door open but didn't react. No greeting. No smile. Just a lazy glance before his attention drifted back to the screen.
Jayu, on the other hand, lit up instantly.
"Kara-nee! You're back!"
She sprang up and wrapped her arms around Kara. Kara knelt down and hugged her back, a soft smile spreading across her face.
Ayro quietly closed the door behind them. His gaze flicked between Kara and Itoshi — the tension between them was still thick, untouched. With a long sigh, he turned toward the others.
"Where's Ryujin?" he asked.
Kirashi stirred slightly, mumbling through half-sleep.
"We don't know..."
Then, without missing a beat, he went right back to snoring.
Ayro pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Of course you don't... So? Anyone knows where he is?"
"Exactly as he said... we have no idea,"
Itoshi replied flatly, avoiding Kara's gaze.
Ayro frowned, rubbing the back of his neck.
"W-What? Where could he have possibly gone...? What time did you last see him?"
"Soon after you left,"
Itoshi answered calmly — though he made sure not to mention Kara had been with him.
Ayro sighed, staring at the floor.
"Ah... where the hell could he have gone this early...?"
Silence hung for a few seconds before he looked around again.
"Anyway, you guys eaten yet? Taken breakfast?"
"Nop!"
Kirashi blurted from the couch, eyes still closed.
Ayro groaned.
"Great... guess I'll go prep something."
"Yay! Breakfast! I want pancakes!"
Jayu cheered, bouncing in place.
"You'll eat whatever's fastest,"
Ayro shot back.
"Booo!"
Kara chuckled softly and followed him toward the kitchen.
"I'll help. Let's not poison everyone, okay?"
Ayro smirked as he opened the fridge.
"I make no promises."
~~~To be Continued~~~