"Mori..."
"Hmm?..."
"Mori..."
It was dark.
Very dark.
No touch. No smell. No sight.
But the voice lingered.
A voice only the Kunoichi could remember.
Amidst the void, she was there—
Curled into herself, knees hugged close,
Eyes shut like a newborn, still untouched by light.
Her black hair floated gently, swaying with a wind that didn't exist.
"Tomori..."
And she responded.
"Nee-san..."
A pause. The silence that followed was heavy.
The kind that aches more than any scream.
Then—
The warmth of a hand, faint and ghostlike, brushing her shoulder.
Not real. Not there.
But enough to make her eyes twitch, her lips part slightly.
"You stopped moving again..."
The voice whispered.
Tomori's fingers curled inward.
Her breathing—shallow, uncertain—picked up ever so slightly.
"You said you'd keep moving... You promised me that, didn't you?"
A faint tremble passed through the dreamspace.
Cracks of pale light began to bleed into the darkness—
Not light from above... but memories surfacing from deep below.
Tomori whimpered.
"Nee-san... I'm scared again."
"Then move forward."
She continued.
"Don't let your fear define you again."
The voice was fading. Soft, like a fading star at dawn.
"You have people now... You're not alone anymore, Mori."
The last word echoed.
"Tomori..."
Her eyes slowly opened—still within the dream—
But now, the darkness wasn't endless.
It had a shape. A direction. A way forward.
It was the 6th of July, 2169.
The 63rd day of the collaborative mainland Japan cleansing, spearheaded by the United World Defense Society.
In the fortress-city of Fukuoka, the rain had just ended. The pavement glistened with lingering moisture.
A low mist clung to the gutters, and the sky—a broken veil of gray—hinted at the sun struggling to rise.
It had been five days since the incident at Hakata Bay.
The scars still remained.
Not just on the streets...
But in the hearts of those chasing what came next.
A slight drizzle still fell across Fukuoka's battered streets. Just outside a U.W.D.S. field office, Ryujin stepped out beneath the gray veil, the soft rain tapping gently against his coat.
He paused—took a deep breath.
Then looked up.
The heavens wept slowly, their tears forming delicate ripples in the puddles that filled the city's cracks. A breath of silence passed before the glass door behind him creaked open.
He turned.
It was the red-haired, green-eyed Miss Gigi, holding an umbrella and smiling faintly.
"How are they doing?"
Ryujin snickered.
"Loud as ever."
They walked a short distance and sat at an old bus terminal. The bench was cold and slightly damp, the overhang barely shielding them from the rain.
"Eh.. what about the Kunoichi?.. Are you sure about her?"
Miss Gigi asked, brows raised.
Ryujin didn't respond immediately.
"No."
Miss Gigi blinked, then leaned toward him in disbelief.
"Hah?! Then why the hell did you let her join?"
Ryujin said nothing.
"Oi! Answer me!"
After a moment, Ryujin exhaled slowly.
"Sure, I might not be 'sure' with her... but I'm certain she'll do something to prove her loyalty."
Miss Gigi raised a skeptical brow.
"Eh?.. How can you be so sure?"
"Don't tell me it's a hunc—"
"It's a hunch,"
Ryujin said at the same time, calm and unfazed.
"What the hell?!"
Miss Gigi shot up, hands in her hair like a frustrated child.
Ryujin smirked.
"Squad Leader Ryujin... teasing handlers was never written in your rulebook."
Miss Gigi reminded, one brow raised, arms crossed.
"With all due respect... not doing it is not written in the rulebook either."
He fired back without missing a beat.
Miss Gigi was speechless, but she knew he was right. She just pouted like she wasn't thirty-three years young, then sank back down beside him.
After a pause, Ryujin's tone turned serious.
"I've seen her eyes before..."
Miss Gigi turned to look at him as she leaned back against the ceramic-clear wall.
"A lot of times, actually... Sincere eyes. Like a lost cat looking for a home."
"From the cadets... my squad members... and of course... Roger."
Miss Gigi's eyes widened—but they quickly softened, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Eh?.. You smile a lot more often now, huh?.. Ryujin-kun."
Ryujin looked at her, surprised. Then, slowly, he smiled again.
"Ah... I guess so."
Miss Gigi stood and picked up her umbrella, brushing a few droplets off her sleeve.
"Oh well... Make sure you don't regret your decision. I still can't fathom how you got five members in just two months. A sacred test of trust... bent in such a short time. What the hell..."
Ryujin responded coolly.
"Only for the best."
Miss Gigi glanced back at him.
"Oi. Don't let that thick skull of yours grow big."
Ryujin closed his eyes with a grin, arms crossed.
"Don't worry, ma'am... You'll become rich because of it."
Miss Gigi was flabbergasted.
"This kid... Seriously..."
Note: Handlers like Miss Gigi receive a certain level of recognition and reward when the squads they manage perform exceptionally. They serve as the vital eyes and communicators between field and command. The more successful the squad—the more valuable the handler. In short: more success, more money.
But instead of falling for it, Miss Gigi chuckled and took a step back.
"Oh well... I'll head back now. Break's over. I'm gonna enjoy the bucks you've been making for me."
Ryujin, still with eyes shut, replied calmly.
"Don't trip, ma'am."
"What about you?.. Where are you going?"
Ryujin opened his eyes and stood up, gaze fixed on her.
"Ah... I'll go check on our latest addition."
"Do you have an umbrella?"
"No... I don't need it."
(He was gifted with water.)
"Ah... Okay then."
Miss Gigi nodded.
In unison, the two shared a salute.
She turned and began walking back toward the office.
As she glanced over her shoulder, her thoughts lingered on him.
"Ryujin-kun... you've changed so much..."
She smiled.
"You're no longer the child you were rumored to be."
~~~Hara Sanshin Hospital~~~
Ryujin stood just outside Hara Shanshin Hospital, umbrella in hand, a faint red mark still fresh on his cheek. He gently touched it, squinting slightly from the sting.
"Dang..."
The thought hovered in his head like a little cartoon bubble, unspoken but very loud.
Earlier that morning, he'd knocked on the glass door of the U.W.D.S. office while Miss Gigi was deep into her handler shift.
She answered mid-report, headset dangling from one ear, expression already radiating don't you dare. Before he could even speak, she hurled an umbrella straight at his face.
"You interrupted my shift for this!?"
The umbrella hit him square between the eyes with a solid whap, bounced off, and clattered to the ground.
Ryujin blinked once. He didn't even react—just stared at her in mild defeat as if this were completely expected.
"...Was it really that hard to just hand it to me?"
The sarcastic thought hovered like a floating bubble next to his head, but he wisely kept it to himself.
Now, back in the present, he let out a deep sigh as he stepped into the hospital lobby, umbrella folded and still dripping at his side.
The soft lights and faint antiseptic smell filled the air. His expression, however, didn't match the peaceful environment.
"Worth it..."
Another quiet thought flickered as he marched onward.
It was 1:20 PM when Ryujin arrived—
Just past the gloomy afternoon clouds that still lingered over Fukuoka.
Kara (off-screen): Wait, wait, wait!
Narrator: W-Woah—wha?
Kara (off-screen): Author!!!
Author: What?
Kara: We're talking about squads and military stuff but you're not even using military time! What a plot hole!
Author: Ah—oh... okay! Wait! Let me redo!
It was 13:20H when Ryujin arrived.
The hallway stretched before him in sterile whites and soft overhead lights. The rainy gloom outside only made the hospital's brightness feel more clinical, more exposed. His footsteps echoed lightly against the tiled floor as he passed the reception and walked further inside.
A few civilians waiting in the lounge turned their heads.
Whispers followed.
"He looks familiar..."
"Have I seen him before...?"
"Wait! That's Ryujin! The leader of Squad 663!"
Ryujin didn't slow down, but his jaw tensed ever so slightly.
"Too many eyes..."
The thought echoed in his head like a distant drumbeat, floating just above the quiet storm of attention.
Ryujin stopped by the room, umbrella still in hand. His face remained cold and calculating, even though there was no need for it here. Not in this place. But it was simply who he was—always guarded, always braced.
He paused.
Then knocked—three firm taps against the door.
From within, the faint scrape of a chair being pushed back reached his ears, followed by Kara's familiar voice.
"Coming!"
Quick footsteps approached. A second later, the door swung open.
"Oh! Ryujin-sama!"
Kara greeted him with a bright smile, one hand still holding onto the doorknob.
Ryujin didn't smile back. His expression remained as serious as ever.
"It's rainy, but you still got here..."
Kara muttered, stepping aside to let him in.
Ryujin walked past her, setting the still-damp umbrella against the wall, its handle gently tapping the tile.
"Eh... why is your..."
Kara's voice trailed off, eyes narrowing curiously at the umbrella as she closed the door.
Ryujin turned, glancing at her with a soft hum.
"Hmm?"
Kara clapped her hands once and smiled up at Ryujin again, her expression bright.
"Ah! It's nothing!"
She waved it off, though her eyes still lingered on the oddly dented umbrella.
Note: In Japan, many buildings have umbrella stands near the entrance—but Ryujin had carried his all the way inside.
"How is she doing?"
Ryujin asked casually as the two began walking toward the bed at the far end of the room.
"Ah! She's doing fine. She's—..."
Kara tilted her head. Her voice slowed into confusion.
"Eh?.."
The cubicle curtain surrounding Tomori's hospital bed was now fully drawn shut.
Kara, now standing at the foot of the bed, leaned slightly forward and peeked into the narrow slit between the fabric.
"Tomo-san?.."
A pause.
"Eh??"
Tomori was lying still on her side, breathing softly, eyes closed.
Kara's expression scrunched. She puffed her cheeks, visibly pouting.
"Tomo-san..."
She leaned in more, hands on her hips.
"Stop pretending to be asleep! We just spoke before Ryujin-san arrived!"
Tomori jolted upright behind the curtain like a kitten caught mid-nap.
"NYAAAAAAAAAAA!"
The curtain trembled as she fumbled with the sheets, clearly startled by Kara's sudden call-out.
Kara immediately leaned back, arms crossed with a smug grin.
"See? You were awake!"
Tomori peeked out from between the curtain folds, face red and expression sheepish.
Meanwhile, Ryujin had already taken a seat on the right side of the room, silently watching the chaos unfold. He leaned back slightly, one brow raised in dry amusement, arms crossed as always.
He didn't say a word.
He didn't need to.
His expression read loud and clear:
"This is what I walked into?"
A few moments later, the curtains were drawn fully open.
Tomori sat upright on her bed, gaze fixed on her hands. Her fingers fidgeted slightly, but she said nothing.
Across the room, Kara and Jayu sat side by side, facing the foot of Tomori's bed.
Kara still wore a pout, arms crossed, legs swinging stiffly. Jayu, meanwhile, rested her hands on her knees, unusually silent.
Ryujin sat to the right, his gaze never once leaving Tomori.
Arms crossed. Calm. Studying.
Tomori's face burned with color. Her cheeks were flushed a bright red, and her ears twitched slightly in embarrassment. But she didn't speak. None of them did.
It was... very quiet. There Four souls in the room.
But only the rain spoke.
The gentle pattering against the window filled the space like background music in a silent play.
Hoshi touched her cheeks with her palm, still flushed bright red.
"Jeez! Stop staring at me so intensely!.."
Ryujin replied quickly, voice calm but firm.
"That's my job."
Tomori's eyes snapped up to meet the steady gaze of her new leader, completely shocked. Her fingers trembled lightly.
Ryujin's eyes remained locked on hers. He took a slow, deliberate breath.
"No need to be so... tense... Hoshizaki."
He paused as Tomori's gaze drifted back down to her hands.
"Or do you need me to call Ayro?"
Tomori's ears flicked back—cat ears twitching—and her cheeks deepened in red.
"Wha—What does Ayro got to do with this?!"
Ryujin leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
"Well... he's the vice-leader."
He added with a smirk,
"Eh... you're turning even redder."
Tomori closed her eyes tightly and covered her face with her palm.
"Kara-san!! Help!!"
Her eyes darted across the room to Kara, sitting with arms still crossed, pouting stubbornly. Jayu blinked nearby.
Tomori's heart sank.
"Kara-san want me to learn..."
Taking a deep breath, she slapped her cheeks lightly with her palm, forcing herself back to calm.
"Ryujin-san... I'm... sorry..."
Those were the only words Tomori could manage to whisper.
Ryujin closed his eyes, arms still crossed.
"Hm? Is that how we greet our higher-ups?"
Tomori trembled, the nervousness creeping through her voice.
"Eh—ah—um..."
Ryujin chuckled softly.
"Nah, I'm just kidding. You can call me whatever you want. Just not in a professional setting."
Tomori looked back at him, a bit scared but trying to hold her composure.
"Ehh!"
Ryujin leaned forward, legs spread as he sat down, elbows resting on his knees. He rubbed his palms together thoughtfully.
"Relax, Hoshizaki. You know, it'll be tough if you're uncomfortable with your new home."
Tomori's gaze drifted to the window, and she scratched her cheek quietly, lost in thought.
Tomori glanced at Kara once more, who was still pouting across the room.
"It's okay, right?.." she wondered silently. "How do I start?.."
An idea suddenly sparked in her mind.
"Ah! Like that!"
She sat up straighter on the edge of her bed, palms resting calmly on the middle of her thighs. Then, bowing politely, she spoke softly.
"I'm Tomori Hoshizaki, master... At your service!"
A bead of sweat trickled down Ryujin's temple as he listened to her greeting.
"W-what the hell... she truly is a kunoichi..."
He thought to himself, eyes narrowing slightly.
Then came silence.
A long, long silence.
"Eh?.. Now what?"
Tomori wondered anxiously.
She shifted to the other side of the bed, cheeks burning bright red as she cupped her face.
"AHH!! WHAT AM I DOING!?"
Ryujin chuckled softly. Tomori's awkwardness had caught him off guard, and he couldn't help but laugh quietly.
Tomori glanced up, still flushed, but Ryujin's laughter faded quickly. His eyes opened and locked onto hers.
She immediately looked away.
"So?.. How are you feeling?"
Ryujin asked calmly.
"I..."
She hesitated.
"I'll be going out soon..."
Fingertips nervously fiddled with her nails.
"I'll be staying with you guys in a few days."
Ryujin smiled.
"Ah! That's good! I'm glad you're doing fine!"
Tomori looked at him, shocked but no longer flustered.
"It's okay?.. He's not mad about what I've done?.."
"Is it?.. Really okay?"
She asked aloud, voice barely above a whisper.
"Hm?"
"For me to be with you guys..."
Ryujin's answer came steady, almost too blunt.
"It's not."
Tomori froze.
That wasn't the answer she expected.
Not at all.
She glanced at Kara once again—still pouting. No help there.
Scratching her cheek in awkward silence, Tomori slowly turned her gaze back to Ryujin. His eyes were shut, unreadable.
Then, with a small shift, his right eye opened—sharp, purple, and locked directly onto her. A smile tugged at his lips.
"It's another pain in the ass to work with your files as the leader of this squad... It'll certainly be harder for Miss Gigi."
Tomori looked down at her palms again, expression unsure.
Ryujin continued, tone casual but laced with dry humor.
"But yeah... It's definitely not okay right now—because it's rainy and we're still filling up your details."
Silence returned.
Longer this time.
Then, a single word popped into Tomori's mind.
"Huh?"
She looked back up at Ryujin, utterly confused.
He was smiling.
Her confused stare lingered... before slowly morphing into a disappointed squint. She turned toward Kara and dropped her face into her palm, still facing down.
Then a soft, baffled smile crept onto her lips.
"I don't get it!"
Ryujin laughed softly, eyes closed in amusement.
Tomori whipped her head toward him, cheeks puffed as she shouted,
"Stop messing with me!!"
"Huh?... What?"
Ryujin chuckled again from her side, completely unfazed.
A swirl of thoughts flooded Tomori's mind as she stared at him.
"Ehh?... He's not mad... He's been teasing me this whole time...He's acting like... he knew me for a long time...Did I know him before?"
She paused, mid thought, overthinking once again.
"Nah! No way!"
Despite herself, a smile tugged at her lips as Ryujin's laughter finally faded.
"Hoshizaki... you're more than welcome to this squad."
He leaned back in his seat with a knowing smirk.
"After all, Kara probably won't stop yapping about you every night."
"Oi!"
Kara barked from across the room, still pouting but now clearly listening.
Tomori blinked. Then looked down.
"But... why?"
She asked quietly, curious.
Ryujin's tone shifted—gentle, but resolute.
"Don't overthink it. You've been offered something even you can't deny. Never question it."
Tomori paused...
Then smiled, letting out a soft chuckle. Even if she didn't understand everything yet... something about this place felt right.
"Ehe... That's right..."
~~~To be Continued~~~