"You've got one second."
It was dark as the voice echoed.
Then, two blue sparks.
Itoshi replied.
"Copy that, ma'am."
Rain battered southern Japan, drumming over the archipelago. No storm, no typhoon — just rain, heavy but ordinary. Yet its weight felt different, carried unevenly by the wind.
"Jayu..."
A voice called.
"M-Mom?..?"
Jayu woke up, back in her home in Tokyo. The sun was out, birds chirped between the glass towers that pierced the sky. Water ran somewhere — the sink, maybe the shower — and she sat up, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands.
Then realization hit.
"Ah! It's morning!"
She leapt out of bed and bolted for the door. The smell of breakfast reached her before she saw it. Her mom was by the kitchen, spatula in hand.
"Mama!"
Her mom turned, startled, spatula raised. Jayu clung to her legs, giggling.
"Oh! Good morning, baby! I told you not to come at me so suddenly — you'll make me burn you one of these days!"
Jayu laughed harder at her mom's soft scolding.
Her mom smiled, shaking her head.
"Hungry?"
Still holding on, Jayu nodded.
"Did you brush your teeth?"
Her mom teased, raising a brow.
Jayu looked to the side, cheeky grin stretching across her face.
A moment later she was back, cheeks damp, toothbrush in hand.
"All done!"
Her mom laughed as she flipped another pancake.
"Good. Wait by the table — almost done!"
Jayu jumped into her seat, hands on the table, eyes sparkling.
A plate landed in front of her.
"Pancakes!!"
She gasped, eyes wide as stars.
"Ah! I forgot the syrup!"
Her mom exclaimed, pointing up in mock realization.
She turned too fast, elbow catching a glass.
It fell. Shattered. Water spilled.
"Ah, fuck,"
Miss Gigi muttered.
Dim light. Cockpit shadows. Holographic screens flickered across her face as she leaned back in her chair, rain smearing against the viewport.
"Their direction's uncertain... seems they really came for Itoshi,"
She murmured, ignoring the puddle by her feet.
"Alright then..."
She raised her mic.
"Itoshi."
Outside, the rain kept coming. Kirashi and Itoshi stood still, while Ryujin moved through the haze, walking past what remained of the flame-types.
Itoshi answered.
"Yes, ma'am."
"You'll use your rhythm. Ryujin and Kirashi will cover you if one moves too fast."
"Got it, ma'am."
Gigi exhaled, calm but sharp.
"You've got one second."
With that, Itoshi took a deep breath as Kirashi watched close by, smiling cheekily.
Then— a blue spark.
Itoshi opened his eyes.
"Wha— hold on..."
It didn't trigger. Kirashi was glad it didn't.
He laughed maniacally through the rain, just to piss Itoshi off.
Itoshi turned to him, clearly annoyed.
"OI! QUIET!"
Then their ears buzzed.
"Focus!"
Miss Gigi's voice cut through the static.
Itoshi took another deep breath.
Another blue spark— and this time, blue flame burst around him. It shone only for a second, but its light reached far through the forest.
He killed his rhythm.
Sirens blared. Then came the screeches. Seele— close, hungry.
Itoshi and Kirashi stood side by side.
"Heh, they're there."
They both muttered, eyes locked on the direction of the noise.
Back in Miss Gigi's cockpit, the door hissed open as a man stepped in. She took another sip of coffee, exhaled, and set the cup down.
"Alright. They're coming for you. Ryujin, stay on the rear. Kirashi, keep the others busy. We'll use Itoshi's flame as little as possible — we don't want to torch that forest."
The three answered through comms in unison.
"Copy."
"Oh no! I dropped it!"
Jayu's mom panicked as she knelt down beside the broken glass.
Jayu quickly stepped down from her chair and ran toward the sink.
"J-Jayu! Be care—"
Before her mom could finish, Jayu already had a rag soaked with water.
She smiled as she handed it over, careful not to get too close.
Her mom froze for a second, surprise softening into a smile.
"Thank you!"
She took the rag and laid it over the shards.
"Don't get too close for now, okay? Let me handle this part."
Jayu stood by the sink, watching quietly as her mom cleaned up the mess.
Eventually, her mom threw the rag away, dusted off her hands, and came back to Jayu, ruffling her hair.
"Let's eat!"
Jayu closed her eyes, nodding with a grin.
"Mhm!"
She opened them again.
The warmth of their kitchen — sunlight, pancakes, her mother's voice — all faded. In its place came the low hum of an air conditioner, cold air brushing against her face. Rain pattered outside.
She sat up. Her body was bruised, her left shoulder sore. She touched her patched cheek.
"Ow..."
Beside her, Tomori was asleep. They were sharing a room now.
Jayu looked down at her, still trying to piece together what had happened.
Then the silence broke.
"Sorry... I failed..."
Tomori muttered in her sleep.
Jayu smiled faintly and reached out, patting her head.
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
The wind howled as Kirashi dodged the Seele lunging at him, hands tucked comfortably in his pockets. A confident grin curved on his face.
He moved with his breathing — still mastering the teachings of the kunoichi, Tomori — but he couldn't help getting distracted.
He paused.
"Oi, Itoshi!"
Itoshi fought nearby, breath heavy, taking down the wind-types as his blue flame hissed against the rain. He stayed focused, ignoring Kirashi completely.
Kirashi chuckled.
"Haha! He's focused!"
His expression then flattened.
Fwoooosh...
The wind wailed again.
Then he smirked.
"Haha... maybe not."
Another Seele lunged; he dodged easily.
Their comms buzzed.
"Almost done. Six more. They're still surrounding you — bet you can finish this in ten seconds."
Kirashi and Itoshi locked eyes. Challenge accepted.
"Heh~"
One.
Itoshi sprinted toward Kirashi.
Two.
Three Seele burst from behind him — fast, small, vicious.
Three.
Kirashi turned, grinning at him.
Four.
Itoshi's hands flared blue, brows tight.
Five.
He smiled, flame pulsing brighter.
Six.
Kirashi braced, wind coiling around him.
Seven.
They both shouted,
"COME AT ME!"
Eight.
Wind and flame roared through the forest as Ryujin watched from a distance.
Nine.
They attacked.
Flame met wind — and the rain joined in. Kirashi's gust curved Itoshi's fire backward coiling a mini flame tornado as the hot wind connected with the soft cold hair carried by the rain, directing it toward the Seele chasing from behind. They evaporated instantly.
Ten.
Itoshi's flame burst forward, searing through the Seele hiding in the trees behind Kirashi.
Silence followed.
The last of the wind-types disintegrated into ash and steam.
Kirashi and Itoshi exhaled, shoulders dropping. The ten-second challenge — complete.
Ryujin stood nearby, shaking his head with a grin.
"Pfft... these idiots showing off."
They both laughed and threw him a thumbs-up.
Miss Gigi's voice came through, laughing.
"Hahaha! You actually did it in ten seconds! Anyway, mission's done. Head back to the vehicles immediately."
She paused.
"I don't want the rain getting to your kids."
All three answered in unison.
"Copy."
They walked together through the misting rain, heading for the SUV.
As Kirashi and Itoshi opened the SUV door, they shoved each other to enter first.
"I'm going first!"
"No! Step back!"
Before either could win, two towels smacked straight into their faces. They froze mid-motion, towels sliding down their heads and landing on the wet ground.
Aldrin stood by the door, grinning like he meant it.
Inside, Ryujin climbed in next, taking the passenger seat up front. Kara sat up front beside Aldrin. She smiled softly as she handed a towel to Ryujin.
"Here you go, leader!"
Ryujin nodded, wiping his face as Itoshi and Kirashi kept bickering behind him.
He glanced at them through the mirror, muttering under his breath.
"These two just don't run out of energy..."
The others tried to settle in. Instead, Itoshi and Kirashi kept shoving each other on the bench seat, crowding Kara and Aldrin. Loud. Annoying. Typical.
Then, from the back — a sharp bark,
"SHUT UP!!"
It was Ayro.
He grabbed Kirashi by the collar and yanked him back, knocking him out cold with a thud.
"glah!"
Itoshi burst into laughter, pointing at him.
Ayro's red eyes snapped toward Itoshi, glowing faintly in the dark cabin. His shadowy outline flickered against the SUV's walls.
Itoshi instantly shut up, staring straight ahead — only to gasp.
"OH! MISS GIGI!"
At the wheel, Gigi raised a thumbs-up without looking back.
"That's right! One and only!"
She grinned.
"I'll be your main driver now since your squad's gotten a little bigger."
Aldrin leaned forward.
"Eh? What about Mister Bjorne?"
"He's on the second car. We'll figure out who rides with who once the full squad's together."
"I wish I'll be with Miss Gigi!"
Itoshi shouted from the back.
"Please don't,"
Gigi muttered.
"Agreed,"
Ryujin added, deadpan.
"Mean!"
Itoshi pouted.
Aldrin lifted his hands.
"Oh hell nah... she's on the wheels? I'm out."
Gigi glanced over her shoulder, eyes cold.
"Wanna die?"
Aldrin waved both hands fast.
"No, ma'am!"
"Good. Then sit tight. Let's get you guys home."
"Hai!"
They all shouted, each with a different tone — Ryujin calm, Kara cheerful, Ayro flat, Itoshi too loud.
The SUV rolled forward into the rain.
As the rain poured outside, Jayu stood by the window, watching the trails of water slide down the glass. Her small hand rested on the cold surface while the steady hum of the air conditioner filled the quiet room.
She exhaled softly, fogging the glass, then drew a small heart with her fingertip. Tomori was still asleep on the bed behind her. The silence lingered—peaceful, but heavy.
"Mama..."
She whispered.
Her eyes drifted shut as warmth filled her thoughts. The kitchen. The sunlight. The smell of soup. Her mother's gentle voice calling out from across the room.
"Let's eat!"
The sound faded, each echo growing fainter until it was gone.
Then—creak. The door opened.
Jayu turned her head without surprise, like she already knew who it was.
"Jayu-chan?!"
Kara gasped, her voice trembling with panic.
"Sorry!... I... I failed!!"
Tomori dropped to her knees, still in her hospital gown, forehead nearly touching the floor.
Jayu rushed beside her.
"Tomo-nee!.. Stand up!.."
"No!"
Tomori's voice cracked.
"I failed!"
In front of her stood Kara. Behind Kara were Ryujin, Aldrin, and Ayro—shoulder to shoulder.
By the doorframe, Itoshi and Kirashi squeezed for a look, half inside, half out.
Against the wall, Miss Gigi leaned back with her arms crossed, silent, watching.
"I'm ok! I promise!"
Jayu tried to reassure her.
"But!"
Tomori raised her head, eyes shaking.
"Y-you... got hurt!"
Itoshi and Kirashi heard it. Even jammed by the door, their fists clenched. They finally forced their way out, faces set, ready to move—until Ayro grabbed them both by the collars.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Kara sighed, then knelt down between the two girls.
"Let's calm down, shall we?"
She pulled them both into her arms.
The tension faded instantly. Jayu and Tomori melted against her shoulders.
It was healing.
"Feeling better?"
Kara whispered.
They nodded. She patted their backs softly.
The rest of the squad settled. The air grew heavier. It was time for the real talk.
They gathered around the bed in a half-circle of chairs. Miss Gigi stayed where she was—listening.
Ryujin broke the silence. Calm. Straightforward.
"So? What happened while we were gone?"
Jayu flinched, eyes down. Ryujin noticed and sighed.
"We can talk about it another time."
"No!"
Everyone froze. That small voice hit the room like a crack of lightning. Jayu again.
"I..."
She paused, lost in her own words.
Tomori looked at her. Jayu met her gaze, then nodded.
"Jayu-chan... got attacked."
A snap followed—Itoshi crushing a piece of the chair under his hand. Every head turned. He forced a calm face, but the tension was loud.
"For some reason... the woman claimed Jayu was a demon,"
Tomori said, gripping the blanket tight.
"She attacked her—words, then hands... and the kids followed her lead..."
Jayu's lips trembled. Tears spilled before she could stop them.
Kara pulled her close, resting Jayu's head against her chest.
"Shh... it's ok. You're safe now."
The room went quiet again. Too quiet.
No one knew what to say—or what could even fix this.
Finally, Miss Gigi spoke.
"There's a story blowing up in the news right now."
Everyone turned.
"The 'Demon child of Kaba,'"
She continued.
"They're saying she caused the crash. Planes downed, hundreds dead. One kid survives for weeks. You know how that looks to people."
"Outrageous,"
Kirashi muttered, teeth grit.
Ryujin clicked his tongue.
"So that's it, then. The story's already out there."
Hopelessness hung thick. But not one of them looked ready to give her up.
"We... we just have to prove them wrong... right?"
Jayu's voice cracked, but it still carried.
They looked at her—each knowing how impossible that was. Yet they listened anyway. Admiring her quiet defiance.
"I miss home... I miss mama..."
She whispered, clutching the blanket.
Ryujin finally stood. Decision made.
"Alright then."
All eyes on him. Whatever he said next—that was the move.
"Since there's no clean way out... we'll do it."
Jayu's head lifted.
"But from now on, everyone keeps an eye on Jayu."
Jayu stiffened.
"W-Wait... I... I'll just.. drag them down..."
She bit her lip, wanting to argue, but no words came.
Tomori looked at Jayu, then she spoke.
"I'll look out for her."
Her tone steady, eyes unwavering.
"That's my role here, isn't it? To protect Jayu and Kara?"
Ryujin exhaled slowly.
"Yeah? But what can you do in your state?"
A test.
"The moment she's cleared, I'm going with her—no matter what."
"Are you now?"
Tomori nodded. Fire in her sunset-colored eyes.
Ryujin clapped once, decisive.
"Then we start now."
Miss Gigi raised a brow, thinking,
"That's it? No hesitation? No backup plan?"
Ryujin turned to her.
"Ma'am?"
She blinked.
"W-what, me?"
"Yeah.. The papers?"
"Ah... right. She's cleared. She can fight if she wants."
"Good. I'll talk to the hospital heads. They'll both head out by tomorrow."
He nodded once and moved for the door.
"Ayro, come with me."
Ayro followed, Miss Gigi trailing behind. The door shut softly, leaving the rest behind.
Silence again. Just breathing.
Then Itoshi spoke.
"Tell me..."
His tone darkened.
"Who the fuck did it?"
He looked at Tomori.
"You sent them here too, right? Hoshizaki?"
Tomori nodded once.
Itoshi's fist tightened.
"Well then—"
"Itoshi-nii?"
Jayu interrupted.
"Can you help me?"
He blinked.
"Y-Yeah, sure. With what?"
"I want to visit her. And help her."
"Hah?! After what she did? She could've killed you!"
"If you won't, I'll go alone!"
Jayu's voice shook, but her eyes stayed clear.
"I can't sit still while someone's hurting... I can do something. So please—let me."
Itoshi froze. Then looked toward Kara.
"She said those same words..."
He muttered.
"No gift, no power, yet willing to walk into hell if it means helping someone..."
He breathed deep, the anger melting.
"Miz-sama... righteousness or justice..."
Finally, he nodded.
"Alright. But—"
Everyone tensed.
"I get healed first when me and Kirashi fight."
Jayu smiled softly.
"Mhm."
~~~To be Continued~~~