"Wave, Kurome, here is your tea. I don't know how to brew coffee, so please make do with tea for now."
"Thank you, Bols. Your tea is very good."
Wave and Kurome were playing chess as they accepted the cups from the tray. After Asahi left, the "mission" of brewing drinks for everyone had been taken over by Bols.
As for Asahi, most members of the Jaegers did not maintain a hostile attitude toward him after receiving the investigation results. He hadn't joined any faction and acted independently. They and Asahi were not entirely enemies.
As Wave took his tea, he suddenly became silent. Bols tilted his head in confusion.
"What's wrong, Wave?"
"I'm just frustrated. You saved them and destroyed those monsters, yet those merchants acted that way toward you."
"They judge everything based on appearances!"
"You're one to talk. Remember the first time you met Bols?"
Kurome's reminder brought back memories. When he first met Bols... he had closed the door and slunk away.
"Ah, right..."
Bols shook his head, his voice deep and tinged with sadness. He was very happy to have met the people in the Jaegers—those who were not afraid of his grotesque appearance—but...
"Wave, as I said before, I am not a good person."
"I burned down an entire village just because they carried a contagious disease. I've even burned innocent people to death because of orders."
"That's why... I am hated by countless people."
"But... but you were only following orders."
"I know. Someone had to do it; someone had to have blood on their hands. And that person was me."
"I believe the terrified reactions from those I save are my retribution. As long as they are safe, it is fine."
"Bols, don't say that! If you need to talk, just find me—"
Click!
Just as Wave's passion was peaking, the sound of a door opening echoed. It was a beautiful woman carrying an adorable little girl. She smiled brightly, and the child waved excitedly.
"Darling."
"Papa!"
The person they were addressing was none other than Bols. Under Wave's stunned gaze, Bols walked over to his wife and daughter.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, you forgot to bring the lunch we were making together."
"Oh, how could I forget?"
"Papa is a dummy!"
"Because of the nature of your work, you have to take care of yourself, okay?"
"Yes, I'll be more careful."
"Papa, hug me!"
The happy laughter of a family spread throughout the room. The "man who seemingly needed to talk" turned out to have a much happier life than anyone expected. Wave suddenly felt that he was the one who needed someone to talk to.
"Wave, thank you. My wife and daughter know what I've done, yet they stay by my side."
"That is why, no matter the difficulty, I will strive to overcome it."
"So... so bright!! Is this the radiance of love? Or rather... I'm the third wheel once again..."
Kurome patted his shoulder, a piece of cake still in her mouth. She looked at Bols's happy family and suddenly felt a slight yearning for it.
A family... she used to have one, too...
...
At the base of a waterfall, Tatsumi was training with Susanoo. A boulder floated down from the current above; Tatsumi leaped up and punched it directly.
Boom!!
The boulder shattered into many pieces, seemingly a success. But Susanoo shook his head.
"Don't just rely on brute strength like that."
A rock three or four times larger than the previous one rolled down from the waterfall. Susanoo showed no concern. His eyes tracked the movement, spotting a crack on the surface.
Crack!
The giant rock shattered. But unlike Tatsumi, who had to build momentum and power, Susanoo simply raised his weapon and aimed perfectly at that crack. That simple action was enough to separate the skill levels of the two sides.
"No matter how strong it is, a weakness always exists."
"That's amazing..."
"If you can find an opponent's weakness in actual combat, it will be extremely effective."
Tatsumi suddenly understood why Bulat told him to train with Susanoo. Although he could fight well, he relied too much on power, just as Susanoo said. While Bulat was proficient in combat and finding weaknesses, it was because of decades of military service. He hadn't known how to teach Tatsumi in the best way. Fortunately, Susanoo could.
"But I don't know how to find a weakness in the middle of a fight."
"It feels quite natural to me."
"Is it a natural reflex, Susanoo?"
"Of course. I am a Teigu tasked with protecting and caring for my master. Not even the smallest change in my master can escape my eyes."
"I see, that's very reassuring. With you and Brother Asahi here, we won't have to lose anyone."
"I am a Teigu. You don't need to count me as a human."
"What are you saying? You are a member of Night Raid, too."
Tatsumi held out his fist for a fist bump, like friends do. Susanoo was a Teigu, yes, but he and everyone in Night Raid never viewed him as a tool, but as a true comrade. Except for Lubbock, who viewed Susanoo as a romantic rival.
"One of you? I don't quite understand. Does being 'one of you' mean fighting together?"
"Not just fighting. we also help each other in daily life, like when you cook for the group or train with me."
Susanoo smiled slightly and returned the fist bump.
"I still don't quite understand. But if that is what everyone wants, I will do my best."
Tatsumi suddenly felt it would be nice if Asahi were here too. It was just a pity he moved around so much; Tatsumi wondered if he was still doing okay inside the Jaegers' headquarters.
The memory of that night at the coffee shop was etched into Tatsumi's subconscious. The happiest moment was everyone gathered together; he truly wanted to experience that moment again.
Akame appeared, her expression serious.
"Tatsumi, Susanoo! We have an emergency summons!"
"What's happened, Akame?"
"We will discuss it when we reach the new base, but there is news regarding Brother Asahi."
"...It's bad news, isn't it?"
Akame didn't answer, but Tatsumi had already guessed. He became somber, his hand gripping his sword tightly.
However, when he saw the "new base," Tatsumi's brow furrowed. If it weren't for the slight difference in the surrounding terrain, he would have thought they had returned to the old place.
It looked exactly the same!
"Don't question it. Just think of it this way: a place that's hard to find but easy to escape from is naturally going to look just like our old base."
"Who cares, as long as there's a hot spring to bathe in."
"That's right, and then we can go drinking."
"Good idea."
The trio of Leone, Mine, and Chelsea didn't care what the base looked like, as long as there was a place for girls to bathe.
"Najenda, I have finished setting up the barrier around the base."
"Good."
"I have finished digging the escape tunnel."
"Oh, so fast? Well done, Susanoo!"
Lubbock grimaced as if he had swallowed a fly. Why? Why was even Susanoo's report met with more enthusiasm than his own???
"Don't think you've won yet!"
"What are you talking about?"
Everyone gathered in the familiar meeting room. Najenda began explaining Night Raid's mission. Their target was to eliminate a new type of dangerous Demonic Beast. They were quite strong, possessed a certain level of intelligence, and operated in packs.
"Citizens, soldiers, and even livestock in the southern outskirts of the capital have been attacked and killed. The Jaegers and the Imperial Guard are striving to eliminate these monsters, but their numbers haven't decreased much while casualties are rising."
"I see... if even the Jaegers are struggling, it probably isn't a trap."
"We will eliminate the monsters!"
"Given what we've heard, we should deal with them immediately."
"But Boss, I don't want to run into those capital soldiers."
Najenda looked at Leone as if she were a fool. They were Night Raid! That meant they operated at night, while the capital soldiers were resting.
"Putting ourselves in a dangerous situation to kill monsters... I think we should leave that to the Jaegers. This kind of action is too naive."
The suggestion came from Chelsea. Tatsumi wasn't angry with her after learning her thoughts that night. However, there were some things that couldn't be ignored.
"I understand what you're saying. But right now, they might be attacking many innocent people. We are assassins, but we are also the protectors of the people. The faster we eliminate them, the more lives will be saved!"
Bulat felt proud. Wasn't this exactly what he had said on the cruise ship back then? Night Raid are assassins, but also the guardians of the people. He was glad to see Tatsumi had inherited this spirit.
Chelsea was momentarily stunned, then gave a wry smile.
"Honestly, I knew you'd say that. Fine, I agree."
Everything seemed settled, but Susanoo was acting a bit strange.
"Tatsumi..."
"What is it, Susanoo?"
"You forgot to zip your fly. It's making me very uncomfortable."
"HUH!!!!"
Tatsumi quickly covered his crotch, bowing his head, not daring to look up.
"And you were trying to act so cool! Hahaha!!"
"Hey, hey! Tell me how you're feeling right now!"
"That's the price for trying to look cool."
Mine turned away in embarrassment.
"Everyone, stop talking!!"
"Sorry, Tatsumi..."
"Akame?"
"I saw it earlier, but I thought it was a new fashion style..."
"I'm not the type of person who likes to show off like that!!"
Akame looked apologetic, her eyes darting around. Tatsumi, dejected, pulled up his zipper.
"Don't worry, Tatsumi. From now on, I will pay attention to your zipper."
"NO!!!"