"Can I..." You raised your hand up, Ashiro had invited you to a meeting of the Platoon Leaders because Okonogi and the other operation team had detected a Kaiju in Tachikawa, at the Musashino Central Park where JSDF helped the Defense Force to hold the monster down until a proper strategy made. "Take down Kaiju no. 7?" They were quiet as they digested your suggestions, Ashiro stared at you and at the visual they had of the monster.

"Standing 10 meters tall, it had a sleek head with the same uni-organ as the other Kaiju, dark skin shimmering with star-like patterns. It moved swiftly on powerful legs, had four muscular, clawed arms, and a long, glistening, whip-like tail." Ashiro described the Kaiju, they had named it as Kaiju no. 7 since it was one powerful Kaiju that followed the king of Kaiju.

The Kaiju that had killed your mother.

"It has a power of teleportation and can create portals." She looked at you, the yellow light from the hologram table illuminates her appearance. "Are you sure you want to take it on?" Nakanoshima's eyes widen at Ashiro's words, she placed her hands on the table to contradict the idea.

"She can't possibly take it head on, Captain. Shinomiya is only a first year!" You glanced at the pink haired female, she is a Platoon leader, you don't know much about her. "Why can't you take it on, Captain Ashiro?" Ikaruga's voice echoed in the operation room, Ashiro was quiet as she glanced at her hands.

"Its teleportation power would go against my long distance technique. I uses canon that takes time to reload and to shoot. It would be difficult to hit it in one round nor multiple rounds because it would keep teleporting and we would waste time." She sigh, already aware that she couldn't possibly take it on. "What about Vice Captain Hoshina?" The said vice captain hum in surprise, he looks at everyone and his eyes made contact with yours.

"Eh?" He placed a hand on his head and his other hand forming a piece sign. "Not a chance!" Ashiro deadpanned while everyone else was flabbergasted at his answer.

"What do you mean not a chance?!"

Hoshina then became serious, glancing at Ashiro before speaking. "If Captain Ashiro couldn't take it head on, so am I. I might be good with close combat and with blades, it would be hard for me to fight a monster that have a menacing power like teleportation." You knew he could actually fight with it, he was much more stronger than you and you wonder why did he say the otherwise?

"Let Officer [Name] take Kaiju no. 7." Placing his hands down on the table as he leaned forward, opening his eyes to stare at them. "Ashiro and I will be on the sideline, we will immediately go in combat if we saw that she couldn't fight it." Ashiro didn't said anything at his words, just nodding at them and glancing at everyone present in the room.

"I promise to neutralize Kaiju no. 7."

. . .

The air was thick with tension as you and the team that Ashiro had assigned to help you stood ready, eyes fixed on the towering figure of Kaiju No. 7. Standing 10 meters tall, its sleek, streamlined head was crowned with sharp, horn uni-organ that gleamed ominously in the dim light. The Kaiju's dark skin shimmered with star-like patterns, creating an unsettling illusion of a living night sky. Its glowing violet eyes, with a piercing gaze, seemed to see through everything, locking onto you with unnerving intensity, you felt like you could drop dead with its intense gaze on you.

"Stay sharp, everyone," you commanded, gripping your polearm tightly. You winced when you felt a sharp pang on your side, the Kaiju had hit you with its tail earlier and the fiber muslce of the combat suit is slowly covering the wound up. The Kaiju moved with a surprising grace, its powerful legs propelling it swiftly across the battlefield. It vanished for a moment, then reappeared, teleporting unpredictably. Your heart pounded as you scanned for its next move, knowing its four elongated, muscular arms with sharp, clawed hands could strike at any moment.

"This thing's teleportation is making it impossible to land a hit!" one of your teammates shouted, frustration clear in their voice. Blood was dripping down his forehead, there were few wounds that the combat suit had healed with the fiber. Everyone had received injuries from the monster, and you were no exception.

"Disruptors, now!" You shouted as the Kaiju reappeared. Your team activated the temporal disruptors, sending a pulse that rippled through the air, destabilizing the Kaiju's teleportation ability. Kaiju No. 7 roared in frustration, its shimmering form flickering. This was your chance. You charged forward, polearm ready, aiming for its core.

"Oh, using a disruptor.. smart." Hoshina whistled as he look through the binoculars, observing the battle a few meters away. His blades are sheated behind his back, ready to go in the battlefield if you needed help. Ashiro glance at him and peak through the binoculars, seeing how your team that she picked was staggering. "Why did you say you couldn't take it on?" She asked, leaning on the railing of the roof top they're in.

"Well, I just can't." He gave her a toothy grin, Ashiro could see right through his façade, she knew that he knew about your relationship with your father. And maybe, if you were to neutralize the Kaiju, you could rub it on your father's face.

But the Kaiju was cunning. It anticipated your move, teleporting out of reach just as you lunged. Its long, whip-like tail, covered in glistening scales, lashed out with terrifying speed. You barely managed to block it with your polearm, you're surprised that it hadn't broke yet because of the intense hit you received from the monster. You grunted when you felt its tail whip at you, you flipped throat the air and seconds later, you landed on the ground.

"Watch the tail!" You yelled, regaining your balance. Your comrades launched a coordinated assault, trying to keep the Kaiju off-balance. Each hit landed with a resounding thud, but Kaiju No. 7 was resilient, its dark, star-patterned skin absorbing much of the impact. It doesn't even look like it was affected with your attacks, the Kaiju seems to be enjoying each strikes that was sent in its way.

Sweat and blood dripped down your face as you pressed the attack, your polearm slicing through the air—that was supposed to be its body but it teleported—with deadly precision. You aimed for its glowing violet eyes, hoping to blind it, but the Kaiju anticipated your move. One of its muscular arms swiped at you, claws narrowly missing your chest. If only your polearm didn't block it, it would have cause you a major injury on your chest.

"Focus fire on its limbs!" you ordered, recognizing the need to weaken its offense. Your eyes followed its movement, you were suspended in the air since the impact of its attack on you send you flying. Stabbing your polearm on the ground to minimalize the damage you'll receive and to slow down your landing.

"She said she's not great with leading, but look at her." Nakanoshima stated, she was with the two on the roof top, wanting to see you in action. They could feel the frustration radiating from you even when they're on top. "Welp, she's the daughter of the most strongest duo in history, after all." Hoshina shrugged, a smirk adorning his face, his eyes are opened not wanting to let a single scene not to be witnessed by him.

"We need a new strategy," you thought, glancing at your team. "This hit-and-run tactic isn't working. We have to find a way to predict its teleportation." You leaped back, avoiding its tail that whip towards you. It seems to be targeting you as it keeps hearing you saying all of the command, ordering everyone to follow your order.

"Everyone, fall back and regroup!" you ordered. The team retreated to a safer distance, giving you a moment to think. "There has to be a pattern," you muttered to yourself, watching the Kaiju intently. The JSDF had taken the matters in hand as you and your team move away, watching as it just teleports right away in the air, having fun with the explosions that the military is firing at it.

You eyed everyone, seeing the bruises and wounds in their body, the combat suit was taking too much time to heal their wounds. "You should go ahead to the shelter." Approaching a male soldier who was clutching his arm, there was a huge slash mark on them and it was too deep and the combat suit couldn't heal all of his big wounds.

"N-no... I'm fine, Shinomiya-san." He breathed out, raising his injured arm to wave it off. Your brows furrowed as pity flash through your eyes. "Get him to the shelter." You ordered another male soldier who was hesitating because of the begging look that the injured one is giving him.

"I don't want you guys to die here." They stared at you with wide eyes, they all looked down and gripped their weapons tightly. "So, go ahead." Giving a small smile towards the injured soldier and usher the one you had ordered earlier to go on.

You eyed them one more time before your gaze focused on the Kaiju. Thinking of a plan right now is really crucial, you need to think of a way to counter its teleportation techniques. There was no more time to waste, you know that the captain and the vice captain along with the other platoon leaders are waiting for your signal to help you, but its been hours since the battle began and you still stand there firmly.

"It's too smart to teleport randomly. Maybe there's a slight distortion in the air before it reappears…" Your eyes widen in realization, seeing it disappeared and your eyes looked around in the sky, seeing a sparkle of dust formed in a certain area before it appeared right where you anticipated.

"Shinomiya-san, what should we do?" One of your teammates asked, panic creeping into her voice. You glance at her, you want to say you don't like being called by your last name but it's not the right time.

"Stay calm," you replied, a plan forming in your mind. "Focus on the air around it. Look for any distortions or flickers. That's where it will reappear. And keep those disruptors ready." You say in a rush, you have to neutralized it right now before it could cause more havoc than it is already causing now.

Your team nodded, determination replacing their fear. As Kaiju No. 7 vanished again, everyone watched the air with focus. There—a slight ripple in  the air. Pointing at the part where you saw the same sparkling dust appear. "There! Fire the disruptors now!" you commanded. The team activated their devices simultaneously, sending out a coordinated pulse that rippled through the battlefield. The effect was immediate as the Kaiju reappeared mid-teleport, its form flickering and unstable

"Oh, she already figured it all out." Hoshina muttered in amazement, his eyes flashing with amusement as sparks appeared in them with every explosion happening.

"Keep the pressure on! It can't teleport while it's destabilized," you shouted, charging forward with your polearm. "Full Forced Unleashed, 80%." A voice in your earpiece spoke. The beast roared in frustration, its movements now sluggish and predictable. The disruptors had done their job, grounding the Kaiju and limiting its once-unstoppable mobility.

"Shinomiya-san, it's opening a portal!" Someone yelled. You turned to see a swirling vortex forming, threatening to absorb your team's attacks. "Prepare the EMP grenades!" You ordered. These grenades were designed to emit an electromagnetic pulse upon detonation, capable of disrupting electronic systems and, as you hoped, Kaiju no. 7 portals. When the Kaiju tried to create a portal to absorb an incoming attack, you tossed an EMP grenade into the swirling vortex.

"An EMP huh," he keeps making comments making the people that is around him look at him weirdly.

The grenade exploded inside the portal, causing it to collapse with a violent surge of energy. The Kaiju staggered, disoriented by the sudden loss of its defensive capabilities. "Now's our chance!" You shouted, rallying your team for a final assault.

With its teleportation and portals neutralized, Kaiju no. 7 was vulnerable. Propelling yourself into the air one last time, you bent your knees as you landed on the side of a crumbling building. Using the momentum, you launched yourself towards the kaiju, thrusting your polearm forward with unerring precision. "Polearm technique, third form: Phoenix Rising Thrust." The blade pierced through its flesh, you put more pressure as you deepen your polesrm in the Kaiju and finally hitting its core with the blade, sending a shockwave through its body. The beast let out a final, ear-splitting scream before collapsing, its once-terrifying form now a lifeless husk

Breathing heavily, you and your team gathered around the fallen Kaiju, the tension slowly easing from your muscles. "It's over," one of your comrades said, their voice a mix of exhaustion and relief. "Kaiju No. 7 is finally defeated!" After hours of going at it at full power, you were exhausted, you were surprised that your suit didn't overheat.

"See, we didn't have to butt in." Hoshina shrug his soldiers, the others just stared at him before jumping off the building and going towards your temporary team who was shouting in joy and exhaustion. "H-hey! Wait for me!" He cried out, jumping after them.

"Nice job, [Name]." Ashiro patted your shoulders and you smile, knees feeling weak as you sat on the grass. Too weak to stand up on your feet. "Thanks.. for trusting me, Captain." You huffed, staring at your teammates who was crying in joy. Some of them got injured and was immediately sent to the medics that was ok standby.

"You exceeded my expectations, [Name]."

. . .

"Oh?" You stared at the door of the training room, seeing Kafka peaked out, his eyes droopy as he leaned on the door. His tired expression was replaced by a surprise look when he saw you sitting on the floor of the training room and Hoshina who was drawing out his blade and attack the air.

"He's been at it for hours," Kafka'z gazd shifted on you, seeing you sitting on the floor, doing some stretching. Your eyes focused on Hoshina's body, watching as he lifted his arms as he strikes the air.

Kafka's eyes trailed off Hoshina's muscle, he didn't expect that he would be that muscular. Under the large coat that he wears and had wore during the selection exam, he didn't knew that Hoshina was rip. His black shirt hugged his torso tightly, his muscles were evident under the shirt.

A sleeper build they call it.

His muscle tense as he swing his training blades, Hoshina was too focused on his imagery training to notice Kafka at the door, aweing at his speed. You just quietly watch him, seeing how graceful his movements are.

He twist and twirls, doing his techniques with the training blade. Sitting cross-legged, gently stretching your arms overhead and leaning from side to side to loosen your muscles and increase flexibility. Your eyes still focused on Hoshina's swift movements, he had told you earlier he'll be trying to recreate his fight with Kaiju no. 8.

You wonder why he was so frustrated when his movements are sharp and precise, even if he's just recreating it, it actually feels like he's battling Kaiju no. 8 right now with his heavy swing and jabs in the air.

With one final blow in the air, you heard a thud and saw that Kafka had fallen on his butt in shock. There was fear in his face as he stared at Hoshina with wide eyes.

"Oh, Kafka?" The fox eyed male took notice of his presence now. "You're here way too late again." He reprimanded the older guy, you rolled your eyes and stands up. Approaching behind him and jab him in his side, him not noticing your footsteps was startled and let out a grunt.

"W-why?!"

"As if you're not staying late too." Shaking your head at him, he only flash you an apologetic smile before you two stared at Kafka. "Why.. why are you staying so late?" He asked, a nervous grin on his face as he shakily raised his hands.

"Working a strategy on no. 8." He spoke, his voice deepening with each word. "So I could slice him in half with a single strike next time I see him." The expression he had on his face freak out Kafka, his eyes were open as he glared at the man.

"I screwed up at the start, you know. If I had gone all in right off the bat,I could've chopped his head off." Kafka just let out a nervous laugh at his words. Hoshina rested his training blades on his shoulder, while you walk towards the bench and grab his tumbler. "If I'd used skill six instead of skill five, I could've sliced him and his core into ribbons." His eyes were once again opened and glaring at the poor guy.

A shriek escape Kafka's lips at the dangerous words that left the vice captain's lips. "You're getting way too scared." Hoshina mumbled, not knowing the impact of his words to Kafka.

"Your choice of words are too venomous." Kafka's eyes shifted to you, seeing you stride your way towards Hoshina with his tumbler in your hands and giving it to him. He wondered what's your relationship with the vice captain, when they asked you, you only said it is platonic.

But in Kafka's eyes, it looks more than that.

"No normal officer could handle that thing. No. 9 probably is close to as strong." Hoshina stared at your hands and he grabbed the tumbler, opening the cap as he eyed Kafka, "So, I've gotta handle them myself." If he didn't put the mouth of the bottle in his lips, you would've karate chop him in the end.

Instead, you placed your hands on your hips, eyes glaring at him. "You're overworking yourself again, Hoshina. Remember, I'm best at close combat, second to you." Grabbing his training blades and twirling it in your hands, wrist flicking as you smiled at him. "And you have me, us, to help you." Hoshina stared at you, there was something that flickered in his eyes as he look at you.

Kafka stand up on his feet, saluting at Hoshina. "I'll do my best to be able to help in the fight." At the last word escaped his lips, Hoshina walk towards him and put him in a chokehold.

You couldn't help but to pity the old man, he taps Hoshina's arms as if asking for a time out. "Don't get so cocky, fool! I don't expect a guy with 1% power to be helpful!" His grip on Kafka's neck loosened and he let go of him, the poor guy crawl on the floor, away from the vice captain.

"B-bye.."

"But well, you can have 1% of my expectations." Hoshina turned to look at Kafka and flash him a smile, you prevent yourself from smiling at the scene, turning around and grabbing your coat on the bench before putting it on.

"Continue working hard, Hibino."

♡︎༄,'; ALSEPHINA'S NOTE:
INTOXICATED! battle between you and Kaiju no. 7!

i did say that I'll be back in June 22nd, but.. I'm too excited to publish this chapter!

did anyone missed this?