"I didn't expect that someone with only 1% combat power would be Kaiju No. 8," Ikaruga mumbled, staring at the hologram of the Kaiju. You were currently in the Operation Room to discuss the pressing matters at hand. Meanwhile, the other soldiers had been sent to the hospital, fortunately in stable condition.

You were included in this meeting because Hoshina was unable to attend due to his injuries. He had been sent to the hospital for treatment. The atmosphere was tense as everyone recalled how Kafka had run towards the Yoju bomb and transformed into the enemy of the Defense Force.

Hoshina had confided his suspicions to you from the beginning. He mentioned that Okonogi had told him about the disappearance of Kafka's vital signs at the same time a Kaiju with a fortitude level of 9.8 appeared. You had dismissed it back then, attributing it to the explosion that had disrupted communications.

But the same anomaly occurred during the Sagamihara Neutralization Operation.

Kafka had suddenly gone off the radar right after Ichikawa and Furuhashi were reported missing, coinciding with the appearance of Kaiju No. 8, which had been spotted by the two soldiers. However, other soldiers had also experienced intermittent radar signals, a topic that was discussed during the welcome party, so you hadn't given it much thought at the time.

"What's the plan now?" Another platoon leader spoke, Takao. Everyone in the operation room was quiet, the only sound you could hear was the tapping of the operation team on the keyboard and the whirring sound of the machines. It's only been, at least, four hours since the battle with the Wyvern-type Yoju, the Honju that have 9.0 fortitude level, and finding out the true identity of Kaiju no. 8.

To say that everyone is on edge is an understatement, they never thought that one of the new recruits—especially the one whom they least suspected, a person that have the lowest combat power to be known—is the Kaiju no. 8 that you've been searching for the past months ever since it made an appearance in the hospital.

You glanced at Ashiro, she was in deep thoughts. Learning from Kafka, a voice recording of their conversation in the bathroom that Hoshina made you to listened to. The both of them are childhood friends, so the decision must be tough for her. She's the Captain of the Third Division Unit, she had responsibilities to do. But Kafka is a friend of hers.

"He'll be in custody." Ashiro stated, staring at the hologram of Kaiju no. 8. You could see how she clench her fist, eyes focused on the hologram.  "But Captain, he's a Kaiju..." Nakanoshima tried to reason out, finding it odd to have a Kaiju in custody and not to use as a weapon.

Everyone here must have been thinking of disagreeing with Ashiro, but can't really voice it out loud because of her position. But you saw how Kafka protected all of you despite him being a Kaiju that you guys have been trained to fight with.

"Well, I agree with Captain Ashiro..." You started off, gathering their attention to you while you stared at Ashiro who was also looking at you with the same intensity in the eyes. "That we should take him into custody." You could see how the others wanted to protest to your words, but you raised your hand to tell them you're not done yet.

"We don't know if he'll be our ally..." Your voice trailing off, eyeing them one-by-one to see their reaction. Ashiro awaited for your next words, already knowing what it would be.

"Or our foe."

. . .

"How's your injuries?" Leaning on your palm as your elbow is propped on the hospital bed. Hoshina leaned his body on the headboard of the bed and glanced at you, there's a plaster on his cheek since a debris had scratched into it while he was fighting with Kaiju no. 10. "Doing better," he replied simply, crossing his arms and tilting his head to the side. He sat in a cross-legged position, just like when he had when he let Kaiju No. 8 get away that time.

You shook your head at his expression— he looked like a child who didn't get what he wanted or one who was disappointed.

"What's going on in that head of your, Hoshina?" Leaning on your sit, crossing your arms over your chest as you stared at him. He glanced at you through his closed eyes before sighing, bringing his hands down on his lap. "Is it about the Honju?" You hum, tilting your head to the side, seeing how would he react.

"Or is it about Hibino Kafka?" His brows quirk up at that, you smiler at the reaction you've gotten. "He's the least person you would've suspected, no?" Hoshina was still quiet, probably going back to his memory lane when he promised to himself that he'll find out what that something is he is feeling towards Kafka.

"I already had my suspicions," he mumbled, looking down. "Yet, as time pass by.. I grew fond of that guy." A sigh left his lips, somewhat disappointed by his own actions. "That I brush off those possibilities." He leaned his head on the wall, eyes open as he stared at the ceiling.

He fell silent once more, and you found yourself at a loss for words as well. You watched him quietly, reflecting on the battle with Kaiju No. 10. Even after saving him, a lingering worry gnawed at your chest, especially witnessing how he had desperately wielded his blade to clear a path for Ashiro despite his injuries.

Shaking your head to dispel those thoughts, you glanced at him and noticed the paper bag on the cabinet next to his bed. He had persistently asked you to bring him food ever since he found out you had brought meals for Ichikawa, Furuhashi, and even Kafka. You had argued back then that he wasn't bedridden, but now, with him injured, he had finally gotten what he had wanted from you.

Which was kinda funny.

"Anyway," you start off. Slicing the  silence that engulfs the two of you. "Now that the cat's out of the bag, what do you want to do with him?" A question that you've been meaning to ask when you got off that meeting and immediately went towards his room to check up on him to only see him sulking on the bed.

Him facing the glass window of the hospital room, eyes closed as he had his arms over his chest, head tilted to the side and him sitting with his leg cross with one another. There was a looming aura that was in the room before you entered, it reminds you of the scene at the Sagamihara, since the sun was setting when you arrived at his room. Looking at your lock screen to see the exact image, except that he's wearing a hospital gown.

"Do you think of him as an enemy?" You hum once more, staring at his face. Seeing if there'll be, even the slightest twitch, a reaction you'll receive from him. "... No." He responded to you, he had his head hung low but he raise his head to look at you.

"I don't think of him as an enemy," he repeated to you. "Even though we only known him for a few months, I'm sure that he only did that to help." You were surprised, this was an out of characteristics of him. You only nodded at him, understanding where this conversation will go.

"And it would be too bad if we lost a comedian in our Unit."

"That's the only thing you like about him, huh?!"

"Dunno."

. . .

Subject: Request for Testing Compatibility with Kaiju No. 7

Dear Shinomiya [Name],

Following the recent revelation of the identity of Kaiju No. 8, we request your immediate presence at the First Division Unit to conduct compatibility testing with Kaiju No. 7. You will be required to accompany Kaiju No. 8 during his transfer to the Ariake Maritime Base.

Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Hasegawa Eiji

You knew they would find out eventually, but you didn’t expect Hasegawa to be the one to write the email for you. Still, you weren't complaining. Seeing your father's name on that email would have infuriated you instantly.

Tapping your heels on the floor, arms crossed over your chest, you stood outside the room where Kafka was being held. The rhythmic tapping of your heels echoed through the otherwise silent hallway, mirroring your rising tension. You had ten minutes before he would be transferred to the First Division Unit. Ten crucial minutes to warn him about one person in that unit—a person whose presence was perilous.

"Shinomiya [Name]-san," a guard greeted you with a salute as he noticed you leaning against the wall. You straightened up, returning the salute, and pointed your thumb toward the door with a smile. "Mind if I have a little chat with him?"

The two guards exchanged glances, silently communicating through a series of nods and subtle expressions. After a few seconds, one nodded in agreement while the other reluctantly followed suit. You clasped your hands behind your back and waited as they began to open the door. One guard slid up the keypad and glanced at you before blocking your view with his back. You almost scoffed at his caution but stayed silent, listening to the beeps of the passcode being entered and the subsequent unlocking of the door.

"You have five minutes, Shinomiya-san," one of the guards said. You nodded in acknowledgment, watching as the heavy door slowly opened. Without casting another glance at the guards, you stepped inside, the door closing slowly behind you.

Your heels echoed through the dimly lit room, there was another glass door as some scientists and doctors were looking at the vitals of Kaiju no. 8, a.k.a, Hibino Kafka. You see Kafka, seated in a stark, metallic chair that seems designed more for containment than comfort. His wrists and ankles are securely fastened with thick, reinforced clamps, forbidding him to move anywhere.

Kafka's head is bowed slightly, his eyes shadowed by his disheveled hair. His muscular form, clad in a dark, skin-tight suit, contrasts sharply with the cold, industrial surroundings. The room is filled with an ominous silence, broken only by the faint hum of machinery. He looked up when he heard the sound of the door opening and closing, his eyes widen when he saw you standing in front of the glass door that separates you to him.

Glancing to your right, you saw Hoshina leaning on the wall. Hands inside the pockets of his jacket, underneath was bundle of bandages wrap around his torso and a plaster on his cheek. You even joked around him, saying that he looks like a mummified man. Which earned you a jab on your side.

"Kaiju's no. 8's vitals are stable. No sign of transformation." A staff stated, sounds of keyboard being pressed and the occasional whirring sound of the machine reverberated in the room. Hoshina took noticed of your presence but chose to stay quiet as he obseve Kafka.

"Mind if I have a little chat with him, Vice Captain Hoshina?" You weren't looking at him but at Kafka, who had his eyes widen even more to hear your words. The staffs around your stared at you before fixating their gaze on Hoshina, awaiting for his orders and his approval of your request.

"Go ahead," he slightly muttered. It was quiet for a moment before the glass door opened. Even though you're a Shinomiya, your rank in the Defense Force is only that of a soldier. Nothing high like Hoshina's and Ashiro's.

Your footsteps made a clinking noise due to your heels, Kafka stared at you with relief in his eyes and you could see he was wary of your actions. "Kaiju no. 8." You gave him a nod of acknowledgement, before eyeing Hoshina behind you. Still leaning on the wall, eyeing you. "Kikoru kept you a secret from everyone, even from her sister." Shrugging your shoulders to act nonchalant about it.

"I.. I asked her to keep it a secret. I'm sorry Shinomiya-san." If he could bow right now, you're sure he would do it. Even kneeling on the floor with his forehead against it. You wave your hands at him with a casual smile. "It's fine, really. I'm sure she's just thinking about your well-being by not telling me." You were fine with Kikoru keeping a secret from you, after all, you don't have to know everything that happened to her.

"Anyway," you walk closer to him. Standings in front of him as you look up. "You'll be transferred to the Headquarters. Which is where the First Division Unit resides in." The air around you becomes more serious, there were no jest in your eyes as you looked up at him.

"I just wanna give you a warning." Kafka gulped loudly, staring at your serious face. "Chief Shinomiya would probably challenge you in a fight or whatever. He would try to crack you open, to have a reason to dispose you," with every words that escapes your mouth, just added to the overwhelming tension around the two of you.

"For you to become a weapon in the Defense Force."

♡︎༄,'; ALSEPHINA'S NOTE:
INTOXICATED! Narumi will be appearing in the next chapteeeeeeer!!

told you guys, it would be a double update.