Hikaru had dismissed everyone with a single directive: "You have twenty-four hours. Do whatever you need to do. Enjoy what may be your last day on Earth."
No one argued. Not because they were certain of death, but because the possibility hung heavy over them like the eye of a storm. For all their bravado, all their power, what they were about to attempt defied everything.
No one questioned the silence that followed.
---
Kurai and Joker had disappeared the moment they stepped out of the apartment. Where they went was a mystery no one dared chase.
---
Kurai had wandered to the edge of the city, finding solace beneath a flickering streetlight near a condemned playground. She sat on a rusted swing, slowly moving back and forth, memories of childhood battles and fallen comrades swirling in her mind. Worry was etched across her face if anyone saw her in this state she would gut them like a fish; she wished only for her brother's comfort in this moment.
---
Meanwhile, Joker found her way to an abandoned cemetery, standing quietly among the dusty tombstones and wilted grass. Joker laughed as she spun in between each grave like a dancer, humming a tune to herself as she was filled to the brim with excitement for the battle to come; and the chaos that would ensue after...
---
Levi and Jarod took a more grounded route—returning to their childhood home in the outskirts of La Paz. Their parents were older, wiser, and blissfully unaware of the cosmic war their sons were about to join. They ate tamales, played board games, and reminisced over photo albums. Jarod left a letter on the kitchen table—Just in case.
---
Suimin, naturally, passed out immediately after the meeting. He slept for fifteen hours straight, woke up, made a sandwich (ham, egg, and wasabi mayo), then returned to the couch and fell asleep again with the crust still in his mouth. When briefly awake, he tinkered with his gaming setup, checking the power levels of his custom-modded controller, as though preparing for the biggest boss battle of his life.
---
Esmeralda, ever pragmatic, took a different approach. She spent most of the day meditating, reciting protective spells, reinforcing the bindings in her grimoire, and brewing a special vial of blood-activated ink. Between rituals, she cleaned the apartment, humming softly, refusing to let the looming threat shake her resolve.
---
Hikaru, worn from leadership and burden, gave the body over to Mamoru. He needed quiet. And Mamoru, for once, needed time to be himself.
---
The apartment was unusually quiet. Mamoru sat on the couch with Esmeralda beside him, both surrounded by the lingering scent of takeout containers and the faint drone of a paused anime episode on the TV.
It was the first time in days that neither of them had anything to prepare, dodge, or destroy.
Mamoru leaned forward to grab a remote when Esmeralda suddenly stood up, eyes scanning the nearby bookshelf.
"Oh my god," she gasped. "You like College BxB?"
Mamoru flushed. "Oh—wow. That's... embarrassing. You probably think I'm some kind of creepy pervert or something."
Esmeralda turned to him with a grin. "Not at all. Quite the opposite, actually."
Mamoru blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I love College BxB. It's one of my favorite anime-manga hybrids."
Mamoru's face twisted in disbelief. "No way. You're just saying that to make me feel better."
Esmeralda stepped forward, hands on her hips. "Honestly? I think the characters are brilliantly written. The soundtrack is fire."
"Right? That's what I say! But people always knock it because of the fan service."
She gave a sly smile. "I mean, let's be honest..."
"Yeah..." Mamoru chuckled nervously. "I did start watching it for the—uh, the booba."
Esmeralda raised an eyebrow. "I cannot believe you would reduce women to their bust size like that. I was obviously talking about the pop culture references."
Mamoru's face went pale. "I—I didn't mean to—"
Esmeralda burst into laughter. "Oh my god! I can't believe I got you that easily."
Mamoru slumped back in relief. "You got me good."
She leaned against the armrest, watching him. "So… you like women with big tits, huh?"
Mamoru's throat caught. "I mean... I don't dislike them."
Esmeralda studied him for a moment. "I was just admiring you."
Mamoru blinked. "Why?"
She smiled softly. "You really are dense, aren't you?"
Before he could ask what she meant, she scooted closer and kissed him.
It wasn't rushed. It wasn't fiery. It was warm. Familiar.
A few seconds later, Mamoru gently pulled back.
Esmeralda's expression faltered. "What's wrong?"
Mamoru sighed. "Esmeralda, I find you incredibly attractive. Really. I do."
She crossed her arms. "But…?"
He nodded. "But... I've lost too many people. I'm scared of falling for someone again. Because if I do... and then I lose them... I don't think I could take it."
Her gaze softened.
"I know how you feel," she said. "I've lost people too. But you know what I learned? We can't stop living. Our loved ones wouldn't want that. They'd want us to keep going. To smile. To fight. To love."
Mamoru swallowed, his eyes glistening faintly. "You really believe that?"
Esmeralda nodded. "I do."
He reached out and gently took her hand. "Okay. But make me one promise."
"Anything."
"Promise me... you'll come back. This fight—we might not all make it. But I need to know you'll try. That you won't leave me too."
Esmeralda leaned in, her lips brushing his. "I have no plans on dying anytime soon."
Mamoru smiled. "Good."
And then he kissed her.
---
~Nightfall-Mamoru's Apartment~
The team reconvened in Mamoru's apartment. The lights were low. The atmosphere buzzed with tension.
On a wall monitor, a large digital countdown read: 24:00:00.
Everyone had returned, silent but changed.
Jarod wore his father's dog tags.
Levi's eyes were red—he didn't say why.
Kurai still smelled faintly of rust and was soaked from the rain. Joker had glitter in her hair and a distant look in her eyes.
Suimin was finishing the last bite of a sandwich. "Do I get bonus points if I nap during infiltration?"
Mamoru rolled is eyes right before Hikaru had resumed control, standing at the head of the room. His expression was hard, resolved.
"Alright. I hope you all enjoyed what might've been our last day alive."
"Geez," Jarod muttered. "Way to kill the vibe."
Hikaru grinned faintly. "Here's the plan. I'll fly Esmeralda up myself. Kurai—you're in charge of getting Levi and Jarod into Heaven's upper layer. Think you can handle that?"
Kurai cracked her knuckles. "If I can't, I'll just drop one of them."
"I dare you," Jarod shot back.
Kurai stuck her tongue out at him; her childish tendencies still active despite the gloomy atmosphere.
Hikaru continued. "Suimin, you and Joker will teleport together. Try not to kill each other in transit."
"Tch. No promises," Joker muttered.
Suimin yawned. "As long as I someone packs me a lunch and I get a nap after everything, then I don't really care."
Everyone nodded in unison.
Levi raised a hand. "If this works, first round of drinks is on me."
"Hell yeah!" Jarod cheered.
"As long as it's tequila," Esmeralda added.
Even Joker chuckled softly.
For a moment, the tension eased. Just for a heartbeat, they were people again. Not warriors. Not rebels. Just seven flawed souls preparing for the impossible.
Hikaru's voice cut through the final laugh.
"Okay... let's begin."