The vice-commander's voice echoed through the room once again:— One hundred and fifth competitor, Mira!
Nervous, Mira stepped to the center of the room. Three captains raised their hands: the captains of the sixth, fifth, and third divisions.
She tried to maintain her composure but felt Yumi's piercing gaze on her, as if the captain was daring her with her eyes.She's threatening me... Mira thought quickly, looking away.
— One hundred and fifth competitor, Mira, accepted by three captains! Which team do you wish to join? — the vice-commander asked.
— The sixth division, please! — Mira replied, her voice steady.
The captain of the sixth division nodded in approval, and Mira headed toward the door. She could still feel Yumi's eyes burning into her back.
— Why is she staring at me? What did I do? — Mira wondered, hurrying to leave the room as fast as possible.
— Next! — called the vice-commander.
Kratos stepped forward, and all captains except Yumi and Julius raised their hands.
— I choose the sixth division, please! — Kratos declared confidently.
Accepted, Kratos left the room, his expression calm.
— Hey, sister, if it's not the first division, don't you think it'll be interesting? — San said, turning to his sister, Dan.
— I was thinking the same, brother! — Dan replied with an eager smile.
Dan was next. Yumi and Takemichi, the captain of the sixth division, raised their hands, and she quickly chose the sixth division, followed by her brother, who did the same.
Then Ravena was called. To everyone's surprise, all captains except Julius raised their hands.
— Why did he reject me? — Ravena thought, her anger rising. — Why did he choose that guy over me?
— Which team do you want to join? — the vice-commander asked.
With narrowed eyes and a vengeful expression, Ravena thought: He'll pay for humiliating me... he will.— I would like to join the sixth division, please. — she said coldly.
Ravena was accepted and quickly left the room, still furious over Julius's rejection.
Fiona was next, and only the captain of the sixth division raised his hand.
— Only one offer? No... it can't be... — Fiona thought, her heart sinking in frustration.
— A proposal, do you wish to join? — the vice-commander asked.
— Please... — Fiona replied, her voice trembling, before leaving the room, still processing the reality of her single offer.
After Fiona, all the remaining competitors also chose the sixth division. Slayer received offers from all captains, but sensing rivalry with Kratos, he chose the sixth division, surprising everyone.
— In the end, you took all the promising ones. — Yumi commented, crossing her arms and eyeing Takemichi.
— You could have gotten some too if you hadn't rejected so many. — Takemichi replied seriously, standing up.
— Leaving already? — Yumi exclaimed, surprised by his quick exit.
— I have other matters to attend to. Excuse me. — Takemichi said calmly, then left.
— I'll visit your base one of these days! — Yumi shouted playfully, trying to provoke him.
Takemichi paused, turned around, and with an irritated expression, retorted:— No way! — and left without looking back.
Yumi sighed exaggeratedly, pretending to be sad.— That makes me sad... but it can't be helped. — she thought, smiling slightly, already used to the captains' dry responses.
— I can't believe you all joined the sixth division? — Mira exclaimed, surprised as she looked at the gathered group.
— I just went with the flow! — Thais replied, laughing sheepishly.
— Yeah, but be careful. Not everyone came to this squad with good intentions... — Sarah warned, scanning the room.
— Speaking of trouble, here comes one! — Thais said, tilting her head toward Ravena, who approached with a threatening look.
Ravena stopped in front of Kay and Mira, crossing her arms.— Just so you know, I'm going to destroy you until you beg to leave the army. Then I'll climb the ranks until I'm in the first division!
Kay stayed calm, showing no reaction, and simply replied:— Sure, if that's what you want, you can.
Ravena's eyes widened, offended.— Are you underestimating me?!
Before Kay could answer, Mira intervened:— It's not that. He was referring to you making it into the first division.
— And about making me quit the army too. — Kay added indifferently, which only fueled Ravena's fury.
— You'll pay for humiliating me, you bastard! — Ravena shouted, turning abruptly and walking away.
Shortly after, Fiona appeared, walking toward the group. She cast a quick glance at them but soon looked away, as if uncomfortable.
At that moment, Takemichi approached with a calm but firm posture.— Is everyone here? — he asked, observing the newcomers.
— Still missing a few. — replied one of the recruits accepted into the team.
— Fifteen recruits this year. Welcome. We'll leave directly from here to our base. Bring only your bags; the rest of your belongings can be sent later. You have one hour. I'll be waiting here. — Takemichi said before stepping away.
— Excuse me. — Kay said, already leaving, seemingly uninterested.
— I'll wait here. You have one hour. Dismissed! — Takemichi repeated the order.
— Yes, sir! — the recruits responded in unison, saluting firmly.
— Mira, let's talk! — Takemichi said, leaving the room.
Mira quickly followed him while the others watched from a distance.
— Do they know each other? — Thais asked, confused.
— Seems like it! — Viviane replied, curious.
Further ahead, Takemichi stopped in a quiet corner and asked:
— How are you doing?
— I'm fine, — Mira replied with a smile.
— And your mother? I've been talking to her, but it's been harder to find time lately! — he said, sounding slightly concerned.
— She's well. She actually came here today. — Mira said casually.
— She came to bring you! Where is she now? — Takemichi asked, surprised.
— She was watching the test. I'm not sure if she's back at the hotel yet. — Mira explained.
Takemichi seemed to panic.— Your mother is here?! — He began to tremble slightly.
— Maybe she... — Mira started, trying to calm him.
— I need to run before she... — Takemichi murmured, looking around.
Before he could finish, a familiar voice interrupted:
— Before I find you? Why would you run from your wife? — said Rem, smiling as she approached.
— Mom?! When did you get here? — Mira asked, surprised.
— Honey? — Takemichi exclaimed, startled and trying to hide his nervousness.
— I ran into Kay on the way, and he told me where you were. — Rem said, still smiling.
— Good thing the boy helped you! I get fe... — Takemichi started, but was interrupted.
— Don't send me messages or return my calls... otherwise, I might think you're dead. — Rem said seriously but still smiling.
— It's not easy to kill me, you know that! — Takemichi tried to sound confident.
Rem then looked directly into his eyes and said firmly:— Take good care of our daughter and Kay. I won't forgive you if either gets hurt, so train them well!
— If they're on my team, I'll take care of them, but... I don't like that kid! — Takemichi admitted with a sigh.
Rem frowned but spoke calmly:— Don't say that. Forgive your father, he... where did Mira go? — suddenly noticing her daughter was gone.
— I... don't know! — Takemichi replied, looking around, surprised.
— Why didn't you stay with your dad? — Kay asked, picking up the bags.
— He found my mom, and you know how they get when they're together. They didn't even notice I left! — Mira said.
— Got it. — Kay replied, somewhat indifferent.
— Why don't you like my dad? — Mira asked, slightly annoyed. — Every time he visits, you never stay home to see him, even though I ask so much!
— I was busy training. Besides, he never stayed more than an hour! Why would I waste my time? — Kay answered casually.
— Kay, you know we'll be under my dad's command now. You have to start understanding him! — Mira said, trying to sound serious.
— I only joined this squad because of the promise you made me. I won't obey your dad, and no matter how much you insist, I won't change my mind. — Kay said firmly.
— Fine, I get it! You won't change your mind! — Mira replied, lying down on the bed, frustrated.
— And I'm the lazy one... — Kay muttered.
— Shut up! You spent almost all your time sleeping! — Mira retorted.
— Shouldn't we go now? — Kay exclaimed, getting up.
— My dad gave us one hour. My mom is with him, so it won't be easy for him to arrive on time. — Mira said, somewhat unconcerned.
Kay threw himself onto the bed beside her, but before he could relax, Mira pushed him, making him fall to the floor.
— Why did you do that? — Kay exclaimed, surprised.
— You can't just lie down next to a girl like that suddenly! — Mira said, blushing. — And we're alone here! — she murmured, looking away.
Kay stood up, rubbing his shoulder where he had fallen, looking at Mira with a confused expression.
— What did you mean by that? — he asked, intrigued.
Mira blushed even more, avoiding eye contact.
— Nothing! Just... have some consideration, okay? — she murmured, turning back to the bed, this time facing away from him.
— Okay, okay... relax. — Kay replied with a sigh, sitting on the floor.
They stayed silent for a few moments, only the sound of their breathing filling the room. Kay stared at the ceiling, not understanding why Mira was acting that way, while she tried to compose herself.
— Still, you didn't answer my question. — Mira broke the silence.
— What question? — Kay asked, genuinely confused.
— Why don't you like my dad? — she repeated, not turning toward him.
Kay sighed again, this time more heavily.
— It's not that I don't like him, Mira. It's just... I don't see a reason to be around. He always seems uncomfortable with me, and I feel the same way. — he explained, crossing his arms.
— But now we're part of his squad. This can't go on like this, you know that, right? — Mira insisted, trying to soften her tone.
Kay was silent, and Mira sighed. She knew pushing the subject now wouldn't get anywhere. She turned, looking at Kay, who now stared thoughtfully at the floor.
— Okay, Kay. But just... try. For me? — she asked softly.
Kay looked at her for a moment, his eyes softening.
— I'll try. — he finally relented a bit.
Mira smiled lightly.
— Thanks.
Kay, blushing, turned his face and murmured:
— Congratulations on joining the army.
Mira turned abruptly.
— What? What did you say? — she exclaimed.
— Nothing. — Kay replied, looking away.
—I didn't hear you right, say it again! — Mira insisted.
Kay, now visibly embarrassed, touched her head, still avoiding her eyes.
— I'm proud of you. Congratulations on joining the army. — he said, completely red.
Mira froze for a moment, feeling Kay's soft touch on her head and noticing his embarrassed expression. Her cheeks flushed even more, but she disguised how surprised and happy she was.
Kay still avoided eye contact, clearly uncomfortable, but gave a slight smile.
Mira bit her lip, trying to hold back the emotions swelling in her chest. No matter how stubborn Kay was, he always managed to surprise her at the most unexpected moments.
— Thank you, Kay. — she said, with a shy smile, lightly punching his arm.
She turned away but couldn't help smiling. Kay remained embarrassed, looking at the floor.
Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted the scene.
— How cute! You both look like little peppers, so red! — said Rem, with a mischievous smile.
— Mom?! — Mira exclaimed, startled.