During the same time and day Alya and Masachika worked...
On Yuki's side...
After leaving her brother's apartment, Yuki finally arrived home.
She stepped out of her parked car and immediately walks into her house.
"Good morning and welcome home, Ms. Yuki. Your dress, bath, and breakfast has been prepared as usual." Said one of her French maid while bowing her head down.
"Thank you, Jeanne. Where are my parents?" Yuki asked her.
"They are still... having a passionate bedtime together." Jeanne explained.
"Figures. I might get a little brother or sister soon, huh?" Yuki jest while giggling.
After their short banter, Yuki immediately enters the bathroom, strips her clothes off, and dips into the prepared bathtub.
The hot water and the scent of the soap added in relaxes her entire body, refreshing and preparing her for the long day after.
"Ah... this feels amazing... especially after he embraced me..." Yuki said while taking deep breathes with relaxed tone.
"If only he is here right now..." She said while caressing her water dipped swollen belly.
"I bet it would be great if daddy joined us, wouldn't it, my little one?" She said to her unborn child while grinning, already imagining scenarios of hot bath sex scenes with her beloved brother (while ensuring the baby's safety of course).
"I kind of miss how Ayano used to prepare my bath though..."
"..But everything changed when the alien invaded."
"But... at least, it's not all bad." She said to herself, smiling gratefully while continuing to caress her swollen pregnant belly again.
After cleaning her hair and face, She steps out of the bathtub and dries herself with a bathrobe.
Jeanne swiftly helps her dries her hair and style it before applying a light makeup on her.
Afterwards, she puts on her dress and strap a gun holster on her exposed right thigh along with a magazine holster on her left thigh.
Jeanne takes out Yuki's gun from her gun safe, the black colored Five-seveN mk.8 pistol with built-in silencer, along with the red-dot sight and multiple extended magazines that holds 30 FN 5.7×28mm Armor Piercing rounds each.
She loaded the gun and turns the safety on, before handing everything to Yuki.
"Thank you, Jeanne. I guess this is something that Ayano couldn't do in your place." Yuki said while holstering the gun and the magazines.
After eating a quick but hearty breakfast made by their chef which also put her pregnancy into consideration, she enters her self-driving car again, setting her destination to the Central Cabinet office.
Jeanne sends her off, "Please have a pleasant and safe trip."
"Will do. but before I leave...Tell me what you are planning to tell A3 after supervising me." Yuki asked her.
"You were going somewhere last night and returned home this morning." Jeanne stated.
"Well, I think it's better to clarify it: I was searching for my lost brother and found him." Yuki explained to her.
"Crap, I forgot to tell my parents that too. Please tell that to my parents as well later."
"As you wish." Jeanne said as Yuki's car begins to drive away.
"Phew... I'm glad she is not going to mention anything about the suitcase." Yuki thought to herself while leaning back on her seat.
On her way to her office, Yuki opened the web browser on the car's screen, reading the latest news and keeping herself up to date.
"Sugar limit increased for processed food products... Are they kidding? The limit is already super lenient already! What the fuck is the ministry under me doing!?"
"Everyone will turn unhealthy, fat, and dumb as fuck if they keep eating them!"
"Healthcare providers are now required to identify their patients and refuse to treat them if the government marked them as a threat... Damn it, where is their humanity?"
"Insurance is now a necessity... Insulin price increased... inflation skyrocketed... Neudollars is getting weaker compared to Meseta... Tax increase..."
"Relaxation of compensation, worker benefit, minimum wage, and removal of unnecessary worker rights... This is just pandering towards A3's mega-corporations' interests!!!"
"...WHAT THE FUCK!? LOWERING AGE OF CONSENT TO... FUCKING 12!?"
"MORE LENIENCY TOWARDS PEOPLE WITH LENGTHY CRIMINAL RECORDS!? LAW IMMUNITY FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS!?"
"DECREASED DLENIENCY TOWARDS GOVERNMENT DISSENTERS!!?"
"Massive budget reallocation for financing measures intended for protecting government officials... Salary increase for government officials... Tax rate decreased for government officials..."
"Development of Anti-Alien weaponry... ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? THEY ARE BREAKING THE TREATY!!! DO THEY REALLY THINK IT WILL EVEN AS MUCH AS SCRATCH THEM!?"
"And... A3 is planning to legalize animal fucking!!!??? WHAT THE HELL WERE THEY THINKING!??!!!"
Yuki shuts the web browser down, trying to not get worked up even further, considering her pregnancy.
Her expression soured, her thoughts darkened, filled with hatred. "Imbeciles... The aliens can't do greater damage to the Quarantine Zone compared to these crazy policies!" She thought to herself while gripping her fist in her silent wrath. Her expression turned fiery and worried, as she realizes what kind of world her baby will be born in.
"They don't even attempt to conceal or even sugarcoat it anymore. It's fucking hopeless..."
"And everyone in Quarantine Zone is powerless to fight against A3. They have been drugged, entranced, restrained, "
"I hope I can talk some senses to everyone during our meeting later..."
"Though, I should have learned that it's just wishful thinking now..."
Ten minutes later, Yuki finally arrived at the A3's Central building.
It is a place she abhors with her entire being.
It is, after all, filled with corrupt and horrible lesser government officials and servants, all related to A3's leaders or the mega-corporations above the Central Cabinet either by blood or business.
Yuki maintains her poker face while hiding her presence as she walks to the Central Cabinet meeting room, trying to not interact with any of the crooked parasitic elites of the Quarantine Zone.
She tries to resist the temptation of using her guns to kill all of them, despite her conscience yearning for justice.
After all, even if she did, it would just result in her arrest and another outfit would just immediately take the spot, probably for the worse.
And obviously, it will definitely endanger her unborn child.
"I fucking hate this place... I fucking hate these parasites... I want to kill them all so badly... They are going to ruin the world my child will live in..."
"But still... I have to... hold it in... Nothing good will happen if I end them here and now."
"Come on, Yuki... Conceal your feelings... Focus..." She thought to herself as she maintains her neutral expression while walking through them.
After entering the bright and spacious Central Cabinet meeting room, Yuki immediately takes her seat on her designated spot on the round table.
"Ah, Yuki-chi, good morning." Nonoa said, greeting her while raising her hand and leaning back on her chair.
"Good morning, Miyamae-san" Yuki said to her while waving her hands and smiling politely to her.
Even though, Yuki knows best that the Central Cabinet member calling herself Miyamae Nonoa seldom has anything she cares about.
Nevertheless, she returns the greeting warmly as she isn't a threat and to keep up her image.
"You're early today as well, despite your... circumstances." Sayaka said, greeting Yuki as well.
"I want to be a good role-model and politician in order to make Japan better, after all." Yuki replied to the bold and serious Sayaka.
Yuki regards Sayaka highly, since Sayaka is always supportive of her relationship with her brother.
Not only that, Yuki admires her ability to change and finally manage her expectations for others and herself during their time working as Central Cabinet member.
"I suppose I picked that habit from you, seeing that you are never late for anything, Taniyama-san." Yuki said to Sayaka, complimenting her and expressing her admiration to her.
"While for me, as you can see, even my period came too late. Hahahaha..." Yuki jest and laughs while rubbing her pregnant belly, making Sayaka and Nonoa giggle along her.
"Good morning, Yuki-sama." Ayano said politely, still with tone of reverence.
"I'm no longer your employer, Aya- I mean, Kimishima-san. Just call me Suou-san or Yuki, instead."
"How's your pregnancy?" Ayano asked Yuki, still concerned and feeling responsible over Yuki's well-being.
"All good. The baby is as mischievous and bright as me and their father! A perfect descendant!" Yuki said to Ayano while giving her a reassuring smile.
In response, Ayano gives a faint smile through her poker face, showing her former master that she's genuinely glad hearing it.
Not long after they talked, Chisaki entered the room.
Everyone noticed the once fit, strong, and energetic Sarashina Chisaki has fallen into despair.
She's obviously exhausted from lack of relief and rest. Her expression is bitter, with no forecast of smile anytime soon.
Everyone in the room understands her tribulation and admires her perseverance despite her signs of weariness.
After all, her entire family were decimated by the aliens, and her boyfriend Kenzaki Touya's Cryopod is nowhere to be found. She's dead worried and afraid of his demise.
"Ah... Good morning, Sarashina-senpai..." Yuki said to greet her and brighten the mood.
"I told you... I'm... no longer your senpai... Just... Sarashina-san is enough..." Chisaki said while being out of breath.
"Do you want to take a break today, Chisa-chi?" Nonoa asked her out of consideration.
Sayaka offered her help to the obviously spent Chisaki, "I'll make a summary of the meeting for you. Please, take good care of yourself. Kenzaki-senpai wouldn't-"
But before she could finish her sentence, Chisaki turned her offer down "...No need. Thank you for your consideration, but I'm alright.."
"I'll just take some medicine later on. Just focus on your own tasks instead of me." Chisaki said, trying to not let anyone stop her effort.
Everyone in the room knows that Chisaki is doing her utmost, even at the cost of her own principles and wellbeing in order to serve and please A3.
All because they promised to help find Touya as long as Chisaki is cooperating.
"Please, God... Let Touya be safe... I miss him so much... Please... I just want this in my life... Please, let the masked man announce that Touya's been found... I need this so much..." Chisaki prayed in her heart, deadly afraid of losing more loved ones in her life.
"Wait, where's Masha-san?" Yuki asked, noticing Masha's absence from the room.
"She's in the bathroom. She should join us soon." Sayaka answered.
A few seconds later, a loud, a familiar figure clad in black mask and thick black coat enters the room and takes his seat amongst other Central Cabinet members, carrying a work case and dragging along a big black suitcase.
Their leader, the masked man, enters the room.
He adjusted his chair, making sure he can see everyone seated on the round table.
Everyone else immediately stops talking and starts paying attention towards the masked man.
"Good morning and thank you for attending our general meeting today." The masked man said through a voice filter, concealing his real voice.
"Let's start the roll call. Starting with..."
"Suou Yuki, Administrator of Logistics, Distribution, and Supply Chain... Present."
As the masked man calls their names one by one, Yuki reminisces about her time during high school in the Student Council of Seirei Private Academy.
Their president, Kenzaki Touya, often performs roll call during his presidency before Alya took her position.
"Miyamae Nonoa, Administrator of Entertainment and Labor... Present."
"Taniyama Sayaka, Administrator of Treasury and Accounting... Present."
"Sarashina Chisaki, Lead Enforcer of the Law... Present."
"Kimishima Ayano, Administrator of Religion and Healthcare... Present."
"And the last one- Where's the remaining Administrator of Mass Media?"
As if on cue, Masha entered the room and immediately sit on her seat.
"Forgive me for being late. Did I miss anything?" Masha said to the masked man.
"You didn't miss anything, though you almost missed the roll call." Nonoa told Masha.
"...Present. Everyone's present, then." The masked man announced.
"Still, seeing you are wearing all black and veiled both your hair and face, I suppose you are still mourning over your sister's death?"
"Rest assured, the A3 will avenge her-"
"No, that's not it." Masha denied.
"Then, are you becoming a muslim?" The masked man inquired.
"No." Masha told the masked man sternly. "I can't stand them."
"Then... is there any reason you are clothed like that?" The masked man asked, curious for her reasoning.
Masha calmly answers the masked man's question.
"Well... Simply put, I'm mourning over the birth of my useless sister."
"She was someone who's been given many opportunities, blessings, and talents at her birth and during her life."
"But she failed and wasted it all. No one was happy, no one gets any benefit. A truly wasted life."
"She should have died at birth."
Everyone, except the masked man and Masha herself, had their jaws dropped when they hear the gentle, loving, kind Masha spews out those words.
"WHAT THE FUCK MASHAAA!?!!!!?! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!?? DO YOU HATE ALYA SO MUCH NOW!??!" Yuki screamed internally in her mind.
"That's... pretty brutal and heartless, even for my standards. But that's your personal issue. And thank you for answering." The masked man said politely but in disbelief.
"You're welcome." Masha replied, her tone unfazed.
Not long after Masha's shocking statement, Chisaki asks the Masked man about her lover.
"Leader... Please... With all respect, I'm requesting..."
"No... I'm... begging... I need information... about Touya... Please... Tell me he's safe and sound!" Chisaki asked him sincerely and desperately in her exhausted state, her teary eyes leak as she begs for some good news from the masked man.
The masked man looked at her sternly for a few seconds before sighing.
"I suppose it's time for you to learn the truth."
"W-what? What do you mean the truth?"
Everyone else stared at both the masked man and Chisaki, staying silent and listening carefully as they are also curious and concerned over Touya's wellbeing.
The air was so tense, Yuki felt like she can cut it like a cake.
"Has our leader been lying to her? Has Touya been dead all this time?" Yuki thought to herself.
Chisaki's fear got the best of her, and she starts screaming at the masked man. "DON'T FUCK WITH ME!! I HAVE DONE MY VERY BEST TO UPHOLD THE LAW LIKE YOU ALL WANTED!! ARE YOU TELLING ME YOU KNEW HE HAS BEEN DEAD ALL ALONG!!? ARE YOU USING HIM TO MAKE ME COMPLY!?" Chisaki said as her exhaustion is replaced with wrath.
"DAMN IT!! DAMN IT ALLLLL!!!! I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE LISTENED TO YOU CORRUPT LEADERS!! I SHOULD HAVE SEARCHED FOR HIM MYSELF!!!!" Chisaki yelled as she pulled out her gun and aiming it at the masked man with trembling grip. She starts crying with bitter expression, making everyone more concerned than afraid of her.
Masha stayed silent and watch as the event unfolds, enjoying the drama. "I wonder what will happen next..." She thought to herself curiously, unmoved by Chisaki's outrageous act.
Ayano stays on guard, preparing to disarm her when the opportunity appears.
"Shit, shit! Get a hold of yourself! This won't solve anything!" Sayaka told Chisaki out of concern.
Chisaki responded with anger, her voice heavy with despair, "NOTHING CAN BE SOLVED ANYMORE!!"
Nonoa tries to lighten up the atmosphere and make Chisaki feel more relaxed. "Violence will get us nowhere. Chisa-chi, let's think about this rationally. You will get nothing good out of your aggression."
"THEY HAVE NOTHING GOOD TO OFFER ME ANYMORE!" Chisaki screamed.
"Touya... I just... I only have him left... and now... He is gone too..." She said while sniffling.
After hearing her sniffling, Yuki realizes her mind is vulnerable now. She intervenes while kneeling down, making sure her belly is out of her gun's possible trajectory.
She starts speaking to Chisaki calmly, trying to talk reason into her while carefully trying to not provoke her any further. "Sarashina-senpai, I get how you feel now. Yet, I cannot condone your current action. As your friend, I highly suggest that you stop right now before you lose more people you care about."
"This... isn't what Kenzaki-senpai would have wanted out of you. He definitely doesn't want you to turn into a murderer."
Yuki looks down on to her hands, and said to Chisaki with a melancholic tone, trying to relate and touch her heart "I... went down that path. I don't want you to go down that path as well."
"Don't do anything you may regret for life."
Everyone in the room quickly understands what Yuki meant, especially Ayano.
After all, Yuki shot her own grandfather out of a good reason, and that fact still haunts her.
Chisaki immediately gets what she's trying to say, that she's going down an even worse path as she wants to kill out of wrath, not out of preservation of life.
Although, no one else knows that she's already over it thanks to her talk with Masachika yesterday.
The masked man sees an opening on Chisaki's stance and mind before Ayano, then swiftly grabs Chisaki's gun on its barrel.
It happened so quickly that Chisaki didn't even have any time or chance to dodge by reflex.
But, he didn't disarm her. Instead, he grips her hand tight and put the end of the gun barrel at his own forehead.
"Do you blame me for what's happening to him? Or are you still loyal to our cause?"
"Pull the trigger, the Lead Enforcer of the Law."
Everyone else are shocked at his actions, save for Masha who's enjoying the act unfold and Yuki who's analyzing the situation.
"This man... he's holding the gun's slider, and one of his fingers is blocking the hammer. He knows what he's doing." Yuki thought to herself.
After a few seconds of consideration, Chisaki finally calmed down after realizing what's she doing.
"...I'm really sorry, leader." Chisaki said as she looks down in regret. "I will accept any consequences for my rash action."
The masked man lets his grip loose, letting her hand and the gun down gently before saying, "No, the fault is mine. I have lied to you and left you in the dark for so long."
"You should have finished listening to me, at least."
"I actually wanted to tell you this today since I noticed you are already breaking down. I kept you in the dark upon his request, but I suppose there's no other choice now."
"Kenzaki Touya is alive."
Upon hearing his declaration, every single one of the Central Cabinet members rejoiced.
Especially Chisaki who immediately cried again, but now for the opposite reason.
"Ahhh... Thank you... Thank you, leader..."
"Thank goodness... Thank goodness... Touya is safe..."
She finally felt joy and relief after so long from that sentence alone. She is grateful that her lover is alive.
"All's well that ends well." Masha said to her, finally giving a shit since it has been a while since good news has come after so long, trying to partake in the joyful occasion.
Everyone, save for Masha, stands up and approaches Chisaki, congratulating her.
"Isn't that great, Sarashina-senpai? Now it's just a matter of time before you can reunite with him!" Yuki said.
"Yes..." Chisaki affirms while sniffling.
However, the masked man quickly interrupts the happy moment.
"I don't wish to ruin your happiness, but I'm afraid that while he's alive, he's not well."
"I don't think you can visit him yet, Administrator Sarashina Chisaki."
"...What do you mean?" Chisaki asked, her fears returning again.
"He worked as our spy, trying to take as much information as he could from outside the Quarantine Zone."
"...I thought it's impossible to bypass that Quarantine Barricade surrounding Japan's seas." Sayaka argued.
Yuki adds, "That's right. That translucent barricade extends up to the stratosphere and down to the Earth's mantle, so going around it isn't possible..."
"Breaking a hole in it is impossible as well. It is made of self-repairing and ultra-durable material, reinforced with foreign energy and design, after all."
"Even if you somehow go through it, the alien's orbital cannon will strike any trespasser down and send them back in."
The masked man responded, "I cannot tell you how it's exactly done, but we found out that it's possible. Kenzaki Touya volunteered to be the one going out."
"There is nothing I can say that can truly express how important the information he collected out there."
"I respect him, and consider him as my one and only best friend."
Yuki, upon hearing his words, begin to doubt him. She thought to herself, "Even the dealer from the Oracle fleet I contacted had to resort to discreet teleportation to get in Quarantine Zone."
"And the alien Alya met in New Osaka should have come in with the same method."
"...This could be a lie."
The masked man continues, "However, during his last mission, while he is successful, he sustained a lot of injuries from the alien."
Chisaki slams her fist against the table in anger and screamed, "It's them... It's the aliens again..."
"THEY KEEP TARGETING EVERYONE I LOVED! CURSE THEM!!! DAMN THEM ALL TO HELL!!!!"
Everyone except for Masha starts worrying for Chisaki again, concerned over her mental state, staying silent near her until she calms down again.
Then, Nonoa breaks the silence.
"How do we know you are not lying? Not like we have a reason to doubt you or anything, but a little proof would be nice to give Chisa-chi relief." Nonoa asked to the masked man.
"...I was planning to play it today, anyway. He asked me to play it in case everyone is worried about him, especially his lover." The masked man said.
"Anyway, please take your seat again, everyone."
After everyone gets back to their seat, the masked man opens the nearby computer, launches VLC media player, and plays a video file on the jumbo screen behind him.
"Ah, VLC player... always reliable even in a dystopia or after an alien invasion..." Yuki thought to herself, grinning slightly.
The video starts, showing Touya who immediately appears and starting speaks to the camera, "Is this thing on? Check, 1, 2, 3..."
"It's already on... Just speak already!" The voice behind the camera said impatiently, obviously the masked man's filtered voice.
"Alright... *cough*" Touya said while clearing his throat.
"Hello there, everyone. If you see this, I am already in a Cryopod." Touya said with a happy tone and expression.
"Touya..." Chisaki said under her breath while staring at the screen with teary eyes.
"I got careless and probably have to stay in here again for a very long time. Visiting me is also not recommended, since everyone is afraid my condition is contagious."
"I know you all wants answer, and I hope I can provide it."
Touya's tone and expression turned serious as he starts explaining everything he could.
"Back then, more than 50 years ago, during the war between A3 and the alien fleet, a lot of our losses are caused by betrayals and leaked intel."
"A3 knew they can't retaliate either since the Earth is slowly being inhabitable due to the pollution and that none of their plans are unknown to them. But they persevered nonetheless."
"However, maybe because the aliens respected A3's determination, they offered a peace treaty and Cryopods as a mean for humanity to survive the pollution until they cleaned up the Earth."
"In exchange, A3 accepted the treaty and moved everyone they could bring to the Quarantine Zone."
"I was part of the first batch of people released from Cryostasis after the war pollutants are cleared up."
"You all are not chosen to be Central Cabinet members randomly. A3 wanted great trustworthy people, and they accepted my recommendations to select you all to be the Central Cabinet members for the new government they are creating in the Quarantine Zone."
Suddenly, Nonoa raised her hand and asked, "So, Kenzaki-senpai's recommendation is why you picked us all to be members of the Central Cabinet, leader?"
"Indeed. And he was correct to recommend you all." The masked man replied after pausing the video.
"Of course... Touya always hold us up in high regard." Chisaki adds.
"I thought you chose us because you want a Harem Cabinet." Nonoa jest.
"I am already taken and is in a happy relationship, thank you very much." The masked man said, rejecting Nonoa's idea.
The masked man resumes playing the video.
Touya's recording resumes explaining again, "Although, from everyone I trust and recommended: Chisaki, Miyamae-san, Taniyama-san, Suou-san, Kuze-san, Masha-san, Alya-san, Kimishima-san, and myself..."
"I realized there's not enough seat and I had to exclude someone. I knew Kuze-san wanted a low-profile life, which is why I told them to not make him a Cabinet member."
Yuki immediately thought to herself, "There's no need to make him the last batch of people to revive though... And he can always help unofficially. Alya and Masha are practically occupying the same spot as Administrators of Mass Media, so why not put him with me?"
Touya's recording continues to explain, "...Damn, I miss you all. I'd chat with you longer if I'm not going to be put into Cryostasis soon."
"I'll instead try to convey everything I think you all need to know."
"The condition outside... is horrifying. I saw them dissecting humans alive and stealing Earth's resources for their own gain. They are selfish monsters... Both Earth and humanity is just a victim, a prey to their ravenous expedition."
Upon hearing that, Yuki immediately thought, "The aliens have no use of our resources given that they are more than willing to build the Quarantine Zone and send Cryopods for us..."
"And they aren't lacking knowledge about human anatomy either since they could help Alya..."
"The aliens are not that cruel either. That dealer even helped me when I asked for its help."
"Kenzaki... are you really speaking the truth?"
The recording of Touya goes on, "Chisaki... I'm sorry, I might not be able to fulfill our promise to get married and make enough kids for a baseball team."
"The only thing that could save me now is the medical technology the aliens possess right now."
"I... uh... would completely understand... if... you want to move on and forget about me... I just want you to be happy..." Touya said, his expression and tone heavy with disappointment.
Chisaki's tears starts flowing down again, and she immediately covers her face with her hands. "Touya... Touya..."
"It's time. The pod is ready, please step in right now." A foreign doctor told Touya in the recording from behind him.
"Well, that's my cue to leave. Please, stay safe and happy, everyone!" Touya said with happier expression and bright smile.
"Do your best for A3! If we ever get to meet again, let's go to the karaoke again to relive some good old memories!"
"Thank you for listening, and may humanity be in our favor."
"I love you, Chisaki."
After confessing his love, the video recording ends.
After closing the VLC player, the masked man speaks to everyone in the room, "I'm afraid it's all I can do for you now, Lead Enforcer of the Law."
Chisaki wipes her tears and slaps herself back to shape, and says "Thank you, leader. I now remember what I am supposed to do..."
"...That is, doing my best to help A3 to take down all the alien scum."
"Excellent. Keep that spirit up and he might be revived sooner than you expected." The masked man said, affirming her newfound resolve.
The masked man begins to give each Cabinet members documents to sign along with a pen.
"Now, on to the next task, I want you all to approve all the policies in these documents."
Yuki skims through the documents and realized that the policies are the same terrible ones she read before in her car before.
"...Leader, I think these policies are-"
Before Yuki could finish her sentence, the masked man cuts it short.
"I'm afraid it's a necessary evil and sacrifice to unite everyone and keep them under control."
"In order to get more support and keep order in the Quarantine Zone, uniting people from just their hatred to oppose the aliens is no longer a viable option. They already know how outclassed humanity is against them."
"It will instead give an opposite effect of demoralizing people and prevent them from joining our cause."
"But-" Again, before Yuki could finish her sentence, Chisaki angrily cuts it short while obediently puts her signature on the document without hesitation.
Chisaki exclaimed, "Leader is right, we need more power to beat the despicable aliens!"
"Sign it! I know you care about the populace, but these are only temporary until we won! It's for the greater good!"
"Are you saying we can't win against them!?"
"No, I'm-" Yuki said before being cut short by Chisaki again.
"Touya already told us to do our best!"
"Do you want your child to be born into a world where these evil aliens exist!?"
"Are you one of us or not, Suou Yuki!?"
"No... all of you!"
"Don't you all consider Touya your friend!?" Chisaki yelled at everyone. "Please... sign it..."
The masked man stays still, watching the events unfold in front of him.
Yuki finally realizes what those videos are for.
"Leader now have Chisaki supporting him wholeheartedly... He played her like a damn fiddle!"
"But why her? Is it because she's the most vulnerable? Is it because she's the strongest among us? Is it because he's Kenzaki-senpai's good friend? Is it because Touya's wish? Or is it because she's an important part in his plan?"
Yuki saw anger and hatred in Chisaki's eyes, and decided that it would be both dangerous and problematic if she didn't sign it. "I understand..."
Reluctantly, she grabs the pen and signs it.
Nonoa follows suit, saying, "Well, if the smart Yuki-chi signed it, then so should I. Reading it would just make it harder and waste my time." while signing it with a smile.
Masha follows next, saying, "For your love's sake, Sarashina-san." while signing it with a smile.
Sayaka said, "...For Kenzaki-senpai... For A3..." while signing it reluctantly.
Ayano, after seeing everyone else, signed hers without much consideration or thought.
Chisaki breathed easy, and says, "...Thank you, all of you... I knew I can trust you all.", expressing her gratitude.
"I know this is a hard decision, but let's work hard so these policies would end as soon as possible."
The masked man immediately collects the signed documents from each member.
"Thank you for your approval." The masked man says to everyone after getting back to his seat and stored the signed documents safely.
"I hope we won't get assassinated for this... Politicians can get one even if they are good, and we certainly aren't." Nonoa jest.
"No need to fear. Using the data and resources that Kenzaki Touya has collected, we have developed a great self-defense measure for you all." The masked man declared.
Yuki immediately thought to herself, "What else does he has under his sleeve...?"
"I was also planning to distribute these to you all today." The masked man said as he drags the big black suitcase to the center of their round table.
He unlocks it and opens it wide. After confirming its content is intact, he rotates the suitcase and shows the contents to everyone.
"Oi... You have to be kidding me..." Sayaka said.
Ayano looks at the box content with horrified look.
The masked man proclaimed, "The crown jewels of A3's R&D: The Rebellion Arms. Still experimental, with mass production impossible for the moment."
"I'm giving you these after the recent passing of... well... a dear Cabinet member." He said while staring at Masha's veiled face.
Yuki immediately recognized the weapons, and thought to herself, "THESE ARE JUST ALIEN WEAPONRY!!!!"
"What happened to the Oracle fleet's design protection-"
"Wait... There is no way they could have bypassed the protection and created these..."
"Could it be..."
"...No."
"Motherfuckers... They harvested Alya's brain part to get access to the cargo she was carrying in New Osaka!" Yuki realized and said to herself in her mind.
Chisaki's hand extends, intending to grab a pair of fiery gauntlets before stopping.
She faces herself toward the masked man and asks for his permission.
"Can I still take one, despite my... unacceptable behavior?" She asked.
The masked man responded, "Your behavior is not unacceptable, but instead, understandable."
"I might act the same if I'm in your position. So go ahead and take it."
Chisaki then grabs the gauntlets and equips it.
"I feel... so much lighter and powerful... What exactly is this?" She asked.
The masked man answered, "They are the fire gauntlets, Ravana. It is intended as close quarter weapon with power over fire."
"Every single weapon here gives you amazing strength to lift up a truck, agility matching a bullet train, and durability not unlike a fortress."
"Here, try crushing this diamond." The masked man says, throwing her a big chunk of raw diamond.
She effortlessly crushed it to dust using her newfound power.
"Amazing... maybe we can go against the aliens with these!" Chisaki screamed with ecstasy.
"Please, all of you. Help yourself and get your very own power. Equipping one of these weapons will ensure your survival." The masked man says while offering everyone else the weapon.
Nonoa's interest is piqued, and she chose to equip the spear with power over electricity, Zeus.
Sayaka follows suit, picking the energy rifle with power over wind, Garuda.
Masha picked the wand with power over water and ice, Skadi.
Yuki reluctantly picked the katana with power over darkness, Pluto.
Ayano picked whatever is left, the twin energy dagger with power over light, Solaris.
Yuki immediately thought to herself, "These bastards wants everyone in the Quarantine Zone going to war with the aliens just after getting a miniscule portion of their strength! No one will survive!"
"I better try reason with the leader..."
Yuki clears her voice and asks the masked man a few questions, careful to not make herself look like a dissenter.
"Uh... Leader? Isn't this... You know... breaking the treaty?" Yuki asked.
"They broke the treaty first in New Osaka." The masked man replied.
"Well, Kenzaki-san's... I mean, A3's spying and breaching actions can be considered as breaking it as well... Maybe they just want to close the breach point, back then?" Yuki adds.
"Eh? There's a way to bypass the Quarantine Barricade in New Osaka?" Sayaka asked.
"...I'm afraid I cannot disclose any information regarding the breach point. But I hope you will continue to trust and serve the A3." The masked man stated.
"You worry too much, Suou-san! Everything will be fine! We can win against those aliens!" Chisaki said with confidence.
"It should be easier once these weapons are mass produced. I really can't wait to test this weapon out!" Nonoa said.
Sayaka stays silent, looking at her weapon with concern, worried if her newfound power will swallow her whole.
Ayano puts her weapon away and doesn't pay much mind to it.
Yuki stares at the blade she acquired, wondering if this weapon can take the masked man down.
But her worry is cut short as she notices Masha's eerie and bizarre expression.
Masha however, smiles and giggles at her newfound power, already trying to freeze things and test out her cryomancy.
"Hey Masha... Are you okay?"
"I'm more than okay. With this, I'm no longer powerless!" Masha said with unhinged tone.
"Fuck... She really lost it... I better talk to her after this meeting is all over..." Yuki thought to herself, concerned over Masha's mental state.
"With this, I conclude this meeting. Thank you for your attendance and attention. Dismissed."
Everyone in the room stood up and salutes the masked man before exiting the room together.
"This feels just like that moment back then, when we have finished our student council meeting..." Yuki thought to herself, reminiscing about the past.
Sayaka and Nonoa hurries home, having business to attend.
"See you all later! And I hope your pregnancy goes well, Yuki-chi~" Nonoa said before entering her car.
"Until later, Suou-san." Sayaka said before entering her car.
"Make sure to go home safely." Yuki said while waving them goodbye.
The masked man tells Chisaki, "Go home and rest for a week. You deserve it. Kenzaki will kill me if he knew I didn't take care of you."
"I will! Thank you, leader!" Chisaki said as she enters her car and goes home to finally rest peacefully.
Ayano stays silent. She bows down toward the leader and Yuki before going home on foot.
Just before she clicks the button to call her car to the front gate on her phone, Yuki noticed Masha swinging her wand around.
Concerned and curious, she approached her carefully and called her name.
"Masha-san... Masha-san!" Yuki calls her in vain as she ignores it.
Yuki tried calling her name again a few more times, but she ignored it all.
"Damn it! Answer me, Kujou-san!"
"Yes?" She finally answered, noticing Yuki at last.
Yuki then asked her, "Are you really, really sure you're okay, Masha-san? I-"
Masha cuts her speech off, angrily telling her to stop calling her. "Cut if off. Stop mentioning my sister."
Yuki replied to defend herself, "I'm not mentioning Alya at all. I just-"
Masha approaches Yuki with malice and then speaks coldly towards Yuki, cutting her off again, "When are you going to terminate that inbred rape baby in your bleak cursed womb, you slut?"
"Masachika won't ever approve or wish to father that child, you incestuous homewrecker."
"Consider an abortion, or even better: a double suicide, please."
Masha giggles and walks to the front gate after noticing her car has arrived.
"If you are too afraid to kill yourself, I'll gladly help you. Just call me anytime." She said coldly and boldly before leaving Yuki alone.
"What the fuck was that? Masha... She changed drastically!" Yuki thought to herself in shock.
"Alya won't be happy to hear that her demise broke Masha so much..."
Suddenly, Yuki gets a new message in codes.
"The aliens' leaders agreed to talk to us... That dealer sure work fast..." Yuki thought, while forwarding the encrypted message to Alya.
A few minutes later, in Masha's travelling car...
Masha received a message from her subordinate while sitting inside her self-driving car on the road.
"Let's see... Jeanne said... to check the social media trending post..."
Masha opens the social media app and notices Masachika in the images in the post.
She finally found him, and she couldn't be happier about it.
"Found you..." She said while grinning at her phone screen.
"Masachika-kun, I finally found you..."
However, she noticed that there's someone with silver hair and blue eyes beside him.
"Wait, what? Why is there another Alya beside him?"
"There's only one Alya for him in this world... Only one Alya that could stand beside him..." She said as her own blue eyes reflected on the phone screen.
Notes:
The hammer is a part of a firearm that is used to strike the percussion cap/primer, or a separate firing pin to ignite the propellant and fire the projectile. It is so called because it resembles a hammer in both form and function. The hammer itself is a metal piece that forcefully rotates about a pivot point.