Makoto Katsuragi and Takumi Enatsu entered the boss's office, only to find it empty. Makoto glanced around the spacious, meticulously organized room, his brow furrowed with suspicion. A wall of glass overlooked the city, a quiet, powerful statement of the organization's reach.
"What's taking him so long?" he muttered, the words echoing slightly in the silent space as he sauntered toward one of the plush leather chairs.
Takumi leaned casually against the wall, arms folded, a picture of practiced patience. "The boss is probably still up at the hospital dealing with urgent cases. He's a busy man. All we can do is wait."
Makoto slumped into the chair facing the imposing, dark wood desk. After several silent minutes, the quiet began to grate on him. He sat up straighter, visibly agitated. "If I really don't have a Standz, and your group recruits based on Standz pressure, why are you all so convinced your boss wants me here?"
Takumi let out a half-smile, a weary expression on his face. "I already told you—you're an anomaly, Makoto. And anomalies attract attention. But more than that…" he hesitated, the casual demeanor fading, "You remind the boss of someone he once idolized."
Makoto raised an eyebrow, a flicker of genuine curiosity in his eyes. "What do you mean? Was this person Standzless too?"
Takumi shook his head slowly. "No. You're the only one we've ever seen without a Standz signature. A ghost in a world of spirits."
Makoto frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Then what's the connection? I clearly don't fit your mold."
Takumi's expression darkened as memories surfaced in his eyes. "The person I'm talking about was the strongest exorcist this region's ever seen. His death shattered the entire organization. That's why the boss and I are rebuilding the Seirei Exorcism Group—from the ashes."
Makoto leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, intense tone. "If he was so powerful, how did he die? Was it during an exorcism?"
Takumi's gaze fell, a heavy sadness in his eyes. "No. Not during an exorcism. I never met him myself, but I know he never backed down from danger. Selfless, fearless… always willing to sacrifice himself. Everything you say you're not."
Makoto crossed his arms, unimpressed and suspicious. "If I'm the opposite of this guy, how do I remind the boss of him? You're not making sense."
Takumi smirked faintly. "Some things aren't meant to make sense yet. You'll understand when you're ready."
Makoto scowled. "Then at least tell me his name."
Just then, the office door opened, and a commanding figure stepped in with a calm authority that seemed to quiet the entire room.
"His name was Kyoka Katsuragi," the boss said, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
Takumi straightened immediately and gave a respectful nod. "How long were you listening, Director?"
The boss chuckled as he made his way to the desk, his presence filling the space. "Long enough. You two have interesting conversations."
Takumi sighed. "Sir, you've got to stop eavesdropping."
The boss waved him off playfully and turned his full attention to Makoto. "So, no Standz at all. That's truly rare. You're one strange young man."
Makoto met his gaze head-on. "Name's Makoto Katsuragi. And I've got questions—about Kyoka."
The boss raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Do you know him?"
Makoto shook his head slowly. "Never met him. But we share the same surname. In the Katsuragi clan, that matters. We're all from the same hometown."
The boss studied him for a moment, then gave a cryptic smile. "Yes… and no. But you've got good instincts. That's what matters."
He extended a hand across the desk. "You'd make a fine addition to our team."
Makoto stared at the hand, his thoughts swirling. They've been planning to recruit me since the beginning. But why? Because of a name? A bloodline? Is this really where I belong? He shook the boss's hand reluctantly. "Fine. But don't expect heroics from me."
The boss laughed warmly, the sound genuine and disarming. "Fair enough. But if you're getting paid double, I expect you to work double."
At that moment, the door creaked open again. A slim woman in a tailored black tuxedo stepped inside and bowed slightly. Her presence was as quiet as a shadow, and she barely seemed to register in the periphery.
"Apologies for the delay," she said, her voice a soft whisper.
The boss waved casually. "Right on time, Ninda."
Makoto looked her up and down, intrigued. "Who's she?"
Takumi answered, his voice low. "That's Ninda. She's ranked equal to me—technically the boss's right hand."
Ninda gave a silent nod, her eyes a dark, unreadable void.
The boss added, a hint of amusement in his tone, "She's a ghost in human form. You'll probably forget she's even in the room most days."
Makoto turned back to the boss, his gaze firm. "I already said it, but I'll say it again—I'm Standzless. Don't expect miracles."
At that, Ninda gave Makoto a rare, sideways glance, a flicker of curiosity in her dark eyes. But she said nothing.
The boss leaned forward, his tone firm and serious. "Don't let that be your excuse."
Makoto smirked. "Was it that obvious?"
The boss turned to Takumi. "That's enough recruits for now. Begin training them tomorrow—with Ninda's help."
Takumi nodded. "Understood."
Makoto stood, his mind already on his family. "I'm going to check on my sister."
As he moved to leave, the boss said casually, his voice lacking all of its previous warmth. "You keep calling her your sister… but she's not blood."
Makoto paused, a sudden fire in his eyes. He slowly turned back to face the boss. "She's my family. Screw the Katsuragi clan if they don't see that."
The boss chuckled, the sound now cold and unsettling. "Suit yourself. But before you leave, there are forms to sign. Officially joining means agreeing to our prime rule—never kill a Seirei. We guide them. We don't destroy."
Makoto nodded once. "Fine. But right now, I need to see Bri."
The boss turned to Ninda. "Take him to her. Show him where he'll be staying."
Ninda bowed and, without a word, led Makoto out the door.
The Shirone Organization
Meanwhile, in a stark, dimly lit room inside the Shirone Organization's headquarters, Eliza trembled as she stood before the organization's dark-hearted leader, Ryota. The air was heavy with the scent of ozone and the faint, lingering memory of screams.
"It's done, sir," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Ryota turned from a large, humming machine, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "All the contenders?"
She nodded, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek. "Yes. The Standz from every chosen subject have been extracted and transferred into the Seirei as you ordered."
Ryota's eyes glimmered with a chilling madness. "A mindless army of Standz-empowered Seirei. Beautiful. Now I can play the perfect villain."
Eliza took a trembling step back, her hands clasped together in a desperate plea. "Please… I did everything. Let me go. I can't stomach this anymore."
Ryota's smile vanished, his face becoming a mask of terrifying indifference. "You still don't get it. I'm creating a future. For you and me. We'll kill if we must."
Eliza collapsed to her knees, the floor cold beneath her. "It's inhuman. The screams… the pain… the way the Seirei convulse from the shock torture… It's unforgivable."
Ryota's voice softened—mocking and cold as he crouched down to her level. "I know. And yet, it's necessary. First, we erase the Seirei Exorcism Group from this region. Then the real game begins."
Eliza hesitated, her voice choked with emotion. "But… we still don't know their base of operations."
Ryota's smirk returned, a venomous promise in his eyes. "I have someone working on that. Trust me."
She swallowed hard, then nodded once and left, the closing doors echoing like a final, damning judgment.
As the doors shut behind her, Ryota whispered to himself, a chilling determination in his voice, "Tomorrow… the Seirei Exorcism Group will fall."