~~~Cape Hedo Cafe~~~
"An abandoned café?"
Itoshi blinked in confusion as he asked, watching the helicopter rise and disappear into the distance.
To which, Ryujin answered with confidence.
"Yeah. Apparently, this is our place for the night."
Itoshi: Ah...
Ayro turned to Itoshi, a cheeky smirk tugging at his lips.
"Scared of spiders?"
"Not really... but—"
He glanced at Kara, who was visibly trembling.
"Spiders...?"
The four stepped inside the dusty old café with Kara clinging behind Itoshi. Wooden floors creaked under their boots.
"I kinda thought we'd have lights or something."
Arms crossed, Ryujin shot.
"It's an abandoned café, dummy."
Scratching the back of his head, Itoshi argued.
"I know, I know... but come on—we're working under a high-end organization, right?"
"Well.. We're still soldiers...Anyway. Ayro, can you stay on watch tonight?"
With no hesitation, Ayro followed the leaders order.
"Yeah, sure. I'll take the lookout."
Ryujin: Itoshi, Kara—come on. Let's check the rest of the place. We'll sleep on the second floor, above the café.
Itoshi & Kara: G-Got it!
After a short exploration of the dim rooms and cobweb-covered corners, Itoshi found his way to the rooftop. He looked north, where a faint red glow lit the sky far in the distance.
"Hmm... Tokyo, huh."
From behind him, A girl calls.
"Oh! Koya, there you are!"
Itoshi turn around, facing Kara.
"Oh—sup."
Kara walked over and sat near the edge of the rooftop, legs dangling just above the railing.
"Hey! be careful down there."
Itoshi hushed nervously.
Kara simply snickered, not making an eye contact with Itoshi.
"Come sit."
He hesitated, then joined her. Kara spoke the moment Itoshi relaxed.
"We're doing something new! Isn't it interesting?"
"I guess so. Life's not gonna be like it used to be."
Itoshi answered, tone low.
"Yeah..."
With determination, Itoshi added.
"No more waiting for the Seeles to come. We'll face them ourselves now. We've got to get stronger from here on out... What do you think, Kara?"
Kara turned to him, with a smile.
"I think it's exciting. We're gonna go to places we've never seen. Meet people who are all different, colorful in their own ways."
Itoshi raised a brow as he turned his head to Kara.
"This isn't a vacation.. y'know."
Itoshi then chuckled, Eyes closed as she covered her mouth with her right palm.
"Hehe, I know that."
And then.. Silence.
"Aren't you scared?"
Itoshi asked.
Kara didn't answer immediately, she paused, seemingly trying to reconvey her thoughts on Itoshi's question.
"Dummy. Of course I am. I don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow, or the day after that. It's scary.. It's gonna take time to adjust... But being with you? I think I can manage that."
"...Oh."
Kara suddenly gasped, grinning as she shot her finger toward the starry night sky.
"Look!"
Itoshi looked at Kara, then turned quickly to the sky.
"Ah!"
"Koya! It's Leo!"
Itoshi: Constellation?
Kara giggled as she spoke.
"Yeah! Did you know it's the twelfth largest constellation out of all eighty-eight?"
"Mhm...."
Then Kara continued her little trivia.
"Its name comes from the Latin word for 'lion.' Because it kinda looks like one!"
"Oh... It does look like one.. that's so cool!"
They sat side by side, as Kara excitedly shared everything she knew about constellations. Under the quiet stars, with the unknown ahead of them, for a moment—they simply existed in peace.
~~~March 31, 2169~~~
[12:24AM]
Ryujin and Itoshi were fast asleep, their backs resting against the wall on the café's second floor. Kara slept in a separate room, using Itoshi's luggage as a cushion—he'd given it to her to make sure she'd be comfortable. Meanwhile, Ayro stood watch by the front door, fully alert and keeping his senses sharp.
Suddenly, he heard the rustling of leaves behind the café. He didn't sense the presence of a person or a Seele, so after a moment's pause, he chose to ignore it.
[2:10AM]
Ryujin's eyes snapped open, a sharp instinct pulling him out of sleep. He sat up quickly, heart steady but alert, and scanned the dimly lit second floor. Without a word, he rose and made his way downstairs, his footsteps soft but purposeful against the old wood. He pushed open the door and stepped into the cool night air.
Ayro stood by the entrance, as vigilant as ever. His arms were crossed loosely, one hand resting near the hilt of his blade.
Ayro: Hoh? Can't fall asleep?
Ryujin: Nah. Something's here.
Ayro turned slightly, giving him a sidelong glance, curiosity piqued.
"What do you think it is?"
Ryujin's gaze shifted toward the woods in the distance. The trees swayed slightly in the breeze, their silhouettes stark under the moonlight.
"Most likely Seeles. It's the kind of night they creep in for a chance at a special flame. It's perfect for it, actually."
Ayro narrowed his eyes. "Mostly Seeles? You think there's someone else out there too?"
Ryujin: I can't say for sure. But something feels... off. I'll stay out here with you. Just in case.
Ayro: Go ahead.
The two men took their positions, silent and poised, the tension between them unspoken but mutual. The breeze carried a faint rustle of leaves, the kind that prickled at the edge of instinct.
Inside the café, Itoshi and Kara remained asleep—peacefully unaware of the growing unease outside. Kara lay curled on her side, her head resting gently on Itoshi's makeshift cushion, her breaths soft and steady. Itoshi, always a light sleeper, stirred faintly but did not wake.
Out beyond the clearing, hidden by the thick underbrush, a faint silhouette crouched low. A figure, cloaked and still, watched the café from a distance. The moon glinted off a pair of binoculars as the observer adjusted their position. They watched Ryujin and Ayro's every movement with unnerving patience, their presence cloaked well enough to avoid even Ayro's sharp senses.
Something was indeed out there—and it was watching.
[3:00am]
Ayro stepped inside the café, glancing at the old wall clock still ticking away.
"Hmm. They say bad things happen at 3AM—"
Before he could finish, a chilling screech tore through the quiet night, echoing from the woods.
Ryujin (outside): You jinxed it.
Ayro shrugged, unfazed.
Ryujin: How many do you think?
Ayro: I heard one, but I sense more.
Suddenly, footsteps rushed down the stairs. Itoshi appeared, eyes wide and breath uneven.
"What was that?!"
Ryujin: A Seele. Stay upstairs. Protect Kara. We're not sure what element we're dealing with yet.
Itoshi saluted in agreement.
"Got it!"
He turned back and rushed up the stairs.
Outside, Ayro's eyes narrowed.
"Hang on..."
Ryujin: What is it?
Ayro: That's odd. Their numbers are fluctuating—rising, falling. But they're not dropping below 80.. That's a lot.
Ryujin: Tsk. A real handful.
Suddenly, the bushes rustled again. Both Ryujin and Ayro turned sharply toward the sound, alert and ready.
A single Seele emerged—a Meson-class. Small. Its brown hue shimmered in the moonlight.
"Meson class? It's earth-type. Great."
Ayro: No wind tonight.
Ryujin: How many?
Ayro: Quite a few.
More of them poured out from the underbrush. Meson-class, earth-type. Their numbers quickly climbed—16, then 30, and rising.
Ryujin: Perfect. Ready?
Ayro: Always. We're dead, though.
Ryujin: I like your optimism.
They sprang into action.
Ryujin extended his arms toward the ocean, pulling water from the sea and blasting it toward the Seeles, knocking several off their feet.
Ayro summoned shadowy hands from the ground, snatching up enemies and slamming them deep into the soil.
Seeing what Ayro just did, Ryujin teased.
"Seriously? Lol."
"What else are we supposed to do?!"
Ryujin: Where's a decent gust when you need one?
From above, Itoshi leaned out the window.
"Hey! Do you need help?!"
Looking at Itoshi, Ryujin thought to himself.
"Can he generate wind? Wait—no."
An idea.
Ryujin: Itoshi! Get down here!
Itoshi: Okay!
He hurried down, joining them in the field.
"What do I do?!"
As Ryujin fought, he gave the order.
"Burn the bushes!"
Itoshi: Burn.. The what?!
Ryujin: Just do it!
Itoshi: O-okay!
Flames erupted from the tall dry brush surrounding the café. A ring of fire around them was formed.
Ryujin (thinking): Will it bring enough cold air?
Itoshi rushed to Ryujin, panting"
"All done!"
"Good! Ayro, push the Seeles into the ring!"
Ayro: Got it!
Ayro's shadowy arms hurled Seeles inward toward the flames.
"Now what?!"
"It's a gamble."
The three stood at the café's entrance, eyes locked on the blazing perimeter. The Seeles didn't retreat—but the flames were slowing them down.
They kept coming, pushing through the ring, relentless.
"Get inside. Both of you."
Ryujin ordered.
Ayro & Itoshi: Okay!
Ryujin remained at the doorway, watching. Waiting.
Then—a sudden gust of cold wind swept across the battlefield.
The fire roared higher, twisting into a tornado of flame.
Ryujin: Yes!
He lifted his arms and casually walked toward them, victorious.
Itoshi: Did he just yell 'yes' and walk like a zombie?
Ayro: ...
The firestorm intensified. Screeches rang out as dozens of Seeles were caught and consumed.
Ayro: Their numbers are dropping!
Ryujin smirked.
Itoshi: I can't hold this much fire—!
Ryujin: Ayro, tell me when they're under twenty.
Ayro: Okay!
The vortex sucked in more wind, fanning the flames even higher. Earth-type Seeles tried to resist—but they were thinning.
Itoshi: The wind's too strong! We're at risk!
Ayro: Not yet!... Not yet...
Ryujin's arms remained high, preparing.
Ayro's breath hitch, It was a signal.
"Now!!"
Ryujin dropped his hands.
A colossal drop of water descended from the sky, dousing the flames instantly.
Silence.
Then—
Ayro & Itoshi (cheering): YESSS!!
Ryujin gave a small shrug and smirked.
Itoshi: Most of them are gone!
"Don't celebrate yet. That only bought us time."
Out beyond the clearing, the remaining Seeles stood still—shaken but not gone. The quiet didn't last. A low rumble followed... and then a fresh wave emerged from the forest.
The night was far from over.
To be Continued