Kentaro burst through the door, fearing for his life. His intentions were "noble", but his wording had been the equivalent of stepping on a landmine; he was panting, hands on knees, wondering how he was still breathing. When he glanced back, he saw Aria, Yura, and Serica stroll in casually, all smiling and giggling at his near-death experience.

"Kentaro, your wording can be very crude sometimes," Yura teased, a smug smile on her lips.

"Yeah, yeah, I know…" Kentaro sighed, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Aria giggled softly, though her laughter faded as she glanced around the small apartment. It wasn't much, just a humble apartment with the living room and kitchen connected. Still, her eyes glittered as though she were inspecting a five-star hotel.

"Wow, Kentaro… Your house is really nice," she said with genuine wonder.

Kentaro scratched the back of his head, sinking into the couch like he wanted to disappear.

"Honestly, it's nothing special."

Aria tilted her head, clearly surprised. The cramped layout, the futon squashed between Serica and Yura's things, it didn't look like much at all. Her gaze landed on the futon, then back to Kentaro, and he could already guess her question.

"Yeah, I sleep here on the couch," Kentaro said with a groan. "And, honestly, I should've asked Tenka this before I decided to almost get myself killed, but… How the hell are we gonna handle sleeping arrangements?"

Yura and Serica exchanged a look, both smiling mischievously.

"How about we share the bed with Kentaro?" They chimed in perfect unison.

Kentaro blinked. Then froze. Then blinked again. He watched, speechless, as the two walked and began performing a full-on skit in the middle of his living room.

Serica cleared her throat dramatically, adjusting an imaginary tie. "Ahem! Welcome to tonight's official presentation on Operation: Bedshare!"

Yura, reluctantly dragged in, sat cross-legged on the floor pretending to be her "assistant."

Kentaro's jaw dropped. And somehow, Serica had also found a pair of glasses and a fake moustache, the exact one Kentaro was sure Shogo wore during the island trip.

But before Kentaro could protest, Serica whipped out a whiteboard from her bag. He had no idea why she even owned one, but there it was, covered in scribbles and lopsided drawings of his apartment layout.

"As you see here," Serica said, tapping her wobbly drawing with a pointer she definitely didn't have a second ago, " this current model has Yura on the bed tonight, me on the futon tomorrow, and Kentaro forever enslaved to the couch. But! What if we introduce… The Rotation Plan!"

She spun the board around dramatically to reveal another doodle. This one showed stick-figure Kentaro in bed, smugly smiling, while arrows rotated between Yura, Serica, and Aria joining him like some weird flowchart.

"Imagine! Yura sleeps with Kentaro tonight, then me tomorrow, then Aria the night after that! Efficient! Comfortable! Revolutionary!"

"…Don't you think that's a bit much?" Kentaro muttered, his face going red. "Wouldn't it make more sense if two of you just shared the bed?"

The effect was instant. Serica's entire world collapsed in front of him. Her moustache sagged, her glasses tilted crooked. The light in her eyes dimmed like a dying campfire.

"Wha-how dare you reject my master plan…" She whispered dramatically, clutching her chest as if she'd been mortally wounded.

Meanwhile, Yura blinked, finally realising something. If Serica had been handling the whiteboard the whole time… Then why had she been sitting on the floor?

Her face turned bright red. "WAIT A MINUTE, WHY DID YOU MAKE ME SIT HERE LIKE AN IDIOT IF YOU WERE JUST GONNA DRAW ON A BOARD!?" She shouted, jabbing her finger at Serica's chest.

Serica stuck out her tongue playfully. "Heehee, teamwork?"

Kentaro and Aria burst into laughter. Kentaro would normally worry about his neighbours banging on the walls to shut them up, but right now, he didn't care. The sound of their laughter filled the room in a way that felt… Precious.

After the chaos died down, Kentaro gave Aria a quick tour of the bathroom, the wardrobe, and the essentials. Serica was already sprawled on the floor, playing with his PlayStation like she owned it, while Yura busied herself in the kitchen. The smells of cooking drifted through the apartment as Aria and Kentaro sat back on the couch.

"DAMN IT!" Serica screamed suddenly, losing her second match in a row.

"Heheh, you need faster kicks," Kentaro teased.

"I know!" Serica pouted, cheeks puffing out like a hamster.

Aria leaned back against the couch, her body relaxing, before quietly resting her head on Kentaro's shoulder. She closed her eyes and breathed in the moment, the warmth of laughter, the sound of cooking in the background, the silly bickering of friends. For her, this felt like something she had only dreamed of: safety. Family. A place she could belong.

Her chest tightened, and before she knew it, tears welled in her eyes. Kentaro noticed instantly. Without making a big deal, he reached over and gently wiped one away, keeping his expression casual as if nothing had happened.

Aria smiled softly and clutched his arm. Even if it was just a fleeting moment, even if it vanished tomorrow… She would trade anything to keep it forever.

*

The soft hum of the fluorescent lights above filled the near-empty HQ as Tenka signed the last of her papers. Her hand ached from hours of writing, but she still pushed the last sheet away with practised discipline. Stretching her arms back, she let out a tired sigh, only to find Haruka walking in with a cup of steaming coffee.

"Everything done, Commander," Haruka said softly, handing over the mug with her usual measured smile.

Tenka returned the smile, accepting the cup. The first sip warmed her chest, loosening the weight pressing against her shoulders.

"Mm. Yes. We'll have Aria enrolled on college as planned," she murmured, voice quiet as her eyes drifted to the blank monitor on her desk. "How long can we keep this going, though… That's a question for another time. For now, let's just relax."

Haruka hesitated before speaking, her voice more serious.

"About that… Another trickle of disturbing energy was detected near the plaza. The same area where we found Serica."

Tenka's brow furrowed. "And the source?"

"Still unknown. Alberline, Null, Spire, Cradle… We have no certainty. Nothing solid."

A long sigh escaped Tenka as she met Haruka's eyes.

"I see. Seems our work never ends."

Haruka's expression softened. She placed her hands on her hips, firm but gentle. "Commander, please. Take the next few days off. I know you want to visit Kentaro's place again. Rest. Just for a while."

Tenka opened her mouth to protest. "But we still-"

Haruka cut her off by raising her palm.

"No excuses. You may be the commander, but I'm the closest thing to your second-in-command if you exclude Shogo, but then again, he's useless when it comes to anything but fighting. And I'm telling you to take time for yourself."

Tenka blinked, caught between irritation and guilt. A part of her wanted to argue. Another part, the quieter, more vulnerable one, wanted to accept. She hadn't really had the chance to spend time with Kentaro properly. Not since everything had started.

Finally, she let out a slow breath and allowed herself a faint smile.

"Fine. But I still have paperwork to finish. I'll head over tomorrow. Fair?"

Haruka nodded, satisfied. "Acceptable. I'll take that compromise, Commander."

As Haruka left, the room returned to silence. Tenka sat alone at her desk, staring into the coffee cup. In the reflection of the dark liquid, her own face stared back, tired, yes, but also burdened. Regret clung to her expression, regret she didn't want to face. For a moment, her chest tightened. But then she quickly shook her head, straightened her posture, and forced herself back into focus. Work first. Always work first.

Still, the silence lingered, heavier than she liked.

*

The metallic clang of boots against steel echoed through the wide corridors as Commander Isak led his squad deeper into Cradle's headquarters. The summons had been urgent; Regional Commanders Takeshi and Ino wanted a personal debrief. Normally, this would have been handled through written reports, but this time… It was different.

Milly's hands fidgeted nervously at her sides as she walked. She had been included in the group, though the idea of reporting directly to Takeshi made her stomach twist. Ino, she could handle. Ino had a softness to her. But Takeshi? Takeshi was an iron wall.

Isak noticed her unease but said nothing, his silence enough of a command. His gaze was forward, posture unshakable.

The double doors loomed ahead. Thick, metallic, sliding apart like gates to something far larger than them. A "boss room," Milly thought grimly. Isak stopped before them and turned back to his squad. No words. Just one look.

Don't say anything stupid.

The doors hissed open.

Inside, the chamber was far from ordinary. A long, oval-shaped table stretched across the centre, surrounded by smaller stations filled with Cradle's most important figures, the Director, high-ranking officers, and officials vital to keeping the machine running. The air itself felt heavy, like pressure weighing down on their shoulders.

Isak led his squad to the centre. Together, they saluted.

At the far end sat the Regional Commanders. Takeshi, with his stern jaw and unyielding eyes, leaned forward with the intensity of a storm. Ino, calmer and sharper, studied the group like a hawk.

"Where is Kira Mizuno?" Ino asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Isak stepped forward, voice steady and commanding.

"Kira was only just released from the hospital. Given her critical condition, I deemed it best that she rest."

"Hmph. Very well," Takeshi grunted. Then his voice hardened. "Tell us what happened. Was Reiden truly behind this? And why was Supreme Commander Akio not acting?"

Isak began his explanation, carefully recounting what they knew. Every word was measured, clear, precise.

When he finished, silence hung for a moment. Then Takeshi stroked his beard slowly, his eyes narrowing further.

"So. Reiden moves again… Whatever his goal is, it's bold enough to put even the Supreme Commander under his thumb."

Ino's gaze flicked toward Takeshi, then back to the squad. "It means whatever is brewing is larger than we expected."

Isak's team exchanged uneasy looks. The Regional Commanders sounded surprised. But shouldn't information like this have already reached them? The thought gnawed at each of them, and when Isak finally spoke, his voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"If I may, with respect, information of this weight should have reached you already. Why hear it in person from us?"

The chamber froze. A murmur went through the gathered officials.

Takeshi coughed, hiding something behind his beard. Ino, however, sighed and answered plainly.

"You're right. This should have been delivered through channels. But the truth is, we've received word that Supreme Commander Akio herself will be visiting. Until then, certain details have been withheld. We called you here to prepare and to also find out beforehand."

The squad stood still, the weight of her words slamming into them.

"…Wait. WHAT?!" Milly and two others blurted out before they could stop themselves.

The sound echoed awkwardly.

Isak shot them a glare sharp enough to slice through steel. They immediately clamped their mouths shut like children scolded by a parent.

He turned back, bowing slightly.

"My apologies. But… Akio herself? To deliver information? Surely such matters could be relayed through standard communication. Why risk a personal visit?"

Even Ino looked unsettled now. "We aren't sure. But we believe it's twofold: to explain the situation herself… And to thank those who fought in Tokyo."

The squad froze again.

"…Akio. Thanking us?" Milly whispered, half in awe, half in disbelief.

Arthur, usually quiet, nudged her sharply.

"Compose yourself, Milly don't want to piss of Isak..."

She quickly covered her mouth, cheeks red, before standing stiff as a board.

Isak gave a slow nod, accepting. "Very well. Then we shall receive her words with honour."

"Indeed," Takeshi said firmly. "Until then, speak of this to no one. Only relay the message to Kira. Understood?"

"YESSIR!" The squad shouted in unison, voices reverberating.

They turned to leave, but before the doors closed, Takeshi rose from his chair. His eyes, though hard, carried a flicker of guilt.

"Isak. I hate to ask this of you so soon after Tokyo… But there is another matter. One I cannot entrust to anyone else at the moment."

Isak turned back without hesitation. "Of course, sir. Send the documents. My squad will act immediately."

Takeshi nodded once. "Good. Then may fortune favour you."

The doors sealed shut behind them, leaving the weight of the room lingering in their chests.

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