November 1st, 2021…
Kato, Mira, Yamato, and Isaiah sat in a car driven by Roshi, heading to their next mission, one assigned to them by Ervin and the others just a few days earlier.
*****"
Two days earlier…
Ervin sat in a small meeting room with Roshi, Kayomi, Kinara, Dana, and Yoshi. He had finally finalized a plan to uncover the hideout of the Kaimi Daja.
The meeting didn't begin until Roshi, who arrived late, closed the door behind him.
Ervin: So, everyone's here, right?
Dana: (glancing around and counting quickly) Yeah. Everyone's here.
Ervin: Good. Now we can talk about how to make our next move against the Kaimi Daja.
Roshi: About time. What took you so long to come up with this plan anyway?"l
Ervin's mind briefly flickered to the sight of Kato's father in the park…
Ervin: I had other things to take care of. And I don't want to talk about that now, it's not important. Back to the plan. Using my technique, I managed to look into the memories of one of the Kaimi Daja members who attacked me a few days ago. I couldn't see everything, but I did learn about their goals… and a few of their hideouts. That's what we're going to focus on, drawing them out of their hideouts and making the world smaller for them.
Roshi (smirks): Sounds like something I can get behind.
Kayomi: Not bad. Quite the plan.
Yoshi: Honestly, your technique gives you the perfect edge to make strategies like this.
Kinara: It's basically a cheat code.
Dana: (nodding) Finally, you're acting like a proper Clan Head.
Ervin (smirking faintly): Alright, enough with the flattery. Here's what I found, Kaimi Daja has a lot of hideouts, which is why the HFA has never managed to track them down. From that member's memories, I saw four of them, each in a different town across the country. I've managed to pinpoint two locations, one in Centerville, State C, and one in Keys Town here in State A.
Dana: So you're sending a team to each of those towns?
Ervin: Exactly. Since most of you are tied up with other work, we'll send the kids to investigate. And… (to Dana) I'm sending Kenji as well. Hope you don't mind.
Dana: Sure. Knock yourself out.
Kinara: Solid plan.
Ervin: Yeah… but… (hesitates) Sometimes I wonder if I'm any different from the old guard.
Dana: Huh?
Roshi: What do you mean?
Ervin (sighs): Ever since Adam died, I've been chasing his dream, saving Shadows before they turn into the monsters the world says they are. I thought if I helped enough people, showed them kindness, they'd want to help me spread that kindness and fulfill Adam's vision. But… Arou happened. Despite being with all of us, he still felt alone because no one shared his way of thinking. He never believed in my cause. And maybe… part of the reason he betrayed us is because I pushed my ideals onto him. It makes me wonder if I could have done something differently, if I'm really any different from—
Dana (annoyed, cutting him off): Stop it. I don't want to hear any more of this.
Her sharp tone caught everyone off guard, though the reason wasn't exactly a surprise.
Ervin: "…"
Dana: Are you seriously doing this again? I thought we left this behind 18 years ago. Stop blaming yourself for things outside your control. You're not responsible for Arou's betrayal. At the end of the day, he made the choice to betray us, not you. You've always had this habit of blaming yourself when things don't go the way you want, and honestly, it's one of the things I dislike most about you.
Ervin fell silent, mulling over her words. She was right, he did have that habit. And it was because…
Dana: Ervin, you've always believed in your values, and in your late brother's values. But you can't control the decisions others make. Their choices reflect them, not your failure to save them.
Roshi: So pull yourself together, man. We're going to need you if we're going to make this dream a reality.
Kayomi: (nods in agreement)
Kinara: (half-distracted, gently rubbing her stomach, now showing the curve of her pregnancy)
Ervin straightened slightly, pulling his thoughts back into focus as he stood among them.
*****
Later that day…
Ervin called Kato aside and led him to the training grounds. The late afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the open space, and the faint hum of wind through the nearby trees gave the place a calm atmosphere. Ervin had brought him here for a reason, to talk about the mission to locate and draw out the Kaimi Daja from their hideouts.
He'd expected Kato's reaction to be guarded, maybe even stiff… but…
Kato: Woah! It's like one of those missions you read about in comic books.
Ervin (to himself): This… is not the reaction I was expecting from him… (aloud) So… Do you want to do it? Join the mission, I mean?
Kato: Of course. I already said I was going to do everything possible to take down the Kaimi Daja. And… I'm trying to stay true to myself, so yeah, I'll do it
Ervin couldn't help but feel a small wave of relief. Part of him was glad, Kato seemed to be returning to his old self, or at least something close to it. But then, that familiar feeling of concern crept back into his mind.
Ervin: Kato… why do you want to go after the Kaimi Daja? Is it because you feel like this is the only choice you have?
Kato: (puzzled) Huh? Where's this coming from?
Ervin: I just want to hear your answer.
Kato went quiet. His thoughts drifted back, back to the day he was bitten by the Shadow Bug, the day everything changed. The faces of those he'd met, the moments that had tested him, the pain, the small victories… they all came flooding in. He took a slow, deep breath before speaking.
Kato: I'm doing this because… it's something I choose to do. Back then, I wasn't fully committed, but I am now, thanks to you guys.
Ervin studied him for a moment. Dana's words from earlier that day echoed in his mind, about how people's choices ultimately belonged to them, not to anyone else. A small, genuine smile crossed his face.
Kato: What's with the smile, Mr. Ervin?
Ervin: Oh, it's nothing. So it's settled—you'll be in Group B for the mission in two days.
Kato: Okay!! So… who's in Group B?
Ervin: Roshi and Yamato.
Kato: (cartoonish shock) I'm in Mr. Roshi's group?! And Yamato's there too?!
Ervin: Yeah.
In that instant, Kato imagined a pair of devilish, looming versions of Roshi and Yamato towering over him, smirking ominously. A chill crawled up his spine.
Ervin (laughs)
Kato: (cartoonish face) Can't I… change groups?
Ervin: I'm afraid not.
Kato (gloomy): Oh…
Ervin: (patting him on the back) Don't worry, it'll be fine. Besides, Mira's in your group too.
Kato: (blushing slightly) She is?
Ervin (nods)
Kato (still blushing): Then… I guess it won't be so bad.
Ervin: That's the spirit. You'll be just fine. Just… make sure to keep your God Eye safe. The Kaimi Daja will still be coming after you.
Kato: Roger that. Oh also, which town are we heading to, Mr. Ervin?
Ervin: Your group will be going to Keys Town.
Kato (eyes widening)
Ervin: What's wrong?
Kato: Oh… nothing. It's just… Keys Town is where I grew up.