[Shirou's House — Morning]
[Morning rays slipped through the curtains of Shirou's home, painting the wooden floor in warm amber light. The house, usually quiet, buzzed with chatter and the faint aroma of stew simmering in the kitchen.]
Shirou:opening the front door Alright, you two. Come on in. Don't be shy.
[The twins stepped inside — Aoi and Haruto — their tentative movements betraying years of caution.]
Aoi: softly It's… warm here.
Haruto: looking around Yeah… feels safe.
Shirou: smiling Good. That's the idea.
[From the living room, Mio appeared, eyes wide with excitement. She knelt to their level, reaching out to gently fiddle with their hair.]
Mio: grinning Ohhh, look at you two! So small, so cute… you've gotta let me spoil you a little!
Aoi: blushing, giggling I-If you say so…
Haruto:half-smile, embarrassed Th-thank you…
Ryokou: leaning against the doorway, curious but calm Who are they, Onii-san?
Shirou:gesturing toward the twins These are Aoi and Haruto. I found them last night near the underpass. They needed a place to stay, so… well, here we are.
Shizuka:stepping forward, arms folded lightly Hm… Shirou, why weren't you here last night?
Shirou: sighs, rubbing the back of his neck) …Had to deal with something. SoveCle remnants — the slave trader Roy and his members. It took longer than expected to get them all into police custody. By the time I finished, it was already late.
Mio: softening slightly I see… that explains it.
Shizuka: Why didn't you tell us you were going to a mission? Weren't we a team?
Ryokou: That's right! We were worried where'd you be gone, y'know? Especially Shizuka here, she's the most worried for you since she's your partner.
Shirou: Right... I was going to tell you all but didn't have the time since it was pretty urgent. I'm sorry, everyone, Shizuka.
Shizuka: It's fine, as long as you're alive.
Mio: still fussing with their hair, bouncing slightly Well, you're here now, saved these kids, and that's what matters.
Haruto:looking down, quietly We… we're grateful.
Aoi:nodding, a small smile forming Thank you, Shirou.
Shirou: smiling Don't mention it. You're under my roof now. That makes you part of this place.
Shizuka:smiling faintly Then, welcome… Aoi, Haruto.
[The twins' eyes glimmered softly, reflecting something like relief and belonging. For a brief moment, the world outside felt distant, leaving only the warmth of this new family inside the house.]
[Shibuya Ward Police Investigations Unit HQ
— Afternoon]
[The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow across the bustling Shibuya Ward Police HQ. Officers moved with disciplined purpose, some reviewing evidence, others coordinating over communications.]
Reina:leaning over the digital map table All SoveCle remnants have been accounted for. Roy and his team are en route to the precinct.
Sera:fingers hovering over a tablet, eyes narrowing at the scans …The vault's contents confirm everything we suspected. Their financial and logistical network is extensive — more than we realized.
Ryou:typing rapidly Dispatch confirms the vans are on schedule. Evidence is being cataloged and secured. Officer teams are running perimeter checks around key city sectors, just in case any loose ends surface.
Shin:pointing at the digital map If we assume the Arches have backup plans, their remaining assets are likely clustered near secondary locations — warehouses, shipping hubs, and certain "safe" districts they've historically used.
Reina: nodding Then we need a multi-tiered approach. One team covers high-priority warehouses. Another monitors transportation routes. All communications are logged and coordinated through the central hub.
Sera: tapping her tablet I've cross-referenced the vault data with historical SoveCle activity. There are patterns — shipments, routes, and key personnel movements. If we can predict their next target, we can intercept without direct confrontation.
Ryou: leaning over That also means some officers will have to go undercover in certain areas. We need to identify who has the right cover skills and who can blend in without raising suspicion.
Shin: I can prepare the teams and set up contingency extraction points. If anything goes sideways, we evacuate civilians and secure evidence simultaneously.
Reina:firm, decisive Good. Let's assign tasks. Sera, you coordinate intelligence and pattern tracking. Ryou, supervise communications and field coverage. Shin, manage logistics, equipment, and extraction points. I'll oversee operations and coordinate with command.
Sera: nodding Understood.
Ryou:typing Already sending preliminary assignments to field teams.
Shin: checking the schedules Vehicles, comms, and drones ready. Field teams are on standby.
Reina: folding her arms, surveying the room Remember — we move methodically. The Arches aren't just criminals; they're strategists. We match them in precision, not recklessness.
Sera:quietly, under her breath Then we make sure they never see us coming.
[The room fell into a focused silence. Officers moved efficiently, checking equipment, running simulations, and reviewing data. Every monitor displayed maps, shipment routes, or personnel logs, a testament to the meticulous planning underway.]
Reina: after a pause, eyes sharp This isn't just about intercepting shipments or catching remnants. If we want to dismantle SoveCle for good, we need to hit their foundation — financial, logistical, and personnel. Precision is key.
Ryou:smiling faintly And we've got the numbers and the brains to do it.
Shin:grinning Let's just hope the Arches don't anticipate our next move.
Sera: smirking slightly If they do… we'll be ready anyway.
[Outside, the city lights reflected off the HQ windows, bright against the night. Inside, the team prepared meticulously, each step a calculated move in a larger game of chess — one that would determine the future of Shibuya and the fate of those the Arches sought to control.]
[The fluorescent lights hummed over the busy HQ. Officers typed, called, and coordinated, but the core team gathered around the digital table, focused on the aftermath of the raid.]
Reina: pointing at the scanned ledger from Roy's cellar We've confirmed the hostages. Several remain unidentified, but two juveniles match the recent extraction reports. That's the pair we recovered together.
Sera:frowning, scrolling through the files Right. They're undernourished, shaken, but stable. We need immediate protective measures — trauma care, safe placement, and confidentiality.
Ryou:typing quickly I've flagged Victim Services. Medical units are ready for detailed exams. We'll assign secure temporary housing. Entry names will remain anonymous for now.
Shin: checking logistics Transport is ready. Security is in place for the safe transfer. Evidence protocols are intact — ledger entries, recovered items, and custody logs will be fully tracked.
Reina: folding her arms, firm This is not just procedure. The rescued minors are our responsibility. Protect them first, document second.
Sera: quietly, voice thoughtful We also need to cross-check their ledger IDs with any other entries. There may be more hostages previously overlooked, or connections to prior operations.
Ryou:nodding Already started. So far, no other active entries match the current intel. But I'll continue tracing patterns for any leads.
Shin: looking up All transport routes are secure. Extraction points checked. Officers briefed. Nothing left to chance.
Reina: Good. Prioritize stabilization. Once the children are medically cleared, assign protective placement. Keep communications need-to-know only. Any unnecessary exposure could put them at risk.
[The team moved efficiently. The hum of the HQ machines filled the silence between orders, but the focus was unwavering — each step measured, each decision deliberate. Among the rescued were the twins. Their safety now rested entirely on the team's hands, and every protocol in place reflected that responsibility.]
[Shirou's House — Afternoon]
[The twins' small shoes scuffed softly against the wooden floor of Shirou's house as they followed him inside. Their wide eyes scanned every corner — the living room, the kitchen, the familiar clutter that made a house feel like a home.]
Shirou:crouched to their level
Feel free to treat this place like it's yours. You can play, explore, or just rest. Kei and Ryokou are around if you want company.
Kei: leaping from the couch, cards fanning out in his hands like a magician
Okay, first, you must pick a card. Don't worry — I'll teach you the rules. Or… kinda teach you.
Ryokou:stretching and rubbing her eyes with a grin I'll be the referee. No cheating, Kei. And if anyone cries, I'll smack you hard enough, Kei.
Kei:gulp
Aoi:tilting her head, examining the cards carefully before picking one I… I think I'll start with this one.
Haruto:frowning in concentration, tapping a finger on the table Hmm… I need the strongest card. The strongest… yes, this one.
Kei: clapping his hands
Yes! Look at that! You two are naturals.
Ryokou:leaning closer with a teasing grin
Naturals… at being adorable. Just wait, I'll teach you some sneaky moves next.
Kei: Hey—you told us earlier to be fair and that, and you decided to teach them that?
Ryokou: Relax, Kei. Tricks and cheats aren't the same thing. You're too simple-minded.
Kei: Ouch, that hurt.
Shirou: leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching warmly
This… this is exactly what I hoped for.
Aoi:flopping onto the carpet, carefully arranging her cards like a tiny strategist
I… I didn't think anywhere could feel… safe.
Haruto:curling up next to Ryokou, mimicking her grin but tapping a card on the table impatiently
Yeah… it's fun. Really fun.
Kei: striking a triumphant pose
See! Told you! Welcome to the chaos. You officially survived your first day of Kei's Card School! Diploma coming soon...
Ryokou:rolling her eyes, giggling
Diploma? I'll help you make some then.
[The room filled with tiny footsteps, giggles, and the rustle of playing hands. Aoi's meticulous stacking of cards contrasted with Haruto's restless, energetic tapping, and the difference made Kei and Ryokou laugh harder. Outside, the city's lights glimmered, distant and silent, while inside, warmth and laughter filled the space — a brief reprieve from the chaos they'd all endured.]
[The room hummed with tiny footsteps, giggles, and the rustle of playing hands. Aoi's meticulous stacking of cards contrasted with Haruto's restless, energetic tapping, and the difference made Kei and Ryokou laugh harder.]
Mio: pushing open the door, carrying a bag of groceries with a small smile
Hey, everyone. I brought dinner ingredients. Hope I'm not interrupting the fun.
Shizuka:following closely behind, balancing a box of vegetables and a small loaf of bread
Looks like I'm late too. The place is already buzzing with chaos.
Kei: grinning, holding up a card triumphantly
You're just in time. We're in the middle of the first official match of Kei's Card School.
Ryokou: giggling, pointing at the twins
Aoi and Haruto are doing surprisingly well. Haruto's super intense, and Aoi's like a little strategist.
Aoi: blushing slightly, clutching her cards
I… I'm just careful.
Haruto: bouncing on his knees, eager
Careful is fine, but watch out. I'm going to win next round.
Mio: setting the groceries down and laughing softly
You kids never stop, do you? glancing at the twins, eyes warm
It's good to see everyone so… happy.
Shizuka:kneeling to greet Aoi and Haruto
Welcome. You're safe here, and you can play as much as you want. We'll help with dinner later.
Kei:winking at the twins
See? Even the big sisters approve. Now, ready for round two?
[The room filled with more laughter, chatter, and tiny footsteps. The smell of fresh groceries mingled with the playful energy, and for a brief moment, the chaos outside the city seemed a world away. Inside, the house was alive, warm, and overflowing with life.]
[Underground Chamber — Lab Room]
[The chamber vibrated with low machine hums as the nutrient tank glowed a steady red. Cables pulsed with bioelectric current, feeding into the gigantic body suspended in the fluid.]
[Irisyvell adjusted the holographic interface with quick, precise movements, eyes following the regeneration graphs stabilizing one by one.]
Irisyvell: Muscle grafts at full integration. Neural pathways active. Good.
[Behind her, the speakers crackled.]
Vlad: Progress?
Irisyvell: On target. His body is responding better than projected.
[The tank trembled. A massive arm twitched.]
[Vlad's voice sharpened with interest.]
Vlad: He's waking.
[Irisyvell didn't look away from the data streams.]
Irisyvell: Of course he is. I told you Cycle 1 wouldn't disappoint.
[The chamber lights dimmed.
A chime echoed through the room.]
[GENESIS PROTOCOL — CYCLE 1 COMPLETE.]
[Fluid drained. Restraints unlocked with a heavy series of clanks.]
[Behemoth opened his eyes.]
[A low, vibrating growl filled the chamber as he pushed forward, cracking metal braces like thin ice. The tank door buckled, then burst outward as he stepped onto the platform, water cascading off his reconstructed frame.]
[He breathed once, a deep, earth-shaking inhale.]
[Irisyvell approached, calm as ever.]
Irisyvell: Stand.
[Behemoth rose to his full height, gaze locking onto her.]
Behemoth: …Orders.
[She lifted a hand, hologram shifting to a single red-marked profile.]
Irisyvell: Cycle 1 has one priority target. Retrieve the asset. And if the police get in your way… erase them.
[Vlad's low chuckle slipped through the speaker grid.]
Vlad: This will get interesting.
[Irisyvell lowered the display.]
Irisyvell: Move.
[Behemoth stepped forward. The ground shook.]
Vlad: Now, vigilantes. How can you escape from this? grins widely
[Genesis had officially begun.]