The hospital room had grown quieter after their grim talk about the flesh-eating kaiju. Even Kafka, usually a fountain of nervous chatter, had fallen silent. The weight of what they'd witnessed — of what might be coming — clung to the air like static.
Kikoru Shinomiya broke the silence first. Her arms were folded tightly across her chest, her eyes sharper than any scalpel. "You knew."
Akira tilted his head from where he reclined against the pillow. "Knew what?"
"That it wasn't a normal kaiju," she pressed, leaning forward. "You spoke like you'd expected it. Like this wasn't the first time you'd seen something like it."
Reno's arms tightened across his chest. "She's right. You're too calm about this. People were eaten alive, Kurogiri. And you just… nod like it's nothing."
Kafka shifted uneasily between them. "Guys—"
"No." Kikoru's voice cut like glass. "Answer us. What else do you know?"
Akira met her gaze evenly. His lips curved into the faintest smile, but his eyes gave nothing away. "Suppose I told you that kaiju aren't finished evolving. That the one in Kawasaki was just the beginning of a pattern. Would you believe me?"
Kikoru's eyes widened, then narrowed with suspicion. "Why didn't you report this?!"
[Ravan: Advisory—probability of Shinomiya escalation = 81%. Suggest calculated provocation to destabilize target.]
Akira let the smirk deepen. "Because no one in your Defense Force would listen. They already suspect I'm more kaiju than human. If I'd spoken up, I'd be in a lab by now."
That silenced even Reno.
Kikoru's knuckles whitened on her arms. She'd idolized the Defense Force since childhood, had staked her pride and future on its strength. Hearing someone dismiss it so casually lit a fire under her composure. "You're arrogant."
Kafka fumbled for words. "Akira… maybe she's right. The Defense Force is cautious, but they—"
Akira cut him off smoothly. "Tell me, Kikoru. Do you think the Defense Force is ready for monsters that adapt, that hunt instead of destroy?"
She faltered — just for a heartbeat. Then she drew herself up proudly. "If they aren't, I'll make them ready."
[Ravan: Shinomiya emotional spike detected. Hostility channeled into determination. Useful trait. Recommend further testing.]
Akira chuckled softly. "That's a good answer."
Then his smirk sharpened, voice carrying just enough weight to sting.
"But here's the thing. If Mina Ashiro is really the paragon you all worship, then she should know when she's wrong. A true leader admits mistakes. So yes — if she wants me to trust her, she can start by apologizing to me personally."
The room froze.
The conversation didn't stay private.
Across Tachikawa Base, live feeds carried every word, projected onto surveillance monitors. Officers clustered around the screens, muttering under their breath.
Kaori Kozunugi pinched the bridge of her nose. "Unbelievable. The kid talks like he's briefing subordinates. And he dares to drag Captain Mina's name into this mess?"
A younger lieutenant slammed his fist on the desk. "Kurogiri should be restrained. The audacity—to imply our Captain owes him anything—!"
Murmurs rippled through the control room. To question Mina Ashiro was bad enough; to demand an apology was blasphemy.
Soushiro Hoshina leaned casually against the wall, his trademark crooked grin playing across his lips. "He's got guts, I'll give him that. Not many patients in a hospital gown would pick a fight with the Defense Force's pride."
All eyes slid toward Mina Ashiro, standing at the center of the room. Arms folded, expression unreadable, she listened without interruption.
"Captain," Kozunugi said cautiously, "shall we mute the feed? His provocations don't merit—"
"No." Mina's voice was calm, but final. "I'll handle it."
Back in the hospital room, Kafka was sweating bullets. "Uh, Akira… maybe you shouldn't joke about Mina like that. She's kind of… untouchable, you know?"
Akira stretched lazily, eyes half-lidded. "If she's truly untouchable, she won't care what I say."
Kikoru's fists trembled at her sides. "You don't understand. Captain Mina isn't just strong — she's the standard we all aim for. To demand she apologize to you is…" She trailed off, teeth clenched, searching for words strong enough. "…insulting."
Reno's sharp eyes narrowed further. "Are you baiting her? Or are you baiting us?"
Akira only smiled.
[Ravan: Host provocations successful. Group agitation level = high. Risk of premature exposure = 41%. Recommending restraint.]
For once, Akira didn't reply aloud. His silence said enough.
The tension was thick enough to cut with a blade. Kafka glanced nervously between them, looking like he'd rather be scrubbing kaiju guts than sitting in this crossfire. "Seriously, you guys are going to give me a stomach ulcer."
Then the door opened.
Boots echoed against the linoleum.
Mina Ashiro stepped into the room clad in full battle gear, her presence filling the space instantly. She didn't need to raise her voice; authority radiated from the precise way she moved, the chill steadiness in her gaze.
The fruit basket, the bandages, the petty arguments — all of it seemed trivial against her shadow.
Kafka shot to his feet, nearly knocking over the chair. "C-Captain Mina!"
Kikoru straightened so quickly her chair scraped against the floor, her face flushing red. Even Reno stiffened, jaw tightening as though bracing for impact.
Only Akira didn't move. He sat upright, smirk tugging faintly at his lips, meeting her gaze with calm defiance.
[Ravan: Alert—threat level elevated. Subject Mina Ashiro: Liberation rate 96%. Recommended host response = composed silence.]
Mina's eyes didn't waver as she crossed the room. She stopped just short of his bed, the air taut as a drawn blade.
When she spoke, her voice was steady, commanding, but devoid of emotion:
"Akira Kurogiri — if you can prove you're human, I'll apologize personally."
The words struck like a gunshot.
Kafka's jaw fell open. Reno's fists clenched tighter. Kikoru stared in shock, unable to reconcile her idol's presence with the impossible statement she'd just made.
And Akira? His smirk sharpened, eyes glinting as Ravan's voice whispered in his mind.
[Ravan: Challenge detected. Directive established — prove humanity. Stakes elevated.]
The storm outside the window seemed to echo the storm inside the room.
The game had changed.
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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