The summer heat lingered even in the sterile corridors of Yokohama Central Hospital. Days of enforced rest had left Akira restless, though his body showed no lingering damage. The Defense Force medics were thorough, too thorough, but eventually even they had to yield. Clear charts, stable vitals, no anomalies—officially, Kurogiri Akira was just another discharged patient.
He wasn't the only one. Kafka Hibino was released that morning, grumbling as he struggled to fold his crumpled clothes back into the plastic bag provided by the ward. Reno Ichikawa trailed after him, pale but smiling faintly, clearly relieved to finally step out of the building. Their pace was slow—Kafka carried himself stiffly, still recovering from his reckless injuries—but their spirits were high.
Akira met them at the front gates, hands shoved in his pockets, posture casual as though he hadn't been under surveillance for weeks. Kikoru Shinomiya stood a step behind him, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"Took you long enough," Akira said.
Kafka let out a laugh, awkward and too loud for the quiet morning. "Hey, healing isn't exactly my specialty. Reno's been babysitting me this whole time."
Reno scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed. "You'd have collapsed twice over if I hadn't, senpai."
The trio shared a glance that carried more weight than their banter implied. They had been through too much already—blood, fire, kaiju screams that still echoed in their ears. Leaving the hospital wasn't just a return to routine. It was a step toward something larger.
[Ravan: Surveillance drones—reduced count. Probability of imminent reassignment: 79%.]
Akira's eyes flicked skyward. The drones were still there, faint glimmers against the morning haze, but fewer than before. A reprieve, not freedom.
The news came swiftly. A Defense Force van rolled to a stop before them, its door sliding open with a hiss. Vice-Captain Soshiro Hoshina leaned casually from the passenger seat, flashing a grin sharp enough to cut steel.
"Morning, kiddos. Hope you're rested up, because playtime's over. The Recruitment Exam starts today."
Kafka froze mid-step. "T-today?! Already?!"
"Yup," Hoshina replied cheerfully. "Orders straight from HQ. With kaiju numbers climbing, they're fast-tracking the selection. Be grateful—you won't have to wait in line."
Reno's shoulders tensed. "So soon…" He turned instinctively to Akira, who only smirked faintly.
"Guess they're impatient," Akira said, slipping into the van without hesitation.
Inside, the atmosphere was charged. Dozens of young candidates had already gathered at Tachikawa Base, the site of the infamous selection trials. Some were restless, bouncing their knees, while others sat rigidly, eyes forward. The air reeked of nerves and ambition.
Kafka, Reno, Akira, and Kikoru filed in with the rest, earning curious glances. Whispers rose quickly.
"Isn't that Shinomiya Kikoru? The Shinomiya heir?"
"And that guy… isn't he the one who fought alongside Vice-Captain Hoshina?"
"He looks too calm…"
Akira ignored them, settling into a seat at the back. Kikoru followed, snapping her glare at anyone foolish enough to stare too long. Kafka hunched awkwardly in the middle row, Reno beside him like an anchor.
[Ravan: Heartbeat analysis—elevated rates detected. Most candidates experiencing acute anxiety. Exception: Host remains stable.]
Akira hid a smile.
When they arrived, Tachikawa Base loomed with its austere walls and sprawling grounds. Hundreds of candidates were assembled already, clad in simple training uniforms. The sun beat down mercilessly, but excitement buzzed through the crowd.
Mina Ashiro watched from an elevated observation deck alongside Hoshina. Her expression betrayed nothing, but her arms were folded tightly.
"This many, and still not enough," she murmured.
Hoshina chuckled lightly, though his eyes were sharp. "You sound almost pessimistic, Captain. Thought you'd be glad to have fresh blood."
"I am. But look at them—barely trained, untested. Most won't survive their first deployment. And yet we have no choice."
Her gaze drifted to the trio below. Kafka's nervous fidgeting was plain, Reno's determined posture a quiet contrast. And then there was Akira, standing with an ease that made him seem almost detached from the noise around him.
"Hoshina," Mina said quietly, "you know what the higher-ups think of Kurogiri. Even cleared, suspicion lingers. If he passes this exam—"
"He will." Hoshina's voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt. "Kid's a monster. But he's our monster."
Mina's lips pressed into a thin line. "That's what worries me."
The candidates snapped to attention as the proctors arrived. A tall officer with a booming voice explained the procedure: physical evaluations first, then weapon compatibility, followed by simulated combat. The rules were simple. Impress them, survive, and you passed.
The physical test began with a sprint across the training grounds. Dust rose as dozens of candidates hurled themselves forward. Kafka lagged almost immediately, his limbs pumping desperately, face twisted in effort. Reno kept pace near the middle, his athleticism honed from training. Kikoru surged ahead effortlessly, her form sharp and precise.
And Akira—
[Ravan: Host performance—optimal. Estimated finish time: 43% faster than average peak.]
He didn't sprint so much as glide. His stride was smooth, efficient, every movement perfectly measured. By the halfway mark, he was already among the leaders. By the finish line, he crossed first, barely breaking a sweat.
Whispers erupted.
"Did you see that?!"
"He didn't even look tired…"
"What the hell is he?"
Kafka stumbled across dead last, collapsing in a heap. Reno bent double, catching his breath but still managing to flash Akira a grin.
"You're insane…" he panted.
Akira only shrugged.
The next test: equipment compatibility. Candidates strapped into Defense Force suits, their synchronization measured by release force percentages. Kikoru's numbers were impressive—close to 50%, enough to mark her as a prodigy. Reno scored 18%, modest but promising. Kafka…
"0%?!"
Gasps spread as the scanner flatlined. Kafka scratched his head nervously, laughing weakly. "Ahaha… must be a glitch?"
[Ravan: Reading accurate. Subject Hibino—abnormal rejection detected.]
Akira's turn came. As the harness locked into place, the scanner pulsed, numbers rising rapidly—30, 40, 70, 90…
"Impossible…" one of the technicians whispered.
The final figure blazed across the display: 99% release value.
The training hall erupted in disbelief. Even Kikoru's eyes widened, though she quickly masked it with a scowl.
Mina and Hoshina exchanged a look from the observation deck.
"There it is again," Mina said quietly. "No ordinary human should reach that."
Hoshina smirked. "Told you. Our monster."
Akira removed the gear calmly, ignoring the stares. Kafka slumped further in his seat, muttering under his breath. Reno watched with open admiration, though a flicker of determination burned behind his eyes.
"I'll catch up to you," he whispered to himself.
The day stretched on into combat simulations—rookies facing off against mechanized kaiju husks. Screams, sweat, and the clang of steel filled the arena.
Akira cut through every trial with surgical precision, never wasting a motion. Reno fought with grit, each stumble followed by a recovery. Kikoru shone with her blade, sharp as the legacy she carried. Kafka… tripped, blundered, nearly got himself crushed more than once.
And yet, somehow, he never gave up.
By the end of the day, exhaustion weighed heavy on most of the candidates. But the trio stood together—flawed, different, but united.
Akira gazed at the field littered with would-be recruits, his voice quiet enough that only his companions heard.
"This is just the beginning."
[Ravan: Prognosis—true trials pending. Selection merely formality.]
Akira's lips curved into a faint smile.
Kafka groaned, clutching his back. "Beginning? I feel like I'm dying already…"
Reno laughed despite himself. Kikoru snorted.
The sun dipped low over Tachikawa Base, painting the horizon red. Above, Mina and Hoshina continued their watch, their thoughts heavy with the knowledge that these rookies would soon face horrors no exam could prepare them for.
And among them, Akira Kurogiri stood at the center, a mystery wrapped in human skin.
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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