Mira quietly stepped into Takumi's room. The soft beeping of the EKG greeted her like a fragile heartbeat echoing in the silence. She moved to his side and gently took his hand.
"Takumi... I wanted to tell her you're alive. I really did..." Her voice cracked. "...But I can't. Not yet."
Heavy guilt on her chest. The image of Yuki smiling through pain seared itself into her mind.
"She's hurting, Takumi. But she's still standing strong… for you. And somehow, that makes it worse."
Mira wiped away her tears and took a deep breath, steadying herself before continuing.
"The elites are giving their speech tomorrow night. I've been assigned to the mission. I won't be here with you... but while I'm gone, please—get better. Not for me. For Yuki-chan."
She paused, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead.
"I spoke to her. Woman to woman. Heart to heart. And now I understand why you wanted to protect her. She's been holding onto you with everything she has. She still believes you're right there beside her, Takumi."
Her voice trembled.
"Can you do something for me? When you wake up... please, go to her. Don't let her keep waiting in the dark. I'll go with you. I'll explain everything. But she deserves to see you again."
Mira rested her head beside his on the bed.
"I'm sorry for asking so much. I know I'm not the girl you chose... but that's okay. Just knowing you're alive—that's enough for me."
She whispered, almost to herself now, "But for now... let me stay by your side again."
Mira stayed like that through the night, her hand gently holding his hand, never letting go.
The first light of dawn crept into the room. Mira stood, brushing her hair back as she stole one last glance at him.
"See you soon, Takumi," she whispered, then turned to prepare for the mission ahead.
"For her... please, come back."
Monday Morning – Edenfall Headquarters, Meeting Room
Raizen stood at the head of the room, facing the gathered Edenfall members.
"As you all know, the news has already spread. Nations across the world will broadcast the speech tonight. According to Edenfall HQ in the U.S., the global announcement begins at 9 a.m. their time—so roughly 10 p.m. for us here in Japan."
He turned toward the head of media.
"Hinami, status of public reaction?"
Hinami Yukishiro adjusted her tablet. "Yes, sir. Regarding the speech—local netizens are planning a large protest at Shibuya Crossing. It's expected to begin around 6 p.m. and may continue until the end of the broadcast."
She scrolled further. "As for the mission you assigned me—regarding 'the breach'—I've been tracking online discussions and activity. Their numbers are still growing. Not just in Japan, but globally. They're planning a massive breach of the Antarctic ice wall... forming independent groups under various flags. However, with the United Nation speech incoming, it seems many are waiting to see what the elites will reveal first."
Raizen narrowed his eyes. "And the deniers?"
"They're still vocal online, sir. Many still dismiss Antarctica as fiction or conspiracy... but the government seems to have stopped suppressing any them. Possibly because the movement has grown too large to silence."
"Good work, Hinami," Raizen nodded. "So even the breach groups are holding back for now... Give me the numbers. What's the size range from smallest to largest?"
"Yes, sir. The smallest group I've found numbers around 300 people. The largest—about 10,000... under a single flag."
"Ten thousand... from just one group?" Raizen muttered.
"Yes, sir. We haven't tallied the full total of every countries yet."
Hinami continued, "But based on my rough calculations, there are approximately 500,000 people preparing to breach Antarctica—each with their own group, flag, and origin."
The room fell silent.
Even Mira, Ayato, and Utsushi were visibly surprised.
Raizen finally spoke. "Depending on what the elites reveal tonight... those numbers may drop from fear—or explode tenfold if the truth is confirmed."
He turned sharply. "Rikuya. Souta. Prepare weapons, logistics, and transport. Something is coming."
"Already in place, sir," Rikuya replied.
"Understood," Souta added.
Raizen looked to the three in front of him. "Mira. Ayato. Utsushi. You're assigned to observe Shibuya Crossing tonight. As I said before—bring weapons too if needed."
He paused, his voice calm but resolute. "You three have the highest survival rate among us. If anything goes wrong—report back immediately."
"Understood, sir," Utsushi said with a calm smile, closing his eyes.
"Yes, Takamura-dono," Mira said firmly.
"Alright, Master," Ayato grinned.
Raizen nodded. "Rikuya and Souta already arranged weapons and vehicles for your mission. Ayato will take command."
He took one last look around the room.
"Whatever they announce tonight—whether it's suppression or truth—it will change the world forever. Be prepared, my comrades."
He stood, voice rising slightly.
"Until then... thank you. Meeting adjourned."
"Yes, sir!" the group echoed in unison.
Raizen turned and left the room.
People who start moving.
Afternoon, in front of the Hanazawa residence. Arisuke stood before the door, his heart heavier than his steps. He rang the bell.
"Ah, Arisuke… come in," Yuki's mother greeted gently, stepping aside.
"Is she still...?"
She nodded, a quiet sadness behind her eyes.
"Yes. We've tried talking to her, but... she's still lost in herself."
"I think I've given her enough space for now," he said softly. "May I see her?"
Her mother walked over to Yuki's door, knocking gently.
"Dear... could you—"
"Yes, Mom." Yuki's voice was flat, distant.
She opened the door, her expression unreadable, and walked toward the living room.
"Takumi… please lend me your strength," she whispered in her mind, fingers brushing the bracelet on her wrist.
Arisuke stood as she entered.
"Yuki-chan…"
"Yes?" she replied with a cold calm.
"I'm sorry," he said, eyes pleading. "For being a coward. For failing to protect you. I'm truly—"
"I know," she interrupted, her voice steady but void.
"But it's still hard to forgive you. Just seeing you... drags me back to that night."
He fell to his knees before her, desperation flooding his words.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please, Yuki-chan... forgive me."
"What do you want from me?" she asked plainly.
"Come back," he said. "I can't keep living like this… without you. Alone."
"Why should I?" Her eyes narrowed. "To be caged again?"
"No—never again," he said quickly. "I promise, I'll listen more. I'll give you the freedom you deserve. I'll never try to control you again… Please come back. I'll become a better man—for you."
He took a breath, voice lowering.
"Tonight… the United Nations will make their announcement. I fear the world may change after this. If you're far away and something happens… I won't be able to protect you."
"...Alright," Yuki said at last. Her voice didn't soften. "I'll come back."
Again, inside her mind "Takumi… please, stay with me. Give me your strength."
"Thank you... honey," Arisuke said, trying to smile through his tears. "Thank you for forgiving me. I'll change—I swear I will."
He pulled her into a hug. But Yuki didn't return it.
She moved back in with him at the Kirishima residence.
Arisuke had her—but not her heart.
On the way back to the Kirishima residence, Arisuke kept trying to make conversation. But every attempt was met with silence—or flat, lifeless responses. Her gaze never left the car window.
Outside, the streets thickened with people as they approached Shibuya Crossing. A restless sea of protestors spilled onto the roads, forcing traffic into a crawl.
Voices echoed in waves from the crowd ahead.
Signs waved above heads, fists pumped the air, and the anger in their chants pierced through the glass like cold wind.
"Tell us the truth!"
"The economy is falling—everything's too expensive!"
"Young people have no future!"
"We are human, not cattle!"
"Free us!"
Military and riot police were already forming lines. Shields up, eyes forward.
On the way back to the Kirishima residence, Arisuke kept trying to make conversation. But every attempt was met with silence—or flat, lifeless responses. Her gaze never left the car window.
Outside, the streets thickened with people as they approached Shibuya Crossing. A restless sea of protestors spilled onto the roads, forcing traffic into a crawl.
Voices echoed in waves from the crowd ahead.
Signs waved above heads, fists pumped the air, and the anger in their chants pierced through the glass like cold wind.
"Tell us the truth!"
"The economy is falling—everything's too expensive!"
"Young people have no future!"
"We are human, not cattle!"
"Free us!"
Military and riot police were already forming lines. Shields up, eyes forward.
Among the chaos, masked, blended into the crowd. Ayato Kurasaki.
"How's the view up there, Mira?" Ayato's voice crackled through the earpiece.
Somewhere above, from the rooftop of a tall building overlooking the crossing, Mira peered through her binoculars, cloak fluttering in the wind.
"People are pouring in. So are the guards," she replied. "But it's still... stable. For now."
"Stay sharp, Mira," Ayato said. "Utsushi-kun, your status?"
Inside a cafe, Utsushi sat in disguise—suit, tie, briefcase by his side. He sipped coffee like a salaryman on break.
"Still calm here. Folks not joining the protest are just hanging out. Workers, students—life goes on like nothing's happening."
"Keep your eyes open. Both of you," Ayato ordered.
"OK," Mira replied.
"Alright," Utsushi said with a relaxed grin.
Ayato himself was embedded among the protestors, a hood pulled over his head, hands in his pockets.
Mira remained the eye in the sky—ever watchful.
Utsushi, unnoticed among the indifferent.
Silence before the storm.