Chapter 7 – Shadows of the Past
Kaito stood outside the damp entrance of the nest, the cold night air prickling at his skin. The hum of the city above was a distant reminder of normalcy—a world still unaware of the creeping nightmare lurking beneath their feet.
Beside him, Ryu stretched his arms, a smirk playing on his lips despite the exhaustion. "Not bad for your first real fight, rookie."
Kaito forced a tired smile, but inside, a storm brewed. His mind wasn't on the battle—they were barely safe for now—but on something else. On the weight pressing down in his chest: the gnawing question of why he, an ordinary guy, was dragged into this hell.
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Ghosts at Midnight
As they trudged back through the underground corridors toward Sector Nine's base, Kaito's thoughts drifted to a darker place.
The harsh memory of the night he lost his mother lingered—the only person who'd ever protected him from the shadows that haunted his family. She had been his anchor, the one who believed in him when no one else did. Now, he was alone.
"Hey," Ryu's voice broke through his reverie, "you okay?"
Kaito blinked and shook his head, forcing himself back to the present. "Yeah, just… thinking."
Ryu eyed him with quiet understanding. "You know, everyone here's got their demons. You're not alone."
Kaito nodded slowly. The words felt hollow but somehow comforting.
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A Visit to the Past
The next day, after a brief rest, Kaito found himself wandering toward his old neighborhood. The streets were quiet, bathed in the soft glow of morning sunlight filtering through sakura trees.
He passed the park where he and his mother had spent countless afternoons. The memories flooded back — her gentle smile, the warmth of her hands, the way she'd tell him stories to chase away the darkness.
But the peace was shattered when he spotted a figure leaning against a lamppost—a familiar silhouette.
It was Emi, his ex-girlfriend.
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Bitter Reunion
Emi's eyes lit up with cruel amusement as she spotted him. Beside her stood a tall man, his arm draped possessively around her shoulders.
"Well, well, if it isn't Kaito," Emi said, voice dripping with mockery. "Still chasing shadows, huh?"
Kaito's fists clenched. "What do you want?"
"Oh, nothing much," she replied with a wicked grin. "Just showing off my new boyfriend. He's way better than you — smarter, stronger. Maybe you should quit this bug-hunting nonsense and grow up."
The man laughed, a cold sound that sent a chill down Kaito's spine.
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The Sting of Mockery
Kaito felt the familiar sting of humiliation but kept his composure. "I'm not the one hiding behind someone else."
Emi scoffed. "Whatever, loser."
As they walked away, Kaito's gaze fell on the small charm his mother had given him — the one he always wore around his neck. The charm seemed to pulse faintly, almost alive.
He touched it lightly, a spark of determination igniting within him.
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Return to Duty
Back at Sector Nine, Hana greeted Kaito with a serious look.
"We've received new intel," she said, leading him to the briefing room. "The Swarm's activity is increasing. The Queen's retreat was temporary. They're regrouping."
Ryu appeared behind Hana, arms crossed. "We'll need to strike hard and fast."
Kaito nodded. "I'm ready."
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Preparations and Resolve
That night, Kaito prepared his gear, running through the motions. But beneath the surface, his mind was sharp, focused.
He wasn't just fighting bugs anymore. He was fighting for a future — for the city, for himself, and for the memory of his mother.
As he stepped into the elevator once more, the metallic walls closing in around him, Kaito felt a quiet resolve settle in his heart.
This was just the beginning.
End of chapter 7