Kibishi's POV
"Okay, everyone! We're going to give you the locations of your new homes! Please be patient as we hand out the keys and gifts to each and every one of you," Akuma announced.
As if on cue, the group of soldiers began handing out the keys and gifts. There were different reactions to this—some were happy, some were confused, and some were mad for some weird reason.
Either way, they were delivering what they had promised.
I continued to observe my surroundings, sensing that this would change our lives forever. And while that was good in itself, it didn't change our current situation...
"Well, as much as it's good that we're getting a pce to call home, I doubt this would be enough to remove the trauma and scars left in their minds," David said seriously.
"...Yeah. And if you're saying that without your usual jokes, then you must be taking this seriously. Not that I wanted to doubt you in the first pce," Riley replied, looking at the ground with an expression of sorrow and a hint of regret.
"Agreed. David's personality aside, that's the one thing he and I have in common. We're still thinking about the aftereffects of the sughter of humanity, starting from our city." I pced my hands in my jacket. "There's no way these scars would go away so easily. No matter how much they tried to cover it..."
"I-I'm sure that wasn't their intention..." Riley suggested.
"True, but I wholeheartedly agree with Kishi and David here. Sooner or ter, they would realize this if they didn't watch their backs." Tao raised her index finger with a calm expression. "That said, I don't think it's out of the question that they had a pn of some kind."
"Indeed. There's more to it than this, I bet. At least, I'm hoping so." David sighed deeply and looked to the right. "Well, there's nothing to do but wait for something to happen."
"Right," I nodded.
As much as it pained me to admit it, without the right tools or motivation, even if we tried to counter the Forbiddens, we would be as good as dead. By some miracle, I had managed to escape death twice—once in my childhood and again in this current situation. Back in the cell, I had survived alongside Tao.
Well, it didn't matter at this point. I would try my best not to be hard-headed, but if I knew myself, that would likely be the case if Tao or my other friends were in danger.
It was like a switch.
Once it was flipped for the first time, it could never be turned off for good. Flicking up or down whenever my instincts sensed danger.
Almost like an arm in my head, ringing whenever threats were near.
Here's to hoping that it wouldn't happen often, though.
Step. Step.
A couple of footsteps drew my attention back to reality. When I turned to see who had approached, I saw that it was Akuma.
"Ah, it looks like I caught you guys just in time! Thank goodness!" Akuma said cheerfully.
"In time?" I tilted my head.
"A-ah, well, you see, you four always talk among yourselves, so I figured I'd give you some space. And as much as I know, you all still need to get used to the city, I'm here to personally give you these!" Akuma, despite her nervousness at the beginning of her sentence, handed each of us gifts and keys.
When I got a good look at them, I realized something.
"Huh? These keys don't look the same as the ones you gave to the other prisoners."
"Hey, you're right. They're totally different!" Riley added.
"What does this mean, Akuma?" Tao asked curiously.
"Well, I've been thinking and decided on something. I want you guys to come with us!" Akuma beamed at us.
"Go with you guys where?" David scratched his head in confusion.
"To help defend humanity, of course!"
"..." I raised my brow in shock.
"..." Tao, David, and Riley did the same.
And as if in unison, the four of us shouted:
"You want us to do WHAT?!"
"Shh! Be quiet!" Akuma pced her index finger to her lips.
"S-sorry! But there are loads of questions I need to ask!" David, though panicking, tried his best not to show it.
"I agree with David. What's with the sudden invitation?"
Akuma's expression turned worried before she nodded.
"Listen, it was a hard decision to make. At first, the original pn was to take in only Kibishi and Taoreta—our organization pys a role in all of this."
"An organization?" Riley asked, sweating with a nervous smile.
"That's right. It's rare, but we sometimes recruit people with supernatural abilities to help our branch. That's where you four come in."
Akuma raised her index finger with a serious expression and continued.
"I'd expin more, but now isn't the time. Don't worry—you four will be taken care of, so there's no need to panic."
Akuma gave us a wink, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"So, what do you say? Will you join?"
"..." All four of us fell silent.
Akuma scratched her head nervously.
"Yeah, I know. It's a lot to take in. Well, I'll let you guys think about it—"
"I'm willing to tag along," David interrupted, his arms folded, his expression serious.
"Really?" Akuma's eyes widened.
"That's only if my friends agree, though."
"Ah, I see." Akuma nodded, then looked at the three of us. "Well, what do you guys think?"
"Umm..." Riley scratched her hair, closing one eye. "Not that I mind, but I don't want to go along if any of us are against it."
"Right. Riley's got a point. We don't do things unless we all agree. We've been like that ever since our imprisonment," David said.
"Indeed. How about you, Tao?" Riley looked at Tao.
"..." Tao's expression remained serious as she thought hard. The silence stretched, feeling like forever before she spoke. Not that I bmed her—this offer had come out of nowhere. I knew Akuma had her reasons, but we needed to think carefully and—
Ah!
I raised my brows in shock, then pced my finger under my chin.
Wait...
Maybe this could be a good thing...
Yes. It could.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Kibishi?" Tao's voice was deeper, signaling her resolve.
"Yeah. If it's the same thing, then..."
And as if on cue—
"We'll both join the battle for the human race," Tao and I said in unison.
