Osaka, Japan
Sakura Co.
April 8th, 2023
"This will be your new room from now on. Iris' old room already has a new owner, so the both of you will be sleeping in here tonight," Tsumi said as she led them into a spacious room.
Rika and Iris stepped inside, and their eyes widened in awe at the luxurious interior. The room exuded elegance, adorned with expensive-looking furniture and tasteful decorations. Two separate huge beds offered a comfortable place to rest, and the overall ambiance made it feel like a haven amidst the chaos outside.
Iris wasted no time and quickly sat on one of the beds, and Rika followed suit. As she sat down, Rika reached for Iris' hand, reminding her of their original purpose.
"That's right, I remembered. Tsumi, is the captain present? We need to speak to him," Iris asked, her voice filled with urgency.
"He just left. Why? Is something wrong?" Tsumi inquired, placing the room's keys on a nearby table.
"My friend was kidnapped by a bunch of damned creatures. They were powerful and displayed a high level of intelligence. We need help to find her," Rika replied, her voice steady despite the concern that gnawed at her heart.
Tsumi's eyes widened with concern as she listened to Rika's words. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said sympathetically. "Captain Alrich will return soon, but in the meantime, you can count on the Cat Crusade to help you. We are a team, and we watch out for each other."
Rika nodded in disappointment at the captain's absence, the weight of their urgent mission pressing on her shoulders. Tsumi noticed her reaction and decided to break the tense atmosphere.
"So, where have you been all this time, Iris?" Tsumi inquired, trying to ease the tension.
"After I got separated from the group, the bee damned creature chased after me relentlessly. Thankfully, I bumped into Rika and her friend, Karin, and they helped me," Iris explained, recounting her encounter with the malevolent creature.
"So, you're a mystic too?" Tsumi asked, intrigued by the revelation.
"They don't use the term 'mystics'; they call it 'hosts.' Those who possess inherent powers, chosen by the tales themselves, in contrast to us, who were artificially granted super abilities," Iris clarified, highlighting the distinction between the members of the Cat Crusade and individuals like Rika and Karin.
"What? You never told me about that," Rika exclaimed, her surprise evident.
"You never asked," Iris replied with a playful smile, trying to lighten the mood.
Curiosity piqued, Rika pressed on. "So, what's this about being artificially superpowered?"
"Our captain was a biomechanical engineer before all of this apocalyptic chaos began. He was incredibly accomplished, and when everything fell apart, he decided to use his engineering skills to fight the damned creatures. He ingeniously devised a way to absorb the powers of a damned creature, enhancing himself and a select few of us. With these newfound abilities, we became the mystics that he made us to be," Tsumi explained.
Rika's mind reeled with the implications of their origins. It was a mix of awe and unease, knowing that their powers came from a process not entirely natural. However, the resilience and courage they displayed in their fight against the darkness were admirable.
As the conversation continued, Rika turned her attention to Iris. "I haven't asked you yet, but how did you end up here and get separated from your sister and your team?" she inquired, wanting to understand her friend's journey.
Iris took a deep breath, her gaze reflecting the weight of her memories. "When the darkness overtook our city, we were on a mission, trying to rescue civilians who were trapped. In the chaos, we got separated. Jessie and I were fighting side by side, but then the damned creatures swarmed us, and I lost sight of her," Iris recounted, her voice tinged with sadness.
"We tried to regroup, but it was too chaotic. Eventually, I found myself alone, and I searched everywhere for Jessie and the rest of the team. But the darkness had swallowed them, and I couldn't find any trace of them," Iris continued, her words punctuated by a sense of loss and grief.
Rika's heart ached for her friend, knowing the pain she must have endured during those dark and uncertain times. She reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Iris' shoulder. She understood the importance of finding both Karin and Jessie, and she silently vowed to help Iris reunite with her sister and bring her back safely.
"I'm so sorry," Rika said softly, offering her support and empathy.
"I never gave up hope, and when I saw you and Karin, it felt like a sign. I knew I had to protect her, no matter what," Iris said, her determination resurfacing.
"We will find her," Rika said firmly, feeling a sense of resolve strengthening within herself. "With the Cat Crusade's help, we'll confront the darkness and bring Karin and Jessie back."
Tsumi, who had been listening attentively, spoke up, her voice filled with conviction. "You can count on all of us. We're like family here, and we look out for one another. We won't rest until we bring your sister and teammate back to safety."
Rika turned her attention to Tsumi, still consoling Iris. "What's your story too, Tsumi?" she asked, genuinely interested in learning more about her new ally.
"I worked here with my husband. We had a kid, and we adopted him from the orphanage when he was young. We nurtured him until he became about your age. Then, when all of this happened, my husband and I were on our shifts. We tried to go back to our home and look for our son, but the damned creatures blocked our path. My husband fell while trying to save me from the damned, so I decided to become a mystic and asked for the captain's help. Two days later, my son appeared in front of me with his friends. Then they left with the captain, turns out my son wanted to be a mystic too," Tsumi explained, her voice tinged with both sorrow and pride.
"Shino came here?" Iris asked, surprised. "The Mitsuya family is now reunited!"
Rika was flustered by what she had heard. The name "Shino" was familiar to her, and now it seemed that this woman she had just met was Shino's mother.
'They knew Shino? Looks like she's his mother,' Rika thought, piecing the puzzle together.
"Perhaps the Shino you've mentioned had a man with black hair and blue eyes, slightly shorter than him, and a woman with purple hair and purple eyes, same height as the man before, together with Shino?" Rika asked, trying to confirm her suspicion.
"You also know Mike and the girl? How do you know them, and what's your relationship with them?" Tsumi asked, taken slightly aback by Rika's knowledge.
"They're my friends," Rika explained with a fond smile. "Together with Karin, who's been taken by the damned, all of us go to the same university. We've been inseparable before all of this chaos happened."
Tsumi nodded, understanding the deep bond that Rika shared with her friends. "Do you know where they are now?" Rika asked anxiously, hoping for any information about her missing friends.
"Shino asked our captain to help him gain some powers too. They should be returning by now. We can wait just a little longer, and I'm sure you can be reunited with your friends too. Then, we can all look for your other friend, Karin's, whereabouts. I'm glad my son had wonderful friends like you," Tsumi replied, her voice filled with reassurance.
"I know Alice and Mike were strong people; I've witnessed their powers firsthand. I hope they come back soon," Rika said with a mix of hope and worry.
As they waited for Shino, Alice, and Mike's return, the room became a hub of activity. The members of the Cat Crusade prepared for the upcoming mission, honing their skills and strategizing their next move.
Rika found herself drawn to Tsumi, intrigued by the woman's resilience and determination. They spent time sharing stories of their past adventures, and Tsumi regaled Rika with tales of her son's courage and kindness.
"He's always been brave, even when he was just a child. Shino would stand up for others without hesitation. That's why I'm not surprised he wanted to become a mystic too, to protect those he cares about," Tsumi said with a mixture of pride and fondness.
As the conversation continued, Rika found herself captivated by the history of the Cat Crusade and the formidable Captain Alrich. Tsumi's storytelling painted vivid pictures of their past battles and the bonds that had formed between the members of the team. The group's unity seemed unbreakable, forged through their shared experiences and the common goal of protecting their city from the encroaching darkness.
As Tsumi, Rika, and Iris shared stories of their adventures and experiences with the damned creatures, the room was filled with a sense of camaraderie and understanding. Despite the dire circumstances they faced, they found solace in each other's company, knowing that they were not alone in their fight against the darkness.
Amidst the resonance of rain and thunder outside, the door of the tall building creaked open. As they turned their attention towards the entrance, their excitement turned to concern as they saw Shino struggling to carry an injured man, his dark hair soaked with rain.
"Shino! Captain Alrich!"