It was an ordinary day. After what happened with Natsumi, it was like everything was back to normal. Natsumi went to my desk and talked to me as if nothing had happened. If only they knew that I was still, in fact, part of the Young Killers gang.
"Hey, Hiro! I wanted to introduce you to some friends!"
Natsumi said.
"This is Akito. He's part of the video game club. He knows all about games!"
Natsumi said as she pointed at him. He looked back.
"Oh hey, Hiro right? Nice to meet you."
Akito said. I waved back at him.
"And this is Yuzuki! She likes modeling! She got me into fashion."
Natsumi said, smiling at Yuzuki.
"Hey. You can call me Yuzu."
Yuzu said in a monotone voice. I nodded in acquaintance.
Something was strange. A lot of students were missing today. Ichiro hadn't arrived. Our sensei was also not present. Maybe a lot of people got sick? There were only six of us. The other two students were Hachiro and Kenji, both athletes.
Suddenly, I could hear someone running through the hallway. Rushing.
Someone banged open the door. Everyone looked in confusion. It was Haruna, the class president.
"Everyone! Stand up! We have visitors!"
Haruna ordered.
We complied, as we are forced to receive visitors with respect. Everybody in the classroom looked perplexed, as I was.
Two men wearing suits entered the classroom. One was holding some papers and the other a briefcase.
"Hello, students. We are officials of the Self-Defense Force. You might ask yourselves of our arrival here. We are here to inform you of a confidential program that we have been tasked to present to you all."
Everyone looked at each other. What were these government officials doing here in a high school?
"Our nation is in peril. As are many others. Not many people know about this, but the world is nearing its end. Global warming and the lack of resources worsen every day. Soon, society will not be able to function properly. And with this, a man named Aleksander Antonov will take advantage of this. In his home country of Russia, he is persuading others, including his own government, that taking over other countries' resources will ensure they will survive. This might ignite a Third World War."
Said the official.
I hadn't heard of these remarks on the news. Or anywhere. This must be top-secret information. But, why would they share this with us? Some random high school students? They must want something from us.
"As a preemptive measure, the Self-Defense Force has decided to create the War-Knight Division. A division of the army which consists of conscripted young citizens who are highly trained and use technologically advanced weapons."
As the official finished explaining, the other interrupted.
"We hereby announce to you that all of you have been selected to become War-Knights. Dominators of the battlefield."
The entire classroom went quiet. We were shocked. No one could've expected this.
"You will all begin training immediately and will continue receiving your education in our facilities. There are no exceptions or excuses. This is for the good of our nation. Any questions?"
The official remarked.
"I do. Are we just supposed to leave everything we've worked on behind because of some guy in Russia thinks he's a movie villain? It's not fair."
Responded Kenji to the official.
"We're sorry, but it's your duty. All of you were selected in the draft. It's a compulsory service."
Said the official.
I looked over at Natsumi. She was terrified. As well as Yuzu and Akito. Kenji and Hachiro were distraught. Haruna was overwhelmed. No one was expecting to be selected to become some kind of future soldier or something. Especially being informed here, in our classroom.
"Come tomorrow as usual to this school. Then, we will be taking all of you to our facilities. DO NOT tell anyone about this. Not even your parents. You will face serious consequences if you do. That is all."
One of the officials said.
They bowed and walked away.
We all looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
"This is bull…"
Hachiro said before being interrupted by Haruna.
"We just have to accept our fate, guys. We pulled the short end of the stick."
Haruna said while looking at the floor, hiding her face.
I felt like we weren't chosen at random. Haruna had great leadership skills. Natsumi was very smart. Akito probably knew how to program or solve puzzles. Yuzu was good at making clothes and designing. Kenjia and Hachiro were physically strong. They probably knew of my fighting skills, so they picked me. They probably observed us from afar.
I managed to speak.
"They didn't select us randomly. We all have our skills. They chose us for our abilities."
I said.
"Your right. But did they choose other people, other than us?"
Natsumi asked in her shocked state.
"They probably did. We aren't alone. There will be other students like us as well."
Said Akito.
"Then let's stick for each other. As classmates."
Said Haruna, trying to spark hope.
I felt indifferent. I never really thought about my future. Maybe this was my fate all along. But I knew everyone has hopes and dreams. Now that I knew what I was good for, perhaps this was my place to be. I contemplated what would happen in the next 24 hours. What would our lives lead to? In the end, my thoughts laid thinking about Young Killers, and how this was my chance to change.