As Kaito and Aria found themselves enveloped in the serene tranquility of the moment, the gentle rustle of sakura leaves overhead provided a soothing backdrop to their contemplations. With a heavy sigh, Kaito expressed his frustrations, his voice tinged with resignation. "Let's just stay here for a little longer and relax," he murmured, a hint of weariness evident in his tone.
Aria, ever attuned to Kaito's moods, simply nodded in silent agreement, her presence serving as a source of comfort amidst the tumultuous thoughts that plagued his mind. Together, they allowed themselves to be engulfed by the serenity of their surroundings, seeking solace in the fleeting moments of peace that remained amidst the chaos that gripped their world.
Minutes passed in blissful silence, the soft rustle of sakura leaves serving as a gentle reminder of the ephemeral beauty that surrounded them. With each passing moment, the tension that had weighed heavily upon Kaito's shoulders seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm that washed over him like a gentle wave.
However, amidst the tranquility of their respite, Kaito's thoughts inevitably returned to the harsh reality that awaited him beyond the confines of their sanctuary. With a heavy heart, he voiced his inner turmoil, his words laden with the weight of his burdens. "Ugh... I hate this situation," he lamented, his frustration palpable in the air.
Aria, ever the voice of reason, sought to assuage Kaito's concerns, her gaze filled with empathy and understanding. "What do you mean?" she inquired softly, her tone gentle and reassuring.
Kaito hesitated for a moment, grappling with the tangled web of emotions that threatened to engulf him. "Ryouichi will definitely ask me countless times to fight against Enishi, again," he admitted, his voice tinged with a sense of resignation.
Aria listened attentively, her heart aching for the burden that Kaito carried upon his shoulders. Sensing his distress, she offered him a lifeline amidst the tempest of his thoughts. "You should forget about this for a little, if it'll make you less tense," she suggested, her words infused with a sense of quiet wisdom.
In the tranquil embrace of their sanctuary, Kaito and Aria found solace in each other's presence, their bond strengthened by the shared struggles they faced. And as they lingered in the gentle embrace of the sakura trees, they allowed themselves to be enveloped by the fleeting moments of peace that remained.
As Kaito and Aria lounged in the peaceful ambiance of their surroundings, their moment of tranquility was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of an imposing figure. With a sharp haircut and a commanding presence, the man approached them with an air of authority that demanded attention.
"Stand up, both of you," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. Kaito, taken aback by the sudden intrusion, hesitated for a moment before questioning the man's demand. "What? Why?" he inquired, his confusion evident in his voice.
Unfazed by Kaito's resistance, the man reiterated his directive with a sense of urgency. "Just do what I say," he insisted, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. Sensing the tension in the air, Aria placed a reassuring hand on Kaito's arm, silently urging him to comply.
But Kaito, ever defiant, refused to yield without further explanation. "No," he stated firmly, his resolve unwavering. "Unless you give me more information about yourself, I won't do anything."
The man, identified as Ren, sighed in exasperation at Kaito's insistence on transparency. "I'm Ren (蓮夢)," he finally divulged, his words carrying the weight of authority. "I was sent by the Divine Council."
Kaito's brow furrowed in confusion at the mention of the "Divine Council," a term he had never encountered before. "What's the 'Divine Council'?" he pressed, his curiosity piqued by Ren's cryptic revelation.
Ren, however, remained tight-lipped, unwilling to divulge further details. "It's not mandatory for you to know that," he replied cryptically, his expression unreadable.
"Eh?" Kaito exclaimed, frustration creeping into his voice as he struggled to make sense of Ren's enigmatic response.
"In short, we're good," Ren offered by way of explanation, though his words did little to assuage Kaito's lingering doubts. Despite the reassurance, Kaito couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over him in Ren's presence.
As the standoff between Kaito and Ren continued, Aria cast a worried glance between the two men, sensing the tension that hung heavy in the air. With each passing moment, the uncertainty of their situation loomed larger, casting a shadow over their once peaceful retreat.
Caught between curiosity and caution, Kaito grappled with the decision before him. Should he trust Ren and comply with his demands, or stand firm in his refusal until he received satisfactory answers?
"Where are we going?" Kaito questioned, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Ren's response, however, offered little in the way of clarity. "I've come here with a helicopter," he stated matter-of-factly, his words failing to address Kaito's query directly.
Unsatisfied with Ren's evasive answer, Kaito pressed for further clarification, seeking to unravel the mystery surrounding their unexpected encounter. "I may want to reinterpret that," he began, his tone tinged with frustration. "I wasn't asking with what we'll be traveling, but where will we—"
Before Kaito could finish his sentence, Ren interjected, cutting him off mid-thought. "I know what you meant," he asserted, his voice leaving no room for argument. "You interpreted it fine. I was just informing you about the way we'll be traveling."
Though Ren's explanation did little to assuage Kaito's confusion, the latter reluctantly acquiesced, conceding defeat in the face of Ren's unwavering certainty. "Okay," he conceded, his tone resigned. "But where will we be going?"
Ren's response, when it came, offered a semblance of clarity amidst the swirling uncertainty. "Fukushima, Iwaki," he revealed, his words laden with significance. "You'll be part of the special division of the Eclipse Brigade, under my command."
Aria, too, sought clarification about her role in Ren's plans, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Me too..?" she ventured, her gaze shifting between Ren and Kaito in search of answers.
Ren's reply, however, offered little reassurance, his tone tinged with a hint of indifference. "I didn't receive much information about you," he admitted, his words tinged with an air of dismissal. "But some higher-ups have something planned for you—special training of some sort."
As Ren's words sank in, Aria couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment at the prospect of being relegated to a secondary role. "Meh," Ren continued, his tone casual. "They just want you to do that because you're close with Kaito."
The revelation left Aria feeling conflicted, torn between her desire to contribute meaningfully and the realization that her role was determined more by circumstance than by merit. As Ren laid out the details of their mission, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that she was being sidelined, her potential overlooked in favor of proximity to Kaito.