The group sat together in the spacious living room of the bunker, the tension from the day's events finally beginning to dissipate. Ashiro shifted uncomfortably in his seat, wearing a set of Suguru's slightly loose clothes. The soft hum of the bunker's technology filled the room, providing a comforting backdrop to the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold.
Lady Naga leaned forward in her chair, her sharp eyes locking onto Shikaku's. "We need to discuss Ashiro," she began, her tone steady but firm.
Shikaku, seated on the edge of the couch with his arms crossed, glanced briefly at Ashiro before turning back to Lady Naga. "What about him?"
"He needs a weapon. A bio-weapon," Lady Naga said matter-of-factly. The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to Ashiro.
Ashiro straightened his back nervously under their collective gaze. "I've been thinking," he began, his voice steady despite his nerves. "After watching both Ino and Shikaku fight, I've decided that dual blades would suit me best. They were… inspiring, to say the least."
Ino, lounging with her legs crossed on the arm of the couch, smirked at the mention of her name. "Flattering, but dual blades aren't just for show, kid. They require precision and skill," she said, flipping her hand dismissively.
Shikaku, however, looked less amused. His eyes narrowed, studying Ashiro with a critical gaze. "Dual blades? You're biting off more than you can chew," he said bluntly. "They're not forgiving weapons, especially for someone with no experience."
Lady Naga raised a hand to silence him. "He's made his choice," she said firmly. "We'll help him train to meet the standard."
Shikaku's skepticism was evident as he leaned back into the couch, exhaling deeply. "Even so, we don't have spare bio-blades lying around. Those things are custom-made and rare."
"That's where the Nagoya safe dorm comes in," Lady Naga replied with a slight smile. "There's a prototype dual bio-blade there, unclaimed. Perfect for Ashiro."
Shikaku frowned. "That prototype hasn't even been field-tested yet. It's unstable and could be dangerous."
"He'll learn to handle it," Lady Naga insisted, her tone brooking no argument. "And you'll help."
Ashiro blinked, looking between them. "Nagoya safe dorm? How far is that from here?"
"It's a few hours' drive, assuming we don't run into trouble," Ino chimed in, twirling a lock of her hair between her fingers.
Kyoto leaned forward, excitement flashing in his eyes. "A prototype dual blade sounds sick! If I wasn't already attached to my pistol, I'd want one too."
Suguru nodded in agreement. "But you'd better train hard, Ashiro. Shikaku's right—dual blades aren't easy to master."
Ashiro felt a mix of apprehension and determination building inside him. He clenched his fists and nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Shikaku let out another sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. But if you get yourself killed using it, don't come crying to me."
"Deal," Lady Naga said, a satisfied smile on her face. She said authoritatively as she slowly turned her gaze towards Ashiro "We'll rest here tonight and head for Nagoya first thing tomorrow. Now that this has been decided, we have a more critical topic we need to discuss about."
"What now?" Shikaku asked tiredly as he began to feel impatient about this meeting, but when he noticed that everyone except him is staring intensely at Ashiro, he couldn't help but to take this seriously as he thought. 'Seems like something occured between them before they got to me'
The group remained seated in the living room, the air tense with anticipation. Shikaku leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his sharp eyes scanning the faces around him. "Alright," he began, "I think it's time someone explains what's really going on here."
Lady Naga nodded, her expression serious. "There's something about Ashiro that you need to know," she said, her voice firm but cautious. "While we were out there, he… transformed."
Shikaku arched a brow, his expression shifting to one of disbelief. "Transformed? Into what?"
Lady Naga glanced at Ashiro, who was sitting stiffly, his hands gripping his knees. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Into something… horrifying. A creature made of darkness and chaos. It's like nothing I've ever seen before."
Shikaku's face hardened as he processed her words. "Are you sure you're not exaggerating? That kind of thing sounds—"
"I'm not exaggerating," Lady Naga interrupted, her tone sharp. "You didn't see it, Shikaku. It tore through those Kaijus like paper, but it wasn't Ashiro anymore. It was something else entirely."
Shikaku turned his gaze to Ashiro, his disbelief giving way to cautious curiosity. "Is this true?"
Ashiro sighed, his voice shaky but resolute. "I… I don't even know what it is," he admitted. "It's like… I lose control. I'm there, but not there. And when I come back, everything's destroyed."
Before Shikaku could respond, Ino interjected, her voice laced with curiosity. "What triggers it? There's gotta be something that makes you change."
Ashiro's brows furrowed as he thought back to both times he'd transformed. "I think…" he began hesitantly, "it happens when I'm about to die. Both times, I was on the brink of death."
Shikaku leaned back in his chair, his expression darkening. "So it's a survival mechanism," he muttered. After a moment's pause, he looked back at Ashiro. "Alright, it's decided then."
Everyone turned to him, confused. "What's decided?" Hanabi asked, crossing her arms.
Shikaku smirked grimly. "Simple. Ashiro just doesn't get to die. Ever. That thing doesn't resurface if he doesn't go to the edge, right? I'll make sure he stays alive. Problem solved."
The others exchanged doubtful glances. "That's easier said than done," Ino remarked, skepticism evident in her tone. "We're living in a Kaiju-infested world, in case you forgot."
Shikaku shrugged. "Then it's my job to make sure he doesn't get to that point. Trust me, I've handled worse."
Lady Naga nodded, though her expression remained guarded. "If you say so. But we can't rely on luck. We need to be prepared for the worst."
Kyoto and Suguru muttered their agreements, though their faces betrayed their uncertainty. Ashiro, on the other hand, felt a flicker of hope. Despite the tension, there was a strange sense of comfort in knowing that they were all willing to help him carry this burden.
"Alright," Lady Naga said, rising to her feet. "We'll figure out the rest as we go. For now, let's focus on getting through tomorrow. Everyone, get some rest."
As they dispersed, Shikaku gave Ashiro a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, kid. You're not going to die on my watch." Ashiro nodded, grateful yet apprehensive about the journey ahead.