The Visitor's Arrival
Drake Myers's sharp senses picked up the faint yet familiar scent lingering outside the hospital room before the knock even came.
Outside, Kafka Hibino stood nervously. A mere civilian, Kafka idolized the Defense Force despite repeatedly failing its entrance exams. Standing alongside actual members filled him with both awe and apprehension.
Unaware of the Defense Force's suspicions about Drake, Kafka had only heard about his colleague's incredible feat—defeating the unicorn kaiju single-handedly. Thanks to Director Ashiro's recommendation, Kafka and Reno Ichikawa had been granted time off to visit Drake.
A Nervous Encounter
As they stood outside the door, Kafka couldn't help but wonder: How had Drake become so strong? Was this still the same boy he remembered?
Reno Ichikawa clenched his fists. He had always known Drake was strong, but defeating a Grade 5 kaiju was a feat beyond his imagination.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Kikoru Shinomiya furrowed her brow. "That guy has a supervisor?"
Drake chuckled from the hospital bed. "Let them in. It might be related to why Hoshina had to leave earlier."
Kikoru reluctantly obliged, still uneasy about Hoshina's abrupt departure.
Familiar Faces
The door opened to reveal Kafka, clad in a simple white shirt, his square-jawed face bearing an unkempt beard. He carried a fruit basket awkwardly, while Reno, with his white hair and headphones, remained as stoic as ever—until he spotted Drake.
"Drake, are you okay? I saw the video from last night—you're amazing!" Reno burst out, his usual composure slipping into fanboy excitement.
"Wait, aren't you from the cleaning company?" Kikoru asked, scrutinizing Reno.
"Yes. I just joined yesterday," Reno replied coolly, regaining his detached demeanor.
Kafka, setting the fruit on a nearby table, sighed dramatically. "Drake, you've been hiding your strength from me this whole time. With your abilities, why would you work in a cleaning company?"
"Simple," Drake replied, shrugging. "Money. I couldn't even afford my hospital bills otherwise."
Kafka frowned, unable to comprehend Drake's reasoning. Surely the Defense Force paid better than a kaiju-cleaning service? Before he could press further, Reno leaned closer, his curiosity overriding any sense of decorum.
"Drake, how did you get so strong? Is there a way others can learn it too?"
Drake smirked. He couldn't very well reveal he wasn't of this world, so he offered a playful explanation instead: "A hundred push-ups, a hundred sit-ups, a ten-kilometer run every day, and a balanced diet."
Both Kafka and Reno froze.
"That's it?" Reno asked, incredulous.
Drake nodded earnestly. "And don't forget—you have to endure harsh environments to build your willpower."
Doubts and Realities
Kafka blinked, trying to process the simplicity of Drake's training regimen. It sounded eerily similar to his own routine, yet Kafka's aging body was already showing signs of decline.
Kikoru rolled her eyes. "What nonsense. That's basic training at best—nothing extraordinary."
Drake laughed, finally dropping the act. "Enough joking around. Shouldn't you two be working right now? What brings you here?"
Kafka's expression turned grim as he recounted the previous night's events.
A Grim Revelation
"The monster from last night…" Kafka hesitated, his voice faltering as he described the grotesque aftermath. Even seasoned cleaners like himself and Reno had been horrified by the carnage.
Drake listened intently, his expression unreadable. Kikoru, on the other hand, paled at the mention of a flesh-eating kaiju.
"That monster should've been shot a few more times while it was down," Kikoru muttered, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and regret.
"Eating people… That's new," Drake mused, narrowing his eyes. "Until now, kaiju only destroyed buildings and killed humans indiscriminately. This… this is different."
The room fell silent, each person lost in their thoughts.
A Suspicion Arises
Kikoru broke the silence, her piercing gaze fixed on Drake. "You know something, don't you?"
Drake smiled faintly but didn't answer, leaving Kikoru more suspicious than ever.
The Game Changes
The emergence of a flesh-eating kaiju was a chilling reminder that the world was changing. The battles ahead would be unlike anything they had faced before, and Drake knew this was just the beginning.
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