Kiochi and Andrea had been sitting quietly by themselves in the war room. Andrea intently stared at him as though she was seizing him up which didn’t make much sense to Kiochi since he was a Kynigoi.

Andrea leaned closer to Kiochi.

“So what exactly are you, Kiochi Suzuki?” She asked, her voice low, but non threatening.

“Mmm? Didn’t David tell you all you need to know?” Kiochi asked.

“Well, he told me the outward details, yes. You’re a Kynigoi, male, your combat abilities are catastrophic and your birthday is on the ninth of April.” Andrea said casually.

“What? How did you know-"

“I did my homework, well my father found your file and borrowed it.” Andrea said.

“I see.” Kiochi said with a hum. Andrea definitely knew a lot.

“So come on, tell me. What- No. Who are you?” She asked, her eyes wide and filled with anticipation.

“There’s honestly not much I can’t tell you that you don’t already know. I was a Kynigoi, I served under the council for most of my life, but then one day my team and I were attacked by a group of Aethon’s and only I survived, I tried telling the council about what happened and they ordered that I be eliminated and studied, I somehow managed to escape and gained several Aethonic abilities, I sought help from Yamamoto and we took our Vestibule Charlie, he got arrested and here we are today. I’m still searching for answers, but our fight against the council continues." Kiochi said frankly.

“Mmm, you’re quite ambitious. The council has existed for a long time and no one has ever stood against them. I must applaud your effort in destroying one of the Vestibules.” Andrea said. Her steel grey eyes calmly looked into Kiochi’s, searching for something.

“What do you plan on doing after… everything is over?” She asked.

“I honestly don’t know. All I’ve ever known is conflict and war. When this all ends and if we win, I’ll retire. Live out my days on some farm somewhere. Create life.” Kiochi said, his eyes staring at something that was far away.

“Do you mean children?” Andrea asked with a smile.

“What? N- no! I mean plant life! You know, farming.” Kiochi said with a slight stutter which made Andrea giggle.

“Well, at least you’re still human. After all you’ve been through, I half expected you to be an unfeeling killing machine who only did as he was told. But you think, you feel, you even dream.” She said as she stood up.

Kiochi did the same.

“I’d gladly fight alongside someone like you.” Andrea said as she offered her hand.

Kiochi shook her hand firmly and gave her a slight nod.

“Then we are allies.” Kiochi said before Andrea left the room, leaving him alone in the silent war room.

The silence was soon broken by a knock on the door.

“Come in.” Kiochi said and Mai entered the room.

Kiochi’s experiment had made her slightly taller, so Kiochi had to look up slightly to meet her eyes.

“Well?” Mai asked.

“She’s in. I look forward to working to her, she seems like a nice woman.” Kiochi said before realizing that Mai’s eyes had narrowed drastically.

“What?” Kiochi asked.

“I hope she wasn’t too nice.” Mai said in a pouty tone, causing Kiochi to chuckle softly.

“Don’t worry, she says she’s prepared to fight with us in the coming battle, that’s all.” Kiochi said as he slowly walked towards the door only to be stopped by Mai who block him.

“Is that all she said?” Mai asked.

“Y- yes. Wait! She said something about my birthday being the ninth of April. Isn’t that today?” Kiochi wondered.

Mai’s eyes suddenly popped open.

“Wait, your birthday is today?” She asked with a perplexed expression.

“I think so. Ms. Ross said that she had seen the file the council had kept on me and it must have shown my date of birth. It’s kinda weird if you think about-"

“Sorry, I have to go.” Mai said before storming out of the room, leaving Kiochi once again alone, in silence.

.

..

Yassine had been hard at work helping David move stuff into the garage which would act as their lab from this point forth. His muscles ached and his clothes were dirty, but he didn’t mind as long as he contributed in some way.

A lot had happened since that fateful day when he discovered the Ovum Vitae in the desert, but he didn’t regret choosing to come with Dr. Tahiri to Japan.

The fate of the world literally hung in the balance and it was up to the efforts of him and his comrades to ensure mankind lived to see another day.

Yassine couldn’t help but smile at the thought of his name being written in the history books.

“What the hell are you smiling about?” David asked as he moved several boxes.

“Oh nothing, just happy to be working.” Yassine said innocently.

“You think this is work? The real work will begin once we get everything in place. Then we’ll be spending countless hours in here conducting experiments, running tests and analyzing all sorts of data.” David said frankly, which caused Yassine’s smile to weaken.

“Well, it’s still good to be doing something.” Yassine said.

Noon quickly arrived as they slaved away, but the arrival of a certain guest broke the monotony that came with packing and unpacking equipment.

“Hey dad.” Andrea said as she entered the musty garage. Her luxurious white suit looked out of place in the dirty soon to be lab.

“Hey.” David said weakly. Yassine wasn’t sure, but it looked like Andrea wanted to have a serious talk with her father.

“How have you been holding up?” She asked as she walked closer to David. He stood over a pile of boxes and stopped working the moment Andrea entered.

“Who, me? I’m doing ok, I guess. The council hasn’t killed us yet, so I guess that’s a plus.” David said quietly, his back facing Andrea and Yassine.

“Dad, you know that’s not what I meant.” Andrea said as she placed her clean hand on David’s dirty overalls.

David turned around to reveal that he had been holding tears the entire time.

Andrea opened her arms and David collapsed into them as she ran her fingers through his hair.

Yassine had heard that David’s blood daughter was killed by Aethon’s during her mission with Kiochi. Yassine hadn’t seen David properly mourn until then, so he quickly snuck out if the garage, giving David and his daughter the space they needed.

Yassine then found himself free and with nothing to do, which he could not tolerate, so he went to the war room. There he found Rin’s mother conversing with Dr. Tahiri.

“Good afternoon Yassine.” Dr. Tahiri greeted.

“Good afternoon, what are you discussing?” Yassine asked as he took a seat in his dirty overalls.

“Well, Ms. Tahiri and I are planning on traveling back to Tokyo to spread the word of ethereal energy and to create a new foundation for when the government’s collapse come the day of reckoning.” Yuma said.

“Yep, I plan on talking to as many scientists as possible to get them on board. If we’re going to convince the Aethon’s that mankind is capable of change, then our safest bet is ethereal energy." Dr. Tahiri explained.

“I see. Wait- you’d have to leave for Tokyo?” Yassine asked.

“Yes.”

“Couldn’t they just come here. That way, you’d be safer.” Yassine suggested.

“Although that is true, I don’t think getting well known scientists to come to an abandoned school building turned military base would be easy. That’s why I’m going to visit them one by one. The more scientists we have working on ethereal energy, the stronger our argument against the Aethon’s.” Dr. Tahiri explained.

Yassine still didn’t like the idea of having her so far from the protector that was Kiochi, but he couldn’t say much to stop her, so he remained silent.

“Anyway, one of the problems I’m facing is leaving in the first place. Rin doesn’t want me to go. Which is understandable, but I don’t want to feel like a burden. I actually want to help Kiochi and Rin in their battles, but the only way I can do so is using my skills in politics.” Yuma said.

Yassine knew exactly how she felt because yes, Yassine could sit around and do nothing. But his heart told him to do whatever he could to help.

“Have you talked to Kiochi about the matter?” Yassine asked.

“Not yet and besides, Rin really doesn’t want to talk to-“ Yuma was interrupted by a knock on the war room door.

The door opened and Mai Hashimoto entered. Yassine still hadn’t gotten used to her slightly increased height, he also hadn’t forgotten about a certain incident, so he slowly walked towards the door.

“Hi everyone.” Mai greeted and everyone greeted back.

“So… I just found out that today is Kiochi’s birthday.” Mai said causing Yassine to stop dead in his tracks.

“Wait, what? Kynigoi are orphans and any information about them is kept secret by the council. How could you possibly know when his birthday is?” Dr. Tahiri asked.

“Apparently, Ms. Ross managed to get access to his file. Now, I must ask for your help. What should I get him?” Mai asked while making an expression Yassine wasn’t sure he’d ever seen.

It was a mixture of desperation and excitement.

“Isn’t it a bit late for that? I mean, it’s like two o’clock.” Yassine pointed out.

“I have an idea! There’s a town not far from here right?” Yuma asked.

“Yes.” Dr. Tahiri concurred.

“They should have at least one shop, so come on, let’s go. Quickly!” Yuma said excitedly as she got up from her seat and stormed out of the room.

Dr. Tahiri, Mai and Yassine all exchanged perplexed glances before Mai ran after Yuma.

Dr. Tahiri followed soon after.

Yassine couldn’t help but wonder what they would have done if it was his birthday. But his birthday was in February.

Yassine let out a defeated sigh before heading to the shower’s.

.

..

Kiochi had spent the whole day discussing various logistical issues with Ichika. He had done so much planning, his head felt numb. He needed some rest, so he excused himself and left the war room. He then stumbled into his room and jumped onto his bed.

Kiochi prepared to lazily dozed off as the evening heat died down, but woke up a few moments when he heard his door open. His mental alarms turned off when he saw that it was only Mai, who silently entered and closed the door behind her.

Kiochi wasn’t accustomed to her presence in his room, but something was different this time. She looked flustered.

Kiochi’s nose caught a sweet scent in the air. He also noticed the slight moistness of her skin. He deduced that she had just bathed.

“What’s up?” Kiochi asked casually as Mai approached the bed and undid the first few buttons of her one piece.

She had since gotten a new one which was dark grey, just like everyone else on the base.

“I want to give you your birthday present.” She said.

Kiochi tilted his head in confusion. He was never the materialistic type and he didn’t ask anyone for anything that wasn’t expected of them. He also never asked Mai for anything which confused Kiochi even more.

“Mmm…” Kiochi groaned as Mai removed her one piece revealing black lingerie that brightly contrasted with her pale white skin. Her modified black hair added to that effect.

Kiochi gulped loudly as he couldn’t hide his amazement.

Mai had slighty grown in size which meant that there was much more of her.

David did tests on all members of the special team and they were all incredibly strong. This only added to Mai’s overall incredibleness.

Mai climbed into bed with Kiochi who stared speechlessly at her as she got closer to him.

Although her face was beet red, she looked determined and never once lost contact with Kiochi’s eyes.

“What do you think?” Mai asked as she shyly tucked some of her hair behind her left ear.

“Beautiful.” Kiochi said with his mouth still wide open.

“Even when I’m like this?” Mai asked with an awkward giggle.

“To be completely honest, you haven’t changed much.” Kiochi said.

“Really?” She asked and to that, Kiochi gave her a nod.

“How are you always so calm? Even back then, you didn’t cry or panic. You’re always just so… weird.” Mai said. She remembered what she felt when she met Kiochi all those years earlier. She was an A ranked Kynigoi and was well decorated. So much so that she requested the council assign her to a more passive post and they agreed.

She watched as countless Kynigoi left her training camp, but one in particular caught her eye.

Kiochi was skilled, very skilled and he always had a calm and collected aura around him that made him seem untouchable.

Mai liked that about him. But things took a drastic turn when she discovered that he wasn’t a normal human.

Anyone else would have panicked and reported the incident to the council, but for Mai, seeing Kiochi like that only made things clearer for her. She had always known that Kiochi wasn’t normal and his rampage in that forest served as proof.

On that day, Mai knew that if there was anyone on earth who should would dedicate her life to, it was Kiochi.

Not out of fear or some other grand reason. She would dedicate herself to him because he had captured her heart on that day.

Mai convinced her fellow A ranked Kynigoi who got injured to leave out any details about Kiochi’s true form and it was she who recommended that he become captain of the highest ranked team of Kynigoi.

She looked at the Kiochi in front of her and saw the same boy from back then. It amazed her, although he had changed in some ways, he was still the same.

Mai placed her hand on Kiochi cheek.

Kiochi stared at her intently as she gently pushed him downwards.

Kiochi didn’t resist, but his eyes still hadn’t accepted her.

“I'm serious Kiochi. I reallybeant to give you a birthday present.” Mai said softly.

“What is it?” Kiochi asked.

“Me.” Mai said as she leaned in and closed the distance between them.

Kiochi braced himself for impact, but was taken aback when Mai’s lips gently pressed against his.

She raised her head after a moment and looked into Kiochi’s eyes.

“I’m giving myself to you.” She whispered before kissing Kiochi again.

“Take me.” She said once more.

Kiochi’s mind raced. He didn’t want anything from her, yet there she was, offering herself to him.

Kiochi felt like he didn’t deserve it.

He didn’t deserve her.

He was a killer.

A murderer. Just like Izanagi said.

She should have known this better than anyone.

Mai raised her head, her face ridden with confusion and sadness.

“You don’t want me?” She asked as her expression changed into one of pain and anxiety.

Kiochi slowly shook his head.

“Of course I want you, it’s just-“

“What?”

“I don’t know what to give you in return!” Kiochi said.

“You don’t have to give me anything. Just keep being the Kiochi I fell in love with back then.” Mai confessed.

Kiochi’s heart stopped.

He then slowly placed his hands on Mai’s hips.

“Are you sure about this?” Kiochi asked.

“Yes.” Mai said.

Kiochi gave her a small nod, prompting Mai to kiss him again.

This time, Kiochi didn’t fight it.

He accepted her and held onto her tightly.

She must have realised this because her body suddenly relaxed, as though all of her worries were melting away.

Kiochi and Mai had slept in the same bed a few times, yet for Kiochi, this was the first time she felt so close.

Kiochi wanted to let loose all of his worries, all of his frustrations and all of his pain, but he hesitated because he didn’t want to drive her away.

Mai must have realized this because she placed her hand behind his head and pulled him even closer towards her.

Kiochi cursed himself for doubting her. He cursed himself for having simplemindedly focused on the council for the past three months. He decided to spend a little more time with the ones he cared about.

In that moment, Kiochi forgot all about the council and paid all of his attention on Mai. She could feel his grip around her tighten, both on her body and on her heart.

Kiochi let go of Mai momentarily and flipped her over so that she would be below him.

The two of them gazed into each other’s eyes. Their gazes reached far beyond the pain and anxiety that clouded their minds.

Kiochi lowered his head and placed it on her belly.

Mai giggled.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“Nothing.” He said as he raised his head back up.

When Mai entered the cocoons Kiochi created, she was reborn with her full body.

Without wounds.

Without scars.

Kiochi was somewhat proud of himself for that.