The sun was low, casting long shadows across the White Blade base as Shin and Mira returned after the mission. The chill in the air mirrored the silence between them, neither speaking as they passed through the gates.

Mira winced as she walked, her wound still aching, though the bandages held firm. The memory of the battle was still fresh, especially the moment Shin had unleashed the power of his silver eyes. Even now, Mira felt a chill when she thought about the raw devastation he had caused—but more than anything, she felt a deep sense of loyalty to him.

As they approached the barracks Daigo, one of the Second Blades, was already waiting. He leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, looking as relaxed as ever. At 24, Daigo had seen his fair share of battles, though his scarred cheek and spiked brown hair gave him the look of someone who hadn't lost his optimism just yet.

Daigo (grinning): "Well, look who's back. You two look like hell."

Mira chuckled softly, though her eyes flickered to Shin. As usual, he ignored the comment, walking past without so much as a glance in Daigo's direction.

Mira (smiling weakly): "Thanks, Daigo. Always nice to hear your compliments."

Daigo stepped closer, his sharp eyes noticing the bandages peeking out from beneath Mira's coat.

Daigo (concerned): "You alright, Vice-Captain? Looks like it was rough out there."

Before Mira could answer, the door swung open behind them, and Takeda, one of the Bladesmen veterans, entered. At 38, with his gray-streaked black hair tied back and a face lined with scars, Takeda carried the weight of countless battles. His gravelly voice cut through the room.

Takeda (gruffly): "How'd the mission go?"

Shin leaned against the far wall, arms crossed. His silver eyes barely flickered toward Takeda, his voice cold as always.

Shin: "Same as always."

Takeda grunted, narrowing his eyes at the Captain's indifference. His gaze lingered on Mira's bandages, and he let out a sigh.

Takeda (shaking his head): "Right. Always the same with you, huh?"

Shin didn't respond. His eyes remained fixed ahead, uninterested in the conversation. The room felt tense, the distance between Shin and the others palpable.

Just then, the sound of footsteps approached from the corridor. Kaito and Yuna, the new recruits, entered the room. Kaito, with his messy black hair and eager expression, immediately straightened up when he saw Shin and Mira. He hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.

Kaito (nervous but smiling): "Captain Shin! Vice-Captain Mira! It's an honor to meet you! I—I've heard so much about you both."

Shin's eyes drifted toward the young man, his face expressionless. He said nothing.

Kaito shifted awkwardly under the Captain's cold gaze, feeling a sudden drop in his confidence. He glanced at Yuna, hoping for some support, but she remained silent, her sharp eyes observing everything with quiet caution.

Kaito (stammering slightly): "Um... I'm Kaito. This is Yuna. We were... uh, wondering... where the rest of the team is?"

Mira stepped in, her voice gentle as she answered.

Mira: "They're out on a mission. You'll meet them soon enough."

Before Kaito could say anything more, Yuna stepped forward. Her voice was calm, her expression unreadable.

Yuna (bowing slightly): "Captain, Vice-Captain, thank you for having us. We'll do our best not to disappoint you."

Shin's eyes flickered toward her, and for a brief moment, there was a flash of something—perhaps recognition—in his gaze. But just as quickly, his expression hardened again. He turned away without responding, the silence growing heavier.

Kaito (nervously laughing): "Heh... I guess the Captain doesn't talk much, huh?"

Before anyone could reply, Takeda let out a low chuckle from across the room.

Takeda (gruffly): "Get used to it, kid. Captain Shin isn't much for chit-chat."

Daigo stepped forward, throwing an arm around Kaito's shoulders, his grin returning.

Daigo: "Don't worry about it. The Captain's just... focused. You'll get the hang of it soon enough."

Kaito smiled weakly, still feeling the weight of Shin's coldness. He looked over at Yuna, who remained silent, her eyes following Shin as he leaned back against the wall, staring into the distance.

Yuna, unlike Kaito, seemed more composed. She didn't flinch under the Captain's gaze, though she could feel the tension in the room. Something was off about the way he interacted—or didn't interact—with them.

Yuna (thinking): He's not like other captains...

Mira, sensing the unease between the new recruits and Shin, stepped forward.

Mira (gently): "You'll be fine. The White Blades are tough, but you'll find your place if you stay focused and listen."

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Kaito nodded quickly, trying to mask his nerves.

Kaito: "Right! We'll work hard! Won't we, Yuna?"

Yuna simply nodded, her eyes focused and sharp.

Suddenly, Shin pushed himself off the wall, his silver eyes locking onto Kaito and Yuna for the briefest moment before he spoke. His voice was cold and detached, as if he were delivering a verdict.

Shin (coldly): "Don't get attached to anyone here. Focus on surviving your first mission."

The words hit like a slap. Kaito's smile faltered, and even Yuna, who had remained calm until now, felt a slight chill run down her spine.

Shin turned and walked toward the door, his footsteps barely audible on the stone floor. Before he left, he paused at the doorway, his voice cutting through the silence one last time.

Shin: "People die here. Get used to it."

With that, he disappeared into the night, leaving the room heavy with the weight of his words. Kaito stood frozen, his face pale. Even Daigo, who had been smiling moments before, looked more serious now.

Takeda (gruffly, watching Shin leave): "That's just the way he is."

Mira (sighing softly): "He'll come around... eventually."

Her words were meant to reassure, but the coldness that Shin carried seemed to grow deeper with each passing day.

The room fell silent again, the weight of the Captain's words lingering in the air. Kaito and Yuna exchanged a glance, both feeling the chill left behind by their leader.

Suddenly, Mira clapped her hands softly, breaking the silence with a warm, sincere smile.

Mira (softly): "Well, we could all use a good meal, right? How about I cook something?"

Kaito (surprised): "You? Vice-Captain, you're still injured!"

Daigo (grinning): "Yeah, come on, Mira, let us handle that. You're not supposed to be moving around too much."

Mira waved off their concerns with a small laugh, her eyes bright with determination.

Mira (insisting): "Oh, don't worry about me! It's just a little scratch. Besides, it's been a while since we had a nice meal together, hasn't it? I'll cook something light."

Kaito (worried): "But Vice-Captain—"

Before he could finish, Yuna stepped forward, speaking up for the first time since Shin had left.

Yuna (calmly): "I can help. If that's alright with you, Vice-Captain."

Mira's smile widened, a gentle warmth in her expression.

Mira (gratefully): "Thank you, Yuna. That would be wonderful."

Despite the protests from Kaito and Daigo, Mira and Yuna moved toward the kitchen, working together to prepare a simple but hearty meal. Yuna, ever observant, followed Mira's instructions with precision, quietly chopping vegetables while Mira handled the cooking.

Later, at the Dinner Table

The smell of the freshly cooked meal filled the room, easing the tension that had lingered earlier. The group gathered around the table—Kaito, Yuna, Daigo, and Takeda—as Mira brought the final dish over, her face glowing with satisfaction.

Mira (cheerfully): "Dinner's ready! Let's call the Captain."

Daigo (chuckling): "You know he won't come. The Captain's not exactly the 'sit down and eat with the team' type."

Mira's smile didn't fade, though she sighed softly.

Mira: "It doesn't hurt to ask. He needs to eat too."

She walked toward the door and knocked gently.

Mira (calling out): "Captain? Dinner's ready. Won't you join us?"

There was a pause, and then Shin's cold voice came from behind the door, muffled but clear.

Shin (distantly): "I'll sleep."

Mira sighed softly, shaking her head before returning to the table.

Mira (sitting down): "He's resting."

Takeda (gruffly): "Of course he is. Same as always."

They all began eating, the warm atmosphere around the table slowly easing the tension from earlier. Kaito, finally feeling more relaxed, glanced up from his plate, looking between Daigo and Takeda.

Kaito (curious): "So... why is Captain Shin like that? He seems... I don't know, so distant."

Daigo (leaning back, thoughtful): "That's just how he is, kid. The Captain's always been like that—focused on the mission, cold to everything else. Doesn't like getting close to people."

Takeda (gruffly): "He's got his reasons."

Kaito looked confused, glancing at Yuna, who was quietly eating, but clearly listening. Mira sighed softly, her eyes softening as she thought about Shin.

Mira (softly): "Shin... he's been through a lot. He carries more than he lets on. I wish he'd let us help, but... that's not who he is."

Kaito (frowning): "But doesn't it bother him, being alone like that?"

Mira (gently): "Maybe. But he won't say. He's built up walls around himself, and only he knows what's behind them."

Takeda (gruffly, between bites): "It's not about what bothers him. It's about the mission. The Captain lives for the mission. That's all that matters to him."

Yuna (finally speaking, calm but curious): "But even if the mission is his priority, it doesn't explain the distance he keeps from the team. There has to be more to it."

Mira (sighing): "Maybe. But he's not the type to share his reasons. All we can do is stand by him and do our best."

The room fell quiet again, the only sound being the clinking of utensils as they ate. Despite the tension surrounding Shin, the group found a certain comfort in each other's company. Mira's presence, always so sincere and caring, created a sense of warmth and belonging—even when the Captain refused to join them.

Later that night, after the team had finished tidying up, Kaito and Yuna found themselves in the small room they had been assigned. The flickering light from a lantern on the wall cast soft shadows, and the room was quiet except for the faint howling of the wind outside.

Kaito lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, his hands behind his head, while Yuna sat on the edge of hers, quietly unpacking her few belongings. The tension from the day still hung in the air, but now that they were alone, Kaito felt the need to speak.

Kaito (softly): "So... what do you think?"

Yuna didn't look up, but there was a faint curiosity in her voice as she replied.

Yuna (calmly): "About what?"

Kaito (chuckling nervously): "You know, about... everything. The team. The test tomorrow. Captain Shin. Vice-Captain Mira. Daigo and Takeda... all of them."

Yuna paused for a moment, considering his question, then quietly folded her arms as she thought back on the day's events.

Yuna (calm, thoughtful): "They're strong. Each in their own way. You can feel it when you're around them."

Kaito nodded, though his expression was still uneasy.

Kaito (softly): "Yeah, strong is one way to put it... but don't you think Captain Shin's... I don't know, kind of... terrifying?"

Yuna glanced at him, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Yuna (calmly): "He's not terrifying. Just... cold. Detached. He's the kind of leader who focuses only on the mission. It's not personal."

Kaito let out a sigh, turning on his side to face her.

Kaito (quietly): "Maybe... but I can't help but feel like he's judging us. Like we're not even worth his time."

Yuna didn't reply immediately, her expression thoughtful as she considered Kaito's words. After a moment, she nodded slightly.

Yuna (softly): "He probably is. But that's why we have to prove him wrong."

Kaito (chuckling nervously): "Yeah... easier said than done. I've never felt pressure like this before. What if we mess up?"

Yuna met his gaze, her calm demeanor never wavering.

Yuna (firmly): "Then we get up and try again. That's what it means to be here."

Kaito smiled slightly at her words, though the nervousness in his eyes didn't completely fade.

Kaito (thoughtfully): "Yeah... I guess you're right."

End of Chapter