“Man, when’s the last time we three have been together like this?” asks Okazaki.

“Roughly twelve years ago, give or take a couple of months. It’s hard to put into perspective how long ago that is, yet it doesn’t feel that long. It’s weird how time works,” says Ishimoto.

“I agree. We’ve all been far apart for too long, but I remember what we all used to be. Wonderful friends. You both changed in some way, your Remnants, for example, but you two are also the same two boys I once knew.”

“I won’t lie to you, Angel, never have or will. When we first saw you in the cafeteria, I didn’t know it was you at first. You've really grown up. You’re like… super hella mature now. I mean, you speak like you’re running for prime minister or something. I ain’t ever expect you to be that type when we were little, haha!”

“I will say the same. Your hair is longer, and your eyes are the same, but I have never seen you with makeup. It’s so amazingly done. It brings them out even more,” Ishimoto says.

“Did you become a charmer with age, Ishimoto?” She smiles softly at him.

“Uh, n-no, I didn’t mean like that. It’s just… an observation I made,” he says, a little flustered. Keiko, on the other side of him, sees his red tint. They all seem to be… really close, even after all these years.

“You boys. I missed you so.” She scoots up closer. “If I may be so brash, would it be all right if we all embraced one another?” she asks.

“Hell yeah! Just like we did when we were kids watching scary movies! Friendship should be close-knit even after years of being apart!” Okazaki boasted.

“I see no problem. It used to be comforting whenever the monster showed up, remembering when we both jumped, and Okazaki just thought it was cool.” He chuckles.

“Yeah, and remember I was the one to do this!?” He reaches, grabbing Ishimoto and Angel, pulling them closer to him. They’re hugging from the side, reminded of their times as kids.

“It’s still as comforting as it once was,” Angel says. Her hands lay on both of their arms as her voice lowers. “You boys…” she lingers out. Her eyes trail off into the dirt.

“Yeah, what is it, Angel? Something the matter?” Okazaki asks. Everyone else is warming themselves. The only one who seems to notice them doing this is Keiko.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“You can still tell us anything, Angel,” Ishimoto calms.

“I hope that things turn out for the best. I realize you all are going on a perilous journey that will begin this coming tomorrow, and with it, the dictation of everything is uncertain. I wish not to lose either of you again…” The emphasis in her silence is telling. Angel was never one to go silent without feeling the most true emotion within herself.

The two can’t bear to think about it either. Losing one another or anyone else in the group. It’s a looming shadow that won’t go anywhere until absolute victory is achieved. Ishimoto himself is fearful of the loss of others over himself, Okazaki falls behind the thought, and they’re both sure Usagi, Keiko, Takei, and maybe even Kubo follow the same train of thought.

“I will do everything in my power to ensure we survive,” Ishimoto says.

“Same here. I will kick all those bastards' asses and make sure we win!”

“Oi?” Usagi hears them now. “You all talking about the future, ain’t you? From the sounds of it, you’re thinking we can be defeated, huh, Angel? Well, let me tell you something, not over my own dead body am I going to let any of you get hurt.”

Angel perks up, her smile soft. “I know. You’re all so talented at using your Remnants already. All of you have fire in your bellies and eyes, especially you. You’ve thoroughly impressed me with your prowess. I can’t say I’ve seen one with your level of appetite for victory,” she proclaims.

“Victory? You’re right. I don’t plan on losing. None of us do; that’s a given. I have to protect this world, and you all have to as well, even you, Takei.” She turns to her.

“M-me?” She is confused at her sudden spotlight.

“Did you forget?” She gestures to her ears. “I can hear what I want to hear, and Kubo wasn’t telling you what you needed too. I know what it’s like to feel weak and helpless, but let me tell you. That night you saw it, didn’t you? How I cried like a toddler who lost their blanket because I couldn’t protect you. If he so wanted, he could have killed us both, and I wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it.” Her head bends downward to the ground, and her eyes shut tight to protect herself from her emotions.

“The mere fact of the matter is we are all going to war. There is no escaping the reality of that. We’ll be like soldiers on a battlefield, and just like them, we don’t know if we’ll come back alive.”

Angel takes great interest in hearing her speak. Her hooded eyes reveal more of her iris, glistening in the campfire light.

“But damn it, if I’m not going to try my absolute best to make sure we’re all well at the end of it. Takei, you’re our healer, our medic in the fight against Mr. Nuke Happy, and his damn lackeys, and damn it, if you think that’s all you are, you’re not. You can be stronger. Even the weakest person can be stronger, and you’re not weak at all!” she brings her head back up, staring into her eyes.

“If you think that, then I would have failed as your friend!” She steps out to the open field. “Don’t let circumstances that seem out of your control define you. Make something out of the things you can make.” She enters into a battle stance.

“Fight me, Takei.” Grits Usagi.