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“Good morning, Hokuri.”

Hifumi greeted him--standing beside the doorway of his office and looking at him with a playful manner, but still retaining his flamboyance. Hokuri is sitting on his chair behind his office desk in Trilaksana Organization’s Headquarters, that he still working like usual. He look up from his monitor, putting up a deadpan stare. “Ah... Good morning.”

Hokuri said with a bored voice, trying to maintain his composure as best as he can. He know what kind of person Hifumi is, being one of the dangerous Executive Officers who killed many people without mercy. But despite that Hifumi is also known for his contributions and achievements, making money out of illegal business deals such as underground business and smuggling even methods for the organization. There are also rumors saying that he was involved in the murder of several innocent people during his past career as an executive, including some members of other organizations like the Secret Garden; but those rumors are false. The only thing that’s true about him is that he’s ruthless and unforgiving when dealing with people and companies that failed in fulfilling their contracts to him.

He always known for his hypnotism skills, he uses them to influence people into doing his bidding and to obey his orders. Hifumi giggled under his fan, fanning himself. “I heard you and your adoptive daughter Kurino kinda distant lately... how was it? I hope nothing bad happened for between you two,” he asked, Hokuri rolled his eyes before he folded his arms.

“Yeah, we’re doing fine now… but this time she was acting strange--instead of visiting me; she’s visiting her former teacher from three days ago until now! I knew that bastard groomed her because HE HAS HISTORY OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMAN LIKE A PERVERT--he was the reason Kurino and I got separated... she even rebelled against me!"

Hokuri ranted, still angry that Kurino still stubborn as ever--he couldn’t bring himself to hate her but he just can’t stand the fact she’s being like this. “I suppose you’re in need for help? I can help you~!” Hifumi suggested with carefree tone, making Hokuri tilted his head at him. “How? I know you’re a playboy, but I’m not sure how you will able to do that," he asked with curiosity.

Hifumi just look at him with that stupid grin, making Hokuri frowning his brows in anger. Hifumi is an attractive individual due to his flamboyant and effeminate appearance, he also cares deeply for all his friends and family but lacks tact in making others feel appreciated or loved by him. This makes people find him annoying, frustrating them enough to want to hurt him but won't cause any physical damage. "D'aww, don't be scared! I promise I won't hurt your precious baby..." he comforted him with a gentle pat on the shoulder. Hokuri twitched his eyebrows before he sigh and shrugged his shoulders. "Hah... What do you want, again?" he asked with sarcasm.

"I will help you to get rid of him if he wanted to laid a hand on her," he said innocently with a shrug of his shoulders, making Hokuri scowl before he reluctantly take out his phone and found a photo of Kurino. She's a Japanese-American with a long blonde hair that reached her back and bangs almost covering her eyes and cheeks, green-colored eyes and fair complexion. Wearing a jet-black jacket almost covering light green shirt with an elbow-length sleeves, black vest-like tank top and black shorts; she wears a black knee-length boots. "Here's my adopted girl."

Hokuri showed him a picture, letting him see clearly who Kurino is but Hifumi tried his hardest not to scream in excitement. "Kurino... wow! You're so lucky, my buddy! Is she a college student or working in Indonesia?" he asked, Hokuri answered. "Bachelor's degree international student in college duh, her campus is... National Institute of Arts."

This time, he made Hifumi spoked and dropped his fan in complete shock. "Wow... your little sweetheart was an art student? And I'm going to date with her?" he asked, but Hokuri smacked his head that made him winced in pain as he ruffled his golden blonde hair angrily. "I'm so tempted that I'm going to kill your sorry ass when you're making unwanted advances on her, alright?! You're dating her and my condition is to NOT hurt her or... whatever!" he explained with a frown and warning tone.

Hifumi made a peace gesture before he retreated for moment, before Hokuri realized something before he quickly grabbed his wrist and yanked him forward--they're very close. "Also, make it fake-romantic relationship--enough to confuse her and bring her some good news because she's been away from me for so long."

He is very concerned for his daughter because he is a loving father who cares for his children. "OKAY OKAY! No problem for this kind of thing~! Oh yeah... what is your little kitten's name again?" Hifumi wondered. Hokuri looked up with a blank face, staring straight at him for a long minute. "Hifumi..."

"Fine, fine, Hokuri! I get it!" he sighed, crossing his arms in disappointment as he crossed his legs. "How can you prove that her former teacher is a groomer?" Hifumi added, until his eyes widened when Hokuri showed the evidences, but before he gave him a chance to explained anything--he quickly caught it. There are evidences like photos from the dark corners of a classroom, indicating something suspicious happening. "Thank you, I'll execute him once I got to see him. Now that you've seen each other last week, I hope you can work together to fulfill our deal. So, we can retrieve Kurino back and snapping her out of her senses."

Hokuri was silent for a moment; he looked away from his colleague for a bit and then looking back at him. "Well then, what's the plan? I'm not sure if this plan might work, so please help out."

"Well, you see…"

Meanwhile, Kaname was crosschecking the research journal in the headquarters with Kayla assisting him--until they saw Hifumi left the office for some kind of meetings in the science team building and leaving the documents laying inside the office. "The fuck is he? What is he?" he muttered, before he shrieked when Hokuri smacked his paper on his desk. "Focus at what you're doing and don't play around," he grumbled, before leaving the younger board director and secretary alone in office.

Kaname was thinking about him making more racket and shouting some cusses as he went back to his assigned tasks, before he felt his head throbbed and fuck--his narcolepsy is finally hitting him hard. "Fuck..." he cussed, clenching his hair as he sloppily leaned himself on the couch in the next door behind his desk. Kayla gasped, running towards her superior before putting her hands on his forehead. "Kaname! Are you alright?" she asked worriedly, checking his body from head to toe. "It's just the narcolepsy, my eyes are so tired for following numbers of scientific journal..."

"Do you need a nap time? C'mon, I'll help you--no, Hokuri is going to chew you off tomorrow..." she said with a frown, tilting her head at his exhausted figure. "Five minutes...?" Kaname pleaded her with his tired eyes, she let out a hesitant smile and shook her head. "Kay, I trust you. You can handle those journal right? I bet he just gonna to scold me and get pissed on me..." he said, rubbing his temples. "I know, I know. It's fine--I'll just be here."

Kayla assured him, stroking his light brown strands of his hair with vermillion streaks before Kaname was too tired to wake himself. Alda goes to approach her subordinate worriedly, while Lastier catching up with her pace--only to see her whispering to Kayla. "Is he okay? What happened to him?" Lastier asked, Alda sighed before turning towards the two directors.

"He had a narcolepsy sleeping attack and sleep soundly, you know... the medical records say that Kaname has a sleeping disorder that he slept randomly and this is triggered by any intense stimulants, he always awake in the nighttime," the female director explained to her husband and her subordinate with a sigh, before Lastier used his hand to check Kaname's temperature on his forehead. "At least we should give him a comfortable nap, let him stay in the infirmary while we headed for the meeting."

"Yes, sir! Madame!"

First day--

"Welcome Kurino, come inside please!"

Hifumi greeted her cheerfully. He invited her inside their villa with his usual flamboyant gestures; but she did not answer back to him, instead she just walked forward silently. Hifumi frowned in annoyance, but he kept quiet and waited for her response to him. As soon as she arrived in front of him, Hifumi pulled her close to hug her warmly when she was close. He smelled the familiar scent of her hair as he inhaled it deeply; he felt himself being intoxicated by the sweet aroma of her body. "My lovely little flower... I missed you so much," Hifumi whispered into her ear. "Have you missed me too?" he asked her with a husky voice, while he nuzzling her neck with his lips.

Kurino grumbled, but did not respond to him with words. Instead she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. "I don't know how this contract works, Hifumi..." she admitted, even though she's not sure why she has no choice but just agreed for today. "Don't worry about it. I'm here to protect you until your heart heals, I promise that you will be okay," he assured her. "Your father entrusted me to protect you."

"I know..." Kurino replied with a sad expression while still hugging him tight; she was afraid of letting him go from her embrace. "I'm not worried about anything anymore," she said honestly to him, sighing. "So… let's do it, I guess?"

"Good, now let's get started."

Hifumi grinned at her, interested at the sight of his young lover dressed like a woman now--but he knows that he cannot touch or caress her yet because Hokuri is watching them from behind a door. He turned around and saw Kurino walking towards the dining table in the center of the room, and he followed behind her. He sat on the chair opposite her while smiling at her with anticipation in his eyes, but deep down... he wanted to beat this former teacher's ass for grooming the fucker's adopted daughter--make him pay for hurting her.

"Please eat first, Kurino."

He motioned toward the plates of food laid in front of her. She was silent at first, before nodding slightly while staring at the ground and then proceed eating with a fork. "You made me Wagyu beef? You're rich aren't you?"

"Mm, isn't it obvious?"

He winked, making her stunned. Kurino does not know if he is joking or what. He knew that Kurino is aware of what happened back then because he has already read the letter that Hokuri wrote to her, but he wanted to tell her everything again in case she does not remember it completely. "You know about me already," Hifumi said to her in a serious tone. "And I'm sure that you also know about your father, and I know yours," he explained, seeing her rolled her eyes. "I know that, so there's no need to say it again..." she said in annoyance and huffed, before raising a brow. "Why are we doing this? There's no need."

"That's true, but I really wanted to talk to you. So please listen to me carefully, Kurino."

Kurino turned her attention back to him after hearing her name being called, but instead of a stern expression on his face, he gave her a sincere and warm smile. "Are you afraid of me?" he asked her seriously while staring at her green eyes that belong to an owner who can change in one's choice to make everyone else fell to their knees, making her sigh and drop her shoulders. "No, you're just intimidating... that's all," she denied his question, glancing at him. "Okay, you can continue..."

Second day--

Hifumi was itching for a fight, he was curious on what if Kurino will found out about it after their fake romantic dating is over. He began thinking of ways to get her attention on their relationship, thinking about how they will make Kurino trust him and open her heart for him. He need to distract her from texting this former teacher named Rehan Affandey, this guy is Indonesian but somewhat has a fishy background behind his façade that he cannot ignore... especially after what he did to Kurino.

Damn. And the students are always attracted to their attractive teachers since their young age--considered as a sexual and romantic attraction, which he thought is disgusting. 'Thank you Lastier for permitting me to get rid of this filth...' Hifumi smiled, he returned from the 'place' after he executed the man for grooming Kurino--he remembered the agonizing look on his face as he held his bleeding wounds and guts, before he drop his body to the floor for a final death blow and throw him to the ocean. 'Now time to make her forget about him...' he thought, holding back from using his hypnosis because it might make him cranky and mess up in his love confession to her.

It's not like he likes her in a way or anything--he doesn't even care for emotions like love, but he does care for friendship. But, he just... wanted to prove Hokuri that he's a trustworthy friend. The morning starts with them getting ready at home, preparing lunch while eating some side dishes and rice. "Hifumi..."

"Uhm...yes?"

He answered her, glancing at her--but she continue eating while muttering words. Kurino continued eating, looking at the ground in embarrassment. "Uhm... Hifumi..."

"What is it...?"

He turned his attention back to her with a puzzled expression, only to find her avoiding eye contact as if she didn't want to say something. But, Kurino just sighed. "... take me to the amusement park," she said, before shoving a slice of ginger into her mouth. Hifumi blinked, surprised at the sudden request from Kurino--as if this is her way of telling him to not worry about her. "You... want to go with me?" he asked again for confirmation, before he heard her sigh once more. "Yes, I would like you to come with me."

She responded with a nod, then she resumed eating. Hifumi knew he might be watched by Hokuri, a total shitty man who's suspicious as fuck and can't help her in some times. 'And when I finally done with her... I wanna leave.'

Seven days later...

Aliyah was looking at the screen in the monitor room of Trilaksana HQ with Luca beside her, she shrieked when she heard a door slam and it came from Hokuri who was sleepless from the last mission involving Phantom Beasts. "Let me see!" he snapped, the monitors show Kurino split up with Hifumi after bidding him farewell. "Good, finally..." he grumbled, before he turn around with a yawn. "I'm taking day off, I really need some sleep because last night's missions is stressing me the fuck out... Later."

Hokuri told Aliyah and Luca, who were blinking but shrugged. Hokuri left the room, leaving them inside the monitor room so they can monitor Kurino with Hifumi. On the other side, Kaname was able to sleep well--for some reason. Usually his sleep attack will relapse at random but ever since Kurino is taken care by Hifumi, he's now healthy to handle work now. He walk out from the ballroom in one of the famous hotel in Denpasar after he had a meeting with the other national directors of Trilaksana Organization, walking beside Kayla in the morning and headed back to the headquarters. They immediately went inside the lobby where a few of their men were standing at attention while holding a salute to greet their presence. The security guard recognized Kaname first because he was the one who came here earlier, including Kayla who assisted her colleague-superior to his workplace.

"Director-General Ayatsuji, Secretary-General Effendy."

The guards of Trilaksana HQ greeted and saluted Kaname and Kayla as soon they approached the two of them. Kaname casually nodded at them, while Kayla smiled to respond back. After finishing their greeting, the guards stepped aside while pointing to the elevator. "Madame Alda and Master Lastier are in the lab," the one soldier reported. "You might want to check Master Hokuri is in the headquarters office building, he just returned. And we are telling the team that the Headquarters Office will be off-limits until both Madame Alda and Master Lastier comes out from there."

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"And Hifumi?"

Kayla glanced at the soldier, when they noticed Kaname averted his attention from the soldier and listened for an information as he wants to know. "He'll be arriving soon," the soldier informed, before Kaname glanced at her. "Kayla, let's go," Kaname called her and led Kayla to the elevators where they waited for someone to come down from the upper floor.

"Hey, what's up?" Luca greeted them when he was discussing work with one of the officers, making Kaname let out a yawn while looking at him. "Not bad, your guest has arrived. You better meet him outside or else he might get lost," Kayla listens to them, holding her folders for him. "Yeah, I know--no need to remind me that. Hokuri told me that he also want to meet a guest. What do you think, Kayla?"

Aliyah asked, holding the paperwork on her hands. "Depends on what topic do you guys want to discuss about," Kayla answered, smiling at him before Luca grinned. "If you're wondering where Master and Madame are, they'll be coming later because you know… they're busy. And we don't know who is Hifumi bringing," he answered. "Oh great… that's just fucking great," Kaname grumbled, regretting his own decision making an appointment. "Fine, let's just wait for the others."

It was about half an hour before they saw someone approaching the lobby from behind them. It's Hifumi--they immediately went towards him once they spotted him. Kayla immediately goes towards Kaname's side, not wanting to spoil her surprise towards the man who just appeared in front of them. Hifumi greeted them by offering a handshake as he bowed his head slightly. "Welcome back to my humble abode," he said politely; however there was a hint of coldness in his tone, as if he is annoyed by something. "I see that you have brought Secretary-General Effendy with you today as well."

What the--since when did Hifumi ever addressed them so professionally like a sophisticated gentleman... Kaname and Kayla raised a brow at his statement, but they stayed calm as he was still the Executive Officer for the military and science. Despite he was in high ranking in term of hierarchy, Hifumi was not a pushover--instead he proved himself as an able leader and highly respected. Therefore, Kaname respected Hifumi's rank and social status but he felt uncomfortable when being addressed like that.

The way Hifumi is speaking seems unnatural to them as well, normally Hifumi never cares about anyone's social ranks or occupations in Trilaksana. Hifumi is always friendly and jovial even to his subordinates so they assume that something must have happened to cause him to act so strangely.

Kaname gripped on his cane that he was holding the whole time, before the twenty-five years old sighed heavily--he had no idea what's with Hifumi recently. Maybe he is having a hard time controlling his emotions because of the recent events that occurred. He looks sad and upset-or maybe he is angry about something. He tried to read Hifumi's mind, but the only thing he could think of is that Hifumi is worried about something. "Let me guess," Kayla started, not wanting to make Kaname had to speak for the entire topic. "You have something you want to tell us, right?" she asked, which made Kaname relieved that she represents his inner feelings. "Also, please put the formality aside--you would never address us like that, not until an important matters because you're just the boss of military and scientific department."

Hifumi sighed again, then he spoke up to them. "Then allow me to explain myself properly," he replied calmly, nodding at them. Kayla was patient enough to hear what he needed to say and to be honest she really missed hearing his playful jokes around the organization, this quiet demeanor is getting really weird even for them. "Long story short, Hokuri assigned me to get rid of Kurino's former teacher by making a fake date with her for one week. Turns out, she ended up falling heels over me instead... after ending the contract."

"What the?! Wait a minute, hold on! What are you talking about?!" Kaname exclaimed, he thought that he was joking with them, but apparently he was not. Hifumi broke his composure by whining, it seems like his secret is finally out. "I HATE IT! I'M JUST A PLAYBOY AND I'M BOTHERED WITH RESPONSIBILITY LIKE A FUCKING PARENT! Kurino will visit my place tomorrow, and I need you guys to help me so she won't bother me... I shouldn't have spoiled her too much and let her spend most of her days with me!"

Kaname facepalmed on the second sentence he heard from him, Kayla's face is becoming a tomato once she heard the term. "WHAT?!" she screeched in horror, "YOU WHAT?!" the young director asked incredulously at him, though in fact he is laughing like mad inside his heart. "What should I do?! If I tell Hokuri about this, that Deputy Secretariat Director will whoop my ass!" Hifumi rambled, while Kayla hummed. "Anyway, the fact is that she has a crush on you?" she wondered curiously. "Yes... just look at her face, she is always staring at my photo albums. I can't really tell if she really loves me or she has Stockholm syndrome or something."

"Whatever you say... but we gotta report it to Hokuri."

Kaname facepalmed for the umpteenth time as he held back from chuckling, and he knows that because Kayla's face was like a fully ripened strawberry. "This is the first time I ever hear about this shit... you couldn't have known about it, you just want her to snap out of her senses, right?" he asked, raising a brow. "Of course not... no matter what, you can't hide it from Hokuri since it's the job protocol to keep any information," she said to him, sighing. "But can you two help me? No matter how much I refused her advances (let alone touching her)... she will be flirting around me!"

When Kaname and Kayla saw him sulking and giving his puppy eyes, they both felt bad for him. Kaname and Kayla understand how hard it is to resist someone's attractions for you and forcing their affection on you, although neither of them personally experienced such thing. They have empathy with Hifumi's difficulties with handling Kurino's flirting with him. Still, the situation was highly unusual due to her personality and the fact that Hifumi had more experience with women.

But this one... fuck.

"Anyway, let's focus on this problem here," Kaname started as he sighed deeply, before continuing. After thinking for a minute, Hifumi grinned as he thought of something. "How about this?" he suggested, then he elaborated. "I have a small proposal for you two. Why don't both of you work together and try to stop her from," Hifumi continued with his grin as he asked them. Kaname and Kayla paused for a second after hearing that, their eyes widened as they looked at each other."What?!" Kaname exclaimed, shocked at the suggestion. "Are you serious right now?!"

"Yes, I am."

Hifumi confirmed his words with a confident nod, folding his arms. "There's no better chance than now, I believe that we will be able to accomplish this task with your cooperation, Director-General Ayatsuji. I'm just a Deputy Director and an Advisor, but I won't deny the fact that I am very skilled in matters such as this. I will make sure that you won't fail in your mission."

"You know... why don't you be a real man and tell her the truth?" Kaname suggested, he know Hifumi is a gentleman but he also know that this gentleman is also pervert behind the scenes. But, thanks to Hokuri to know what kind of man he truly is. "Because Hokuri will kill me," Hifumi said, he gritted his teeth. "He made an agreement on one condition, if she ever fell in love with me--"

Hifumi paused, looking deadpanned. "Well, it's already done!" he exclaimed as his nervousness returned when he realized the situation they found themselves into. "The deal is actually finished... but I don't know what to do next!" he whined, causing Kayla sighed. "Hifumi, just tell Kurino the truth. Or, you can talk to Hokuri about it--in a calm way."

"Yeah, tell her that you're sorry but that you don't feel the same way about her. It's hard, but I'm sure it will get easier as time goes by and everything will return to normal for both of you," Kaname finished his point, unfolding his arms. "You may be a playboy, but there's no need to steal other people's property. Just give her a gift or do something nice for her, that's all she needs."

Hifumi frowned after hearing what he said, realizing that it makes sense and nodding reluctantly. "Fine..." he muttered, he was about to turn around until Hokuri stood there in front of them--making them froze.

"So, the whole fucking time... you're making my daughter fell in love with you instead?!"

The Deputy Secretariat General roared, glaring at him menacingly. "SHIT!" Hifumi yelped, he backed away and hid behind the two executives. "Listen... I can explain!"

Hokuri listens to EVERYTHING from him, trying to be very objective and staying calm about it. Now it's the time for him to speak. "Hifumi," his voice is so calm and it was a complete opposite to his appearance. "Thank you for getting rid of that groomer, so..." he said with a toothy grin and a shrug of his shoulders, patting Hifumi's shoulder and leaving them alone. "It's up to you to deal with the breakup, good luck," he warned and turned to go, leaving them in confusion and silence. "Now... this is awkward," he mumbled under his breath, rubbing his nape.

What a rude way to end a discussion, but Hokuri ain't wrong though.

"Wish me luck..." Hifumi said with a sigh as he began to walk away from them. Kaname and Kayla watched him nervously, they don't even know if they can give him any sort of confidence. "Hifumi is usually very confident when he's with girls, but I wonder what is with him today?" he added, before chuckling nervously. Kayla shook her head, frowning a little. "No, you can't even express yourself well like your usual self."

Few hours later...

“So, did you broke up with Kurino?”

Hifumi nodded with a smile at both Kaname and Kayla inside the canteen of Trilaksana Headquarters, he looked naturally refreshed and happy when he answered their questions about Kurino and their break up. “Yeah,” he answered simply, grinning at them. "I can see the hand slap mark on your cheek, does it hurt?" Kayla asked, raising a brow and Hifumi winces at the fresh feeling on his face. "Yep," he answered with a grin. "I told her about the fake dating and she got apeshit, so she gave me a slap on my face."

Hifumi was expecting Hokuri would blame him for making his daughter get mad and emotional, but Hokuri wasn't mad about it--thinking that Kurino deserved someone better after everything she had to endure by the past. Besides, he is a grown man and he can take care of himself, therefore Hifumi doesn't need to feel any regret for his decisions.

Kaname rolled his eyes in disappointment; he knew how difficult it is for him to deal with Hifumi. He doesn't care about what Hifumi said, but he hates how Hifumi makes things sound like it was very easy to do. Everyone in Trilaksana even the Executive Officers like Luca, are aware about Hifumi being a playboy.

"So, how was the twelve Yaksha's Cores?"

Hifumi asked both of them, focusing the matter about the research of Phantom Beasts, Yakshas and Herukas. "They were undergoing full research," Kayla answered, Kaname nodded as he folded his arms. "The twelve cores are still dormant now, so far the most information we know is that the twelve cores of Yaksha's Cores were actively sentient before they went dormant," he added, watching the core's reaction from an experiment. "And then, these scientists worked so hard on deciphering this ancient hieroglyphics just to extract some vital information for now."

Hifumi furrowed his brows, before he stand up and approached the lab with both of them. There was Alda who observed the cores very intensely as scientists gathered around her; it appeared as though she had been studying the creatures' behavior since last week. Lastier observed with his eyes closed, he was using his telepathic abilities to probe the cores to investigate its hostility--only to receive an invisible hiss at him. "Huh, almost sounds like someone who suffered a heat stroke and a caffeine high blood pressure when screaming insanely," he muttered, closing his eyes and opening them.

"These twelve Yaksha's Cores are part of Twelve Heavenly Generals, the powerful and immortal beings that ruled this world hundreds of years ago... I wonder if it's the same as those wrathful deities. The Herukas, the Yidams... they made their chosen ones into Tiryags, a mere human as a vessel of their Cores when someone awakens them," Alda sighed, putting her arms on her hip. "Are those Tiryags bad? Because you said that Tiryags are almost like a deity that was empowered by holy power but their powers were too much for them to bear..." Lastier trailed off, wondering about the different species in the past world. "Many of the chosen Tiryags were also called 'chosen ones'," she started.

"Some Tiryags were well-known and revered as 'blood-drinkers' in some cultures, whereas others were vilified as being corrupt and bloodthirsty. They are all members of the same group, and there are countless variations of the legends surrounding each one," Alda continues, humming. "It doesn't really mean 'blood-drinkers' are evil people or crazy vampires, there's a lot of chosen ones that has a lot of responsibilities," she scoffed.

Kaname blinked, before he approached them as they held the coffee mug. "Okay... I assume that Yaksha's Cores might have an active role in stopping the outbreak of Phantom Eruption three months ago?" Hifumi asked, Kayla rubbed her chin after she finished her research. "That might be possible," she answered while she scratched her head with her finger, looking lost in deep thoughts about what they are currently discussing. "However, the probability of the resurrection of the twelve Yaksha's Cores is low-it will require a full power source for it to awaken."

Kayla paused for a moment and continued. "But we need more evidence to prove that they are actually alive."

"How long until we can revive them?"

Luca asked, his interest and concern towards Yakshas and Herukas rose in their talk. "About twenty four hours is enough, depending on the situation now," Kayla answered as she flipped her scientific notebook, she tried to interpret the coding to wake them up, but there are limited results of this effort that it was a bad side-effect to humans. "We are still conducting research until we can explain every variables of the twelve Yakshas' cores," she spoke, explaining the subject because Kayla knows the ins and outs of the systems here.

"Even though Trilaksana Organization already has scientists working on this project, there are still some scientific areas that are needed to be clarified by other researchers and experts such as Alda. "This is the first time I've encountered something like this, I'm sure this is a new discovery for us!" she beamed excitedly at the new object that may have the possible role on nature and human. "We have three months left, until the next outbreak," Kaname answered, he unfolded his arms when he continued. "Even though we cannot detect the Core right now, but we can detect the energy of it, we are almost close to finding the path to discover about the existence of Phantom Samsara realm to prove the hypothesis. Also, Prof... is it true that you wanted to find the three Dharma-class Phantom Beasts?"

Hokuri wanted to hide his grin, the thirty-seven years old youthful lecturer / Deputy Secretariat General somewhat baffled because he has been wanting to capture them. "Yeah... those three serpents, their names are... Brahmana, Vishnuda and Shivada," he answered with a sheepish grin, his childish enthusiasm was palpable. The said officers in question raised a brow at his choice of target, Kaname let out an eye roll. "Why do you want to capture them? Don't you see that they're the the highest of the hierarchy in Phantom Beasts' classes? You know, the Dharma-class is the highest of the three--the Vipralopa-class and Emperor-class. Dharma-class can't be underestimated, they're just dangerous..." Hifumi explained, before sighing heavily.

Hokuri has an innate gift for communicating and analyzing Phantom Beasts--which he never mentioned about it to any outsider of the organization, even his personal students. He always using methodical, reliable, but unobtrusive for approachability and he happens to be the one responsible for the tranquilizing devices used for their captives, from the weakest to the strongest. Nobody knows about it, except Kaname. He frowned a little; but Alda did not expect to hear this.

Alda and Lastier knew him long enough to understand that he is an eccentric.

"Listen, I understand that Prof can be eccentric when it comes to Phantom Beasts," Alda started, her dark brown colored eyes narrowed. "But, there's something 'different' about these three that makes them unique. Some of the monsters were from a rare species, other than that they are very adaptable as well; Professor's experiments were always successful with those three," she explained, making them understand why Hokuri never stops his desire to capture and keep them safe. Hokuri can control and domesticate Phantom Beasts through his own methods, which he had succeeded.

"What does the Dharma-class based on?" Lastier questioned, making Kayla hums and turned her focus to her work of research. "Based on how 'highly' adaptive its fighting ability; more vicious and aggressive than other beasts, can show a brutal assault mode if it makes the victim paralyzed, causing the death of its opponent," she answered, making Aliyah furrowed her brows. "Woah, how did you know about those beasts, Hokuri?"

"It all started... when I was studying about them, I came across these illustrations of these beloved serpents."

Oh great, just what they need. Lecturing. But they actually amused of the way Hokuri's mind works. He really loved his life even though it's complicated. But, he enjoys his life for scientific purposes--even to the point of getting a Phantom beast as a pet like a horse or a dog, it was impressive to the ears. "I came across their illustration when I got fascinated by it--I think it might be only natural for me to capture and document their behavior and lives, I wanted to preserve their existences so they won't cease into extinction and become extinct."

He got carried away, somewhat ambitious about his desire. "I planned to continue my research, make them domestic and not trying to control their hosts--they can be a guardian and protector," he explained, without saying much--but they feel that he has a pure heart. "Today's your lucky day, the Nirvana Organization confirmed their existence recently," Alda said with a smile, tapping his shoulder gently. "We're going to work together to do this, don't you worry,"

Hokuri visibly gaped, he felt like a five year old with an obsession over something with his jaw dropping and eyes shining so brightly upon hearing the news. He seemed genuinely happy about hearing it and couldn't wait to meet them. "Dude, you're like the eldest of the group and yet you act like a kid," Kaname commented, making them snickered and giggled. After having enough talk, the executives parted their ways for a small errand. "Let's make a portal to Phantom Samsara, I REALLY NEED TO SHOW MY INVESTIGATION ON PROBABLY THERE'S A WAY TO THE INHABITANTS FROM PHANTOM REALM TO HUMAN WORLD--"

"Okay, calm down old man--wait, you're too young for a thirty-seven years old--"

"FUCK OFF!"

Kaname always wonder why Hokuri has a bad temper, unlike Aliyah who usually stays composed and confident--like this woman had everything in control, which is quite different to how she was when it comes to researching about the Phantom Beasts' current information and their actions. Aliyah hated the Phantom Beasts, which Hokuri kinda took it personally when it comes to her strong passion towards Phantom Beasts' biology, physiology and behavior. But, they don't clash each other verbally because one; she's a colleague of Hokuri, two; Hokuri respected her status and three; they're both professional to look beyond their differences and handle things professionally. Hokuri doesn't like to pick a fight, especially with subordinates in Trilaksana Organization, and he always tried to give second chances to the people that were not 'normal' in the organization and he believes in the capability of underdogs as opposed to picking the elites.

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