Soon after, the vice-commander's voice echoed through the room again: — One hundred and fifth contestant, Mira!

Mira, nervous, walked to the center of the room. Three captains raised their hands: the captain of the sixth, fifth and third divisions.

She tried to maintain her composure, but she felt Yumi's piercing gaze on her, as if the captain were challenging her with her eyes. — She's threatening me... — Mira thought, quickly looking away.

— One hundred and fifth contestant, Mira, accepted by three captains! Which team wishes to join? — the vice-commander asked.

— The sixth division, please! — Mira replied, her voice firm.

The captain of the sixth division nodded in approval, and Mira headed for the door. She could still feel Yumi's gaze on her back.

— Why is she staring at me? What have I done? — Mira thought, hurrying to leave the room as quickly as possible.

— Next! — called the vice-commander.

Kratos stepped forward, and all the captains, except Yumi and Julius, raised their hands.

— I choose the sixth division, please! — Kratos declared firmly.

Kratos was accepted and left the room, keeping his expression calm.

— Hey, sister, if it's not the first division, don't you think it will be interesting? — exclaimed San, turning to his sister, Dan.

— I was thinking the same thing, brother! — said Dan, with an expectant smile.

Dan was the next to be called. Yumi and Captain Takemichi of the Sixth Division raised their hands, and she quickly chose the Sixth Division, followed by her brother, who made the same choice.

Shortly after, Ravena was called. To everyone’s surprise, all the captains except Julius raised their hands.

— Why did he reject me? — Ravena thought, feeling anger rise in her chest. — Why did he choose that guy over me?

— Which team do you wish to join? — the vice-commander asked.

With narrowed eyes and a vengeful expression, Ravena thought to herself: He’ll pay for humiliating me… he’ll pay. — I wish to join the Sixth Division, please, — she declared coldly.

Ravena was accepted and quickly left the room, still furious about Julius’s rejection.

Fiona was next to be called, and only the captain of the Sixth Division raised his hand.

— Just one offer? No… it can’t be… — Fiona thought, her heart sinking in frustration.

— One offer. Do you wish to join? — asked the vice-commander.

— Yes, please… — Fiona responded, her voice trembling, before leaving the room, still processing the reality of her sole offer.

After Fiona, all the remaining competitors also chose the Sixth Division. Slayer received offers from all the captains, but feeling a rivalry with Kratos, he chose the Sixth Division, to everyone’s surprise.

— In the end, you got all the promising ones, — commented Yumi, crossing her arms and watching Takemichi.

— You would’ve gotten some too if you hadn’t rejected so many, — Takemichi replied seriously as he stood up from his seat.

— Leaving already? — Yumi exclaimed, surprised by his swift exit.

— I have other matters to attend to. Excuse me, — Takemichi said calmly before leaving.

— I’ll stop by your base one of these days! — Yumi shouted playfully, trying to tease him.

Takemichi paused for a moment, turned around, and with an irritated expression retorted: — Not a chance! — then walked out of the room without looking back.

Yumi let out an exaggerated sigh, pretending to be sad. — That makes me so sad… but there’s no helping it, — she thought, smiling slightly, already used to the captains’ curt responses.

— I can’t believe it, all of you joined the Sixth Division? — Mira exclaimed, surprised, looking at the gathered group.

— I just went with the flow! — Thais replied, laughing sheepishly.

— Yeah, but you’d better be careful. Not everyone joined this squad with good intentions… — Sarah warned, scanning the room.

— Speaking of trouble, here comes one! — Thais said, tilting her head toward Ravena, who was approaching with a menacing look.

Ravena stopped in front of Kay and Mira, crossing her arms. — Just so you know, I’m going to destroy you until you beg to leave the army. And then I’ll climb the ranks until I’m a member of the First Division!

Kay remained calm, showing no reaction, and simply responded: — Yes, if that’s what you want, you can do it.

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Ravena widened her eyes, indignant. — Are you underestimating me?!

Before Kay could respond, Mira intervened: — That’s not it. He was referring to you making it into the First Division.

— And about making me leave the army as well, — Kay added indifferently, which only fueled Ravena’s fury.

— You’ll pay for embarrassing me, you bastard! — Ravena shouted, abruptly turning away and storming off.

Shortly after, Fiona appeared, walking toward the group. She gave them a quick glance but soon looked away, as if uncomfortable.

At that moment, Takemichi approached with a calm but firm demeanor. — Is everyone here? — he asked, scanning the group of newcomers.

— A few are still missing, — replied one of the recruits who had also been accepted into the team.

— Fifteen recruits this year. Welcome. We’ll head directly to our base from here. Bring only your bags; the rest of your belongings can be sent later. You have one hour. I’ll be waiting here, — Takemichi said before walking away.

— Excuse me, — said Kay as he left, seemingly uninterested.

— I’ll be waiting here. You have one hour. You’re dismissed! — Takemichi repeated, giving the order.

— Yes, sir! — the recruits responded in unison, saluting firmly.

— Mira, let’s talk! — Takemichi said as he left the room.

Mira quickly followed him, while the others watched from a distance.

— Do they know each other? — Thais asked, confused.

— Seems like it! — Viviane replied, curious.

Further ahead, Takemichi stopped in a quiet corner and asked:

— How are you?

— I’m fine, — Mira answered with a smile.

— And your mom? I’ve been talking to her, but it’s been harder to find time lately! — he commented with slight concern.

— She’s fine. She actually came here today, — Mira said casually.

— She came to bring you all? Where is she now? — Takemichi asked, surprised.

— She was watching the test. I’m not sure if she’s gone back to the hotel yet, — Mira explained.

Takemichi seemed to panic. — Your mom’s here?! — he started trembling slightly.

— Maybe she... — Mira began, trying to calm him.

— I need to escape before she... — Takemichi murmured, looking around.

Before he could finish his sentence, a familiar voice interrupted:

— Before I find you? Why would you run from your wife? — said Rem, smiling as she approached.

— Mom?! When did you get here? — Mira asked, surprised.

— Honey? — Takemichi exclaimed, startled and trying to hide his nervousness.

— I ran into Kay on the way, and he told me where you were, — said Rem, still smiling.

— Good thing the boy helped you! I’m happ— — Takemichi began but was interrupted.

— You don’t text me, you don’t return my calls… I might start thinking you’ve kicked the bucket, — Rem said with a serious tone but still smiling.

— You know it’s not easy to take me out! — Takemichi replied, trying to sound confident.

Rem then looked directly into his eyes and firmly said: — Take good care of our daughter and Kay. I won’t forgive you if either of them gets hurt, so train them well!

— If they’re in my team, I’ll take care of them, but… I don’t like that boy! — Takemichi admitted with a sigh.

Rem frowned but spoke calmly: — Don’t say that. Forgive your father, he… wait, where did Mira go? — she suddenly noticed her daughter’s absence.

— I… don’t know! — Takemichi replied, looking around, surprised.

— Why didn’t you stay with your dad? — Kay asked, carrying the bags.

— He met my mom, and you know how they get when they’re together. They didn’t even notice I left! — Mira said.

— I see, — Kay replied, somewhat indifferent.

— Why don’t you like my dad? — Mira asked, slightly irritated. — Every time he visits, you’re never home to see him, even when I ask you to!

— I was busy training. Besides, every time he comes, he doesn’t even stay for an hour! Why would I waste my time on that? — Kay replied casually.

— Kay, you know we’re now under my dad’s command. You need to start understanding him! — Mira said, trying to sound serious.

— I only joined this squad because of the promise you made me. I won’t follow your dad’s orders, and no matter how much you insist, I won’t change my mind, — Kay said firmly.

— Fine, I get it! You won’t change your mind! — Mira replied, lying down on the bed, frustrated.

— And I’m the lazy one… — Kay muttered.

— Shut up! You spent almost the whole time sleeping! — Mira retorted.

— Aren’t we leaving now? — Kay asked, standing up.

— My dad gave us an hour. My mom’s with him, so it won’t be easy for him to be on time, — Mira said, unconcerned.

Kay threw himself onto the bed next to her, but before he could relax, Mira pushed him off, making him fall to the floor.

— Why did you do that? — Kay exclaimed, surprised.

— You can’t just lie next to a girl like that out of nowhere! — Mira said, blushing. — And we’re alone here! — she murmured, looking away.

Kay got up, rubbing his shoulder where he had fallen, and looked at Mira with a confused expression.

— What did you mean by that? — he asked, intrigued.

Mira blushed even more, avoiding eye contact.

— Nothing! Just… have some consideration, okay? — she murmured, lying back on the bed, this time turning her back to him.

— Fine, fine… relax, — Kay replied, sighing and sitting on the floor.

They sat in silence for a few moments, only the sound of their breathing filling the room. Kay stared at the ceiling, still confused about Mira’s behavior, while she tried to collect herself.

— Still, you didn’t answer my question, — Mira said, breaking the silence.

— What question? — Kay asked, genuinely confused.

— Why don’t you like my dad? — she repeated, not turning to face him.

Kay sighed again, this time more heavily.

— It’s not that I don’t like him, Mira. I just… don’t see a reason to be around him. He always seems uncomfortable with me, and I feel the same way, — he explained, crossing his arms.

— But now we’re part of his squad. This can’t go on, you know that, right? — Mira insisted, trying to soften her tone.

Kay remained silent, and Mira sighed. She knew pushing the matter at that moment wouldn’t lead anywhere. She turned to look at Kay, who was now staring at the floor, deep in thought.

— Fine, Kay. But just… try. For me? — she asked softly.

Kay looked at her for a moment, his eyes softening.

— I’ll try, — he finally said, relenting a little.

Mira smiled faintly.

— Thank you.

Kay, blushing, turned his face away and murmured:

— Congratulations on joining the army.

Mira turned abruptly.

— What? What did you say? — she exclaimed.

— Nothing, — Kay replied, avoiding her gaze.

— I didn’t hear you right, say it again! — Mira insisted.

Kay, now visibly embarrassed, touched her head gently, still not looking at her.

— I’m proud of you. Congratulations on joining the army, — he said, completely red.

Mira froze for a moment, feeling Kay’s soft touch on her head and noticing his embarrassed expression. Her cheeks turned even redder, but she disguised it, trying not to show how surprised and happy she was with his words.

Kay continued to look away, clearly uncomfortable, but he gave a slight smile.

Mira bit her lip, trying to control the emotion welling up inside her. As stubborn as Kay was, he always managed to surprise her in the most unexpected moments.

— Thank you, Kay, — Mira said with a shy smile, giving him a light punch on the arm.

She turned her face away, but she couldn’t help smiling. Kay remained embarrassed, staring at the floor.

Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted the scene.

— How cute! You two look like a couple of tomatoes! — Rem said with a mischievous smile.

— Mom?! — Mira exclaimed, startled.