Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted the scene.

“How cute! They look like peppers, they’re so red!” Rem said, with a mischievous smile.

“Mom?!” Mira exclaimed, startled.

“Did you finish talking to your husband?” Kay asked, turning to Rem.

“Yes, I just finished!” Rem replied, unconcerned.

“Why don’t you look surprised?” Mira asked, suspicious.

“Your mother was there at the door before I even touched your head,” Kay explained.

“Mom?!” Mira exclaimed, even more embarrassed.

Rem laughed, finding the situation funny.

“Well, you only have twenty more minutes. You better get ready!” Rem warned.

“We smell like ghouls. I’m going to take a shower first, you’re taking too long,” Kay said, already walking to the bathroom.

“You’ll take ten minutes in the shower, there won’t be enough time!” — protested Mira.

“Kay!” — Rem called, interrupting the argument.

Kay turned to her.

“There you go!” — Rem said, spraying perfume on him.

“You know you can’t put strong-smelling perfume on him, Mom!” — complained Mira.

“The smell of perfume is better than that of ghouls. Now we’re in a good mood!” — Kay said, with a mischievous smile.

“My perfume?!” — Mira exclaimed, taking the bottle from Rem’s hands.

“That’s all I had,” Rem replied, shrugging.

“Thank you, auntie. We’re going!” — Kay said, picking up the bags.

“Can you carry all this? Do you want me to drive you?” — Rem offered.

“Really? You can do it!” — Kay replied.

“It’s right next door, Mom. You don’t have to worry,” Mira said, taking some of Kay’s bags.

She gave Rem a tight hug.

“Take care!” Don't be reckless! — Rem said, with a worried look.

“I won't be. I promise to visit whenever possible,” Mira replied.

Rem smiled, satisfied.

“Mira, can you leave us alone? I need to talk to your mother about something,” Kay said, seriously.

“Okay!” Mira said, leaving the room.

“And no eavesdropping!” Rem said, with a wink.

Mira left quietly.

Kay then approached Rem and spoke in a more serious tone.

“Talk to your husband. Ask him to send people to the village.”

“Why?” Rem exclaimed, confused.

“Ghouls,” Kay said, with a dark expression.

Rem widened her eyes, worried.

The scene changed.

“This bus looks beat up!” Thais said, observing the vehicle.

“It's an armored bus.” All military vehicles have armor, but with the amount of armor we have, it's hard to replace it. Still, it can handle the blow. — Takemichi explained, with a confident smile.

“I'm already regretting it... — Raven thought, restless.

“Time is short, pack your bags and get in!” — Takemichi ordered.

They hit the road. The sixth division's barracks were three hours away from the capital.

“It's not a hotel, not even very luxurious, but this will be your new home!” — Takemichi said, as the barracks gate opened.

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What they saw surprised them. The barracks were huge and extremely busy. The outside area was full of land, air and naval vehicles, all ready for action.

The soldiers, who had previously seemed agitated, noticed the bus approaching and immediately formed two lines, greeting the newcomers with a salute.

“I don't know if it will have everything you need, but here we have everything we need for our missions. Get along with the guys, because you're part of the team now! — Takemichi said, as he got off the bus. — Stop near the barracks. Drax will receive the newbies there. — he added, addressing the driver.

— Okay! — the driver replied, driving the vehicle.

The bus passed between the rows of soldiers and headed towards the barracks.

— Hey, Kay, do you see that? — Mira exclaimed, excited.

— He's sleeping. — Kratos said, sitting next to Kay.

— He sleeps a lot, doesn't he? — Sarah said, laughing.

Kay, however, was immersed in a dream.

— Don't worry, the village will be fine. I'll be fine. — Rem said, in her dreams.

— But... — Kay tried to argue, but was interrupted by a hug from Rem.

— I'll be fine! I was in the army too, or have you forgotten that? — Rem exclaimed with a confident smile.

— There's no way I can forget. — Kay replied.

— Take care of yourself and protect Mira for me. When she comes to visit me, make sure you come with her! — Rem said, still hugging him.

— She knows how to take care of herself... but I promise I'll visit her every month! — Kay said, determined.

— You know that every month is impossible, but I'll wait for your vacation. Take care of yourself, okay? — Rem said, letting go of him.

— You too! — Kay replied.

— Now go, before you lose track of time! — Rem insisted.

At that moment, Kay woke up.

— I don't know who this Rem is, but she seems important to you. — Kratos commented, observing Kay.

— Are we roommates? — Kay asked, still confused about what was happening.

— Yes. Again, I am Kratos. It will be a pleasure to work with you! — Kratos said, extending his hand cordially.

— I am Kay. I say the same, Kratos. How long was I asleep? — Kay asked, worried.

— Four hours. — Kratos replied.

— Four hours?! Mira must be mad with rage! — Kay exclaimed, surprised.

— The trip here took three hours. They only showed us the base and now we are going to the cafeteria for lunch. — Kratos explained.

— So I woke up at the right time! Where is the cafeteria? — Kay asked.

— I stopped by to get you. I will show you the way. — Kratos said.

Kay thanked him and followed Kratos to the cafeteria.

— Are we really going to have to walk all that way to the cafeteria? — Kay complained, looking into the distance.

— I agree with you. The cafeteria and the barracks should be closer together. — Kratos commented.

One of the veteran soldiers, who was passing by, heard the conversation and smiled.

"Newbies, you'll soon understand why it's so far away. Do you prefer to eat after an intense workout or after a nap?" the soldier exclaimed, with a provocative smile.

"If I'm sleepy, it'll be hard to get here! But the location doesn't matter," Kay said, with an air of disdain.

"Here's a tip: always eat when you have the chance, otherwise you'll be hungry until snack time!" the veteran soldier advised.

"Thanks for the tip, veteran!" Kratos said, saluting.

"What are you doing?" the soldier asked with an ironic smile. "Saluting is only for superiors. In the army, no soldier is superior to another, except the vice-captain and the captain. Positions like the infirmary, kitchen, and others, then you salute." he explained, correcting Kratos.

"Thanks for correcting me!" — Kratos said, slightly embarrassed.

— Never mind. — the soldier said, relaxing. — This is the mess hall, the most beloved place after the barracks, of course!

They entered the mess hall, and the sight was impressive. The space was huge and full of soldiers, all enjoying their meal, creating a lively atmosphere.

"It's going to be hard to find Mira here!" thought Kay, as her eyes scanned the crowded mess hall.

— Give up looking. Come eat before you run out! — suggested the veteran soldier, already moving forward in line.

Kay took the meal and noticed that it was well balanced, ideal for keeping the body healthy and satisfying hunger. Together with Kratos, he sat at the table, surrounded by other soldiers in a lively atmosphere.

— By the way, I'm Maycon! Nice to meet you. — said the veteran soldier, extending his hand.

The two quickly introduced themselves. As soon as they finished their meal, the soldiers began to leave the mess hall and headed to the courtyard.

— Aren't you coming? — Kratos asked, already standing up and ready to leave.

— I'll pass. I need to relieve myself first. — Kay said, getting up.

— Idiot. — muttered a girl who was passing by, giving her a disdainful look.

— Fine, I'm going to the courtyard! — Kratos replied, laughing, as he walked away.

They parted ways, and Kay went on her way. In the courtyard, Kratos was soon approached.

— Kratos! I didn't see Kay, is he still sleeping? — Mira asked, approaching along with other girls.

— We just parted ways. We had lunch together, but he went to the bathroom. — Kratos explained.

— Thank you! — Mira replied, relieved.

Kratos walked away, leaving Mira with her friends.

— Hey, Mira... are you just friends? — Thais asked, curious, with a suggestive smile on her face.

— Are you talking about Kay? Yes, we are! — Mira replied, a little surprised by the question, but keeping her tone casual.

— So, can I date him? — Thais exclaimed, bluntly.

— What?! — the girls reacted, surprised.

— Date Kay? What are you talking about?! — Mira asked, agitated, clearly disconcerted.

— I thought you two liked each other romantically, but since that's not the case, I think I can try something with him, right? — Thais continued, with a provocative smile.

"Kay... making advances on Kay? That doesn't make sense, they barely know each other! Why is she saying that all of a sudden?" Mira thought, trying to process the situation.

— Enough, Thais! You're confusing her! — Viviane intervened, noticing Mira's discomfort.

— No, you can't date! — Mira suddenly said, her voice filled with nervousness.

— Why not? He's single! — Thais teased, with a defiant tone.

— Kay is mine! — Mira exclaimed, almost without thinking.

— Aha! So you like him! — Thais laughed. — But if that's the case, stop saying you're just friends and confess your love to him now! — she added, with a victorious smile.

— What kind of crazy talk is this? — Kay said, appearing out of nowhere, confused by the argument that had just taken place in the air.

— This is your chance! — Thais whispered to Mira.

— Let's give them some space! — Sarah said, pulling the other girls away.

— Let's give them some space! — Sarah said, pulling the other girls away.

— There's a weird ninja in my room! — Kay commented, completely changing the subject.