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

— N-ninja? — Mira stammered, trembling.

— Why are you trembling? Are you scared? Weird... I thought you loved ninja stories. — Kay said, raising his eyebrows curiously.

— K-Kay! — Mira called suddenly.

— Yes? — Kay answered promptly.

"How am I going to tell him this? I don't even know if that's what I want... I mean, just look at him! He doesn't even realize..." Mira thought, her heart racing and her mind confused.

Kay, not noticing the whirlwind of emotions in Mira, leaned over and rested his forehead against hers.

— You don't have a fever... But you've been blushing all day. I thought you were sick. — he said, with a worried expression.

Mira was completely paralyzed, unable to react.

— Game over! — Sarah whispered, watching from afar.

— It was a direct hit to the heart! — said Thais, enjoying the scene.

— Hey, Mira, do you want to take a tour of the base with me? — asked Kay, casually.

— T-take a tour? — repeated Mira, still dazed.

— Yeah, I haven't taken the tour of the base yet. — said Kay, with a relaxed smile.

Mira looked at the girls, who gave her encouraging signs with thumbs up.

— Okay... — replied Mira, trying to hide her nervousness.

They walked away, leaving the other girls smiling, satisfied with how the situation had unfolded.

As they walked side by side through the base, Mira tried to remain calm, although her heart was racing whenever she looked at Kay. Around them, the soldiers were enjoying their time off after lunch, laughing and chatting in small groups, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Kay looked closely at the details of the base, impressed by the organization and movement of the soldiers.

— This base is well organized. — he commented, smiling as he scratched his head, looking somewhat unconcerned.

Mira smiled and decided to take advantage of the moment to start a conversation, taking a deep breath before speaking.

— Yeah, I was a little confused by so many things too. — she replied, trying to sound calm. — Kay, I wanted to ask you something...

— Send it on! — he said, curious, as he observed the soldiers around him.

— Have you ever thought about... someone special? Like, loving someone? — Mira asked, trying to hide the anxiety in her voice.

Kay frowned, surprised by the question, and looked at her, sincere.

— Loving someone? Don't you know? I love you! — he said, in a genuine tone. — But why do you want to know that?

"Because I wanted to be that special person for you...", Mira thought, but hesitated to say it out loud, looking away with a shy smile.

— Love me? — she said, laughing a little nervously.

Before Kay could continue, an alarm sounded, drawing the attention of everyone at the base. They turned and saw Takemichi standing next to Drax, looking ready to give an important instruction.

"We've just received information about an attack in our area! Get ready!" a voice announced over the radio, echoing throughout the base.

"They shouldn't call the recruits," Mira muttered.

"Let's continue!" Kay said, unconcerned.

"Right!" Mira replied, trying to keep her tone calm.

The courtyard went into a complete uproar. Soldiers ran to the warehouse, grabbing weapons and equipment. The nervousness was evident on everyone's faces.

"Right after lunch, those damn ghouls!" Maycon grumbled, gripping his weapon tightly and looking visibly irritated.

Kratos approached, excited and anxious.

"Can we go with you?" he asked hopefully.

Maycon nodded firmly.

— Not this time. The recruits are still without weapons and suits. You will have to wait until they are properly equipped.

Kay and Mira looked at each other, feeling a mix of frustration and anxiety. The idea of seeing the others going to the front lines while they remained at the base made them uneasy.

The sound of helicopter blades reverberated through the courtyard, and Kay climbed up to the watchtower to get a better view, watching five helicopters descending to pick up groups of soldiers who were already lining up to board quickly. Other soldiers were climbing into military trucks, which would take them to the battlefield.

“What a lively bunch!” Kay commented, with a smile.

“I don’t know if we can stay up here... Let’s get down before they draw our attention!” Mira said, worried.

“Too late for that.” A female voice sounded behind them. It was Captain Yumi, with a serious expression.

Mira quickly saluted.

“It was hard to convince Takemichi to let me in, really hard, you know? And when I finally come to see you, Kay, I find you here... with another woman! — Yumi said, irritated, staring at him.

“You’re a captain, aren’t you going to join them?” — Kay asked, unconcerned.

“No. This kingdom is under Takemichi’s supervision. If I interfered with the ghouls, it would be a disgrace to the Sixth Squad!” — Yumi replied, with a firm tone.

“So what did you come here to do?” — Kay exclaimed, curious.

Yumi was shocked by the question, not believing it.

“Kay, be more sensitive!” — Mira whispered, embarrassed.

Yumi took a deep breath, clearly shaken.

“After so many years I meet you and... you don’t remember me? Baka! Idiot!” — Yumi said, irritated, before turning around and leaving quickly.

Kay watched her walk away and shook her head.

“What a strange girl…” — he muttered, confused.

Mira sighed in exasperation.

“She was so sad. Do you really not remember her?” Mira asked, frowning.

“No…” Kay replied, shrugging.

“You don’t remember many people either. Go apologize and ask where they know each other from!” Mira suggested, pushing him lightly.

Kay looked at her and then back at the path Yumi had taken, sighing, without much choice.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Okay, okay,” he finally replied, forcing a smile.

Kay walked away, determined to resolve the situation. As he walked, his mind was buzzing with memories he couldn’t access. What had happened between them? Why didn’t he remember her?

Kay turned the corner of a building in the base and saw Yumi standing there, arms crossed, staring at the horizon. She seemed lost in her thoughts.

“Yumi!” he called, his voice hesitant.

She turned slowly, and her eyes were softer than before, but there was still a shadow of frustration.

“What do you want?” he asked, his tone trying to be indifferent, but it couldn’t hide the pain.

Kay took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

“I… I just wanted to apologize. I didn’t remember you, and I didn’t mean to be insensitive.” — he said, his gaze fixed on Yumi.

To her surprise, Yumi looked confused. She took a step forward, and her expression softened.

“You really don’t remember?” she asked, almost in a whisper. “I… I’ve always admired you, Ka-chan.”

“I remember some things… But there are many people from my childhood, I can’t…” — Kay

Past.

The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, dyeing the sky orange and purple. Yumi was visiting the village of Kay, drawn by its peaceful beauty and the fame of local legends. At her side, her bodyguards stood alert, but the mood was light. However, this tranquility was abruptly interrupted when a ghoul emerged from the darkness.

Screams echoed through the air as the ghoul attacked, Yumi’s bodyguards scattering to try to protect her. One of them was easily knocked down, and panic took over. Yumi stood there, terrified, adrenaline pumping through her veins.

Before the ghoul could advance again, a figure appeared like a flash of lightning. Rem, Mira's mother, fired with astonishing accuracy. The sound of the gunshot echoed, and the ghoul fell to the ground, inert. The tension dissipated instantly.

Kay appeared, his fierce gaze sweeping the scene. He was angry, not because he had arrived late, but because he had not been allowed to fight the ghoul.

"What happened here? Why didn't you let me fight?" Rem asked, his voice full of frustration.

— Because you’re too young to take that risk! — Rem replied, her eyes fixed on his.

Yumi was panting, still in shock. The relief of being alive hit her like a wave, and she fainted, her body sliding to the floor.

The argument grew intense, but was interrupted when they realized that Yumi was passed out on the floor. Rem’s relief quickly turned to concern.

“Let’s take her home,” Rem said, picking Yumi up in her arms.

As soon as they arrived home, Rem carefully placed Yumi on a bed. Kay watched her.

When Yumi finally woke up, she sat up quickly, a scream stuck in her throat. What she found was Kay staring at her intensely, his expression a mix of concern and irritation.

“You…” Yumi stammered, crawling across the bed, her expression reflecting fear. “Who are you?

I’m Kay. You’ve been attacked! Kay said

Yumi looked at him, confused, trying to process the situation.

"I just wanted to see the village. I didn't know it was so dangerous here." She replied, her voice shaking a little.

"Dangerous?" Kay laughed sarcastically.

The tension on Kay's face began to soften a little. He couldn't deny that, in part, he felt responsible. If something had happened to her, it would have weighed on his conscience.

"Just..." he said, his voice softening.

"Kay, we need to talk." Mira said, interrupting the moment. "There's another girl in your bed!" Mira shouted, surprised.

They both turned to her, and Kay sighed, as if she was preparing for another argument.

"That girl was passed out in the forest. Her mother found her and brought her here to take care of her!" Kay said.

"It wasn't..." Yumi began, hesitantly.

Before she could continue, Kay quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

— You'll scare her, don't talk about what happened — he whispered in her ear.

Startled, Yumi nodded, and Kay slowly removed her hand.

— She's still scared, but she'll be fine! — he said, trying to calm her down.

Mira watched the two of them, suspicious.

— Your mother must be coming back. I'm going to continue my training — Kay said, leaving the room quickly.

"He ran away!" thought Mira, a little irritated by his attitude.

— Sorry to bother you! — Yumi said, with a polite tone of voice.

— Are you okay? Kay doesn't know how to deal with people well... he's kind of carefree — Mira said, with a slight smile.

— I'm fine... He said he was going to train. Why does he train so much? — Yumi asked, curious.

— Revenge! — Mira replied, her voice tinged with seriousness. — The ghouls killed his parents. Since then, he's wanted to destroy each and every one of them. It's been two years since he started training.

— Two years? That's all? — Yumi exclaimed, surprised.

— Yeah... Kay isn't normal. Who else can get so strong in such a short time? I do the same training as him, but I'm not even half as strong! — Mira said, laughing lightly.

“Can I see?” — Yumi asked, her eyes shining with interest.

“What?” — Mira blinked, surprised.

“Your training! I want to see!” — Yumi insisted, excited.

“I don't think it's a problem... But can you walk?” — Mira asked, assessing Yumi's disposition with a worried expression.

“Yes, I can.” — Yumi replied, trying to get up from the bed, her body still feeling weak.

Mira nodded, a little impressed by her courage. She extended her hand, helping her balance.

“Let's take it easy, then. He's not far away.”

“Here, take it with you!” Rem said, handing her a basket.

They continued through the village, with Mira helping Yumi keep up the pace. During the journey, Yumi looked around, taking in the simplicity and peace of the place, while Mira explained more about Kay's life.

"He trains because... he wants revenge?" Yumi asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, that's what he says," Mira replied. "But actually, I think it's a little more than that. Ever since his parents were killed by the ghouls, he's been carrying a silent hatred. I think he feels responsible for not being able to protect them."

Yumi listened in silence, understanding Kay's intense gaze and reserved manner better. It was as if he was always distant, with a purpose of his own.

They heard a series of loud bangs, like muffled blows echoing through the forest. Yumi tensed, her eyes wide, but Mira smiled calmly.

"Don't worry, it's just Kay," Mira said, trying to calm her down.

The two followed the sound and reached a clearing. There, they saw Kay moving quickly, attacking a punching bag hanging from a tree with his bat. The speed of his movements made the bag swing violently.

“He’s fast!” Yumi commented, surprised.

“He is!” Mira agreed, watching with a proud smile.

Yumi continued to watch, but something peculiar soon caught her attention. After a few minutes, she noticed that Kay’s bat always stopped an inch from the bag, without actually touching it. Still, the bag swung as if it were being hit hard.

“But… why isn’t he hitting the bag?” Yumi asked, visibly impressed and confused.

— You'll understand soon enough... — Mira replied, with a mysterious air.

Suddenly, the bag tore in half, exploding into pieces. Kay stopped, remaining still, breathing deeply.

Yumi's mouth fell open, impressed by Kay's strength and precision.

Mira looked at the clock on the floor and stopped the stopwatch.

— Congratulations, a new record! It was five minutes. You've reduced it by one minute compared to yesterday! — Mira said, satisfied.

— Five minutes? — Yumi exclaimed, impressed.

— What are you doing here? — Kay asked, noticing the two.

— Mom sent snacks! — Mira replied, showing a basket.

Mira spread a cloth on the floor and organized the snacks on top.

— A picnic? — Yumi asked, surprised.

— Not really... — Mira hesitated, but then laughed. — Yeah, I think you're right!

When Kay tried to grab the bottle, Mira quickly stopped her.

— What is it? — Kay asked, confused.

“Leave it for last!” — Mira replied, pulling the bottle out of her hand.

Kay tried again, but Mira held the bottle tightly.

“Not now!” — she said firmly.

“Then I’ll keep training.” — Kay stood up, determined.

“Eat first.” — Mira stopped him, pouring coffee for Yumi and herself.

Kay watched them closely.

“Why don’t you pour him some?” — Yumi asked, still confused by the situation.

“Coffee is his energy drink!” — Mira explained, smiling.

She placed the bottle even further away from Kay, while he watched the two of them drink.

“Coffee is his energy drink… but coffee has this effect on everyone, but only for a short time, because they act like it’s miraculous. But this coffee is really good!” thought Yumi, enjoying the drink.

Kay, already eating the sandwiches, looked at Mira with a melancholic expression.

— If you don't stop looking like that, I'll take your coffee back and you won't drink it! — Mira said, trying to contain her laughter.

Kay sighed and turned his face away, resigned.

They talked while they ate.

— So, you came to see this kingdom and ended up in our village. I don't know how you managed to get so far! — Mira commented, with a smile.

— I heard that the captain was born in this kingdom and wanted to see the place that made him so strong! My mother always says that the environment shapes people! — Yumi replied, excited.

Kay seemed bothered by the comment, but didn't say anything.

"Did I say something wrong?" Yumi thought, worried.

— The captain is my father. He was trained in the army, not here. That's where he became strong. — Mira explained, proudly.

— He's your father? What a coincidence! — Yumi said, surprised.

— That's right! — Mira agreed.

Kay looked away, thoughtful. "Literally, the world is getting smaller... the ghouls have taken over everything outside the walls," he reflected, somberly.

— Your mother is also amazing! She's so fast and... — Yumi started to say, but was interrupted.

— Rem was quick to bring her here — Kay interrupted, changing the subject.

— My mother was also in the army. That's where she met my father. — Mira explained, smiling.

— So that's why! Your family is really impressive. — Yumi said, amazed.

Kay tried to grab the coffee pot, but Mira lightly slapped his hand, making him step back.

"Should I talk about this or should I keep quiet?" Yumi thought, slightly embarrassed.

— Anyway, it's better not to talk about my father in front of Kay. For some reason, he doesn't like him. — Mira commented.

— Understood! I won't bring it up anymore. — Yumi agreed quickly.

Kay lay down on the cloth.

— There's no point in making a fuss! I'm not going to give you coffee until you eat it all! — Mira said, jokingly.

— I think he fell asleep. — Yumi observed, surprised.

— Damn Kay... — Mira said, rolling her eyes. She then filled a cup of coffee and placed it next to him.

As soon as she smelled the coffee, Kay woke up and started drinking quickly.

"That's the only way to get him up," Mira commented, irritated.

"She really has him in the palm of her hand," Yumi thought, watching the two with a discreet smile.

— Stop playing hard to get, — Kay said, holding out the cup of coffee.

“Who? Are you going crazy? Do you want to skip coffee?” Mira exclaimed, surprised.

“Sorry!” Kay said, bowing in a gesture of regret.

“Has he gotten more agitated? What’s in this coffee?” Yumi thought, intrigued.

“That’s normal,” Mira replied, as she poured another cup of coffee for Kay. “He always gets like this after drinking it.”

“Thank you!” Kay said, with a cheerful smile.

He drank the cup quickly and stood up, holding his staff.