In the courtyard, Kay was handcuffed to the wall, still asleep.

“What are you doing?” Mira exclaimed, seeing the scene.

“Stay back,” Yan ordered firmly.

“It was an order. I don’t understand what he’s going to do…” Kratos commented.

“A punishment? What did the rookie do?” the soldiers from the other squads questioned.

“This soldier was disrespectful to his leader and our captain. Besides, even now, he’s sleeping while you’re all training! This is this rookie’s second infraction, and according to the rules, he will be punished!” Yan announced.

“They’re destroying his honor,” Slayer muttered, annoyed.

“They can’t do this!” Mira and Sky protested.

“That’s how it works in the army. If someone gets in the way, they need to be punished!” Raven said, watching the scene.

“This is too much for a punishment!” — Mira said, stepping in front of Kay.

Fiona and Raven quickly grabbed her, pulling her back to the other soldiers. Mira struggled, trying to get free, but Fiona held her tightly, covering her mouth to prevent any protest.

“Stay still,” Fiona whispered. “He asked for this, it’s best not to get involved.”

Meanwhile, Yan raised his hand, signaling to the veterans at his side. Immediately, the four soldiers raised their weapons, pointing them directly at Kay, who remained trapped and seemingly oblivious to the growing tension.

The rookies watched the scene with worried faces, while Fiona seemed to be enjoying the situation. Yan lowered his hand, and in a synchronized movement, the first soldier fired, followed by the others, each one taking a short break between shots. Mira closed her eyes, distressed.

“And nothing... not a reaction,” Yan said, frustrated.

Mira opened her eyes again, only to see that Kay was still sleeping, motionless.

Yan raised his hand once more, and the soldiers pointed again. Mira struggled, trying to free herself.

“That’s enough, Yan! Are you going to traumatize your rookies?” said Joana, one of the squad leaders, approaching.

“Stay out of this, Joana!” Yan retorted firmly.

“Oh, you made the captain’s daughter angry, you’ll have to pay for that!” Lena, another leader, taunted, releasing Mira.

“The captain left the rookies under my supervision, so don’t interfere!” Yan replied stubbornly.

“This rookie trained through the night, Yan. Maybe you should get to know the recruits before you decide to punish them!” added Ryuji, another squad leader.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Mira ran to free Kay from the restraints.

“Return to your training!” Yan ordered, and the soldiers dispersed, although some watched from afar, curious.

— That's not what we agreed, Yan. Avoid interfering in another squad's training! — Joana said firmly.

— Do you think sleeping is reason enough for such a severe punishment? He already ruined the boy's reputation on the second day! — Lena protested.

— He disrespected our captain, said he didn't care and wouldn't follow orders. Isn't that reason enough? — Yan replied, exasperated.

— He said that? — Lena asked, raising her hand. Immediately, soldiers from Lena's squad approached, aiming at Kay.

— Get out of the way, captain's daughter! — Lena ordered.

— No! — Mira retorted, keeping Kay leaning on her shoulder.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

— Get out of the way. I don't want to hurt you! — Lena insisted, with a serious look.

— There's no need for that! Put your hand down! — Joana ordered, determined.

— He tarnished the honor of our squad, he needs to be punished! — Lena replied.

— I agree! — Yan said.

— Don't make me repeat myself. Put your hand down! — Joana said, looking firmly at Lena.

— How annoying! — Lena huffed, lowering her hand.

Before Joana could react, Lena's soldiers fired. Mira closed her eyes, frightened. In a reflex, Kay turned around, even though unconscious, protecting Mira, but the rubber bullets hit him.

— Kay? — Mira exclaimed, worried.

Kay was still unconscious, but had positioned himself to defend her.

— Even unconscious, he protected her. Impressive! — Lena observed, surprised.

— You almost hurt the captain's daughter for no reason to be punished. The captain won't like that at all! — Joana said.

— It was your fault, Joana! I just obeyed, as you asked. The responsibility is yours! — Lena retorted, getting a slap from Joana.

— Can you wake him up? — Joana asked Mira.

— I need to use the kitchen! — Mira said, still shaking.

— Accompany her there. We'll wait here — Joana said, pushing Kay against the wall.

— No favoritism! That goes for her too! — Yan warned.

— I give permission. And Lena too! — Joana said.

— Me? — Lena looked surprised.

— Am I wrong? — Joana asked firmly.

— No, I... I allow her to use the kitchen! — Lena agreed.

— In that case, I allow it too — Ryuji agreed.

— Why? — Yan asked, incredulous.

— The boy was just hit by eight rubber bullets and didn't even react. Do you think you're going to wake him up any other way? — Ryuji said.

— Just this once! — Yan huffed, walking away.

— Thank you! — Mira said, already heading for the kitchen.

— If you're worried about him, you can wait here — Joana said to the newbies who were watching the scene.

— It's normal for recruits to have conflicts, but why did they stop you? Do you feel contempt for your own colleague? — Ryuji asked, looking at Raven.

— I prevented my colleague from being punished for his mistake. I don't deny that I feel a certain repulsion, but I assure you that this doesn't affect my missions! — Raven replied, saluting.

— I didn't need to say it, that was already clear! — Ryuji observed.

— Sir? — Fiona said, with a tone of concern.

— The captain informed us yesterday about the boy's special ability to detect the scent of ghouls. The captain has hopes for him, but it's clear that he still despises this boy. The situation seems complicated. So, I recommend that you avoid getting involved. Now, if you hurt the girl, you'll have problems with all the leaders here, and even with the captain himself — Joana explained, smiling slightly.

— Understood! — Fiona said, frightened.

A few minutes later, Mira and Yan returned, with Mira ready to try to wake Kay.

— What happened there? Yan seems more sluggish! — the captains thought.

Joana held out her hand, and Mira handed her the bottle. She poured coffee into the cup, and at the same moment, Kay stood up, approaching to take the cup.

“Is he still asleep?” Joana exclaimed.

“It’s a semi-conscious phase. It’s the same one he used to protect me; I think he acts on instinct! My mother says he seems to sleepwalk when he smells coffee!” Mira explained.

Joana stopped moving the cup and let Kay take it. He drank and, at the same moment, woke up.

“I’ve already trained, Mira! Let me sleep a little longer!” Kay said, still sleepy.

“Pour him another one!” Mira asked.

Joana poured again, and Kay drank, seeming much more awake.

“What’s going on?” Kay exclaimed, confused.

“Lend me that cup!” Fiona said.

Kay didn’t understand, but she handed it over. She poured more coffee, but this time she was the one who drank it.

“Hot!” she exclaimed, taking a sip. Then she blew on it to cool it down.

“It’s good, but it looks normal. What did you put in this coffee?” Joana asked.

“Water, sugar, and coffee powder!” Mira replied.

“Nothing else?” Joana exclaimed.

“No!” Mira said.

“That’s all she put in, but she did it with attention at every step! An impressive concentration, if you ask me!” Yan added.

“I understand. I’ll talk to the captain to let her use the kitchen. In exchange, you’ll obey the orders of your superiors!” Joana said.

Kay looked at her confused. Who is this? he thought.

Joana handed the bottle to Kay, but Mira took it back.

“Two cups are enough,” Mira said.

“Then why did you make a bottle?” Joana exclaimed.

“It’s supposed to last the whole day!” — Mira explained.

— I see! Then keep it safe, he seems to want it! — Joana said, referring to Kay.

Kay turned his face away, uninterested.

— Hey, can I have some? Joana hardly likes coffee! — Lena said, acting normally.

Has she already forgotten that she almost shot me? Mira thought, but said nothing and handed the cup to Lena.

Lena drank and seemed satisfied.

— That's it! You're going to make my coffee too! — Lena said.

— If you give me the measurements, the cooks can make the same flavor! If you want, I can give you the contact details of someone where you can buy this coffee powder! — Mira said.

— And why does it have to be you for him? — Lena exclaimed.

— I don't know; he says it's different and doesn't have the same effect! — Mira replied.

— The taste and smell change a little and depend on the moment too. Mira can tell the difference! — Kay said.

— He assessed it well, so it's decided: you're going to make my coffee too! — Lena declared.

— Speaking of which, why did you wake me up? It's not during my training time! — Kay asked.

— It's just that... — Mira began.

— You're going to train with the squad, so this will be your training time! — Yan interrupted.

— Then leave it for tomorrow! I've already trained today! — Kay said, leaving.

Joana stepped forward to stop him.

She's fast! the recruits thought, watching.

Kay dodged her hand.