In the courtyard, some girls were still glancing at Mira, who was still in the kitchen.

“I concentrate better when I’m alone,” Mira said, closing the door.

“She’s right,” Raven agreed, going outside.

In the courtyard, the conversation started again.

“What kind of prodigy are you talking about?” Momo asked, curious.

“A really annoying kind,” Fernanda joked.

“Really? I think she’s pretty calm,” Mira replied.

“Have you met her? Practically all prodigies keep to themselves,” Fernanda said.

“Julius?” Nina asked.

“The main one,” Fernanda confirmed.

“They’re problematic people!” Nina said.

“It seems like we all agree on that!” Rem replied.

The intense sound of the helicopter cut through the air as the aircraft began to land in the center of the base.

“The soldiers must be exhausted, but how are they going to sleep with so much noise?” — Rem commented, looking at the sky.

— When we left the room, the others were already awake! — Nina said.

— The same happened on our side! — Takahiro added, calmly approaching.

— Then, not bad! — Rem said, letting out a sigh of relief.

— I am envoy of the fifth division, leader of the seventh squad. My name is Takahiro. — He introduced himself formally, bowing his head slightly.

— You must remember us. We are from Kay's squad! — Rem said, showing a slight smile.

— Of course. It is a pleasure to see you again! — Takahiro replied politely.

— Why are the people from the institute coming here? — Kratos asked, who appeared next to some boys.

— Could it be a delivery for Kay? — Raven joked, crossing her arms.

Kratos lowered his head in a sign of respect. Slayer and Sky did the same.

— I am sorry... We were there, but we couldn't do anything! — Kratos said, his voice full of regret.

— It's okay. There wasn't much we could do in that situation. — Rem shook her head slightly. — I'm glad you're back!

Sarah looked away, without saying anything.

— Oh, oh... — Rem smiled. — I missed this place so much!

A man got off the helicopter, his deep and unmistakable voice echoing.

“I miss this smell of war and bad coffee!” he said with a smile.

Rem’s eyes widened, recognizing him immediately.

“That voice...

“Shut up, you old man! You didn’t come here to play!” — Aiko got off the helicopter, bringing scientists and guards with her.

Rem took a few steps forward, surprised.

“Captain?! You’re still alive!”

The former captain of the sixth division spread his arms, laughing.

“Well, well, terror of the ghouls... You’ve become a very beautiful young lady!”

“We haven’t heard from you since! Where have you been?” Rem asked, moving closer.

The nearby soldiers looked on in intrigue.

“This man... is he a former captain?” — they thought, watching him closely.

— I discovered a new passion for research and ended up working for the institute. But this time, she called me for another experiment. — The former captain pointed at Aiko.

— It's not an experiment! It's just a quick test. — Aiko rolled her eyes impatiently.

Rem looked her up and down.

— You're Aiko?

— Yes! "Terror of the ghouls"? Then you must be Takemichi's wife! I've heard many stories about you. — Aiko smiled affably.

— And what brings a prodigy to a military base? — Rem teased.

— I have four reasons: first, my boyfriend is here; second, I came to deliver his suit; third, I'm going to test the old man's suit here; and last, I want to see the result of a meeting between two 100%. — Aiko replied, with a sparkle in her eyes.

— Two 100%? What are you talking about? — Rem frowned.

— Didn’t you hear? Julius accepted your request for reinforcements and will come here in person. — Aiko stated casually.

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

The soldiers exchanged surprised glances.

— There’s no reason for Julius to come here... Any ulterior motives? — Rem crossed her arms, suspicious.

— I don’t know. I only heard that he will come in person. By the way, where is Kay? — Aiko asked.

— He’s passed out. — Rem shrugged.

— Why? — Aiko arched an eyebrow.

— I think he pushed himself too hard. — Rem sighed.

— 100%’s name is Kay? What does he look like? — the former captain asked curiously.

— He’s my son-in-law. Lazy, but the best I know at killing ghouls. — Rem replied proudly.

— Your son-in-law?! — Aiko was surprised.

— The best? — the former captain seemed incredulous.

— He's my daughter's fiancé. And yes, I've heard about you, don't worry. He's the best I know, after all, he's been killing ghouls since he was little. — Rem smiled.

— Impressive. I never thought I'd hear those words about anyone other than Takemichi. By the way, I'm sorry for your loss. — The captain bowed his head in respect.

— It's okay. We all know that's something that happens when we face ghouls. — Rem looked away, but her voice trembled slightly.

— Don't hide your pain behind those words. Move forward, knowing that Takemichi did his duty as captain. As his predecessor, I'm proud of the man he's become. — The former captain put a hand on Rem's shoulder.

— Thank you... He'd be happy to hear that from you, sir. — Rem replied, moved.

— By the way, where's Kay? — Aiko asked again.

— What a good smell! — said the former captain, sniffing the air.

— Kay, right? Keep looking in that direction. — Rem pointed to the infirmary.

Kay left the infirmary, moving slowly, guided by the irresistible smell of coffee.

— Is that 100%? — the former captain exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.

— Love! — Aiko shouted, running towards him excitedly.

Rem grabbed her by the arm before she could go any further.

— He won't hear you. He's still asleep! Look closely! — Rem said, pointing at Kay.

Kay walked slowly towards the cafeteria. His eyes remained closed, and he seemed to be in an almost automatic trance.

— Why doesn't anyone seem surprised? Does this happen often? — Aiko asked, intrigued.

— It's natural. He's always been like this. He only really wakes up after he drinks coffee. — Rem replied, shaking her head with a slight smile.

— How interesting! — Aiko said, taking her cell phone out of her pocket and starting to record the scene.

— What are you doing? — Rem exclaimed, looking at her cell phone.

— Study material! — Aiko replied, with a curious glint in her eyes.

Rem sighed and let her go, watching as Aiko narrated to the camera.

— He's being attracted by the smell of coffee, but he only wakes up after drinking it! — Aiko explained, recording Kay's every step.

"She really does look like the princess..." — Rem thought, smiling at the resemblance between Aiko and Emilia.

Kay entered the cafeteria, her calm but striking presence drawing everyone's attention.

— Aren't you going after him? — Sky asked, curious.

— It's better not to. Let him have a moment alone with Mira. — Raven replied, crossing her arms with a discreet smile.

Aiko tried to head towards the cafeteria, but Raven quickly intercepted her, firmly blocking her entrance.

“Why are you stopping me too?” Aiko exclaimed, frowning.

“He needs some time with his fiancée. Wait here with us.” Raven replied, looking directly at Aiko.

Aiko hesitated for a moment before replying.

“You are too…”

— I am. — Raven interrupted, lifting her chin confidently. — If you want to record, stay here at the entrance. Leave them alone.

After a brief pause, Aiko sighed, resigned.

— Okay! — she replied, putting her cell phone away with a slightly frustrated gesture.

Raven then let her go, standing firm at the entrance to the cafeteria while everyone watched, respecting the moment between Kay and Mira.

In the cafeteria, Kay was standing in front of Mira. She gently pulled him to one of the tables and handed him a cup of coffee. He took the first sip.

— Mira! — Kay called, slowly opening his eyes.

— Good morning! — Mira said, smiling affectionately.

— It's a little different — he commented, frowning.

— Just drink it and don't complain! — Mira replied.

— I'm not complaining — Kay replied calmly.

He sat down in the chair, placing the empty cup on the table. Then, he pulled her onto his lap, surprising her.

“What are you doing?” Mira exclaimed, blushing.

Kay gently touched her face.

“It’s swollen... Were you crying?” he asked, worried.

“I’m fine,” Mira replied, looking away.

“Did I do something? I only remember that we were in the third division. Why are we back at the base?” Kay asked, confused.

“You really don’t remember! Listen, Kay, you lost your memories of everything that happened after we left the third division. I’ll show you what happened,” Mira said, with a serious look.

“I lost my memories?” he asked, incredulous.

Mira took the cell phone that Raven had left with her and showed a video.

“Watch this until the end, and you’ll understand,” Mira said, handing the device over.

Kay watched the video in silence. As the recording progressed, her face became increasingly pale, overcome by shock.

— So, that's what's happening. You already supported me, so you don't need to say anything else about it! — Mira stated, trying to remain calm.

— Why did I lose my memory? — Kay asked, her hands shaking.

— I don't know! — Rem said, joining in the conversation.

Kay hugged Mira tightly.

— I feel like shit... I can't believe I forgot something like that! — Kay lamented, frustrated.

— You have the report of what happened, so you already know how it was. You don't need to force yourself to remember — Rem said, trying to comfort him.

Kay continued to hug Mira, taking deep breaths to calm herself.

“Is your father really dead?” he asked, his voice low.

“Yes. And you killed the ghouls who killed him. I appreciate that,” Mira said firmly.

“I see... So, is that the way you move that general did?” Kay asked.

“Yes. You said you were going to train the division using those movements,” Mira replied.

Kay nodded thoughtfully.

“What are we going to do now?” he asked.

“First, I want to ask you something,” Mira said, hesitating for a moment.

“What?” Kay asked curiously.

“If a girl asks you to date her, will you accept?” Mira asked suddenly.

“Of course not. After all, it was only a week!” Kay replied.

“But isn’t there still a day left?” Mira asked.

Kay was silent for a few seconds, thinking.

“Wasn’t it until yesterday?” Since I lost my memory for a day, I think it's been seven days," he concluded.

"I see," Mira said, taking out her cell phone to send a message.

"If this week was meant to be a time of mourning, don't you want to go home?" Kay asked.

"I appreciate it, but I'm a captain now. I can't leave the base the way it is. I'd better keep my mind occupied by learning about my father's duties," Mira replied.

"Then I'll stay with you. What about Rem?" Kay asked.

"She's outside with the others," Mira said.

At that moment, Aiko entered the mess hall, accompanied by the soldiers.

"Cosplay?" Kay asked, frowning as she looked at Aiko.

"It's her uniform," Mira replied.

"I'm glad you've recovered," Aiko said, smiling.

"Why are you recording me?" Kay asked, confused.

"I came to discuss that matter from yesterday!" Aiko said directly.

— Excuse me, but what is this about? — Kay asked, even more confused.

— Are you going to accept me as your girlfriend or not? — Aiko asked firmly.

Kay's eyes widened in surprise.

— Who is this? — he whispered to Mira.

— It seems like she's a girl who's interested in you — Mira replied, whispering back.

Kay scratched his head, visibly confused.

— I'm sorry, but... — he said, interrupting himself when he felt a sudden headache.

— Kay? — Mira called, worried.

Kay put her hand on her head.

— Why do I feel like I know you from somewhere? — he asked Aiko.

— Don't you remember me? We met yesterday — Aiko said.

“Yesterday?” Kay murmured, trying to remember. “I don't understand. Why can't I refuse you, even without remembering you?”

“He really lost his memory,” Aiko said. “But subconsciously you know that you accepted me as your girlfriend! We can still hope to recover your memories!”

Kay sighed, exhausted.