"Ichikawa... I feel my blood boiling right now!"
Tachikawa Base building entrance. Kafka and Reno stepped out from the van. Kafka—looking at fully armed soldiers and exquisite building—took deep breath. Fist clenched. Excited.
Failed again and again. This year—standing here again!
This time—must succeed!
"This time—we'll definitely join Defense Force together." Reno looked at Kafka. Equally excited. Nodded.
Then looked around.
"Speaking of which—quite a lot of exam takers. Thought the time change would prevent many from attending."
In Reno's view—parking lot area full of young-faced examinees. Faces brimming with confidence. All powerful competitors.
"Yeah."
"My age—probably oldest here." Thirty-two-year-old Kafka—hands on hips—scanned around. Realized this sad fact.
Even order-keeping soldiers looked younger than him.
"That's right."
"Battlefield stuff—leave to young people. Old man—just stay in the rear." Suddenly—a proud voice from behind.
Turned around. A girl with golden twin-tails. Brown coat. Standing behind them—told Kafka. Expression full of disdain.
Kikoru Shinomiya. 16 years old...
"Huh?"
Called "old man" to his face. Kafka's forehead—instant hash mark. Face full of defiance. Eyes wide like bells. Teeth bared—retorted: "Who're you calling old man!"
"I'm only thirty-two!"
Whose kid is this—so rude!?
Same age range—Ichikawa much better behaved!
"Thirty-two is already old man." Girl—arms crossed—stated cruel fact. Eyes slightly disdainful. "Twice my age."
She was sixteen. Thirty-two-year-old Kafka—almost a generation gap.
"Defense Force constantly risks lives fighting kaiju. Too weak—just die on battlefield."
Defense Force history—no one joined at thirty-two. High-age entrants—ended badly. Couldn't keep pace with other members. Left far behind. Then died mysteriously on battlefield.
Suggesting Kafka stay in rear—reasonable advice.
"Damn it—don't look down on me!"
"This old man is strong!" Kafka—unconvinced—spoke. At his age—still like a kid. Full of passion.
"Finally admitting you're an old man?" Girl—hand covering mouth—teasing smile.
"Damn it!"
"What's wrong with old man!"
"Forget thirty-two—someone nineteen thousand years old still fighting!" Kafka—nostrils flaring—refused to yield.
Compared to Natsuki-san—absolutely young among the young.
These people—never seen real old people.
Natsuki: "Achoo!"
Feel like someone's badmouthing me.
"Huh?"
"Old man—are you serious?" Girl's eyes—instant pity for mental patient. Who lives nineteen thousand years? This old man probably didn't wake up.
"Whatever. Discussing this with you—just wasting my time."
"If you keep being stubborn—experience being left far behind by me." She tossed golden hair. Stopped acknowledging Kafka. With butler's escort—walked toward building.
Just a thirty-two-year-old old man. Even if joins Defense Force—just bottom tier.
And herself—must become first place.
"Wait!" Kafka suddenly called from behind.
"What?"
"Want to fight me?" Girl turned around. Somewhat helpless. This old man—completely different wavelength.
"I'm Kafka Hibino. Will definitely join Defense Force... and stand beside Mina." Kafka—serious. "So—I won't lose to anyone!"
Hearing this—
Girl's eyes—gained interest.
"Quite spirited, old man."
"I'm Kikoru Shinomiya. If you're confident in surpassing me—try it." Her pride—feared no challenge. Chin raised.
Finished speaking. Turned and left. No looking back.
After she said her name—Reno frowned. Pondered: "Shinomiya... that surname."
"Could she be Commander Shinomiya's daughter?"
Defense Force Supreme Commander Shinomiya's name—extremely well-known among citizens. After all—strongest man in history.
"Really!?" Kafka—belatedly realized.
"Ah!"
"Disaster, Ichikawa!" He suddenly shouted.
"What's wrong, senpai?" Reno looked at him. Confused. "Though she's Commander Shinomiya's daughter—after Natsuki-san's special training—we shouldn't be weak either."
"No, not that." Kafka—face full of regret. "I forgot to ask for an autograph!"
Reno: "..."
"Senpai really is humorous."
Noon.
Tachikawa Base. Captain's office.
"Morning physical test complete. Here's the qualified list." Hoshina—holding document bag—walked in. Handed it to Mina behind desk.
"This batch—many unexpected recruits." He smiled—eyes narrowed.
Mina took document bag. Reviewed each qualified examinee's file.
"For our Defense Force—this is good news." She said softly.
More outstanding talent joining Defense Force—better protect citizens.
"Anyone you particularly favor?" She reviewed while asking.
Morning physical test—Hoshina watched throughout.
"Of course."
"Initially—I most favored Commander Shinomiya's daughter, Kikoru Shinomiya." Hoshina—chin pinched.
"However—first place in physical test—someone I completely didn't expect. An ordinary person. Reno Ichikawa."
He recalled morning's physical test. Couldn't help praising.
"Not from Kaiju Subjugation Academy. Not military background... but overpowered all recruits. Even surpassed Kikoru Shinomiya."
"Absolutely can't underestimate this guy."
He spoke—also remembered—this youth seemed first to contact Natsuki-san.
No wonder the bet... knew Reno's strength beforehand.
That noon's high-end meal—nearly ate half a month's salary. Damn...
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