Isamu:
Red. That was the only color laid before my eyes- A vast sea of scarlet unmistakable from blood. Lying there, floating lifelessly... Were my old squadron- Alpha 158. No, it wasn't just them. It's always never just them.
Among the piles of floating bodies were the people I failed to save. Victims of the Rakav and even the war among with- The souls whom I've personally brought to the afterlife. They stared at me blankly- No light nor spark behind those cold, dead eyes. They were judging me, cursing my very name with each passing second of their gazes. I could never forget these faces- How could I?
My legs gave out from the sight, crumbling to the ground. Why? Why do I have to relive the same dream- This nightmare? This DAMNED NIGHTMARE! I gripped at my temples, attempting to hold back the migraine but alas. Nothing. Voices were echoing in my head, demanding answers. Why couldn't you save us? Why did this have to happen? Why did I have to die?
"I don't know. I DON'T KNOW!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I knew it was useless. None of this was real but a mental prison. One devoid of logic but full to the brim with memories. Memories of past actions that I wish I could take back. Mistakes.
A scraping sound screeched from behind me like nails on a chalkboard. Of course, I expected this. It's always the same damned thing with this hellscape. Turning around, I blindly clutched at the half-dying boy who was crawling on the ground like a disembodied lamb. "Omar I-"
It wasn't Omar. Instead, a Japanese boy stared back at me. His face was ghoulish as if all the blood was sucked out his skinny little body. "Shiro????"
The kid crawled on top of me, clinging on to my jacket just barely. He was so light, unlike the blood that poured out of him like a macabre fountain. "Mister...." Shiro caressed my face, leaving behind a trail of scarlet with each touch. I gulped in horror as he uttered his final breath, the light barely visible in his eyes.
"Why?"
"Ahhhhhhhh!!!! Fuck!" My eyes shot wide open, hurling the black fur devil tormenting me like a Facehugger from the Alien franchise. An angry hiss echoed from across the room just as I got up from my sweat-filled bed. Checking the wall mirror, a dusky-skinned man unintentionally cosplaying as Shanks stared back at me... At least in terms of facial scars. I winced as I touched the open wound. "Subaruuuuu!!!"
-
"This isn't gonna leave a scar….. Is it?" I pondered as I rubbed antiseptic into my wound. I winced once more, the substance burning deep. That stupid fur ball! No more cat treats for a whole week!
After checking the wound for any dirt or grime, I covered it up with gauze and medical tape. Waltzing out of the bathroom, I was met with the black devil, guarding the bed like it was its territory or something. "Your bed is over there!" I snapped, pointing at the makeshift bed I put together for him out of my old football-patterned blanket.
Subaru took one look at the bundle of fabric before throwing his head back in protest. "Oh hell nah! How dare you disrespect the Green Bay Packers and expect to get away with it!"
"Hiss!" I just about had it, animal control here I- That was until I eyed the screen of my Galaxy S10 phone. It was cracked like the dam that held my memories of last night- Now flooding back into my mind. I strode on over to the mirror wall, carefully stepping over Subaru's supposed bed. With god-like efficiency, I stripped all my clothes off, checking myself once over. Every inch of my body, skin and all.
I was fine. No fractured bones, no open wounds- No nothing. It was as if the life and death brawl with the Apple Rakav never happened in the first place. I stroke my abs where I was struck by the monster's tail. It should've been shredded from the impact but my abs were shredded in a whole another sense. I've gotta still be dreaming…. Right?
That's when I pulled out the Apple Phone which must've been made of titanium. There are no scratches nor cracks to be found. With a slight tap of the screen, I was bombarded with nearly thirty or forty messages from- What do you know? Four-eyes Hoshino. Nope, I'm definitely not dreaming. Doesn't she have anything better to do? Among the sea of exclamation points and capital letters, however, I spotted a certain message different from the others. A single heart emoji was all I needed to determine that it was from- Gramps?
-
"Isamu, my boy! It's been so long!" The elderly voice boomed from the fruit-shaped device.
"Gramps..." I facepalmed. "It's only been a day since I- Oh, never mind. I've been fine!" I lied through my teeth.
A hardy chuckle followed as soon as I uttered the word, fine. "Closed off as always, aren't ya?"
"Well, gee." I chuckled back. "Could it be that I'm part of a clandestine organization specializing in the mass-production of fruit weaponry to fend off fruit mutants? An organization that just so happens to be run by my grandfather who should retire and let the younger guys handle this dicey debacle, by the way."
His chuckle had grown into full blown laughter- The very same that lit the halls of HARVEST like the sun. It even calmed Subaru down, his triangular ears drooping in contentment. We're not even on speaker. Way to go Gramps!
Wait, no. Stop smiling, Isamu. It's strictly business whenever it's on the Apple. A nicely timed ahem cut Gramps' laughter short. "Right. I'll cut to the chase, Agent Zakuro. HARVEST recorded a mana signature- The largest one ever since the Eclipse Incident."
"The Eclipse Incident? How's that- An entire forest was blown off the map!"
"I get it, Isamu. Believe me, I do." The so-called commander responded, breaking the agent act immediately and judging by the tone of his voice... He was nettled just like me. "Good news or bad news. Which do you want first?"
Good news? There's good news to all this? My throat trembled, almost afraid as to what I was about to say next. "The casualties, commander. How many-"
"Ah. So you want the good news then." The commander interrupted without hesitation. "There weren't any. No destruction whatsoever." Caught off guard, my mouth flew open but nothing came out. Well, nothing intelligible anyway.
"However, that's the concerning part. A radius that huge should've led to something but when we checked out the vicinity, everything seemed fine. Almost too fine- Just some ol' warehouse in the middle of nowhere..."
"Warehouse?" I stammered.
"Oh?" The commander paused in surprise like how I was. "Do you know something that we don't, Agent Isamu?"
-
It was like reliving a lucid dream, explaining everything to Gramp- The commander. The initial mana signature near Hakobun's, encountering that Seiji guy, my near death experience with the Apple Rakav, and my failure to bond with an artifact that I could only assume was the Forbidden Fruit.
He simply listened, patiently waiting in silence until I got to the part where I woke up unscathed in my apartment. "You….. You're unhurt? No scratch that, the Forbidden Fruit? Isamu, what're you-"
"It's true commander." I replied, checking myself once over again for any physical evidence of yesterday's events. It makes sense why he doesn't believe me. I don't have any proof whatsoever aside from my broken phone.
"I see." The commander's voice was hoarse, dripping with worry. "Are you sure you're okay? Perhaps you're still delirious -A fever from the Rakav's miasma. Yep, that settles it! I'll have Kenzaki take over operations for the day and-"
"Gram- Commander! Like I said before, I'm fine!" I laughed. Worrying my fragile grandfather half to death was the last thing I wanted in my conscience.
He only sighed in response. "Listen. You don't have to keep a brave face all the time. You may be an agent of HARVEST but first and foremost you're my precious grandson." There was a banging sound which I deduced to be the commander slamming his fists on his esteemed mahogany table- An act that signifies that he wasn't playing around. "You're a good soldier, Isamu. I'll give you that but even someone like you has limits. If I believe, even for one second, that these operations will cost you your life- I will drop you from the team."
"You can't!" I grasped at my temple as the accursed past came flooding back in. All those times I failed to save lives along with my past actions that made life miserable for everyone- I can't stop now. Not when I needed to atone for the past! "I could prevent- No, I need to prevent more lives from falling into the Rakav! These people have no idea, not an inkling as to the fates of their loved ones! If I don't act now, I-"
"I made a promise." He boomed through the phone, startling Subaru who had jumped out the bed with a high-pitched screech. Even I shut up in the presence of his unusual domineering voice. Once the commander knew that I had his full attention, he continued. "A promise to Sakaki and Mikasa that I'll raise and protect you. Shower you with love- To make it known that you have somewhere to return to.
The man paused but I knew exactly what he would've said next or at least, what he was forcing himself to say. "It's the least I could do for your parents after they....." He trailed off, unable to continue.
Dad…. Mom….. Just how long has it been since I've seen them both? 2013? "Commander-"
"Gramps." He corrected me. "Surely you can address me as such when we're away from prying eyes."
"Sure thing... gramps." I replied with what I assume is a smile curling from my lips. Even if my parents aren't with us anymore, it was reassuring that I had a loving family in Gramps.
"Ahem. Isamu. I know that you have a boatload of questions, as do I. However, it'd be better to debrief me at headquarters in the flesh." I was about to respond, but Gramps continued on without so much as a nod of approval. "Not only that, but I'd like you to invite this Seiji fellow that you spoke of."
I grimaced upon hearing that name- Immediately recalling the night I met the oblivious man. Oh, the vomit. The alcohol. The really bad pronunciation of English. You a duck. What the hell's that supposed to imply? I could've replied yes, sir like always but what I went with instead was- "We could just…. Ya know? Steal the thing?"
"Come now, we're not criminals, much less thieves." Considering our nongovernmental status- That statement is debatable. Gramps rambled on, "Even if the man had no idea what immense power he's been dealing with, he managed against all odds to save you and that child from creatures beyond his comprehension. That alone should be more than commendable compared to whatever encounter you had with him prior."
"I understand that gramps, but-"
"Its not like he projectile vomited over you or anything, right?" I nearly choked on my morning coffee, Gramps' suspicion landing dead on like usual.
".... Isamu?"
"Nothing. *Cough, it's nothing." I replied, heaving from the brown caffeinated liquid.
"Well, despite what your first impression of Seiji that you have, you should never judge a book by its cover. He just might be the key to solve this Rakav dilemma before it gets out of hand."
He's got a point. I just never imagined the day I'd go outta my way to bring a guy like Chuckles McGee into the fold. "Alright then, I'll bring him in. I just don't know where to look. That Apple Phone's a piece of junk, giving me false Mana readings everywhere I go until just yesterday when it finally did its job correctly. Seriously, that glorified toy's more bipolar than its mother herself."
"Ah, you must be referring to Hoshino Hakase's Ring-Ring-Go!" He guffawed with a hardy laugh.
"Graaamps, not you too!" I cried in disbelief. Alright, that did it. I'm not about to let Hoshino's brainrot-goober humor infect my beloved grandfather.
"Come now, it's clever wordplay."
"More like corny wordplay- And it doesn't change the fact that the radar function's dysfunctional." I replied as I switched the call to speaker phone. As we kept talking to one another, I made an attempt to run a diagnosis but with my limited knowledge on technology in general- It proved fruitless. No pun intended.
-
After a few bouts of back and forth about the Seiji manhunt, we came to the conclusion that Halobun's OddJobs would be a good place to start considering he visited them just an hour or so before I did. I just hope that he's a regular there.
"Alright, gramps. I've got everything ready," I confirmed once I successfully wrestled away the Banana Knife from Subaru for the third time. Grrrrrrr, came the furry fiend as it began pissing on my bed again with a taunting smile. I just cleaned those!
Gramps gave a small chuckle, oblivious to the eldritch horror that I brought into my apartment. "Do you, now? Well, make sure to at least find some joy in this endeavor because afterwards…. Well, there should be a surprise awaiting you in the mailbox."
"A surprise, huh? It's not my early birthday present that's supposed to be a month from now, right?"
"Uhhhh…... no?" He replied back dubiously which sounded more like an uhhhhhhh, yes. "Gramps, I'm 24! Shouldn't I be too old to celebrate birthdays?"
"It's never too late!" He snapped back. There's no reasoning with him. I just wish he'd stop treating one of his valued agents like a high-maintenance child.
I sighed. "Just…. No more Transformers toys and marvel comics, alright? I haven't touched those ever since elementary school."
"No worries, my dear agent. It's a present that all adults could use in everyday life, especially someone like you."
"How ominous." I comically gasped which made him chuckle a bit. "Alright, heading off now."
"We'll do brunch!"- Was the last thing I heard before I cut the call short. Just then, the doorbell went off, sending Subaru into a feral frenzy. That's strange, I never recalled inviting people to my home….. Not that I ever do that anyways. I swung the door wide open, creaking like an absolute motherfucker that'd wake even the dead. I was expecting someone at the door but the only thing I saw was the bright blue skies, unruly gray railing, and- "A package?"
Didn't gramps just say it'd arrive after I finished my duty? Amazon must've delivered it early, I guess. Although, strangely enough- I didn't see any delivery trucks nor any footprints that stated otherwise. I even observed the doorbell ringer which was covered to the brim with dust, symbolizing just how long ago it was used.
"Strange..." I muttered to myself. However, what I found even stranger was the contents of my surprise birthday present.
"What the fuck!" I nearly shouted as I pulled out- A sexually explicit magazine titled, How To Woo Chicks With Glasses: Go From Maidenless To Ladykiller Today! How do you go from Guardians of the Galaxy comics to this??????? I know it's been four years since my last relationship but Gramps should know better! Especially after how Eri and I-
It's a present that all adults could use in everyday life, especially someone like you- rang in my ears. Especially someone like you. Some like you. Like. You.
So this is what Gramps thinks of me, huh? I let out a defeated whimper as I lifelessly placed down "my gift" on the nearby cupboard. Locking up the front door, I dejectedly stepped forward in search of Giggles McGee. What a way to start off my day.
-
Seiji:
"Mari, I'm heading off now!" I called out to the seemingly empty apartment, just a few meters away from the exit. No response- thought so. Mari left for her super secret side gig that's "totally not illegal or weird in any way shape or form," according to her words. Honestly with my chest being fused with a crystal fig, conversing with a ghost woman about employment troubles, and facing down a shadowy monster shaped like an apple- I'm the last person who'd judge anything bizarre my bestie's up to.
To my surprise, however, I did get a response but from someone I didn't expect. "Leaving already, Seiji?" Staring down at me from the shadowy mire of stairs was Riya, giving me the cold glare that I haven't gotten used to.
"Gotta make that dough, amirite?" I chuckled to which she didn't find comical in the slightest. Crossing her arms, Riya scowled in annoyance. Her sister was right. The little girl who saw me as her beloved brother was gone, now replaced with someone full of animosity. No matter how many times Mari stated that me attending university early wasn't an act of betrayal, reality was reality. Even if I never meant to betray Riya, she took it that way. The pain she felt on that day was real- Who had the right to deny and mask it? I betrayed her. "Listen, I'm sorry for missing out on your birthday."
Her ears perked at that statement. "Sorry? No excuses like my sister constantly bombards me with? Oh, Riya. Grow up. Seiji was forced into attending Harvard by his father. He desperately wanted to reach out to us, but his father restricted his phone access. Seiji was-"
"I'm not your sister," I replied. She stopped for a moment, seemingly taken aback by my statement. "I won't make excuses. Even if it wasn't my intention, you were hurt by what I did and I doubt any kind of apology would erase the hurt you experienced that day."
Her mouth opened and closed without any noise like a fish out of water. For the first time I've seen her, Riya truly looked like she was at a loss of words. "I know this isn't much but- Let me buy you something, okay? That new South Korean bakery that opened up a few blocks from here- Paris Baguette was it? I tried some of their pastries in New York and California- I know you'd love it."
Her eyes lit up as soon as I mentioned the word pastry but then she quickly tiled her head away in disgust despite her cherry-red face. "Tch. Waste your money. See if I care."
I know I could've left it at that but- I couldn't help it. I walked over to Riya who was giving me a face that screamed, You're still here? Get lost! So once I gave her a tight I'm off to work hug, her expression turned completely 180. "Heyyyyyy!" She screamed but weirdly enough, didn't push me away.
"I'm off to work, see you soon."
"Yeah..."