The trucks returned, bringing the soldiers back. In the yard, the recruits and veterans waited silently, anxious.
"Don't say a word, leave this to the leader!" one of the veterans whispered.
"Leader? Is that person a squad leader?" the recruits wondered, surprised to see one of the trucks empty. They questioned themselves internally about the reason.
The vehicles finally stopped near them, and Takemichi got out with the other soldiers. Some had minor injuries, others seemed unscathed, but all showed signs of exhaustion.
"What's the situation?" Takemichi asked, examining them closely.
"Sir, among the wounded, unfortunately one has passed away," reported the squad leader, saluting sharply.
"I see. Follow standard procedure and inform the families of those who are gone," Takemichi replied firmly.
"Yes, sir! But I have some information to share privately," the leader added respectfully.
"Those who need treatment, go to the infirmary. The others are dismissed. Go rest!" Takemichi ordered.
"Yes, sir!" the soldiers answered in unison before dispersing.
"Come to my office," Takemichi said, addressing the squad leader and calling Kay and Mira.
Kay was lying on his bed when Takemichi entered, grabbing his shirt urgently.
"How did you know he was going to die?" Takemichi exclaimed, his voice intense.
"Wait, Dad! It's not his fault!" Mira tried to intervene.
"'Dad?'" the soldiers around thought, surprised.
"How did you know?" Takemichi insisted, his gaze sharp and suspicious.
Kay stared back defiantly, without hesitation.
"Because he... smelled rotten," Kay replied bluntly.
"Have you seen this before?" Takemichi asked, growing more serious.
"Yes," Kay answered.
"Where?" Takemichi pressed.
"That's none of your business!" Kay snapped, refusing to give more details.
Takemichi's gaze hardened, but he didn't let go.
"Kay, my dad just wants to understand. He's not speaking ill of you," Mira interjected, trying to calm them down.
"To my parents," Kay said firmly, though a shadow of pain crossed his face.
Takemichi finally released him, shaken by the answer.
"Check the other soldiers. Yan said there were no visible wounds on that soldier's leg. They might be poisoned too!" Takemichi ordered.
"They're injured, but none are at risk of dying. I was here when the others arrived," Kay replied, lying back down.
"I hope you're telling the truth," Takemichi said before leaving.
"Kay…" Mira murmured, worried.
Kay remained calm, only irritated with Takemichi as always.
Outside, Takemichi spoke with Yan, the squad leader.
"Yan, they're under your command. As soon as the suits arrive, start the training."
"Yes, sir!" Yan responded, saluting sharply.
Takemichi prepared to leave when Kay stopped him.
"I don't like you, and I don't intend to follow your orders, but since you're Mira's father, I'll give you a warning: if you're going to cut into that soldier's body, better wear a mask and take a shower afterwards. Otherwise, you'll die in a few hours," Kay said, indifferent.
Takemichi nodded slightly.
"I'll keep that in mind. Yan is responsible for you. You'll only receive orders from me in extreme situations, like in a war," Takemichi stated before walking away.
The hostility between them was obvious to everyone present. Yan took a deep breath and turned to the recruits.
"Looks like I'll be your leader. Let's get along. You're dismissed, go back to your activities," Yan said professionally.
Kay muttered stubbornly:
"I won't follow your orders either..."
Yan heard him but chose to ignore, controlling his irritation.
"I'll talk to him later," Mira whispered to Yan.
"Do that. I don't want to dismiss a soldier this early," Yan said, turning to leave. "Oh, and one rule: girls are forbidden in the male area, and vice versa. Go back to the yard."
"All right!" Mira said, blushing as she left.
Once she was gone, Kratos and Slayer approached Kay, looking around.
"I knew he was troublesome, but I didn't expect this much," Kratos thought, observing Kay.
"By the way, there was a 'weird ninja' here in the room," Kay remarked, remembering.
"Who's weird? That was my training gear!" Slayer replied, irritated.
"So it was you?" Kay looked at him disdainfully.
"That look's what I should be giving you!" Slayer said, throwing himself into a chair.
Kratos sat on his bed, analyzing the space.
"I get it... that's why there are two bunk beds. Who's the last one?" Kay asked.
"That's me!" a recruit nearby answered.
"How long have you been here?" Kay looked surprised.
"You're good at hiding your presence. Had tough training for that?" Slayer asked respectfully.
"I admire people who take things seriously," Kratos added.
"No... actually, I've always had a weak presence. It takes days for people to get used to me — it's a nuisance, really," the recruit said, a bit embarrassed.
"What's your name?" Kratos asked.
"Sky," he replied with a slight nod.
"I'm not sure if I'd call it a skill or a condition, but you have a talent," Kay said, watching Sky. "You managed to get past someone with the ability to find enemies easily, and another with a keen sense of smell. Use that to your advantage, and I guarantee it'll work against ghouls too!"
"Were you evaluating me?" Slayer exclaimed, surprised.
"I'm no fool to trust someone blindly," Kay replied sharply.
"Talent? That's the first time someone's said that to me!" Sky said, surprised.
"Fool... if you're here, it means someone else already recognized you," Kay retorted.
"The captain?" Sky looked even more surprised, thinking over the statement.
"Whether it's a weakness or strength, useful or not, you decide!" Kay said firmly. "That's what my master always told me. And, by the way, now that I've caught your scent, you won't go unnoticed anymore. Keep that in mind."
Kay's words touched Sky deeply, who began to cry with emotion.
"Thank you... thank you so much!" Sky said, smiling brightly with moist eyes.
"You had a good master!" Kratos noted, impressed.
"She was terrible!" Kay replied with a bitter look.
The rest of the day went quietly, and the soldiers returned to their normal activities. Kay stayed in the room, lost in thought.
Second day in the army.
"He won't wake up for anything!" Kratos said, giving up on waking Kay.
"He didn't do anything yesterday, so why is he so tired?" Slayer exclaimed.
"When he wakes up, he'll have coffee! We'll go ahead!" Sky suggested.
"There's no other way..." Kratos agreed, laying Kay back on the bed.
They headed to the mess hall.
"Please, it'll be quick, I promise!" Mira begged the cook.
"It's the same meal for everyone, I can't let you make coffee here!" the cook replied firmly.
Mira left, sad.
"What happened?" Slayer asked, approaching with the others.
"Mira wanted to make coffee to wake Kay, but they wouldn't let her use the kitchen!" Thais explained.
"That's how they tried to wake him? Now I understand why I tried and he didn't wake up!" Kratos sighed.
"I almost sliced him out of irritation, thought he was faking it!" Slayer commented impatiently.
"Did they hurt him?" Mira asked, worried.
"I can't deny I wanted to..." Kratos admitted.
"He only wakes up on his own if he senses danger or smells coffee. Other than that, he sleeps all day!" Mira explained.
Yan approached, overhearing the conversation:
"This isn't a vacation. Find a way to wake your buddy, or I'll have to dismiss him!"
"That's what I tried to explain to the cooks, but they wouldn't let me make the coffee," Mira lamented.
"What's the difference between the coffee you make and the one they do?" Yan asked, curious.
"He only drinks if I make it. Somehow, he always knows when I'm the one who prepared it. I don't understand it either, but that's how he wakes up!" Mira tried to justify.
"We won't give special permissions, especially for that kid. Find another way to wake him!" Yan replied, walking away.
"All right..." Mira answered, disappointed.
She joined the line for coffee, worried.
"Won't you try to wake him?" Sarah asked.
"It's impossible... I hope he can wake up on his own before training," Mira said, sitting with the others. Her worry was clear.
After coffee, the soldiers headed to training.
"He really didn't show up..." Thais said, concerned.
"Come with me to his room!" Yan ordered.
Kratos, Sky, and Slayer followed Yan to the room. Kay was still sleeping deeply. Yan brought a cup of coffee to Kay's nose, but he didn't react. Yan sighed and drank the coffee.
"Carry him!" Yan ordered.
Kratos picked Kay up on his shoulders and followed Yan.
In the yard, Kay was handcuffed to the wall, still asleep.