The Martyr

The Headquarters of the Special Security Unit, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda City, Tokyo.

This modern building was cloaked in an offputting aura, one that deterred anybody from approaching unless they had to.

However, today, that wasn’t the case…

Outside of the building, thousands had gathered in protest. They were chanting and holding up signs, their faces filled with anger.

YUKARI AKAYAMA = CHILD MURDERER

JUSTICE FOR HIYOKO

WHO PROTECTS US FROM YOU?

Were some of the slogans on the signs.

But hanging out at the back of the crowd was a particularly short reporter.

“After the tragic death of Hiyoko Sato at the hands of SSU captain, Yukari Akayama, people have gathered here to protest the brutality of this government organization.” She spoke confidently, even though her microphone was cheap and her cameraman was a friend doing a favor. “No longer are they accepting the excuses that it’s all to protect them from the Ghosts, they are demanding accountability from those who are sworn to serve! Because today it’s just Hiyoko, but who will it be tomorrow? This has been Kiki Motomura of the First Citizen and I will continue to report on the situation as it develops.”

***

Inside SSU HQ, to the backdrop of the protests outside, a meeting was happening amongst the various Squadron commanders.

“I’m telling you, the only way to handle this is to crack down on these illegal protestors!” Suzumi Ogata, commander of the 11th Squadron, was acting as expected of her.

Of course, Hamazaki was present too. As commander of the 9th Squadron, this disaster was partially his fault. At least technically. “If we do something like that now, our public image will be unrecoverable! We need to just smooth things over as best we can and wait this out!”

“Can’t we just arrest the leaders or something? You know, create a chilling effect?” Yukari, the one responsible for all this, was leaning back in her chair. She was technically sitting in for Suzuki, the commander of the 7th Squadron. Although nobody else was very happy to see her.

Hamazaki, in particular, gave her a death glare. “Anything is going to agitate the public right now, and the last thing we need is more fuel on this fire.”

Yukari closed her eyes and crossed her arms. “Well, I think it’s a good idea…”

“Don’t think we’ve forgotten about your punishment, Yukari.” Ogata’s face went ice cold.

“Yeah, okay. Whatever you say, Suzi.” Yukari didn’t even open her eyes.

Hamazaki felt his headache get worse. Yukari was the best captain the SSU had, maybe even the best agent now that Suzuki was out of commission. Not to mention, her father was the deputy prime minister. Any punishment worse than a slap on the wrist was out of the question, no matter how furious that would make the protestors.

“I think that’s enough…”

Those present all looked at the head of the table.

There sat Chairman Konishi, the head of the SSU. “We’ll be going with Hamazaki’s suggestion for the time being. As for Yukari, she’ll be receiving an indefinite suspension.”

Yukari scoffed.

But it was what Hamazaki expected.

Yukari would leave for as long as these protests raged on, returning as soon as possible.

They might even have her return unofficially just to put her back on the field.

Regardless, it was unlikely to quell the outrage.

Hamazaki had spent a lot of time carefully curating the 9th Squadron’s public image.

But in just a day, it had all gone down the drain.

Every interview, every photograph, every news story, every social media post, it was all for naught.

All he could hope for was that the SSU itself wasn’t as fragile.

***

Naoki stood on the balcony of Hamazaki’s office, eating a chocolate bar.

He wasn’t much of a chocolate guy, but it helped keep him occupied as he stared out into the Tokyo skyline.

Both him and Chiaki were there. They had been told by Hamazaki to wait until he was done with the meeting.

The meeting…

It would take some black magic to pull the SSU out of this PR disaster unscathed.

After all, if he was Hiyoko’s brother, he wouldn’t be satisfied until heads rolled…

Until heads rolled…

Naoki looked over his shoulder at Chiaki who was sitting on a chair inside reading a book. “Hey, Chiaki. Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?” She closed her book.

“It’s just… What do you think about everything that’s happened, everything that’s going on?”

Chiaki looked away, saddened. “I… I don’t have an opinion on it…”

“Come on. You were there too.” Naoki turned around fully. “It wasn’t us, but what the SSU did… That’s unforgivable…”

“So what!?” Furious, she slammed down her book on the table. “Do you think the Ghosts are right then!?”

“I didn’t say that, but–”

“But what!? I know you’ve been getting cold feet, but I haven’t! I still remember who we’re dealing with here!” Her eyes were starting to get red. “So a little girl died at Mangaket, that’s awful! But if the Ghosts had their way, every person at that convention would’ve been murdered!”

“Chiaki…” Naoki walked closer to her.

“No!” Chiaki turned her back, not saying a word.

Looking down, Naoki saw droplets falling in front of her.

***

Yoji was running a bit late. He was supposed to be at Hamazaki’s office with Naoki and Chiaki, but he got sidetracked while gathering intel.

All the Ghost forums online were on fire right now. Hell, most of the Internet was. Everywhere you looked, it was Hiyoko Sato.

Discontent with the SSU, as well as the government in general, had been building for a long time, and now the people finally had a martyr.

It was clear from a glance, but Yoji realized it more and more the longer he looked. Even SNS was starting to look like deep web forums.

The SSU is nothing but a bunch of thugs!

We won’t allow them to get away with this!

The Ghosts are right, those bastards deserve to die!

Hiyoko will be avenged!