The Approaching Storm

At SSU HQ, pretty much all of the protests had cleared out by now. It was past 9:00 PM, after all.

This was convenient for the SSU because they were working late. Lots of damage control was still needed.

“My name is Chiaki Kanada. I am the lieutenant of the 9th Squadron.” Chiaki stood in front of a camera in a small studio. The SSU was conducting interviews with various agents to try and humanize them.

“Why did you join the SSU?”

“I joined the SSU to protect people, of course.” Chiaki responded by repeating the question as this was the type of interview where the interviewer was cut out of the final footage.

“Is that all? Maybe a specific moment that galvanized or inspired you?” The interviewer was trying to hook something big.

“Well…” Chiaki’s looked down slightly. There really was only one thing…

It’s not as if she could ever forget it…

The memories rushed back to her, as they always did…

“Hey, are you all right?” the interviewer asked.

“Huh?” Chiaki snapped back to reality. “Oh yeah. Where were we?”

But the interview would not continue.

***

“Hey, are you almost done?” Ritsu was squatting in the grass. Him and his sister were just outside SSU HQ property. Notably, both were wearing their visors.

“You can’t rush these things, Ritsu. I’ve told you before, one little mistake and it won’t work.” Riko was carefully sketching a tank in her notepad, although this one was distinctly different, almost having a vintage Japanese look.

“Yeah, yeah.” Ritsu adjusted his visor. “Still, we’re behind schedule…”

“Don’t worry. Kotaro always leaves extra time in these situations.” She was just putting on the finishing touches.

“I guess so…” Ritsu was bored.

“And… Done!” Riko swept her pen across the paper one last time, finishing her masterpiece.

“Damn.” Ritsu looked over the drawing, an extremely detailed sketch of the Japanese tank, the Type 10. “It’s almost like a photo…”

“Even better than a photo.” Riko stood up and held out her drawing. “Hokusai!”

In an instant, that very tanked appeared before them with a thud. It wasn’t a replica, it was the real thing.

Ritsu was almost dumbstruck. “I knew you could do this kind of thing, but I’ve only ever seen you make small stuff before.”

Riko smirked. “That’s the power of Hokusai. Now let’s get in!”

Smirking, Ritsu replied, “Yes, let's…”

***

Naoki was just finishing his ramen when his phone went off. Immediately, he checked it. “What!?”

“SSU HQ is under attack, right?” Akemi had finished his second bowl.

Akemi was right. SSU HQ was under direct attack by Ghosts. All units were ordered to go there immediately. Scowling, he snapped his neck towards Akemi. “Did you do this!?”

“No, of course not. But I did know about it. That’s why I called you here, actually.”

“What are you talking about!?”

“Those Ghosts, the Watari Clan. They’re good. If you were there, I’m not sure if you would’ve survived.”

“And why would that matter to you!?”

“Because, like I said, we’re on the same side.”

Naoki clenched his teeth. He didn’t have time for this nonsense. Immediately, he turned around and burst out of the restaurant.

“Hey! Come on!” Akemi leaned out the door, calling out to him. “Do you really want to throw your life away for the damn SSU!? For the government!?”

But that didn’t matter. He couldn’t sit and do nothing while people fought and died. He had to go.

Especially since Chiaki was there…

***

Yukari crept through the hallways or her condo. This place that was so familiar was now a place where death could be lurking around every corner.

She was ready for combat at any moment. Her visor was on and Lilith had been summoned.

Almost like a cat, she was poised to attack at any second.

She wasn’t even sure if someone was in here with her, but her instincts told her that was the case.

And they hadn’t failed her yet.

Yukari had thought about sending out a distress signal, but for one, it’d be embarrassing if she was wrong. And two…

Yukari Akayama was more than capable of taking care of a wannabe assassin.

Creeping into the kitchen, Yukari’s eyes scanned the room.

But as she took another step, she heard the slightest tap come from behind her.

Yukari immediately whipped around, readying to strike.

But she saw nothing. Nobody was there. It was an empty hallway. Empty except for…

A tiny pebble…

Yukari turned back around. “Lilith!” She ordered her demon into a defensive stance.

Barely just in time, a loud clank sounded out as her attacker’s blade connected with Lilith’s chains.

Yukari narrowed her gaze. Her attacker was a young man, a few years older than herself.

However, what she immediately noticed was that he didn’t even have a demon.

Only a katana…

Yukari smirked. Attacking her with an ordinary weapon? What an idiot! Everyone knows only a demon can harm another demon!

“Lilith!” Yukari commanded her demon to counterattack.

Lilith threw the young man off her, and dash forward, completely ignoring her own defense.

“Masamune!” The assailant called out.

And as Lilith was about to pounce…

She ground to a halt.

Yukari felt the pain. Blood started pouring from her stomach. It felt like a bullet had gone through her.

Yukari could hardly believe her eyes. She was still shocked at what had transpired.

The young man, his katana in an instant had transformed into a spear.

And he rammed it right through Lilith.

“So that’s…” Yukari coughed up some blood. “Your demon…”