Azure Akuma [Fire Force x M!Reader] REWRITING IN PROGRESS

«|| 19: Evaluation

Maki moves to stand at the front of your group and puts her hand in a salute, with the rest of you following in suit. You were confused at the gesture considering where you were, but you followed anyway.

"I am Maki Oze and I belong to the 8th Brigade! I came to bring the rookies for the training!"

Captain Burns lets a lazy smile pull at his lips, his head shaking slightly.

"I'm sorry, but I have to ask you not to salute but instead use the gesture of putting those hands together." Maki stutters out an apology and puts her hands in a tent-like gesture instead of the salute. The captain nods before walking over to the three men that stood behind him and began to introduce each of them from right to left.

"These are 1st Brigade's company commanders Flam," the one you had met prior to entering, "Hoshimiya," the one with red hair, "and Li." the one with the hat and dirty blond hair. "They'll watch over you."

You couldn't help but keep your eyes trained on Commander Hoshimiya. He looked familiar to you in some odd way. He exuded a sort of energy that was unsettling to you, and you opted to keep a close eye on him; Sol knows what he may pull.

Or maybe your gut instinct was wrong for once and was only an odd fellow. You'd never know.

"After learning by observing today, you may rest." Captain Burns tells your group and Shinra perks at this. "Battalion Commander Burns," He says. "May I ask something?"

Commander Burns doesn't say anything, but the surprising grunts he lets out urges Shinra to continue. "It might sound a bit hasty, but can I ask for our abilities to be tested by having you face us?"

'Our?' 'US?' What the hell is wrong with this boy!? No one agreed to this! You let out a shocked expression before grinding your teeth harshly to prevent your tongue from slipping in front of your superiors. "What the hell, Shinra!" You whisper behind his back, low enough for him not to hear, but loud enough for your other peers to hear.

Maki was also not a fan of this proposal and lets out a hushed screech. "Shinra! What are you saying!?"

Commander Hoshimiya looks at your group with a dead stare and begins to speak with a tone as dead as his expression. "Your abilities will be studied from the data we received... there is no need for that."

"I don't mind... Rekka, you can test them." Came Commander Burns' response, and it shocked not only you but the rest of your group as well. Oddly, Commander Hoshimiya... or Rekka as you now know perks up at this, and his demeanor from earlier takes a full 180.

"EH!? REALLY!?" He practically shouts with stars forming in his eyes, and it takes Commander Li to remind him of where he was to quiet him down.

Your peers begin to nervously rile up, and rightfully so. Timidly, the tallest boy of your group [you still didn't know his name] begin to sweat profusely. "Hey, Shinra-kun! This scares me! I won't allow it!! This is very... scary!"

"Really... this is a drag. For real, man?" The one with the bubblegum in his mouth drawls.

"Seriously Shinra, you must be out of your mind! " You groan. "I hope you have some brilliant idea to back this, 'cause I swear-!" Shinra quickly dismisses you all with a wave of his hand. "Oh, calm down..."

Arthur begins to laugh wildly and all of you could do nothing but stare. You swore he was going mental. Shinra and Maki exchange whispers before he raises his voice again.