SOUL-SEEKER || (On Hiatus)

(Chapter 45) Genocidal Maniac.

Three days after the successful and covert assassination of the JDME president, the members of Japan's Council convened in a clandestine meeting room shrouded in secrecy. With the air thick with tension and hushed conversations, they meticulously discussed the aftermath of the operation and the implications it carried for the nation. In a swift and calculated move, the Council decided to appoint a new head of the branch, hoping to restore stability and regain control over the situation. The selection process unfolded behind closed doors, with each member contributing their perspective on the ideal candidate to lead the organization in these tumultuous times. Simultaneously, back at the Tokyo Agency, the repercussions of the failed safekeeping mission echoed through the corridors. The once vibrant and bustling atmosphere within the institution had been replaced by an undercurrent of unease and trepidation. Students, normally immersed in their studies and training, now found themselves grappling with the unsettling aftermath of a mission gone awry. The students of the Tokyo Agency, usually known for their resilience and discipline, were visibly affected by the toll the mission had taken on their morale. Whispers of concern and speculation circulated among them, as they sought solace and reassurance from one another in the face of uncertainty. The weight of the recent events bore down on the shoulders of these young agents, leaving an indelible mark on their collective psyche. As the newly appointed head of the branch assumed their responsibilities, the intricate web of repercussions continued to weave its threads through the covert world of espionage and intrigue. The fate of the nation hung in the balance, and the Tokyo Agency's students faced an uphill battle to regain their composure and focus amidst the lingering shadows of a mission gone wrong. Nolan and Fiona, engrossed in a lively conversation about the upcoming project, were seated comfortably in her well-appointed office. The air was filled with a sense of collaboration and anticipation as they exchanged ideas and thoughts, their voices resonating with excitement. The soft glow of the desk lamp illuminated the room, casting a warm ambiance. Suddenly, without warning, the door swung open with a force that caught both of them off guard. The abrupt entrance disrupted the tranquility of the office, causing Fiona to instinctively look up with a furrowed brow. The unexpected visitor, a student with a visibly troubled expression, stood in the doorway, his hurried entrance suggesting an urgency that demanded immediate attention.

NLN: Kaito!
FNA: You're alive!

Nolan, with an earnest and heartfelt expression, took quick strides towards Kaito, his eyes reflecting a mixture of joy and concern. Fiona, equally moved by the emotional atmosphere, joined Nolan in a seamless motion, her steps mirroring his as they closed the distance between them and Kaito. Kaito, visibly overwhelmed by the surge of emotions, stood with arms slightly extended, anticipating the embrace that was about to envelop him. As Nolan wrapped him in a tight hug, the genuine warmth of the connection between the two friends became palpable, a silent reassurance in the midst of Kaito's tears. Fiona, not one to let the depth of the moment pass unnoticed, approached with a tenderness that radiated empathy. She embraced Kaito from the side, creating a comforting triad of friendship that momentarily eclipsed the challenges and sorrows that had led them to this emotional reunion. Despite Kaito's best efforts to contain his tears, they flowed freely, a testament to the overwhelming relief and joy that welled up within him. The trio stood in that poignant embrace, their shared history and unspoken understanding creating a sanctuary within the storm of emotions that surrounded them.

NLN: It's all my fault, Kaito. If I didn't send you on that mission, N-Niko would've lived.
KTO: It's alright, master, because we're hunters. We took that mission knowing it could take our lives, and now I'm the only one alive.
FNA: About that... Lori Rofillet is still alive.
KTO: She's alive?! Where is she?!
NLN: I'm sorry for this, Kaito.
KTO: What are you talking about, mas-
FNA: Lori Rofillet is now an enemy of the state, and is accused of mass murder.
NLN: We didn't know how you'd react to this, so I didn't want to te-