𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢𝗫𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 ➵ 𝗁𝗈𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖺 𝗌𝗈𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗋𝗈

02.

"Hm? Hibino Kafka. Age: 32." You hum as you stared at the information sheet that Hoshina just handed to you. You stared at the back of his head, wondering at the words you just voiced out. "32? Isn't it 30? The people that we accept?" You match his walking pace, striding to the captain's office next to him.

"Haven't you heard?" He turned his head at you, his eyes squinting as he look at you. "They've raised the age of recruitment for members to 33 years." Your brows furrowed as you continue flipping the pages, seeing that almost everyone is at the age below 30 years old.

"Who's the one that approved that?" You're still wondering, also, it's oddly specific of accepting any recruits that are on the age of 33 or have people joining at the age of 30. "The captain herself. She's also the one who suggested it. It is due to the declining of birth rates." A hum left your lips as you just nod at his words, not planning to question him any further as the two of you continue walking towards her office in silent.

As you were scanning the information sheets, there were few familiar people you've seen. One of them is Izumo Haruichi, his last name ring a bell since Izumo Tech is the one who is making the Combat Suit as well as the personalized weapons per member ever since.

There were bunch of interesting guys, Hoshina would look at you occasionally when he heard a satisfied hum left your lips here and there and seeing that you're reading the sheets. He squinted his eyes as he saw how you were focused on reading the information, licking your lips in concentration and he wonder who was that.

Until, he saw your eyes widen and familiarity flash your emerald orbs. You've been continuously flipping the papers and it still surprises you that there are other women who are willing and wanting to join the Defence Force, eversince she got accepted and made an appeal to the public.

Both you and Hoshina stopped in front of Ashiro's office. Bringing down the papers in your arm as you watch him knock on the door, seconds later, you heard Ashiro's muffled voice, muttering 'come in.' Following Hoshina's footsteps as the two of you entered her office and you handed him the information sheet.

"Shinomiya Kikoru. Age: 20." You remembered reading her information sheet, there were few wow factors that was presented especially the fact that she got accepted four years ago to the California Neutralization University. You were already sure she'll get in and would catch the eye of Ashiro once the aptitude test arrive. Knowing how your father had trained her to be perfect.

Hoshina began summarizing his thoughts about the recruits he find interesting, Ashiro was, surprisingly, listening to his words as her eyes were focused on the papers that is laying on her desk and she is writing her signature on it. While you were just quiet behind Hoshina, wondering how will you react when you see your sister later on.

"Nice to see you once again, Kikoru."

. . .

Putting on your jacket as you follow Hoshina out of the office, he had asked you earlier to accompany him in greeting the examinees and welcoming them to the screening exam in which he will be guiding them and telling them all of the things they'll need to know for the selection exam.

"Why do I have to come with you?" A sigh left your lips as you heard him laugh at the exasperated breathe you just let out. "I need you to charm the male examinees." You deadpanned at the words that escaped his mouth, and once again, a laugh bubble up in his throat seeing your reaction.

"Be serious, Hoshina." He glanced at you when he heard you say his name without the title. You also sometimes do that with Ashiro, and the woman didn't mind, and  he was the same. He somehow likes hearing you call him by his name and not with the title. "Wouldn't you want a reunion with your sister? Give her a good luck before the screening?" You just shook your head at him once again, quietly following him stride over.