もののけ | monster | soshiro hoshina (Kaiju No. 8) (COMPLETE)

はち | eight

もののけ | kaiju | monster

08

THE TOKYO MALL CRISIS
(PART 1)

Soshiro

"COME ON, KIYOMI, BABY, PEASE PICK UP YOUR PHONE. PLEASE," I chanted, my voice a desperate whisper as I walked quickly, my mind blank except for the incessant need to hear her voice. My fingers were trembling as I kept dialing her number, over and over again, each ring stretching the limits of my patience.

"The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area. Please try your call later—" the automated voice droned in my ear. I gritted my teeth and tried again, the same mechanical response greeting me each time. "The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area. Please try your call later—" The words echoed, mocking my growing anxiety.

I grabbed my jacket, slipping it on with one hand while the other continued to dial Kiyomi's number. The phone pressed against my ear felt like a lifeline, each failed attempt tightening the knot of fear in my chest. "The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area. Please try your call later—"

My legs carried me aimlessly until I found myself in the training room. The familiar scent of sweat and metal hit me, and my breath hitched as I looked around. The gleaming swords on the wall seemed to call to me, their presence both comforting and unsettling. The phone still pressed to my ear, the automated voice continued its relentless chant. "The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area. Please try your call later—"

I ended the call, my gaze fixed on the swords in front of me. My mind was a swirling vortex of fear and frustration, but amid the chaos, one thought crystallized: I needed to bring a sword. I didn't understand the feeling entirely, but a sense of bloodthirst welled up within me. If anything happened to Kiyomi, I wouldn't forgive myself. I couldn't.

Reaching out, I grasped the hilts of two katanas, their weight familiar and reassuring in my hands. The ridiculousness of my thoughts tried to surface, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the cold, hard reality of what I needed to do. I strapped the katanas to my side, their presence a silent vow of protection. I rushed out of the training room and ran toward the main door of the house.

I halted abruptly when I saw my father standing there. His usual stern expression was replaced by one of worry. He looked at me, his eyes searching mine.

"Are you going after her?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper.

I met his gaze, my determination clear. "Yes," i replied curtly.

My father sighed deeply, a heavy sound that seemed to carry the weight of years. "But you can't even get there, Soshiro. The area is surrounded by the JSDF. It's a restricted zone now, and no civilians are allowed. I am sure she was evacuated immediately. She's the daughter of the Director of the Defense Force, one of the first to be protected—"

"How can you be so sure?!" I suddenly burst out, unable to contain my frustration any longer. My grip tightened around the hilt of my katanas, the familiar weight grounding me as my anger surged. "How can you say such things when you don't even know anything?"