𝐈 𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐄 | 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐉𝐈 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐎

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

Contrary to popular belief, the KDF doesn't provide comprehensive insurance—life, health, or auto insurance—to low-ranking officers. And even if they did, Rin doubts there's a clause that covers Ultraman's tomfoolery as a cause.

So when Ryuzaki Rin strolls out of her usual diner and finds her car on fire, thanks to a 40-meter-tall pain in the ass, all she can think of is how financially crippling this is going to be, how she'll have to take the train to work, and how she can't wait to give that gigantic tinman a black eye.

She calls the cops, goes back to her tiny apartment, scans every line of her auto insurance, and spends hours on the phone with the HR Department. Rin sits at her work desk, rigid and tensed, as she pours over her papers. "The documents say the insurance covers Kaiju attacks," she repeats, trying not to sound exasperated.

"We understand your problem and we symp—"

"Really, Mr. Maeda, this is the fourth time you're hitting with me that."

"I apologise, Officer Ryuzaki. I really do. But that damages to your vehicle was caused by being subjected to combustion. There is no proof that Neronga was the one who—"

Rin massages her temples, "What about the Ultraman Direct Involvement clause? It says something about 'debris from his battles or inadvertent impacts'?"

"Again," Mr Maeda from HR sounds bored, if she was being honest, "the policy does not cover secondary or collateral damage caused by environmental changes or events indirectly resulting—"

"Environmental changes?" She repeats, "No, that's not what I asked about."

There's a heavy sigh from the other end. Rin makes a note to report Mr. Maeda for his insensitivity. "Officer Ryuzaki, environmental changes resulting indirectly from Ultraman's actions include fire damage resulting from heat or energy discharges. We deeply sympathise with your situation and will do our best to provide you with the best possible solution within our policies."

Rin doesn't let go. "What about filing it as collateral from war or nuclear—"

"Your insurance doesn't cover—"

"Well, what does it cover?" She asks sharply without raising her voice, "Because frankly, I am receiving zero help from a company who has, not once or twice, but five times said that they sympathise with me."

"We can cover the costs of towing your vehicle—"

"Is that so? And where will you tow my crispy fried Toyota to?"

The silence that follows shows that she's testing his patience the way he is testing hers. "Officer Ryuzaki, we—"

"Don't say it. Don't you say it!"

"—at UltraGuard sympathise with your situation and hope to—"

"Mr Maeda."

This stretch of silence is different than before. It's more contemplative. "If you ask me," Mr Maeda lowers his voice like he's looking over his shoulder, "You have a better shot at suing Ultraman than expecting your insurance to help you out."

That gets Rin's attention. Adamant that she'll make Ultraman pay every cent required to fix her car or buy her a new one, she keeps a megaphone on her while she travels to and from work. Her colleagues offer condolences and share her plight because being ground staff at KDF doesn't exactly have a lot of benefits. Insurance being one of them. One of her seniors tells her that he sets aside money every month to pay for premium parking in exclusive zones 'just to be on the safe side' as UltraGuard covers damages to cars and bikes only if they're in the exclusive zone.