Behind the Mask

Ken Sato is...

Emi sat on the floor, her small hands clutching a huge stuffed teddy bear. The bear was a fluffy white thing, and in her hands, it looked almost tiny. She pressed its belly, and it made a funny sound. Her laughter filled the room, and she clapped her hands in delight.

Next to her, Gigantron was sleeping soundly, its massive form curled up like a giant cat. Kenji stood in front of a monitor, his brow furrowed in concentration as he made plans to move Emi and her mother out of Tokyo.

I couldn't help but stare at him. There was a seriousness on his face that was quite attractive. He looked so focused, so determined. I folded my thighs up and hugged my legs, my gaze never leaving him.

"How safe is this route, Mina?" he asked, his voice cutting through the quiet hum of the room. "Are there night guards? Any patrols?"

Mina's voice responded from the speakers. "The route is relatively safe. There are a few night guards, but their patrols are sporadic. Using the submarine should allow you to go undetected."

Kenji nodded, his eyes scanning the screen intently. Then he turned slightly, and for a moment, our eyes met. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks flush. Emi was now making her teddy bear dance. She looked up at me with a bright smile, and I couldn't help but smile back. It was hard to resist that little face.

I jumped off the couch and walked over to her, kneeling beside her. I watched as she squeezed the bear and made a silly face. Then she laughed, her whole body shaking. I couldn't help but laugh too.

I turned back to Kenji. "How far away is Kaiju Island?"

"Far enough for no one to even know it exists," he replied. "It's the safest place for the Kaiju. The trip is going to take a few days."

Gigantron stirred, her eyelids fluttering. She yawned, stretching out her long limbs. Her claws raked across the floor, the sound making me wince. She slowly opened her eyes, and they landed on me. I smiled and waved. Her lips pulled back, and I saw rows of sharp teeth.

Emi grabbed my arm and tugged, trying to get my attention.

"Oh, what is it?" I asked.

She looked down at her bear and made the stuffed toy walk along the ground, its feet dragging. I chuckled.

"Is it safe?" I asked Kenji. "How will you keep Emi and her mom hidden for all that time?"

"Emi listens to me," he answered as he walked over to us. He rubbed Emi's arm, and she smiled. "And Gigantron listens to Emi."

Gigantron tilted her head and purred, the sound vibrating through the room. Kenji sat, crossed-legged next to her. His expression shifted, and his lips curved up into a smile. He reached out to me and patted the spot next to him.

I hesitated, feeling a little nervous, but then I went over and sat down beside him. I rested my head on his shoulder, and his arm wrapped around my waist, holding me close. I could feel his heart beating, a steady rhythm that was comforting and soothing.

Gigantron watched us, her crimson eyes curious.

"What's Kaiju island like?" I asked, quietly.

"Beautiful," he answered, his voice soft. "You'd be surprised at how cool places that have been untouched by humans look. The waters are cleaner, the air is pure, and the vegetation is lush. It's like a dream."

I leaned against him and closed my eyes. "I wish I could see it."

"One day, I'll take you," he promised, kissing my forehead.

I looked up. "Really?"

He nodded, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement. "Of course."

The sound of the teddy singing filled the room. Kenji and I turned to see Emi stretching out the teddy's arms. She giggled as she pulled them apart. The seams gave way with a ripping sound, and the bear split in half, stuffing spilling out onto the floor.