Behind the Mask

Behind the Clouds

I sat in front of my TV, a cup of steaming tea cradled in my hands. The warmth seeped through the ceramic, soothing my fingers as I took a sip. On the screen, a press conference was in full swing. It had been two days since Kenji's release, but the buzz surrounding the battle in Tokyo hadn't died down. The world was still reeling from the fact that Ultraman had defeated not one, but two Kaiju in a single night, while the KDF had been rendered almost useless. The confirmation that Kenji wasn't Ultraman had only added fuel to the fire, exposing the KDF for imprisoning an innocent man for over a week.

I took a satisfied breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Everything had gone according to plan, even better than I had anticipated. Now, it was just a matter of watching how those involved would react when pushed into a corner.

Chiho's small figure appeared at the edge of my vision. She ran over, jumping onto the couch next to me and snuggling up close. I kissed her forehead and turned back to the TV. First up was Masato Morishita.

The camera zoomed in on the man's face, standing behind a podium, surrounded by a sea of journalists. Morishita looked worn out, his eyes sunken and his complexion pale. His usually immaculate suit was slightly rumpled, his tie askew. The flashes of cameras and whispered conversations filled the air as journalists jostled for the best position. The news had been relentless, and he had been at the forefront of the media frenzy. He had a lot to answer for.

He cleared his throat, gripping the edges of the podium. "Good afternoon," he began in a rough voice. "I know there have been many questions and concerns raised following the events in Tokyo. The KDF has always prioritized the safety and security of our citizens," he said. "Our decision to detain Mr. Kenji Sato was based on the information available at the time. We acted in what we believed to be the best interests of the public."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. I took another sip of tea, savoring the moment. Morishita was on the defensive.

Chiho shifted next to me. I wrapped an arm around her, feeling the soft rise and fall of her breathing.

"How do you respond to the accusations of wrongful imprisonment?" one journalist demanded.

"What measures are being taken to ensure this doesn't happen again?" another pressed.

"Well," Morishita said, raising his voice to be heard over the murmurs, "we acknowledge that mistakes were made. The events of that night have shown us that there are greater threats at play than we could have imagined, and we need to do better. As such, the KDF will be launching a full review of its operations and I, Masato Morishita will be stepping down as Chief officer of the KDF."

My eyebrows raised. That wasn't part of the plan. Morishita continued, his shoulders slumped. "I am taking full responsibility for my actions. In my efforts to protect the people of Japan, I lost sight of what was right and just. The KDF has a long history, one that has been built on a foundation of honor and integrity. It is my hope that this will be restored, and the public can once again have faith in the institution we have created."

The room exploded with noise, the reporters shouting over one another, their questions overlapping. Morishita raised his hand, but the crowd only became more riled up, and the journalists clamored to get their voices heard. I picked up the remote and muted the volume.

"Mama, is Kenji - san going to come over now?" Chiho asked.

I smiled, watching as Morishita was escorted off the stage. "Yes baby," I said, turning to face her. "But until then, what do you say you and I go on a little play date later today?"

Her eyes lit up. "Really?" she asked excitedly.

I nodded, smiling at her. "I think it's time for a break, don't you?"