𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢𝗫𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 ➵ 𝗁𝗈𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖺 𝗌𝗈𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗋𝗈

29.

"I can't say I'm not surprised," you shrugged your shoulders as you and Narumi exited the laboratory. Hasegawa had long since left to attend to his duties, both his own and those of the Captain you're with right now. You noticed that Narumi had been unusually quiet ever since the bombshell was dropped upon your arrival at the lab. The scientist and doctor hadn't minced the words.

"There's a chance that Hibino Kafka won't return to his human form."

The gravity of those words hung heavily in the air, and the only sound breaking the silence was the clicking of your heels against the concrete floor of the hallway. You and Narumi walked side by side, each step echoing through the corridor, the silence between you growing more palpable with every stride. The news was deeply troubling, and you could sense the weight of it pressing down on the both of you.

"I guess it was always a risk," Narumi finally said, his voice subdued. You glance him, noticing the drop of his tone. You knew that Narumi could be serious sometimes but he is always either childish or well... dumb.

You nodded in response, understanding his turmoil. "Kafka has always pushed the limits, but this is a whole new level of uncertainty. We have to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best." Kafka's transforming into a kaiju had always been a double-edged sword. And knowing that there's a chance that he will never revert back to human, it is unsettling.

Narumi was once again quiet, obviously lost in thought, and you noticed that his pace was becoming faster with each step he took. You merely followed behind him, staring at his back as you maintained your own steady pace. Your mind wandered back to the scientists' detailed explanations about Kafka's monsterization process, each point replaying in your mind with a heavy sense of foreboding.

The scientists had meticulously outlined the potential dangers and irreversible nature of Kafka's condition. They explained how each transformation into his kaiju form accelerated the integration of kaiju cells with his human DNA, making it increasingly difficult for him to revert to his original state. This integration was not just physical but also mental, potentially altering Kafka's psyche over time.

It is very risky to have Kafka transforming into his Kaiju form every mission. But you couldn't think a solution for this problem, not knowing how to act or to at least slow down the process of his monsterization before you guys could think of a solution to revert him back.

If only your father, Shinomiya Isao, is here. He would probably have an idea in mind already.

A sigh left your lips as you continued to walk quietly down the empty hallway of headquarters, your thoughts swirling in a chaotic mix of worry and determination. You couldn't possibly start training right away; Dr. Akiyama had already warned you about it. Your recent surgeries—both the Lasik surgery and the kaiju iris transplant—required you to take it easy, to avoid any strenuous activity that might jeopardize your recovery.

But how could you remain idle when so much was at stake? The urge to throw yourself into action, to find a solution for Kafka, was almost overwhelming. Yet, you knew you had to be smart about this. Pushing yourself too hard too soon could render you unable to help at all, and that was a risk you couldn't afford to take.

You only stared at Narumi's figure as he walked away, his form gradually disappearing from your sight. He was obviously deep in thought about the news, his usual confident stride replaced with a more contemplative one. You continued at your own pace, letting Narumi leave you behind.

"Where's Soshiro when you need him..."

. . .

"Attention!" you called out, your voice firm and commanding. The recruits immediately snapped to attention, their eyes fixed on you. "Today, we're focusing on sword techniques. Your weapon is an extension of your body. Master it, and you increase your chances of survival and victory." Since you can't train now, you decided to oversee the training of the new recruits in the First Division Unit.