The Darkest Of The Dark

Riku Fujimoto

Riku leans closer, his voice calm. "Akira, it's okay. Just a bad nightmare."

Some people glance back at Akira, noticing his pale face and wide eyes.

Akira: "I saw everyone here was killed... and he shot me."
His voice trembles as he tries to steady his breathing.

Sergeant Yuzuki approaches, her expression concerned.

Yuzuki: "What did you dream about?"

Akira looks down, trying to hide his unease.
Akira: "Sergeant, it was nothing."

Yuzuki: "What's your name?"

Akira: "It's Akira, Sergeant."

Yuzuki softens her tone.
Yuzuki: "Are you sure you're okay?"

Akira nods quickly.
Akira: "Yes, Sergeant."

Yuzuki offers a reassuring smile.
Yuzuki: "I may be a sergeant, but I'm here to help, okay? I'm only strict at the base."

Akira returns a faint smile.
Akira: "Thank you, Sergeant."

Yuzuki: "You're welcome."
She returns to her seat, still watching Akira.

Riku: "Are you sure you're okay?"

Akira: "Yes... Why is our sergeant so kind? I thought sergeants were supposed to be aggressive."

Riku chuckles softly.
Riku: "My brother said she's stricter at the base."

Akira raises an eyebrow.
Akira: "Your brother?"

Riku: "Yeah, he was in the military too."

Akira whispers, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Akira: "Hmm, are people falling for her too?"

Riku smirks.
Riku: "I'm pretty sure everyone is."

Akira frowns slightly, confused.
Akira: "How old is she?"

Riku: "She's just 20."

Akira: "How can she be a sergeant at 20?"
His face reflects his puzzlement.

Riku: "She grew up here."

Akira nods, still slightly distracted.
Akira: "Hm, nice. I like older girls."

Riku gives him a serious look.
Riku: "Don't get delusional, okay? We're here to protect the country."

Akira waves a hand dismissively.
Akira: "Yeah, yeah, I got it."
His face, however, shows he's still lost in thought.

Riku: "So, about earlier—are you sure you're okay?"

Akira sighs.
Akira: "Yes, I said I'm okay."

Riku: "What time is it?"

Akira: "8 a.m."

Riku nods.
Riku: "Six hours left."

Akira yawns.
Akira: "I guess you're right, I shouldn't sleep."

Six hours later, 2 a.m.

The bus stops outside the army base, and everyone begins to stir.

Yuzuki stands up, her voice now loud and authoritative.
Yuzuki: "Troops, wake up!"

The soldiers in the bus quickly pack their bags. The bus doors open, and they start forming a line to exit.

Akira follows, stepping off the bus. He feels the gritty dirt and rocks under his boots, taking in the sight of the large, open military base. He notices the other buses arriving, filled with more soldiers.

Yuzuki stands at the front, her posture straight.
Yuzuki: "Troops, line up horizontally!"

The soldiers quickly arrange themselves into neat rows, Akira on the far side.

Yuzuki: "You might be wondering where we are. This is a military base in Okinawa. You're Troop 14, Understood?"

The soldiers are silent.

Yuzuki raises her voice, commanding.
Yuzuki: "Did anyone hear me?!"

Soldiers (in unison): "Yes, Sergeant!"

Yuzuki nods.
Yuzuki: "Follow me!"

She turns and begins walking toward the main base, the soldiers marching behind her in sync. Akira glances around, noting the other troops and barracks.

Yuzuki stops outside a barrack marked 14.
Yuzuki: "This is Barrack 14. Each group has 15 soldiers, so there are 15 beds. Understood?"

Soldiers (in unison): "Yes, Sergeant!"

Yuzuki leads them inside. Akira notices the beds lined up, each with a small side table.

Yuzuki: "Troops, claim a bed!"

The soldiers quickly choose their beds, setting their personal belongings on the side tables.

Yuzuki: "Stay here for a while, troops. I need to take care of something. Training starts when I get back. Understood?"

Soldiers: "Yes, Sergeant."

Yuzuki leaves the barrack. Akira sits on his bed, looking over at Riku, who is holding a picture of a little girl.

Akira tilts his head.
Akira: "Hey Riku, who's that little girl?"

Riku smiles softly.
Riku: "This is my daughter."

Akira: "How old is she?"

Riku looks at the photo with affection.
Riku: "She's 12."

Akira pauses.
Akira: "May I ask her name?"

Riku: "Her name is Misaki Fujimoto."

Akira nods, a bit shy.
Akira: "How old are you, Riku?"

Riku chuckles.
Riku: "I'm 31."

Akira blinks, surprised.
Akira: "Oh, I'm young compared to you."

Riku grins.
Riku: "How old are you?"

Akira: "Just 18."

Riku pats him on the shoulder.
Riku: "Well, kid, it's nice to see someone so young, so committed to protecting the country."

Akira smiles faintly.
Akira: "Thanks."