The Story of the Seven

CHAPTER 5 - Finding A New Purpose

-7:00 in the morning-

"TODAY IS MY REBIRTH!🤗"

"I so proudly declare to you, citizens of the world."

Why was I acting like a madman, you ask?

Well, every fiber of my being urged me to wake up, despite being 7:00 in the morning. Today was Sunday, and I was going back to the tavern to learn more on The Organization and my duty as a recruit.

"Hump."

With a grunt, I got out of bed and got dressed. Despite the fact that I got royally chewed by Mom for ditching the doctor yesterday, I still felt exuberant.

"De-de-hm-"

I walked out of the small, run down showa-style apartment that has served as my humble abode for the past two months. It was cheap to rent this place, apparently.

"Hmmm-deeeee-doo-"

I skipped as I headed toward the subway station.

"Do—a-dee-do-"

I walked down the stairs into the subway station.

"Be-bum-bum"

I walked past the ticket gate.

I'm getting strange looks from the early-morning businessman around me, so maybe I should stop humming.

Still beaming with pride (but no humming), I boarded the train.

­­-20 Minutes Later-

"Shin-gawa, Shin-gawa. Thank you for boarding the Lines today, and we sincerely hope that you use our service again."

That's my cue to get off the train.

Waling past the abandoned shops, I saw a familiar face absentmindedly chewing on a cigar.

"Hey, Toukichi."

"Yo, been expecting you."

"It's still 8:00 in the morning, and the appointment's at noon. Why were you expecting me?"

"Knowing your personality, I figured you would be here early."

"Huh. By the way, is that a cigar you're chewing? You're still a minor, aren't you?"

"No, this is a chocolate cigar, obviously, and yes, I'm still a minor. But don't I look cooler this way?"

Since when did they start selling chocolate cigars that can produce smoke? 🚬

"Yeah. You look like those guys in The G*dfather."

"Tch. I'm not that scary. Come on. Squad Leader Ayamoto is expecting you."

"She's up already?"

"Yeah, she likes running early in the morning. A cute little health devil, if you ask me."

"I believe you, man. She was like a ball of pure, raw, energy yesterday."

"Thank you for the compliments, you two."

"!!!!" *2

We quickly turned around and bowed as deep as we could.

"Squad Leader Ayamoto, I am deeply sorry for tainting you name and spreading gossip. Please accept my humble apologies." (Toukichi)

"Good morning, Squad Leader Ayamoto. I am immensely sorry I stepped out of my standing as a mere recruit." (Haruto)

"Pathetic, you two. You don't need to suck up to your superiors like that; I'm not that kind of person in the first place. Now come on Haruto, there's much I want to talk with you."