Lost memories for a second death

Mira strode down the hallway with a worn-out expression adorning her features. Initially, she had intended to visit Yuichi, but the second lieutenant had called and canceled their plan.

Mira was renowned for her calm and level-headed decision-making, which earned her a place in both the scout department and the combat.

"Any more and I might start losing some hair," Mira muttered as she took measured steps toward the door.

However, she halted in her tracks when she heard muffled voices from within the room. Curiosity got the better of her, and she pressed her ear against the door to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Can't believe I was asleep for five years… that's pretty lame," a male voice resonated from the room.

"It wasn't your fault… anyone could have gone through the same process," a female voice responded reassuringly.

"Anyway, it seems like you guys have a lot to talk about, I'll go update the research team and let them know Yuichi is awake." A different female voice was added.

"Okay," the male voice replied.

Mira continued to eavesdrop, but the automatic door slid open, and she stumbled forward, falling to the ground unceremoniously right in front of Himiko.

"P-pardon the intrusion." Mira stood up from the ground with a nervous smile on her face as she looked up at Himiko.

Himiko had a mocking look on her face as she uttered, "Mira…" She sang, "Were you eavesdropping just now?".

"No, no no, I wasn't, I swear… I just wanted to check up on Yuichi-." Mira immediately paused when she peeked at the bed and saw Yuichi sitting next to Ava.

"He's awake?" Mira muttered, her face filled with surprise, "No way, he's awake!".

She stood up from the ground and ran toward Yuichi, kneeling in front of him and snatching his hands close to her chest, "When did you wake up?" Mira questioned excitedly.

"Uhnn… today." Yuichi responded, his face beet red from the embracement.

"Today!"

Mira yelled, startling Yuichi again. She turned and looked at Ava who was still calm, "Ava why didn't you tell me he woke up?!".

"Because he just did not quite long ago… quit acting like a mother." Ava answered back, using the bottom of her sword to smack Mira's hand so she would release her grip on Yuichi.

Mira was quick to let go, a smile on her face as she stood up from the ground, "Glad to see you're awake though".

"Sure." Yuichi responded before leaning closer to Ava with his hand over his mouth as he whispered, "Hey Ava, who's the weird girl?".

Like a sharp arrow hitting her chest, Mira held her chest when she heard the question, feeling like she had just been struck with a direct attack.

"She's just a subordinate, you don't need to worry about her."Ava whispered back.

Another shot struck Mira. She stood still with a foreshadowed look on her face before she called out "Yuichi".

Yuichi instantly turned to look at Mira but just as quickly, Mira held Yuichi by the cheeks and pulled her face closer.

"Yuichi." She called out again, a serious look on her face as her cheeks went beet red, "Look, you don't know me… but, you and I are…".

Wack!

Ava immediately whacked her sheathed sword on Mira's head, "He just woke up, don't stress him." She said before placing her sword back.

A death stare hit Mira on the face as she stared at Ava, "Come now, don't tell me you are jealous just from that." She blurted.

"You don't have to be so noisy all the time." Ava responded, her eyes fixed on her door with a neutral look on her face.

The tension between them began to rise but it was soon broken when Yuichi chimed in with a question, "Uhm, I need to use the bathroom, where is it?".

….

Yuichi was led to the bathroom by the personnel and requested to take some time alone.

As he walked, his mind was filled with the disturbing revelations Ava had shared about the Xynoin attack, yet he couldn't recall any memories related to it. His frustration grew, and he felt the need to clear his head.

"Argh!" Yuichi groaned, running his fingers through his hair. He came to a halt outside a bathroom with a sign indicating its purpose. His hand reached for the doorknob when he noticed the door was slightly ajar. "It's open," he thought as he pushed the door, but what he saw made him freeze in horror.

Three men stood at the far end of the bathroom, huddled around a motionless figure. The men wielded sharp tools, cutting through the flesh of the woman before them. Yuichi felt bile rise in his throat at the sight of the ghastly act.

The men continued to dismember the woman, tossing the body parts into a briefcase as if it was a mere routine.

Yuichi couldn't move, couldn't speak, and he certainly couldn't believe what he was witnessing. His mind raced as he tried to comprehend the situation. Was this some sort of twisted experiment, or was he in danger of being caught by these murderers? The questions swirled in his head, but he couldn't bring himself to move from the sight.

"Hurry up!" One of the masked men spoke out, bringing out a fresh knife from the bag beside him.

Yuichi's mind went blank at the moment, unable to think of the next thing to do, all that he could do was stare as the criminals brutally dissected the woman.

Mostly because, the horrific sight was slowly letting him recall what happened to his home before he fell into a coma.

"What are you doing there?" A worker in the organization voiced out when he spotted Yuichi standing at the entrance.

The criminals in the bathroom were immediately alerted to the voice, "Shit, Ckios, you didn't shut the fucking door, Cunt!' One of the masked men shouted, pulling out a gun from his pocket.

"Let's just move! Damn it!".

The man stopped in front of Yuichi, and noticed he was frozen in fear and his eyes were focused inside the room.

"Hey, kid, are you alright?" The worker asked, placing his hand on Yuichi's shoulder.

Suddenly, Yuichi fazed out of his thoughts and looked at the man, "Criminals are in there! Run!" He yelled.

Baam!

Three men rushed out of the bathroom, with one holding the briefcase. One of the men shot Yuichi in the forehead while the other stabbed the worker in the guts before they all ran away.