3-5 Promotion

Date: September 2-4

Place: Kyoto Headquarters

[Cedrick]

    After what happened a few days after, I couldn't bring myself to sleep in the same room as Rei. So I just slept at the group's lounge every day. It wasn't as comfortable as the bed but at least I had a few cloaks to be a pillow and to cover myself up when it's cold. My back hurts and I went to the clinic earlier to change some bandages. Then, I went to the cafeteria to eat lunch.

    Yui, Misaki, Haru, and Kazuma joined me at the table. We talked about a lot of things but no one dared to discuss what happened to that specific day.

"What happened to your cheeks? It looks swollen," asked Misaki to Kazuma. Now that she mentioned that, it looks painfully swollen. He touched it to make sure something was there like he didn't even notice. He looked at me first and sigh.

"Earlier this morning, she punched me on my way here. I guess she wanted to feel good by venting her anger to me because she couldn't get it out on Ced," he shrugs like I wasn't even listening. But I couldn't defend Rei in this chat. No one should ever know our mission so if I argue with him, nothing will benefit me or her.

    I finished my food and excused myself. I went and got another tray of food after I returned mine. This is for her, she might be starving. I took the elevator down the fifth floor of this basement and walked to the room where I know Rei will be at. Standing here, afraid to come in. I came here to give her lunch since she doesn't want to socialize with anyone. It's been exactly two days after that night's incident and ever since then, she hasn't left this room. Well, except when something urgent comes up and she is to be needed.

    I knocked before I came in. To my surprise, she was there sitting at the end of her bed, drying her wet hair but staring into an open space.

"I brought you some lunch," I gave to her that she didn't hesitate to take. I went to my bed and sat as I watch her eat her lunch.

"You know you don't have to do a thing like this for me," she sips the last drop of her soup. "Thanks," she continued looking at me and pulled a forced smile.

"I'm just worried," I sigh looking away.

"Still, I'm sorry for how I took my anger out on you," she apologizes.

"It's kind of my fault anyway," I whispered but the silence made my words travel to her ears. She did yell at me and said a lot of hurtful things whenever we're alone.

    She didn't say anything back and instead, she tries to finish her food quickly. I was laid down on my bed and closed my eyes to take a quick nap before she's done eating.

"Is there something going on later?" I hear her ask.

I jumped out of bed and stood up in surprise. I forgot about that.

"Actually, yes. There'll be a promotion and perhaps another explanation for the recruits in an hour to be exact," I say helping her put away her tray. "I think they'll allow us to have new members in our group too," I continued. I can sense the sadness in the expression she wears at this very moment.

"They might," she replies with a sad tone. "Get ready in thirty minutes and meet me at the lounge," she ordered. It's been a few days since she ordered me again.

"Gladly," I smiled gently at her,

[Rei]

    After that, he ran off to return the tray to the cafeteria. He's a really sweet and gentleman. But I can't still forgive him entirely, I'm still mad about what he did but I can't keep this up anymore. I need to grow up and move on. There are casualties every time we go out to the protection of this place.

    As he said, there will be another ranking change. All people, soldier or not are allowed to come to see this meeting. I put on my formal clothes that they gave to every leader of each group. Which are just used for this kind of occasion. It's quite different from the uniform I use when I go on missions. The cloth, the texture, and how it fits my size perfectly. I already have three badges and I think I might get another one today. But I have no intention of accepting today's reward, I don't want it.

    Yesterday, a messenger went to the lounge to see me. And for what perfect timing, it was just me alone in the room with Cedrick who just went out to see some of my business that I'm too emotional to handle.

    I buckled up my socks and put on my heels. Yes, the black heels that Yui picked out for me. And this time, I can't put some shorts under my skirt. It's the worst feeling I can ever feel, along with everything that has happened.

    They laid out a message for me to go to the Supreme Commander's office and make sure that no one sees me in the process.

*     *     *     *     *

"I want to know your opinion about what we should do considering your classmates. Or should I say, the people from your past?" he says grinning as he enjoys teasing me.

"Shouldn't that be your job?" I replied with no care in the world. But his assistants are already pointing a bullet behind me.

"I'm sure you wouldn't refuse if I put them into your division. Or would you rather wish for other people to know about this too?" every time he opens his mouth, it keeps ticking the bomb inside of me; the urge to punch this person in front of me but I better control myself.

"Do as you please. But just know that you'll take the biggest loss if you continue playing me like a child," I commented which made his guards more pissed and firing their gun near my feet, intentionally missing my toes.

"How dare you make a threat to theー" they were stopped by a raise of a single hand of their master. He just grinned and looked at me intensely, like he enjoyed my comment.

"I'll be taking my leave. I trust you know what you should do," I say my last words before I left.

*     *     *     *     *

    Everyone was already in the main lobby when I came inside the room with Cedrick.

"There sure is a lot of people," he said. Even I couldn't believe that we rescued this number of people. There are three planes after all but to know that there are many who survived those synchronized attacks.

"Oh, right. It's your first time seeing the survivors," Kazuma butts in. I gave him a look that says that I want to know more and he surely understood that. "They called a meeting not long after they arrived," he sighs. "But you were too busy crying," I hear him whisper. And when I wasn't looking, I can tell that Cedrick pinched him.

There weren't enough chairs for everyone, so a lot of people were just standing. The ones who are involved at the rescue teams, especially the captains who are getting another promotion have their sit reserved, along with some representatives in any and every branch of the divisions. It was arranged by groups.

"There's our sit," Cedrick dragged me all the way there. A few more minutes and it'll start.

"Silence," a simple word that made this place s as peaceful as the sea. No whisperings, just the sound of the microphone being tested.

"The meeting will shortly begin," a man who stood in front of the stage said.

~~

I didn't quite listen to every word they announced and I don't recall what happened. Just the part where they called my name and pinned a badge on the left side of my uniform. Then after the promotions, they got to the part where they explain to newcomers about our current system. Giving them papers and such, like the thing that they made us do and listen to. And to that time, another messenger approached us to immediately return to our lounge to discuss some matters.

Walking to the exit of this crowded place makes my blood boil when I hear them clap and cheer. They don't even know what happens outside the gates and they get to smile and celebrate.

"I'm sorry to call you here on such short notice," the messenger said once he sat at one of the chairs inside our lounge.

"Cut to the chase," I said bluntly. I can't help myself but be in a bad mood.

"Scary" he comments then someone knocks on the locked door.

"That must be them, excuse me for a second," then he went outside the room to talk to the ones at our door.

"What do you think he wants?" asked Cedrick.

"Recruits?" I shrugged and we both looked at the door that opened up revealing several people, came lining in front of us.

[Cedrick]

She seems calm and heard about this.

"From here on out, they will be the next new membersー" and mumbled the next few words that only Rei and I heard. "to make up for your loss"

"This is the order you have been given to. I hope you all good luck," he continued and excused himself.

We let them sit on some chairs that are facing us like we're on an interview.

They look shy and I'm thankful that one of them introduced all of them.

"The name is Vincent, this is Shawn, Patrick, and Noel. I think you already know us given that you guys saved us on that day. We are few of the survivors who evacuated their land to capture a safer place to be when our world is crawling with those creatures," he says pointing to every face and describing what they are. But I don't think the part where they're just seeking shelter isn't true.

Maybe they weren't aware that their case is much more difficult to deal with. He was about to open his mouth to say something when Rei interrupted him.

"Call me Rei and this is Cedrick," she points to me. "Now we're finished with the introduction, let us proceed with what you came here for," she continues, looking straight into their eyes, testing them.