Cheif Kido’s Offer

Hoshizora's consciousness slowly emerged, greeted not by the comforting familiarity of his surroundings, but by an overwhelming sense of disorientation. As he blinked his eyes open, he was met with a harsh, blinding light. A wave of intense pain shot through his head, and he instinctively recoiled, attempting to shield his eyes from the searing brightness.

"The patient is waking up!" exclaimed one of the medical staff, rushing over to Hoshizora's side.The sterile environment surrounding him felt suffocating. Every sound seemed amplified, every scent overpowering in its clinical sterility. Hoshizora's senses were overwhelmed as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings, his mind still foggy from his ordeal. "Easy now, take it slow," another voice urged, a gentle hand resting on his shoulder. 

As his vision slowly adjusted to the harsh light, Hoshizora became aware of a sharp, throbbing ache radiating from behind his eyes. His vision, once sharp and precise, now seemed distorted, colors blending together in a dark, hazy blur. He attempted to focus, to make sense of the unfamiliar environment, but each attempt only intensified the pain stabbing at his eyes. 

"I... I can't see," Hoshizora muttered, his voice trembling with confusion and fear. The medical staff exchanged concerned glances, quickly assessing the situation. "It's okay, just try to remain calm," one of them reassured, their voice calm and steady. Hoshizora's hands instinctively went to his eyes, pressing against his eyelids in a futile attempt to clear his vision. But no matter how hard he tried, the darkness remained."Why... why can't I see?" he whispered, his voice filled with desperation.

The medical staff exchanged worried looks, uncertain of how to respond to Hoshizora's distress. "We're here to help you," one of them said, their voice gentle but firm. "We'll do everything we can to figure out what's wrong." As he lay there, grappling with the harsh reality of his condition, a flood of uncertainty washed over him. How would he continue to fight, to protect those he cared about, with his vision so severely impaired? Would he ever be able to regain the clarity and precision he had once possessed, or was he condemned to stumble blindly through a world he could no longer fully perceive?

Pushing aside his fear and despair, Hoshizora forced himself to focus on the events leading up to his current state. Memories flooded back, fragmented and disjointed, like pieces of a shattered puzzle slowly coming together. "The last thing I remember..." he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "...was fighting Ainfai, the humanoid Neighbor. Using Thermokinetic Amplification on my Kogetsu at full power, then overwhelming exhaustion from using too much Trion, and finally... darkness." As he spoke, the memories crystallized in his mind, each detail sharpening with clarity. 

The intense battle against Ainfai, the raw power coursing through his veins as he pushed his abilities to their limit, exhaustion then passing out. But amidst the chaos and confusion, there was one realization that cut through the haze of his mind like a beacon of light. "It was... my side effect," he murmured, the pieces of the puzzle finally falling into place. "I pushed it too far... and paid the price with my eyes." 

As this revelation settled in, a sense of unease began to gnaw at the edges of Hoshizora's consciousness. He should have been back in the city, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of Mikado City's bustling streets even if he passed out. But the sterile environment and unfamiliar voices around him told a different story.

Instinctively, he reached for his trigger, the comforting weight of it usually a constant presence at his side. But his hand found nothing but empty air, sending a jolt of panic coursing through him. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach as he realized he was without his most trusted weapon. 

Desperate for answers, he hesitated for a moment, reluctant to voice the question that lingered on the tip of his tongue. But the need for clarity outweighed his hesitation, and with a shaky breath, he finally spoke up."Who... who am I speaking to?" he asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "And... where am I?"

"Kotori Minase," one of the staff replied gently. "I'm an agent at Border HQ." Hoshizora's worst nightmare unfolded before his eyes as the realization sank in - he had been captured by Border. The organization he had evaded for so long now held him captive. "What... what's going to happen to me?" Hoshizora wondered aloud, his voice betraying a mixture of fear and resignation.

Hoshizora's heart pounded with a mix of panic and desperation as he attempted to move, only to be thwarted by the restraints securing him to the bed. "Let me go!" he pleaded, his voice strained with urgency. "I need to get out of here!" Kotori placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him. "Please, you need to stay still," she urged, her tone filled with concern. "You're not well. Moving could make things worse."

"But I can't stay here!" Hoshizora protested, his voice rising with frustration. "I need to find a way out!" Kotori exchanged a worried glance with her colleagues before turning back to Hoshizora, her expression sympathetic. "I understand you're scared, but right now, you need to focus on getting better," she explained, her voice gentle yet firm. "We're here to help you, but you need to cooperate with us."

Reluctantly, Hoshizora sank back onto the bed, his limbs heavy with defeat. The reality of his situation weighed heavily on him as he struggled to come to terms with his newfound vulnerability. "What's going to happen to me now?" he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

As Hoshizora lay there, enveloped in the suffocating silence of his own thoughts, one of the medical staff approached them, a tablet in hand. "We've completed our analysis," one of the medical staff informed Hoshizora, their tone professional yet sympathetic. "It appears that your Trion levels are exceptionally pure, which is quite remarkable given the severity of your injuries. Most individuals with similar injuries would have woken up within a few hours, but in your case, it took two weeks because of your pure trion."

Hoshizora's brow furrowed in confusion at the mention of his Trion levels. "Pure Trion? What does that mean?" he asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty. The medical staff exchanged a glance before one of them gently explained, "Well, Hoshizora, your Trion is the energy that powers your abilities. In your case, it seems to be exceptionally refined and potent. Meaning you have the highest capability with triggers. However, the strain you put on your Trion during the battle caused a condition called solar retinopathy."

"Solar retinopathy?" Hoshizora repeated, the term unfamiliar to him."Yes," the medical staff continued, their tone gentle yet informative. "Solar retinopathy occurs when the eyes are exposed to intense light, such as staring directly at the sun or, in your case, using your side effect way beyond your normal parameters. This led to you damaging your retinas, resulting in loss of vision." 

Hoshizora's heart sank as he absorbed the explanation. The consequences of his actions were now painfully clear to him. "So, because I pushed my side effect too far, I've damaged my eyes," he murmured, a sense of regret creeping into his voice."Yes, that seems to be the case," the medical staff confirmed, their expression sympathetic. 

Kotori, sensing his distress, gently interjected, "Hoshizora, forgive me for asking, but what exactly is your side effect? And what does it do?" Her tone was curious yet compassionate, as she sought to understand the nature of his abilities.

"Thermokinetic Amplification," Hoshizora replied, his voice tinged with resignation. "It's an augmentation side effect. It allows me to enhance the things I touch by bleeding my Trion into it. I even see thermal patterns when I focus it on my eyes." He paused, his expression reflecting the weight of his words. "But I pushed it too far this time, and now... I'm paying the price since it took my sight."

Just then, the door to the room creaked open, and Osamu stepped inside, "Kotori, I'll take over here," he announced. "You've been on overwatch duty for days. Get some rest." Kotori sleepily nodded, acknowledging Osamu's offer. "Thank you, Osamu," she replied, her voice filled with relief. "I could use a break." With a reassuring smile, Osamu motioned for her to leave, watching as she exited the room. 

As Kotori departed, Osamu turned his attention to Hoshizora, his gaze steady. "You're finally up, how are you feeling?" he asked, his tone filled with genuine concern. As Osamu entered the room, Hoshizora sensed Osamu's presence, his thermal pattern being one he remembers even without his side effect. "Osamu," Hoshizora greeted, his tone guarded as he heard the agent's approach. "I didn't expect you to be here." His voice carried a hint of skepticism. 

Osamu sensed the tension in the air and paused, choosing his words carefully. "I know this might be hard to believe, but we're not your enemies," he explained, his voice earnest. Hoshizora's expression remained unreadable as he processed Osamu's words. "Forgive me if I find that hard to believe," he replied evenly, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Last I checked, Border's idea of 'help' involved trying to kill me." 

Osamu nodded, acknowledging the validity of Hoshizora's concerns. "I understand why you might feel that way," he conceded, his gaze unwavering. "But things have changed. Tamakoma, one of the branches of Border, was able to get HQ to realize that you were not the enemy. You've proven time and time again that you're willing to protect this city, just like we are." 

Hoshizora's skepticism hung in the air like a heavy fog, "And how exactly am I supposed to be of any use to Border now?" he questioned, his voice edged with frustration and resignation. "Since I can't see, I can't fight. I'm practically useless to you now."

Osamu's gaze softened, his empathy evident in the way he regarded Hoshizora. "Your value to Border extends far beyond your physical capabilities," he began, "your knowledge, your experience, they're all assets that we can't afford to overlook."

Hoshizora's lips curled into a bitter smile, "knowledge and experience don't mean much when you can't even see the world around you," he countered, his frustration bubbling to the surface.

As Osamu's explanation hung in the air, a new presence entered the room. Director Shinoda stepped forward, followed closely by Director Rindo. "I understand your skepticism," Director Shinoda began, "but I assure you, your actions have demonstrated your commitment to protecting Mikado City." Director Rindo nodded in agreement. "Tamakoma's efforts to advocate for you at Border HQ were not in vain," he explained, his tone firm yet empathetic. "You've earned the trust of many citizens of Mikado City, as well as the Tamakoma branch." 

Hoshizora's skepticism wavered slightly in the face of the directors' words. "I... appreciate your words," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "But I've been on the wrong end of Border's intentions before. How can I be sure that this time is different?" He shifted uncomfortably in his bed, his mind a whirlwind of doubt and uncertainty.

"I understand your hesitation," Director Rindo interjected, his voice gentle. "But I urge you to consider the evidence before you. Tamakoma's efforts were not in vain. You've proven yourself time and again, not just through your actions, but through your unwavering dedication to protecting this city."

Hoshizora's lips tightened into a thin line, his gaze flickering between the two directors. "And yet, I find it hard to forget the past," he admitted, his voice heavy with the weight of his memories. "Border's intentions haven't always been so noble toward me. How can I trust that this time will be any different?"

Osamu stepped forward, his expression earnest as he met Hoshizora's gaze. "I understand your skepticism, Hoshizora," he began, his voice tinged with empathy. "But you're not alone in this. Tamakoma believes in you. We've seen firsthand the lengths you're willing to go to protect others, even at great personal cost." 

Hoshizora's skepticism wavered slightly in the face of Osamu's sincerity, a flicker of doubt creeping into his resolve. "I'm not going to be able to live up to your expectations, I'm blind." He questioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty. 

Director Shinoda stepped forward, his presence commanding attention as he addressed Hoshizora directly. "We're not asking you to be a hero," he explained, his voice steady and unwavering. "We're simply asking you to be yourself—to lend us your insight, your expertise, and your unwavering determination. Together, we can make a difference, not just for Mikado City, but for all those who call it home."

Just as the discussion reached a critical juncture, the door swung open, and Chief Kido strode into the room, surprising both Directors Shinoda and Rindo. "Chief Kido," Director Shinoda began, his voice tinged with surprise, "I thought you wanted us to handle the situation with the Shogun's integration into Border." 

Chief Kido's expression remained composed as he addressed the assembled group. "I trust your judgment, Directors," he replied, his gaze shifting to Hoshizora. "But I felt it necessary to see our newest potential ally for myself." Hoshizora's ears pricked up at Chief Kido's words, sensing the weight of his presence in the room.

 Despite his inability to see, he could feel the tension that permeated the air. Director Rindo nodded in understanding, his expression conveying a sense of deference to Chief Kido's authority. "Of course, Chief," he acknowledged, stepping back slightly to give Chief Kido a clearer view of Hoshizora.

Chief Kido's gaze settled on Hoshizora, his eyes piercing despite the darkness that surrounded them. "Shogun," he addressed him directly, "I understand that you have reason to doubt Border's intentions. But I assure you, I have decided to…change my approach." 

Hoshizora's skepticism wavered slightly at Chief Kido's words, but he remained cautious. "So, what now?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty. "Am I supposed to just trust you? I'm blind, I am of no use to you." Chief Kido's voice cut through the tension like a knife, his words carrying a weight that demanded attention. "Shogun," he addressed him directly. "Your physical condition may have changed, but your potential remains intact." 

Hoshizora's brow furrowed in confusion, his skepticism warring with a flicker of curiosity. "And what exactly do you expect me to do for Border in this state?" he challenged, his voice tinged with defiance.

Chief Kido's gaze held steady, unwavering in the face of Hoshizora's defiance. "You may be blind, but your insight, your intuition—they are invaluable assets," he explained, his words resonating with a conviction that bordered on reverence. "We need someone like you, someone who can see beyond the surface, who can anticipate the enemy's moves before they even make them."

As Chief Kido's words washed over Hoshizora, a surge of defiance rose within him. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not sure I'm the right fit for Border," he replied. Chief Kido's expression remained impassive, his gaze piercing as he locked eyes with Hoshizora. "It's not a request, Hoshizora," he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You have a duty—a responsibility—to this city. To refuse would be to turn your back on those who need you most."

Hoshizora gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening despite the weight of Chief Kido's words. "I can't just accept this," he retorted, his voice tinged with frustration. "I'm blind. How am I supposed to be of any use to Border?" Chief Kido sighed, his expression softening just slightly. "I'm not asking you to just trust me," he replied, his voice firm. "You are required to trust me, or else you will be treated as a hostile neighbor and be eliminated. It would be very easy to say that you"died" fighting the neighbor and we came in to finish the job and avenge one of our own."

As Chief Kido's words hung heavy in the air, Hoshizora's frustration boiled over. With a surge of pent-up energy, his Trion flared, and he instinctively channeled it into his side effect. A crackling aura surrounded him as he focused, his mind consumed by anger and defiance.

Suddenly, one of his restraints snapped, the metal clanking loudly against the bed frame. The medical staff recoiled in shock, their eyes widening as they took a cautious step back. Directors Shinoda and Rindo flinched while Chief Kido watched as Hoshizora heaved with exertion.

"I won't be treated like some pawn in your game," he spat, his voice laced with bitterness. "But I don't have a choice, do I? Fine, I'll play along. But don't think for a second that I'm doing this willingly." Chief Kido's gaze hardened, his expression unreadable as he regarded Hoshizora with a mix of resignation and determination. "Your compliance is noted," he replied, his voice firm. 

With a final, steely glance, Chief Kido turned and exited the room, leaving Hoshizora to wrestle with his conflicting emotions. As the tension in the air slowly dissipated, Hoshizora slumped back onto the bed, his mind awash with uncertainty and resentment. Despite his reluctance, he knew that his fate was now inexorably tied to Border, whether he liked it or not.