Growing suspicions

July 3.

On the outskirts of Raccoon City, on a desolate road, I sat inside an old sedan. Forest was in the passenger seat, grinning like a Cheshire cat, while Jill leaned forward from the back seat.

"Hard to believe the great Alex Mercer can handle everything but a car." Forest teased.

I rolled my eyes. "See? I'm not some robot who can do everything."

"Sometimes it feels like that. You're almost inhuman." Forest said with a smirk.

His words hit harder than they should have, and I flinched before I could stop myself.

Jill jabbed him in the shoulder, her tone mock-stern. "Quit teasing and let him start the car already."

"Alright, alright." Forest raised his hands in mock surrender.

I shot Jill a grateful nod and started the car. "I'm surprised you decided to join us." I said, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

"Why wouldn't I?" She raised an eyebrow. "A rookie this eager to learn? Of course, I'll help!"

"But this doesn't have anything to do with our job..." I muttered, confused.

Forest leaned closer and whispered. "She likes watching others squirm over the same stuff that embarrassed her back in the day."

Jill's eyes narrowed. "You say something, Forest? Didn't quite catch that." Her tone was sharp, but I caught the glint of amusement beneath it.

"Just telling Alex not to crash the car." He replied smoothly. "Can't let Betty get wrecked so soon."

Jill laughed. "Betty? You named the car? That's tragic."

"Guys." I cut in, exasperated. "Can we focus?"

"Right, right." Forest smirked. "You remember the steps?"

"Yeah." I adjusted the mirrors and shifted into first gear.

"Good. Now ease onto the gas." He instructed.

"Don't worry, Alex." Jill chimed in. "If things go south, Forest and I can always jump out."

"And let Betty crash? No way!" Forest huffed.

"Betty." Jill repeated, laughing. "You've got no taste in cars."

Before they could bicker further, I pressed the pedal, and the car crept forward.

"Good." Forest said. "Now pick up a little speed, and don't forget to shift gears."

I did as he instructed, the car crawling along at 30 miles an hour while other drivers honked as they passed. By the time I parked, my shoulders were tight, and my nerves frayed.

"You did good for your first time." Jill said, smiling.

"I could've done better." I admitted with an awkward chuckle.

"No, you did fine." Forest said. "Now, we just need to see how you do on the knowledge test, then we could get into the city for learning."

"Test?" I blinked at him.

"Yeah, the few hundred possible questions you have to study for the knowledge test." Jill remarked with an obvious tone.

I stared at them both. "Maybe driving isn't such a necessary skill after all."

Their silence was deafening, but their determined looks said everything. I wasn't getting out of this anytime soon.

…

July 5

In the main hall of the RPD, I leaned casually against the reception desk, Forest and Rebecca standing beside me. Across from us, the Alpha team members were gathered, each of us clutching cold cups of coffee.

"So, you guys live next to each other?" Joseph asked for what felt like the hundredth time, his grin widening as he looked between me and Jill.

She sighed, rolling her eyes. "For the tenth time, yes. Why is that so hard to believe?"

"It's not that." Joseph replied with mock seriousness. "It's just…" He turned to me with a sly grin. "What's it like living next to the dream girl of half the department?"

Before I could respond, Jill punched him in the shoulder, earning a yelp. "Knew something stupid was coming out of your mouth." She said, though an amused smile lingered on her lips.

"I…uh…I don't think it's any different than having a normal neighbor." I said, uncertain how to navigate this minefield of teasing.

Forest clapped me on the back. "He's just messing with you, Alex. Don't take him seriously."

"But this is serious! Most would sell their kidneys for such an opportunity!" Joseph declared dramatically, drawing laughs from the nearby officers.

"Are you one of them?" Chris teased, grinning over the rim of his coffee cup.

"Of course not!" Joseph looked offended at the suggestion.

Barry chuckled. "Don't antagonize him, Chris. His crush is standing right here."

Jill's eyebrows shot up. "You have a crush on me, Joseph? And here I thought you were my friend."

"Damn it, Barry!" Joseph groaned, throwing his head back. "Why am I always the one getting roasted!?"

Rebecca leaned closer to me, whispering, "Never expected the elites of S.T.A.R.S. to be so…quirky."

"Like you're any different." I shot back with a smirk, earning a playful punch to the ribs.

"Hey, Brad, you've been awfully quiet. Say something!" Joseph turned to the man standing slightly apart from the group.

I noticed Brad shrink slightly under the attention, his introverted nature evident. Trying to ease him into the conversation, I extended a hand. "I don't think we've formally met. Alex Mercer."

Brad hesitated for a moment before shaking my hand. "Brad Vickers. I'm the pilot."

Chris clapped him on the back. "He's the best pilot in the RPD."

"Really?" I asked with a grin. "We should set up a race between you and Edward. Though, not in cars—Edward would crash before the race even started."

The group burst into laughter, Rebecca looking confused. "When did these jokes about Edward even start?"

"No idea, but I'm all for it." Barry said, still chuckling.

"Either way, he deserves it." Forest added with a shrug.

Jill raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's with all this bad blood between you two?"

"The bastard takes every chance to laugh at me, so I do the same." Forest replied nonchalantly. "Not like we actually hate each other or anything."

"Really? I'd have thought you'd hold a grudge after what happened a few days ago." I said, smirking as I threw the bait.

"What happened?" Chris asked, his interest piqued as he leaned forward.

Rebecca's face flushed, and she waved her hands in protest. "How about we don't talk about it?"

"Agreed." Forest nodded quickly, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

"Oh, now I really want to hear it." Barry said with a grin.

"Was it something embarrassing? Don't worry, we promise not to laugh." Joseph added, though his mischievous tone gave him away.

Jill laughed knowingly. "Wait, is this about the medicine?"

Forest froze and immediately locked eyes with her. "How do you know about that?"

"Alex told me." Jill's calm, matter-of-fact tone sent the attention squarely in my direction.

Rebecca and Forest both turned to me, their expressions a mix of betrayal and exasperation.

"Oh, come on, it's not like you committed a war crime. It doesn't have to stay a secret." I said, rolling my eyes.

Forest glared at Rebecca. "It should count as one."

Rebecca's face turned a deeper shade of red as she stammered, "You agreed! And I said sorry already! Plus I called you the cab!"

Forest shook his head, sighing deeply. "Doesn't make it any less humiliating."

Barry laughed heartily. "Alright, now you have to tell us."

"Nope, no chance." Forest crossed his arms defiantly.

"Alright, fine. I guess we'll let you two off the hook." I said, smirking as I backed away. "But don't think you can hide this forever."

"Hey, Alex, watch out—" Brad started, but I didn't catch the rest as I bumped into someone.

The coffee splashed, and I turned, my stomach sinking as I met the cold, calculating gaze of Captain Wesker. Beside him, Captain Enrico crossed his arms with a bemused expression.

"Mercer." Wesker said, his voice sharp and unyielding. "You seem to be enjoying yourself."

"Captain Wesker! I'm sorry, sir! It was an accident." I stammered in embarrassment.

Wesker's sunglasses seemed to pierce right through me. "Carelessness isn't a virtue, Mercer. Perhaps you need a lesson in focus." He adjusted his gloves. "How about a sparring match?"

I blinked. "Right now?"

Wesker's smirk was almost imperceptible. "Yes. Right now."

Behind me, the tension was palpable as murmurs spread through the gathered teams.

"Ughh…Alex is done for." Chris mumbled, shaking his head.

Jill shot him an incredulous look. "Can't you at least pretend to have faith?"

"Faith in what? Wesker's going to wipe the floor with him like he does with everyone else!" Joseph chimed in, clearly relishing the drama.

Rebecca's face showed her concern as she looked at me. "Captain Wesker wouldn't go that far…right?"

"Don't count on it." Forest said, his tone grim. "Wesker takes these spars seriously—too seriously."

"Who knows?" Barry added with a shrug, sipping his coffee. "The kid might surprise us."

Brad, standing slightly behind the group, shifted nervously. "Maybe, but…the Captain seems really annoyed right now."

…

The training room felt stifling as I stood across from Wesker. The rest of the S.T.A.R.S. members lined the walls, their expressions ranging from concern to anticipation.

"Don't mess up too badly, Alex! Our reputation's on the line!" Edward called out, though his voice betrayed a hint of worry.

"He's done for." Kenneth muttered, shaking his head.

"Does anyone have a stretcher ready?" Richard joked, though his tone wasn't entirely light.

"Alright, you're all acting really weird." Rebecca said, her brow furrowed. "It can't be that bad."

"It's that bad." Enrico said grimly. "Anyone who's sparred with Wesker knows how it ends."

"Most of us learned it the hard way…" Forest mumbled.

I swallowed hard, glancing at Wesker. His posture was relaxed, almost casual, but there was an undeniable intensity in his presence. "Ready, Mercer?" He asked, his tone calm but predatory.

I nodded, raising my fists. The moment the match began, Wesker closed the distance faster than I anticipated. His first strike came like a blur—a feint toward my torso that shifted into a lightning-fast jab to my shoulder. Pain flared, and I stumbled back, already on the defensive.

'He's fast.' I thought, gritting my teeth.

Wesker didn't let up. His movements were precise, calculated, each strike aimed to unbalance me. I managed to block a few blows, but it was clear he was holding back. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I tried to predict his next move, only to be caught off guard by a sweeping kick that sent me sprawling.

"Is this all you've got?" Wesker asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

Something inside me snapped. My pulse quickened, and my senses sharpened unnaturally. Time seemed to slow as I rose to my feet. When Wesker lunged again, I dodged with unnatural speed. Instinctively, I countered with a punch aimed at his midsection. Wesker blocked it effortlessly, but his expression flickered with mild surprise.

I pressed the advantage, my movements becoming faster, more fluid. I could hear the murmurs of the others, but they were distant, unimportant. All that mattered was the fight. I landed a glancing blow on Wesker's side, and for the first time, he stepped back.

"You're full of surprises, Mercer." He said, his smirk returning.

But my moment of triumph was short-lived. Wesker adjusted his stance, and his next strike was a blur. Pain exploded in my ribs as he landed a crushing blow, followed by a sweep that took my legs out from under me. Before I could react, his foot was at my chest, pinning me to the mat.

"Better than I expected." Wesker said, removing his foot and offering me a hand. "But still not good enough."

I accepted his hand, wincing as I stood. The room erupted in murmurs, a mix of awe and concern.

Rebecca rushed over, her medical instincts kicking in. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I said, though my pride was bruised more than anything.

I glanced at Wesker, who was already walking away, his smirk still in place, and for the first time in a long while…I tasted defeat.

…

Besides the sparring match—which the rest of the station quickly learned about—the day was dull.

After my shift, I found myself in Jill's car, being offered to ride with her.

"That was impressive. Holding your own against Captain Wesker." Jill suddenly exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the road.

"Holding my own? He wiped the floor with me." I chuckled, though the fight replayed in my mind, each moment gnawing at me.

"Most people don't even land a punch before getting knocked out, so yeah, you did pretty well." Jill shrugged, her tone casual.

"I see why he's the team leader. His strength and technique are unbelievable." I nodded in response.

"Don't sell yourself short." Jill smiled, sparing me a quick glance. "You two seemed pretty equal. Wesker just has more experience."

"It was probably just adrenaline." I said, brushing it off. "I'm not that strong."

Jill let out a soft laugh. "You're terrible at taking compliments, you know that?"

"It's a talent." I joked weakly, earning a shake of her head.

The car fell silent for a moment, the only sounds the hum of the engine and the occasional turn signal. Then Jill spoke again, her voice softer this time.

"You don't have to be so hard on yourself, Alex. No one's expecting you to be perfect. Just focus on getting better." She glanced at me again, her expression unreadable. "You've got potential. Don't let your own doubts hold you back."

Her words caught me off guard, and I found myself staring at her profile as she drove. Jill Valentine wasn't exactly known for handing out pep talks, at least not from what I'd seen. But the sincerity in her voice was undeniable.

"Thanks." I said finally, my voice quieter than I intended.

She shrugged, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Don't mention it."

The rest of the ride passed in comfortable silence, the quiet settling over us like a blanket. Before long, we reached the apartment, both of us going to our own place.

"Thanks for the lift." I said as I opened the door, pausing to glance at her.

"No problem." She replied with a quick wave. "See you tomorrow."

Inside, the silence of my apartment felt oppressive. I dropped onto the couch, replaying the events of the day.

'Fixing Wesker's opinion of me? Off the table.' I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck.

'That surge of strength during the fight—it wasn't normal. Are the effects starting to wear off?'

My eyes fell on the table where two syringes lay. The sight alone made my stomach tighten, but hesitation gave way to resolve. Grabbing one, I injected it into my arm.

The liquid burned as it spread through my veins, leaving a wave of searing pain. My body trembled, muscles weakening as if drained of life. Gritting my teeth, I stumbled to the fridge, grabbing anything edible to stave off the creeping fatigue.

'Careful with the last one.' I thought, my brows furrowing. Running out of the suppressants wasn't an option. They were barely keeping me tethered as it was.

Exhaustion hit hard. My legs wobbled as I made my way to bed. "Good night." I muttered to no one, collapsing onto the mattress and surrendering to sleep.

…

July 10.

Another day at the RPD. The Bravo team stood gathered in their office, but one key figure was missing.

"It's the Captain's birthday?" I exclaimed in surprise.

"Can you say that any louder?" Edward chuckled.

"If you want me to." I replied with an amused roll of my eyes.

"Seriously, keep it down. Who knows when he'll show up?" Richard said, looking a little concerned.

"Are we going to throw him a party?" Rebecca asked eagerly.

"That's what we were thinking." Kenneth nodded.

"The timing sucks, though. Right on the day of the competition." Forest added.

"Huh? What competition?" I asked, confused.

"You know, the marksmanship competition. The one you said you'd participate in?" Rebecca explained.

"It's starting now?" I exclaimed, surprised.

"Yep, five days from now. It'll help uplift the officers spirits with everything happening around this time." Forest nodded. "And if Alpha team wins, it's gonna really throw off the Captain's mood."

"Then I'll win, and we'll throw him a party anyway!" I said with determination.

"You seem pretty confident." Richard chuckled.

"I'm not." I admitted. "But if it's for a good cause, I'll give it my best shot."

"How noble of you." Edward teased, giving me a playful pat on the shoulder.

"But only one person from each team can compete." Forest reminded me. "If everyone from S.T.A.R.S. entered, it'd be unfair."

"Huh, so...?" I trailed off, unsure.

"But since it's your first time, you get the slot. I'll take the next month." Forest grinned.

"Thanks." I nodded gratefully.

"Alright, let's get to it!" Rebecca shouted, eager to move on.

"Get to what?" A voice came from behind us.

"Captain!" We all exclaimed in surprise.

"We were, uh...getting to work! Can't wait to start the day with some work!" Rebecca said with a wide grin.

"Is that so?" Captain Enrico asked, raising an eyebrow. "You and Mercer are on patrol. Hope you enjoy it." With that, he turned and walked off to his office, leaving us groaning in disappointment.

…

July 15.

The early morning sun glinted off the neatly arranged targets in the Raccoon Police Department outdoor training range. A gentle breeze carried the smell of gun oil and freshly cut grass. Officers, both seasoned veterans and eager recruits, gathered for the monthly sniper competition.

I stood among them, Chris beside me. Team Bravo and Alpha stood to the side with other officers, watching the event with keen interest.

Each had their own bets on who would take the title this month, though the playful banter masked the tension hanging in the air.

Chief Irons, overseeing the event with a stern expression, barked out the rules through a megaphone.

"Alright, listen up! This isn't just about hitting a target—this is about precision, speed, and handling pressure. You'll face timed shots, moving targets, and scenario-based challenges. Think you've got what it takes? Show me!"

Chris adjusted his rifle, giving me a sideways smirk. "Ready to lose, Mercer?"

While doing the same I tried to return a cool glance. "Let's see if you can keep up, Redfield."

The other competitors exchanged nervous chuckles. My reputation for near-inhuman precision had already preceded me, even if it wasn't entirely deserved.

"Don't get too cocky." A voice chimed in.

I turned to see a man with an easygoing smile, watching us.

"That confident, Kevin?" Chris raised an eyebrow.

"I'm always confident, Redfield." Kevin shot back.

"You're the guy who failed to join S.T.A.R.S. twice, right?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Kevin's smile faltered for a split second before he recovered. "Planning on a third time—and this time, I'll make it."

"Sure you will." Chris said dryly, shaking his head.

Before the conversation could continue, the first round was announced: stationary bullseye targets at 50, 100, and 200 yards.

Chris went first, his strong stance and steady breathing evident as he fired each shot withl precision.

"Redfield scores 46 out of 50." The announcer called. A solid start.

I took my turn, taking a deep breath. My movements were almost mechanical, each shot striking dead center.

"A near perfect score—48 out of 50!" Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

…

Rebecca's Pov.

From the sidelines, Jill whistled. "Chris might have some competition this year."

Joseph crossed his arms, smirking. "C'mon, he's just getting warmed up!"

"Don't know, Joseph, Alex practically locked himself in the shooting range these past few days." Richard said, leaning forward slightly.

"Yeah, he seems really determined to win." I added with a nod.

"And he'll do so. We've helped him train, after all." Forest exclaimed.

"How do you feel, Wesker? Think he might have a chance?" Captain Enrico asked with a barely hidden smirk.

Captain Wesker simply scoffed, not giving an answer.

Round 2: Moving Targets

Mechanical pop-up targets zipped across the field unpredictably. The officers had to hit as many as possible in a 30-second window.

Chris fired rapidly, hitting eight out of ten targets. He cursed under his breath at the missed shots.

"Not bad, Redfield!" Jill shouted.

I took my turn, my movements eerily calm. The shots were methodical, each one striking true, until the last barely missed its target.

…

Barry leaned over to me, whispering. "Does he even sweat? That's almost unnatural."

I frowned slightly, observing Alex closely. "There's something about him…I can't put my finger on it."

"Maybe his awesomeness? He's going crazy there!" Edward laughed.

"Really, his awesomeness? Not how he managed to improve so much in just a few days?" Kenneth shook his head with a sigh.

"Yeah, he's got a monstrous talent. Most of his flaws have been corrected already." Richard chuckled.

Round 3: Hostage Scenario

The third challenge involved hitting a small target—a painted "hostage-taker" silhouette—without harming the "hostage."

Chris nailed the target but grazed the edge of the hostage board, earning a minor penalty.

"Still better than most." He muttered, stepping back.

My turn seemed to be nerve-wracking. The crowd fell silent as I aimed. A single shot rang out, and the target dropped cleanly. Not a scratch on the hostage.

…

Jill shook her head in disbelief. "Okay, that's just showing off."

"Can't believe he's actually beating Chris…" Brad muttered in disbelief.

Round 4: Stress and Endurance

In the final round, competitors had to crawl through an obstacle course, fire from awkward positions, and engage long-distance targets while simulated gunfire and explosions blared in the background.

Chris pushed through the course with brute determination, emerging at the end with sweat dripping down his face and scoring a respectable 85%.

I struggled slightly, finishing with an 80%. My earlier calm had given way to visible exhaustion.

…

As the competition drew to a close, the scores were now tallied, Chris and I stood side by side, tension simmering in the air. Chief Irons approached, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"Well, looks like we have a winner." He announced, pausing for effect. "Alex Mercer takes the title this month!"

A wave of applause rippled through the crowd.

"Good job, rookie." Irons said, shaking my hand firmly. He held my gaze a moment longer than necessary before finally letting go and handing me the trophy.

"And forgive me for not meeting you earlier. I had...pressing matters to attend to."

"No worries, sir." I replied smoothly, then gestured toward the megaphone in his hand. "Would you mind if I borrowed that for a moment?"

"Hm? Of course not." He chuckled, passing it over with an amused shrug.

Chris clapped me on the back, a grudging smile on his face. "You're good, Alex. But don't think I won't come back for that title next month."

I laughed. "You might have to wait on that. I already promised Forest he'd take the next one."

Before Chris could respond, Kevin strolled over, grinning.

"Beginner's luck! I'll show you next time!" He declared, though the good-natured gleam in his eyes betrayed the lack of real competition.

…

On the Sidelines.

Jill wasted no time teasing Chris as he arrived. "Second place? What happened to RPD's golden boy?"

Barry joined in, grinning. "Guess we should all keep an eye on Alex from now on."

"Our pride remains intact!" Edward cheered, throwing his hands in the air.

"I'm not so sure about yours." Forest quipped with a smirk.

"Alex has come pretty far since he joined us, huh?" Kenneth observed, nodding.

"Probably thanks to my influence." Joseph said, puffing his chest out.

"Yeah, sure." Chris muttered, rolling his eyes with a chuckle.

"At least you placed." Brad added, his grin widening.

Chris sighed. "Doesn't make me feel much better, especially since Alex didn't even seem like he was in top form."

"You noticed too?" Richard chimed in, his brow furrowed. "He's been looking run-down lately."

Meanwhile, Captain Enrico approached Wesker, extending a hand. "Good match."

Wesker shook it, though his tone was cool. "Can't say I'm surprised by the outcome." His sharp gaze lingered on Alex, as if dissecting his every move.

As I listened to everyone chatting beside me, my eyes were still fixed on the figure of my partner, who was now preparing to talk on the megaphone.

"What are you hiding, Alex?" I murmured, my mind circling his recent exhaustion.

"If I could have your attention for a moment!" Alex's voice rang out through the megaphone, drawing the crowd's attention.

"As you all saw, I just won." His opening drew laughs, scoffs, and a few disappointed groans.

"And I want to dedicate this trophy—" He raised the golden sniper trophy high, the light catching on its polished surface. "—to Team Bravo! The ones who've supported me, helped me adjust, and guided me toward this victory!" His gesture toward us earned a wave of applause and amused smiles from the gathered officers.

"Now, what is he doing? I'm getting embarrassed." Edward groaned, covering his face with his hand.

"Stop lying. You enjoy the attention the most." Forest said, elbowing him.

"He's showing his gratitude. Nothing wrong with that." Richard said with a laugh.

"Not with the entire department here." Kenneth muttered, shaking his head.

"Isn't he going to talk about—" Before I could finish, Forest clamped a hand over my mouth.

"Talk about what?" Captain Enrico's brow arched as his gaze turned to us.

We all froze, unsure how to respond.

"What are you hiding?" Enrico's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Before we could answer, Alex's voice boomed again.

"But most especially, I want to dedicate this to Captain Enrico!" He announced with a bright smile.

"Aah, I see where this is going." Chris said with a laugh.

"Got some solid subordinates there, Enrico." Barry added, patting the captain's shoulder.

"I don't get it." Joseph said, scratching his head.

Jill sighed, exasperated, as Brad leaned over to whisper the explanation to Joseph.

Meanwhile, Wesker remained silent, his piercing gaze still fixed on Alex, his thoughts unreadable.

"The Captain may seem strict and hard to approach, but as a lot of you know, that's far from the truth!" Alex continued passionately. "He's someone who gives his all for his team, sacrificing time and resources to make us stronger and better. And today is a special day for him. That's why I want us all to show our appreciation for all his efforts in his time at the R.P.D.!"

As he finished, we pulled out the hidden confetti cannons and set them off.

"Happy birthday!" We all shouted in unison, the space erupting in cheers, laughter, and applause.

Captain Enrico stood stunned for a moment before letting out a soft laugh. "What brought this on?" He asked, unable to hide his smile.

"Didn't you hear, Captain? We wanted to show we care about everything you've done for us." I said, grinning.

"Is that so…?" He trailed off, his gaze softening as Alex approached us.

"Thank you." Enrico said, addressing the group. "I wouldn't want to be the Captain of any other team. Well…most of the time." He added with a chuckle, drawing more laughter.

…

After the speech I returned the megaphone to Chief Irons. "Hope this didn't interfere with anything, Chief."

He chuckled. "Not at all. After all, it's for the Captain of team Bravo. But next time, try to notice me in advance." He smiled, but the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"Understood, sir!" I saluted before heading to the team.

"Captain Enrico! What did you think?" I asked as I came beside them.

"It was unexpected, that's for sure." Enrico replied with a chuckle. "A welcome surprise."

"Your thought process astounds me, Mercer." Wesker said, brushing confetti off his uniform. "What would you have done if you hadn't won?"

I sheepishly looked away. "Doesn't matter now, since I did!"

"All right! So this is a party, right? Where's the music and food?" Joseph chimed in eagerly.

"Give us a second! Just head to the main hall!" Edward said with a grin.

"There's more?" Enrico exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course! You didn't think this was it, did you?" I said, my smile widening.

…

The celebration moved to the main hall, where the real party began. Music, laughter, and camaraderie filled the space as we continued to honor Captain Enrico and revel in the day's events.

Our bonds as a team grew stronger, and for a brief moment, the weight of our responsibilities felt lighter, replaced by the warmth of friendship.

.....

Just one more original chapter till the events of RE0 officially start! Hope you like the story till now!