"I... where am I?" That was the only thing I could ask as I opened my eyes.
Everything around me was destroyed. Buildings were in ruins. I began to stand and walk. Walking around. No people. Silent. Absolutely no humans in sight.
"Hel- Ah?!" I accidentally stepped on a rock because it was also dark. The pain made me immediately rub the part of my foot that had stepped on it.
"Ouch, it's so dark. Is it nighttime or what?" I asked. I looked up and saw a total solar eclipse in the sky. Dazzled, I immediately shielded my eyes with my hand.
Feeling the pain in my foot had faded, I started walking again.
"Heeeyyy! Is anyone here? Hello!" I shouted, but there was no answer at all. Only my voice and the sound of the wind. "Hey! If someone's here, please answer me!"
BOOM!
An explosion suddenly rang out from the sky. I instantly looked up and saw an enormous crack ripping through the sky.
"What is that?" I muttered.
The crack widened. Grew larger and larger until it shattered, leaving a giant hole floating in the sky.
In an instant, a massive earthquake struck. At first, I tried to run but immediately fell. The crumbling buildings around me began raining debris.
"Hey, what the hell is happening?!" I yelled.
Not long after, the building next to me collapsed right toward me. I froze in terror, staring at it. I'm gonna die. At the last second, I glanced aside and saw the necklace Mr. Kuroto gave me lying right next to me. But something was off-its blue gem was glowing crazy bright. That's all I registered before snapping my gaze back to the falling building.
It was way too close now. Just as it was about to crush me...
"GAH!"
I jolted awake in my apartment. Still in bed. Still alive.
I immediately grabbed the necklace around my neck. Its gem was still there, still a deep, dark blue gem.
"Ugh, just a dream," I muttered, taking a shaky breath to calm down. But then I added under my breath, "Felt way too real, though."
(Aruta)
***
A week had passed since Aruta's first mission.
After waking up, Aruta went to the bathroom. Washed his face, brushed his teeth, and jumped right back into bed.
"Ah, probably just a bad dream," Aruta mumbled while unlocking his phone.
He opened social media and saw anime pics, memes, meme videos, Ultra-X clips, and more. Aruta's school was closed for a week to prepare for midterms next week. Perfect time for students to study and get ready. But could Aruta actually study?
Two hours passed and Aruta was still in bed, scrolling through social media.
"Ugh, so boring. Maybe I'll check social media," Aruta muttered. "Wait, I'm already on it. Meh, might as well play a game."
Aruta exited his socials and tapped his game app. But as soon as the loading screen appeared, he immediately closed it.
"Ugh, so boring! If only Juriko was still here, we could've hung out together!" Aruta grumbled, rolling around on his bed. "Sigh... What should I do?" He rubbed his face. "Guess I'll go find some breakfast. Can't be bothered to cook today." Aruta got up from bed, threw on his jacket, and left his apartment.
Walking outside, he muttered, "But what should I eat? My usual spot? Nah, let's switch it up this time."
After walking for a bit, Aruta spotted a diner. Looked decent enough from the outside. A signboard above listed the menu items.
"Hmm... this might work," Aruta mused.
As for the restaurant's name... well, Aruta was more focused on his growling stomach than that. He headed straight in. The place was pretty empty - weird at first glance, but he brushed it off.
Aruta was about to head to the cashier to order when he accidentally spotted Mono drinking coffee at a table while reading a book. Aruta immediately approached him.
"Mono!" Aruta called out.
"Oh, Aruta," Mono replied. Aruta pulled out a chair and sat across from Mono.
"You usually drink coffee here?" Aruta asked.
"Not really. Just happened to pass by and stopped in," Mono answered.
"I'm gonna order some food. Wanna get anything?" Aruta asked.
"Nah. Already ate at home," Mono said. "You're eating here?"
"Yep," Aruta stood up and headed straight for the cashier. But before reaching it, he paused briefly to check the menu board. The listed items included burgers, cola, fried chicken, and a few others. But all the price tags had faded and were unreadable.
"Huh? Guess I'll just ask at the counter," Aruta muttered.
Upon reaching the counter, Aruta ordered one burger, one fried chicken, and a glass of cola.
"How much?" Aruta asked, pulling out his wallet.
"Payment is after eating, sir," said the cashier.
"Oh, really? Okay-"
"I'll have two chickens and one portion of fries," a woman's voice suddenly cut in.
Aruta turned and was shocked to see Sako standing next to him.
"What're you staring at?" Sako asked.
"Since when were you here?" Aruta replied.
"Mr. Kuroto sent me. That damn old man. And now I run into you guys," Sako said, putting on her best annoyed tone. "So you better shut up and stay out of my way."
"Fine, fine," Aruta muttered, turning away while grumbling, "So damn rude. Even though I saved her yesterday. Freaking moody. And her chest is so..."
When Aruta glanced back, Sako was glaring daggers at him. Her expression was terrifying. And sparks of electricity began crackling from her hands.
"O-okay okay okay okay okay!" Aruta stammered in panic.
Not long after, the two of them walked over to Mono's table.
Seeing Aruta and Sako approaching, Mono lowered his book. "Done ordering? Oh, Sako's here... too."
"Yeah, Mono. Hehe... hehe..." Aruta said nervously while Sako kept glaring daggers at him.
"What's up with Sako? Is it that time of the month? You look like a demon," Mono asked.
Aruta's eyes nearly popped out hearing Mono say that.
"You bastard!!" In an instant, a raw knuckle slammed into Mono's cheek, sending him sprawling on the floor.
Without another word, Sako immediately sat down on a nearby chair.
Shortly after, Mono got up while muttering, "Asshole. Can't you take a joke?"
"Hmph!"
"Alright, alright," Aruta said, sitting next to Sako. "How about we talk about something else?"
Sako sighed, "Huff okay okay. I need to control myself after all. What should we talk about?"
"Hmm, what about Mr. Kuroto's right hand? He always wears bandages," Aruta said.
"What about it? He said it's just a burn injury," Sako replied, resting her cheek on one hand.
"Hey come on. Who knows, maybe it's actually a robot hand? Oh or maybe a monster hand~" Aruta exaggerated his tone.
"Uhhh... suddenly shrunk like a T-rex arm," Sako added.
"Hmm what do you think, Mono?" Aruta asked.
"Dunno," Mono answered.
"Huh? You're more senior than us!" Sako said.
"You should know something!" Aruta continued.
"Hey just because I'm senior doesn't mean I know everything like some god!" Mono retorted.
Not long after, Aruta and Sako's orders arrived. The smell of fried chicken began filling the air around them. And Aruta's burger was huge.
"Whoaaah. This looks so damn good," said Sako.
"Yeah, it does. Let's eat!" Aruta cheered.
***
A short while later.
"Waaah, so delicious!" Aruta and Sako shouted simultaneously.
"I'm stuffed," said Aruta.
"Me too," Sako added.
Soon after, a waiter approached them.
"Excuse me, here's your bill," said the waiter.
"Oh right, I haven't paid yet," Aruta said as he took the receipt. "Let's see..."
200,000 Ren!
"WHAT?! 200,000 REN??" Aruta checked his wallet and only had 20,000 Ren.
"What the hell? Just two pieces of chicken cost 120,000 Ren?!" Sako asked.
"Sorry but that's the actual price. You've already eaten it so you have to pay," the waiter replied.
"Hey Mono! Why didn't you tell us the food was this expensive?" Aruta and Sako demanded simultaneously, grabbing Mono's collar.
"Hey how was I supposed to know you guys were broke!" Mono retorted. "Didn't you see even the cafe's name has 'Luxurious' in it?" He pointed with his index finger.
Aruta and Sako turned to see the sign: "Cafe Luxurious La Rosa".
"Oh man, how are we gonna pay this? Don't tell me we have to wash dishes," Sako asked Aruta in panic.
"Should I pay for you?" Mr. Kuroto suddenly appeared behind them.
"Eh? Mr. Kuroto?" Aruta and Sako were shocked. But immediately they hugged Mr. Kuroto and shouted, "You're our savior, Sir!"
"Ahahahaha!" They all grinned widely - except Mono who just watched them making a scene in public.
"Good grief," Mono muttered.
"But you'll have to accept a mission from me," Mr. Kuroto said, instantly deflating the teens' enthusiasm.
"Ugh, there's always a catch," Aruta grumbled.
"So, do you want me to pay or not?" Mr. Kuroto asked.
Immediately the two teens shouted, "Yes please!"
***
After paying for the teens' meals.
"Lately we've been getting a lot of work," said Mr. Kuroto. "There's a mission for you all. For you too, Mono."
"Ugh, here we go again," Mono groaned.
"So what's our mission, Sir?" asked Aruta.
"We have quite a few missions, so we'll split into teams. Aruta, you'll go with Mr. Wise along with Zaka and Raven. Sako, you're with Mr. Gren and Bela. For mission details, you can ask them directly," Kuroto explained. "Bela and Gren will come here. But they said they still have some business to take care of. So just wait here for now," he added to Sako.
"Huh? So I still have to wait here?!" Sako asked.
Without answering Sako, Mr. Kuroto continued, "As for you Aruta, get ready because your mission will likely take more than two days."
"Got it," Aruta responded.
"What about me? Who's my partner? Oliver? Don't tell me it's with my sister," Mono asked.
"You'll be with me. Mwahahahaha," Kuroto finished with an evil laugh.
"Oh god," Mono thought but accidentally said it out loud.
Without delay, Mr. Kuroto immediately hoisted Mono onto his shoulders as Mono could only surrender.
"Alright, good luck you two," Mr. Kuroto said as he turned around carrying Mono out. "Let's get to work, Mono!"
"I don't think I'm gonna be okay," Mono muttered.
"Don't worry, it won't kill you," Kuroto responded.
***
An hour later, Aruta arrived at headquarters carrying his usual school bag, though this time packed with his clothes.
"Excuse me," Aruta said as he entered the mansion.
Inside, Wise was reading a book on the "TV sofa," while Raven slept next to Zaka, who was eating cake on the "playground sofa."
Seeing Aruta arrive, Mr. Wise immediately closed his book, stood up, and greeted him. "Ah, young Aruta. How are you?"
"Never better!" Aruta answered enthusiastically.
"Oh, do I hear Aruta's voice?" asked Mrs. Haruki, walking out from the mansion hallway.
"Huh?" Oliver walked after Mrs. Haruki. "Yo Aruta!"
"Oliver! Mrs. Haruki!" Aruta greeted them.
The two then approached the group.
"We're so busy today. Almost no one's at headquarters," said Mrs. Haruki.
"Well, that's normal," replied Mr. Wise in his deep voice.
"Geez, you're so tense. You're heading out on a mission too, right? Good luck then," said Mrs. Haruki. "We'll get going first," she added, walking out of the mansion.
"Good luck, Aruta," said Oliver, patting Aruta's shoulder before following Mrs. Haruki out.
"Of course!" said Aruta. He turned back toward Mr. Wise but got startled when Zaka and Raven - who had been sitting together - were now standing beside Mr. Wise with their bags already packed.
"They left already?" asked Raven.
"WAAAHH?! Since when were you guys there?" Aruta asked, still shocked.
"Well, hopefully you'll get used to their habits," Mr. Wise sighed.
"What's our mission, Sir?" Zaka inquired.
"Just an investigation mission in a village," answered Mr. Wise. But then his eyes suddenly turned sharp and his expression became serious. He continued: "The one near Vector City."