—3rd Person POV—
Standing in her office atop Tokyo Tower, Seitenshi looked out over the city she was governor of. Unlike the usually bustling city she was accustomed to seeing, an air of despair had settled in among the citizens. Due to recent events tensions were running high and the populace was on the brink of rioting in the streets. With no one currently available to counsel with, the governor could only confide her thoughts with her assistant.
“It is clear to me up here, but just in case, what is the situation in the city?”, Seitenshi asked her assistant, “Have the citizens calmed down at all?”
“I am afraid not Miss Seitenshi, the situation is only getting worse down there. While taking in the survivors from the Osaka Area was a generous move, it has almost completely drained our food stores. As we were unable to take any food with us from Osaka, our current supplies will last maybe another two weeks at most and the populace know that.”, the assistant replied trying to keep a brace face up, “The Nagasaki Governor is also now requesting the remaining three Safe Zones accept refugees from his territory now as well. They are being overrun by Gastrea from an unknown source, and will likely fall within the hour.”
“I wish we could take in more people, but we are too far past our capacity to help.”, Seitenshi said with a sad expression.
“You cannot blame yourself for this, the other Safe Zones did not try to build positive sentiment with the Cursed Children. When Cole made his offer to the children, almost all of the other cities were emptied in hours.”, the assistant stated trying to cheer her up, “We managed to convince a few hundred Initiators to stay here and help us. That was only possible because of your gestures of goodwill over the past few years.”
Walking back to her desk, Seitenshi took a seat and looked at the reports before her. Even though they had more Promoters and Initiators than the other cities now, it did not mean they were in a comfortable position. Due to the size of the Tokyo Safe Zone, the few people they had were spread quite thin making response times enormously high. Not only that, a rouge mechanized soldier and his Initiator were systematically picking off the stronger teams among the remaining staff. If he was not stopped soon, they would likely face the same problems that Nagasaki was currently dealing with.
While she looked for any potential options available to her, a messenger arrived with an important letter from Military Command. Accepting the message in her stead, the assistant dismissed them and opened the letter. Reading through the contents, her face became pale as yet another nail in their coffin was being driven in.
“I am sorry to interrupt you, My Lady, but we have another problem.”, the assistant said shakily handing the letter over to her.
Noticing the seal on the letter she was holding, Seitenshi felt frustrated that the Military was beginning to disregard her orders. Instead of building stockpiles of weaponry, Kikunojou was rallying men to strike out at nearby Gastrea Nests in an attempt to secure the surrounding area. If it were any other time Seitenshi would fully support this move, but there was too much going on at the moment for her to agree to such dangerous attacks. She needed every soldier she had in order to protect the city from falling into chaos.
“What does Kikunojou want now…I cannot spare any men to go out on any further operations.”, Seitenshi grumbled in an irritated tone.
Taking a moment to skim the letter, she promptly slammed it on the table and then threw all of her documents onto the floor. Falling to her knees as the stress overwhelmed her, all she wanted to do was wake up from this nightmare.
“Now Scorpion is coming here because we failed to secure the item that was stolen from us. After the fight in Osaka, we do not have the weapon stockpile necessary to resist it. Why did all of this have to happen at once!?”, Seitenshi sniffled, “Is this really how we are going to die? If the Gastrea does not kill us, Cole will…”
“Maybe we should take a break from this for now.”, the assistant suggested as she quickly picked up the papers, “How about we go visit that boy you have been mentioning? While he is still in pretty rough shape, the doctors say he should be waking up sometime soon.”
“Is…is that so?”, Seitenshi asked as she wiped the snot from her nose, “I would really like to see him, I sent him out there alone to retrieve the item. It is my fault he was nearly killed by that psychopath, hopefully, he will forgive me for that.”
Seeing a meek smile returning to Seitenshi’s face, the assistant agreed with her and said they could leave now to see him. Having seen how Seitenshi had begun acting around the young man recently, due to them working alongside one another, she knew he would be able to cheer her up. Even if it was only briefly, her assistant wanted her to be happy again.
“Let me call the driver, and have the car pulled around for us.”, the assistant told her as she called the Security Team and Driver.
Picking herself up off the floor, Seitenshi stepped out to fix her appearance. Needing to keep it together for the public, so people did not begin to panic, she put her usual calm face on and headed to the elevator. Joining up with her bodyguards and assistant in the hallway, all of them hurried down to the lobby and out the door. Pulling up to the curb just as they walked out, Seitenshi quickly entered the vehicle with her staff before giving the driver their destination.
“Tokyo Grand Hospital.”, she informed him.
“Right away ma’am.”, the driver replied as he slowly pulled out onto the empty streets.
Looking out her window at the citizens camped out on the sidewalks, Seitenshi’s heart went out to them and their suffering. Unable to house all of the refugees properly many had been given old military tents and told to camp where ever there was space. Watching people brawling for spots to sleep and for food outside soup kitchens, she wished there was more she could have done to help them.
“I will have the police come and break up the fighting.”, her assistant told Seitenshi as she called the new Area Chief, “Hello Chief Shiba, this is Lady Seitenshi’s Assistant calling about some trouble outside one of the Soup Kitchens…”
‘That arrogant man doomed his entire city by adopting a policy to toss the Cursed Children out of the city for Cole. Up till the very end, he never admitted that his actions led to the destruction of his Safe Zone.’, Seitenshi thought recalling his last message to her, ‘He was a fool, and I am left cleaning up his mess.’
Remaining silent throughout the course of the ride, Seitenshi’s mood lightened a bit as the hospital came into view. Pulling up outside the main entrance, the driver asked her assistant to call him when they were ready to leave.
“Thank you, Charles, I know it was a very late request.”, the Assistant apologized.
“Not a problem, I finally scored a date with you so I am happy!”, he chuckled with a pleased smile.
Driving into the parking garage once everyone was out, the group headed inside to the Head Nurse’s desk. Giving the staff a moment, as they were busy handling paperwork and phone calls, one of the nurses looked up and saw Seitenshi in front of her. Unlike the usual respectful stare she was accustomed to, the nurse scowled at her with distaste. Telling her caller to hold for a moment, she parked the call before clearing her throat.
“Governor Seitenshi, to what do we owe the pleasure?”, the nurse shouted loudly so everyone could hear her, “I hope you are having a wonderful day today in our blessed city!!”
Feeling the venom in every word, the governor wanted to look away but kept her composure. Asking for Rentaro’s room number, she informed the nurse that she was there to check up on him and see how he was doing. Flipping through her logbook, the nurse found the number and gave it to her moments later.
“If that will be all, I have a child on the phone reporting the deaths of his parents.”, the nurse spat as she sat down, “I hope you are happy with what you have brought on us!!”
“Show the governor some respect!”, her Security Guard protested.
“Respect...why would I need to show this woman any respect!?”, the nurse seethed, “I have been working for four days straight with only six hours of sleep because of her!! Our city is going to hell out there because she had to take in those ungrateful bastards from Osaka!! They are looting our homes while we are at work, and stealing our hard-earned food right out of our mouths!!”
Hearing the citizens in the lobby begin to voice similar sentiments, Seitenshi asked her guards not to antagonize them further. Quickly leaving the lobby to avoid additional trouble, her group made their way to Rentaro’s room on the 4th floor. Having her guards post up outside his room, Seitenshi entered alone and shut the door behind her.
Seeing Rentaro awake and talking with his friends, Seitenshi’s heart eased as she saw his face. Approaching his bed in a hurry, Kisara immediately cut her off and got right up in her face.
“Why are you here? You do know you are the reason Rentaro is in the hospital in the first place, right?”, Kisara shouted, “Rentaro nearly died for a stupid tricycle!!”
“Kisara calm down, I am sure Miss Seitenshi had her reasons for keeping me in the dark.”, Rentaro said trying to defuse the situation, “What brings you here tonight, Miss Seitenshi?”
“I…I came here to see you.”, she replied as her facade started to crack, “Listen Rentaro, I am sorry that I sent you in alone to retrieve that item. It was foolish of me to send you into the lion’s den by yourself.”
“It is okay, I promise.”, Rentaro chuckled seeing that she was genuinely apologetic about it, “While I am sure you may not be able to tell, I am curious about that bike. Why is it so important to the government?”
Looking around the room to see who was there, Seitenshi saw that Miori, Kisara, Enju, and Rentaro were the only ones present. Glancing back at the door for a moment, she turned back to Rentaro and approached him in a hurry. Motioning for Kisara and Miori to come close, the governor explained that the bike was merely a tool to summon one of the Zodiac Gastrea. Seeing no reason to hide it now, as Scorpion was already on its way, she was certain Rentaro would piece it together as the psycho probably already planted to seed in his mind.
“A tricycle can summon one of the twelve Level 5 Gastrea…do you know how crazy that sounds?”, Kisara remarked with a doubtful expression.
“I cannot divulge the specifics, but the tricycle is tied to Scorpion…which is headed towards our city as we speak. Your grandfather reported that it will be here tomorrow morning just after sunrise.”, she explained.
“Oh my…we really are screwed, are we not then?”, Miori gulped with a nervous expression, “Well then, Rentaro, as we are all likely to die tomorrow then…would you please do me the honor of sleeping with me? If I am to die, I would like it to be in the arms of my only love.”
“Oh hell no bitch!”, Kisara yelled, “You are not touching him!!”
Knowing that their fight would turn violent very quickly, Rentaro moved to get between them when a booming voice echoed throughout the city.
“I hope you all have settled your earthly matters, the promised day of reckoning is upon you. Tomorrow I will rain hellfire and brimstone upon your world for the suffering and chaos humanity has sown. All of the sinners shall burn in the depths of hell while those few among you that are innocent shall be given a new world to live on.”, Cole proclaimed as a massive bolt of lightning struck the center of the city causing the power to go out, “You sinners can cower in fear tonight for tomorrow morning judgment is coming.”
Hearing nothing further from Cole, Rentaro attempted to turn on his phone but found that it was completely fried. Asking the women if they were okay, he felt them scurry onto his bed in a hurry. Thinking that they may start a fight, he was about to scold them when he felt them lie down with Enju and him.
Petrified with fear that this may be their last night alive, the three of them wanted to be close to Rentaro. Even though they did not get along, for this last night on earth, they were willing to share him and leave things alone. Not wanting to push them away, he pulled a blanket over them and got comfortable with them.
—3rd Person POV—
Standing in her office atop Tokyo Tower, Seitenshi looked out over the city she was governor of. Unlike the usually bustling city she was accustomed to seeing, an air of despair had settled in among the citizens. Due to recent events tensions were running high and the populace was on the brink of rioting in the streets. With no one currently available to counsel with, the governor could only confide her thoughts with her assistant.
“It is clear to me up here, but just in case, what is the situation in the city?”, Seitenshi asked her assistant, “Have the citizens calmed down at all?”
“I am afraid not Miss Seitenshi, the situation is only getting worse down there. While taking in the survivors from the Osaka Area was a generous move, it has almost completely drained our food stores. As we were unable to take any food with us from Osaka, our current supplies will last maybe another two weeks at most and the populace know that.”, the assistant replied trying to keep a brace face up, “The Nagasaki Governor is also now requesting the remaining three Safe Zones accept refugees from his territory now as well. They are being overrun by Gastrea from an unknown source, and will likely fall within the hour.”
“I wish we could take in more people, but we are too far past our capacity to help.”, Seitenshi said with a sad expression.
“You cannot blame yourself for this, the other Safe Zones did not try to build positive sentiment with the Cursed Children. When Cole made his offer to the children, almost all of the other cities were emptied in hours.”, the assistant stated trying to cheer her up, “We managed to convince a few hundred Initiators to stay here and help us. That was only possible because of your gestures of goodwill over the past few years.”
Walking back to her desk, Seitenshi took a seat and looked at the reports before her. Even though they had more Promoters and Initiators than the other cities now, it did not mean they were in a comfortable position. Due to the size of the Tokyo Safe Zone, the few people they had were spread quite thin making response times enormously high. Not only that, a rouge mechanized soldier and his Initiator were systematically picking off the stronger teams among the remaining staff. If he was not stopped soon, they would likely face the same problems that Nagasaki was currently dealing with.
While she looked for any potential options available to her, a messenger arrived with an important letter from Military Command. Accepting the message in her stead, the assistant dismissed them and opened the letter. Reading through the contents, her face became pale as yet another nail in their coffin was being driven in.
“I am sorry to interrupt you, My Lady, but we have another problem.”, the assistant said shakily handing the letter over to her.
Noticing the seal on the letter she was holding, Seitenshi felt frustrated that the Military was beginning to disregard her orders. Instead of building stockpiles of weaponry, Kikunojou was rallying men to strike out at nearby Gastrea Nests in an attempt to secure the surrounding area. If it were any other time Seitenshi would fully support this move, but there was too much going on at the moment for her to agree to such dangerous attacks. She needed every soldier she had in order to protect the city from falling into chaos.
“What does Kikunojou want now…I cannot spare any men to go out on any further operations.”, Seitenshi grumbled in an irritated tone.
Taking a moment to skim the letter, she promptly slammed it on the table and then threw all of her documents onto the floor. Falling to her knees as the stress overwhelmed her, all she wanted to do was wake up from this nightmare.
“Now Scorpion is coming here because we failed to secure the item that was stolen from us. After the fight in Osaka, we do not have the weapon stockpile necessary to resist it. Why did all of this have to happen at once!?”, Seitenshi sniffled, “Is this really how we are going to die? If the Gastrea does not kill us, Cole will…”
“Maybe we should take a break from this for now.”, the assistant suggested as she quickly picked up the papers, “How about we go visit that boy you have been mentioning? While he is still in pretty rough shape, the doctors say he should be waking up sometime soon.”
“Is…is that so?”, Seitenshi asked as she wiped the snot from her nose, “I would really like to see him, I sent him out there alone to retrieve the item. It is my fault he was nearly killed by that psychopath, hopefully, he will forgive me for that.”
Seeing a meek smile returning to Seitenshi’s face, the assistant agreed with her and said they could leave now to see him. Having seen how Seitenshi had begun acting around the young man recently, due to them working alongside one another, she knew he would be able to cheer her up. Even if it was only briefly, her assistant wanted her to be happy again.
“Let me call the driver, and have the car pulled around for us.”, the assistant told her as she called the Security Team and Driver.
Picking herself up off the floor, Seitenshi stepped out to fix her appearance. Needing to keep it together for the public, so people did not begin to panic, she put her usual calm face on and headed to the elevator. Joining up with her bodyguards and assistant in the hallway, all of them hurried down to the lobby and out the door. Pulling up to the curb just as they walked out, Seitenshi quickly entered the vehicle with her staff before giving the driver their destination.
“Tokyo Grand Hospital.”, she informed him.
“Right away ma’am.”, the driver replied as he slowly pulled out onto the empty streets.
Looking out her window at the citizens camped out on the sidewalks, Seitenshi’s heart went out to them and their suffering. Unable to house all of the refugees properly many had been given old military tents and told to camp where ever there was space. Watching people brawling for spots to sleep and for food outside soup kitchens, she wished there was more she could have done to help them.
“I will have the police come and break up the fighting.”, her assistant told Seitenshi as she called the new Area Chief, “Hello Chief Shiba, this is Lady Seitenshi’s Assistant calling about some trouble outside one of the Soup Kitchens…”
‘That arrogant man doomed his entire city by adopting a policy to toss the Cursed Children out of the city for Cole. Up till the very end, he never admitted that his actions led to the destruction of his Safe Zone.’, Seitenshi thought recalling his last message to her, ‘He was a fool, and I am left cleaning up his mess.’
Remaining silent throughout the course of the ride, Seitenshi’s mood lightened a bit as the hospital came into view. Pulling up outside the main entrance, the driver asked her assistant to call him when they were ready to leave.
“Thank you, Charles, I know it was a very late request.”, the Assistant apologized.
“Not a problem, I finally scored a date with you so I am happy!”, he chuckled with a pleased smile.
Driving into the parking garage once everyone was out, the group headed inside to the Head Nurse’s desk. Giving the staff a moment, as they were busy handling paperwork and phone calls, one of the nurses looked up and saw Seitenshi in front of her. Unlike the usual respectful stare she was accustomed to, the nurse scowled at her with distaste. Telling her caller to hold for a moment, she parked the call before clearing her throat.
“Governor Seitenshi, to what do we owe the pleasure?”, the nurse shouted loudly so everyone could hear her, “I hope you are having a wonderful day today in our blessed city!!”
Feeling the venom in every word, the governor wanted to look away but kept her composure. Asking for Rentaro’s room number, she informed the nurse that she was there to check up on him and see how he was doing. Flipping through her logbook, the nurse found the number and gave it to her moments later.
“If that will be all, I have a child on the phone reporting the deaths of his parents.”, the nurse spat as she sat down, “I hope you are happy with what you have brought on us!!”
“Show the governor some respect!”, her Security Guard protested.
“Respect...why would I need to show this woman any respect!?”, the nurse seethed, “I have been working for four days straight with only six hours of sleep because of her!! Our city is going to hell out there because she had to take in those ungrateful bastards from Osaka!! They are looting our homes while we are at work, and stealing our hard-earned food right out of our mouths!!”
Hearing the citizens in the lobby begin to voice similar sentiments, Seitenshi asked her guards not to antagonize them further. Quickly leaving the lobby to avoid additional trouble, her group made their way to Rentaro’s room on the 4th floor. Having her guards post up outside his room, Seitenshi entered alone and shut the door behind her.
Seeing Rentaro awake and talking with his friends, Seitenshi’s heart eased as she saw his face. Approaching his bed in a hurry, Kisara immediately cut her off and got right up in her face.
“Why are you here? You do know you are the reason Rentaro is in the hospital in the first place, right?”, Kisara shouted, “Rentaro nearly died for a stupid tricycle!!”
“Kisara calm down, I am sure Miss Seitenshi had her reasons for keeping me in the dark.”, Rentaro said trying to defuse the situation, “What brings you here tonight, Miss Seitenshi?”
“I…I came here to see you.”, she replied as her facade started to crack, “Listen Rentaro, I am sorry that I sent you in alone to retrieve that item. It was foolish of me to send you into the lion’s den by yourself.”
“It is okay, I promise.”, Rentaro chuckled seeing that she was genuinely apologetic about it, “While I am sure you may not be able to tell, I am curious about that bike. Why is it so important to the government?”
Looking around the room to see who was there, Seitenshi saw that Miori, Kisara, Enju, and Rentaro were the only ones present. Glancing back at the door for a moment, she turned back to Rentaro and approached him in a hurry. Motioning for Kisara and Miori to come close, the governor explained that the bike was merely a tool to summon one of the Zodiac Gastrea. Seeing no reason to hide it now, as Scorpion was already on its way, she was certain Rentaro would piece it together as the psycho probably already planted to seed in his mind.
“A tricycle can summon one of the twelve Level 5 Gastrea…do you know how crazy that sounds?”, Kisara remarked with a doubtful expression.
“I cannot divulge the specifics, but the tricycle is tied to Scorpion…which is headed towards our city as we speak. Your grandfather reported that it will be here tomorrow morning just after sunrise.”, she explained.
“Oh my…we really are screwed, are we not then?”, Miori gulped with a nervous expression, “Well then, Rentaro, as we are all likely to die tomorrow then…would you please do me the honor of sleeping with me? If I am to die, I would like it to be in the arms of my only love.”
“Oh hell no bitch!”, Kisara yelled, “You are not touching him!!”
Knowing that their fight would turn violent very quickly, Rentaro moved to get between them when a booming voice echoed throughout the city.
“I hope you all have settled your earthly matters, the promised day of reckoning is upon you. Tomorrow I will rain hellfire and brimstone upon your world for the suffering and chaos humanity has sown. All of the sinners shall burn in the depths of hell while those few among you that are innocent shall be given a new world to live on.”, Cole proclaimed as a massive bolt of lightning struck the center of the city causing the power to go out, “You sinners can cower in fear tonight for tomorrow morning judgment is coming.”
Hearing nothing further from Cole, Rentaro attempted to turn on his phone but found that it was completely fried. Asking the women if they were okay, he felt them scurry onto his bed in a hurry. Thinking that they may start a fight, he was about to scold them when he felt them lie down with Enju and him.
Petrified with fear that this may be their last night alive, the three of them wanted to be close to Rentaro. Even though they did not get along, for this last night on earth, they were willing to share him and leave things alone. Not wanting to push them away, he pulled a blanket over them and got comfortable with them.
