Chapter Text
"It's not a bad idea!"
"You're sending off my men into a dimension gate, with no backup, no idea what will be on the other side, and you think I'm going to side willingly?" Mina stood firm on her stance.
Suited turned to Kafka and grabbed his hands, "You agree with me, right?"
"Well…"
"No one agrees with you." Soshiro said, crossing his arms, "It's reckless and a bad idea overall."
"They do have a point, Suited," Chester said from his monitor. "It's a huge risk, not just sending Kafka to another dimension, but sending someone who is classified as a powerful weapon, with a chance he might not return. Heck, if the gate closed, would we be able to locate him again?"
"I'll send a drone with him! So it's not like he's going in alone, alone." She pouted, "We'll still be able to keep in contact."
"That's not the point." Mina grabbed Kafka and pulled him towards the rest, "Kaiju No. 8, is still Kafka Hibino. An officer, not a weapon. Like Sir Chester said, what if we lose contact? Do you know for sure if the drone will even function in another dimension? How can we be sure Kafka will return to us?"
Suited pointed to the dimension gate on the screen, "The main Honju was defeated, and it's still open." She motioned to Kafka, "Kaiju No. 8 has mentioned before how he entered a dimension gate once when he went to check it out, and he was okay. The only reason I want him to go is to scope out the area close by and to grab some samples of the other dimension for comparison! So we can see exactly what we should prepare for. None of our systems can gather the information, and none of the drones can make it on their own, but No. 8 has both the speed and power to leave the situation if it gets worse."
"We can find another way," Mina argued. "We can find another way without risking-"
"As much as I dislike that weirdo, I'm kinda with her on this." Captain Narumi spoke up for the first time since they entered. He put his game down and turned to them, "Kafka has proven to be effective when it comes to speed."
"Sir?" Kafka turned to the other Captain, "What are you saying?"
Narumi stretched, stood up, and walked towards where the Third Division stood, "Isao-san had big plans for you, you, of course, know what I mean." He looked at Kafka in the eyes, pink eyes shining, then turned to Director Itami, "Director Itami and I went through the files that he left, and we found some files on CLOZER. Handwritten notes about the possible chance to see if you can help them understand the dimension gates more." He put his hands behind his head, "And with Kaiju No. 9 already neutralized, we can now use this small chance of quiet to understand these stupid gates that keep coming back."
"But-"
"I know it's a risky factor." Director Itami said, walking forward, and his eyes softened at the group's worried expression, "I am also not particularly fond of this idea, but Isao has great faith that Kafka can accomplish this."
Captain Mina let out a breath, "You're really okay with this, Captain Narumi." Mina turned to him, eyes narrowed.
He leaned forward, "I trust Isao-san and Kafka Hibino." He looked at the rest, with a slight smirk, "It seems the rest of you have no faith in him to accomplish this." Narumi walked forward and patted Kafka on his shoulder, "Besides. Kafka's best quality is understanding things we don't know. pinpointing weaknesses, which I can do myself!" Kafka let out a small snicker, "But for the rest of you, that's been a huge asset, especially to understand weak points for weaker members." He turned back to Kafka, "And during the conversation, Kafka, you looked interested. Weren't you?"
The man's eyes flickered to his group before looking away, "Sorta…"
Narumi leaned forward, "Sorta?"
Kafka bit his lip and avoided Narumi's piercing gaze, "It… does seem interesting…"
"See. He wants to." Narumi waved his hand, "But none of you are ready to hear what he wants, do you?" He turned around, "It's disappointing, really. You all care so much, and yet, you don't care enough to listen to him."
Soshiro clenched his fists before turning to the older man, "Kafka…. Are you sure you want to do this?"
The man made eye contact with the other. His eyes open, but his brows furrowed with what looked like worry, "Well… Yeah." Kafka turned to face his captains, "I know I can do it."
"But, Senpai, you'll be alone," Reno called out from the monitor. He and Iharu returned to the Fourth Division while Haruichi and Aoi returned to the Second under Captain Ashido's orders for the day. They were only alerted about this meeting cause Akari called them in panic about their friend.
Kafka scratched his chin, "I think… It's safe that way. I would feel better if no one came with me."
"Why?"
"Because no offense to anyone in this room, considering I'm the weakest," He shuffled awkwardly, "But I'd feel better if I can actually attack without worrying. Like, actually use my attacks without holding back if needed. I'm usually defensive here, but I really think if anything happens, I need to be on the attack without thinking if anyone is left behind."
The room was quiet. They were taking into account how many times they were saved. "But…"
"I'll be fine." Kafka smiled at them, "Just… trust me, please?"
"It's not that we don't trust you," Haruichi said from the monitor, "It's…"
"Scary…" Akari said softly. "And… all we can do is watch from a drone…"
Kafka didn't know what to say. He could feel their worry radiating, and when he was about to speak, Director Itami beat him to it, "Officer Hibino."
He turned, "Yes, sir?"
"By all accounts. If you really need to, then don't hold back. You are allowed to do what is necessary on the other side." Tired eyes met softer ones. "Do what you need to return to put your team's minds at ease."
"Yes, sir."
"Now then, please get with Captain Shinomiya and grab the necessary equipment needed. Report to the location within 30 minutes."
"Yes, sir."
Sagan walked forward and motioned him in her direction, "Come on, Hibino-san."
After gathering the vials for samples and other small things, he stuffed them in a bag. Doing a quick check with Sagan, he noticed her expression, "What's wrong?"
She shuffled her feet and let out a shuddering breath, "I don't like that you're going there alone. I really want to go with you, but…"
'I know."
"Suited…" She bit her lip, "Suited is pretty erratic. She's a good person, but sometimes, she focuses too much on one thing, and it's kinda not a good thing."
Kafka nodded, "Trust me, Sagan. I know. I'm one of her current fixations."
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine." He ruffled her hair, "I know she's a good person. She does care deeply, and if I can help, I don't mind this." He dropped his arm, and his expression turned serious, "But Director Isao has faith in this plan. If he were here, maybe it wouldn't be much of an issue with all that arguing… and arm pulling... But I'll do my best to come back and prove the Director's faith in me to be correct."
"I know you will." She bowed her head, "Kikoru must be upset she wasn't here to send you off."
"Yeahhhh." He waved his phone in Sagan's face, "I received tons of messages from everyone, and a lot of stern words from them too." He made a face, "And a LOOOOOOOONG message from Ichikawa…" He gave a soft laugh, "He didn't even look it over! The kid had so many misspelled words, I swear I thought I was reading another language."
She chuckled, "Of course."
He handed her his phone, "Hey… Can you hand this to one of my team members? I don't want it to break." He made a face, "Haruichi already bought me two, and Vice Captain got me three. I'd feel bad if I broke another when I'm in another Dimension."
"You make it sound so casual."
"I transform into a kaiju, and I have like 600 souls inside of me." He joked, "I'll consider anything normal at this point."
She gave a soft laugh, though it sounded a bit strained, and bowed, "Stay safe, Hibino-san."
"Of course."
Once he made himself out of the doors, he heard his name being called out and turned around to see Mina, Soshiro, Akari, and Hakua running towards him, "What's-"
"Did you really want to do this?" Mina asked softly, "You weren't feeling pressured by Narumi's words, were you?"
"Nah." He crossed his arms and thought back to the First Division Captain, "Besides. He's just as scared as you all."
"He didn't act like it," Hakua murmured.
Kafka let out a soft chuckle, "No, but…" He tilted his head up, thinking, "My senses have increased since merging completely with my kaiju side… a lot…" He turned to them, "And I could smell fear radiating from him, too. Captain Narumi cares deeply for all his teammates." He looked at his hand, that returned to normal after his coma. He thought back to when he lay unconscious, despite insisting he didn't care, Narumi was in that room beside him, as if not wanting to lose sight of Kafka. "He does his best to protect those around him, including me."
Hakua and Akari walked forward and hugged him tightly, "Please stay safe, Mr. Hibino."
"I'll try my best."
"Ah, here!" Akari passed him a few granola bars. "I made these last night! Some have chocolate, others have berries. Please, take them."
"I won't be gone for…" His words faded when he saw her expression. "Okay." He grabbed them and stuffed them into the empty pocket of the bag of Suited's supplies.
Mina shifted on her heels before walking forward and hugging him, too. "Don't do anything too reckless, okay?" She grabbed his cheeks and yanked them, "The amount of time that we will allow you there is 4 hours, max. If you don't get back by that time, I will make you do 100 laps and push-ups. X3"
He flinched, "Y-yes, ma'am."
"Good." She let go, "Now get to it."
The girls turned and walked back towards the door, leaving Kafka and Soshiro alone. His familiar smile wasn't present.
Kafka didn't like it and gave a smile, "Ya wanna hug too?" He joked.
"…. Kinda…" Kafka's eyes widened. His Vice Captain stood awkwardly, rubbing his forearm. He's only seen this side of him at least twice when they went out to eat, and even then, it wasn't this bad.
Kafka smiled softly and opened his arms, "Well, come here."
Soshiro walked forward, wrapped his arms, and lowered his head on the other's chest, feeling the other's chin on his head, "I'm sorry I went against your words. I know you meant well."
"Nah." Soshiro held on tighter, "He was right. We were trying to protect you, but you're an officer too. You have your own choices to do the mission. We really should take into consideration that you are much more capable than we think… It's…." He didn't finish that sentence, but felt the hold tighten, "Nothing…"
Kafka let out a huff, "Well, it felt nice. Knowing you all care so much."
"Of course we do." His voice was softer to the point that Kafka could only hear due to his enhancement, "We just got you back." No words were said for a moment, then, "… Hey Kafka."
"Yeah?"
"Come home safely…." He tilted his head up, "You said we should check the restaurant today. I saw their menu, and it had curry as a special today."
Kafka held tighter, "Heck yeah! Of course! I'll do my best."
He pulled away, and Kafka waved at him before that gentle giant was replaced with his monstrous side, and then ran towards the location Suited sent him. Soshiro kept watching until he disappeared and sighed, "Be safe, Moron."