"Thank you."
As they sat face to face after Mina prepared the tea and some snacks on the table, she thanked him sincerely as she bowed her head.
"Uh, what's happening? Also, please don't bow your head, Commander!"
Shinra quickly stopped Mina, but she didn't move and thanked him. "I am afraid to make a decision at that time, which is unfit for someone in my position, but because of you, I can save him. Thank you."
Kafka might have become a Kaiju, but even so, it was still hard for her to just give Kafka to the headquarters when she knew well his fate would become that of the materials for the weapons or the combat suit.
However, as the Division Captain of the Third Division, Mina knew what she had to do, yet her heart said otherwise, and she couldn't say to save Kafka since her position didn't allow her to do so.
Fortunately, Shinra showed his determination to save Kafka, which gave her a chance to save him.
"I didn't do anything special. I just want to save my friend, so please raise your head, okay?"
Shinra wasn't sure what kind of relationship Mina and Kafka had, but as she had done this to save Kafka, he could tell that their relationship must be special, and because of that, he knew well that nothing would happen between them.
"Uchiha-kun..."
Waiting.
This was the most painful thing in the world.
When Mina was alone, fighting many dangerous Kaiju, as everyone's expectations, lives, and responsibilities were on her fragile shoulders, it was so tough that she wasn't sure how many times she had cried secretly in her room.
Yes, she might be the most special and the strongest long-range specialist combatant of the Defense Force, but instead of being proud and fearless, she was filled with anxiety and fear as she had become the one that everyone relied on.
The responsibility that she had to bear in every fight was almost crushing her every moment, and at that moment, she just hoped for Kafka to become a member of the Defense Force as soon as possible, so they could fight side by side, and she could have someone whom she could rely on when her heart was weak.
Unfortunately, after she waited for so long, almost a decade that she had been waiting, Kafka didn't come to her, and when they met once again, Kafka had become a Kaiju, which she had to protect.
If Shinra hadn't taken the initiative to talk at that time, Mina was sure that she would have broken apart.
No one in the Combat Force was sane, and all of them had their own mental problems since every moment they were dispatched they might die any moment, especially those who were known as the strongest, but fortunately, many of them had many ways to cope with those emotions such as by drinking alcohol, playing games, or becoming a shopaholic, but unfortunately, Mina had no way to cope with those emotions except for just hugging her pet, grey tiger, Bakko.
If it were anyone else, Mina wouldn't have asked them this question, whether it was the other Division Captains, or those with higher positions, but it was different with Shinra.
"...how can you be so strong?"
"Well...?"
Shinra looked at Mina with confusion, wondering what she meant by this question.
"I mean... You should know what it means to be so talented, right? You will be the leader, the one who leads everyone toward the battle. You will be burdened with many things, responsibility, and the lives of your comrades and everyone who lives in this country. Why... you seem to be okay?"
"..."
Why was Shinra okay with it?
The answer was simple.
"Probably, I am just better at acting, so the others aren't worried about me and have confidence and hope that they won't lose this battle against Kaiju."
Compared to his despair during the Uchiha extinction, the crisis that was caused by Kaiju was nothing since people still had a hope, but what about him, who was about to be killed by Itachi, Obito, Danzo, and the Roots at that time?
If Shinra hadn't awakened to the Mangekyou Sharingan, he knew well that his life would be as good as gone.
Still, probably due to this experience of being helpless, he was good at masking his worry, just silently, enduring everything, as he showed that he was okay to everyone, thinking that the next day would be bright.
And his bet was right since his day was bright, and the ones that had brought him despair were about to be in despair soon.
The ability of the Kaiju was interesting, especially when he gained the ability of a Fusion, but it wasn't perfect, and he thought to get the ability of this Kaiju No. 9.
Why did he name it Kaiju No. 9?
It was because the Kaiju No. 8 would be Kafka.
By then, Shinra and Mina talked to each other about their experiences, worries, and everything. It might be because their strength was about the same, especially when Shinra was the most talented soldier, and Mina was the strongest long-range combatant in the Defense Force.
Their worries were more or less similar, and because of this, Mina could easily be connected to Shinra.
However, if Shinra had to say why they became so close so soon that Mina could talk about her worry without hesitation, it was because he didn't put her on a pedestal, thinking that she was above him.
Many people did this to Mina, and this was why she couldn't feel connected to them, as she could tell that they thought that they were lower than her, but it was different for Shinra, since with him, she could talk about many things.
Still, as they talked about many things, especially sweets, their favorite places, trips and tricks, many others, which appeared so meaningless in the eyes of many, Shinra didn't think so if one could do a meaningless conversation with someone else, giving their precious time to that person despite knowing that it wouldn't bring anything, wasn't that a sign that their relationship had become closer?
Regardless, their conversation had to end when the morning came.
Yes, the two continued to talk till the morning, and with their physical ability, it was nothing since it was harder to sleep, considering all the stress that they received, and when they slept, they might have a nightmare, and this was why many had insomnia.
However, when the morning came, a tough, muscular man, surrounded by many soldiers, showed a dignified and powerful aura that made all the people around salute.
"Director!"
Mina quickly stood up and made a salute.
Naturally, Shinra also followed, since even if he wasn't officially accepted yet, it was only a matter of time before he entered this organization.
This man greeted Mina, then looked at Shinra, who seemed to be the one that he had wished to meet. "You are Shinra Uchiha?"
"Yes, sir."
"My name is Shinomiya Isao. I am the Director General of the Defense Force."
In other words, the man before them was the one with the highest position in the whole organization.
"Congratulations, from now on, you are accepted as an official officer of the Defense Force. I expect a lot from you."
"Yes, sir!"
"Also, thank you for saving my daughter."
"No, it's my duty!"
"....." Isao stared at Shinra in silence and asked, "You mean, do you like her as a man and even wish to date my daughter?"
"...." Shinra.
Shinra wasn't the only one who couldn't say anything, but Mina and everyone else lost their voice when they heard Isao's words.
"....."
Taking a deep breath, Shinra wondered what Kikoru had said to her father.
"You are good, but let me see whether you are worthy of my daughter or not." Isao's eyes were fierce, like those of a Kaiju, who wanted to ravage the entire country, then said heavily, "From now on, you are my student. Follow me."
"..."
Shira's lips twitched, but he knew that he could only give one answer.
As he made a salute, he said, "Yes, Sir!"