[The clang of bullets echoed through the shattered hall as Shirou lunged forward, pistol drawn, clashing fiercely against Yggdrasil. Each impact sent a burst of sparks flying, the air distorting from the sheer force of their strikes.]
Shirou: You're not getting past me!
[His heart thundered—not just from the exertion, but from something deeper. Something personal. Ever since Yggdrasil appeared, a strange weight had settled in his chest.]
Yggdrasil: You resist well.
Her masked face betrayed no emotion But your resolve... it's still so human.
[With a sudden twist, she slammed Shirou into the wall with one brutal swing. The concrete cracked, debris scattering as he hit the ground hard, coughing and gasping for breath.]
[In that moment, something slipped from beneath Yggdrasil's cloak—a small object, fluttering like a dying autumn leaf amidst the chaos.]
[A burned-out ribbon.]
[Scorched at the edges, its faded color spoke of time and trauma—yet it held a fragile beauty that seemed entirely out of place in the battlefield.]
[It landed silently… near Reina's feet.]
[She blinked. Her gaze was drawn to it, as though by instinct. At first, it was just an object. But then—her breath caught. Her eyes widened. The world seemed to pause around her.]
Captain Reina: ...That ribbon...
Her voice trembled.
[Slowly, with shaking fingers, she knelt and picked it up.]
[And in an instant—memories surged.]
[A younger Reina sat beneath a cherry tree in full bloom. The spring breeze danced through her hair.]
Sera: You'll look prettier with this. said a soft voice. Small hands gently tied the ribbon into her hair
[She turned. Sera—her sister—stood there, smiling, her eyes radiant with warmth.]
Captain Reina: Sera…
[Her fingers clenched around the ribbon. The past—locked away, forgotten, stolen—rushed back, jagged and overwhelming.]
[She staggered back, chest heaving.]
[Nearby, Shirou caught his breath and looked over.]
Shirou: Reina?!
[Even Yggdrasil faltered—just barely. A subtle flicker in her stance. She recognized the ribbon.]
Reina: You… why do you have this?!
[She stepped forward, voice cracking with fury and pain.]
[Yggdrasil said nothing. But the silence itself was an answer. She was connected to Sera.]
Shirou: narrowing his eyes Reina… Who is Sera?
Reina: tears welling up My sister. My real sister. I thought she was gone forever. But this ribbon—she tied it in my hair before she disappeared. That means you're my—
[Yggdrasil finally spoke. Her voice was low, distant.]
Yggdrasil: Sera... That name no longer belongs to "her." She chose a different path.
Reina: What are you saying?! she shouted. It's obvious that you're—
[Yggdrasil stepped back, her cloak swirling.]
Yggdrasil: If you wish to know the truth… come find me beyond the threshold. In the ruins where it all began.
Shirou: You won't get away with Shizuka!
Yggdrasil: Then face me in the ruins. I'll settle things with your Captain as well. Seems luck spared your life again.
Shirou: Wait—!
[But with a gust of wind, she vanished.]
[Silence fell over the wrecked plaza. Reina stared down at the ribbon—her only proof that Sera was still alive.]
Shirou: gently Captain…
[She didn't respond. Instead, she lifted her eyes to the sky, blinking away the tears.]
Reina: She's alive. I can feel it. I have to find her.
[Shirou stepped beside her.]
Shirou: Then we'll find her. Together.
[Reina straightened, her mission returning to the forefront.]
Reina: For now… we have to retrieve Shizuka.
Shirou: Yeah, let's—
He suddenly froze.
Reina: Hm? What's wrong?
Shirou: She's not here anymore… Damn it! They took her again…
Reina: sighing You're one of their targets, after all. Let's alert the others and retreat for now.
Shirou: Okay.
[The wind carried with it the scent of ash… and faint cherry blossoms—a strange mix that signaled the beginning of a new chapter. One that would unravel the truth of Sera, the past Reina had forgotten… and Yggdrasil's true identity.]
[She clutched the ribbon tightly.]
[She would not lose her sister again.]
[So as Shirou loses Shizuka.]
[Meanwhile...]
[The fight against Behemoth raged on. Kei and the others struggled, testing every tactic they knew.]
Behemoth: No matter what you do, you are no match for me, policemen.
Ryou: Maybe not yet. But don't count us out.
We're the kind of law enforcers you can't underestimate. We carry justice with grit, determination, and heart!
Shin: And we'll find any way we can to bring you down.
Kei: I may not wear a badge, but I'll fight for those I love. No matter the risk.
Behemoth: Bold words. But in the end—reality crushes pride!
[The towering brute charged forward. The group scattered, launching a counterattack.]
Behemoth: grunting I'll admit—you're stronger than I expected. Strong enough to beat my wretched brother to a pulp.
Ryou: You mean Bigman?
Behemoth: I hated that bastard. But he was still a valuable asset to the mafia.
And for what you did to him… you'll all pay!
[He crashed forward again, swinging wildly. They narrowly avoided the onslaught.]
Ryou: That was too close!
Shin: If I hadn't yanked your collar, your bones would've been dust.
Ryou: Thanks for saving my sorry ass, Shin-chan.
Shin: Don't mention it. But… I hope the others are okay.
[The clash raged on — Behemoth's rage pounding against the combined efforts of Ryou, Shin, and Kei. The air trembled with heat and pressure.]
[Then—]
[A screech pierced the air.]
[Shirou and Reina arrived at the scene, stopping just as they spotted the ongoing battle.]
Shirou: There they are!
Reina: They're barely hanging on—!
[Suddenly, a wave of intense heat swept over the battlefield, followed by the sound of heavy, relaxed footsteps.]
[From the smoke emerged a figure — not with fury, but with a casual stretch and a yawn, fire crackling around him like it was just another day at work.]
Ifrit: grumbling Ugh... I just got out of a nap and you're still smashing things, Behemicchi?
[Everyone paused. Even Behemoth turned slightly, blinking.]
Behemoth: What the hell do you want, Ifrit?
Ifrit: What do I want? I want lunch, a massage, and a week off. But instead, here I am — cleaning up your mess again.
Behemoth: They're right in front of me! One more minute and I'd—
Ifrit: cutting in, waving his hand Yeah yeah, smash 'em, crush 'em, avenge your emotionally unavailable mafia family or whatever. But hey—Yggimicchi said retreat. We've got the girl, and my firepower's not included in overtime pay.
Behemoth: growling This isn't a joke!
Ifrit: You're right — it's a tragedy. Now move your oversized muscles before I turn this place into a barbecue pit.
[Behemoth let out a low growl but obeyed, fists clenched.]
Behemoth: You win this time. But next time... you're all ash.
[He leapt away with a thunderous stomp.]
[Ifrit turned lazily to Reina, casually picking something from his teeth.]
Ifrit: Captain. You might wanna bring marshmallows next time. Things are about to get toasty.
[He gave a wink, then with a snap of his fingers, disappeared in a puff of ember and smoke.]
[The air grew still again.]
Shirou: blinking ...Was he always like that?
Reina: That... wasn't in the reports.
Ryou: I kinda hate how cool he is.
Shin: No, he's definitely annoying.
Kei: He does make Behemoth look like a grumpy sidekick.
[Despite the chaos, the group managed a brief chuckle — but only briefly.]
Shirou: They've got Shizuka again. We can't waste time.
Reina: Right. We regroup, then head for the ruins. That's where everything is waiting.
[As they moved out, the scent of smoke lingered — not just from fire, but from the rising flames of fate itself.]
[The city had settled into an uneasy quiet by the time Shirou and Kei reached his apartment. The battle still lingered in their bodies — a dull ache in their muscles and an echo in their minds.]
[Shirou fumbled for his keys, weariness tugging at his limbs.]
Shirou: sighing I didn't think we'd come back like this.
Kei: At least we're still in one piece. Mostly.
[The door creaked open.]
[Inside, the lights were already on. The moment Shirou stepped inside, a figure rushed toward him.]
Ryokou: her voice tight Nii!
[Shirou barely had time to react as Ryokou flung her arms around him.]
Ryokou: You didn't come back last night! I saw the news—explosions, collapsed buildings—!
Shirou: softly, holding her close I'm sorry, Ryokou.
Things… got out of hand.
[She pulled back, her brows furrowed in frustration and worry.]
Ryokou: "Out of hand"?! You nearly died, didn't you?! Don't just say that like it's a spilled drink!
Kei: clears his throat awkwardly Uh… maybe I should wait outside—
Ryokou: snapping toward him No! You too! You're part of this madness, Kei! You drag my brother into the wildest messes and now there's fire forests and mafia muscle heads?! What even is your life!?
Kei: hands up Okay, okay! That's fair. But to be clear—your brother's the one who tackled a war machine with a pistol, not me.
[Shirou let out a soft chuckle, the tension easing slightly.]
Shirou: Ryokou… I'm okay. Really. I promise.
[Ryokou looked at him — really looked — and saw the fatigue in his eyes, the burn marks on his jacket, and the weight in his shoulders.]
Ryokou: quietly You've changed. You're not the same carefree Shirou who used to burn toast every morning.
Shirou: smiling faintly I still burn toast. Just… less often.
Ryokou: wiping her eyes Idiot.
[She turned, heading toward the kitchen.]
Ryokou: I made curry. You both better eat before I throw it out the window.
Kei: Ah, perfect! I'm hungry because of that fight.
[As they sat down at the table, the warmth of the room contrasted the chaos outside. But they knew it was only temporary — the eye of the storm.]
[Still, for now, it was home.]
[Steam rose from the bowls of curry on the table, the rich scent momentarily grounding them in the comfort of home. Shirou and Kei sat quietly, spooning food into their mouths with the silence that often follows long, exhausting battles.]
Ryokou: quietly, while setting down water glasses So… did you get her back?
[Shirou paused, his spoon halfway to his mouth.]
Shirou: softly …No.
[The clink of the spoon against the bowl broke the silence. Ryokou stood still, her eyes darkening with concern.]
Ryokou: She's still missing?
Kei: Not missing—taken. Again.
Ryokou: sits down across from them, eyes narrowed You mean those people who kidnapped her the first time?
Shirou: We don't know for sure. But… whoever they are, they're tied to that woman. Yggdrasil.
Kei: And Reina said there's a connection between Yggdrasil and her sister. It's all tangled up. Like someone planned this from the start.
Ryokou: looking between the two of them Then what are you going to do? Just chase them endlessly and hope Shizuka's safe?
Shirou: firmly I'm going to find her. No matter what it takes.
Ryokou: pauses, then exhales You always say that. But this time… it felt different. You looked ready to kill someone today. That's not the brother I know.
Shirou: his voice low I didn't know what that woman did to Shizuka. But when I find out… I won't hold back.
[There's a long pause.]
Ryokou: softly Just don't lose yourself in the process, Shirou. Don't become someone she wouldn't recognize when you finally see her again.
Kei: quietly …She has a point, man.
[Shirou doesn't respond right away. Then, he slowly nods.]
Shirou: I'll bring her home. And I'll stay the Shirou she believed in.
[Ryokou finally allows a small smile, reaching for her own spoon.]
Ryokou: Good. Now eat before it gets cold. And Kei?
Kei: mouth full Yeah?
Ryokou: You're doing the dishes.
Kei: coughs W-What?! Why me?!
Ryokou: Because you're not the one who just got slammed into a wall by a supervillain with a cloak. And also—because I said so.
Kei: groaning I swear I'm being bullied in this household…
Shirou: grinning faintly Welcome to the family.
[Meanwhile]
[The front door clicked shut behind her. Reina stepped inside her modest apartment, the silence of the place settling around her like a heavy blanket.]
[She removed her boots, walked slowly down the hallway, and entered her room. The soft creak of the door was followed by the dull thud of her jacket hitting the floor.]
[Reina sat at the edge of her bed, hands on her knees, staring blankly at the floor.]
[The ribbon still lay in her palm, now crumpled slightly from her tight grip during the walk home.]
[She set it gently on the nightstand, almost like a sacred relic.]
[Then she leaned back slowly until her head touched the pillow, eyes open, unfocused.]
[And the memories hit.]
[FLASHBACK]
Sera: giggling under a cherry tree, spring blossoms drifting past You'll look prettier with this.
[A gentle pair of hands tying the ribbon into her hair.]
Reina: laughing You always say that.
Sera: smiling And I'll keep saying it. You've got to look strong and beautiful, just like a real captain someday.
[FLASHBACK ENDS]
[Reina's eyes blinked quickly, her breath catching.]
Captain Reina: softly, to the ceiling I didn't forget you. I just… buried it. All of it.
[She covered her face with her hands, exhaling slowly, shakily.]
Captain Reina: But you're out there… You're alive.
[She turned her head to look at the ribbon again.]
Captain Reina: Yggdrasil… voice trembling slightly If that was you… what happened to you, Sera?
[The room stayed silent. Only the quiet ticking of a wall clock echoed through the dim space.]
[Reina reached out and picked the ribbon up again, holding it to her chest.]
Captain Reina: I won't lose you again. Not this time.
[She laid down fully, arm still curled around the ribbon, and closed her eyes—resting not because she was at peace, but because she needed the strength for what was coming.]