Back in the early days at Riot Force 6, a week into his lieutenant's rank, Kai felt like an outsider. While Fuji and Renjou, with their easy smiles and outgoing personalities, effortlessly forged friendships and found their place, Kai remained an enigma. His quiet demeanor and apparent lack of interest in socializing often led others to give him a wide berth. He was a loner, choosing solitude on the rooftop or by the expansive windows of the open lounge after his duties were done. It was in one such moment of quiet contemplation that he was approached by two figures he never expected: Hayate Yagami and Reinforce Zwei.
"What are you doing, Lieutenant Kai?" Reinforce Zwei's voice, usually so bright, was softened with curiosity.
Kai, startled from his reverie, snapped to attention. "Sergeant Major Reinforce. Commander Yagami, ma'am." He executed a crisp salute, his movements precise and automatic.
Hayate chuckled, a warm sound that seemed to chase away some of the chill in the air. "Don't be so formal, Lieutenant Kai. Where are Lieutenant Fuji and Lieutenant Renjou anyway? You three usually seem to be joined at the hip."
"Lieutenant Fuji is in the mess hall, Commander. Lieutenant Renjou is in the hangar with Vice and Alto, ma'am," Kai replied, his gaze unwavering.
"And what brings you up here, then?" Reinforce Zwei pressed gently.
Kai hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty in his usually stoic eyes. "I-uh… hmm." He searched for the right words, but found them elusive. How could he explain a preference for quiet contemplation when everyone else seemed to thrive on camaraderie?
Hayate, sensing his discomfort, offered a solution. "Would you mind if Reinforce and I had a friendly chat with you here, then?" Her smile was disarming, genuine.
"Yes, you can, Commander Yagami," Kai replied, his voice still a touch stiff.
"You should really call me Hayate, Lieutenant Kai. We're about the same age, aren't we?" Hayate suggested, her tone light and inviting.
"I cannot do that, Commander Yagami. My rank and Commander Yagami's rank are different," Kai stated, a rigid adherence to protocol deeply ingrained within him. He felt the weight of his rank, a barrier he couldn't easily dismantle.
Despite Kai's initial reservations, Hayate and Reinforce persisted, their friendly banter slowly chipping away at his defenses. Hayate, in particular, seemed drawn to him. She often found herself giving him a head pat or gently stroking his long hair, a gesture that reminded her fondly of both Reinforce Eins and Reinforce Zwei. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The barrier between them began to crumble, and a deep, unexpected relationship blossomed. This newfound connection broadened, eventually including Nanoha and Fate, who also found a way to bridge the gap and become friends with the enigmatic lieutenant. Their combined warmth and unwavering presence began to mend something within Kai, something he hadn't even realized was broken. He was slowly, painstakingly, learning what it meant to have friends, to be cared for. Then came the Saint Cradle Incident, and in a single, devastating moment, Kai lost everything he had just begun to embrace.
The morning sun, usually a welcome sight, felt intrusive as Kai awoke. His mind was a tempest of fragmented memories from his time at Riot Force 6, particularly those final, bittersweet months before the incident. Hayate's desire to speak with him, finally, after all this time, had stirred these dormant echoes.
"…what a dream…" Kai sighed, his hand raking through his hair before falling to his face in a mask of weariness. The weight of the past felt heavier than usual today.
Meanwhile, on Earth, Nanoha, Fate, Fuji, and Renjou materialized near Nanoha's childhood home, Cafe Midori, their warp a blur of shimmering light. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods immediately greeted them.
"Eh? Why are we here?" Renjou looked around, bewildered by the sudden change of scenery.
"This is my home, Renjou-kun. I wanted to pick up something before we visit Kai-kun," Nanoha explained, a soft smile touching her lips. The familiarity of the cafe brought a comforting sense of nostalgia.
"Are you serious?! This cafe is your home?!" Renjou exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. He hadn't expected the legendary White Devil to have such a quaint, civilian upbringing.
"Of course, Renjou. This is where Nanoha was born. And it's also where my friendship with Nanoha began, back when we were in elementary school. Her parents also run a dojo here," Fate added, a fond glimmer in her eyes as she remembered their shared childhood.
"Heeeee, I didn't expect that," Renjou mused, a new layer of understanding settling over his perception of Nanoha.
The four of them entered the bustling Cafe Midori, a chorus of warm greetings filling the air as Nanoha's mother, Momoko, her father, Shirou, and her elder sister, Miyuki, appeared from various corners of the cafe. Fuji and Renjou were taken aback by how youthful Nanoha's parents appeared. Her family's joy at seeing Nanoha again was palpable, enveloping them in a comforting embrace.
"Nanoha, who are these two gentlemen behind you?" Momoko inquired, her gaze kindly falling upon Fuji and Renjou.
"Ah, these are my friends from the Bureau, Mother. Fuji works with the Church, and Renjou is also a friend from the Bureau," Nanoha explained, gesturing towards them.
"I'm Yoshitaka Fuji. It's a pleasure to meet you," Fuji said with a polite bow, his tone respectful.
"I'm Hakone Renjou. Good afternoon," Renjou chimed in, a more casual greeting, yet still courteous.
"My mother is also friends with Nanoha's mother, so she knows everything," Fate clarified to the two bewildered men, anticipating their unspoken questions about the secrecy of their work.
"I see, so that's why she didn't hide it when we started working at TSAB. I never expected General Lindy to be friends with Nanoha's family," Renjou remarked, the pieces of the puzzle slowly fitting together in his mind.
"A lot has happened. It all started when she was just a normal girl, back when I first met her. Then I met Chrono, Lindy, and Amy. After my mother passed away, Lindy adopted me as her son," Fate recounted, a touch of melancholy in her voice as she briefly touched upon her past.
"Renjou, Fuji. Would you prefer coffee or tea?" Shirou offered, gesturing towards the cozy cafe seating.
"Either is fine, Takamachi-san," Fuji replied, a polite smile on his face.
"Here it is, Nanoha, the cake you ordered," Momoko said, presenting a beautifully decorated cake box.
"Thank you, Mother," Nanoha replied, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.
"Is everyone back again? Where are Subaru and Teana?" Miyuki asked, her gaze sweeping over the group, noting the absence of other familiar faces.
"No, we're just here to visit a friend," Nanoha shook her head gently.
"Visit a friend? Suzuka? Alisa?" Miyuki looked confused, rattling off names of Nanoha's childhood friends.
"A friend of Fuji and Renjou. And also our comrade in the Bureau," Nanoha clarified, her voice softening as she thought of Kai.
"I see. I hope he gets well soon," Momoko said, her concern evident.
"Yes, I also hope that too, Mother," Nanoha echoed, a hopeful smile gracing her lips, though a hint of worry lingered in her eyes.
After Nanoha had secured the cake for Kai, Fuji gently informed her that it might not be possible to bring Kai back to Midchilda immediately. He suggested that they might need to stay on Earth for a day or two, to allow Kai time to prepare, both physically and emotionally, for such a significant move. The thought weighed heavily on them all.
A taxi brought them to Kai's house, a quiet residential home nestled amidst a small garden. Nanoha, her heart pounding a little, rang the doorbell. After a moment, Kai's mother, a kind-faced woman with worry etched around her eyes, answered. Her surprise at seeing Kai's friends from Midchilda quickly turned to relief, especially when she confirmed that Kai was indeed in his room. They were ushered into the living room, a space filled with a comfortable silence.
Moments later, Kai appeared. The sight of him, without his usual visor, was stark. His face, partially obscured by burn scars, and the new, unfamiliar eyes that replaced his old ones, sent a jolt through Nanoha and Fate. His parents, sensing the need for privacy, quietly excused themselves, leaving Kai alone with his friends.
"It's been a while, Kai," Fuji said, his voice laced with an unspoken understanding. Kai merely nodded, a subtle acknowledgement.
"How are you feeling, Kai?" Nanoha asked, her voice gentle, filled with a mixture of concern and compassion.
"I don't know… something uneasy inside me," Kai admitted, his gaze unfocused as he sank into the sofa. His fingers twitched restlessly in his lap.
"Uneasy? Is it about Hayate?" Fate probed, her brow furrowed with worry. She knew the depth of the connection between them, and the pain the incident had caused.
"Yes… also, Fuji, Renjou. I just met Goro yesterday. I never expected that you told him we work at TSAB," Kai said, a hint of surprise in his voice. He hadn't anticipated their worlds colliding in such a way.
"Well… after you went into a coma after the incident, Goro called us to meet up. We came back to Earth and accidentally found a lost logia, so we had to bring him to Midchilda because our secret was revealed by him," Fuji explained, a sigh escaping his lips. It had been a chaotic, unforeseen chain of events.
"I also have friends on Earth, Kai, my school friends from elementary who kept my secret, and Fate-chan and Hayate-chan's friends too," Nanoha added, trying to reassure him that their civilian lives were not entirely separate from their duties.
"I see… That's the part I didn't know," Kai murmured, a new layer of complexity added to his already troubled thoughts.
"Kai, Hayate is ready to meet you. Are you prepared for this?" Fate asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern. The moment of truth was drawing near.
"...I don't know…. I'm not running away after the incident. I thought I was going back to Earth to make her calm… But…" Kai's words trailed off, a familiar wall of hesitation rising within him. He was battling an internal conflict, a fear of facing the emotional aftermath.
"What's wrong?" Renjou asked, sensing Kai's struggle.
Kai sighed, a heavy, world-weary sound. He began to recount the story of meeting Goro. He spoke of Rio, the school diva whose scandal had ruined his reputation, and her subsequent death. He described the school reunion, the unexpected encounter with Rio's friends—Isami, Megumi, and Shizuka—who sought his forgiveness for their part in the scandal that had shattered his emotional and human core. He revealed Goro's heartbreaking confession: Isami, his fiancé, had been diagnosed with womb cancer before their wedding. And in a moment of raw, empathetic power, Kai had forgiven Isami, using his unique spell, 'Physical Heal,' to cure her cancer.
His emotions, once a desolate wasteland, had stirred. He felt them now, raw and exposed, but it was already too late. His emotion and humanity, once shattered like a fragile glass, could not be truly pieced back together. A shattered glass, no matter how carefully mended, was nothing more than something to be discarded. The depth of this realization was a crushing blow.
"So… that's why you're feeling uneasy about facing Hayate," Renjou stated, the understanding dawning in his eyes.
"Yes… I don't know… Will she forgive me, or will she still want me? I just… I don't want her to worry about me…" Kai confessed, his voice barely a whisper, his gaze fixed on his trembling hands. The fear of causing Hayate further pain was paramount.
"Kai, come with me," Renjou said, his voice firm, his hand falling on Kai's shoulder, a gesture of unwavering support.
They moved outside, seeking the anonymity of an open field, far from the prying eyes of the house. It was a familiar place, a patch of green where Kai, Fuji, and Renjou had often relaxed during their high school days. Renjou walked ahead, his back to Kai, a silent challenge in his posture.
"Kai, you… you're about to cry, aren't you?" Renjou said, his voice low, deceptively calm.
"What do you—" Kai began, his protest cut short as Renjou suddenly whirled around and delivered a sharp punch to his left cheek. The unexpected blow sent a ripple of shock through everyone, especially Nanoha and Fate, who immediately moved to intervene. But Fuji, anticipating Renjou's intent, held them back. He knew, with a certainty born of long friendship, exactly what Renjou was trying to do. He watched as Renjou grabbed Kai by the collar, his eyes blazing with a mixture of pain and frustration, ready to unleash all his pent-up anger.
"What the hell was that for, Kai?!" Renjou's voice, usually so calm, was raw with barely suppressed fury. "You think you're the only one who suffered?! You think you're the only one whose life got flipped upside down?! We were there, Kai! We watched you, we waited for you! Do you have any idea what it was like, seeing you like that, not knowing if you'd ever come back to us?!" His grip tightened, shaking Kai slightly. "You talk about your humanity shattering, about being a broken glass that can't be fixed? You think that gives you the right to just… give up on us?! On her?!"
He's right, a small, almost forgotten voice whispered within Kai's mind, the hazy memory of Hayate's unexpected gentle touch, the fleeting warmth of her hand on his hair, flooding his senses, a stark contrast to the cold emptiness he had allowed to consume him. She tried to pull me back from the edge.
Renjou's voice cracked, but he pushed through the emotion, his eyes boring into Kai's. "Hayate… do you know how much she worried about you? How much she blamed herself? She almost broke down, Kai! She needs to see you, to know you're okay. And you're just going to sit there and wallow in self-pity, deciding you're too damaged to face her? That's not the Kai I know! That's not the lieutenant who always put others first! That's not the man who fought alongside us, who stood strong even when everything was falling apart!"
Renjou continued, his voice now thick with raw emotion, the memory of their shared trauma a palpable weight in the air. "You lost everything, Kai. Everything. You became Archibald Enzo, a shadow, a whisper in the darkness. But even then, you weren't truly gone. You were still you, buried deep beneath the layers of pain and grief, but you were still there."
Renjou finally released his grip on Kai's collar, stepping back, his gaze intense and piercing, demanding a response. "You honestly think Hayate wants to see you like this, Kai? A man who's given up? A man who's so consumed by fear that he can't even face her?"
Kai's hands trembled visibly, the phantom ache, the ghostly echo of his lost power, still a persistent, agonizing reminder of everything he had lost. "I… I don't know what to say, Renjou. I'm… I'm afraid." The admission was a raw, vulnerable crack in his carefully constructed facade of indifference.
"Afraid?" Renjou scoffed, a harsh, disbelieving sound that echoed in the quiet field. "You, Kai? The man who faced down the remnants of the Saint Cradle incident, alone and outnumbered? The man who stood defiant against impossible odds? You're afraid?"
A single tear tracked down Kai's cheek, a silent testament to the pain bubbling to the surface. Renjou saw it, and his expression hardened further. "Don't you dare, Kai. Don't you dare cry here, not now. You want to feel sorry for yourself? You want to believe you're a broken mess? Fine! But you're not allowed to shed a single tear until you've faced Hayate. Not until you're back in Midchilda, standing in front of her. She deserves to see you, to hear from you, to understand. And only then, only then, can you decide if you're truly broken. But I'm telling you now, Kai, you're not. You're just… lost. And we're here to help you find your way back. Now, stop being a coward, and let's go."
Kai staggered, the force of Renjou's punch snapping his head to the side. A fresh wave of pain blossomed on his cheek, but through the haze, something else registered. "…Renjou… hit me." His voice was a strained whisper, his hand clenching into a tight fist.
Renjou, his chest heaving, blinked. "Ha?" He hadn't expected that reaction.
"You're right," Kai said, his gaze sharpening, meeting Renjou's. The raw, desperate edge in his voice was gone, replaced by a steely resolve. "I should save my cry for Hayate. But I don't want to cry now, so hit me again." He didn't flinch, didn't back down. This wasn't about pain; it was about purging the suffocating weight of self-pity, about forcing himself back into a fight, any fight, to feel something other than despair.
A slow smile spread across Renjou's face, a glint of genuine understanding in his eyes. He knew Kai. This was his way of resetting, of burning away the doubt. "Welcome back, Kai!!" Renjou roared, and with renewed vigor, he swung again, a solid punch connecting with Kai's other cheek.
"I'm home, Renjou!!" Kai shouted back, the words a guttural release, and he launched his own fist, a surprisingly forceful punch landing squarely on Renjou's shoulder.
"How was your day?!" Renjou grinned, landing another blow to Kai's arm.
"It was totally shit!!" Kai retorted, a fierce, almost manic energy sparking in his eyes as he delivered another punch.
The two men, once cloaked in a heavy cloud of unspoken grief and tension, now exchanged blows, each punch a cathartic release. It wasn't a malicious fight, but a brutal, honest conversation conducted through fists and shouts. Nanoha, Fate, and Fuji watched, initially shocked, then with a growing sense of understanding. They saw the years of unspoken pain, the weight of Kai's isolation, being hammered out of him with every strike. The sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues, as the relentless exchange continued. Finally, exhausted and breathless, they collapsed onto the grass, their bodies aching but their spirits surprisingly lighter.
"...What the hell did we just do?" Kai mumbled, staring up at the darkening sky, a wry chuckle escaping him. The physical pain was a welcome anchor compared to the emotional turmoil that had consumed him.
"You didn't want to cry, remember? You told me to punch you, you idiot," Renjou gasped, rubbing his own bruised arm, a wide, triumphant grin stretching across his face.
"Hahah… I remember. I guess… I'm ready to face Yagami now," Kai said, pushing himself up, extending a hand to the sky as if grasping at the newfound resolve. The words, spoken with a strange blend of humor and determination, were like a beacon.
"Are you okay, Kai-kun?" Nanoha asked, rushing forward with Fate, concern etched on her face as she reached out a hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Nanoha. Renjou just… re-energized me," Kai said, pushing himself up, his eyes meeting hers, a flicker of his old self returning. Renjou, still winded, followed suit.
"I was surprised when Renjou hit you at first, but when Fuji stopped me and Nanoha, I finally understood the reason why," Fate admitted, a knowing look passing between her and Fuji. They had both seen the desperate need for release in Kai.
"Yeah, but I'm okay now. If Renjou hadn't done that, maybe I'd still be afraid to meet Yagami," Kai confessed, looking down at his hands, no longer trembling. "Right now, I just need one day for preparation before heading to Midchilda." He felt a sense of clarity he hadn't experienced in months.
"Well, how about we walk to Fuji's restaurant? He'll treat all of us," Renjou declared, his stomach rumbling, entirely unaffected by their recent brawl.
"Oi, hold up. I didn't say anything like that. And how can you still be thinking about eating after that fight, anyway?" Fuji retorted, shaking his head at Renjou's seemingly boundless appetite.
"What's wrong? Is it wrong to think about eating after a good fight? What?" Renjou asked, genuinely puzzled.
"You're weird, Renjou," Fuji said, a fond exasperation in his voice.
And so, the immediate emotional hurdle of Kai facing Hayate seemed to be finally cleared. Kai would take one more day to prepare, to gather his thoughts, to mentally brace himself for the inevitable reunion. His mother, ever practical, insisted on trimming his long, somewhat unkempt hair before he left. She wanted him to look presentable, more "tidy" than before.
The final day arrived at Kai's house, a day steeped in a mix of anticipation and farewell. Nanoha, Fate, Fuji, and Renjou waited in the living room, the air thick with quiet expectation.
"Ah, you all arrived at last. Kai, your friends are here!" Kai's mother called out, her voice a blend of excitement and a touch of melancholy.
Kai emerged, and a collective gasp rippled through the room. His long hair, a constant reminder of his secluded, grief-stricken period, was gone. In its place was a short, meticulously trimmed hairstyle, framing his face in a way that made him appear remarkably different. The gloom that had seemed to cling to him like a shadow had lifted, revealing a bright, almost youthful countenance.
"It's… it is weird?" Kai asked nervously, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks as he ran a hand over his newly shorn head, unaccustomed to the lighter feel. He felt exposed, but also, strangely, liberated.
"You look so much brighter, Kai-kun! Your new hairstyle isn't gloomy anymore," Nanoha exclaimed, her eyes wide with pleasant surprise.
"I-is that so?" Kai stammered, still slightly bewildered by their reactions.
"That's right, Kai, you look much brighter with this new hairstyle," Fate affirmed, a warm smile gracing her lips.
"That's correct. This hairstyle looks better on you," Fuji agreed, nodding his approval.
"You were like Sephiroth before, all brooding and dramatic. Now you look like a younger version of Sephiroth!" Renjou quipped, ever the joker, momentarily forgetting the solemnity of the occasion.
"Renjou, I'm not a one-winged angel, you know," Kai retorted, a faint smile playing on his lips. The easy banter was a welcome return to normalcy.
"Here you go, Kai," Nanoha said, pulling a sleek, padded box from a bag and handing it to him.
Kai opened the box, his breath catching. Inside lay a new helmet, a sleek design that was clearly an upgrade from his previous one. It incorporated new features, improved functionality, and a more streamlined aesthetic. The only truly detachable part was the mouth area, designed for specific functionality.
"New helmet, but it looks more cool than before," Fuji observed, impressed by the advanced design.
"So, Archibald Enzo is a more suitable character for me now," Kai mused, examining the helmet, a hint of his old, detached wit returning.
"You're wrong, Kai," Nanoha interjected gently. "She knows about the scar on your face and your berserk state, so Shari and Mary re-designed it to help control your berserk form."
"That's right, Kai. Your helmet is specifically designed to help control your berserk state. Hayate thought about this and had it reprogrammed herself," Fate added, emphasizing the personal touch behind the gift.
"...So Yagami thought about that too… I should thank her," Kai murmured, a flicker of emotion in his new eyes. The thought of Hayate's foresight, her care for him even in his absence, touched a deep chord. "Ah, what about my Device Raging Brando?"
"Your device is still under maintenance," Raising Heart chimed in, its voice a soft, reassuring hum.
"I see, so that's why she only sent me this helmet," Kai said, a clearer understanding settling over him.
Before they could depart, the doorbell rang again. It was Goro, his face alight with gratitude. He truly was thankful for Kai's intervention, for curing Isami's cancer. A small, heartfelt reunion unfolded between Goro, Fuji, Renjou, and Kai, a quiet acknowledgment of their shared past and the bonds that transcended their extraordinary lives. Fuji promised Goro they would return for his wedding invitation, a gesture that brought a genuine smile to Goro's face. He wished Kai good luck, then bid them farewell.
The group moved to the backyard, the designated teleportation point. As they gathered, Kai's father stepped forward.
"Kai, hold on a minute," he said, his voice softer than usual.
"What's wrong, Dad?" Kai asked, a sense of foreboding settling over him.
"Here's the key to our house in Midchilda," his father said, pressing a key into Kai's palm. "There's an address engraved on it."
"Also, I want you to wear this, Kai, before heading to Midchilda. It's from your Grandma," his mother said, opening a small, intricately carved wooden box. Inside lay a beautiful medallion necklace, its surface worn smooth with time. "For safety and protection, when you're there." The simple gestures, steeped in familial love and tradition, were a powerful anchor.
"Thank you, Mom, Dad," Kai said, his voice thick with emotion.
"Take care, Kai," his mother said, her hand resting gently on his shoulder, a silent blessing.
"Oh, are you about to leave, Kai?" His sister appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.
"Yes, what's wrong?" Kai asked, bracing himself for one of her usual unpredictable comments.
Instead of addressing him, his sister walked directly to Nanoha and Fate, circling them slowly, her eyes meticulously observing their build, height, size, face, and overall shape. Her gaze was intense, analytical, and utterly bewildering to the two mages. Finally, she stopped, a triumphant glint in her eyes.
"So, between these two… who is your sister-in-law?" Kai's sister asked, a smirk playing on her lips.
"HEY!" Kai exclaimed, a flush rising on his face, mortified by his sister's completely inappropriate question.
The teleportation sequence began, the air shimmering around them. Kai managed a final, exasperated farewell to his family before stepping into the shimmering portal. He donned his new helmet, its cool weight a comforting presence as the teleportation activated, whisking them away from Earth.
They landed in Midchilda as evening settled, the familiar cityscape a welcome sight. The hum of the city, the scent of the advanced technology, it all felt like home.
"I have been waiting for you all, especially you, Specialist Captain Izumi Kai," Lindy Harlaown's calm, authoritative voice greeted them. She stood by the teleportation pad, her hands clasped in front of her.
"Ge-General!!" Fuji and Renjou snapped to attention, saluting instantly, surprised by her presence.
"Mother, are you waiting for us?" Fate asked, her voice soft with affection.
"Of course, Fate. Hayate and everyone else have left for the evening. I wanted to meet you all before you speak face to face with Hayate tomorrow, Kai," Lindy explained, her gaze settling on Kai with an intensity that promised a serious conversation.
"I understand, General," Kai said, reaching up to remove his new helmet, revealing his still-healing face and new eyes.
"Tell her everything, Kai. She must know everything," Lindy urged, her hand briefly touching his shoulder, a rare gesture of personal encouragement from the usually composed general.
"I understand, General Lindy," Kai affirmed, the weight of her words settling on him.
"Also, I forbid you to reveal your face from now on, during duty," Lindy added, her tone shifting to a more formal, directive one.
"Um… why?" Kai asked, genuinely confused. He had just revealed it.
"The masked person looks good on you. It would be a problem if other members started wanting to wear masks like you. The specialist rank is for you only, Kai, and only you are permitted to wear a mask while on duty," Lindy explained, tapping his shoulder with a final, decisive gesture. It was a clear statement of his unique, perhaps even burdensome, position within the Bureau.
"Aaaah, so that's the reason," Kai said nervously, a sense of relief mixed with a touch of irony. He was, once again, to be a figure shrouded in mystery.
The next day dawned, the day of Kai and Hayate's confrontation. Before Kai could even leave his dorm room, Shario and Mariel arrived at his door, their expressions serious. They had come to explain the intricate new features of his helmet.
"The new helmet has significant improvements for your berserk state, Captain," Shario began, her fingers tracing the subtle lines of the headpiece. "It's designed to prevent you from losing control when using 'Dark Empowerment.' It will automatically transition into an 'open-face mode' to manage the berserk state."
"Specifically," Mariel continued, her voice precise, "the mouth area will retract to reveal a beast-like set of teeth, and your right eye, the one on your scarred side, will temporarily change form. This visual manifestation helps to channel and contain the overwhelming surge of power, allowing for better control."
After absorbing the information and securing the helmet, Kai made his way to the HQ building. Whispers followed him, and heads turned. The return of "Arc," with his newly designed helmet, was a clear signal that he was back on duty. He arrived at the Investigation Room, his old post, now occupied by Signum, who had taken over during his absence.
"You're back, Arc. How's your body?" Signum asked, her voice calm and direct, a familiar anchor in the shifting landscape of his return.
"I'm fine, thank you, Captain Signum," Kai replied, slipping back into the detached, professional persona of Arc.
"[Have you met Hayate?]" Signum telepathed, her thoughts a private query.
"[No, I don't see her,]" Kai telepathed back, his gaze scanning the room.
"[Want me to tell Hayate that you're here?]" Signum offered, a hint of concern in her telepathic tone.
"[No need. I bet Nanoha will tell Hayate that I'm here,]" Kai replied, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing on his lips under the helmet. He knew Nanoha's protective nature.
"[Since you are here, you should tell everything to her, Kai,]" Signum urged, her telepathy carrying the weight of her conviction.
"[I know. Everyone has said that too, Captain Signum,]" Kai responded, a subtle sigh escaping him. The pressure was immense, but necessary.
As Kai settled back into his duties, the familiar routine a welcome distraction, the Bureau members continued to refer to him as Arc, following Lindy's order to keep his true identity and scarred face concealed during work hours. Just as Kai had predicted, Nanoha and Fate wasted no time in contacting Hayate at her office, informing her of his return. Hayate, her heart a tangled knot of anticipation and apprehension, prepared herself to hear all of Kai's reasons, all of his pain.
"Hayate, is Kai-kun really back?" Reinforce Zwei asked, her voice a soft murmur of excitement and relief.
"Yes, Rein. Nanoha told me he was scared at first, back in Midchilda. But inviting Fuji and Renjou… that was the right choice," Hayate said, a soft smile touching her lips as she thought of the unwavering support of Kai's friends.
As Kai made his way through the bustling corridors towards the intelligence division, he saw her. Hayate. She was standing just ahead, seemingly engrossed in a conversation with a colleague. He didn't stop his walk, didn't outwardly acknowledge her, but as he passed, he sent a private telepathic message, a silent prelude to their long-awaited conversation.
"[Meet me at the interrogation room when everyone has left. That room is soundproof,]" Kai telepathed to Hayate, his voice a low hum within her mind, before he continued his walk, leaving her to process the sudden, profound message.
*****
Finally, as evening settled and the last of the Bureau personnel had departed, Kai found himself alone in the interrogation room. The sterile silence of the space, usually reserved for intense questioning, now amplified the frantic beating of his own heart. He sat, hands resting on his knees, his gaze fixed on the door, waiting for Hayate's arrival. Every tick of the clock felt like an eternity.
The door finally opened, and Hayate stepped in. Her usual vibrant energy was muted, replaced by a profound weariness that seemed to weigh down her shoulders. Her face was drawn, her eyes downcast, a deep sulk clouding her features. She walked slowly, deliberately, to the chair opposite Kai, sinking into it without meeting his gaze. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, punctuated only by the soft hum of the ventilation system.
Behind the one-way mirror, a silent tableau of observers watched with bated breath. Nanoha, Fate, and the entire former Riot Force 6—Subaru, Teana, Signum, Fuji, Renjou, and even Reinforce Zwei—were gathered, their faces etched with a mixture of tension and anticipation. General Lindy stood among them, her expression unreadable, yet her focus entirely on the two figures in the room. The air in their observation room was so taut it felt as if a single breath could shatter it.
Inside, Kai, hidden behind the impassive mask of his new helmet, silently analyzed Hayate's mood. His enhanced senses, a byproduct of his transformed state, picked up on the subtle shifts in her aura, the almost palpable cloud of distress that enveloped her. Her mood and condition were, as he internally noted, "all total cloudy."
"How is your feeling?" Hayate finally asked, her voice barely a whisper, a stark contrast to her usual cheerful tone. She still didn't look at him.
"I'm fine, Commander Yagami," Kai replied, his voice calm, steady, betraying none of the turmoil within him. "Are you ready to listen to everything?"
Hayate finally lifted her head, her eyes, though still shadowed, locking onto his helmet. "Yes… please, tell me. Why did you become Archibald Enzo and lie about everything?" The question was a plea, a desperate need for understanding.
"Yes." Kai took a deep, steadying breath. "When I wear this helmet, everyone knows me as Archibald Enzo, or people call me Arc. A Midchilda mage with a scar behind the mask. I have a reason for this. After Shamal told me about the imposter who attacked Midchilda while I was in a coma, the one who had already stolen my identity as a scapegoat after the JS Incident, I knew I couldn't return as myself." He paused, allowing the gravity of that revelation to sink in.
"When I woke from a month-long coma, my vision was completely negative, no cornea, and it was all white. Soul Edge's effect had burned my face and inverted my vision. I was the one who needed Shario and Mariel's help for a mask, for my vision, and they also gave me a new intelligence device. Captain Takamachi found out when I was testing the new helmet, and I told everything to her. She agreed to help me become a different person as Archibald Enzo, along with Enforcer Fate and Admiral Chrono, who helped me with a false report that I was transferred to a hospital for intense medication. And I, as Archibald Enzo, was supposedly from the Sailing Force, working under Admiral Chrono. I was also surprised that General Lindy helped me too, right from the start, after I came out of the coma. I tried so hard not to reveal my secret, that I was Kai from Riot Force 6, when I was disguised as Arc, but I finally got busted." Kai concluded, his voice a steady monotone, recounting the elaborate deception.
"When you were abducted, your imposter revealed his real face: Regan Rivian, who pretended to be you. The one who stole your Device Soul Edge in Saint Cradle," Hayate stated, her voice still quiet, but with a new edge of pain.
"Correct. I went berserk when Regan tried to shoot you before everyone saved you. I know that was reckless, and I had no choice but to do it. To save you," Kai affirmed, his voice dropping slightly, a hint of the raw emotion he had suppressed.
"...Kai... can you please show your face to me now?..." Hayate finally spoke, her voice barely audible, a fragile plea.
"...Yes..." Kai said, his voice heavy with the weight of the moment.
Slowly, deliberately, Kai rose from his chair. Hayate mirrored his movement, rising as well, and Kai backed her gently towards a table in the corner of the room. He took a deep, shuddering inhale, then slowly exhaled, gathering his courage. His hand moved to his helmet, a deliberate, almost ritualistic motion. With a soft click, he unlatched it and carefully placed it on the table. He then turned, slowly, revealing his face to Hayate. The burned, scarred skin on the right side, a stark testament to his ordeal, was now fully visible. His once long, platinum blond hair, a signature of his past self, was now short and neatly trimmed, a new, cleaner silhouette.
"Your hair…" Hayate whispered, her eyes widening slightly, a flicker of surprise cutting through her gloom.
"...Yes… my mother trimmed and cut my hair before I headed back to Midchilda. This is the reason… the reason I hid from you and became Archibald Enzo. The scar on my face remains, and my vision is finally back after the previous mission," Kai explained, his voice softer now, more vulnerable.
"Your cornea color… is now red," Hayate observed, her gaze fixed on his eyes, a stark contrast to their previous blue.
"Yes, it was previously blue. The reason I did this… to become Archibald Enzo… I didn't want to give you a burden. Also… I…" Kai's voice faltered, his hands clenching into fists. He looked away for a moment, wrestling with the words, with the raw, exposed truth. Then, with a sudden, desperate surge of emotion, he let it out, his voice cracking with the force of it: "I don't want to lose Commander Yagami's smile and kindness!!"
Behind the mirror, a collective gasp rippled through the observers. The raw honesty of Kai's confession, the true, agonizing reason behind his elaborate deception, struck them all to their core. His scar, his vision, the entire facade of Arc—all of it stemmed from his profound fear of losing Hayate's inherent goodness, her warmth that had once pulled him from the depths of his isolation.
"Commander Hayate's… smile…" Teana whispered, her eyes wide with shock, the revelation hitting her hard.
"...and… kindness?…" Subaru echoed, equally stunned, the pieces of Kai's complex personality finally falling into place.
"I remember," Reinforce Zwei murmured, a wistful note in her voice. "That was the time at Riot Force 6 when Hayate-chan tried so hard to be close to him because of his lone personality. He was less popular than Fuji-kun and Renjou-kun." The memory of Hayate's unwavering efforts to reach Kai, to draw him out of his shell, now made perfect, heartbreaking sense.
Back in the interrogation room, a profound silence descended after Kai's emotional outburst. Hayate remained motionless, her face still shadowed, her silence a heavy weight in the room. Kai, his heart pounding, began to speak again, his voice filled with a desperate urgency.
"...You… you were the one who tried to be close to me when I was at Riot Force 6. You're a kind-hearted, cheerful, and gentle person… a person who tried to be close to someone like me. A Commander who was friendly with others, even a dull, lifeless person like me. You are the one who changed me and broke my curse. You were like a savior to me. That's why I needed a new disguise as Archibald Enzo. I couldn't show my face before until my vision and face were back." Kai paused, the memories flooding him, the pain of his past intertwining with the fragile hope of his present. He continued, his voice thick with emotion, "After the previous mission to rescue Commander Yagami, my vision returned, but my scar remained. Captain Takamachi made me realize that I had a promise to face you. I was afraid, I'm afraid that…" Kai stopped, clenching his fist so hard that his knuckles turned white, a faint drip of blood appearing from where his nails dug into his palm. The memory of his past, the scandal that had cursed him, the loneliness that had defined him before Hayate, flashed before his eyes. "I'm afraid that the curse will haunt me again. I'm afraid you will hate me. I'm afraid you won't see me again like before in Riot Force 6. I'm afraid that my life will turn back into a disaster. I know the risk of becoming Archibald Enzo… But I'm also afraid… When Shamal told me that Commander Yagami was shocked to see me heavily injured, I felt guilty… I felt hurt… Your smile, your kindness… It cheers me, and it's the reason why I decided to keep living until now…." Kai took a ragged breath, trying to regain control, but the dam had broken. "I-I deeply apologize for hurting your feelings, Commander Yagami!!" He bowed deeply, his head almost touching his knees, a profound act of contrition.
Behind the mirror, the observers were left stunned once more. Kai had laid bare his soul, his deepest fears, and the true, agonizing reasons behind his actions. They understood now why he had become Archibald Enzo, why he had allowed the false reports of his hospitalization and abduction to circulate. He was afraid. Afraid she would hate him, afraid she would abandon him, afraid they would become enemies, afraid they wouldn't be close like before. Most terrifyingly, he was afraid that Hayate's smile, her kindness, and her gentle spirit would be gone forever because of him.
"...Kai… rise your head…" Hayate's voice was barely a whisper, a fragile command that cut through the silence.
Slowly, with a profound sense of dread, Kai straightened, his fear still clinging to him like a shroud. He lifted his gaze to meet Hayate's. Her face was still shadowed, her expression unreadable, and he braced himself for the anger he felt he deserved, for the confirmation that he had indeed hurt her beyond repair. But then, with a sudden, sharp movement, her hand shot out.
SMACK!
The sound echoed in the silent room, sharp and stinging. It was a hard slap across Kai's left cheek.
"Hayate!" Fate exclaimed, her voice filled with shock.
"Hayate-chan!" Nanoha cried out, equally surprised.
Kai froze, his mind reeling. The sting on his cheek was immediate, a burning sensation that spread through his skin. His hand instinctively flew to the mark, his fingers trembling. He was paralyzed, his eyes wide with a mixture of shock and terror. He couldn't look at her, couldn't process what had just happened. He was lost for words, afraid, utterly stoned by the unexpected force of her reaction.
"YOU IDIOT!!" Hayate screamed, her voice raw, filled with a potent mixture of anger, pain, and something else, something akin to desperate anguish. It wasn't just anger; it was the sound of a heart that had been stretched to its breaking point.
"...You idiot," she whispered. Her voice trembled, not with anger now, but with something far more fragile. "You absolute... idiot." The silence was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade, until she could hold it back no longer.
"You think this is just about lying, Kai?" Her voice cracked, her words laced with sorrow. "You think I'm angry because you hid your scar, your face, your pain?" Her boots clicked against the tile floor as she stepped forward.
"You... you changed because of us. Because of me and Reinforce. I remember those first days on the rooftop. You were always alone. You thought you were just... a shadow among the brightness of Fuji and Renjou. But I saw you. Reinforce saw you." Her fists trembled at her sides, voice lowering.
"You reminded us of her. Reinforce Eins. The same silence. The same sadness in your eyes. You even looked like her, with your long, platinum blonde hair and the way you always stood apart." She bit her lip, her next words coming softer, heavier.
"But we talked to you. Again and again. You started opening up. You smiled more. You even joked, even if it was dry. You began eating lunch with us. You trained with Nanoha and Fate. You became part of our little family."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears now. "And then... that day came." Her voice dropped, hoarse and haunted.
"The Saint Cradle. The JS Incident. I remember the sound of explosions. The chaos. The blood. Your blood, Kai. You collapsed in front of me—broken, burned, bleeding—and I... I couldn't do anything. Just scream. Just watch as you were torn apart."
She exhaled sharply. "And then, you disappeared. Riot Force 6 was disbanded. No Forward Phantom at the final party. No Fuji. No Renjou. Just a hole where you used to be."
Hayate looked away, as if trying to steady herself before continuing. "They said you were in a hospital. They said you were too injured. But then came the reports—an imposter appearing. Two days later. Attacking places with your face. Your voice. Your magic."
She looked back at him, her eyes fierce. "And then… Archibald Enzo appeared. They said he was a temporary replacement from Chrono's unit. But I knew. I knew in my heart—he moved like you. Spoke like you. Fought like you. And when he saved me from Regan Rivian… when he lost control… I saw something else."
Her voice cracked. "I saw your rage. Your power. Your berserk and... terrifying. I saw you kill to protect me, even though you were breaking inside. You didn't even speak to me after. You just… sat alone in that helicopter, distant again. I wanted to talk to you. To hold your hand. But you just said..."
Her voice dropped to a whisper, quoting: "'Commander Yagami, take a few days off... I'll do the same. And then you left. Again."
"How could you be so stupid, Kai?! How could you ever think that?!" Hayate voice trembled, hot tears finally blurring her vision as they streamed down on her face. "Did you really believe I would hate you because of a scar?! Because of what that Regan did to you?! Because you needed help?!"
Hayate voice rose, filled with a desperate anguish. "I worried myself sick! Every single day! I thought you were suffering alone in some hospital, and you were out there, fighting, risking your life, while I was left here, wondering if you would ever come back! Don't you understand how much that hurt?!"
Hayate stepped closer, her hands reaching out, not to strike again, but to grasp his shoulders, Kai fingers digging into his uniform. "You said I was your savior, that I broke your curse! And then you turn around and do this, you disappear, you lie, you let me believe you were… you were gone, or worse! Do you know how much that shattered my heart?!"
The tears flowed freely now, hot and unstoppable. "Your smile, your kindness… you wanted to keep it? You think this… this secrecy… keeps it intact?! It doesn't, Kai! It broke it! It broke me! All I ever wanted was for you to be safe, to be happy, to be here! As yourself! Not as some stranger in a mask!"
Hayate squeezed Kai shoulders, shaking him slightly, her own body trembling with the force of Hayate grief and frustration. "You are not a burden, Kai! Never! You are important! You are cherished! And you, you big idiot, you almost destroyed everything by trying to protect me from something that… that only made me worry more!" Hayate voice dissolved into ragged sobs, her head falling forward, resting against his chest. "I just… I just wanted you back… My Kai…"
Kai heart, which Ihe thought had become a hardened, unfeeling stone, twisted painfully in his chest. He made her cry. The realization hit him with the force of a physical blow, far more devastating than any punch Renjou had landed. This wasn't just a commander scolding a subordinate; this was Hayate, the person who had pulled him from the abyss, the one whose smile had been my reason to keep going, utterly broken because of him.
"Hayate..."
The name escaped from Kai lips before Kai could even think, a choked whisper, foreign and yet so intensely right. It wasn't "Commander Yagami." It wasn't the formal title he had always used, the barrier he had meticulously maintained. It was just Hayate. Her name, spoken with the desperate tenderness of a man who had just realized the true cost of his foolishness.
Her name, spoken with the desperate tenderness of a man who had just realized the true cost of his foolishness. Kai couldn't bear to see Hayate like this, Hayate beautiful face marred by her tears, her strong shoulders shaking. All thought of his own fear, his own insecurities, vanished. All Kai wanted was to make it stop. To take away her pain.
Without another conscious thought, Kai body moved. he lurched forward, closing the distance between us in a single, desperate stride. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her against him in a fierce, almost bruising embrace. Kai held her tight, as if he could absorb her sorrow into his own being, as if he could somehow mend the broken pieces of her heart that Kai had so carelessly shattered.
The name left his lips like a prayer. His voice cracked. "I… I wanted to protect you from this…" His fists clenched as he dropped his gaze, as if unable to meet her face any longer.
"Back on Earth, before everything—before Riot Force 6—do you know what I was?" He exhaled, shaky."A curse. A walking scandal."
His voice trembled harder now, shame creeping into every syllable. "I was nothing more than the boy from the Kai Scandal. A false accusation. A trap laid by a school diva—*Rio*—who knew how to play the world like a piano. My name… my parents' names… they were smeared in mud."
He glanced up, red eyes glistening. "Fuji and Renjou tried to defend me. My parents, too. But the media… the school… they only saw what they wanted. They saw Rio. Pretty. Popular. Powerful. And they saw me: awkward, quiet, strange. Disposable."
His voice broke completely. "I was never meant to shine." He took a single step toward her, barely able to stand tall.
"Then I met you. And Reinforce. You two… you never treated me like a ghost. You sat next to me. You talked to me. You touched my hair. You called me by name like I mattered. You shattered everything I believed about myself."
"You made me believe I could be more than a rumor. That I could belong." He paused, trembling. "But then came Saint Cradle. The explosion. The fire. The Soul Edge..." He touched his scar, his fingers trembling.
"It blinded me. It burned my face. Shamal told me I might never see again. Mariel and Shario rushed to save what was left of my vision. Nanoha, Fate, and Chrono… they did everything to keep me hidden. And General Lindy... she saved me when my identity nearly broke through the cracks."
Kai turned away from her for a moment, swallowing hard.
"I became Archibald Enzo not to deceive you. I did it because I was afraid. Afraid you'd see this face and pity me. Afraid I'd lose your respect. Afraid of that exact moment on the helicopter."
His fists clenched again. "That day… after saving you from Regan… I sat alone because I was unraveling. My helmet was cracked. My scar visible. I knew the truth was slipping through my fingers, and before I could find the words, Glaza exposed everything."
He let out a bitter laugh—dry, hollow. "I couldn't even sit beside you. I was paralyzed, Hayate. Not from injury. From fear."
Then he turned back, eyes wet, chest rising and falling like a storm inside him."But even then… I watched you. I saw your smile, every time you passed by in the hall. I clung to those rooftop memories like lifelines."
He took another step forward, closer now. "I didn't want to hurt you. So I gave up everything. My name. My pride. Even my place beside you. I thought that was enough to keep you from the burden that is... me."
"But I was wrong." Tears fell freely now. He didn't wipe them away. "You cried for me today. You fought for me. And I... I don't deserve it, Hayate."
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry for disappearing. For hiding. For lying. For not trusting you to carry my pain. I was wrong... I was so wrong."
He looked up at her one last time—eyes filled with shame, grief, and overwhelming love.
"I missed you." A sob escaped him. "I missed your voice. I missed the warmth of your presence. I missed...home."
Hayate hands moved to the back of his head, cradling her as Kai buried his face in her hair, inhaling the faint, familiar scent of her. Kai own body began to tremble, a raw, uncontrollable shaking that mirrored hers.
"I'm so sorry, Hayate," Kai choked out, my voice thick with unshed tears, ragged with the depth of his guilt. Each word was a desperate plea for forgiveness. "I'm so, so sorry. I never meant to make you worry like this. I never wanted to cause you this much pain."
Kai voice cracked, the confession tearing from his throat. "I was so stupid... so incredibly foolish. I thought… I thought I was protecting you, that I was saving you from a burden. But I just… I just hurt you more."
Hayate sobs, muffled against Kai chest, intensified, and Kai held her tighter, wishing he could turn back time, wishing he could undo every single lie, every moment of fear he had caused her. The weight of his actions, the sheer magnitude of her worry, pressed down on him.
"I was so scared, Hayate," Kai confessed again, his voice barely a whisper now, raw and vulnerable. "Scared of losing you, scared of the curse haunting me again, scared of being a burden. I… I couldn't imagine facing you, facing everyone, with this… this burn, this weakness. I thought you would… hate me. Abandon me."
Kai grip tightened, a desperate, silent plea for Hayate to stay, to not let go. "But seeing you… seeing you cry like this because of me… it's worse. It's so much worse than anything I imagined. I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry, Hayate."
Kai pulled back slightly, just enough to gently cup her face with one hand, his thumb brushing away a fresh tear. Kai red eyes, still brimming with his own unshed tears, desperately searched hers. "I'm so sorry I made you cry, Hayate. Please… please forgive me."
In that moment, stripped bare of Kai mask, his pride, his foolish fears, He was just Kai. A broken man, holding the woman he had inadvertently hurt the most, begging for the forgiveness he barely dared to hope for. The raw honesty of his plea, the desperate love in his eyes, was all he had left to offer.
Then, a miracle. A soft, almost imperceptible curve touched the corners of his lips. A small, fragile smile. It was tentative, vulnerable, but it was there, a beacon of hope in the aftermath of our emotional tempest. My breath hitched in my throat. This wasn't the detached Arc, nor the haunted Kai. This was him, truly him, finally allowing himself to be seen.
And then he whispered it again, the name that had been a forbidden fruit on his tongue for so long, the name that signified a closeness I had desperately yearned for. "Hayate."
Hayate own tears, which had momentarily paused, began to flow anew, but these were different. These were tears of profound relief, of overwhelming tenderness. Her chest ached, but it was a sweet ache, a release of all the worry and sorrow she had carried. Kai had said it. He had finally called Hayate by her first name. It was a small word, but it held the weight of years, of unspoken affection, of a bond finally acknowledged without the rigid walls of rank or painful secrets. It was a promise in itself.
A soft, watery laugh escaped Hayate, even as more tears streamed down her face. "Kai," she whispered back, the sound barely audible, filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and a love that had been quietly deepening through all the trials. The sheer relief that he was truly here, truly himself, and that he finally felt safe enough to call Hayate by her name, was almost too much to bear.
Kai held her close, his embrace firm and unwavering, a solid anchor in the storm they had just weathered. Hayate could feel Kai own body trembling, the raw honesty of his fear and regret still clinging to him. His cheek rested against her hair, and his voice, though still thick with emotion, resonated with a new, fierce clarity as he spoke his vow.
For a long moment, time forgot to move. Hayate's breath caught in her throat as she felt the weight of Kai's arms around her, warm and trembling. His body shuddered with the quiet sobs of someone who had finally laid down a burden he thought he would carry alone forever. Her own tears had yet to stop. But then she heard it, a whisper, so soft it might've been a dream. "Hayate…"
She stiffened, then slowly pulled back to look at him. His red eyes met hers—uncertain, vulnerable, but honest.
"I'm home, Hayate," he said again, firmer this time, his voice barely more than a breath. "I… finally came back to you."
And with those words… her heart cracked wide open. She wasn't "Commander Yagami" in that moment. She wasn't the leader of TSAB, or the one who had held herself together through every storm. She was just "Hayate".
Just Hayate, who once sat on a rooftop with a boy too quiet to speak, brushing his platinum blonde hair beneath the sunset.
"You called me… my name…" she whispered, disbelief blooming into something too big to contain.
Kai nodded, his fingers reaching up slowly—hesitantly—and brushed away the tears from her cheeks with the gentlest touch.
"I'm sorry it took me this long," he murmured. "But I wanted to say it... not as Archibald, not as a soldier… just as me."
Hayate tried to smile, the corners of her lips trembling with the effort. But the moment shattered her resolve. A new wave of tears spilled from her eyes, more powerful than before.
"Kai… you idiot…" She broke. "You really came back…"
And she threw her arms around him, pulling him close, burying her face in his shoulder as she wept—not from sorrow, but from the overwhelming relief of having him back.
"You finally said my name… after all this time…" Her voice cracked, but she didn't let go. She couldn't.
"I promise you, Hayate. I swear, I will never, ever make you cry like this again. I will never hurt you again, not like this." His words were not a hollow apology, but a solemn oath, etched into the very air between us. "I will protect you, Hayate. From Adamatron, from the Imposter, from anything that tries to harm you. And I won't hide from you again. I won't lie to you. I'll be here, truly here, for you."
Kai promise settled over Hayate like a warm blanket, chasing away the last vestiges of her cold fear. It was everything she had unknowingly longed to hear. To know that he valued her well-being, Hayate happiness, above Kai own pride or fear, was a revelation that brought a fresh wave of tears to her eyes. Hayate clung to Kai, her own hands gripping his uniform tightly, burying her face against his chest, allowing Hayate to finally, truly, break down in the safety of Kai arms. The sobs that wracked her body were no longer of anger or pain, but of profound, overwhelming relief and a love that had quietly deepened through all the trials.
He held her tighter. There were no more walls, no more masks, no more secrets between them. Just the raw, unfiltered truth of two people who had spent too long walking apart—finally finding their way home.
Behind the one-way mirror, the observation room was silent, save for the soft sniffles and hushed breaths. Every single person watched, captivated by the raw, intimate scene unfolding before them.
Nanoha openly wept, her face buried in Fate's shoulder, who herself had tears streaming down her cheeks. "He called her Hayate..." Nanoha whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "He really did it."
Fuji, usually so composed, had his head bowed, his shoulders shaking slightly. Renjou, wiping furiously at his eyes, let out a shaky laugh. "That idiot... took him long enough," he muttered, but his voice was thick with emotion.
Subaru and Teana, their faces streaked with tears, exchanged a look of profound understanding. "He really does care about her," Subaru whispered, her voice full of awe. Signum, her arms still crossed, had a single tear tracing a path down her cheek, a rare display of emotion. Reinforce Zwei, her hands clasped, simply smiled, a knowing, gentle expression on her face.
General Lindy Harlaown, however, stood apart. Her gaze was fixed on Kai and Hayate, her posture regal, but her eyes, usually so sharp and analytical, were soft, glistening with unshed tears. A proud, maternal smile graced her lips. She had seen so many young mages grow, so many bonds form within the Bureau. But this… this was different. This was the raw, messy, beautiful blossoming of something truly profound.
Hayate had seen Kai, the lonely boy, struggle to find his place. She had seen his pain, his fear, his desperate attempt to protect those he cared for, even if it meant sacrificing his own truth. And now, Hayate saw him, finally stripped bare of his facades, making a heartfelt promise to the woman who had seen past his walls. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated emotional triumph. As a commander, she saw a loyal, dedicated officer. But as a woman, as someone who had watched him from afar, Hayate felt a swell of pride that was purely, instinctively maternal. Kai was finally allowing himself to be truly human, truly vulnerable, and truly loved. And in that vulnerability, he found a strength far greater than any magic or weapon.
The room remained steeped in the quiet aftermath of their shared emotional release, a testament to the power of truth, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bonds forged in the crucible of shared pain.
*****
The crisp, cool air of the morning bit at Kai's cheeks as he stood on the vast deck of the Arthra. The rhythmic hum of the ship's engines vibrated beneath his feet, a stark contrast to the tumultuous emotions that had raged within him just yesterday. He still felt a lingering lightness, a profound sense of relief, knowing that the years of self-imposed distance from Hayate were finally, truly, over. The words he'd finally spoken, the raw truths he'd laid bare, had been a heavy burden lifted, replaced by a quiet sense of peace. He could finally call her Hayate, a small but significant shift that felt monumental.
As he made his way through the ship's gleaming corridors, each step felt lighter than the last. He was heading to meet Chrono Harlaown, the man who had given him the guise of Archibald Enzo, a crucial shield in his perilous mission. The thought of expressing his gratitude brought a genuine, if still somewhat unfamiliar, smile to his face.
The Admiral's office was a spacious, well-lit room, its large windows offering a panoramic view of the endless sky. Chrono stood by one of these windows, his back to Kai, a silhouette against the bright expanse. Beside him, a woman with striking blonde hair and a thoughtful expression, Fate Testarossa Harlaown, was engaged in quiet conversation with a younger girl, Teana Lanster, whose intense gaze seemed to hold a flicker of unease. Near them, a tall, imposing figure with an air of quiet strength, Verossa Acous, observed the scene with a subtle intensity.
"Kai, you're here," Chrono said, turning, his voice calm and steady. "Thank you for coming."
Kai nodded, a silent acknowledgment. He felt a nervous flutter in his chest. This was it. The moment of truth.
"Everyone," Chrono continued, gesturing to the others, "this is Izumi Kai. He's the one who was operating as Archibald Enzo."
A ripple of surprise went through the room. Teana's eyes widened, and Fate's thoughtful expression shifted to one of keen interest. Verossa simply inclined his head, his gaze unwavering.
"Kai, if you would," Chrono prompted, a gentle command in his tone.
Taking a deep breath, Kai reached up and slowly, deliberately, removed the helmet he'd been wearing. His face, no longer hidden, was met with a mixture of curiosity and understanding. He saw the faint lines of past burdens etched around his eyes, a testament to the isolation he'd endured. But now, in this moment, there was also a glimmer of hope.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you all, without the mask," Kai said, his voice a little softer than he intended. He offered a slight bow, a gesture of respect. He noted the subtle nods from Fate and Verossa, and Teana's initial surprise slowly gave way to a more curious, almost appreciative, look. The weight of his hidden identity, even from these trusted individuals, felt a little lighter.
"It's… good to finally meet you properly, Izumi-san," Verossa said softly, a hint of warmth in his voice.
"Likewise," Kai replied, meeting his gaze. He offered a respectful nod to Verossa. The initial awkwardness slowly dissipated as Chrono explained the basic circumstances, emphasizing the need for discretion.
The next day dawned with a gentle, inviting warmth. Hayate had insisted on taking him to Saint Church, a place that held deep meaning for her. Kai, still grappling with the lingering echoes of his past, found himself increasingly relying on her guidance. He trusted her implicitly, a stark contrast to the solitude he'd embraced for so long.
As they walked towards the grand entrance of the church, the sun illuminated the intricate stained-glass windows, casting vibrant hues across the stone pathways. The air was filled with a sense of tranquility, a gentle counterpoint to the chaotic life he had led.
Inside, the church was bathed in a soft, ethereal light. He saw two figures waiting for them: a woman with a kind, serene face and long, flowing hair, Carim Gracia, and a younger girl with an intelligent gaze, Schach Nouvera. Standing beside them was Yoshitaka Fuji, his usual calm demeanor evident. Hayate had spoken of Carim often, describing her as an older sister, a confidante, and a pillar of strength.
"Hayate-chan, you're here!" Carim exclaimed, her voice warm and welcoming, as she embraced Hayate.
"And you brought someone special," Schach added, her eyes twinkling as they landed on Kai.
Hayate turned to Kai, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "Kai, this is Carim Gracia and Schach Nouvera, two of my dearest friends. And of course, Fuji-san, you know him."
She then looked at Kai, her gaze steady and encouraging. "Kai-kun, please."
Understanding her unspoken request, Kai once again removed his visor glasses, revealing his face to the two women. Carim's expression softened, a look of profound understanding in her eyes. Schach's initial curiosity deepened into something akin to empathy. Fuji offered a small, reassuring nod. The act of revealing his face, once a source of anxiety, now felt like another step towards true freedom. He was no longer hiding, not from Hayate's chosen family.
"So, this is the man who caused you so much… turmoil, Hayate-chan," Carim said gently, her gaze now softening with understanding. She stepped forward and offered Kai a warm smile. "Welcome, Izumi-san. Hayate speaks of you often."
Schach offered a curt nod. "It's… unexpected. But I trust Hayate's judgment."
As evening settled, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Fuji and Renjou called Kai, their voices brimming with an unusual excitement. Their plan for a "small reunion" turned out to be anything but. He found them waiting for him in a car outside HQ, their grins wide and conspiratorial. Kai, still forgoing his mask but wearing his visor glasses, felt a prickle of curiosity.
"It's finally over, Kai, you and Hayate finally meet again," Renjou declared, his voice booming with satisfaction as Kai settled into the back seat.
Fuji, ever the more reflective of the two, added, "I'm really surprised about your reason for disguising as Archibald Enzo. But it makes sense now."
Kai sighed, a genuine sense of relief washing over him. "Yeah... at least, I don't hurt her feelings now after I spoke it all out. I was already found out anyway." The memory of Hayate's tearful relief, and his own raw confessions, still felt incredibly vivid. It was a wound that had festered for years, finally cleansed.
"But you know, Kai," Renjou mused, a mischievous glint in his eye, "I think you should prepare for your name to change."
Kai, momentarily confused, raised an eyebrow. "Ha? What do you mean?"
"Izumi Kai and Yagami Hayate," Renjou began, leaning forward, his voice taking on a theatrical tone. "Someday your name becomes Yagami Kai or Izumi Hayate if you're getting closer and moving fast ahead."
Fuji chimed in, "But if Kai is close with Nanoha, maybe you can become her father as Takamachi Kai or Izumi Nanoha. Vivio will call you Kai-papa for sure!"
Renjou quickly picked up the thread. "Right, right, if Kai is close with Fate-chan, it could sound like Kai Testarossa Harlaown or Fate Izumi!" The two continued their "word game," matching his name with various female members of Riot Force 6, their imaginations running wild.
"Errr... Both of you, can you please stop with the 'word game' anyway," Kai mumbled, feeling his cheeks warm. He was completely lost for words, a mixture of amusement and mortification swirling within him. The playful banter, however, was a welcome change, a stark contrast to the somber tones he was accustomed to. It felt… normal.
Their destination was a traditional Japanese restaurant. Instead of leading him to an open table, Fuji and Renjou ushered him towards a private reservation room. A collection of shoes lined the entrance, indicating a tatami floor room where guests would sit on zabuton cushions.
Renjou slid open the shoji door with a flourish, and Kai's eyes widened. The room was packed. Not just Fuji and Renjou, but the entire Riot Force 6: Nanoha Takamachi, Fate Testarossa Harlaown, Hayate Yagami, Vivio Takamachi, Yuuno Scrya, Chrono Harlaown, Verossa Acous, Subaru Nakajima, Teana Lanster, Erio Mondial, Caro Ru Lushe, Shario, Mariel, Reinforce Zwei, Agito, Signum, Vita, Shamal, Zafira, Vice Granscenic, Alto Krauetta, Griffith Lowran, Lucino Lowran, Ginga Nakajima and the N2R members who were part of the Nakajima Family were all there. Even Lindy Harlaown, Genya Nakajima, and Leti Lowran were present. The sheer number of familiar faces, all gathered in one place, was overwhelming.
"Main event is here, everybody!" Renjou announced, his voice echoing with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"Ma-Main event?" Kai stammered, utterly bewildered. He glanced at Fuji, who just offered a knowing grin.
"It's also about you, Kai. This reunion party isn't just about Griffith and Lucino," Fuji explained, a hint of suppressed laughter in his voice.
"Eh? Wait a minute, seriously?" Kai's jaw dropped. The thought that such a grand gathering could be even partially for him was astounding.
Before he could process it further, Reinforce Zwei, radiating boundless joy, practically bounced towards him. "Kai-kun! Come, come, everyone prepared a seat for you!" She happily grabbed his arm, her small but surprisingly strong grip pulling him towards a spot next to Hayate. He felt a blush creep up his neck.
As he settled onto the zabuton next to Hayate, Nanoha, ever observant, remarked, "You're lucky the food isn't here yet!" She then explained that this was not just a reunion for the 'Forward Phantom' and his return, but also a celebration of Griffith and Lucino's marriage. The dual nature of the celebration added another layer of unexpected joy to the evening.
When the assortment of delectable Japanese dishes and drinks finally arrived, Hayate, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, called Kai to stand with her. General Lindy Harlaown moved to stand beside him, a warm smile on her face. Everyone in the room raised their glasses.
"Everyone," Lindy began, her voice clear and resonant, "this reunion has a special event. Griffith and Lucino's marriage, and of course, the return of Izumi Kai, who was previously Archibald Enzo." A wave of enthusiastic applause and murmurs of agreement swept through the room.
"Okay everyone, let's raise your glass and have a toast for Griffith and Lucino's marriage, and of course, about Forward Phantom being here and Izumi Kai who is finally here now. Kanpai!" Hayate declared, raising her glass high. A chorus of "Kanpai!" filled the room as everyone clinked their glasses and took a celebratory sip.
The reunion continued in a joyous cacophony of chatter and laughter. The "Numbers," former subordinates of Jail Scaglietti who were now integrated into the Nakajima Family, were introduced, their initial shyness quickly dissipating under the warmth of the welcoming atmosphere. Nanoha and Fate proudly brought Vivio over, who, with her bright, innocent eyes, shyly waved at Kai. He found himself smiling genuinely, a feeling that was becoming less foreign with each passing moment.
As the last remnants of food and drink were being cleared, Lindy leaned towards Hayate, her voice a soft whisper, "Hayate-chan, you should tell them about that."
Hayate's eyes widened in realization. "Ah, you're right." She then turned to the entire room, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Everyone, since Kai-kun is here, I decided that you can borrow him starting tomorrow!"
The announcement hung in the air for a brief moment before a collective gasp, followed by an explosion of excitement. Kai, who had just been taking a sip of his drink, choked, dissolving into a fit of coughing. Hayate and Lindy immediately moved to pat his back, their smiles unwavering.
"Ah, he's surprised," Renjou said, observing Kai's sputtering.
"Of course, Renjou, he's surprised to hear that," Signum retorted, a faint smirk on her lips.
"Wait! *cough* Why?!" Kai finally managed to croak, still trying to regain his composure.
"You see, you finally have your humanity back with Hayate," Lindy explained, her voice gentle but firm. "But I think you need more to truly fix you."
"That's right, Kai," Hayate added, her hand resting reassuringly on his shoulder. "So, Lindy-san and I discussed this, to help you truly heal."
"Um... is that... really necessary?" Kai asked, his voice barely a whisper, as both Hayate and Lindy's hands gripped his shoulders. Their smiles, warm and unwavering, seemed to hold a secret understanding.
"Of course, Kai," Lindy and Hayate said in unison, their voices resonating with a shared resolve. Kai was utterly speechless, lost for words as the implications of their decision began to sink in.
Suddenly, as if on cue, everyone in the room seemed to surge towards him, a wave of eager faces.
"Captain Kai, can I call you when I need investigation duty?!" Ginga Nakajima asked, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.
"Errr... yeah, sure," Kai managed, still trying to process the sudden onslaught of attention.
"Captain Kai, you should come to Supools sometime! I will teach you about dragons there!" Caro Ru Lushe piped up, her voice filled with a childlike eagerness.
"Uh... sure, t-thanks?" Kai stammered, still feeling overwhelmed.
"Kaa-san, if you need something! I can help you with Tia!" Subaru Nakajima exclaimed, her energy infectious.
"Ka?! Kaa-san?! Hold on, Subaru, you just called me like I'm your mother, you know!" Kai exclaimed, his surprise evident. The term "Kaa-san," while a respectful and common way to refer to one's mother, was certainly not what he expected.
And so, one by one, everyone approached Kai, showering him with offers of help, invitations, and words of welcome. Hayate, along with Lindy, Leti, and Genya, had indeed discussed this extensively before the reunion, agreeing that this collective embrace was precisely what Kai needed to fully reclaim his humanity. Kai's long-standing problem with Hayate was finally resolved, a deep-seated wound healed. Yet, other significant duties remained: the looming threats of Adamatron and Rito Rivian.
Meanwhile, in a hidden, dimly lit chamber, Rito Rivian stood before a complex array of screens and blinking lights. Her slender fingers danced across a holographic keyboard, eyes fixed on the intricate schematics displayed before her. She was in contact with someone, their voice a low, modulated murmur through a secure communication link. The air crackled with a palpable tension, a quiet hum of dangerous potential.
"Is everything ready, Rito Rivian?" a disembodied voice, sharp and commanding, inquired.
"It will take time," Rivian replied, her voice cool and detached, "but the progress runs smooth for the next plan. I will contact you later, Keisar Ephes." A subtle smile, chilling in its calculation, played on her lips.
"Good. The plan for 'world reset' just needs to take time," Keisar Ephes responded, their voice fading as the connection severed.
Rito Rivian turned from the screens, her gaze sweeping over the nascent designs of a new weapon, a device she ominously referred to as a "jumper." The room hummed with the silent promise of destruction, a prelude to the chaos she intended to unleash.
What do you think of Kai's journey so far, and what do you anticipate will be his biggest challenge as he navigates his new relationships and the looming threats?
(End of volume 1, continue to volume 2)