Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted the scene.
"How cute! You're as red as chili peppers!" Rem said with a mischievous smile.
"Mom?!" Mira exclaimed, startled.
"Finished talking to your husband?" Kay asked, turning to Rem.
"Yes, just now!" Rem replied casually.
"Why don't you seem surprised?" Mira asked suspiciously.
"Your mother was standing right by the door even before I touched your head," Kay explained.
"Mom?!" Mira blushed even more.
Rem laughed, amused by the situation.
"Well, you've only got twenty minutes left. You better get ready!" Rem warned.
"We smell like ghouls. I'll shower first, you take forever," Kay said, already heading toward the bathroom.
"You spend ten minutes in the shower, it won't be enough time!" protested Mira.
"Kay!" Rem called out, interrupting their argument.
Kay turned to her.
"All set!" Rem said, spraying perfume on him.
"You know you can't put strong perfume on him, Mom!" Mira complained.
"Better the perfume smell than that of ghouls. Now we match!" Kay said with a cheeky smile.
"My perfume?!" Mira exclaimed, snatching the bottle from Rem.
"It's all I had," Rem shrugged.
"Thanks, Auntie. We're off!" Kay said, grabbing his bags.
"Can you carry all that? Want me to drive you?" Rem offered.
"Really? That would be great!" Kay replied.
"It's just next door, Mom. Don't worry," Mira said, taking some of Kay's bags.
She hugged Rem tightly.
"Take care! Don't be reckless!" Rem said with a worried look.
"I won't. I promise to visit as often as I can," Mira replied.
Rem smiled, pleased.
"Mira, can you leave us alone? I need to talk to your mom," Kay said seriously.
"Okay," Mira said, leaving the room.
"And no eavesdropping!" Rem winked.
Mira slipped away quietly.
Kay then approached Rem and spoke in a more serious tone.
"Talk to your husband. Ask him to send people to the village."
"Why?" Rem asked, confused.
"Ghouls," Kay said grimly.
Rem's eyes widened, worried.
The scene changed.
"This bus looks beaten up!" Thaís said, eyeing the vehicle.
"It's an armored bus. All military vehicles have armor, but with our background, replacements are hard. Still, it can take a beating," Takemichi explained with a confident smile.
"I'm already regretting this..." Ravena thought nervously.
"Time is short, put away your bags and get on!" Takemichi ordered.
They hit the road. The sixth division's barracks were three hours from the capital.
"It's not a hotel, nor very luxurious, but this will be your new home!" Takemichi said as the barracks gates opened.
What they saw surprised them. The barracks were huge and bustling. The exterior was filled with land, air, and naval vehicles, all ready for action.
The soldiers, who had seemed restless, noticed the bus arriving and immediately formed two lines, saluting the newcomers.
"I don't know if it has everything you need, but here we have all we need for our missions. Get along with the team because now you're part of it!" Takemichi said, stepping off the bus. "Park near the dorms. Drax will receive the rookies there," he added, talking to the driver.
"Got it!" the driver replied, steering the vehicle.
The bus passed between the rows of soldiers and headed to the dormitory.
"Hey, Kay, see that?" Mira said excitedly.
"He's sleeping," Kratos said, sitting beside Kay.
"He sure sleeps a lot, huh?" Sarah laughed.
Kay, however, was lost in a dream.
"Don't worry, the village will be fine. I'll be fine," Rem said in his dream.
"But—" Kay tried to argue but was cut off by Rem's hug.
"I'll be fine! I was in the army too, remember?" Rem exclaimed with a confident smile.
"There's no way I'd forget," Kay replied.
"Take care of yourself and protect Mira for me. And when she visits, make sure you come with her!" Rem said, still hugging him.
"She can take care of herself... but I promise I'll visit every month!" Kay said determinedly.
"You know every month is impossible, but I'll wait for your vacation. Take care, okay?" Rem said, releasing him.
"You too!" Kay said.
"Now go, before you're late!" Rem insisted.
At that moment, Kay woke up.
"I don't know who this Rem is, but she seems important to you," Kratos remarked, observing Kay.
"Are we roommates now?" Kay asked, still confused.
"Yes. Again, I'm Kratos. It'll be a pleasure working with you!" Kratos said, extending his hand.
"I'm Kay. Same here, Kratos. How long was I asleep?" Kay asked anxiously.
"Four hours," Kratos replied.
"Four hours?! Mira must be furious!" Kay exclaimed.
"The trip here took three hours. We were introduced to the base and now we're heading to the mess hall for lunch," Kratos explained.
"So I woke up just in time! Where's the mess hall?" Kay asked.
"I came to get you. I'll show you the way," Kratos said.
Kay thanked him and followed Kratos to the mess hall.
"Do we really have to walk all the way to the mess hall?" Kay complained, looking ahead.
"I agree. The mess hall and dorms should be closer," Kratos said.
One of the veteran soldiers passing by overheard them and smiled.
"Rookies, you'll soon understand why it's so far. Do you prefer to eat after a tough training or after a nap?" the soldier asked provocatively.
"If I'm sleepy, it'll be hard to get here! But the location doesn't matter," Kay said disdainfully.
"Here's a tip: always eat when you get the chance, or you'll be hungry until snack time!" the veteran soldier advised.
"Thanks for the tip, veteran!" Kratos said, saluting.
"What are you doing?" the soldier said with an ironic smile. "Saluting is only for superiors. In the army, no soldier outranks another, except the vice-captain and captain. Jobs like infirmary, kitchen, and others, those you salute," he explained, correcting Kratos.
"Thanks for correcting me!" Kratos said, slightly embarrassed.
"Never mind," the soldier relaxed. "This is the mess hall, the most beloved place after the dorm, of course!"
They entered the mess hall, and the sight was impressive. The space was huge and crowded with soldiers enjoying their meals, creating a lively atmosphere.
"It's going to be hard to find Mira here!" Kay thought, scanning the crowded room.
"Give up looking. Come eat before it's all gone!" the veteran soldier suggested, moving ahead in line.
Kay took his meal, noting it was well balanced—ideal for keeping the body healthy and satiated. With Kratos, he sat at a table surrounded by other soldiers in an animated environment.
"By the way, I'm Maycon! Nice to meet you," the veteran soldier said, extending his hand.
They introduced themselves quickly. After finishing the meal, soldiers began leaving the mess hall, heading to the courtyard.
"Aren't you coming?" Kratos asked, standing up ready to leave.
"I'll pass. Need to relieve myself first," Kay said, standing.
"Idiot," muttered a girl walking by, giving him a disdainful look.
"Alright, I'll head to the courtyard!" Kratos said, laughing as he walked away.
They parted ways, and Kay went on his path. In the courtyard, Kratos was soon approached.
"Kratos! I didn't see Kay; is he still sleeping?" Mira asked, approaching with other girls.
"We just separated. We ate together, but he went to the bathroom," Kratos explained.
"Thanks!" Mira replied, relieved.
Kratos walked away, leaving Mira with her friends.
"Hey, Mira... you guys just friends?" Thais asked curiously, with a suggestive smile.
"You mean Kay? Yes, just friends," Mira said, a bit surprised but keeping a casual tone.
"So, can I date him?" Thais asked bluntly.
"What?!" the girls reacted, surprised.
"Date Kay? What are you talking about?!" Mira asked, agitated and clearly flustered.
"I thought you two had romantic feelings, but since you don't, I think I'll try with him, right?" Thais continued, with a teasing smile.
"Going after Kay? That makes no sense, they barely know each other! Why is she saying that all of a sudden?" Mira thought, trying to process the situation.
"Enough, Thais! You're confusing her!" Viviane intervened, noticing Mira's discomfort.
"No, you can't date him!" Mira blurted out suddenly, her voice nervous.
"Why not? He's single!" Thais challenged.
"Kay is mine!" Mira exclaimed, almost without thinking.
"Aha! So you like him!" Thais laughed. "Then stop saying you're just friends and confess already!" she added, with a victorious smile.
"What crazy talk is this?" Kay appeared out of nowhere, confused by the argument he overheard.
"This is your chance!" Thais whispered to Mira.
"Let's give them some space!" Sarah said, pulling the other girls away.
"There's a weird ninja in my room!" Kay commented, changing the subject completely.