"Anyway, find somewhere hidden to hide first."
Natsuki rubbed his chin. Watched households along the street—woken by noise, poking heads out. Gave fairly sound advice.
"Right!"
"Senpai, let's go that way!" Reno suppressed the urge to vomit. Pointed Kaiju Kafka toward a secluded direction.
"Got it!" Kaiju Kafka quickly changed direction. Sprinted down the street—one footprint at a time.
Soon—they reached an empty, secluded small park.
Lucky this was late night. If daytime—who knows what chaos would erupt.
"Um... you're really senpai... right?"
After being set down—Reno looked at the fierce-faced humanoid kaiju before him. Asked uncertainly.
"It's really me!"
"Kafka Hibino!" Kaiju Kafka pointed at himself with both hands. Gestured wildly explaining. Then expression somewhat dejected. "I don't know why I suddenly became like this either."
One second—just accepted he couldn't take the Defense Force exam. Next second—suddenly became a kaiju.
Now—completely cut off from the Defense Force.
Along with his thirty-two years of life—all finished!
"AHHHHH!"
"Why... why did this happen!" Kaiju Kafka clutched his head. Wailed.
"Calm down, senpai!"
"Just calm down first!" Reno covered his ears. Shouted at him. "If you keep shouting like this, we'll be discovered soon!"
Japan's Defense Force—extremely skilled at dealing with kaiju. They had specialized suits and weapons. Powerful captain-level figures could solo large kaiju.
If discovered here—either killed on the spot or taken back for human experimentation.
"Okay..." Hearing this—Kaiju Kafka deflated. Hugged his knees. Crouched on the ground.
Rich expressions and movements—looked nothing like a kaiju.
"Finally calmed down..." Natsuki beside them—seeing his dejected appearance—also removed fingers blocking his ears. Gaze swept between Reno and Kaiju Kafka.
"Right, haven't asked your name yet." Now—Reno also looked at Natsuki. Tone mixed with gratitude. "Thank you for saving us earlier."
"No problem. Just call me Natsuki." Natsuki waved his hand. Indicated he needn't take it to heart.
Watching the carefree Natsuki—an idea suddenly popped into Reno's mind.
Falling from high altitude. Force enough to kill a Yoju—yet caused this person no harm.
Looked human. But everywhere—not human.
"Um... Natsuki-san, are you also like senpai..." Reno glanced at Kaiju Kafka drawing circles on the ground. Asked tentatively.
He guessed—was Natsuki-san also a humanoid kaiju like senpai?
Otherwise—no way to scientifically explain earlier events.
"Well... somewhat similar, but different situation." Natsuki crossed his arms. Explained. "Racially speaking, I'm indeed not human."
"I'm a Space Garrison member from Nebula M78 in another universe who came to Earth in this universe."
"Came here to investigate a space-time crime case."
Words fell.
Reno: "??"
Kaiju Kafka: "??"
Couldn't understand. But sounded amazing.
"So... you're an alien!?"
"And a righteous space cop!?" Kaiju Kafka jumped up from the ground. Eyes sparkling at Natsuki.
Though over thirty—still a man full of curiosity. Extremely interested in supernatural things.
"You could say that." Natsuki looked at him. Nodded. "Also... that thing inside you has no malice toward you. This is now your power."
Natsuki hated parasitic-type enemies most.
But when he prepared to use Ultra Psychic to forcibly expel that thing—it transmitted some thoughts to him.
This thing—a collective of resentment. From people killed by kaiju in ancient times. Now—chose Kafka. Granted him power. Hoped he could master this power and fight kaiju.
"Eh?"
"My... power?" Kaiju Kafka froze.
What's with this hot-blooded manga development?
Himself—frustrated and disheartened—suddenly gained powerful strength. This thing—really happening to me?
But—I'm already thirty-two.
Old age... no, middle-aged hot-blooded series?
"But... looking like this now, can I really join the Defense Force?" Kaiju Kafka slowly lowered his head. Looked at his thick arms covered in hard scales. Momentarily confused.
What he wanted... wasn't this.
Middle-aged Kafka fell into confusion. Old-timer Natsuki frowned.
"What's with that look!"
"What's with that confusion!"
"I'm asking you—why exactly did you want to join the Defense Force!" Natsuki's gaze became serious. Questioned Kaiju Kafka.
"I..."
Kaiju Kafka—caught off guard by Natsuki's sudden change—didn't know how to react. Froze again.
Natsuki—though not knowing their Defense Force's exact situation—could roughly deduce it was an organization fighting kaiju to protect others.
He didn't like watching a warrior with potential fall into confusion.
"Is it to enjoy people's praise? For high salary?"
"Neither, right? Your real reason for wanting to join the Defense Force." Natsuki continued pressing.
Soon—a pretty figure flashed through Kafka's mind.
"I... I wanted to join the Defense Force to stand beside Mina." He murmured.
Then—
WHAM!
"Ah!"
A fist instantly struck. Gave his head a knuckle punch.
Caught off guard—Kaiju Kafka spun and fell into the ground. Smashed a huge crater.
"Oof!"
"What was that for?"
Kaiju Kafka pulled his head from the ground—already knocked into a huge bump. Covered his head. Accused Natsuki of violence.
"You're joining the Defense Force just to date someone?" Natsuki's gaze—no longer containing any hint of joking—exceptionally sharp.
For Kafka's flippant answer—he couldn't accept.
"This..." Kafka fell silent.
Past scenes continuously flashed through his mind.
Why he wanted to stand beside his childhood friend Mina Ashiro—after failure after failure, his heart formed an obsession.
Compared to his mediocre, incompetent self—she was like a shining star in the sky. A goal he could never catch up to no matter what.
Long ago—he and she—before city ruins—made a promise. A competition over who could become the best Defense Force member.
And why he wanted to join the Defense Force—because kaiju took away something precious. He didn't want others to experience the same pain.
"I... I chose to join the Defense Force to protect people plagued by kaiju." Kafka's gaze gradually became clear.
"I don't want... to see anyone lose precious things to kaiju anymore."
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