"How long has it been...?"
Kafka, who was under observation and locked up inside a mighty prison inside the underground that was made from a metallic fortress and various high-end technology, muttered, completely chained, and trapped in a sitting position, which was quite uncomfortable as he couldn't even do anything. It was also due to this that he kept thinking of many things, especially his life.
He knew well what would happen to himself, especially after he had become a Kaiju, and in the worst case, he would become a weapon like that Number Weapon used by Shinra.
"But, that's good."
If his body could create a powerful weapon to protect this country, then why not?
Yet, even so, he would be lying if he weren't scared.
No, he was completely frightened by what would happen to him!
However, he had also accepted his fate since becoming a Kaiju, and sooner or later, he would die. Sometimes, his body would be in pain, and he also felt like he wasn't a human anymore.
Still, what scared him the most wasn't being killed and being turned into weapons, but losing himself as a Kaiju, then killing everyone.
If that scene happened, then he knew that killing himself was far better.
Letting out a helpless sigh, Kafka would be lying if he didn't have any regrets, especially when he had been accepted into the Defense Force, but even if his career was short, he also didn't regret making the decision to transform into a Kaiju at that time, since he could save everyone.
"I wonder how Ichikawa is..."
Unlike Shinra, who Kafka believed was so capable and could do anything, he was sure that Kafka would blame himself.
As for Mina, Kafka tried not to think about her since he knew well that with how he was currently, he didn't have the courage to meet her. Even though she had helped him protect his identity despite being the Division Captain of the Third Division, he broke their promise and became a Kaiju in front of everyone.
While his excuse might be accepted by everyone since he wanted to save someone, it couldn't change the fact that he had broken his promise to Mina not to use the power of Kaiju anymore.
Moreover, as Mina had helped to hide this fact, Kafka was afraid that her position would be affected, and in the worst case, she might get demoted to a lower rank or transferred to a far-away place like the countryside.
If that happened, he was sure that he wouldn't be able to forgive himself, especially with how much feeling he had for her, and how much he wished to stand side by side to fight by her side.
Unfortunately, such a chance no longer existed, and it was better for him to give up.
No, he had already given up and thought of watching her from a distance. As for why he continued to fight till now, it was because of Ichikawa, since if Ichikawa hadn't told him to give up at that time, he would have given up and worked day by day, slept, and watched Mina's heroic figure from a distance.
In his eyes, Mina was too dazzling, beautiful, and someone who was in a higher position.
Even if Kafka had known her from childhood, and they had made a promise together, with how he was currently, he knew well that he wasn't suited to her side. He should have disappeared and given up, since once again, he was a Kaiju now.
"Please take care of her, Shinra."
Shinra might be young, but Kafka could trust him, and he felt that this was the hope, the dawn that everyone had been waiting for.
By staying by Shinra's side, Kafka felt that Mina should be happier.
Unfortunately, Shinra seemed to date Kikoru, which made Kafka feel helpless, but compared to Kikoru, Mina was far better, as Mina had this cool and mature beauty, which was different from Kikoru, who was on the petite side.
"She should have learned to seduce a man..."
Kafka sighed, but then shook his head since he had to say, it felt quite painful when he thought of Mina being with the side of another man, despite having given up on his feelings.
Yet, it was normal, wasn't it?
While our logic understands that it is better to part ways, our feelings still harbor a sense of unease that we shouldn't have.
As he thought so, all of a sudden, he saw that the door of the prison was opened, and he saw several soldiers, including Mina.
"Mina?"
"It's a Commander."
That exchange made him smile, somehow, despite knowing it might be the last time they met each other.
"Bring him."
"Yes, Commander."
While Kafka was still under the constraints of the advanced materials of straps that tightly tied his arms and legs onto the chair as he was moved into the car, and then somewhere.
Still, as he was inside, Mina was the only one who accompanied him, and because of that, it was so awkward for him as he wasn't sure what to say, yet—
"I am sorry."
"...there is no need to apologize. That's your choice."
Kafka was still awkward, but he asked, "So... you are fine?"
"Do you think I am okay?"
"..." Kafka.
"I can't control what will happen to you, and my task is just to move you toward the headquarters."
"I understand."
As Kafka nodded, showing his acceptance, Mina closed her eyes for a moment, then said, "But... you still have a chance."
"A chance?" Kafka was dumbfounded.
"This isn't my place to explain. You will know soon."
"Huh?"
While Kafka was confused, he then quickly arrived at the headquarters and was led into a large, advanced facility, which was filled with many people that were watching from the observation room that was located on the upper area of the facility, which had reinforced windows made of a different material from the rest, clearly intended so all of them could watch what would happen inside this facility that also worked like a prison.
Yet, even so, instead of those people, Kafka's attention was taken by the young man, who stood before him.
"Shinra-kun?"
"Yo." Shinra, who wore his combat suit, looked at Kafka with a smile. "How do you feel?"
"Well..."
Kafka wasn't even sure how he felt.
"Okay, while you might want to ask me a lot of things, let me make it short." Shinra looked at Kafka and said, "You have a chance to live."
"What?"
"But there is a condition."
"Condition?"
"Yes." Shinra nodded. "You must be able to control your power."
"...."
Kafka was dumbfounded; he hesitated as he wasn't even sure whether he could control his power. The door of the faculty closed tightly as it wouldn't open, no matter how the people inside tried.
"If you don't, then I will kill you here."
"....."
Kafka gulped and knew that Shinra was serious.
"So, do your best and live, Kafka Hibino."
After Shinra said that, he suddenly appeared in front of Kafka and blasted through Kafka's chest, creating a hole directly with his punch, as part of his body splattered to the ground and wall behind before Kafka crumbled as he clutched his chest tightly.
"Guwah!"
If it were a normal human, they would have died already, and it was impossible to save them, especially when Shinra's physical ability was the top of the top and even enhanced with the combat suit.
However, Kafka wasn't a normal human.
He was the Kaiju No. 8!
As the dead was before him, Kafka transformed into that of a Kaiju!
"ROOOOOOOOOOARRRRRRRRRRRR!"