The next day, Katsu and Kira left their house in Kira's vehicle on getting to the rift location, it was buzzing with reporters, because of the S - level Awakening that will be joining them for the raid.
As they stepped out of the car the breeze from the ocean, felt refreshing and cold, but then something spoilt the night. As Kira was enjoying to fresh air, the reporters rushed towards her. "Are you the C - level Awakening that will be leading the team into the E - level rift?" One of the reporters asked.
"Why did your Guild organisation call on an S-level Awakening with a C - level Awakening on an E level raid?"
"Is it true that a S - level Awakening will be joining you for the raid?" Another one said.
Tons of questions rolled in but Kira ignored and didn't answer. She moved within the reporters till she got to the restricted area. Then approached Katsu, who was preparing his equipment for the night, as he is joining the scavenging team. He didn't notice Kira was near until she tapped him on his shoulder.
He looked up and handed a necklace to her. "I heard that if you wear this, it will boost your attack and increase the damage" he said and handed it over to Kira. She collected it but with a full face, looks like she's overwhelmed by her thoughts.
"Katsu?" She called.
"Hey, any problem?" He looked at her, paused for some seconds and continued. "Why are you so down, is there a problem?" He asked.
"No...No, not really a problem." She chuckled. Katsu got back to what he was doing.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, go ahead." Katsu responded and sat down
"Why are you so eager to enter this rift?"
Katsu looked at her and laughed. "What do you mean by eager to enter rift." He laughed.
"I'm serious Katsu" she said with seriousness on her face. Katsu stopped laughing he knew she was serious about the question.
"First, I'm not eager, it's just nice working with you, secondly, Why do you ask such question?" He asked with a confused or curious facial expression.
"Actually, I went to the organisation this afternoon, and...." She paused and looked around.
"I know you went there, what happened there and how is it I relation to this rift?" He asked Kira hesitated at first but continued.
"I learnt that this rift,"
"Hey! Mamoru?" Jirou called cutting Kira off.
Katsu looked at his direction.
"Don't just sit there, are you joining us? He asked.
"Yes"
"No" Kira and Katsu said simultaneously and Katsu looked Kira in the eyes, he was confused.
"I thought we talked things over yesterday? He asked and Kira nodded positively, "then why?"
Kira used her hand to scratch her neck and used the other to hold Katsu's hand, and she sigh.
"Is there something you're not telling me?" He asked, Kira hesitated then responded.
"It's not something I don't want to tell you, it's just something I haven't told to yet." She said slowly.
"Hey! Losser, don't just sit your butt down there, get yourself busy" Aiko, one of the scavengers spat out but Katsu ignored. He held Kira's hand because she was all that mattered at that moment.
"So what is it?" He asked curiously.
"When I went to the organisation, I heard one of the inspectors, saying we the rift level isn't stable, that it might be an E - level now and the C - level the next minute, which was why I and Awakening Rina was told to join" she concluded.
Katsu knew something was fishy from the start but was also surprised at the shocking revelation.
"I knew something was off since you told me Rina will be joining." He said.
"You mean me?" Someone said from behind.
Katsu stood up to look at the person that just spoke and Kira turned around. It was Awakening Rina.
"Jeez, I messed up." Katsu thought. According to the law, Awakening's name without adding Awakening to it is an offence as it is seen to downgrade the protectors of the people and the punishment for it is very severe.
Rina was smiling, she wore a velvet armour, not to heavy and not too light. She seems to have fended off the reporters one way of the other, but camera flash was all over the place
"You must be Katsu, the young man with an S - level potential, and also unworthy, you seem to be very popular?" She said sarcastically.
Katsu looked down, the question hit him like a stone, shame and embarrassment pinned down on him.
"I'm sorry" he said.
"We are sorry, and he's my best friend" Kira said and moved closer to Rina, the exchanged pleasantries.
"Anyways, I'll let it slide, but I won't next time." Rina said and left but paused and look back.
"Will you be doing the raid tonight?" Rina asked. But Katsu didn't responded.
"Yes, but not with the raid squad." Kira responded. She looked at Katsu and back at Rina.
"Okay then, let's get going." She told Kira. Kira moved closer to Katsu and said, "she didn't mean her question that way, she used to be quiet and reserved, a really nice person. See ya." She patted his shoulder and left.
"If not for the stupid government, will she be here and be telling me she will let it slide, I'm old enough to be her older brother." He murmured and Rina paused, looking at his direction, "I can hear you." She whispered.
Katsu realising he has been caught once more started acting up to avoid her gaze but he was trembling, his body was shaking.
"I hope she didn't come back," he thought to himself.
"Hey, come and carry this," Jirou shouted at him.
*****
"It's nice meeting you again," Kira said
"Oh please, stop it, it's hasn't been that long," she said and smiled, Kira smiled back.
"Why are you acting strangely tonight? I didn't know you to be like that. What changed?" Kira asked but Rina didn't respond.
"You said that young man over there is your friend?" she paused and Kira nodded.
"No strings attached?" She asked. Kira hesitated and responded.
"Why all these questions, are you interested? Kira said.
"Nothing I'm just curious to knoworw about him, since he seems to be an interesting person and I'm not interested but he isn't bad afterall" she said and smiled.
"Whatever, can I ask you for a favour?" Kira said.
"Sure, it will be a pleasure to do a favour for an old time friend."
"It's not as simple as you think." Kira responded sharply.
"Just spill it." She chuckled.
"You know about the situation of the rift so no need to tell you about it again." She paused.
"Stop beating around and hit it on the head." Rina said.
"It's Katsu." She responded, although not with any hope, she just gave it a try. But to her surprise, she nodded. Part of Kira was happy, but another part wasn't sure if it's a good idea.
"You seem to be quick witted." Kira said.
"Don't just stand there, let's go it's almost time." Rina called Kira and she jolted out of her thoughts, she went to meet Rina. She had always known Rina to be nice but then, not to the extent of doing something that is against the standard of professionalism.
"Okay, everyone, let's gather around" Rina called and Kira joined the team as they gathered. As Rina was about to start, she sighted Katsu and instructed that their team join too.
"It's a pleasure to be working with you all tonight, and I want you all to all make this raid worthwhile, and I also hope that we all go in there and come out victorious." She paused and smiled, confusion sparked in Kira, the Rina she knew was always quiet and totally different from this one before her.
Applaud Rose from the team, they were shouting for joy. Rina looked at Kira who was headed toward Katsu, and she said.
"I'll like to call on the team leader, Awakening Kira." The team clapped and shouted, as Kira hesitated then went to the middle of the gathering.
"It's a pleasure to be on this raid tonight, and I want is to give it our best. Let's look out for each other, and whatever happens, let's face it together." She paused and continued
"I hope everyone is ready?" She asked with a smile.
"Yes we are." They all responded with excitement.
"Now let's go in there and show those invaders what we've got."
She concluded, and Rina stepped forward.
"Okay, let's proceed, Awakening Kira will lead you guys in, I will scout the area before joining you guys, let's make sure we do a great job." As she finished speaking, the team moved towards the rift with their equipment. Then she call on Katsu.
"Hey, Katsu, you are joining me." She looked at Kira, and they both nodded.
"Why on earth will it be me?"
I knew it, she must be planning on doing something because of what I said earlier."
"Am I not doomed?" A lot of thought flooded in his mind. He hesitated but went to meet her.
While he moved within the team, a lot of whispers grew from the team.
"He messed up."
"Did he take his uselessness to her?"
"What do they have together?"
"Is this a coincidence or he's doomed?"
Tons of whispers that send shivers down Katsu's spine. When he got to her, she smiled
"See who is shaking, are you not old enough to be my older brother?" She teased.
"What now, if you want to do anything, now is the time. Just don't start humiliating me." He thought to himself.
"Shall we?" She moved toward the ocean side by the rifts.
"What's she planning?" Katsu follows her, but was overwhelmed with fear and his thoughts.
"What if she is really planning something bad for me? He said to himself, and Rina smiled.