Grey: Monsters

Exactly two weeks after the recovery of Captain Furahashi Kisaki's body and Mayu being pronounced missing.

***

It's been four months since we came back from Kyoto, and to be honest, I've never been this bored in my life. Nothing is happening. It's almost as if I'm back to how life was before the disaster struck, except this time, I have friends—people to talk to—and also a nagging bitch who won't leave me or my hand alone. I still can't believe Saiya and B became friends. Like, how the fuck did a Nephilim and a Nephilim slayer or whatever the hell she is become friends?

I sat on the couch, and across from me, with a table in between us, were Saiya and B three. Both of them were engrossed in comics. How B three managed to sit next to Saiya, you might wonder. Well, that's only possible by stretching the shit out of my hand. I haven't used my left hand as my own for a month now. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the old days when Saiya didn't know about B.

But, to be honest, I think I prefer my life now that someone knows about B. It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

"Hey! You do realize we have somewhere to be, right?"

Today was supposed to be a team bonding day at Lieutenant Nagato's house. Ever since we came back from Kyoto, all we've done is train and wait for any possible call. But today is different—we decided to bond. Originally, it was supposed to be at my place, but I'd just gotten kicked out of the immigration base and was searching for a place to stay. I thought about staying in the barracks but canceled that idea the second I saw the place. No way I was sharing my private life with some random dude. After two days of being homeless and constantly searching, I found this place. It's nice and cheap too.

"You seem more excited about this party than anyone else."

"What?!"

"Tell me, who do you want to see? Sarada or Hinestu?"

"Shut up, I just want my hand back. Hey, B, get back here!"

Fufufu. The only reason I'm leaving the comfort of my house is because of Sarada. After we came back from Kyoto, we got cool with each other—hell, we even got close. The best part? Reliable sources told me she's looking for a boyfriend. Talk about luck. Today's the day I'm going all out. Time to flash my charms.

"Bro, why won't you read some comics?"

"I'll tell you why—because I'm not a freak like the two of you. Time's up! Get back here!"

I retracted my hand.

"Finally, I'm whole again."

Saiya put down the comic she was reading. "You're such a bummer."

"Right? Because it's not you whose hand is stretched like a piece of gum."

"So... are you ready yet?" she asked.

"I've been ready for the past two hours."

Together, we left the house and made our way to Lieutenant Nagato's place. It wasn't far, so we walked. The streets were lively as always. People running their businesses, government workers heading home—it was bustling.

"Hey, Ryuma, I've been meaning to ask you something," Saiya said suddenly.

"What is it?"

"According to what you told me, that Nephilim back then said they sent four KIs, and only two reported back…"

"Hmm, so what are you getting at?"

"I've been thinking... what if these KIs are actually more intelligent than we think?"

"Hmmm."

They have to be. The way he talked about them, they've got to have some level of intelligence.

"What if... B three is one of them?"

Saiya said it like a question, but it struck a chord.

"B three, one of them? What makes you say that?"

Even I hadn't thought of that. But it could be true. B always told me he wasn't as efficient as his kind. Grade E and D Nephilims don't have intelligence…

"Think about it—you were dying or on the verge of death, and out of nowhere, while the other Nephilims were wrecking havoc, one came to you and started merging with you."

"Are you serious?"

"What? I'm just saying."

She kind of made sense, but now it sounds... stupid. But from another angle, it could be true. They were deployed, and only two reported back. That must mean they had a mission, maybe to capture humans. If that was their mission, why did B and his kind argue, leading to B three consuming him? Damn, I almost forgot.

'B?'

'What is it?'

'I've been having some weird dreams lately. It's strange because, since I was a kid, I never dreamt about anything.'

'Okay, so how does your dreaming as an adult affect me?'

'Come on, it all started after fighting that guy. I keep having these dreams.'

'What are these weird dreams like?'

'You make it sound weird... well, I can never remember them. As soon as I wake up, it's like they vanish completely.'

'So you completely forget your dreams, and you thought telling me would do something?'

'Oh, come on. Sorry! I thought you might know something.'

'The only knowledge I have about dreams is that they're just a series of events your mind creates while you rest.'

'Yeah, yeah, that's the basic definition of dreams. But tell me, B, what are your kind really like? Are they just here to eat humans and destroy the earth, or do they have some ulterior motive?'

'The only thing I can tell you is my kind should not be underestimated. Their intellectual capabilities far exceed mine, and that alone is enough reason to be wary of them.'

'Scary!!'

Seriously, that's terrifying. B is already scary enough, and now there's something worse than B? That's a whole new nightmare.

Before I knew it, we'd arrived at Lieutenant Nagato's house. I made some quick preparations—breathing exercises and so on.

"What are you doing? Practicing for the Olympics or something? Haha!"

Damn, this bitch Saiya.

"Shut up!! It's not as easy as you think, talking to a girl and all that."

"Huh? But you're talking to me just fine."

"Why wouldn't I? I don't even think of you as a girl."

"What did you just say...!?"

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind us.

"Saiya, wait up!"

It was Sarada. This was my chance, but the only problem? There was a guy beside her, and for some strange reason, I couldn't accept that they were holding hands.

"Sarada, you came," Saiya said.

"Yeah, you invited me, after all. Oh, Ry-Ryuma, what's up?"

"I-I... I'm good," I replied like a robot.

"Uh... who's he?" Saiya asked, pointing to the guy.

"Oh, meet Akiho. He's my new boyfriend."

My dreams, my life, everything I ever looked forward to, crushed in front of me. I wished I'd never come to this bonding bullshit.