Fantasy Stellar ARMOR Satellizer (Ranix Aurus & Admiral19)

[Ranix Aurus]

Luca noticed her attempt at correcting his pronounciation. It was light a little jab on his stomach. Genki had done the same numerous times now, but he kept on forgetting. Right, it seemed that she didn't like how he said her name either.

"Why, I'm glad that you asked! Here's my business card!" He fished out a small card out of his pocket and handed it to Kanae. On it was the name Luca Sternz, CEO of Sternz Consulting, with the company address in Miami, Florida.

"We're dedicated to solve your problem, any problem at all! You have a task, we're the right guys to tackle it! Satisfaction guaranteed! But our main business is in supplying various necessities for other companies, ensuring that the supply chain is established smoothly... that was what Horton told me, at least. I don't really understand all that money speak."

He shrugged, seemingly giving up on understanding it any further. Anyway, he got great subordinates, and they were making lots of money, so the detail didn't matter much.

"It's wonderful, isn't it? Economy... distribution of wealth, a strong pillar that hold this thing you called a 'nation' together. It's really powerful. I love it. Ah, about Gan- Gaen- err, Genki," he finally managed to spell his name properly. Well, maybe not perfect, but at least it was way better than his previous attempts. "He's the science guy. Sometimes we need specific materials, or the client need a brand new tech. That's where my wizard comes into play. Well, most of the time he's focusing on his own research, though. It's rare that we require his full attention. Usually we just consult him for some science questions, nothing too troublesome."

 

[Admiral19]

Sternz Consulting...Kanae read over the card a couple times. It seemed like a legit enough business, at least. Kanae wasn't so much into business herself, but she understood at least a couple concepts.

"What sort of companies are outsourcing you, huh? Just anybody that needs your services?" If it was just anybody that could hire them...well, unless these guys had some specific regulations and the sort, that might end up making this business a bit shady.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

"Hmm? What companies? Well, we're not really picky with our partners... I think Horton mentioned some to me before. Let's see... do you know Abbot? There's also that company. What was it... Locker- no, Lockhead- Ah. Lockheed. Lockheed Martian!"

Lockheed Martin. But that was the extent of what he could remember.

"Why are you so interested in our company, Kayn- err, Kah- Kanay?" okay, at least there was improvement... "Don't tell me... do you want to join our venture? I'm so glad to hear that! We're always open to youngsters like you! You guys are the future of humanity. I'll surely pay up well, don't you worry!"

 

[Admiral19]

"Well, no, hang on!" Kanae backed up a half-step. "I just wanted to know! I think if you're running a business that offers services to others, it's good to know what businesses you're giving stuff to, right? Don't wanna provide something to the wrong guys." Even with as uninterested as Kanae was in business, she knew that much!

Soon enough, her order was ready, though, so Kanae would have to put the convo on hold, at least until Akira ate.

---

It took a while for her and Luca to get back; Kanae brought them to the wrong floor after confusing Akira's room number. Sure enough though, they arrived, and sure enough, Genki was there.

"Akiraaa!" Even with unease, Kanae still stepped in with a fanfare. "We got you a panini!"

 

[Ranix Aurus]

"The... wrong guys?" Luca seriously pondered for a bit. He seemed a bit confused with Kanae's choice of words. "No matter who we're helping, they're all humans, right? We're all the same. There's no right and wrong. Everyone is equal."

When Kanae took her order and went off to the elevator, Luca stopped his musing for now, and followed her. For one, he didn't know Akira's room number, so she was the only person he could rely to if he wanted to find Genki on time. Who knows how long that guy would take when meeting his son... Luca felt a bit apologetic to Akira boy.

A parent's love sometimes could be too heavy to take.

---

While Kanae was chatting with Luca, Genki had made his way to Akira's room. He greeted Yuna, who was waiting on Akira inside, and introduced himself as Akira's father. The boy nodded in acknowledgement, although he didn't seem too pleased about it. In the end, both father and son requested a time for themselves, so Yuna stepped out of the room to wait outside.

The hospital's wall was thin, and it didn't take much effort to eavesdrop on people talking in the room if they're loud enough. Akira and Genki's voice at first wasn't that clear from the outside, but soon, they were getting higher and higher, mostly on Akira's side.

"I'm not going with you!" Akira yelled, enough to make Yuna flinch in surprise.

"Akira, my son..."

"So you remember that I'm your son at this time, eh?"

"I... I'm sorry for this. That's why, I want to make up for it. If you're willing to come with me-"

"And you're the one who decided that? That's how you think you can make it up to me?"

"I brought you gift. Look, it's what you wanted, right?"

There was a sound of plastic bag opening. It seemed to be the box that Genki was carrying before.

"It's delicious. See? Dad likes it very much. Don't you as well?"

Suffocating silence fell for a moment, before Akira finally erupted. And that was the moment when Kanae and Luca had arrived.

"It doesn't matter how many times you ask me, I won't come with you! And that's fina-" Akira's scream was abruptly cut when Kanae walked in with Luca in tow. The box containing the chocolate pastries had been thrown to the floor, with its content sprawled all over the previously-clean tiles. Genki had one in his mouth, half-eaten. Their sudden arrival made him swallow the entire thing in one go.

"Kanae..." Akira leaned back on his bed, exhausted. The mood had turned awkward.

 

[Admiral19]

Oh, shit.

"What—hey, what happened?" Immediately, Kanae rushed to Akira's side. "I heard some stuff going on, but I wasn't able to catch everything...did..."

She looked over at Genki.

"Alright. Tell me what you guys were talking about." She had a feeling that letting Genki talk to Akira wasn't going to be a good idea, but she'd didn't think that it might get this bad.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

"Ah, miss Saitou," Genki looked at Kanae as if he had found a savior. "I'm glad that you're here. I'm sure that you can help me convince my son."

Akira harrumphed before turning sideway so his back faced them. He was clearly not in the mood to listen. He patted the pillow a few times, clutching his arms around it as if hugging it.

"I asked Akira to move to Florida, so he can stay with me. It'll be safer if we're close to each other. I heard that something happened to our house back in Japan, something about an accident that rendered it unsafe to stay at? Then all the more reason to move. Don't worry about your college, Dad can take care of it. Dad has connections with some people, just tell me where do you want to study. University of Florida? Miami University? Or maybe you want to go to Harvard? Or Stanford? Don't worry, I-"

"Gan-key," Luca interrupted him with a pat on his shoulder. "Enough. You're scaring the kids."

Genki's voice died down immediately. He still stared at Akira with a deep longing in his eyes.

"I'm... sorry, he's always been like this. I hope you can understand," Luca smiled awkwardly. It wasn't his place to meddle in, but he felt like if he didn't, the situation would get worse.

 

[Admiral19]

Kanae's eyes widened when Genki mentioned the incident at the Tanaka's house. She had to tell him. She had to tell him about the house, and about everything they've been up to since then, otherwise he was gonna get the wrong idea about everything.

"Uh, Genki..." Kanae started slowly. There was no easy way to start other than right at the beginning, was there? "There's something you gotta hear."

---

The abandoned lab was far up north in Alaska, far enough that the coast leading to the arctic ocean could be seen. The abandoned lab the Holders were told to search was located near that coast. It was a right and proper derelict location, with the building itself showing signs of falling apart.

Hopefully, Rui and Aina could find Aquarius before the whole place caved in.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

Genki and Luca turned to Kanae. She looked like she had something really important to say, causing the two adults to gulp involuntarily. Their silent gaze urged her to continue. Whether they were prepared for the truth was a different thing, though.

Unable to hold it anymore, Akira grabbed Kanae's wrist. His gaze seemed to be asking her whether she really wanted to spill out the truth to his father. They were not part of this.

---

"Why... is your lab... so far away!"

After a long, long flight all the way up north, they still had a long way to go before they could reach the abandoned laboratory. For one, there was nobody willing to take them there. They had to rent a dusty van from a local since there were no service up there. Seiichiro gritted his teeth and tried his best not to kill them all as he drove in one of the worst climate in the planet.

The chains barely helped him keeping control over the slippery ground. He had to concentrate fully just to get by.

In the back, Hotaru was bundled up in thick layers of blanket, trying to keep warm. Shouji only had a blanket over him, too indulged in his thoughts to bother about the cold.

 

[Admiral19]

No, Genki wasn't part of this. If Kanae or Akira had their way, Genki would not get involved in this at all. But he was gonna press on until he knew, was gonna push Akira to do what he wanted until he knew just what they were trying to prevent.

And more importantly than that, Genki needed to know what Kanae's done to protect his son for the past month or so, and what Akira's done to protect her.

Just in case, she looked over at Luca, silently asking him to step out.

---

"It had to be this far so that we could research discretely!" Aisuke said. "Remember, the existence of these medallions was hidden from the public. And besides, given what happened to the first test, do you really want it to be closer?"

When they did eventually arrive...something seemed off. There was an entrance open...the place was supposed to be entirely closed off, and given how much time has passed, that door's hinges would be rusted solid!

"Someone got here already."

 

[Ranix Aurus]

Luca, while not exactly the smartest person knowledge-wise, had enough social talent to notice Kanae's intention. Patting Genki on his back, he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him to give them some privacy. Outside, he sat on a bench and smiled at Yuna.

"Hello, beautiful lady. My name is Luca Sternz. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Now that Luca was outside, Genki urged Kanae to start.

---

"Darn!"

Seiichiro pressed on the pedal, causing the van to fly toward the gate. He then spun the wheel to the side, letting the car slid as he pulled the brake at the same time. The car slowed down until it finally skid to a stop.

"Let's hurry! It'll be a disaster if Aesir got their hand on Aquarius!" He turned to Hotaru and Shouji. "Wait, transform first, just in case!"

Shouji glanced at Aisuke for permission before placing the Gemini medallion into the wristband.

"Suit up!"

ARMOR ON

Flash of light filled the van as pieces of armor materialized from the wristband, fixing its place one after another over Shouji. In the end, a warrior covered in sleek black armor appeared from within the fading light.

BLACK TWIN STAR

Eh?

Shouji turned around. Hotaru was still sitting at her spot, covered in blankets.

"Why?!" He yelled at her.

"...It won't work," Hotaru mumbled.

"Don't be like this, miss Tanaka. This is an emergency! Just... give it a try, alright?" Seiichiro begged.

Sighing, she got up as Shouji dismissed the transformation. Trying once again, this time with Hotaru's hand on his shoulder like how she had done it with Akira, Shouji transformed once again.

ARMOR ON. BLACK TWIN STAR

"..."

Hotaru was engulfed in the light, but nothing happened. She was still standing there, separate from Shouji.

"I told you, it won't work," she pouted.

 

[Admiral19]

Kanae gave a respectful nod to Luca as he left, then looked towards Genki again. "So, your house...it wasn't exactly an accident that destroyed it."

From the top, she explained everything; the medallions, the ARMOR system, Aesir, the monsters, the Holders, Shouji, everything she could think of. She couldn't leave a detail out, so that Genki could understand just what was happening.

"That's why Akira is so badly hurt. We've been straining ourselves to try and keep these medallions out of Aesir's hands. Aquarius is still out there, and Shouji and Hotaru are trying to get it. We need to figure out what the Kaiserin wants with them before the world is wiped out!"

---

Rui perked their head up. They could have sworn that they heard a sound outside...

"Hey, Youmo." They nodded to the Eldrian. "Check outside real quick. If they're neutrals, proceed with caution. If they're hostiles, wipe them off of the earth."

 

[Ranix Aurus]

Genki listened to Kanae's explanation with focused gaze, like a student listening to his teacher. In the end, he pondered for a moment before nodding at Kanae.

"I understand."

...Well, that was easier than expected. He seemed to be taking it really well. Too well, perhaps. The smile on his face grew once again.

"All the more reason to move with me, then! Akira, your situation is really dangerous right now. Dad will take care of it! As long as you live with Dad, then Dad can protect you! Of course, your friend and her family is also welcome to stay with us. It'll be alright. You don't have to be scared anymore. It must be hard, right? But worry not, Dad is here. Everything will be-"

Alright. His smile seemed to be saying that.

"...Do you see, Kanae?" Akira murmured, too tired to retort. "He doesn't care about our opinions. In his head, he's the only one who's right."

---

Youmo was lifting a fallen shelf for Haru to check underneath. He blatantly ignored Rui, as if he didn't hear them in the first place. Haru glanced back for a bit before waving for Youmo to come closer. After whispering to his ears, he nodded at Haru before rushing out through a broken window.

Haru looked at Rui for a moment before continuing her search.

In the van, Seiichiro was panicking. If Shouji couldn't use Gemini the same way Akira did, then they were severely outgunned. He turned to Aisuke, unsure on what to do. At that moment, the van shook greatly, throwing him off balance. Something was banging at the roof. One time. Two time. Finally, a large hole opened on the roof, and Youmo's two tentacles surged in mercilessly.

 

[Admiral19]

"And you believe that?!" Kanae's voice rose sharply. She could understand wanting to protect your kid. But this...Genki was sounding more selfish than anything. "We're trying to stop an organization from raising hell, and he wants to take one of the only people who could stop them away?"

Kanae looked at Genki. "Look. You care about your son. I understand, it was like that with my folks too. But you're putting your head in the sand! You see how Akira looks. The Holders aren't gonna hesitate to wipe out anyone who gets in their way, and normal people aren't gonna survive! Yes we're scared, yes it's hard! But who the hell else is gonna do it?!"

---

Ah, that was right. The Eldrians didn't really respond to Rui...no, to any of the Holders, did they? They were loyal to Alfred, but not necessarily anyone else. Hm.

Outside, Aisuke was...worried. This wasn't good. What was causing Gemini not to respond? Was it incompatibility or some—

The roof was torn open like a can of sardines, tentacles reaching out to grab someone. "Get down! Senior, if there's something that can be done, we should do it quick...!"

 

[Ranix Aurus]

Genki stirred for a moment upon hearing Kanae's rebuke. He rubbed his chin, pondering really deeply about what she had said. The silence seemed to be heavy before he finally looked up once again, his eyes gleaming like a light bulb had turned on in his head.

"Ah, but it doesn't have to be you, right? There are more than eight billions people in this planet, surely there are other compatible people, if we look it up. I can help search them for you. Mr Sternz have a huge connection around the globe, I'm sure he'll be willing to help us! What do you think? It's a great idea, isn't it?"

---

"Anything, anything... what can we do-?! Oh, right! I don't know if this will work, but-!"

Seiichiro pulled out a vial from his pocket. The de-monsterification serum (name pending) that he had "perfected" over the months! Well, not like he had any means to test it out aside from that time with Mochizuki, but... perhaps it could have some effect with this monster?

"Eat this!" The scientist threw the vial at the groping tentacles. The thin glass broke upon impact, splashing the content all over the slimy surface.

It looked like the tentacles had been set on fire. They writhe violently for a moment before getting pulled right back out. On the roof, Youmo had throw his clothes off, revealing the humanoid reptile form. He let out a seething growl as he jumped off of the van before landing on the icy ground and rolled around in pain.

"It... it worked?" Seiichiro was both ecstatic and perplexed.

"This is our chance!" Shouji grabbed Aisuke's arm and pulled him out of the wrecked van. Hotaru and Seiichiro followed right behind him. "It doesn't really matter where we are right now... it might be best to get inside the building and find the medallion as soon as possible. As for Aesir..."

He clenched his fists, seemingly coming to a decision.

"I'll get their attention. I don't know how long I can stall them but... I'll do it. I have to do it!"

 

[Admiral19]

"We don't have time to do that! Aesir is clearly trying to do something now! Trying to find someone else compatible would take ages, and our world will be fucked by then!"

If Kanae couldn't convince this guy, they'd be hopeless. She had to convince Genki, but he seemed stubborn as anything...

Kanae wasn't one to give up, though.

"Look, if you're really worried about his safety, why do you choose now of all times to worry, huh? And if you have been worried this whole time, then why wait so long to say anything?"

---

Youmo seemed to be doing his job...Rui continued searching around for Aquarius, hunting through old piles and fallen shelves...

One thing caught their eye in particular. A sheet with a bunch of numbers and...a diagram. A circular shape, with markings at twelve points. It reminded them of the monitor display they sometimes saw in the Kaiserin's room...

A roar from outside distracted them. Immediately, Aoi and Aina rushed out to see what was going on, but Rui stayed behind—hesitated, just for a moment. What was happening out there...?

"Go for it!" Aisuke shouted as Youmo backed off. "Senior, be careful. You don't know what might happen!"

 

[Ranix Aurus]

"Of course I worry about my son all the time! I've invited him to stay with me abroad again and again, but he always rejected me. It's hard to have a rebellious kid, but I understand. Dad can't really force you to do what you don't like, but it's not because Dad doesn't care. Dad just want to give you freedom. You understand, right, Akira?"

Akira grunted.

Genki's smile grew wider at Kanae, his voice slowing down a bit as if he was an adult trying to teach a stubborn child.

"Maybe you can help me convince him? You're good friend with my son, right? As a friend, you'll want the best for him, right? He'll be safer here, by my side. Don't worry about that Aesir thing. The world is not so fragile that some random people can destroy it so easily. Everything will be fine~"

---

"Have at it!"

Seiichiro threw another vial at Youmo for good measure, causing the monster to shrink away even further from the group as he writhe on the ground, desperately trying to wipe the spill off his scales and tentacles. Now that he was out of commission, the path to the building was clear... until they noticed two silhouettes coming out of the entrance.

"I'll deal with them! You guys find a way in!"

Shouji rushed out ahead of the group. Before Aoi and Aina could notice him, he ran as fast as he could and raised his hand.

"Satellizer, set, up!"

Satellizer ready.

His fist shone with red hot light as he launched his fist at Aoi's face.

"...Let's go..." Hotaru tugged at Aisuke's sleeve, telling him to get moving. Shouji had sacrificed himself to buy them some time, so they had to make it count.

 

[Admiral19]

"What you're offering isn't freedom! You clearly haven't seen what they've already done. They make fucking monsters! We're going in circles here, don't you think?"

This was impossible. He had a point, but he was using it to deflect the point she was trying to make, which was infuriating as hell!

"Nothing's gonna be fine if we ignore them." Kanae took a breath before she got furious. "If we let this sit, so many people—here, in Japan, everywhere—so many people will die! Will seeing the world burn be worth being with your son?"

---

Very quickly, Aisuke helped Hotaru get around the fight that was beginning, making a break to the old lab. Waiting for them in the doorway, however, would be...

Rui's attention was drawn fast, and their ARMOR was donned faster. "How did you get here?"

Aoi, in the meantime, barely felt the paltry Satellizer that Shouji threw at her. She knocked him away with her spear. "You haven't learned, have you?" There it was, that mocking tone that he's heard Aoi use a thousand times. Aina moved him aside with her pile-driver, walking to the van to see...

Absolutely no one. "Nobody's in here. They must have went to get the medallion."

"Shame. But they're gonna have to go through Rui." Aoi looked down. "As for you..."

 

[Ranix Aurus]

"Yes."

Genki replied so nonchalantly, as if he was talking about the current weather. His smile never faltered.

"If I can be with my son... if I can be with my family, then it doesn't matter if the world burns."

His eyes curved up like a crescent.

"You'll understand when you become a parent yourself, dear."

---

"Crap," Seiichiro halted. They had finally managed to get inside. The dilapidated building was dark even in daylight. Old documents were strewn about the dusty floor, reserved in time by the extreme cold. They were so close to Aquarius, until Rui got in their way. The lustrous ARMOR was a stark contrast to the desolate building.

"Listen, we... we need the medallion to save the world!" From what he had heard, Rui was more amiable compared to the other two Holders that Aesir had. He wanted to try convince them to let them through, but... he really wasn't the type for it. He glanced at Aisuke, pleading for him to do his magic.

---

"Gah-!"

That one hurt. Shouji clutched his side. The spot where Aoi's spear had struck him stung like mad. Even if the ARMOR had protected him from breaking a bone, he could still feel the stinging pain from the impact.

As expected, his useless Finisher could only barely tickle her. Worse, he was going at it two on one. Aina liked to stay out of the fight if she felt like she didn't need to, but that would mean that the people going into the building would be hunted down instead. He couldn't let that happen, if anything, not to Aisuke.

No... he could only gamble on this!

He strugged back to his feet. Before Aoi could reach him, he pulled out a small capsule that Hotaru had given to him before. The Overdrive system that Seiichiro had made... he didn't know whether it worked the same way as Rui's or Aoi's, but it was his last trump card. He didn't wish for much, not even to defeat Aoi. If he could just buy some more time... just a few seconds more...

...Perhaps he could finally be useful?

"Haaaaa!" Shouji pushed the capsule into a slot in the wristband. The small needle inside was activated, injecting him with a dose of Seiichiro's mix of Jotunn serum. He felt his heart beating faster, his body heating up uncontrollably, and his muscles were being torn on all sides.

But he felt powerful. More powerful than ever before!

Excess energy detected. Making adjustment... Adjustment completed. Override started. Beginning countdown until projected duration.

"Heaaaaah! Satellizer! Set! Up!"

Satellizer ready.

His right arm burst out with burning red heat. Hotter. Hotter. The snow on the ground were melting into dirty puddle as temperature around him rose to an uncomfortable degree.

Then, he threw his punch once again at Aoi.

It was different from before-- launching at breakneck speed, the searing fist seemed to be exploding with energy, threatening to swallow everything in its path whole.

 

[Admiral19]

For a brief moment, Kanae remembered her nightmare. Everything aflame, monsters surrounding her, everyone she's ever loved, gone—and she couldn't even cry.

No. No, it did matter.

"Genki! Akira and Hotaru mean everything to me! I didn't spend all the time you should have been there for you to take that. I didn't spend the past few years watching over them and being the best damn friend they could ever have, just for you to try and take that away from me! I met them when they were broken up by their mom dying and their dad ignoring every word they said."

Kanae got right up in Genki's infuriatingly happy face. "I care about them. But I won't live in a world that they can't live in."

---

Aisuke nodded. "Rui. Do you remember the Grand Canyon?"

How could Rui forget?

"I saw you and Shouji. He said it better than I probably could, but the Kaiserin...even after everything you do for her is completed, who's to say what she'll do to you afterwards?"

"She can do whatever she wants." Rui brought their swords out. "So long as Shouji is there...she could throw me out however she wants."

"But you shouldn't have to be thrown out! You're worth more than that, surely!"

---

"Override—" Aoi was send backwards into the snow by Shouji's punch. Aina seemed to expect this, immediately stabbing forwards with her pile driver before Shouji could do anything else.

"So you all have Overdrive, too." Aina thrusted jab after jab at Shouji's body. "Surely you've seen what it could have done to Aoi in the canyon, though."

 

[Ranix Aurus]

Kanae's words seemed to have struck a nerve; Genki's smile faltered ever so slightly, and his hands began to tremble. His voice was no longer chipper. Temperature seemed to be dropping as he talked behind gritted teeth. The facade that he was keeping for so long had seemingly crumble just like that.

"Stop. You have no idea about Kasumi, about Hotaru...! Don't speak as if you know them!" His eyes were glaring, looking like a beast that was about to pounce at its prey--

"Alright, am I interrupting?"

Suddenly, he was pulled away by a pair of strong hands. Luca Sternz had walked in when he heard shouting from the room, and he was right on time. He flashed an apologetic smile to Kanae before patting Genki on the head.

"I think that's enough. You're disturbing the sick. You go get the car first, I'll wrap things up here."

Genki walked out, still in a foul mood, but he didn't say anything else. Luca on the other hand rubbed the back of his head, feeling awkward.

"I'm sorry. Gan-kee is... well, you've seen how he is. I'm just an employer, so I don't have the right to criticize him. At the very least, even if you don't like him, please remember that he's your father, okay? Akira boy?"

He glanced at Akira, who snorted at him. He then grinned at Kanae.

---

Hotaru clutched on Aisuke's sleeve, her eyes narrowed at Rui. She hoped that Aisuke's words would be able to get them to their side, or at least stop them from being hostile. If he failed... she didn't dare to think that far yet.

---

"Ugh-- Arrgh!"

It hurts. It hurts. It HURTS!

Shouji was burning. It was like every bit of his life was being sucked away to fuel the rampaging power blasting through his body. The pain was like thousand of knives slicing his flesh, one bit at a time. It was already hard for him to keep standing, not to mention being under Aina's barrage of strikes. He tried to get out of the way, but for every dodge, three jabs would hit him, leaving his body battered and bruised underneath the ARMOR.

"I.. I don't care!" Shouji roared, his eyes blazing with defiance. "If... if that means I can be useful to him... then it's all worth it! I'll give everything, even this life! Satellizer!"

Satellizer ready.

Energy poured into his fist once again. He stopped dodging, letting Aina's pile driver to thrust at his ARMOR, cracking through its thin protective layer, just to make a small window of time for him to retaliate.

Crack. Snap.

He felt pain shooting through his entire right arm. The power was beyond his control, it was breaking his bones in the inside. However, he still raised it without hesitation. Just one hit... if he could land just one hit, then--

"HAAAAAAH!"

Like a shooting star, his fist shot through the air, igniting a trail of burning shockwave.

 

[Admiral19]

Kanae felt a little bad that she had to go that far. But there seemed to be no other way he would have listened.

When Luca came to escort Genki out, Kanae smiled as well. The smile fell the moment he left.

"I'm sorry," she said to Akira.

---

"Am I really, though?" Rui's voice was weary. "Shouji...he said that I deserved to be loved. All I've ever done is earn love, and I've never really been able to earn Shouji's love. So for him to just say that to me seems..."

"Love shouldn't be something you have to earn, though!" Aisuke's voice was forceful, yet kind. "If someone loves you, however they love you, it should be a mutual exchange. You care for them, they care for you."

"Then what took Shouji so long?! Up until he left Aesir, he's been an angry, aggressive, horrible person! And then I threw him under the bus! Even if he wasn't terrible back then, he should hate me now!"

"People are capable of change. They can take something, reflect on it. Shouji didn't want to live in his own failure, so he decided to change for the better. It's a slow, hard process. But it can be done."

Rui remained silent.

"Do you care about Shouji, Rui?"

The grip on their swords tightened. They looked towards Hotaru. Shouji had poisoned that girl before, turned her into something terrible. And yet, from what they heard, she managed to return to normal.

"You." They spoke to Hotaru. "Have you...ever cared for somebody to the point where it feels...painful?"

---

Oh shi—

The strike was, compared to a standard Overdrive-powered Satellizer, weaker...but that was like saying that a missile was weaker than a bomb. Aina flew farther than Aoi did, packed snow just barely cushioning her landing. Overdrive was powerful, huh...

"What exactly are you trying to protect back there?" Aina shouted at Shouji, preparing to insert her own capsule into her wristband. "Are you sure it's just the medallion you want?"

 

[Ranix Aurus]

"I know what you're being sorry for. My response is, don't," Akira showed her a wry smile. "I was the one who told him where I'm admitted. If there's anyone at fault, then it's me."

He laid on the bed, looking dejected.

"My father, he... he's not the same since mom was gone. It's like he's stuck in his own little world, and nobody else matter except for his vision of that world. He's not looking at me, he's looking at the Akira from years ago. He... he's running in the same place, over, and over, and over again..."

---

Hotaru smiled at them, something that she rarely done. The only time she would smile, was...

...When she was thinking about her.

"Every single day of my life," she replied. Even now, she still felt the pain, because she was afraid. She was afraidthat the moment she told her how she really felt, if she told her the truth... then everything would crumble into pieces.

---

"The medallion... heh... you guys... won't get it..."

Shouji was at his last stretch. His heart was pounding so hard, so loud, that his ears were ringing to the point that it was hard to hear anything else. He instinctively knew that his time wasn't long. Just a bit more, just a little bit more... as long as he could stall for a little bit more...

Warning: limit reached. Forceful extraction in 10... 9...

"Just ten more seconds, huh... fine by me!"

Just one more strike, if he could throw one more strike!

"Satellizer! Set up!"

Satellizer ready. 5... 4...

With not a moment to lose, Shouji let out a roar that shook the sky as he launched himself at Aina, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. Draining the final bit of his strength, he launched the last Finisher that he could muster.

 

[Admiral19]

"I can see that. Don't worry about it, it's fine. Just sucks that this is how I find out."

At least she managed to...somewhat get through to him. It wasn't gonna be enough to warrant a change, but Genki was off their backs for a while. That was good.

She wondered if Akira still wanted his panini.

---

So they weren't alone. Good...that was good. Rui didn't have to suffer alone.

"What would you do, then? How would you...I just want it to stop hurting. What am I supposed to do?"

They kicked aside some old rubble, watching it crumble to the floor, much like Rui wanted to do for the past day.

But within the busted rubble, something gleamed bright.

---

Shouji...did this boy have a death wish?! Regardless, Aina prepared to meet Shouji's attack, staring down headlong at him as he threw another punch...

This one was strong enough to cause snow to puff up around them both. By the time the dust settled...

...Aina was doubled over, coughing up blood. Fuck. Fuck.

"Shouji..." The snow beneath her was stained red. "Rui is in there. Is that what this is about...?"

 

[Ranix Aurus]

Akira grinned at her.

"So, about that Panini..."

---

Outside, Genki had drove their car to the entrance. A blue metallic SUV that was common on the street. Luca took the wheel afterward as Genki switched to the passenger seat.

"I guess Akira boy isn't interested in going with us," Luca said offhandedly as he started the engine.

"He will," Genki said, still with that smile of his. "My boy and I are the same kind of person. He will see my view sooner or later. Just wait."

Luca sighed. He didn't bother rebuking his words. It was fine either way. After all, wasn't it the uncertainty that made life so exciting?

---

"...I don't know," Hotaru replied, her voice trembling. "I would like to know the answer to your question as well."

Or perhaps, they already knew the answer all along. They were just afraid to reach for it.

Seiichiro suddenly gasped. That streak of light... he leaned to take a closer look, inadvertently nudging Aisuke in the process.

---

"Rui..."

ARMOR Off.

The system ejected his suit in time, right before he crumbled to his knees. His sight was getting blurry, from exhaustion, from pain, from his body screaming all over due to the aftereffect of the serum...

Right... more than wanting to be useful, he wanted to prove his promise to Rui that day. He would fight Aesir, defeat the Kaiserin, and one day, one day...

...One day, with Rui...

"Eat... shit..." Shouji gave her the middle finger before he fell unconscious.