'Kanesaki! Bulky guy!'
The awfully happy Yasuko dashed down the airstrip, immediately leaping over to the two, her arms locking around their neck, pulling them close as she nuzzled her head against theirs. The two gasped and shouted as they were forced towards her, almost suffocating under her grip.
'Shit... Hey, Yasuko... Maybe, could you... Release... Us!?'
Hearing the air leaving Kanesaki's voice, she quickly let go, cleaning herself up before stepping back.
'Yeah, yeah, whatever.'
Sakaguchi coughed, trying to get the air back as he went to speak.
'So... Your outpost is helping out?'
The Chimera grinned ecstatically ear to ear. 'Yup! And honestly, I kinda missed to two of ya!'
Kanesaki, still holding his throat, half unconscious, muttered '...clearly...' under what breath he had left.
From behind Yasuko, amongst the sounds of the ship cargo being unloaded and troops running about, one voice stood out, calling over.
'Yasuko, what're you doing over there?'
It was a woman's voice - calm, relaxed and somewhat soothing. Looking over, the three saw her approaching.
She moved with grace - smooth, poised, and impossible to ignore. Her light brown, olive-toned skin glowed faintly under the orange-yellow sunlight, stretched over a frame that was long, slim, yet unmistakably curvy in all the right ways.
Her hair was a striking silver-ash, cropped short around the sides with just enough length at the back to be braided into a tight, elegant tail that brushed the nape of her neck. The braid swung subtly with each step, hinting at discipline beneath her otherwise effortless allure.
Piercing dark red eyes cut through the haze like twin embers - cold, sharp, and burning all at once. They locked on with an intensity that made the three hesitate to look away first, revealing a mind always calculating, always aware. When paired with her full, swollen lips - naturally plush and often caught in a faint smirk - she carried an expression that hovered somewhere between seduction and threat.
She wore a dark grey crop top that hugged her upper body with tailored precision, its sleeveless cut revealing the toned, coiled strength in her midsection. A black sports bra was just visible beneath, framing her form over her shoulders. Draped over her shoulders - and left unzipped - was a silver-white jacket, its sleeves rolled up to the elbows. The glossy fabric contrasted sharply with the rest of her outfit, catching the light just enough to accentuate the subtle power in her stance.
Her tight, black trousers followed every contour of her legs with unapologetic boldness, tucked neatly into black leather shoes built more for silent movement than fashion - though she pulled off both effortlessly. Light grey gloves covered her hands, clean and utilitarian.
Kanesaki's mind went blank for a moment, his eyes lost focus gazing at her. She stared at him, eyes narrowing fiercely as she crossed her arms. Sakaguchi quickly raised a hand and smacked the lost Chimera on the head, knocking him out of his trance with a loud 'Gah!'
Scratching his head, Kanesaki looked up, annoyed at Sakaguchi before laughing it off when he realised the woman was still staring at him. He suddenly looked back with a nervous, almost embarrassed grin, avoiding proper eye contact for no more than 3 seconds as he shrunk back, face flushed red.
'So you're Kanesaki, I assume?'
Her voice was still calm, smooth, lowered slightly, enough to draw a nervous laugh from Kanesaki as he gazed at the concrete ground.
'Yeah, heheh... That's me.'
A little smirk formed on her lips as she hummed in approval before turning over to face Sakaguchi.
'And you should be Sakaguchi?'
The officer nodded, standing upright and saluting, as he does for all higher personnel. Her smirk widened, clearly amused by the two and their respective reactions.
Yasuko smiled to herself, walking in front of her captain and speaking proudly.
'This here is Captain Yasui Izanami, my amazing captain!' Her hands suddenly splayed out wide, as if she was presenting some sort of rare, cherished item.
Still amused, the captain stepped forward, patting Yasuko on the shoulder.
'Thank you Yasuko, but I can introduce myself just fine to these kind young men.'
Moving her arm, she smiled politely, yet it felt masked by something deeper as she put her hand out. Sakaguchi shook her hand firmly, she replied with a surprised, almost amused hum, before facing Kanesaki, who quickly shook her hand, his own hand trembling slightly. Noticing this, she pulled his hand closer, closing the proximity a little between the two, her voice dropped lower as she gazed down into his eyes, her red eyes burning into his.
'You nervous or something, boy?' Her smirk returned - like she knew what she was doing and somewhat enjoyed it.
Kanesaki pulled back, face almost fully red as he tried to cover it up, drawing a laugh from everyone around.
'Don't worry, I don't bite.' she mused, moving one hand into her pocket, shifting her hip a little.
Then, to the right of all of Kanesaki, another man walked over.
Clad in a pale grey officer's uniform, he stood with a calm, composed presence - every line of fabric crisp, every button in place. A silver lieutenant's badge gleamed subtly on the chest, catching the light with each slight movement. The uniform's design hugged close to a slender but sturdy frame, speaking to both rank and experience.
Short, wavy blonde hair framed his face, the strands soft and neatly kept despite the wear of duty. Hazel eyes scanned with quiet calculation, carrying the weight of someone who had seen too much, too young. Just beneath the jaw, a faint slash of a scar ran along the neck - thin, pale, and precise.
Under the tailored coat, a muted grey shirt added an extra layer of utility, tucked cleanly into pristine white trousers. A brown leather belt cinched at the waist, practical and well-worn, supporting two holstered pistols - one on either hip, perfectly balanced. The weapons were clean and well-maintained, clearly extensions of someone who knew how to use them, and likely had.
'Captain, are these the officers from this outpost?' His voice sounded tired yet still stern.
Captain Yasui looked over at her lieutenant, her smile turning warmer.
'Mhm, officer Sakaguchi, Lieutenant Wachisaka and their Chimera, Kanesaki.'
Observing the three - more specifically, Kanesaki, the lieutenant squinted his eyes.
'You're the Chimera that Yasuko couldn't stop talking about?'
Slowly, Kanesaki's eyes shifted over, side-eyeing Yasuko with blunt confusion, she just smiled and laughed nervously, cheeks going just a faint red from the embarrassment as she tapped her foot.
'Meh, doesn't bother me.' clearing his throat, he continued. 'I'm the lieutenant from 68, Ike Katsumi, nice meeting you.'
His voice was blunt, he didn't even put a hand out, just stared blandly. Kanesaki gave a faint smile back, to which he didn't reply, only facing his captain.
'We should get going into the base, their captain should be there to give us the proper rundown.' He muttered quietly to Yasui.
She gave a little nod and started walking past everyone, waving her hand for them to follow. Sakaguchi noticed Kanesaki still looking a little tranced, hitting him again as he shot back a pissed look.
Clearing his throat, he moved to whisper to Sakaguchi.
'Wonder how Nishihara and the captain are doing.'
Sakaguchi leaned in and whispered back.
'I'm sure they've got more... Warm guests.'
***
'Great to meet another comrade!'
Putting his hand out warmly, Yanagi stared ahead at the man before him.
He stood like a statue carved from frost and silence, wrapped in a pale white trench coat that flowed just past his knees, sharp at the seams and spotless even in the dust and wind. The coat's pristine hue contrasted against the muted grey of his trousers and the dark grey gloves that covered his hands with a rigid, deliberate stillness.
Perched atop his head was a white hat, its wide brim dipping forward just enough to shroud his eyes in shadow. The shape was reminiscent of a fedora, classic and cold, casting a veil over any flicker of intent behind his gaze. Only the lower half of his face remained clearly visible - a strong jaw and lips locked in a permanent line of stone.
His expression was stern, unblinking - the kind of look that didn't break under pressure. He didn't need to. The sheer absence of emotion, the way he seemed completely unphased by everything around him, was its own quiet menace.
Yanagi's laughs turned to a dull silence as he awaited a nonexistent response, turning back a little to whisper to Nishihara, smiling nervously behind him.
'We sure he's the captain?'
A confused Nishihara quickly leaned in, eyes still carefully studying the man before them as he whispered.
'Don't know... Outpost 61 are kinda sketchy with their stuff. Apparently their captain rarely even comes out.'
'So this isn't their captain?' Yanagi whispered back, tone more of a shocked but intrigued kind.
From behind the statue of a man, a sudden nine more almost identical men came marching down the ship's ramp, walking in perfect unison, their faces practically being shared between the lot.
Nishihara and Yanagi's faces caved in - a sudden jolt had stopped in their brains. They could hardly fathom what they were staring at - yet the group of now ten perfectly identical men came marching past them, not even acknowledging the two as they made way for the base.
Chapter 35 - end