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BREAKING: Scientists Reach Unprecedented Ocean Depth, Report Unimaginable Discoveries
By Marina Delacroix, Oceanic Research Times
Date: 20XX, July 30th
In a groundbreaking expedition, a team of international marine scientists has reached depths beyond 10,928 meters — surpassing the deepest known regions of the ocean. Their mission, aimed at mapping uncharted territories, has uncovered phenomena previously thought impossible.
At the bottom of the abyss, researchers discovered plants emitting immense electronic energy, unlike anything cataloged in known biology. Early reports suggest that these organisms generate power at levels that could theoretically supply entire cities. However, access to this energy source comes with extreme risks.
The expedition team encountered unprecedented dangers, including violent currents, toxic gases, and previously unknown deep-sea predators exhibiting high levels of intelligence and aggression. Only a fraction of the discoveries could be salvaged, and the team has reported severe psychological trauma following the mission.
Tragically, in an event that has stunned the scientific community, all members of the expedition were found deceased weeks after their return, having committed suicide simultaneously in the same residence. Authorities have released a single remaining artifact: a note warning the public against further exploration of the depths, stating simply, “Do not go deeper. Do not touch what lies beyond. Leave it buried.”
Oceanographic experts are urging caution. Dr. Helena Marquez of the Global Marine Institute commented, “This is a stark reminder that the ocean still holds secrets far beyond our comprehension. Humanity is not yet prepared for what lies in the deepest trenches.”
As investigations continue, questions remain about the nature of these lifeforms and the cause of the divers’ inexplicable final actions. The international community is now grappling with the ethical and safety concerns of exploring regions beyond known depths, as the abyss appears to be far more dangerous — and enigmatic — than ever imagined.
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Japan Proposes Ambitious Deep-Sea Expedition: “Project Blue Lock: Trenchbound”
By Haruto Sakamoto, Global Oceanic News
Date: 20XX August 4
Tokyo, Japan — A bold proposal from Japanese marine visionary Ego Jinpanchi has captured international attention. Renowned for his unprecedented foresight and strategic genius, Ego has outlined plans for a full-scale deep-sea expedition unlike any in history: Project Blue Lock: Trenchbound.
The project aims to assemble the world’s elite divers, selected without exception, to explore the deepest, most perilous regions of the ocean. According to preliminary reports, the expedition will target zones beyond 10,928 meters — surpassing even the most extreme depths previously explored.
Ego Jinpanchi’s vision promises to unlock unprecedented discoveries, including new biological energy sources and unknown oceanic ecosystems, while also addressing global technological and energy needs. However, the extreme risk associated with such depths has raised serious concerns. Experts caution that the abyss remains largely unexplored, harboring hazards that have historically resulted in psychological trauma and fatal outcomes for divers.
The international response is still pending. Countries with advanced maritime programs are deliberating whether to contribute personnel, technology, and resources to the initiative. Some officials have expressed optimism, highlighting the potential scientific and technological breakthroughs, while others have urged caution, citing both human safety and ecological ethics.
In a statement released this morning, Ego Jinpanchi emphasized the mission’s importance: “To conquer the unknown is to secure humanity’s future. Only the bravest and most capable people should take this journey.”
As discussions continue, the world watches closely. If approved, Project Blue Lock: Trenchbound could redefine humanity’s understanding of the ocean — or test the limits of those daring enough to descend into its forbidden depths.
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Global Marine Titans Express Interest in Japan’s “Project Blue Lock: Trenchbound”
By Haruto Sakamoto, Global Oceanic News
Date: 20XX August 7
Tokyo, Japan — Following Japan’s daring proposal for Project Blue Lock: Trenchbound, the global marine community has erupted with interest. Within just 72 hours of the announcement, five of the world’s most powerful oceanic agencies have reached out to Ego Jinpanchi, the project’s enigmatic creator, to negotiate potential collaboration.
The agencies include:
Bastard München Deep Systems (Germany) – known for their cutting-edge submarine engineering and high-pressure robotics.
Paris X Gen Oceanic Division (France) – pioneers in genetic oceanic research and abyssal mapping.
Ubers Salvage Unit (Italy) – the world’s most disciplined deep recovery fleet.
Manshine Maritime Technologies (England) – specialists in luxury-class exploration and bioilluminescent energy recovery.
Barcha Institute of Marine Freedom (Spain) – leaders in environmental preservation and fluid motion technology.
Each agency has offered unique resources, from multi-billion-dollar equipment to elite divers and experimental submersibles. Their motives, however, vary — some see the project as a leap for humanity, while others suspect it may serve as a contest for dominance beneath the waves.
Adding to the intrigue, Itoshi Sae, the world-renowned independent diver and oceanographer, has reportedly expressed personal interest in joining the mission. Known for his solo expeditions under the Real Madrid Oceanic Foundation, Sae has earned global fame for his discovery of the “Blue Vein Current,” a mysterious underwater stream believed to connect multiple trenches across the world.
Negotiations between Ego and the agencies remain confidential, but insiders suggest that Project Blue Lock: Trenchbound may evolve into an international joint operation — one that will test the strength, ambition, and endurance of humanity’s best divers.
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“Good afternoon, Japan, and thank you for tuning in to JNN — the Japanese National News. I’m your anchor, Shisu Aoi. Today marks an unprecedented moment in human history. After days of speculation, debates, and global anticipation, Project Blue Lock: Trenchbound has officially been approved for initiation. The project, proposed by Japan’s very own marine visionary, Ego Jinpachi, aims to uncover the mysteries of the ocean’s deepest abyss — a place beyond even the known limits of human exploration.
For the first time in decades, top marine agencies from around the world are coming together under one name and one goal: to unlock the power hidden within the trench. The government has declared this operation as a “global collaboration for the future of deep-sea energy,” though details about its exact objectives remain highly classified. What we do know, however, is that this is no ordinary expedition — it’s a gathering of the world’s finest divers, scientists, and engineers, each representing their nation’s pride beneath the waves.”
The screen then shifts to the airport feed. Cameras shake slightly as the live scene bursts with energy — reporters shouting, fans holding banners, and security guards struggling to maintain order.
“Yes, Shisu!” the reporter, Haruto Sakamoto, calls out, his voice nearly drowned by the roar of the crowd. “I’m here live at Haneda Airport, where chaos and excitement are at an all-time high. As of this moment, several international marine agencies — including Bastard München, Paris X Gen, Manshine City, Ubers, and Barcha — are arriving on Japanese soil. You can feel the energy in the air! Thousands of fans have gathered here since early morning, some even camping overnight, hoping to catch a glimpse of these world-renowned divers as they step off their private carriers.”
The camera pans across the crowd, revealing posters with names like Kaiser, Rin Itoshi, Barou, and Nagi flashing in bold letters. People are waving flags of different nations — Germany, France, Spain, and Italy — symbolizing the unity this project promises to bring.
“Security has been heightened,” Sakamoto continues, moving slightly as airport guards usher a crowd away from the gates. “Officials have also confirmed that this massive operation will be headquartered in a newly built marine facility off the coast of Okinawa, designed specifically for Trenchbound. It’s said to be equipped with advanced submarines, pressure-resistant laboratories, and a state-of-the-art command center personally overseen by Professor Ego himself.
And let’s not forget,” he adds with a hint of awe, “there are rumors that independent prodigy diver Sae Itoshi — who famously discovered the ‘Heart Reef Cavern’ five years ago — has also been invited to participate in the project. If confirmed, his involvement could change everything we know about deep-sea research.”
The camera zooms back out, showing more aircraft landing in the background as flashes of silver, white, and black uniforms appear among the crowd.
“Back to you, Shisu,” Sakamoto concludes, “as Japan prepares to welcome the world’s greatest underwater elite. The excitement here is overwhelming — and if Project Blue Lock: Trenchbound succeeds, this might be the day humanity truly dives into a new era.”
The feed flickers, cutting back to Shisu Aoi at the news desk. Her tone turns solemn as she closes:
“Thank you, Haruto. Truly, history is unfolding before our very eyes. But as the world turns its gaze toward the ocean’s depths, one can’t help but wonder — what secrets lie waiting beneath the waves? And what price will humanity pay to uncover them?”
---
“Haaah… I’m exhausted.” Kaiser groaned, collapsing onto the sofa like gravity had personally betrayed him. His black, red, and yellow dive suit clung to him, slightly damp from the long flight, the bright stripes along his shoulders and chest catching the dim glow of the lounge lights.
“Here!” Ness practically sprinted over, holding a glass of water as if it were the most vital piece of equipment in the expedition. His own suit mirrored the team’s bold palette — black with sharp red and yellow trims — glinting under the room’s lighting. “You need this, Kaiser! Hydration is essential!”
Kaiser barely lifted an arm in thanks, muttering a lazy “Thanks, Ness,” before sprawling further across the sofa. Ness didn’t seem to care about the lack of enthusiasm — he simply smiled, thrilled to be of service.
Elsewhere in the Bastard München corner of the facility, the rest of the team was unpacking and settling in. The building itself was enormous — a pentagon-shaped structure floating just off the coast of Tokyo Bay, designed specifically for this joint international expedition. Each point of the pentagon housed a different team, their rooms visible from a central atrium that glowed with a soft blue light. Bastard München’s corner gleamed with sleek black walls accented by silver panels and faint streaks of red and yellow — a perfect visual reflection of their signature dive suits.
Yukimiya and Kunigami were already busy arranging their specialized diving equipment. Pressure regulators, hydro scanners, and portable communication devices littered the floor as they meticulously sorted, tested, and calibrated each piece. The black-red-yellow of their suits made them look like shadows streaked with fire as they moved, precision in motion.
Kurona had claimed one corner of the room for himself, decorating his bunk with shark posters, a few of which seemed to float in midair thanks to clever magnets. “Did you know some sharks can detect electric fields from over five miles away?” he murmured absently, hanging another glossy photo with care. “If we encounter one of those down there, maybe—”
“Nope,” Hiori interrupted flatly, still lying sprawled on his bed, phone in hand. His own black suit with subtle red and yellow highlights remained half-on, rolled back at the sleeves for comfort. “I can guess what you were gonna say.”
Kurona pouted, muttering under his breath as he fixed another poster crookedly on the wall.
Gagamaru had taken it upon himself to try and make Hiori’s bed, but quickly gave up halfway through, flopping onto the mattress with a resigned groan. The black-and-yellow edges of his suit peeked out from under the blanket.
Kiyora had already settled into sleep mode. Eyes closed, earbuds in, his suit partially unzipped for comfort, and the red stripe along his arm visible in the low light — he radiated a calm, almost unnerving stillness that contrasted sharply with Raichi’s boundless energy.
Speaking of Raichi… no one knew where he had gone. The last sighting involved him sprinting down the hall, yelling about claiming the best locker in the facility while his suit’s red stripe flared in the light.
Despite the exhaustion, Bastard München radiated a strange energy. Kurona muttered random shark facts, Gagamaru napped with impeccable posture, Yukimiya sorted equipment with machine-like efficiency, Kiyora maintained his zen, and Raichi created chaos wherever he went.
And then there was Noel Noa. Behind a sealed glass wall at the far corner of the pentagon, he sat alone in front of a bank of monitors. The soft hum of machines filled his room as numbers scrolled endlessly across the screens — depth equations, current patterns, sub pressure ratios, and environmental algorithms.
---
“Charles. Stop jumping around so much.”
The voice, sharp and laced with a thick French accent, startled the younger forward mid-bounce. Charles froze in place, wide-eyed, before losing his balance entirely — only to be caught effortlessly by a grinning Shidou.
“Whoa there, easy.” Shidou laughed, steadying him. “You good, kid?”
“Shidou!” Charles beamed, the earlier scare completely forgotten as he threw his arms around him. His blonde hair was a mess from all the jumping, his black-and-blue Paris X Gen dive suit slightly wrinkled from the fall.
“Come on, Captain,” Shidou said, glancing toward the man who’d barked the order — Julian Loki, their unshakable leader and self-proclaimed tactical genius. “Why not let the little guy live a little? You’re too uptight. We just got here!”
Loki crossed his arms, the navy and silver trim of his own suit glinting under the bright pentagon lights. “You as well, Shidou,” he said dryly, his tone making it clear that he meant business. “Both of you need to be on your best behavior if you want to stay here.”
Charles’s grin immediately melted into a pout, his lower lip jutting out like a scolded child. Shidou, on the other hand, simply shrugged, utterly unbothered. “Sure, sure,” he said nonchalantly, lounging against the wall. “Best behavior. Got it.”
Loki didn’t buy it for a second.
On the other side of the room, Zantetsu let out a long sigh and closed the book he’d been reading — upside down. “Honestly,” he said, rubbing his temple, “the two of you are bamboozle.”
Tomimitsu, who’d been quietly polishing the lens of his underwater camera, blinked. “Uhm… Zantetsu, you used that wrong,” he said softly. “Bamboozle is used when someone’s being fooled or tricked.”
Zantetsu frowned, as if deep in thought. “I see. Then pardon my… ideology.”
“No… that’s not right either.” Tomimitsu’s voice grew quieter as he realized this correction might be a lost cause.
Before Zantetsu could argue further, Loki’s voice cut in again, smooth but firm. “Point is,” he said, rubbing the bridge of his nose in exasperation, “I need everyone on their best behavior. This isn’t a playground, it’s an international expedition — and the entire world is watching us.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Shidou drawled, flopping down onto a nearby couch. “The whole world’s watching, and you’re worried about Charles jumping on a bed.”
“Exactly.” Loki shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
Charles giggled, his pout already gone. “Captain Loki just wants everything perfect,” he teased, his accent thick and sing-song. “He’s like the principal of the ocean.”
Zantetsu raised a hand solemnly. “That analogy is correct.”
“No, it isn’t,” Tomimitsu whispered again, voice barely audible.
“Enough,” Loki sighed, deciding he’d lost this battle before it began. He turned toward the massive observation window that looked out over the underwater cityscape of the pentagon facility. The glow of bioluminescent marine drones cast a faint shimmer across his suit. “We’ll be called for our briefing soon. I expect all of you to represent Paris X Gen with dignity.”
Shidou grinned, a flash of mischief sparking in his eyes. “Don’t worry, Captain. I’ll behave.”
“Your definition of 'behave' terrifies me,” Loki muttered.
But even as he said it, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Because for all their chaos — they were still Paris X Gen.
As the room quieted, Charles tiptoed toward the bed again, testing how much trouble he could get into before Loki noticed. Shidou caught his eye, smirking.
Loki didn’t even turn around this time. “Charles, if you jump one more time, I will have you running laps in a diving suit.”
That made Charles shut up instantly, his lips pressed together as if sealed by an invisible hand. The tension in the room shifted when the metallic door slid open with a soft hiss, drawing everyone’s attention to the entrance. Standing there, framed by the dim blue light of the hallway, were Rin Itoshi and Nijiro Nanase — both freshly suited in their PXG-standard black and navy diving gear, streaks of faint turquoise glinting under the facility’s glow.
“Rin!”
Shidou’s voice broke the silence, his grin wide and feral. He practically bounced off the couch and rushed toward him like a missile, arms spread in mock excitement. “Where’ve you been, huh?~” His tone dripped with teasing, a dangerous gleam flashing in his eyes.
Rin barely blinked before shoving him aside with one hand. “Don’t try picking fights you can’t win,” he said flatly, his voice sharp enough to slice through the static in the air. “And know your place, loser.”
That cold glare of his could’ve frozen seawater.
But Shidou only laughed — loud and unrestrained, the sound echoing off the metal walls. “Heh. You still talk tough. You want to fight, huh? Right here, right now?” he taunted, leaning forward with that same feral grin, the tension crackling between them like static electricity underwater.
The others exchanged wary looks. Charles had already backed up, clutching the edge of his bed as if it would protect him. Loki closed his eyes and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like “why me.” Zantetsu, meanwhile, quietly set down his book — not to intervene, but to get a better view.
Nanase stepped forward quickly, his nervous energy filling the air as he placed himself between them. “G-Guys!” he said, palms up. “We shouldn’t fight here! Especially since we just got here!”
Shidou’s grin only widened. “Aw, come on, Nanase~ don’t tell me the deep-sea prodigy’s already scared.”
“I’m not scared! I just—”
“Good,” Rin cut in, his tone dropping an octave, gaze still fixed on Shidou. “Then you’ll stay out of it.”
Nanase blinked, caught between panic and disbelief. “That’s— that’s not what I meant!”
The air thickened — like the pressure before a deep dive. Two predators sizing each other up, neither willing to back down. Shidou tilted his head, cracking his knuckles with a grin that said he was dying for chaos. Rin’s cold composure didn’t waver, but his posture screamed readiness.
And then—
“Enough.”
Loki’s voice sliced through the tension like a current. He didn’t raise it, didn’t need to — that sharp authority carried weight. “The next person who dents the wall, I’ll personally report them to Ego.”
That was enough to make even Shidou pause.
“Relax, Captain,” Shidou said, hands raised in mock surrender. “Just saying hello.”
Rin rolled his eyes, brushing past him and heading straight to his bunk. “Whatever you say, psycho.”
Nanase exhaled, relief flooding his shoulders. “Thank god…” he muttered.
From the couch, Charles peeked out. “They’re… not gonna fight, right?”
Zantetsu shrugged. “I do not know. But if they do, I shall call ‘bamboozle.’”
Tokimitsu sighed quietly. “That’s… not even a verb.”
Nanase suddenly gasped. “Wait… where is Karasu!?”
“He’s out memorizing the layout of the facility,” Rin replied flatly. “He should be back in a few minutes.”
“Did someone say my name?”
“GAAH!” Nanase yelped, nearly jumping out of his skin.
Karasu stood behind him, arms crossed and his usual unreadable expression on his face. “You should really work on your awareness, Nanase.”
“Karasu! Don’t sneak up on people like that!” Nanase groaned, clutching his chest.
Shidou chuckled from across the room. “He’s probably crawling around the ceiling again, huh?”
Rin gave Karasu a sharp look. “You didn’t actually go up there, did you?”
Karasu tilted his head slightly, as if considering whether to answer. “…I might’ve.”
“Seriously?” Rin’s voice dropped. “You can’t just crawl through the vents on the first day.”
Charles blinked. “Wait, he was actually in the vents?”
“I was checking the ventilation structure,” Karasu replied calmly. “It’s a good way to understand the facility’s design. You’d be surprised how connected everything is up there.”
Loki pinched the bridge of his nose. “Karasu, you’re supposed to walk through the halls like a normal person, not behave like some sort of spy.”
Karasu only shrugged, a faint smirk forming. “Normal’s boring.”
“Unbelievable,” Rin muttered.
Nanase sighed, rubbing his temple. “I swear, this team is going to give me a heart attack…”
Shidou laughed, throwing an arm around Nanase’s shoulder. “Oh, relax! You’ll get used to it. Karasu being in the vents is just another Tuesday.”
“Not helping!” Nanase snapped, shaking him off.
Loki’s voice cut through the chatter, calm but firm. “Enough. Everyone, settle down. We’re guests here, and we’ll be evaluated tomorrow morning. The least we can do is not destroy anything on the first day.”
The room slowly quieted.
Karasu gave a small nod and began walking toward the corridor. Before disappearing, he looked back, his tone light but just a little too serious. “I’ll be in the vents if anyone needs me.”
Rin groaned audibly. “Of course you will.”
And with that, the faint sound of metal shifting echoed above them as Karasu vanished into the ceiling — leaving the rest of Paris X Gen staring up in silence.
“…We’re doomed,” Nanase whispered.
---
“How many times have I told you this, Lorenzo? Put your socks in the laundry bin! That’s why I even brought custom-made bins for all of us!” Barou’s voice echoed through the Ubers wing as he gestured angrily at the scattered clothes.
Lorenzo, stretched across his bed, yawned and rolled onto his side. “Sure, Barou. Got it.”
Barou’s eyes bulged. “Got it? Look at this! Clothes on the floor, bottles open… How do you expect to survive in the trench if you can’t even survive your own room?”
Aryu groaned dramatically, flinging himself onto his bed and covering his ears. “The noise… it’s unbearable! All this yelling and chaos is going to make my skin break out! Can’t anyone keep it down?”
Aiku leaned back in his chair, smirking slightly. “Calm down, Aryu. It’s just Barou losing his mind over socks. You’ll survive.”
Aryu buried his face in his pillow. “Survive? My aura is being battered by this ruckus. I can feel it. Every shout, every stomp… it’s physical agony.”
Lorenzo chuckled, nudging Aryu. “See? It’s not that bad. A little yelling won’t hurt you.”
Barou whirled toward Aryu. “And you, lying there instead of helping! This is exactly why I brought these bins. Cleanliness isn’t a preference—it’s survival!”
Niko, still writing in his notebook, finally spoke. “Barou, your energy would be better spent on preparing for tomorrow than yelling at socks. The mission will demand more than this.”
Barou’s jaw tightened. “Minor details? These aren’t minor! I refuse to live in filth for weeks!”
At that moment, the door slid open, and Snuffy entered calmly.
“Barou,” he said gently, patting his shoulder.
“Master!” Barou straightened, fists still clenched.
Snuffy’s smile was calm. “Take it easy. It’s really not that big a deal. You’ll survive the night, and the socks will still be there tomorrow.”
Aryu peeked from under his pillow. “Finally… someone who understands that this noise is ruining my entire evening.”
Lorenzo grinned, stretching. “See, Barou? Even Snuffy thinks you’re overreacting.”
Aiku leaned back, voice smooth. “Barou, maybe focus on what actually matters tomorrow. The yelling won’t make the mission easier, and it certainly won’t clean the socks faster.”
Niko looked up briefly. “Exactly. Save your energy. The chaos will settle on its own, and we all need rest before the briefing.”
Barou muttered under his breath, pacing slowly toward the laundry bins. “I… I’ll fix this… eventually.”
The room fell into a tense-but-casual quiet. Aryu flopped back onto his bed, still dramatic but relieved. Lorenzo was already plotting mischief. Niko returned to his notes, and Aiku leaned back, amused.
Barou inspected the bins one last time, muttering quietly about disorder, but Snuffy’s calm presence had eased his tension.
---
“Reo… hurry up and dry my hair already.” Nagi whined, leaning back in the chair with his signature lazy elegance.
Reo let out a tired sigh, running a hand through his own hair before reaching for Nagi’s. “Seriously, Nagi… you should really learn to take care of yourself. You know I can’t always be around, right?”
“Huh? Why not?” Nagi tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled—though Reo knew better.
“Of course, Nagi!” Reo replied, exasperated. “That’s because… you know what? Never mind. You wouldn’t even listen to me anyway.”
Despite his frustration, Reo carefully began drying Nagi’s hair, smoothing each lock with meticulous precision. Though it was tiring, he couldn’t help but indulge his friend’s whims. Every now and then, Nagi would flinch dramatically, claiming the brush was “too rough,” and Reo would sigh again, readjusting.
From across the room, Chris Prince clapped his hands together, the sound echoing in the facility. “Alright, everyone! Tomorrow we’ll be having a briefing, so I expect all of you to be in tip-top condition! Hydrated, rested, and ready to focus!”
Several of the members muttered incoherent agreements, not bothering to hide their exhaustion from travel and unpacking.
“Has anyone seen my blow dryer?” Chigiri called, rummaging through his desk drawers with frantic energy. “I swear I put it right here!”
“It’s right here, Chigiri.” Sendo’s calm voice responded as he handed the device over. “Next time, try keeping track of your things before you start panicking.”
“Ah, thanks, Sendo.” Chigiri grabbed the dryer and began fluffing his already-soft hair with careful precision. “I don’t understand how I always misplace the simplest things.”
“Probably because you think about other things too much,” Kira remarked, his tone mild as he glanced over. “Like your next trick for tomorrow.”
Chigiri shot him a glare but said nothing, focusing back on his hair as if to prove Kira wrong.
Meanwhile, Nagi stretched luxuriously, finally settling back into the chair as Reo finished smoothing the last lock of his hair. “You see, Reo? You are useful sometimes.”
Reo rolled his eyes but didn’t respond, picking up the brush again to fluff a stubborn strand. “Don’t push it, Nagi.”
Kira spoke up again. “Did everyone have dinner yet? I was thinking of heading to the cafeteria. Anyone want to come with me?”
“I’ll come with you,” Sendo replied smoothly, standing and stretching slightly. “Let’s go.”
Nagi groaned theatrically. “Why does everything involve walking? Can’t someone just bring me food here?”
“Because,” Reo said dryly, “if I brought you everything, you’d never move a muscle in your life.”
---
Bachira was practically bouncing with energy as he slung an arm over Bunny’s shoulders, a wild grin stretched across his face. “Bunny! Let’s go explore the facility while Captain Lavinho’s away!” he declared, his tone full of unrestrained excitement. Bunny flinched at the sudden contact, caught between surprise and hesitation as he stared up at the older player beside him.
“Uh— Bachira,” he started cautiously, his voice quiet and uncertain. “Wouldn’t the captain be mad if we just went off on our own? We only just got here.” But Bachira simply waved his concerns away, laughing under his breath as if the thought itself were ridiculous.
“Relax, Bunny! It’s fine. My monster says there’s good food in the cafeteria. You don’t wanna make it angry, right?”
Bunny blinked, unsure how to respond to that. He’d heard rumors about Bachira talking about his “monster” before, though no one ever clarified what that really meant. Sometimes he wondered if Bachira was just eccentric—other times, he wasn’t so sure.
Either way, he decided it was safer not to question it. “I think I’d rather not make anyone angry,” he murmured, clutching the hem of his jacket nervously as Bachira tugged him toward the door.
Just as they were about to leave, a voice called out lazily from behind them. “You two look suspicious. Planning something fun without me?” Otoya leaned against the wall, arms folded across his chest, his expression laced with amusement. There was always a certain smug confidence about him, the kind that made every word sound like a challenge.
Bunny immediately turned red under his teasing smirk, waving his hands in protest. “We’re not— it’s not like that!” he stammered. Bachira only laughed, finding Otoya’s remark hilarious. “Come on, Otoya. You can come too if you’re that curious. My monster doesn’t mind sharing the adventure.”
Otoya chuckled, brushing a hand through his messy hair as he pushed off the wall and approached them. “An adventure, huh? Sounds more like trouble. But maybe a little trouble wouldn’t hurt.” His grin widened. “Besides, watching you two sneak around sounds way too entertaining to pass up.”
Before any of them could take another step, the air shifted. A calm, firm voice echoed from down the hall. “What’s this commotion?” All three froze immediately. Captain Lavinho stood by the doorway, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable save for the faintest trace of amusement tugging at his lips. “I see Barcha’s finest have decided to test my patience,” he said evenly, eyes flicking from Bachira to Bunny, then to Otoya.
“Captain Lavinho!” Bachira straightened up, trying to look innocent, which only made him look guiltier. “We were just, uh—checking the area! Making sure the halls are safe!” he said quickly, flashing a nervous grin. Lavinho raised an eyebrow. “The halls? That’s a new way to describe the cafeteria.”
Otoya snorted, unable to stop himself. “Guess the halls must be starving too.” Bunny bit back a laugh but looked down immediately, not wanting to make the situation worse.
Lavinho let out a quiet sigh, stepping closer until his calm presence alone silenced the laughter. “Listen. I’m not angry. But there’s a briefing tomorrow morning, and I expect everyone to show up rested and ready to focus. You three sneaking out for midnight snacks isn’t the best start.”
His tone wasn’t sharp, but it carried enough weight to make them all shift uneasily. “Discipline, gentlemen. It’s what separates chaos from greatness.”
Bachira tilted his head playfully. “Even when we’re hungry?”
“Especially when you’re hungry,” Lavinho replied, a knowing glint in his eyes.
“That sounds awful,” Bunny muttered under his breath, and Lavinho’s lips twitched slightly as if he’d heard. He placed a reassuring hand on the boy’s shoulder before continuing. “Don’t worry, Bunny. Breakfast will come sooner than you think. And Bachira—if your monster needs to burn off energy, the courtyard’s open. Go run laps.”
Bachira groaned dramatically, while Otoya laughed outright. “Laps at midnight? That’s brutal, Captain.”
“Only if you get caught laughing,” Lavinho replied smoothly, his smirk now fully visible. “Now all three of you—back to your rooms. I don’t want to hear another sound about monsters, food, or haunted hallways.”
---
“Ego, I brought what you asked for.”
Anri’s voice was soft as she slipped into the cluttered office, careful not to step on the papers scattered across the floor. The air smelled faintly of ink, instant noodles, and sleepless nights. Every inch of the room was filled — walls pinned with diagrams of energy patterns, maps of ocean trenches, and strings of notes connected by red thread.
At the center of it all sat Ego Jinpanchi, hunched over his desk like a scientist possessed, the glow from his desk lamp casting sharp shadows across his glasses. His pen scratched furiously against the page, barely stopping long enough to breathe.
Anri set the cup noodles down beside the growing mountain of papers, deciding against interrupting him. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him like this — consumed by a discovery that blurred the line between brilliance and madness.
Then, without looking up, Ego spoke. His tone was calm, but it carried that razor-edge of excitement she’d learned to recognize.
“This is insane, Anri.”
She glanced over, watching as he lifted something between his fingers — a small gemstone, perfectly clear, almost unreal. Light refracted through it, painting fractured colors across the walls.
Ego’s eyes glimmered behind his lenses. “Truly… a magnificent source of information in itself.”
He turned the gem slowly, the faint hum of energy thrumming in the silence between them.
Anri hesitated before speaking, her curiosity finally getting the better of her. “Is that the fragment they salvaged from the deep sector?”
Ego nodded absently, still entranced. “It’s not a mineral. It’s… something else. It reacts to electromagnetic signatures. Almost as if it’s alive.”
For a brief moment, the gem pulsed with faint blue light — and both of them fell silent.
"Tomorrow, in the briefing, I will reveal everything." He said, as if it was a vow that he's sure to never break.