Chapter 39: Queens Gambit; Reasoning

The atmosphere in the Amendo restaurant shifted subtly as some of the other patrons began to notice the pair seated at the table. There was a soft murmur that spread upon eyeing the two of them in their finely tailored attire. They weren’t sure what exactly was going on but the strikingly sophisticated figures of Soujin and Mirumaru didn’t go unnoticed.

“Think they’re the winners today?” a low voice whispered from a nearby table.

Soujin caught the whisper from the corner of his ear. His gaze remained locked on Mirumaru, though. He couldn't afford to look away. Not now. Not with the way the tension had thickened between them. Every second felt like it could snap into something worse. He was fully aware that if his eyes strayed for even a moment, he could lose his head.

Then, the moment passed. Mirumaru leaned back in her chair and let out a breath. Her posture eased from the tightness that had defined the last few seconds. The smile she flashed was laced with admiration.

“You’re sharp,” she said. “I’ll give you points for noticing. But you’re going to have to be faster than that, Soujin. You might be able to catch me with one, but you won’t survive long enough for two.”

Soujin’s shoulders stiffened. “That’s why I don’t want it to come to that. I’m not looking for a fight, Mirumaru. Not with you.”

She tilted her head, a bemused smile playing at the edges of her lips. “So, you defy Will’s orders, then expect to waltz away without consequences? Alone?” Her tone shifted slightly, “You’ll fall apart. If you try to take this on yourself, especially if I’m forced to fight you, you’ll crumble.”

Soujin’s jaw tightened at the thought, the weight of her words sinking deep. He knew she was right. Without support, he’d never get through this. He was only one man and if he went up against Will, he’d need help. Otherwise, the entire situation would be lost before it even began. He leaned forward slightly. “Look…I need your help, Mirumaru.”

She studied him for a long moment before a light chuckle escaped her lips. “Ah, so now you’re asking for my help, are you? Looks like you’re trying to owe me another favor.” Her smile widened. "I’m not one to lend favors for free, you know."

Soujin exhaled. He had no choice. If he was going to fight for Cera’s life, if he was going to defy Will, he needed Mirumaru. Whether he liked it or not. “What’s it going to take?”

Mirumaru’s lips curled like a cat who just spotted a mouse. “I don’t know what it’s going to take, Soujin. I’ll decide by the time of our next date.” She paused for a brief second and then spoke with a more playful edge. “Yes, I said next date. You’ll just have to wait and see how it unfolds.”

She leaned back in her chair with contemplation. “But for now, you’ve got bigger fish to fry.”

Soujin raised an eyebrow with thought of what Mirumaru had just implied. ‘Another date?’ He shook his head and tried to focus.“And what exactly do you mean by that?”

Mirumaru’s smile was as smooth as polished silver. “You’ve got few options to gain allies, Soujin. You’d better start checking in with every squad captain. Most of them should be back from their missions by now, except for Muffet. She’s the only one still out.” Her face shifted slightly to a more serious one. “If you want to get anywhere with this, you’ll need support. The others are your best chance.”

Soujin nodded. There were Seven captains to talk to. It didn’t seem like too much of a stretch, but the political dynamics were always trickier than a royal wedding. He leaned in with a thought crossing his mind. “What about Miko?”

Mirumaru’s lips curled into a knowing grin. “Miko?” she repeated with a raised eyebrow. “She’ll obviously disagree. Leave her to me. She’s a tough nut to crack, but I know how to handle her. Consider her a stubborn castle gate and I’m the royal key.” Her tone dripped with the kind of certainty that could turn a pawn into a queen in one move. Soujin didn’t doubt her for a second.

He exhaled and gave a smile. “Alright, I’ll handle the rest then.”

Mirumaru met his gaze again. “You’d better, Soujin. You’ve got a lot of ground to cover, and time’s ticking.”

Mirumaru shifted in her seat and then clasped her hands together. “Alright, now that we’ve got all that boring, ‘serious’ business out of the way,” she waved her hand off to the side “it’s time for food, dance, and entertainment! The real stuff. You know, the fun stuff.”

Soujin raised an eyebrow with curiosity. “Mirumaru, you just told me I don’t have a lot of time…”

She flashed him a grin wide enough to rival the sun. “Well, you know one thing you owe me, Soujin... is a little time. It’s in the fine print of our unofficial ’I saved you from getting wrecked by Captain Will’ agreement.”

Soujin let out a frustrated chuckle. “You’re not wrong....”

Mirumaru gave him a look of mock innocence. “You don’t have to be so grumpy about it. Relax a little! You’re not plotting your next battle strategy right now; this is vacation time. Enjoy the moment of fun.”

Soujin sighed but despite his best efforts, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I guess I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”

“Not unless you want to earn the title of ‘World’s Biggest Grump,’” Mirumaru teased. Her grin was never faltering like a cat who knew it was about to knock something off a table. “Now, what’ll it be first? Food or dance? Pick wisely.”

Soujin shifted in his seat with amusement crossing his face. “Let’s start with food. Then, we’ll see about the dancing. I’m not doing the Macarena in front of a crowd.”

“Wise choice, my reluctant prince,” Mirumaru said with a wink, as if she had just made an important diplomatic decision. “But be warned, I’m expecting you to bring the heat later. And if you can’t keep up with my moves, I’ll have no choice but to challenge you to a dance-off till you can do it.”

Soujin groaned playfully. “If you say so.”

Time: 3 PM

The clock ticked away with a relentless urgency. Seven hours left. Nine if Soujin pushed it to midnight. The clock had become his worst enemy. In those precious hours, he had to secure allies, convince the captains and still make sure Priya and Pufima made it back to his squad barracks. Bellar, the one person he usually counted on to lend a hand was missing in action—a headache Soujin didn’t need.

“Great,” he muttered under his breath. “Oh well, better start with #4.”

Ryojin Kurogane, Captain of Squad 4 would be a tough one. The fourth squad was currently responsible for monitoring Cera and that's where she was still being kept. If Soujin had any hope of getting through to Ryojin, it would have to be now.

Soujin made his way to the medics. He asked the nearest medic about Ryojin’s location.

Before the medic even finished speaking, Soujin heard a faint rustle of footsteps approaching from a nearby corridor. Soujin turned his head and there was Ryojin. He stepped into view with his usual stern look. His gray hair neatly swept back.

"Well, well," Ryojin said with a slight smirk. "You certainly didn’t waste any time finding me. I take it you're here for Cera."

Soujin didn’t try to hide the frustration in his tone. "I’m here to talk, Ryojin. About Cera. And about what comes next."

Ryojin studied him for a moment. Then, he sighed. "I know why you're here. You want to convince me that there's still hope for her. You want me to help you, despite Captain Will’s orders. But I’ve seen enough to know the truth."

"Then you know she’s still fighting it," Soujin shot back. "She’s not lost yet, Ryojin. I won’t let them execute her. Not when there’s still a chance."

Ryojin's eyes narrowed slightly but there was something more than just stoicness in his gaze. A flicker of something… doubt? Perhaps even understanding?

"You're risking a lot, Soujin," Ryojin said while stepping closer. "You’ve got no guarantee that you can save her. And worse, if you push too hard, you’ll be the one going up against Will. I’m sure you’re aware of what is going to happen to you."

"I’m aware," Soujin replied with a grim nod. "But that’s why I came to ask for your help. I can’t do this alone and I can’t afford to waste time arguing with Will right now. I need allies, and you’re the only one I trust who’s been close enough to Cera."

Ryojin paused. It was clear he was weighing his options by the way he placed a hand under his chin and closed his eyes.

Ryojin finally said. "Unfortunately, the stakes are higher than just Cera’s life here. I’ve seen what happens when the Senodokidatsu take over. It’s not just possession at that stage; it’s transformation into something monstrous. If she transforms in this Divine blade society, it will spell trouble for all of us."

“I know that, Ryojin,” Soujin responded. “Even so, I’m not giving up on her as easily as Will has. So what’s your move here, Ryojin. Will you help me, or will you just sit back and let one of your patients die?"

Ryojin’s gaze sharpened and for a moment, he said nothing. The tension between them hung in the air like a storm waiting to break.

“I can’t,” Ryojin said at last. “I can’t risk my squad, my position. You’re asking too much, Soujin. You want me to go against Will and that’s a line I can’t cross.”

Soujin’s jaw tightened. Briefly, the anger in him flared but he controlled it and exhaled sharply. "Alright. I guess that’s the answer, then.”

Soujin began to walk away but Ryojin stopped him with one word, “Wait.”

Soujin froze and turned back with his eyes locking onto Ryojin’s.

“I... I didn’t mean it like that,” Ryojin lowered his hand from his chin. “That’s what I want to say. But…” He trailed off and for a brief moment, he seemed almost vulnerable.

Ryojin hesitated. Soujin could see the internal battle waging within him.

“I’ll talk to Will,” Ryojin finally said. “I can’t promise you that I’ll do anything to oppose him, though. Will’s power is absolute. But... what I can promise is that I’ll slow him down. I’ll try to buy you some time, at the very least.”

Soujin’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had hoped for more but hey, this was something. Atleast it wasn’t a flat refusal.

“I’ll take what I can get,” Soujin said with a small smile forming. “Thanks.”

Ryojin gave a nod. “Don’t get too hopeful, though. I’m not exactly in a position to move mountains here.” He turned his back. "But I’ll do what I can."

Soujin didn’t waste any time. He gave a nod of his own and walked off. Ryojin’s assistance, though limited, was better than nothing.

Soujin approached the building for Squad 5. Mirumaru had given him a rundown of the captains during their dinner. Captain Bloom Hilight, she’d explained, was the "friendly" type—easy to approach and someone who could make anyone feel at ease. A perfect candidate for Soujin's next attempt to gain an ally.

But as he arrived at the Squad 5 building, he was struck by the sight that greeted him. The entrance was had the very foundation of the building split down the middle with one half looking like it had been engulfed in flames, blackened and charred with smoke still rising from the scorched walls. The other half; however, was pristine an unnatural shine.

Soujin blinked. “What the hell...?” he muttered under his breath.

The building didn’t look anything like what he expected from Mirumaru’s description. Before he could even process further, the door of the pristine section swung open, and a figure with red glowing eyes stepped out. Soujin prepared himself and got ready to unsheathe his sword.