3rd Divisions Welcome

As Haruto, Renjiro, and Ayane made their way toward the *3rd Division's Chrono Transporter*, a voice called out from behind them.

"Hey! Hold on a second!"

They turned to see their instructor approaching, a faint smile on his face as he gestured for them to come closer. Ayane, who was a few steps ahead, came back, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

"Before you leave, put these on," he said, pressing a panel on the wall. A hidden compartment slid open, revealing rows of sleek, high-tech suits, each one designed to fit like a second skin.

Haruto grabbed one in his size, inspecting the streamlined fabric and intricate gray linings running along its surface. The material was smooth and oddly warm to the touch. As he slipped it on, the suit clung to him, fitting snugly like a perfectly-tailored glove. Almost immediately, the gray lines on his suit glowed with a soft green light, and a holographic "3" flickered to life on his shoulder, marking him as part of the *3rd Division*.

"These suits are awesome!" Renjiro grinned, running his hand over his own suit, his excitement clear.

Haruto felt a sense of wonder. It was incredible, really, to see how advanced humanity had become—even while on the brink of extinction. This suit, designed to bond him with his mech, felt like the future itself. 

The instructor cleared his throat, snapping them out of their daze. "Wearing these suits means you can control your mech even from outside of it," he explained. "The suit links with the mech's neural systems, letting you move it like an extension of your body. To activate the remote control, say 'AKEM' once. The mech will mirror your movements," he said, raising his arm to demonstrate. Through a nearby window, they watched as a large mech outside raised its arm in sync with his.

"And if you want to call the mech to you, just say 'AKEM' twice. It'll come right to you," he added with a smirk. "Obviously, I can't show you that part in here, or we'd probably be pulling pieces of the wall out of the floor."

The instructor's smile was slight, but genuine. Haruto could tell this small gesture meant a lot coming from him.

"Be safe out there," he added, looking at each of them in turn.

Haruto felt a quiet gratitude, a moment of connection with this man who'd trained them for so long. He nodded, giving the instructor a quick smile—a rare expression for him these days, but genuine.

Then, with Ayane and Renjiro beside him, he stepped into the Chrono Transporter, bracing himself for whatever the future held.

When Haruto, Ayane, and Renjiro opened their eyes, they found themselves in a quiet, dimly lit room that seemed completely deserted. Dust floated in the air, and the walls looked faded, as if the place had been left untouched for years.

"Is… this the right place?" Haruto asked, glancing between Ayane and Renjiro with a puzzled look.

Renjiro shrugged, looking equally skeptical. "I have no idea. This feels like a ghost town."

Haruto took a cautious step forward. "Stay behind me," he said, motioning for them to follow.

Renjiro fell in step behind him, and Ayane squeezed Haruto's hand, holding on as they moved toward a narrow hallway at the far end of the room. As they stepped into the corridor, they could hear faint whispers and footsteps up ahead.

Then, as they reached the hallway's end, a burst of light and noise filled the space, and they were suddenly surrounded by cheers and laughter.

"SURPRISE!"

The room erupted with applause as they realized they'd walked into a surprise party. The hallway was packed with fellow soldiers, instructors, and other division members, all there to welcome the newest recruits. Banners with the 3rd Division emblem hung from the walls, and tables were piled high with food and drinks.

Haruto's mouth dropped open in shock, while Ayane broke into a bright grin. Renjiro laughed, shaking his head as if he couldn't believe they'd been tricked so easily.

"Welcome to the 3rd Division!" someone called out, raising a glass.

Haruto exchanged a glance with Ayane and Renjiro, a rare smile spreading across his face. This wasn't just a surprise party; it was a celebration of their journey so far—and a reminder that they were no longer just trainees. They were part of something bigger now.