The first day of Dawn

The letter slipped from Haruki's trembling hands and fluttered to the floor like a dying leaf. His face turned pale, and beads of sweat slid down from his hairline, dampening his cheeks.

"Mom..." he whispered, his voice heavy and cracking. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

His mother looked down, her fingers tightly clutched around the hem of her kimono. Her eyes shimmered with sorrow. "Because... you weren't ready yet, my son. I needed you to understand how cruel this world can be... before you embraced your destiny."

"I see," Haruki said, jaw tightening. His eyes were filled with pain—but beneath it, a growing fire of determination. "I'll go to that house. I'll find what Dad left for me."

She looked up sharply, panic flashing in her eyes. "But... how? That region's a war zone now. The Rebellion took over the town weeks ago—it's their stronghold!"

"I'll join the East Japan Military," he said without hesitation.

There was silence. A long, cold silence.

Finally, she nodded, her voice trembling. "If that's what you've decided... then I'll stand with you. The military selection is tomorrow. Be ready."

The morning sun broke through the misty skies of Kyoto as Haruki tightened the strap of his satchel. Inside was his father's letter, sealed in an old envelope, yellowed at the edges. His heart pounded as he stepped through the school gates, where banners of the East Japan Military fluttered in the wind.

The courtyard was filled with students—some nervous, others excited, many simply unsure. Military officers in uniform stood in a row, watching silently. At the center stage, Principal Nakamura, an old man with a cane and sharp eyes, stepped forward.

"Students," his voice echoed through the courtyard, "today is not just any day. It is a turning point—a decision that will shape your future and the future of our kingdom."

The murmurs died down.

"Today, you choose: will you continue your education here, or will you offer yourself in service to our nation?" His eyes swept over them. "Whatever your choice, let it be one of courage. That is all. May you live long and with purpose."

He bowed and stepped back.

A broad-shouldered man in a dark blue coat took his place—Commander James. His presence alone silenced the crowd.

"I'm Commander James," he said, his voice gruff but commanding. "If you've got the guts to fight for East Japan—to bleed, to survive, to rise—get in that row." He pointed to the right. "If not, remain seated."

A tension thicker than smoke settled across the crowd.

Haruki clenched his fists. This is it. The moment I've been waiting for.

He stood abruptly, a surge of emotion escaping him. "That's it! I'm coming for you, Dad—!"

Dozens of heads turned toward him, and silence followed.

Haruki's face flushed red as he realized what he'd done. "Uh—I mean, I'm... joining," he mumbled, quickly stepping into the line.

Commander James raised a brow. "What was that, rookie?"

"I'm sorry, Commander. I got... carried away."

To everyone's surprise, the stone-faced commander chuckled. "Heh. Brave or foolish—you'll find out soon enough."

Behind him, a girl with short black hair and striking green eyes leaned forward. "Wow. He actually laughed. Not bad, rookie."

Haruki glanced over his shoulder, still embarrassed. "Yeah, lucky me."

"I'm Emi," she whispered. "And you?"

"Haruki."

Absolutely! Here's the rewritten continuation from the line "Haruki", with improved flow, natural dialogue, the introduction of the timid girl, the transition to the academy, a new sharp-minded character, and the General Kyoro attack with a short description:

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"Haruki," he said, glancing at the girl behind him.

She smiled. "Nice to meet you. So... do you have any friends joining?"

He shook his head. "Not really. Most of the people I know stayed behind."

"Same," she said, looking away briefly. "I guess we'll figure it out as we go."

Just as they were speaking, Haruki noticed a girl standing a few rows down. She looked terrified—her shoulders hunched, eyes fixed on the ground, trembling slightly. Her uniform looked slightly too big for her, as if it had been borrowed in a rush.

"She doesn't look like she wants to be here," Haruki muttered.

Emi followed his gaze. "Yeah... maybe she didn't have a choice."

Haruki sighed. "Well, it's not my problem." He turned away, but a part of him felt a twinge of guilt.

Later That Day – East Japan Military Academy, Central Barracks

The academy was massive—stone walls lined with barbed fences, guard towers overlooking the courtyards, and bunkers scattered across the grounds. Recruits were divided into squads, and dorm assignments were posted on a large steel board.

Inside the orientation hall, Haruki and Emi sat near the back as a briefing started. That's when a boy slid into the seat beside them. His hair was silver-white, and he wore small, round glasses perched on his nose.

"You two look like you're actually paying attention," he said casually. "Most people here are either too scared or too full of themselves."

Haruki raised an eyebrow. "And you?"

"I'm Rei. I read the manual last night. Twice. I'd say I'm prepared."

Emi leaned in. "The whole thing?"

"Front to back. I even mapped out the academy layout in my head."

Haruki exchanged a look with Emi. "Okay... genius alert."

Before Rei could respond with a smug remark, a deafening BOOM echoed from outside. The windows rattled.

"Was that—?" Emi stood up.

Another blast. Then gunfire.

Sirens began to wail.

"ALL RECRUITS, TO GROUND COVER! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!" a voice shouted over the loudspeakers.

They burst into the hallway. Smoke was rising from the west storage building—where weapons were kept. Shadows moved between the smoke and flashes of muzzle fire.

Masked men with guns in their hand, unloading crates into large armored trucks. One of them—massive, at least eight feet tall—towered above the rest.

It wasn't wearing a mask.

It didn't need one.

Its jaw was bare bone, with jagged fangs locked in a permanent grin. One horn was broken, the other was small but very sharp. Its eyes glowed violet beneath a cracked skull-plate. Its body rippled with muscle, skin torn in places where veins of glowing purple energy throbbed beneath. Spinal ridges protruded from its back, and a long, barbed tail lashed violently behind it.

A soldier shouted, "GENERAL KYORO—TAKE COVER!"

The creature let out a bone-rattling growl, raised one arm, and smashed a military truck in half with his power,blood splashing out from the tuck. Gunfire barely slowed it. Its clawed hands tore through defenses, and its presence alone was enough to paralyze the new recruits.

Rei checked for any masked men. "We need to move—NOW!" He shouted. "Two of them are comming here!"

"But the others—" Haruki hesitated.

"We'll die if we don't!" Emi yelled, dragging him along. "Is'nt he too strong for a general kyoro?" She whispered.

As they ran, Haruki glanced back once more at the General Kyoro—its violet core gleaming in its chest clearly can be seen, its head snapping toward him as if it sensed something.

Like it knows who I am.Haruk said in his mind.