Fracture Bloom

CRADLE- Eastern Command HQ. 02:18 AM.

The gun still hung from her shoulder. 

Her boots echoed down the corridor. Wet with melted frost, half-limping, red streaks trailing across the tile. No one approached her. No one asked questions. 

She failed. 

Not just the mission. 

Not just the girl. 

She missed her chance. 

The decontamination chamber sealed behind her with a hiss. Kira stood in silence as white mist washed over her uniform. Her reflection in the glass door stared back, blank eyes, trembling. 

The commander's voice buzzed in her earpiece. 

"Operative Kira Mizuno. Status?" 

She didn't answer at first. Her finger twitched. 

Then, 

"Target escaped." 

"The Bloom was stronger than predicted." 

A pause. 

"And the boy?" 

Kira's jaw clenched. She looked down at her hand, still shaking from that moment. 

The boy who took the bullet for a monster. 

The boy who... 

"...He was there." 

"And I didn't recognise him." 

The line went silent. 

A single red light blinked on the command table. 

"Return for debrief. Do not engage again without clearance." 

"Understood." 

She cut the line 

He knuckles whitened as she walked past the data screens. 

Serica's image flickered across one of them. 

The boy's face was beside her. 

Happy. 

Smiling. 

Free. 

Kira stood in front of the screen... and for just a second, her mask of indifference cracked. 

"Just who is he... and why was he trying to help… It" 

She thought to herself, the anger boiling inside of her.

She stared at the frozen image of the boy with the pantie face mask and Ice-Breaker talking to each other just minutes before Cradle had arrived. 

Then, with a quiet exhale, she turned away. 

But her eyes never closed that night. 

* 

Kentaro woke up in a place that felt far too familiar. 

Same metallic walls. Same sterile ceiling tiles. Same lawsuit-worthy excuse for a bed. 

He blinked, eyes still adjusting, and sat up slowly. The stiffness in his shoulders told him he hadn't meant to fall asleep; he'd been sitting outside Serica's treatment room for what felt like hours… maybe longer. 

"How did I get here?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. 

But before the memories could return, the soft hiss of an opening glass door caught his attention. 

Deja vú. 

Haruka stepped through the same calm presence, same composed expression, like she'd walked out of a memory. 

"Ken," she greeted, her voice light as ever, "It seems you've arisen from your slumber." 

Kentaro shot up, shaking off the drowsiness. His feet moved faster than his thoughts. 

"How is Serica?" he asked immediately, voice tight with hope. 

Haruka tapped her tablet, a few quiet beeps echoing in the silence. Then, the screen lit up. 

Live footage from a corridor camera. 

Kentaro leaned in, and then… 

His breath hitched. 

His face lit up. 

There she was. 

Long hair swaying as she sat on a bench, idly kicking her feet back and forth, a light smile on her face. 

Completely lost in thought. 

Completely… alive. 

"Serica!" he grinned. "She's alright!" 

Haruka gave the faintest smile. 

"She pulled through. For a while, we weren't sure she would. But she's recovering now, still tired, but in good spirits. Just… make sure she doesn't overdo it." 

"Got it!" 

He gave a quick, grateful bow before taking off, half-running toward the exit. 

This time, Haruka didn't stop him. She simply watched him go, the doors opening for him like they understood the urgency. 

"You've earned this one, Ken," she whispered to herself. 

He didn't run hard. He didn't have to. 

His feet knew where to go. 

The first set of doors was guarded, but as soon as he bowed and made his request, the guards simply nodded and let him through. They'd been expecting him. 

He hurried through the long hallway that fed into Halcyon's main command floor. The polished metal walls blurred past him until he reached the heart of the control room. 

Tenka was already there, tapping through a projected interface, absorbed in whatever latest crisis had just spawned. 

As Kentaro approached, she didn't even look up, but she smirked. 

"She's through the door on your right." 

"Thanks!" he said, already halfway past. 

But just before he could slip through the door, her voice cut in sharp and commanding. 

"Don't go sneaking off with her or anything, you hear me! We still have things to discuss." 

He slowed just enough to glance over his shoulder, smiling awkwardly. 

"Right, right… Got it." 

He didn't know what she meant, and he wasn't about to ask. Knowing Tenka, it was probably half-sarcasm, half-warning, with a sprinkle of big sister energy. Either way, he pressed on. 

The door opened. 

A long hallway greeted him, doors on either side… but somehow, his feet knew which way to go. Like gravity was pulling him. Like it had always been this way. 

He stopped at the last door. 

Hand trembling just slightly, he placed it against the panel, and it slid open with a whisper of air. 

Cool wind drifted in. Her hair lifted gently. 

And there she was. 

Eyes locked with his. 

Alive. Real. Smiling like it meant something. 

"Serica…" 

His voice cracked as he stepped in, softer than before. 

"Thank goodness you're okay." 

She stood slowly, that same warm smile still blooming across her face, only brighter. 

"Kentaro… I'm so happy you're here too!" 

She crossed the distance halfway before he could even move. 

Kentaro's gaze locked with hers. Her eyes were the same as before, a pale, cool grey with just a hint of blue, but this time, they weren't filled with panic or fear. They sparkled, soft and bright with something he hadn't seen in her yet. 

Happiness. 

Before he could say anything, Serica suddenly looked away, cheeks tinting pink. "Hey, Kentaro... um, are you okay? You didn't get hurt or anything, right?" she asked, eyes locked to the floor. 

Her awkward concern threw him off. He scratched his cheek and chuckled. 

"No, no, just a couple of bruises. Nothing serious," he said quickly, flustered. 

Serica perked up, her voice lighter. 

"Great!" 

But before he could say anything else, the door behind them slid open with a loud hiss. 

Kentaro turned his head. 

"Oh hey, Shogo." 

Shogo entered like he was stepping on stage, giving Kentaro a mock salute before flicking his head and dramatically pointing a finger like he was announcing a royal decree. 

"You good, Sir Ken? And also, Madam Seri, you're both summoned to the meeting room." 

"...Seri?" they both echoed, confused. 

Shogo nodded solemnly, clearly impressed with himself. 

"Yes, yes. We've got Ken, Ten, Haru... we needed a Seri for symmetry. That I've decided." 

Kentaro blinked. Serica tilted her head. They exchanged a look. Then both of them broke into a quiet laugh. 

"Seri... I kind of like it," Serica admitted, while smiling. 

Shogo threw both thumbs up and turned on his heel like his job was done. 

They made their way to the Halcyon meeting room, the same circular table Kentaro had once been terrified to sit near. But this time, four chairs were set out instead of three. 

Tenka and Haruka were already seated. 

As soon as Serica stepped in, her smile dimmed slightly. Her posture straightened. Around Kentaro and Shogo, she was open, expressive. But now, with Tenka's calm authority and Haruka's blank stare, she looked more like the girl he first saw in the bloom. 

Tenka leaned forward slightly. 

"Please, everyone sit." 

Then, without skipping a beat, her gaze locked on Shogo. 

"Not you!. Either sit on the floor or stand. You know the rules." 

Shogo clutched his chest like he'd been wounded. 

"Unbelievable!" he said, already sinking to the floor in full dramatic defeat. "One day, I'll get a Chair. One day." 

Tenka ignored Shogo's usual dramatics, brushing them off with barely a glance before her focus narrowed in on Serica. 

"So, Serica. How are you feeling?" she asked, tone level but direct. 

Serica hesitated, but to her credit, she didn't stutter. 

"I'm fine. I... I feel great actually," she replied, lifting her head to meet Tenka's eyes with cautious confidence. 

Tenka offered a rare, small smile. 

"Good. I'm glad to hear that." 

Then, with her usual precision, Tenka launched into briefing, explaining Halyon's mission, their efforts to protect Alberlines, and the opposing force known as Cradle. Her tone was clinical, but there was a current of resolve beneath it all. 

Serica's smile faded as she listened. Her hands folded tightly in her lap. 

"So... there really are people... trying to kill me. Just because of something I didn't choose?" She whispered. Her voice was soft, but the sadness behind it hit heavy. 

A pause fell. 

Then Kentaro leaned forward, his voice cutting in, low but clear. 

"...Who shot, who shot Serica at the end?" 

The room stilled. 

Even Tenka didn't speak. 

Haruka finally broke the silence, lifting her tablet. 

"We only have one clip from one of the few drones we sent to watch you. Unfortunately, the others broke down due to the chaos," she answered, her voice flatter than usual. 

She turned the screen toward the centre of the table. 

Everyone leaned in. 

The footage played, a wide-angle drone shot from above the plaza. A figure crouched near the back corner, partially obscured by broken structure. Unlike the other Cradle agents, their gear was slightly altered. Sleeker. More custom. 

And no standard insignia. 

Serica leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing. 

"I don't recognize that uniform," she spoke softly. 

"Neither do we." 

Tenka replied. "It's close to Cradle, but not standard issue. Whoever it was, they weren't part of the core squad." 

Haruka added, "They didn't retreat with the others either. They vanished before our drones could follow." 

A chill settled over the group. 

Serica's fingers gripped the side of her chair. 

"...So someone else is after me too?" 

Kentaro glanced at her, then back to the screen.

"Or someone was using Cradle as cover." 

Shogo, still sitting on the floor, tilted his head. 

"Could be a splinter unit," he muttered. "Or one of those off-the-book freaks cradle likes to keep around." 

"No symbol, no ID, no exit trail," Tenka replied. "Which means one thing." 

She paused, scanning the group, gaze resting slightly longer on Kentaro. 

"Whoever they were, their target wasn't just Serica." 

Everyone blinked. 

Kentaro's breath caught. "Who... else then?" 

Tenka didn't answer right away. 

But the silence said enough. 

Haruka finally broke the silence. 

"…Ren, there's a high chance they were after you too." 

Kentaro's head snapped up. His face stiffened. 

"Me?!" 

His voice came out louder than he meant, enough to make Serica flinch slightly in her chair. 

Haruka gave a small nod, her eyes still fixed on the footage. 

"That's the only logical explanation. If they knew you could resonate with an Alberline… That would make you just as valuable. Or dangerous." 

Kentaro looked down, lips parting like he wanted to argue, but nothing came out. He didn't know what to say. 

I only just found out I could do this. 

And I already failed once... with Rin. 

He clenched his fist slightly on the table. 

"Unless... They already knew about my ability before I did," he muttered under his breath. 

Tenka's eyes narrowed slightly. She caught the tension rising in his voice, the anxiety curling around him. 

She leaned in. 

"Listen, Ken. You're not alone in this. Whatever happens next, we've got your back. Just live your life like you always have," she softly spoke, then added with a faint smile, "Maybe minus the whole... frozen shopping mall incident." 

That pulled a weak chuckle from Kentaro, tension crackling just a bit. 

But Haruka's tone remained serious. 

"Still, Ren. Be careful. Act normal, don't let anyone know you're aware of the Alberlines, or you'll start attracting enemies that won't wait for a second shot." 

Kentaro nodded, absorbing her word. 

The light dimmed slightly, the clock ticked past 1 a.m. 

Serica yawned softly, her posture drooping a little. Her eyes blinked slowly, heavy with exhaustion. 

Tenka noticed and clapped her hands once. 

"That's enough for tonight. Meeting adjourned." 

Everyone stood. But before Kentaro could leave, Tenka raised a hand. 

"Ken, stay for a moment. We need to talk." 

He blinked, surprised, but nodded. 

Shogo glanced between the two, then grinned. "Ohhhh secret mission briefing." 

Tenka ignored him. 

"Take Serica to the guest quarters. She needs rest." 

"Come on, Seri. Time for lights out." 

Shogo said, offering a lazy salute. Serica gave Kentaro one last sleepy smile before disappearing through the sliding doors with Shogo. 

Now only Tenka, Haruka, and Kentaro remained. 

Tenka stood slowly, circling the table with her usual calm, until she stopped just beside the door. 

"So... what did you want to talk about?" Kentaro asked. 

Tenka glanced over her shoulder, then turned fully to face him. 

"First of all, congrats. You saved Serica. That was no small feat at all." 

Kentaro scratched his neck, bashfully. 

"I mean, yeah, but I didn't do it alone. Everyone helped. But the way you're talking is giving me the vibe that Serica hasn't been saved?" 

Tenka's smile faded slightly. 

"That's the thing. Saved? Yes. Safe? Not entirely." 

Haruka, right on cue, raised her tablet, the screen already loaded with a glowing meter labelled Emotional Sync Status. 

At the top: Anchor link- Active 

Tenka continued. 

"You see, Ken... Alberlines like Serica are only truly stable while the Anchor holds. That stability depends entirely on one thing." 

She raised her finger. 

"Her emotions."

Haruka tapped the screen. A line graph appeared, sharp spikes in red clustered under the word Anxiety.

"If her emotions destabilize, fear, anger, grief, the Anchor begins to weaken. Think of it like a path connected from you to her. If the stress is too much, it will slowly reduce in size, until it's severe, which means her power returns. And with it, another bloom."

Kentaro reached up, instinctively touching the side of his head where his Anchor was before he handed it to Serica. 

But to his surprise, there was another one. 

"I swear I gave mine to hers," He said. 

Haruka nodded. "We gave you another one to make sure the connection is stable. 

She kept explaining the process. 

"Even for that moment, you didn't have one. You and she are still linked. Think of it like a tether if you must. It's not the device that binds you to her, Ren. It's what you did." 

Tenka stepped forward, voice lower now. 

"When you willingly gave up your anchor, not out of command but out of trust, it formed a deeper bond than anything mechanical." 

Kentaro stood frozen. 

"So... that's why I could feel her presence. 

Haruka added quietly, "And it's also why she can only truly stabilize when she opens her heart completely." 

Kentaro's eyes widened 

Opens her heart...? 

Tenka gave him a look, one that wasn't quite a smirk, but close. 

"Listen, the anchors are there as a help, but for you to be able to not need them, you need her to open her heart to you. I hope you know what that means, don't you?" 

He blinked. 

"...So, like get to know her better or like to take her on a date?" 

Tenka shrugged 

"I'm saying... If Serica trusts you enough to experience a world where she can be happy, genuinely happy, that emotional acceptance might be enough to complete the tether. And thus, not requiring you to wear that anchor for her. 

Haruka folded her arms. "You'd be turning resonance into a choice. Not a system." 

Kentaro took a deep breath. 

"A date... with real weight behind it." 

Something about that made his heart race for more reasons than one. 

"...S-so I have to take her out?" 

Tenka tilted her head. "Most likely unless you want everything we did to be nothing more than a fun and also a horrible memory." 

Kentaro gulped, feeling the pressure now. 

Tenka continued. 

"But if you mess this up..." 

She paused, her expression sharpening just enough. 

"...You better pray Shogo's jokes are the only thing you'll have to survive." 

There was a beat of silence, then Tenka smirked and tossed him a small, sleek device.

"Your earpiece. We'll be watching."

As Kentaro caught it, a sudden chill ran down his spine. Not from the device... but from the thought that this wasn't just a date.

The thought of him messing the date up and the repercussions behind it gives him a shiver.

Kentaro gulped.

"I can do this..."

At least...that's what he thought.

But just twenty-four hours before it began, a silent shift was already creeping through the halls of his college.

And with it came the kind of shadow that doesn't show up on cameras.

One that smiles, blends in, and waits for the perfect moment to ruin everything...