A/N : This chapter is called a Re-Chapter and consists of a story that does not branch from the normal chapters. Chapters like these are necessary in order to put the element of 'Memories' and 'Time' into motion.

Re-Chapters are not necessarily shorter or longer than normal chapters; their length will always be determined by what kind of story it contains. There are, and will be, many important information that can only be found in Re-Chapters, so skipping these is not an option if one wishes to fully delve into the plot.

Now it won't be nice if everything is described in A/N.

Enjoy.


Re - Chapter 1

{ A Moment of Reminiscence }


02 - 01 - 2074 / 22:15:08

"Researchers?"

Alisa nodded. "They were," she affirmed.

"In what field?" asked Ray as sipped on his soda.

"Genetics." She tought for a while then added, "DNA and all those stuffs, I guess. I can't really remember them well. I was still a kid back there, and furthermore, after the medical therapy, my memory is kind of a mess. My... last moment with my parents is not exactly a pleasant one to remember, after all." She smiled weakly at her lap, trying to ignore the lump in her throat. "But I guess...maybe...maybe it's better this way."

Staring absently at the scenery engulfed in blackness before them, the two fell silent.

They were sitting on the deck—a part of the large HQ that was located up high on both wings of the building. It was a place specifically designed for the Den Dwellers to bathe in the sunlight. They were scheduled to train on the deck twice a week in order to supply their bodily needs with appropriate nutrients that only could be gained from the sunlight and fresh air. Fortunately for them, when night fell, the deck was not a place many found enthralling since the cold weather was none too friendly in this time of year. Climate change had gone nowhere but getting more and more serious by each passing day, Director Sakaki Paylor once had said.

Alisa and Ray were sitting on one of many benches there, enjoying their private time which could not be attained on a regular basis since their profession didn't allow them to have much free time.

Being Gods Eaters, their days were consumed by either missions, patrolling duties, training rookies, or getting medical treatments. Schedules were particularly tighter and harsher for Ray, who was the Den's field leader. Even when the young man had some free time on his hands, he would certainly use it to rest—much to Alisa's demand to keep his health in check above them spending time together. And as a plus, Alisa still had to go back regularly to Russia for months to answer the call for more New-Type research and field training for the newbies there.

"I'm sorry to bring up such personal matter," he sighed in apology. "I shouldn't have asked."

Alisa shook her head. "No, I don't mind. It may be painful to think about my past, but actually, it does feel good to find someone I can share these stories with. Plus, it has been quite a while since we could spend time talking like this." A rare moment, this was, since they mostly shared their days together only when they got field assignments together as fellow members of the First Unit.

Ray chuckled darkly. "Now you're making me feel worse since I haven't got any time to spend with you and the others as of late." He noticed the darkening look on her face, and so was quick to say, "Hey, don't put on that look—I was joking." He rolled his eyes and amended: "Half joking, to be honest."

"No wonder." She smiled as she searched his face. "Being a leader isn't about sitting behind a table all day, I guess. Kota has complained a lot lately on why he hasn't got a chance to spar with you."

"Well... I should arrange my schedule better next time."

Alisa knew Ray's habit to take his work seriously despite his casual, easy going appearance, so she tried to change the subject before he became more frustrated with his responsibility. "What about yours, then—your parents, I mean. What do they do?"

He tilted his head to one side as he thought; his expression flattened when he spoke. "I don't know my biological parents—my guardian said they died just months after I was born because of some incident involving a breakdown in some nuclear reactor. But my uncle and guardian, once said that they were scientists spending their lives studying how to replace nuclear with a 'safer' source of energy." A pause. For a moment, his eyebrows were drawn in a frown. "As for their origin, I was told that my mother was Japanese while my father was Irish. That makes me a half, I conclude. I can never know for sure, though."

Figures, thought Alisa as she studied his features closely. His facial features suggested that he was an East-Asian at a first glance, but when one looked closer, anyone would doubt that his complexion was of such. His skin was a bit too pale for a Japanese, and his dark green eyes clearly set him apart from the latter.

"I've never seen any photographs that captured their faces, so I don't know them at all," he continued after musing for a while. His finger came up to touch his bottom lip, a habit of his whenever he was deep in thoughts. "I grew up being told that they had devoted their lives to ensure a better future for humanity, and that I should follow in their footsteps..." A subtle smile came to lit his face. "I hope being a Gods Eater is in tune with their wish."

"I bet it is. After all, who would stand on the front line to defend humanity if not us?"

"I hope you're right." Ray closed his eyes for a moment and said, "But the funniest part is that my guardian taught me how to play some musical instruments before I was chosen as a Gods Eater. He said that music connects people together, even with the deceased. As a child, I had believed all he'd said to me. But thinking back now, I really can't understand my childish logic at all."

Alisa blinked at the remark. She had never imagined the half as a musician, but surely it was not hard to picture him playing some instruments.

He was not an expressive person at words, and as far as Alisa knew, he possessed an artistic soul when it came to details and sketches. She remembered that there had been times when he'd been required by the researchers to fill in some details of an Aragami picture which their security and battle cameras couldn't grasp well. And he had always done the job almost all too perfectly. It wouldn't be surprising if he too was into the art of music.

"Why so?" she asked.

He shrugged. "It is simply because it's not an art I find useful in a world like this. But maybe if music could slay an Aragami, then there's a chance I would reconsider," he added with a smile.

Alisa almost laughed at the thought. Well, it would be literally funny, not to mention hilarious, if Aragami did fall when music was being played. "If it were true, than perhaps I should pick up one instrument to master as well. Oh, it's getting late. And you do have an appointment with the higher ups from another branch tomorrow morning, do you not? Let's get inside."

"And there I was hoping I could watch the snow falling down before I go to bed," he sighed. But he got up and straightened his coat nonetheless.

Alisa got up and tightened hers as well. She squirmed under the thick material, trying to fight down the chilling air. "You can say that again. In front of a certain supervisor."

He groaned at her words. "You're right: Tsubaki would kill me if I overslept."

They walked to the door leading underground, but Ray stopped before going inside and turned to face Alisa. "Thank you for your company. I really appreciate it."

She smiled and walked past him. "I've enjoyed my share too; there's no need to thank me. And plus, I'll be going back to Russia in a matter of months, so I want to spend my time here doing whatever I can to support you and everyone." Walking in the dim light of the Den, the pair took the elevator to the Veteran's Section.

"Now I envy you even more," said Ray almost absently. "I wonder when I would get the chance to return home."

Although he was half Japanese, everyone knew that Ray had been raised in Europe until he officially got promoted as a combatant. He had talked about his 'homeland' briefly before and the higher ups had never seemed to be in the mood of letting him go on a traveling trip anytime soon. No, not with so much work to be done here, in the Far East Branch, where Aragami bred and roamed around tirelessly.

"I sympathize," she said. "But I'm sure you'll be allowed to visit Europe once things have calmed down a bit."

"I know I'll be missing this place even more once I'm there, so I won't complain for now."

The elevator stopped and Ray escorted Alisa to her room since his room was located at the farthest end of the section. "Don't stay up too late," said she. Standing on her tiptoes, Alisa leaned into him to place a kiss on his cheek. Although his cheek was as cold as ice because of the air outside, she could feel heat radiating on his face the moment her lips came in touch with his skin.

"Don't worry. I still value my life. Though I'm beginning to wonder how Lindow had survived Tsubaki's lectures up until now," Ray said.

He hook an arm around her waist, drawing her closer still and resting his chin atop her head. They stood there for a short moment, breathing in each other's scent and warmth as if to celebrate what little privacy they finally had in their hectic lives. When they heard the sound of elevator moving at the opposite end of the hallway, finally they parted with reluctance.

With a 'good night,' they retreated into their own rooms.