Note: Hello, all. I apologize for taking too long on this chapter. I've been busy these past few days. There was mistake on the previous chapter. Towards the end of the chapter, I replaced "Toji" with "people". I think it would make more sense that way. I also deleted the sentence about MacArthur knowing what direction the Toji were. I'd like to thank TwilightScarlet for helping me with this.
Chapter 5
Kaoru never really cared where she was lying down as long as she was able to do so. With all the missions the president of Osafune Girl's Academy has been giving her, she feels she has earned a very long break. A break she had hoped lasts forever. Knowing how that woman was, Kaoru knew that another mission was right around the corner. It reminded her of the time she was in a bath and a call came in telling her she still hasn't completed her mission.
When Ellen and Kaoru arrived, Kaoru noticed Kanami's empty bed and let out a lazy "Yay" while she swiftly made her way towards it. Ellen sat on the edge of it. The six of them met in Kanami's room as they had planned. They were eager to know what each other's opinions were on the upcoming monstrous disaster. How similar will all this be to what they have faced before?
"What are we discussing here exactly?" Sayaka finally said after a brief moment of awkward silence.
"We are discussing the information the presidents have given us regarding these so-called viruses and General MacArthur," Hiyori replied.
"Is that old ha- I mean is President Maniwa really gonna make us fight these things if they somehow show up?" Kaoru said while facing the wall as she was not bothered to sit up.
"I really hope not…" Kanami said with a hint of nervousness in her voice. "But chances are they are going to make us."
"Great. We fight aradama and now we have to fight these heaps of crap too? Like really? A chainsaw? I'm against overworking Toji!" Kaoru declared as she turned to face the ceiling, her fist raised in the air.
"First, we at least need to try to figure out what General MacArthur's intentions are. I've read online that he was responsible for the deaths of many people, including children, in a village in Egypt while working on the Omni virus. I was unsure if it was verified but at this point it is safe to say it is true." Hiyori replied. She was composed even if the things she learned about him came back to haunt her.
Mai put her hand to her mouth in shock that he would go as far as to hurt even children. It looks like MacArthur won't show mercy on them.
"President Hashima told us it was already developed though," Kanami argued.
"Maybe at the time of the experiment it wasn't. Now that it's developed, he probably wants to take it even further here by using noro. He's most likely interested in making some sort of hybrid."
"A hybrid that will probably end our kind," Kaoru commented.
"Kaoru!" Mai scolded. The current atmosphere was already intense to some level. They really didn't need to have their anxiety escalated.
"I'm only joking, okay. I'm sorry," Kaoru apologized while Mai was giving her a threatening glare.
"I did a quick research on the Omni virus to see what it does to you," everybody turned their attention over to Ellen who was looking at her phone. "Listen to this. The virus seems to be a better version of the Prototype virus that was developed in '98. What is does to you is that it increases the metabolism of the host. In turn, it gives them superhuman strength, speed, agility, endurance, and healing factor. It also gives the host the ability to sense others nearby. The only effects that manifest at first are superhuman endurance and healing factor."
"It also helps withstand fatal wounds and illnesses," Sayaka also found the same information Ellen found in her phone. "It also slows down the aging process. The major difference between the Prototype and the Omni virus is that the Prototype was strict with who could benefit from it. Whoever did not have 'superior' genes died."
"It looks like MacArthur wanted to ease off that restriction with this new one since chances are that he would've died with the Prototype," Hiyori said. "I think he has injected himself with the developed virus. With that power, who wouldn't?"
"I find it interesting that the Prototype was developed around the same time as the Great Disaster of Sagami Bay. I think it's coincidental though," Kanami said.
"Will our okatanas be enough to defeat him? I'm scared they'll break the moment we strike him," Sayaka said after picturing a scenario where they fight him.
"No! Don't say that! I couldn't bear it if I lost Chidori!" Kanami cried while hugging her okatana.
Reality hit them hard when they thought about their okatanas. What will a fight with MacArthur look like? Who will be in it? How many bruises and scars will they be left with? How many Toji will be killed? In addition, what about fights against his experiments? Will there be Toji who'll turn to MacArthur's side. There was an unpleasant silence in the room.
Kanami sat there thinking. Thinking about how she was going to protect her friends. She looked over to Hiyori who had a worried expression on her face. All she could do is admire her beauty even though now did not seem like the right time for it. I will do everything in my power to protect her.
"Kanami? Are you okay?" Hiyori said after she caught Kanami staring at her.
"Y-yes I'm okay!" Kanami stammered. She quickly turned away so others wouldn't notice her red face but it was obvious to them.
"I do have a question though," Sayaka said. Kanami was relieved because it would divert the attention away from her. She felt silly but she couldn't help it.
"What is it, Sayaka?" Mai asked.
"How do the presidents know all this? Who gave them this information?"
"Right. Where did this information come from?" Ellen asked with arms crossed. She had a serious expression on her face. It was a rare thing to see since she was ecstatic most of them time. It looks as if there's a third party involved. Someone who knows MacArthur's coming.
