Hello, this is Mizushima 'Ya Boi' Kazumi working on a personal log because SOMEONE WHO IS NOT TO BE NAMED it's Lindow-san insists that I record my… life? Days? Well, write whatever since I became a God Eater. I only got to work on in now because Lindow-san (explicitly) ordered me not to go near the missions for two more days. As if I'd go near any missions in this damaged state; I'm no idiot.

Anyway… I don't really know what to do with these. I guess I could write down what fuckery adventures I have at the moment considering I'm off the roster…

Well, let's start the moment I was released from the med-wing. I got a report on my injuries, and… they're surprisingly not as bad as I feared. Concussion, a broken rib and my right lung just the slightest bit punctured. Explained the coughing up blood thing that night, then. Well, on regular people that is bad, but since I'm lucky to be a God Eater I'd be right as right in three days with absolute rest. Yay for advanced medicine, I guess.

After that, well, Eric der Vogelweid, resident cocky dude with an actually good heart, jumped me and dragged me off to introduce me to the people he knows. Which is apparently most of the Den's inhabitants. Great. Most notable people I've met today are the 2nd and 3rd Defense units; in charge of protecting the AA Wall itself. They're deployed to the field every now and then, but only when no Assault squads are available.

I'm getting off track, okay um, 2nd Unit! Captain is Tatsumi O'Mori-san (who has a thing for Takeda-san, it looks like), Daiba Kanon-san (the pink-green person I saw first time I came here, when I was about to get my medical checkup) and Brendan Bardell (a hunk of a guy who is the only one so far that I've met that is as tall as me- I'M A HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIVE CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE I CAN'T). Somehow people keep telling me to avoid Daiba-san in a mission… I don't get it. Why shouldn't I go on a mission with her?

And 3rd Unit is a bit more… hm. Mishmash? Well, Ogawa Shun-san is a small human being who is actually the incarnate of bad life choices – Eric-san says so. Karel Schneider-san is… Um. Can I make a joke? I can make a joke right? Okay um forgive me Karel-san I'm not as sorry as I should be wwwwwwwww he could probably fix his money problems with his face alone. If you could catch my drift god hope no one will read this. Now, Gina Dickinson-san. If I meet Gina-san again it'd be too soon. SHE'S SCARY OKAY.

After that I got dragged into a lesson with-

Kazumi hears the door to his room open, and he turns, and sees Lindow poking his head in. "Something wrong, Lindow-san?" He asks, and the man shakes his head, letting himself in.

"Just checking in on you, kiddo," The older man says, smiling easily. "You good?"

"Yeah," Kazumi replies, a little confused as to why he wouldn't be okay. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh, you know," Lindow makes a vague gesture as he plops down on Kazumi's couch. "Boredom, and stuff."

"Ah," Kazumi nods to himself. "Well, I know better than to toe the line, especially one made by the doctor, so I'm good. Besides," Kazumi waves a hand at the Terminal, "I can find ways to entertain myself. Without hurting myself, of course."

"Hn, is that so?"

"Yes, that is so," Kazumi pushes away from the Terminal, making his way over to the couch and taking a seat, leaning back lazily. "Well, since I'm good, anything else, Taichou-san?"

"Well…" Lindow scratches at his cheek, looking deep in thought, and Kazumi immediately feels like he knows what Lindow is going to talk about.

Kazumi cross one leg of the other, weaving his fingers together and setting them on his lap as he makes himself comfortable and concentrates on breathing calmly through his nose. He actually expected this talk, he hadn't expected it to take Lindow this long to approach him about it.

Until, now, that is.

"Your latest mission… what happened?" Lindow asks, leaning forward and bracing his elbows on his knees, looking intensely at Kazumi, who, in turn, meets his gaze head on, despite wanting to look away and preferably hide under his covers.

But, he can't run away and hide, at least, not always.

"You searched the area, right?" Kazumi asks instead, voice carefully level. "Then you must've seen the… the corpses."

"Ah," Lindow looks awkward and worried, and Kazumi would've laughed if he isn't so off-balanced. "Bad… memories?"

Kazumi shakes his head, rubbing his bare arm and looking out of the 'window' showing a field flowers. "More like, a slap to the face from the thing I fear most." Kazumi confesses. "It reminded me of what would happen, what could happen, and I wasn't prepared for it as well as I thought. I faltered, and it almost cost us our lives, Kota's and mine."

Kazumi is actually surprised at himself, considering he managed to finish the mission in one piece despite being so badly shaken and horribly off his game.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Kazumi blinks rapidly at Lindow, who is looking at him patiently, and Kazumi feels an irrational surge of affection for the older man and his kindness.

"Lindow-san is really kind, huh…?" Kazumi mutters to himself, too low for anyone else to hear, and he rubs absently at his chest, over his heart.

No one has offered him comfort before. No one. Kazumi both likes it and hates it.

Hates it so much he sort of kinda wants to cry.

"Kazumi?" Lindow, who is kind, always looking out for his people, taking care of the younger ones. He'd make a good father, a wonderful one.

Kazumi musters up a smile for the older man. "I'm fine, ah, I'll be fine." And it's true; Kazumi feels better already, just knowing that someone's looking out for him. "I'll be fine, Lindow-san, really. Thank you so much for caring."

Lindow looks like he wants to say more, but in the end he closes his mouth firmly, nodding and getting up to his feet. He makes to leave, but stops behind where Kazumi is sitting to pet at the younger's hair. Kazumi sucks in a breath through his teeth, fingers curling into the fabric of his shorts and his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip. The hand in his hair reminded him of what Sakuya did herself, and terrifyingly enough, it also feels the same.

Feels of comfort, of protection.

"If you ever wanna talk, I'm just down the hall, yeah?"

"Yes, Lindow-san."

The hand hesitates at Kazumi's curt tone, but it doesn't remove itself, rather the opposite, really. "I'm serious, Kazumi." Lindow says quietly, and Kazumi closes his eyes, forces himself to breathe past the burning behind his eyes. "… Later then."

The hand leaves Kazumi's head, taking the warmth with it. Lindow's heavy steps move towards the door, but Kazumi forces himself not to move, to keep staring at nothing, feel nothing, as the man leaves. The door to his room opens softly, and closes just as softly. The room feels emptier without Lindow, like there's an invisible weight pressing down all around.

Kazumi curls up and hides his face against the back of the couch.


"Hm, it seems that everything inside you is back to normal," Dr. Sakaki comments as Kazumi pulls his shirt back on. The fox-faced doctor turns to Kazumi. "Do you feel okay?"

"Yep," Kazumi flexes his fingers in front of him, rolling his shoulders to loosen up. "Should I use the training room? Just to be sure?"

"No need for that," Dr. Sakaki refutes, looking through his datapad before handing it to Kazumi, who recognizes the information as his own. "Musculature, bone as well as organ functionality back in tiptop shape. Bias Factor regulation and processing inside your body is fine and dandy so you're good to go." The doctor smiles wry, pushing his glasses up his nose. " Just don't land yourself in here soon."

"Roger that, doctor, I'll be a good boy." Kazumi returns cheekily, hopping off from the cot and handing back the datapad with both hands.

"That reminds me," The doctor hums. "If you feel up to it, head over to either Soma-kun or Lindow-kun's room for a mission with them."

"Mission?" Is he up to it, though? But with Lindow-san and Soma-san both with him… "Sure. Should I tell them you sent me?"

Dr. Sakaki shakes his head, smiling. "No, they asked me to tell when your exam yields positive results."

"So…" Kazumi sways on the balls of his feet. "Am I good to go?"

Dr. Sakaki waves towards the door with a chuckle, and Kazumi thanks the man again before leaving with a bounce in his steps. He spares a cheerful greeting towards Karel and Gina – the two of them together in the couches, speaking in low voices – and he boards the lift, pressing the button to the 23rd floor. He quickly makes his way over to Lindow's door, knocking, before calling out an 'I'm coming in!' and pushing the door open.

Oh, huh, Soma is here too.

"Oooh, Kazu-kun!" Lindow straightens and tosses something towards, and Kazumi easily catches it. The younger God Eater makes a face when he realizes it's beer, and Lindow laughs at that, motioning for Kazumi to toss back the drink towards him, which the younger did. "Not one for beer, eh?"

"I only have one vice, and I honestly don't need anymore," Kazumi declares, closing the door behind him and nodding at Soma, who surprisingly nods back. "Also, you two called for me?"

"You think you can handle a Gboro?" Soma cuts in before Lindow could speak, and Kazumi chuckles at the eldest's unimpressed face. Kazumi turns to Soma, leaning against the wall and crossing his arm over his chest.

"Fishy-looking Aragami?" Kazumi chuckles at Soma's pained groan, his pun apparently that horrible to the younger. "Yeah, I do. Well. Theoretically, I know them." Kazumi hums, tapping a finger against his forearm. "Common variant is an Ice-type, capable both of up-close and ranged attacks. Dorsal fin stores and powers ice-based Oracle attacks, which it executes with the use of its cannon. Theoretically said to be capable of swimming, but none such incident is recorded or known."

Lindow lifts an eyebrow at that, looking amused. "Looks like we got another Mr. Smarty-pants in this squad!" He takes a sip, looking at Soma. "Soma-kun, better up your game or Kazu-kun will steamroll right over you."

Soma makes a pointed sniff and a sip of his own beer. "I'd like to see the mushroom try." He deadpans.

Kazumi clutches at his chest, wheezing and doubling over in 'pain'. "Ouch, right in the kokoro, Soma."

Soma makes a face at him. "What the fuck is a kokoro."

"Kokoro means 'heart'," Lindow says, tapping the left side of his chest for good measure. "Something Soma-kun has a lot of."

Soma doesn't deign to reply, instead focusing on his drink. Kazumi can't help but smile, Soma is so fun.

"Well, joking aside, I take it the Gboro is our target?" Kazumi turns to Lindow, "Anything I should know before I jump back into Aragami-infested waters?"

Lindow picks up the datapad beside him, holding it out to Kazumi, who dutifully makes his way over the older man and taking it, reviewing the information while Lindow continues to talk. "We'll be going on a back-to-back mission, both missions aptly named Crocodile One and Crocodile Two, and both missions have a single Gboro each as targets," Lindow explains to the room at large. "Kota-kun will be joining us for Crocodile One – we'll meet him at the mission drop-off – and he'll swap out with Sakuya enroute to Crocodile Two, who, same as Kota-kun, will meet us at the drop-off. With me so far?"

"Why would we have to swap back-ups?" Kazumi asks, his brows furrowed. "I mean… The three of us are booked for both and a fourth member would be changing…?"

"You've been out of commission for a solid 72 hours, so to get you back in perfect condition, a rigorous reconditioning is in order, so that means you'll be on the field more than you'll be here at the Den." Lindow explains patiently. "To make sure you're safe, Soma and I will be there as your safety net."

"Ah," Kazumi nods, seeing the logic in the arrangement. "I get it."

"Also, if we finish both Crocodiles in record time, we have the option of going straight to a third mission," Lindow says, pulling a phone out from his pocket and waving it a little. "Major Amamiya has dropped me a request just now, about a Kongou in the deeper parts of the plains."

Kazumi's face becomes placid, as he leans back and sets the datapad on top of his thighs. "A Kongou, eh?" He muses, and he could feel Soma's eyes on him, the younger watching him warily and carefully. "… Should we do it?"

Lindow blinks down at him, his own expression careful and unreadable. "I don't know, you tell me."

Kazumi looks over at Soma, who huffs. "Survive the goddamned Gboro first, then you can think about dealing with the ape."

Lindow claps his hands, his smile wide. "Wise words from Soma-kun, now!" Lindow points at the both of them, Kazumi looking amused and Soma looking longingly at the door. "Pack up kiddies, we're going on a road trip!"


'Let you take the reins' they said. 'You're on your own' they said.

Pfft.

Kazumi is disappointed he doesn't have a recording device with him because he has proof that Soma really is one helluva protective bastard to that point one is tempted to shoot him. Just to get some space back. Lindow isn't helping either, just whistling cheerfully and singing off key while he literally turns the other way whenever Soma does his own brand of fussing.

"You dumbfuck, there's this thing called dodging and you don't know it!" Soma was snarling, and Kazumi is reminded of seeing a baby animal from a video barking and snarling so cutely. As well as ripping off flesh if you pissed it off enough. Wolf pup, it was called, if Kazumi remembers right. "What shitty ass ghost possessed you go and step right into the fucking fish-piss' path, huh?!"

Kazumi is ready to hug Soma and slap him. Though not in that order. "I'm sorry Soma-san, it won't happen again Soma-san," Lindow, the best squad leader, is bent over double laughing his lungs out silently. Kazumi prays he choke on his cigarette. "I'll do better next time Soma-san."

"Fucking right, you'll do better or I'll kick your stupid, shitty mushroom ass myself!" The younger growls, picking up his God Arc and stalking away, snarling and seething, and Kazumi follows behind with the air of someone both fond and exasperated beyond all hell.

Lindow just laughs and slaps Kazumi on the back, tears and his eyes and his laughter more like choked wheezing than decent-sounding laugh. Kazumi kicks him solidly in the shin in response.

Crocodile One and Two are finally done and over with, and Kazumi is now the proud owner of Gboro materials, getting quite the good haul with the back-to-back missions. He should check with Licca soon, see what can be made or if anything can be upgraded.

"So, both croc missions are over and done with," Kazumi remarks, shouldering his God Arc. "Should we go do that Kongou mission from the Major?"

Lindow shrugs, breathing out a plume of smoke. "I don't know." Lindow looks at him in the eye. "I can't have you flipping out."

"Fair enough…" Kazumi thinks, before cupping a hand around his mouth. "Soma-san! If I go crazy, kick my ass for me?!"

Soma's response for that is a colorful string of expletives, and Kazumi is really, really tempted to wash the other's mouth with cleaning detergent. Who taught that kid? Geez.

Kazumi makes a gesture towards Soma, looking all the while at Lindow as if silently saying 'there you go'. Lindow makes a face, conceding, and he contacts Hibari, telling her to request a transport for them that'll take them to the deeper parts of the plains as well as another to take back Sakuya, who was already back at the pick-up point as soon as the Gboro was dead and the core devoured.

Kazumi stretches his arms high above his head, groaning when his muscles stretched. All in a day's work for a God Eater. Kazumi grins as he picks up his pace to get level with Soma, poking at the other as they made their way to the other pick-up point for them.

As they walk, Kazumi makes a mental note to himself.

'That Kongou will die.'

Soon enough, after a while of walking – and evading/eliminating wandering Aragami – the trio reaches the pick-up point, their ride already prepped and ready for them. They quickly leave, and soon they're far from the largest whirlwind, instead approaching one of the smaller ones a few miles west of it.

"Okay so, Kongou." Lindow speaks over the whirr of the heli's blades, his hair going everywhere. "Let's kick its monkey ass!"

And with that, all three of them tip over the edge of the heli's hull, blades at the ready.

Kazumi switch his God Arc over to Gun form and, after making sure no one is behind him, points the Shotgun behind him and pulls the trigger, the recoiling speeding up his fall so that he's the first one. And oh, would you look at that?

The Kongou is in range for his Scythe!

And so Kazumi switches back to scythe form, pulls his arm back, and lashes it out like a whip for their opening act.

The Kongou roars when Kazumi cuts its tail right off, and it whirls to face the three God Eaters, all of them landing heavily and causing the ground beneath to crumble, most especially under Kazumi as he was falling at a higher velocity. The Kongou roars at them, pounding at the earth with both of its gigantic fists.

"Soma, Kazu, flank it." Lindow says, flicking his cigarette away, and the two younger God Eaters race off, Soma going to left and Kazumi to the right. Lindow himself charges straight forward, eyes narrowed and expression hard.

Kazumi catches Soma's eye, and the other makes a small gesture, and Kazumi understands, and he can't help but grin, because, well.

Time to fight.

Kazumi leaps high, roaring his own warcry, and he successfully draws the Kongou's attention towards himself. Bad idea, considering Kazumi is the decoy, and Soma comes in with a whirling cleave, his Buster crushing through both its arms so hard they shatter and burst.

The Kongou falls on its face with a shriek, and Kazumi lands and darts away when its arms reform, though the Aragami isn't given a chance to retaliate since Lindow is suddenly in front of it and bring his blade down on its face. The 'mask' cracks, and the Kongou lets out an enraged howl, batting Lindow away but failing as the man had already pulled back.

Kazumi darts it, Soma behind him, and Kazumi plants his foot down, scythe extended, and swings hard, so all the extra blades bites into the Kongou's side. The Kongou snarls in Kazumi's face, reaching towards Kazumi's God Arc to rip it out of itself, but Soma stops that with a vicious strike on its body, the pipes lining its back shattering and its body caving in from the force. Kazumi viciously pulls his own blades back when Soma is safely out of range, bracing his God Arc on his shoulders before dancing.

His God Arc flashed, Kazumi handling his God Arc with practiced ease, and he methodically cuts away at the Kongou, tearing its flesh apart. Kazumi knows he must look like demon-possessed, but no. He's aware, he's in full control of himself, so he sees. Sees the gathering storm in the beast's maw, and so, he jumps back.

The Aragami's air orb is so strong it kicks up dust viciously, Lindow and Soma's duster coats flapping in the wind. Kazumi hears a rhythmic pounding, as well as feeling the ground beneath him move, and he's already jumping away before Lindow is done barking out an order to scatter.

The Kongou breaks out from the dust cloud angry and mauled and scary, and Kazumi takes a moment to center himself, remind himself of where he is.

He can't slip up.

"Stunner!" Kazumi hollers, grabbing a couple of Stun grenades from his thigh pouch and pulling the pin out. He tosses it towards the Kongou, and it explodes, bathing the whole place in light. Kazumi hisses when it stings even with his eyes closed, but he perks when Lindow hollers out an order.

"Predators!" Predators it is. Kazumi readies his God Arc, keeping his eyes closed but listening carefully to keep track of the Kongou, making it easy since the Kongou is snarling and making a racket where it is. Kazumi could feel his own Aragami shudder and shake in excitement and prospect of feeding, and Kazumi absently shushes it. "Now!"

Well, that's his cue.

Kazumi unleashes his Predator, and Kazumi could hear two other snarls aside from the one his Predator makes, and Kazumi braces himself with a grunt when the Predator dives for the vulnerable Kongou. Kazumi could feel it when the Predator bites down, and with a grunt he forces more energy into his, feeling the Predator bite through the Aragami's body. He didn't get the core either, considering the Aragami is shrieking and thrashing still.

Kazumi hears Soma let out an animalistic snarl, and the sounds of crunching and breaking intensifies, until- "I got it," Soma pants, winded. "I got the core."

Kazumi opens his eyes, wincing when he can still see after images, and he can finally take in the brutality they've committed; the Kongou doesn't look like a Kongou anymore, more like a lump of misshapen red flesh. A Very Dead lump of red flesh.

Kazumi collapses on his back with a relieved groan, breathing hard. The fight was short, true, but they've gone especially vicious on the Kongou. Probably because Kazumi is a petty bastard.

"You okay kid?" Lindow leans over Kazumi, hands braced on his knees, and he's a little winded himself, though he undeniably looks pleased. Must be glad Kazumi didn't lose his marbles (or what is left of it, anyways).

"I'm not dying, at the very least," Kazumi laughs. Ah, it's easier to breathe.

"If you die, I'll bring you back to life to give you an ass-whooping." Soma growls from where he is, breathing hard as well and eyes… flashing? His eyes looks like they're flashing in Kazumi eyes. "Fucking, idiot mushroom."

"Ooh," Soma might actually kill him for this, but there's the chance on a silver platter, so… "Please be gentle."

Soma's face is priceless.

Lindow collapses on the ground howling with laughter, and Kazumi finds out he can still run despite how tired he is, especially with Soma going after his blood.

Ah, today is a good day.