Chapter 1

The house in the woods

"Man… Another beautiful day"

It was a bright sunny day in the middle of spring. Birds chirped happily, people smiled and waved at each-other down below. I stood there, leaning over my balcony, simply observing. My housemates and dog wouldn't be home for a while, so I had time to kill.

My name is Yuuichi, and I'm a graduated college student. I teach at a junior cram school which is attached to my house, and is owned by my pupil's mother. Make sense? Not really. Many things have happened over the past year, things that would take too long to explain.

You want the condensed version? Fine.

It was a rainy night when I found my dog, Mikan. We had a few issues, but because of them, Risa, Mikan's old owner's sister, moved in with me. Later, we saved the dog Silvia from certain death with the help of my friend's cat, Kuu, and we had a good time, until some major things happened with Mikan. We sorted them out (in style) and… yeah. Mikan wants to become a therapy dog, Silvia wants to become a model, and Risa wants more from life (like a boyfriend) and… Kotarou, one of our old friends we met last year, became a full-fledged police dog, even though she has puppies with another police dog friend of ours, Kaie.

I pushed away from the balcony and sat down. Back when I was 18, I would have a cigarette about now. Too bad I gave up that habit. I sighed and looked up at the sky. It was bright blue, white clouds rolling about lazily. I needed something to do: my simple and carefree life that I used to live seemed so… mediocre now, so boring. I pushed away from my chair and stood up, grabbing my wallet. I had time to kill, so why not head down to the arcade?

"Yuuichi!?"

I looked to my front door as someone started pounding on it. I walked over briskly and opened it, revealing Kotarou and Kaie in police uniform.

"Yuuichi! We need your help!"

I stepped to the side so they could walk in. I often helped the dogs when they were in heat: although it wasn't that time of year yet.

"What's up?"

"Yuuichi, we have a massive problem on our hands, but…"

"The captain of our squad declared the area a no-go zone"

I nearly cocked my head to the side. What the hell was going on here?

"Can you explain from the beginning?"

"Okay"

Kaie pulled out a USB and plugged it into my computer.

"This contains sensitive data, so please; don't show this to anyone else"

I nodded to him as he started up the file. It was a video, so I sat down and watched it.

"At the turn of the 21st century, the Umbrella Corporation became the largest pharmaceutical company in the world. Its services and medication are known everywhere, and are very well known for setting up our S.T.A.R.S. unit. The current issue is this: Deep in the mountains near here is a mansion that has become under attack from deranged individuals. They have become infected with a new type of experimental medicine being produced at the mansion. We are to fly in 2 teams, Alpha and Bravo. Bravo team will secure the outer perimeter of the mansion whilst Alpha team will move in and secure the scientists. This OP should be quick and clean. We don't want to open fire on anybody; however, you are cleared to fire in extreme circumstances"

I blinked. Once, twice, three times. I understood clearly what the problem was, but…

"So why do you need me?"

"Once we were briefed, the captain of Alpha team, Albert Wesker, told us that the area was off limits and that the operation was cancelled. However, we soon started getting calls that hikers were being attacked whilst hiking, and as police dogs, we can't let this go. But… We need someone there with us, a team of 2 won't do"

Kaie hung his head and Kotarou's ears dropped. I had no idea what I could do. Plus, Risa and Mikan would be home soon…

"Alright, fine"

I had no idea why I agreed to it. Maybe I was bored and looking for a little excitement. Kaie and Kotarou sprung up at my words, happiness pretty much drooling out of their mouths.

"This is HQ to all police officers. There has been a problem. Please report to HQ now"

I looked at them both.

"We can use my car. Let's go"