Chapter 5: Training

May 16, 2016

Caso Plaza

Osaka, Japan

Mark was sitting alone on a bench opposite to the fountain. Most of the stores has closed down except for the bars nearby and other fast food chains. A few locals were still strolling around and the others are clustered in groups, hanging out outside a nearby bar and smoking the illegal drugs.

The four of them approached him together while the rest of their teams were on standby. Mark waved as soon as he spotted them. He was carrying a small box with him which they assumed was the illegal drugs.

"You are here alone?"

Mark passed him the small box, "Yeah. My friends had to go somewhere."

Misaki reached for her gun to make the arrest but Takumi grabbed her hand and shook his head after noticing that they weren't alone.

"Hey," two men approached Mark, Misaki and the others nodded at them in acknowledgement.

"I didn't know you will show up," one of them patted Mark on the shoulder and stood beside him

"We just sold all of my inventory to this guy from out of town," he scratched the back of his head, "Are you done here?"

"Almost," Mark looked at Takumi, waiting for his payment.

"How long have you guys been doing this?" Takumi asked as he passed him the money

"About 3 years now," he proudly said. Takumi glanced at each one of them and discreetly nodded.

"Well that's too bad because its going to end today," Shizuko said as they all reached for their guns and pointed at them.

"Hands up where I can see them."

"Shit," Mark mumbled

The other guys tried to take off but Yukimura and Shizuko were fast on their feet and tackled them on the ground. A second later Kanou and Kuuga joined in and helped with the arrest

Takumi helped Mark stand up and handcuffed his hands, he looked at Takumi with disdain, "I trusted you buddy."

The other man tried to get away, "I swear we are not doing anything wrong,"

"Explain that to the cops," Shizuko roughly handled the other guys and seated them on the bench as they waited for the police to arrive. They have gathered the attention of the locals as they began gathering around the scene while the other locals carrying the illegal substance has fled the area once the police cars started pulling into the plaza.

Misaki let the cops take over and walked back to her car when she spotted Takumi waiting alone outside their car. She avoided his stare and went straight to her car. Before she could open the door, she looked up and stared at his figure, a heavy sigh escaped her lips as she thought of their encounters and her brash actions. She hesitated at first but decided to not let her ego get in the way.

"Sorry for how I acted today," he looked at her with a blank expression. His green pools boring into hers as he assessed her sincerity.

She knew she let her emotions get the better of her and it greatly affected her judgement. She became careless and almost got all of them in trouble. Out of all people she should know how dangerous it is to be controlled with your emotions and how it could put everyone's life at risk but even after many years of training despite how hard she tries to push back this other side of her, she was still the sensitive and emotional girl from 10 years ago.

The corner of his mouth turned up, "I said some awful things too," he extended his right hand. "Truce"

"Truce," she shook his hands "For now," she smirked, "I still don't trust you," she walked back to her car

Takumi chuckled and shook his head, "I don't trust you too," he called out to her

-xxx-

May 23, 2016

S.F.I Academy

"Over here," Kuuga called out as they entered the cafeteria.

Hinata ran to their table and put down his tray "They still have sloppy joes," he grinned excitedly at them. It has been a while since they had a meal together at the academy. The return to the academy once in a while to report back or for training but since they were promoted to level 5 mission team they have been deployed to different parts of the world for the last year.

Yukimura joined them and sat beside Takumi to deliver the news, "We have a meeting with Jiro after your training."

"Always looking forward to our meetings," Hinata sighed as he took another bite from his sandwich.

The cafeteria was full of students since it was in the middle of the day. Their happy and enthusiastic faces showed how ready they are to take in and save the world. Takumi shook his head in pity. He wishes he still had the same enthusiasm as these students like before.

The entire room was buzzing with different conversations, but one particular topic kept coming up.

"The demon is back," they overhead the passing student groaned

"This is going to be a rough week," his friend complained

"Who is the demon?" Hinata asked curiously.

"She is the head trainer, she was on a mission for a couple of months and returned today," Kanou informed them as he took the empty spot beside Hinata.

"I heard she's very scary," Yukimura added

The clock strike at 12:30 pm and the bell rung. The students began clearing out as they headed to their classes.

"I guess that's my cue. Later,"

Takumi took his time walking, it was a nice feeling to be able to roam the academy again. It has been more than five years since he had the time to wander in the halls. He had a lot of good memories in the academy. It was the first time he found a home, a place where he was accepted and a place where his past was forgotten.

He was recruited when he was 18 years old, he was in the brink of following his father's footstep when a cop helped him and told him he could become a different person. He became part of the institute and started studying at the academy to become an undercover agent.

Most of the students have already gathered in the middle of the field when he arrived. He decided to stand at the back and waited for instructions. Even after graduating the agents are still required to do a monthly training once every year to sharpen and practice their skills. A scheduled training sessions and drills are organized specifically for each team to strengthen their skills but since he missed his sessions they couldn't do anything else but put him to train with other students.

"Everyone take your seat while I explain how today's training will work," the familiar voice commanded

They sat on the grass and he got a better look of the head trainer. She stood beside a small blackboard and blew her whistle.

He groaned in disbelief "You gotta be kidding me," he mumbled.

She locked eyes with him and frowned "You there, blondie," she pointed at him "since you were 5 min late, run 50 laps."

He arched his brows, "I was only 5 min late and you haven't even started yet."

"I already finished the attendance and if you can't even follow a simple rule how are you going to learn." she crossed her arms, "Fine," and her lips broke into a mischievous grin "Run 100 laps and come see me after."

"Are you serious?"

"Well that is for talking back to me," she glared at him, "100 laps. NOW!"

Everyone chuckled as they shook their heads at him, they all seemed to know what was coming if they defied the head instructor, "That's why you should never piss off the devil," one of the students whispered.

He exhaled loudly and walked to the tracks to begin his laps.

Misaki's lips stretched to a smile, she focused her attention back to the rest of her students, "and for the rest of you, we will begin by doing some drills and relays. Follow the list," she pointed at the blackboard "after your relays we will meet back into the main gym for your combat training," Everyone groaned

"Did I hear you guys complain?" Misaki asked

"No ma'am."