Tokyo, 1987
A high-altitude view of the prosperous capital of Japan revealed a stunning display of gold and white lights. Traffic was heavy on the streets and roads, with most cars, trucks, and motorcycles moving at a controlled pace across the smooth stone. The pedestrians on the sidewalks were also kept to a consistent pace.
All of them may have had different dreams and goals in mind, and some of them may have achieved greater success than most in their lives, but when they all used the same public walkway, it was expected that they would merge into one piece that created the flow of the herd. They would either go to complete their daily tasks or return home to rest and prepare their minds and bodies for the next morning.
It was just another simple and predictable night in the city, the usual cycle that provided the city's tranquil atmosphere as the sky turned a dark shade of black.
However, despite how beautiful the city's nightlife appeared, even the brightest lights were insufficient to eliminate the dark corners that lingered in the background. Tokyo, like any other city, had a darker side hidden behind its towering skyscrapers.
While the majority of the public avoided the city's dark corners, the evil and sinister forces that lurked in the shadows drew them into their affairs. Most innocent bystanders would not realize it until it was too late. And it would frequently result in severe losses.
In comparison to most other police forces around the world, the police and its special units have successfully brought some of the worst evildoers to justice on numerous occasions. However, some of the higher-ranking officers were forced to admit that they were incapable of dealing with everything that was thrown at them. While the chief of police took great pride in leading some of the most efficient and professional lawmen within his ranks, some lacked the time or dedication to solve some of the most serious cases threatening public safety and security.
So, when the police chief realized that the city of Tokyo and its people would soon be in grave danger from forces far beyond his control, he had to turn to the one person who could help him... Saori Kido.
...
Inside one of the many rooms of the Kido Mansion...
9:00 P.M.
The chief of Tokyo's police, an elderly but solidly built man with a streaked military flat top and a matching thick mustache, sipped the reddish brown tea graciously served by one of the many butlers employed by Kido's.
However, the chief was unable to enjoy the exquisite taste of the tea at this time. He was nervous about the conversation he was about to have with the sole heir to the Kido fortune. He never spoke to her, that much was clear. However, based on what he has learned from the press, she was not some spoiled brat who shamelessly flaunted her wealth wherever she went. She was a young woman who was far more mature and likely much smarter than the majority of CEOs.
That did not mean she was always the prim and proper princess he would see in a few televised interviews. She had to remind everyone why Mitsumasa Kido spent the last few years of his life raising her and teaching her how the family business works as well as he could. Her list of business ventures has been thoroughly researched by the chief. And they were incredibly impressive.
Around a year ago, she made the risky decision to persuade a group of European investors who were interested in a prototype from one of her competitors, Tanaka Incorporation. Not only did she succeed in attracting their interest and money to the prototype her company was working on, which exceeded the investors' expectations, but a few of them went on to become some of Kido Corporation's most trusted investors. And Tanaka Inc.'s project was canceled due to a lack of proper funding. A year later, that same competitor was struggling to recoup its stock value. It would probably not be long before she swooped in and offered them a position in her company.
Young she may have been, but there was no denying that Mitsumasa did a damn good job raising Saori as the successor to his empire.
He looked down at the folder resting next to his cup of tea, its contents securely sealed inside. He hoped that this wealthy girl with a hectic schedule would be considerate enough to take this matter seriously. However, perhaps that is asking too much of her. It appeared that he was going to waste her time with this. But... he could not give up now. He has gotten this far. He was not going to let his fears get the best of him.
knock knock*
He brought his attention to the door opening. One of the younger butlers stepped in and greeted him with a courteous bow.
"Sir, Lady Kido has just arrived. She humbly apologizes in advance for her delayed arrival."
The chief of police was quick to wave off the apology. "It's alright. All that matters is that she's here."
"Understood, sir. Is there anything you require before you speak to her?" The younger butler inquired, patiently waiting with a straight posture.
He responded with a negative shake of his head."No, thank you. I think I'm alright over here."
The butler nodded, accepting his wishes. "As you wish, sir. I won't bother you any further." With that, he exited the room, leaving the police chief alone.
A few minutes later, he heard the doors open again, and the person who walked through was the beautiful heir to the Kido empire, Saori Kido. The police chief has heard numerous descriptions of her incredible beauty from people of all backgrounds. And, while those people's words were undoubtedly correct, they did not seem to fully understand what they were saying now that he saw her in person.
The police chief was not a beauty expert, but he was certain that the heiress approaching him with graceful strides was the epitome of natural beauty. Her face was absolutely stunning to look at, almost like he was looking at the Mona Lisa. Her body was equally stunning as her face. She had a lean and curvy figure, which was accentuated by the gold metal corset that hugged her abdomen. She had to know that she was endowed with a body that would effortlessly drop tons of jaws to the ground. It would not be surprising if many women envied her.
The police chief forced his gaze to the folder he had brought, scolding himself for staring at Saori for too long, as if he were a hungry dog. He hoped she had not noticed, or cared to notice, how he was shamelessly staring at her.
"Ms. Kido, I can not thank you enough for taking the time to talk with me." He rose from his chair and extended his hand to greet the heiress, his gaze drawn to her neutral expression.
She takes his hand from across the table and shakes it, "You said you needed my help, Chief Matsumoto, and I can not ignore that, no matter how demanding my grandfather's company is." She then takes her seat, giving him her full attention."Well I hope I didn't interrupt anything too important."
She responded by gently shaking her head, "Let us not worry too much about the state of my company. You called me, saying you needed my help with a case you were having trouble with?" Chief Matsumoto nodded. "I assume you have heard about the various shootouts that have occurred in recent days. Two of the largest Bosozoku gangs have become embroiled in a turf war, and for some unknown reason, they have acquired the firepower to fight back against us." He then slid the folder towards her, revealing all of the evidence and details gathered by his investigation unit. "Many good people lost their lives as a result of these shootings."
Saori opened the folder and began shuffling through the contents. The eyes of Athena's reincarnation shuffled past the papers documenting the behavior of these biker gangs; she already had a good understanding of how they functioned. Instead, she focused on the images of the bloody aftermath of the gang war. Her fingers gently caressed the lifeless faces of the bystanders and police officers who had tragically died. She may not have expressed it in front of the police chief, but seeing those innocent lives snuffed out was a painful jab to the heart.
"Yes, I have heard that so many innocent people have suffered from these gang wars." She sounded soft for a moment, but then her voice regained its stern edge before the police chief could notice it. "But the Bosozoku gangs are not the main problem. It is the person who is supplying them with those firearms, correct?" she said, knowing that this needless bloodshed had to stop before the city would descend into chaos.
Chief Matsumoto nodded slightly, relieved that she was taking the situation seriously. "I want to bring down the people who are adding fuel to the fire, and I know you have some people nearby who could help me put it out."
Saori set down the folder, crossed her hands, and placed them against her lap. "Are you referring to my Saints?"
"Yeah, and if word on the street is to be believed, these Saints outperform even my most experienced men in bringing down the worst of the worst."
The purple-haired young woman raised a single brow at the older man. "Do you believe what you have heard about my Saints?"
"At first, I didn't. I thought the Intel I got about what these Saints were and what they could do was more in line with a children's fairytale. But then I remembered the human trafficking bust that happened a few months back." The police chief sat in silence, having to be careful with his words and respond in a way that did not sound like he was trying to be rude because the last thing he needed was to ruin this chance of receiving the aid from the CEO of Kido Corporation.
"Are you talking about the Osaka Major Cabaret bust?"
"Yes, exactly the same thing. Inside the basements of the most well-known cabaret clubs, dozens of young foreign girls were discovered with plans to be sold off at an auction backed by politicians, members of royal families, celebrities, and anybody else with a lot of money to spare. The most bizarre thing is that nobody knew who it was that made the world aware of this."
"That was, until a reporter interviewed one of the girls, and in that interview, she claims that a guy came out of nowhere, took down all of the guards, destroyed all of the doors of their cells, and disappeared before anyone could say anything." He then balled his hands together, put his elbows on the table, and rested his face in front of his interlocked hands. Naturally, no one believed her and assumed she was hallucinating a lot of the details.
Saori simply listened, her whole focus on him, and the chief interpreted her silence as an indication to go on. But before he vanished, the only thing she could see was that her savior was donning a horse-shaped helmet. A few years ago, you hosted a tournament where one of the fighters, if I recall correctly, wore a helmet shaped like a horse.
Saori nodded curtly. "It appears you have pieced it together, Chief Matsumoto, but where exactly are you going with this?" She asked, not because she was offended or upset by his skepticism toward her Saints, but because she was genuinely curious about his true feelings about them.
Leaning back and crossing his arms, he said, "After I remembered the Major Cabaret bust, I think the information I got for your Saints may not be as absurd as I originally thought." But I want to actually see what they are actually capable of. Trusting the words of others is not my preferred style, Ms. Kido. I... hope you understand." The police chief attempted to appear sincere and apologetic in front of the heiress.
She dismissed his sentiments with a gentle wave of her hand, sending him a gentle smile. "No, I understand. I certainly would think the same way as you if I were in your position, Chief Matsumoto." She rose from her chair, and the police chief followed suit. "So, shall I show what my Saints are truly capable of?"
"If you don't mind." Chief Matsumoto responded politely, extending a slight bow to the heiress.
...
Meanwhile...
At the front of the Kido Mansion, a single dark limo slowly drove over the pebble stone path, its tires softly screeching to a halt as it approached the marble stairs leading to the main doors. The headlights quickly turned off, and the chauffeur, a middle-aged man with neatly combed gray hair, emerged. He walked calmly up to the left rear door and opened it.
"We have arrived, young master Shun. "Do you require assistance with your luggage?" The chauffeur politely inquired.
"No thank you, Henrique. I can manage it on my own. You can go and get some rest." Saori's guest politely declined, smiling.
The chauffeur smiled back, watching the young man exit the luxurious vehicle. "As you desire, sir. Lady Kido and Chief Matsumoto await you at the outdoor garden."
"Thanks, Henrique. I will be seeing you around." Excusing himself with a curt nod to the chauffeur and quickly making last-minute adjustments to Pandora's Box's straps, he set out to meet Saori and Tokyo's police chief.
…
At the outdoor garden of the Kido Mansion...
9:20 P.M.
"Tell me, Ms.Kido, who is exactly coming over to give us the demonstration?" Chief Matsumoto asked, his hands clasped behind his back, his stance straight and assured.
Saori replied, opting to be straightforward. "That would be the Saint of Andromeda, Shun. Maybe you have heard about him.
The chief of police shook his head. "I am sorry, but I haven't. Haven't gotten in touch with what everyone is talking about these days. Is he in any way popular? With a single gray brow, he asked.
With both hands on her stomach, the young lady with purple hair responded. "Yes, he has gained some popularity recently." She concluded by chuckling softly, expressing her amusement before it vanished in a moment, her expression going back to being neutral. "But if you don't truly know who he is, then I won't bother you with the unnecessary details."
The old police chief did not have to think about complying with her suggestion. Everything he wanted to see tonight was what these Saints were made of. "If that is how you feel, I will not ask for anything else about him." He said.
Saori nodded, acknowledging his wishes. "Very well. Is there anything else you would like to know more about?"
Before he could respond, they heard a young man call her name from a distance. "Saori! Saori!"
The young woman gave the Saint of Andromeda a tender smile that would make any man feel warm and comfortable. "Hello Shun, how is your night going?" The chief noticed a slight change in her tone and voice, which sounded more... maternal? Was that the best word to describe what he heard?
"It was fine, Saori." He sighed while massaging the back of his neck. "Today's photo shoot was a bit more difficult to get through, though."
Saori's smile lost a little of its tenderness. "I hope the agency has not been overworking you, Shun. Tell me when someone over there starts causing you trouble, and I will deal with them to the best of my ability.
Chief Matsumoto could detect the subtle threat beneath her concerns for the young man. He could easily imagine her thinking, 'I will hire the best lawyers to sue those vermin if they cause any problems for you'.
Averting his gaze away from her, he used the opportunity to examine the boy who had just arrived at Saori's doorstep. His face was best described as effeminate in appearance. His hair and eyes drew immediate attention; the boy was endowed with a pair of striking green pools that shone like emeralds in the moonlight, as well as a healthy green waterfall of hair that was as fluffy as a teddy bear.
His clothing choices made him appear like the walking embodiment of a good and innocent boy who had no ill will toward anyone. The short-sleeved t-shirt that matched the color of his hair and eyes fit his slender and delicate figure like a glove. His white pants were held in place by white cotton suspenders that went over his shoulders and down the back. His boy next door look was completed with a pair of clean black shoes.
The police chief of Tokyo was now glad that he wasn't meeting the young boy under a different set of circumstances. He would have gotten a migraine if he had to bring one of his daughters. Particularly his youngest. That girl was far too obsessed with any attractive boy whose face would appear on the front of an advertisement. He had no doubt that she would have squealed with delight the moment she laid eyes on him.
"Chief Matsumoto, I would like to meet Shun, the Saint of Andromeda." Matsumoto regained his composure and confidence as the police chief, and extended his hand to the young man.
"It is nice to meet you, Shun."
Shun returned the gesture, shaking the older man's hand. "Likewise, Chief Matsumoto." He replied with a friendly smile.
"You can simply call me Matsumoto, kid. You do not need to be so formal since we will be working together soon." Internally, he hoped for that outcome. "So, do you know why Ms.Kido called you here?"
Shun nodded. "She said that you need help. And I have a feeling it has something to do with the numerous shootouts that have occurred throughout the city. Right?"
The boy's genuine concern for the chaos that was developing in the city impressed and surprised the police chief, who nodded with slightly widened eyes. "Things have gotten out of hand for us, as you might expect given my presence. All I ask for is your assistance in bringing down the people who are supplying the gangs with weapons. These gunfights have been going on for far too long, and things will only get worse if we do not put an end to them."
"I understand what you want, sir. These shootings have claimed far too many innocent lives. And believe me when I say that I will help you and your men as much as I can." He said this with a hand resting over his heart, and the older man nodded slowly in response.
Matsumoto was beginning to reconsider this. He had serious reservations about several things, the first of which was Shun's physical abilities. He did not seem like the type to start fights, let alone get involved in them. In fact, he appeared to be the type to avoid fights in order to avoid permanent scars on his pretty boy face. And then there was his barely impressive physique. The old police chief knew he had no right or place telling a stranger, let alone a teenager, what they should eat on a daily basis, but did this boy have anything to eat at home? Why did he look so thin? Does he not have a grandmother who treats him to a feast whenever he gets hungry?
He also questioned whether he possessed the necessary intelligence to complete the task. What little information he had about Saori's Saints was insufficient for him to determine how they acted on the field. Combine that lack of knowledge with the obvious and troubling fact that these Saints were far too young to be involved in such intense and demanding battles to keep law and order. Did Shun have what it took to defeat the worst of the worst? Would he listen to and obey any figure of authority? He wanted to believe that, but... he had come this far. Labeling him as incapable seemed to be unfair. Maybe, just maybe, this green-haired pretty boy will surprise him.
"I am glad you understand me, Shun. But I would like to know if you are capable of handling this case." He took one step towards the young man and looked him dead in the eyes. "I want to see what you are made of."
Shun, standing firm in front of the police chief, gently inclined his head. He understood what he expected from himself, and he did not want to disappoint him tonight.
"Alright, sir. I promise you will not be disappointed."
He took a few steps back and gently lowered the marble box he had been carrying on his back to the floor.
Saori and Chief Matsumoto also took a few steps back, a silent gesture telling him to go ahead and an attempt to give the young man some space and freedom.
Chief Matsumoto did not have to wait long for Shun to start. However, he had no idea what was going to happen next.
He was standing still on the garden's cobblestone path one second and then leaping several meters into the air the next. He could not give an exact number because numbers were not his specialty, but given how high he was in the air, it far exceeded what most athletes could do.
But it was not the boy's gifted athleticism that caused him to lose his composure.
The perfectly cut marble box he had set down just a second before was opening... on its own!? Its marble panels separated and gradually sank to the ground, revealing what the box was protecting…
"Is... is that a statue of a woman?" ChChief Matsumoto spoke with his eyes as big as dinner plates and his mouth gaping.
"No, it is not." Saori corrected, her gaze fixed only on her Saint. "That is the armor blessed by Cepheus' beautiful and selfless daughter. That is the armor that will always provide all innocent souls in this world with a strong sense of security whenever they look at the person wielding it. That... is the armor of Andromeda."
Right after that dramatic speech, the 'armor' of Andromeda flew high into the air, following after the airborne boy. The statue of Andromeda disintegrated into various pieces before launching themselves like comets at the still airborne Shun.
From head to toe, the pieces of Andromeda clung to every limb of his body. The pink metal pieces wrapped around his feet, shins, knee caps, and upper thighs, instantly covering his lower body. His upper body was equally quick to suit up, with fingerless gauntlets covering his hands and forearms and two large pauldrons protecting his biceps and shoulders. His torso was the next to be covered by the largest pieces, which fit perfectly with the young man's slender build. The final piece was a two-horned circlet that gently descended onto his head and settled around his fluffy green mane.
Shun, with his entire body prepared for combat, began his descent to the ground, effortlessly landing on the grass.
Chief Matsumoto's jaw dropped as he struggled to comprehend and believe what he had just witnessed. An empty, lifeless suit of armor hurled itself at the young boy! And it appears that he has worn this out-of-this-world suit before. He appeared far too calm, his face relaxed and neutral, despite the fact that every piece of that pink armor attached itself to him at blinding speed.
Regaining his ability to move, he turned to Saori, hoping for confirmation that his aged mind was not suddenly conjuring up an incredible hallucination.
"Ms. Kido, please tell me that a suit of armor flying in all directions is not something my imagination made up." He pleaded; the professional and confident police chief who made the most difficult decisions to ensure Tokyo's law and order had vanished.
Saori shut her eyes and shook her head. "No, Chief Matsumoto. Everything you just saw was real. But if it is okay with you, we could give you a moment to yourself." She made a kind suggestion, her smile gentle and warm.
The older man nodded his head unconsciously in response, his body much more honest than his mind. "Y-Yeah. I would like that."
The beautiful young woman maintained her smile. She looked to her Saint of Andromeda, silently asking him if he could help the shocked police chief. "Shun, would you mind assisting Chief Matsumoto to the nearest chair? I will ask the butlers to make him a drink."
...
9:30 P.M.
"Here you go, Chief Matsumoto."
"Ah, thank you, Ms.Kido."
Saori sat on one of the chairs on the rear balcony and presented Chief Matsumoto with a white glass cup of warm brown tea. The older man's mind was still struggling to comprehend everything he had seen, but the tea should bring him some comfort and tranquillity.
After drinking the tea and taking a few breaths, he began to speak. "So... I am guessing it will be a long story if I ask how some armor can move on its own?"
Saori and Shun exchanged nods. The former spoke on behalf of the police chief, who was still reeling. "You are correct. The story behind the Cloth's properties and capabilities is difficult to explain."
Chief Matsumoto nodded, realizing that it was probably best if he did not know every detail of the boy's armor. So he concentrated on something else she said. "Cloth? Is that what you call Shun's armor?"
She nodded back at him. "We found it easier to label it as such. After all, armor serves as a warrior's clothing. Wouldn't you think?"
Matsumoto did not want to pry any further, so he simply nodded and accepted what he got. "Yes, I suppose so."
The older man's eyes then shifted to the teenage boy standing by Saori's side, taking the opportunity to examine him thoroughly. His striking pink armor no longer gave him the appearance of the delicate, pretty boy that all young girls adored. With that kind, gentle expression in his eyes, he resembled a hero from a children's television show.
He looked him over more closely and saw that his arms were surprisingly muscular and toned. Obviously, he did not appear to be the type to engage in heavy weight lifting, so the answer to how he developed such a lean, well-defined physique was most likely calisthenics. It seemed like the activity that best suited him.
But the most peculiar thing he noticed were the metal chains wrapped around his armor's gauntlets. He had a suspicion that those chains were more than just an ostentatious way to make him appear a little more intimidating, but it was probably too soon to tell…
He turned his gaze away from the young man and met Saori's azure eyes directly. "Ms. Kido, I think I am ready to pick up where we left off." He declared, his demeanor returning.
She accepted with a slight inclination of her head. "What is it that you want to know, Chief Matsumoto?"
Gently pushing the cup of tea to the side, he considered what he wanted to see first from the green-haired youth. What were the limitations of his physical abilities? Is his armor only for show, or is it extremely durable? Why were there two chains hanging around his arms? There was so much he wanted to learn about Shun's abilities. "Well, there is a lot I want to see, Ms. Kido." His brown eyes shifted to the chains hanging from Shun's fingertips. "Tell me, what are those chains for?"
"I believe a demonstration would be more effective. Shun..." She turned to him, silently asking if he could grant the police chief's request. He accepted with a nod.
"Mr.Matsumoto," The police chief addressed the Andromeda Saint, "Please pay attention to my chains."
"Wait, what for-"
The Andromeda Saint did not let him finish his sentence as he wounded his right arm, twisted his hips in reverse, and brought the arm gripping his chain forward, extending it in a single smooth motion to generate more speed and power.
The police chief quickly followed the boy's suggestion. He immediately focused his gaze on the chain, which was moving in a wave-like motion with its triangular-shaped end pointing directly at the full moon. He expected to hear the distinct 'crack' of a whip as it struck the empty air, but his hopes were dashed with the flick of a finger.
The chain's end tip began twisting and turning in a circular motion, transforming the chained metal into a spiral that effectively destroyed all knowledge of physics and gravity. Not only was the chain defying all known laws of physics and gravity, but it was also growing in length, reaching farther and farther into the night sky, almost as if it was attempting to reach the stars!
"Holy shit..." The elderly man spoke, his breath gone. His gaze remained fixed on the chain, which continued to shrink in the dark horizon.
Saori did not frown at the foul language of the police chief. It was completely natural. However, if he ever realized what he had said and apologized, she would forgive him without hesitation.
"U-Um... Could you please stop what you are doing, Shun? I believe I have seen enough. Chief Matsumoto politely requested, and the young man immediately called back his chain, which shrunk back to its normal length and wrapped itself around his pink gauntlet.
"Thank you," He said to him before turning to the ever-patient Saori. "Alright, so I assume both of his chains are extendable?"
She nodded. "You are correct. But they are more than just weapons."
She would have claimed that Shun could detect the closest threats, that his chains could serve as a protective barrier, that he could send out electric volts that could kill a normal man, or that he could attack his opponents with an unstoppable barrage of armor-piercing chains. However, she held herself back from doing so. It would have been unwise to add all of that information at a time when the poor man was still trying to regain his sanity after witnessing the sentience of his cloth.
"They could do more?" The older man asked, then gave a small shake of his head. "At this point, Ms. Kido, you have convinced me. Tell me, when is Shun available to help me out?"
The green-haired youth stepped forward to speak for Saori. "I am off for the next two days, sir. If you would like, we can start tomorrow morning."
The police chief turned to Shun, surprised to hear such dedication from a teenager.
"Do you really want to do this, Shun? It could get pretty heavy, and I do not want to put you through it for my sake." He needed all the assistance he could get, but he did not want to feel like he was forcing anyone to do this. He was desperate, but not heartless.
Shun laid a hand on his heart, answering the older man. "I really appreciate your concern, sir. But I am ready for whatever you throw at me. You have my word."
Chief Matsumoto remained uncertain about Shun. Dragging a teenager into a murder and gun smuggling case was deemed too intense for a still-developing young man, but his eyes, sparkling with youthful optimism, had a fire swirling inside them.
That fire told the old police chief that the horrors that lay ahead would not deter him from assisting those who needed it. As a matter of fact, it only served as fuel that determined fire.
There was no turning him away now. He needed to bring him.
With a sigh, he got up and held out his hand to the young boy. "If you insist, son. "First thing in the morning, I will give you a call."
Shun nodded, shaking his gloved hand over his bare one. "That would be fine, sir."
Their temporary loyalty was established. It was just a matter of Shun making it through and stopping the chaos that was building in the city.
As a young Saint of Athena, the Andromeda Saint vowed to fight for justice and peace in this harsh and sinister world, even though it would not be easy. And if the need arose, he would not think twice about offering his own blood as a sacrifice…
…
Edit of February 2025: I decided to combine the first two chapters since I feel like it had to be one long, introductory chapter.
Edit of March 2025: Made a crap ton of grammar checks. Chapter should feel a lot smoother to read.