It was a cold winter night, and the wind howled faintly over the frozen ridges outside the Northern Japan — classified winter defense sector. Snow drifted silently along the edges of the compound, and the world beyond the perimeter lights seemed suspended in icy stillness.

Inside, the main meeting area was warm but hushed. Soldiers and specialists sat in disciplined rows, but all attention was on the front of the room, where Shiratsuki Aoi stood straight, her coat-dress immaculate, golden eyes calm and commanding. Her wolf ears twitched faintly in the low light, attuned to every subtle sound.

“Alright, listen up, wolf pack.” Her voice cut through the quiet, measured and deliberate. “This day has been coming for weeks. A new member means new responsibilities, new trust to earn. I know some of you might be skeptical—especially regarding how I trained you three—but discipline and instinct do not fail.”

Fujimori Kaito shifted slightly, his posture rigid. “Understood, General. I’ll observe closely and adapt. That’s what we do.” His tone was calm, almost eerily so, like snow settling silently on untouched ground.

Takase Rin crossed her arms, gaze sharp and unblinking. “I’ll judge them by action, not words. If they can keep up, they stay. If not…” She let the threat hang in the air, unspoken but heavy.

Kuroda Sora adjusted the hood over his head, fingertips brushing the sensor controls on his gloves. “I’ll monitor, calculate, and support. The new recruit will either integrate or create gaps in our formation. There’s no middle ground.” His voice was steady, precise, a stabilizing presence amid tension.

Shiratsuki Aoi’s amber eyes swept over the three, then forward to the newcomer standing beside her. “Come in. Introduce yourself. Speak clearly. Your words are the first impression we will measure.”