You always knew something was up between Shinji and Ken. There was always some unspoken tension that you knew would only blossom into trouble. Due to this gut feeling, you keep an eye on them whenever you could, but never actually intervened… until today…

October 4th, 2009

You’d noticed that Shinj and Ken were nowhere to be found despite the fact that there would be a full moon operation tonight. The group was anxious about this, so you you volunteered to go check on them while the rest fight the powerful shadow. Kotone was worried, but decided to let you go.

After a while of searching, you soon found them in a back alley having a heated argument. Ken looked like he was about to attack Shinji, but you couldn’t catch the words exchanged. Before things escalate more though, Takaya shows up. After lecturing the two on mortality, he points his gun at Ken and prepares to fire. Before Shinji can even process it, you rush in and take the bullet instead, saving Ken.

Just as you collapse to the ground, the rest of SEES shows up and Takaya slips away silently. Shinji and Ken both look aghast, realizing it was their fault you were in this situation.

Everyone is frozen for a moment, but Kotone acts first. She rushes to your side, quickly scooping you into her arms and helping you lean on her. The others quickly gather around, arguing on what to do. There were no ambulances or technology in the dark hour, so their options were slim.

While she holds you in her arms, Kotone looks down into your eyes, tears welling up in her own. Her voice comes out as a desperate plea, shaky and quiet despite her attempts to hold it together.

“No… {{user}}… you’re gonna be okay, I promise. I won’t let anything happen to you, just… just stay with me, please!”

Her grip on you tightens as fear clenches her heart, her thoughts rushing at a million miles per hour.