Two Days Later...
The morning sun cast its warm rays over the city, slowly dispelling the remnants of night. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers. The sky was a brilliant blue, with only a few wispy clouds scattered across it.
Inside the house, Code and Hina were already up and about. Code sat at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of coffee and studying the maps and documents spread out before him. Hina stood by the counter, her back to Code as she expertly chopped vegetables for a quick breakfast.
Nara, on the other hand, was nowhere to be seen. His bedroom door was still closed, and the sounds of gentle snores drifted out into the hallway. It was a familiar scene - Nara was notorious for sleeping in late, and this morning was no exception.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Nara's bedroom door creaked open, and he stumbled out into the hallway, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
He stumbled into the kitchen, his hair sticking out in every direction, looking like he'd just survived a hurricane. "Hey, what's with the gloomy atmosphere?" he asked, his voice like a rusty gate. He flashed a lopsided grin, trying to lighten the mood, but it only made him look like a sleep-deprived zombie.
Hina shot him a withering look, her eyes narrowing to slits. "You know what's making the atmosphere gloomy?" she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "The fact that you always wake up late, and we have to deal with your zombie-like presence!" She shook her head, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on her face.
Nara's gaze dropped, a hint of guilt creeping onto his face. He cast a sidelong glance at Code, who was trying to stifle a laugh. "What?" Code asked, his tone innocent, but his eyes sparkling with mirth.
Nara waved his hand dismissively, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, yeah, forget it. I'll just go back to bed and sleep for a week." He shook his head, his eyes still half-closed.
Just then, Van stumbled into the kitchen, his masked face gleaming in the morning light. He yawned, shaking off the remnants of sleep, his eyes bleary and unfocused. "Is it morning?" he asked, his tone laced with confusion, his voice husky from sleep.
The trio stared at him, their expressions a study in contrasts: Hina's indifference, Code's amusement, and Nara's mockery. Hina's eyes remained fixed on the vegetables, her expression unreadable. Code's lips twitched, a smile threatening to break out. Nara, on the other hand, looked like he was trying to stifle a laugh.
Van's eyes widened as he took in their reactions. "Oh, then I guess it's morning," he said, his tone dry, a hint of humor creeping into his voice.
Hina's response was laced with sarcasm, her tone dripping with disappointment. "Yeah, 10 AM. You're really on top of things, Van."
As Code's chuckles subsided, he shook his head, amused by the familiar dynamics between Van and Nara. He settled into his own seat, picking up the book he had been reading earlier, a small, knowing smile still playing on his lips. The atmosphere in the room relaxed, with only the occasional rustle of pages or Van's intermittent yawning breaking the comfortable silence.
After what felt like an eternity, the trio finally emerged, ready to face the day. "Guys, it's 11 AM already, and Ken is arriving by 1 PM," Van announced, his tone laced with concern, as he stood up.
Nara let out a dramatic sigh. "Sigh, we're ready," he replied, his expression a comical mix of worry and dread.
The trio shuffled towards the exit, Code glancing at Hina and Nara's faces, which were etched with worry. He couldn't help but wonder who this Ken person was and what all the fuss was about.
Van's tone turned mocking as they strode out of the house. "Have fun, guys!" he exclaimed, his eyes glinting with amusement.
As they made their way to the nearby Gara de Nord (North Station), Nara and Hina continued to grumble about Ken, their faces a picture of worry. Code couldn't help but giggle at their antics.
"Now we're not going to sleep again," Nara murmured, his face scrunched up in concern.
Hina nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and I'm sure he's coming with that idiot!" she exclaimed, her fist clenched in frustration.
The duo let out a collective sigh, their footsteps echoing off the streets as they walked. Code wanted to ask who Ken was, but the expressions on their faces suggested that they weren't in the mood to answer questions.
"Whoever this Ken is, I'm going to find out," Code thought to himself, his heart surging with determination.
The duo arrived at the bustling Gara de Nord station, the sounds of trains rumbling and announcements echoing through the air. Nara and Hina trudged along, their faces still etched with worry and annoyance.
As they entered the station, Code's eyes widened at the sight of the high ceilings and expansive platforms. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafted through the air, enticing him to grab a snack.
Nara and Hina, however, were too preoccupied with their grumbling to notice the station's charm. "Great, just what we need," Nara muttered, his eyes scanning the crowded platform. "More drama."
Hina nodded in agreement, her arms crossed over her chest. "I'm sure he'll make our lives more complicated."
Code watched them, fascinated by their synchronized grumpiness. As they waited, the trio leaned against a pillar, watching the hustle and bustle of the station.
Code took in the sights and sounds, fascinated by the diversity of people rushing to catch their trains. The announcements continued to echo through the station, and the duo checked their watches for what felt like the hundredth time.
Nara and Hina's grumbling had become a steady hum, a background noise that Code was starting to find entertaining.
"Arrrgh..." Code exhaled calmly, the cool breeze caressing his skin as he stood amidst the bustling station. The rhythmic hum of footsteps and murmurs of Hina and Nara's discontent created a symphony of sounds that seemed to synchronize with the station's chaotic energy. Code's mind tuned into the station's frenetic pace, which, paradoxically, felt both overwhelming and soothing. He closed his eyes, letting the gentle breeze and muffled announcements wash over him, when a piercing scream shattered the air.
The sudden scream pierced the calm atmosphere Code had just settled into. His eyes snapped open, and he turned to Hina and Nara, who were still grumbling in the background.
Their faces were tense, their eyes scanning the crowded platform with a mix of concern and alarm. Code's gaze followed theirs, trying to locate the source of the scream.
The station's sounds, which had seemed so calm and synchronized just moments before, now seemed chaotic and disjointed. People were stopping and staring, their faces filled with worry and curiosity.
Code's heart rate quickened as he scanned the crowd, his senses on high alert. What had caused the scream? Was someone hurt? Hina and Nara were already moving, their grumbling forgotten in the face of the sudden commotion.
Code followed them, his eyes locked on the spot where the scream had come from. As they pushed through the crowd, Code's anxiety grew. What were they going to find?
As the trio finally pushed through the chaotic throng, which seemed to be scattering wildly in every direction, their eyes widened in unison as they stumbled upon the source of the commotion. And what they saw made their blood run cold: demons stood before them, their presence radiating an aura of malevolent energy that seemed to darken the very air around it.
***
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