[That was a dumb decision.]
[But I support it.]
Hinozu sits on the couch, twiddling his thumbs as his mind wanders.
Ayumu ruffles his hair, leaning forward as he sits on the armrest. He's wearing a well-pressed, white button-down shirt, coupled with beige dress pants and a simple brown belt.
He taps his foot repeatedly, brown leather dress shoes brushing the red carpet.
Early morning.
Cold. Dark.
[I don't care.]
Ayumu sighs.
[Still upset?]
[Not upset. I just have something important to worry about.]
[Worry? I thought you had decided.]
The tapping stops.
[I have.]
[I see.]
The conversation ends. Ayumu darts around the entrance room, trying to find any little detail he can.
Hinozu's gaze focuses outside, though nothing much can be seen.
Soon, footsteps approach.
[Are you guys ready?]
Kanna approaches the boys with a determined expression.
[We are.]
Ayumu responds.
Kanna's wearing a navy blue, soft-knit button-up cardigan with a black, pleated mid-thigh length skirt and a simple, short golden necklace.
She takes a moment to wipe invisible dust off her black Chelsea boots, wavy red hair swishing as she crouches down.
[Did you buy the same shirt or what?]
She points out. Ayumu chuckles, tugging at his collar.
[Is it that obvious?]
[Not really. I can see the pants are the same too.]
[How? Mine are beige, Hinozu's are black.]
Sighing, she decides to ignore him, sitting next to Hinozu.
They stay silent for a long while.
Waiting.
Someone finally speaks up.
Kanna: [I... Can't believe it still. It's a big day, isn't it?]
Ayumu: [It is. Let's do our best.]
Hinozu stays silent, his gaze still unwavering as he stares outside.
Kanna raises a brow, though she doesn't pay much mind.
The clock ticks as minutes pass.
Slowly.
The entrance door opens.
[It's time. Let's go.]
Jenneah says, her voice firm. Her hair, usually braided, flows freely.
The three stand up, following Jenneah outside. The cold prickles their skin, tiny droplets falling on them.
Lampposts cast warm light on the pavements. Approaching the car, they get inside, sitting in the back.
Ayumu fumbles with his seatbelt a couple of times before giving up.
[You're really dumb.]
Kanna fastens her seatbelt.
[Help me... Please?]
[Do it yourself.]
Hinozu glances at the both for a moment.
Sighing, Ayumu tries again.
[Mission succeeded.]
[Shut up...]
After Hinozu puts his belt on, Jenneah starts the car, already driving through wet asphalt. Wipers swish on the windshield.
Kanna trembles slightly.
[Can you... Turn on the heaters?]
The old woman nods, already twisting the knobs.
Ayumu: [We should've chosen warmer clothes.]
Kanna: [Right...]
Entering the city center, buildings turn into countless skyscrapers and fancy stores, all covered in bright, colorful lights.
Droplets reflect hundreds of colors, raining down like streaks of a rainbow.
They reach an extremely wide intersection, all filled with cars and rushing pedestrians.
They all go in the same direction.
Kanna: [So many people...]
Jenneah: [It's a really important day. I'd say every parent sends their children for a promising future. Of course, youths also decide to take part by their own judgment.]
Hinozu narrows his eyes.
Ayumu: [This many?]
Jenneah: [Pretty much.]
The lights turn green, and the car veers to the right.
Ahead, a portion of the city is enclosed with tall, thick walls.
An endless line of people is waiting to enter.
The car comes to a stop, parked nearby.
Kanna: [Is it... There?]
[It is.]
Hinozu's eyes widen, breath quickening.
Finally.
After...
He doesn't doubt for a second, grabbing the handle before opening the door.
Sliding out of the car, he turns around, waiting for Kanna and Ayumu to follow.
[Come on.]
Kanna: [Right away.]
Ayumu: [Let's do this!]
Kanna waves a quick goodbye to Jenneah.
They cross the street and take their place in line.
It seems to stretch out infinitely, filled with people of different ages.
Some fiddle with whatever they can find, and others motivate themselves out loud. A few stay silent, focused religiously on the entrance.
Ayumu: [We'll be here for hours...]
He slumps, already feeling hopeless. Kanna slaps his shoulder, straightening him up.
Time passes.
Slowly.
Not a single step forward.
The line continues to extend behind, and soon, the noise becomes unbearable.
Panicked rants, nervous tapping, crying, laughs.
It all blends to rake on their ears.
Ayumu: [How much longer will we wait?]
Kanna: [Quite a while, it seems.]
With a sharp exhale from Ayumu, they wait again.
2 hours.
The line starts moving as the first person enters from afar.
[Finally!]
Ayumu groans.
[At least we're moving now...]
The line moves. People push from behind as they struggle to move faster.
Kanna: [What's happening?]
She says, a bit nervously.
Hinozu squints his eyes, trying to see the entrance door.
Hopeful expressions turn disdainful as they leave the building.
[I think... They're rejecting them.]
Ayumu: [This fast? That's crazy...]
Kanna: [Keep up!]
Hinozu nearly stumbles, placing a palm on the wall for support.
[Stop pushing...!]
[Hurry! I'm going to...]
[You don't deserve...!]
[Make way!]
Several guards push the applicants against the wall, marking a clear path to the building.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
They don't seem upset, even when their backs are pressed against brick.
They're amazed.
All of them.
[No way...]
[Is that...]
[Of course one of them would...]
[Ottaviano!]
They cheer.
Ayumu turns around, spotting the figure walking towards the entrance.
Kanna: [Who's that?]
Ayumu: [Alcide Ottaviano. Of the Eight Families.]
A young man passes by, his bright red suit strangely matching his long hazelnut hair.
Hinozu's gaze falls on him.
Alcide: [Don't look too much. You'll get dizzy.]
He laughs. Hinozu averts his gaze, though his eyes turn fiercer.
The line reforms as he enters the enclosure. After a short while, it moves again.
Kanna: [That was crazy. One of the Eight Families... Doing the Assessment?]
Ayumu: [No exceptions on becoming an Exterminator, I guess.]
Hinozu brushes a hand through his shirt.
It's better that way.
Soon enough, the three stand near the entrance, waiting.
For when their turn comes.
Ayumu clears his throat.
[So... Who goes... First?]
[I'll go first.]
Hinozu replies immediately.
Kanna: [Are you su—]
[Next Applicant.]
Breathing deeply, he steps inside.
The door closes behind him.
It's dark.
Really dark.
He can hear his own heart beating.
[Full name and age?]
A soft voice asks from nowhere.
[Hinozu... Kenki. 15 years old.]
A few scribbles.
[Can you see anything?]
[... No.]
[Out.]
His eyes widen.
[What?]
[You've been rejected.]
Hinozu's heart races. Though he doesn't move a muscle, he tries to calm himself down.
[May I... Ask why?]
[You may not.]
His teeth rattle. He quickly covers his mouth to hide it.
[Still not leaving?]
[I...]
A deep breath.
[It's all I've ever wanted to—]
[That's what they all say.]
[Imagine you're fighting a demon... Mr. Kenki, and you give it your all.]
[Would it be enough to survive?]
[Would you be enough?]
Hinozu searches for answers, trying to come up with a convincing one.
One that makes him seem confident.
Like...
[I... Don't know.]
[Really?]
Scribbling, again.
[Step forward, Mr. Kenki.]
His shoes click on the ground as he does as asked.
A door opens.
Outside?
Have I passed?
Failed?
Short of breath, he steps through.
Immediately, his vision returns, forcing him to close his eyes.
They ache a little as they adjust.
Fluttering his eyes open, he stands in a wide room with walls pure white and wooden desks lined throughout.
Several people are present, talking, sitting in silence, or pacing.
Hinozu finds a spot, sitting down as thoughts intrude into his mind.
Someone steps inside, and he immediately jerks his head towards the door.
Kanna.
Relief washes over him as he stands up.
[How... Did it go?]
She smiles.
[They just let me enter.]
Hinozu freezes.
[What do you mean? They didn't ask you anything?]
Kanna raises an eyebrow.
[Well... They did take my name and age. Why? Did they ask—]
[Buongiorno a tutti!]
A voice echoes from the back.
Kanna: [Red Suit again...]
Hinozu: [You mean... Alcide?]
Alcide paces back and forth, waiting for everyone's attention.
Alcide: [Congratulations on passing, friends! Let's keep working hard to become a part of the IEM. Good luck to those of you who deserve it.]
Noise bursts out, with people cheering and clapping. Kanna chuckles.
Kanna: [He doesn't seem like the typical rich guy.]
[Right.]
As the cheers die out, the applicants return to their activities. A few minutes pass.
The door slides open again.
Hinozu's eyes dart around the entrance, looking for Ayumu.
He steps inside, though he seems to be talking to someone.
A girl, roughly around their age. Her expression shows curiosity, Aqua eyes searching his crimson ones. She says something, winking as Ayumu laughs wholeheartedly.
Adjusting the sleeves of her red Henley, matching with her black flared jeans, she continues the conversation with a bright smile.
Her black hair, styled into high twin tails tied with red bows, flows down her shoulders.
Kanna waves at Ayumu as he spots them. Approaching, his eyes shine brightly.
[We've all passed! Well done!]
He raises both his hands.
[Give me a high-five!]
Hinozu clears his throat.
[No way.]
Kanna: [Cringe.]
Ayumu chuckles.
[Who are these people, Ayumu?]
The girl appears next to him, a soft smile on her face.
Ayumu: [Ah, right. Hinozu, Kanna, meet Anise.]
[Nice to meet you!]
She winks.
Ayumu: [Anise, meet Hinozu, and Kanna.]
Kanna: [Nice to meet you, too.]
[...Yeah.]
Anise: [So, you're Ayumu's friends?]
Kanna: [We're closer to siblings.]
Anise: [Wow, that's amazing. How so—]
A sharp sound resonates in the room.
[To all applicants, you may remain seated now. The second part of the Assessment is to take place.]
Ayumu: [Well... I guess that's about all we can talk.]
Anise: [Yeah... See you soon, then!]
Hinozu finds a spot, sitting down. Ayumu sits next to him, with Kanna following after. Anise walks over to the back of the room.
For a few minutes, the room stays in complete silence.
Someone stands up from the farthest corner of the room, walking over to the front.
An old man. An ugly scar travels all the way through his face.
Stopping just as everyone can see him, he parts his lips, mustache wiggling as he speaks.
[Welcome to the second part.]
[Out of the 28,849 people who tried taking part in the Assessment, only 34 remain. Congratulations to all of you who have passed the first.]
Hinozu's breath catches in his throat. An unknown feeling sets in his heart.
How?
Ayumu clenches his fists, exchanging proud smiles with Kanna.
[You will be handed a test. Please answer all the questions as accurately as you can. Any question unanswered will result in immediate rejection.]
Retrieving a too-big stack of papers, he scans around the room. A hand is raised.
A boy stands up, his light gray hair a weirdly styled mullet. His eyes are completely hidden by his bangs.
[What if we don't know the answer?]
The old man raises a brow.
[You can try your luck by coming up with something. If not, then you should consider why you're here in the first place.]
Laughter bursts through the examination room, quickly dying out as the man starts handing out the exams, along with pens.
[You may not start the exam yet. It would result in rejection.]
[Um, excuse me, Mr...]
A man says.
[You may call me Mr. Nelin.]
[Mr. Nelin. My pen doesn't work. Can you...?]
The old man extends a hand, grabbing the pencil. With a few strokes on paper, it works again.
[Thank yo—]
[You may leave.]
[Huh?]
[The exit is that way. You are demanded to leave the Assessment.]
Ayumu: [What did he do?]
He whispers. Hinozu shakes his head.
Reluctantly, the man stands up, ripping his test apart before leaving.
Mr. Nelin resumes, handing out the exams and material.
Hinozu takes the exam and a pen.
[Thank you.]
The old man nods before moving to Ayumu.
Ayumu: [Thank you.]
He smiles.
Mr. Nelin: [You're welcome.]
After a while, he finishes, walking over to his desk.
[The exam has 150 questions. Some are easier than others, of course, so I'd advise doing those first.]
He knocks once on the wood.
[You have exactly 2 hours to complete this test.]
The sounds of scribbling fill the room. Hinozu reads through the exam.
Panic grips his heart.
It'll be hard.
Starting with the easiest questions, he starts answering, trying to remember what he studied at the Center.
Soon enough, he starts mumbling to himself, desperately trying to answer each question.
[Ruddii is the essence of...]
[There are 9 Circles of Isothes, ascending in...]
[An Exterminator may not...]
[The Research Department collects the corpses...]
[30 Honorary...]
[The disappearance of Russia...]
His head spins.
Closing his eyes, he tries to breathe deeply to calm himself down.
Reading through the questions again, his throat constricts.
His eyes dart around the room, trying to find a clock.
None.
A few sobs can be heard from afar, as well as the tapping of pens on plastic.
A chair scrapes against the ground.
Ayumu.
Walking towards Mr. Nelin, he hands him the exam.
Then, he returns to his seat.
Glancing sideways, Hinozu spots Kanna. She's still writing, an expression of extreme focus on her face.
He grips his pen tighter, reading slowly through the questions still unanswered. Again.
Minutes feel like seconds.
A mild headache sets in.
His eyes strain from focusing.
His finger aches.
Though he writes. And writes.
And writes again.
People stand up. Hand exams.
He stays seated. Writing.
Answering.
43 questions.
45, 78, 77, 79.
If there were a clock, its handles would've been spinning.
148 questions.
A bead of sweat rolls down his forehead.
Clenching his jaw, he answers the remaining two, his writing wobbly and his whole arm almost numb.
Finally, he stands up, walking towards the old man.
He hands it over.
Quickly, he returns to his seat, nodding as Ayumu stares at him expectantly.
Two claps.
[Alright, time is up.]
He starts pointing at people in the room.
[You, you. And you, you too. And you.]
[Out.]
[... But!]
[No excuses, Mister. You have been rejected.]
Bewildered, frustrated, angry, devastated...
It doesn't matter.
They leave the room.
[To all the remaining applicants, you may wait for your results. Walk through the door to the right, there's a special waiting room.]
Standing up, Ayumu pats Hinozu's back.
[Well done...!]
Kanna: [It was so stressful... But we did it.]
Hinozu nods.
[Though we still have to wait for the results.]
[They haven't said anything about the mark requirement, right?]
Anise asks, approaching the group.
Kanna: [Now that I think of it...]
Ayumu: [We'll have to see. For now, let's go to the waiting room, or whatever it is.]
Anise: [I hope it isn't just... Chairs.]
Ayumu chuckles, already making way to the door. The rest follows, leaving the exam area.
The waiting room is pretty big, with several couches and tables spread throughout. Vending machines can be found at the back.
A large screen hangs above.
Kanna: [Not bad. I was expecting worse.]
Anise: [Right?]
She says, walking over to a couch before sitting.
Kanna does the same, sitting next to her.
Ayumu: [Let's grab something from the vending machines, Hinozu!]
Hinozu: [Alright.]
Ayumu rushes to the machines, Hinozu following behind.
He scans through the items, tapping his chin.
Ayumu: [There's not much...]
His eyebrows furrow as he concentrates further.
Hinozu: [So?]
Ayumu shrugs.
[There's nothing I like.]
[I see. I'm going to get some water.]
[Alright. I'm going over there with the girls.]
He walks backwards, waving widely.
Ayumu: [See you soon!]
Hinozu takes out his wallet, grabbing some coins.
[I didn't think you'd pass.]
Hinozu turns around, addressing the voice.
The guy with the mullet.
He raises a hand.
[Hi. I'm Lorei.]
[Hinozu. Nice to meet you.]
Lorei smiles.
Hinozu: [What do you mean by that?]
Lorei: [With what?]
Hinozu: [That you didn't think I'd pass.]
A flicker of recognition passes through his face.
Lorei: [Ah, I tend to forget things. You seemed really nervous at the start. I thought you'd buckle and run away.]
Hinozu stays silent.
[I didn't.]
[You really didn't.]
[So... You passed too. I thought you asked that question because you didn't know the answers.]
[I didn't.]
He chuckles.
[Then? Did you make everything up?]
[Not at all. Well, we'll meet soon, Hinozu. I hope you pass.]
[Yeah. You too.]
Lorei walks away, fixing his hair carefully.
Wasn't he going to buy anything?
Selecting the water bottle, he tosses the money in the coin slot, picking the bottle behind the flap.
Approaching the group, he stands next to the couch, drinking as he stares at the screen.
Kanna: [That guy in the red suit hasn't really talked since then.]
Anise: [has he said anything before?]
Kanna: [Yeah, he did a little speech back at the exam.]
Ayumu: [Really? That's unexpected.]
A beeping sound silences all conversations.
[The results have been calculated. Those who have passed will be called to the respective rooms.]
A wall to the right parts in the middle, revealing three doors, each with a number.
A-1, V-1, S-1.
Ayumu: [I'm really nervous right now...]
Anise: [It'll be alright.]
Kanna: [... Still.]
[Alcide Ottaviano. Room V-1.]
All gazes fall to the young man. Silently, he walks over to the sliding door, stepping through before it closes.
[Kurata Katsurou. Room A-1.]
A sickeningly thin man stands up, shivering violently as he walks through the door.
[Shiratori Hitomi. Room S-1.]
A girl, around 20, with glossy black hair —long enough to reach her ankles— styled in a bubble braid with long segments.
In an instant, the door closes. She had already entered.
Kanna: [What... Just happened?]
Anise: [Don't know...? Could've been magic or something.]
[Nergui Lorei. Room V-1.]
The boy glances at Hinozu before leaving.
[Ko An. Room S-1.]
A tall man, probably around 80 years of age, with wide shoulders and a bowl cut.
[Michel Garamond. Room V-1]
Michel: [Thank God.]
The boy, around 24, speaks up, walking slowly towards the door. His long, spiky hair is of a dark gray that seems to shine like metal.
Both his arms are stumps, his eyes scarred, as if slit.
[Kanna Alabaster. Room A-1.]
Exhaling sharply, she walks to the door.
Hinozu taps his foot on the floor.
Glancing back, she waves a quick goodbye before leaving the room.
Ayumu: [I'm glad.]
Hinozu nods.
He stays focused on the screen.
34 applicants. 28, now.
21 remain.
I need to be one of them.
[Shiratori Ayato. Room S-1.]
When?
Nobody seems to stand up.
The door slides open, sliding closed just after a quick movement.
Ayumu: [They're really sibli—]
[Ayumu Alabaster. Room V-1.]
When?
His eyes widen.
He claps his hands, smiling widely.
[S-see you on the other side.]
Anise: [Come on, go.]
She winks at him. Hinozu clenches his jaw.
[... I'll be there soon.]
I wish.
[Anise Angell. Room S-1.]
Anise: [See you soon, Hinozu!]
She waves, crossing the door.
[Naviya Navi. Room A-1.]
When?
The woman walks to the door, golden rings clinking around her arms as she steps.
Will it even happen?
Now?
[Kenki Hinozu. Room S-1.]
