Mid-August 2121

The cafeteria buzzed with a mix of anxiety, curiosity, and resentment as we gathered around the tables, awaiting Ness's address. Milly and I stood together, observing the diverse group. Among them were faces like the red-headed pair representing the powerful Konchū Clan and an elderly couple with numbers on their uniforms, indicating they too were subjects in this experiment. The atmosphere was tense, filled with unspoken questions and fear of the unknown.

In our society, many distinguished families bore unique marks to identify their lineage. My family, also of high status, had a paw print on the inside of my right calf—a mark I've had since birth, though I've yet to discover whether it was innate or bestowed upon me.

I lightly tapped the girl on the shoulder to get her attention. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice your family mark. Could you tell me more about it?" I smiled softly, hoping not to cause discomfort.

She rolled her eyes. "We're from the Konchū Clan. I'm Lune, and this is my twin brother Kumo," she said, pointing to the shy boy beside her. I immediately regretted my question.

The Konchū Clan held unparalleled power in Osakage, owning the town of Hanto and much of the city itself. Their grand estate, just outside Hanto, was fortified with towering stone walls and guarded by expert martial artists. Few knew the secrets within. Legends abounded about the silent rulers who controlled our city like unseen monarchs. They had conducted lucrative business with Okamura, enabling him to install S.O.L.A.R panels on all buildings. It came as no surprise that two children from this influential clan were present; their parents likely saw them as tools for Okamura's gain.

"THE KONCHŪ CLAN?! YOU MUST BE LOADED! HOW MUCH CAN YOU SPARE, A HUNDRED OSAKOINS? MAYBE THREE?" Milly nudged me, snapping me out of my reverie.

"I mean, Konchū sounds familiar," I replied, trying to appear nonchalant. Kumo chuckled softly, while Lune adopted an air of aloofness and refinement.

Apart from their distinctive red hair, Lune and Kumo were identical. Lune wore her hair in two perfect pigtails adorned with delicate blue flowers, while Kumo's shaggy red hair defied any attempts at neatness. Both had light emerald eyes and a similar blue watermark.

Deciding not to press further, Lune turned away, waiting for Ness's announcement. The blue-haired girl stood before us, commanding our attention.

Ness, standing in front of us all, took a deep breath to steady herself before addressing the room. Her voice, though hesitant at first, carried a weight of authority born from the knowledge she possessed—knowledge that the rest of us lacked until now.

"Many of you may not know me, but I know all of you. I'll explain that part later, but for now I'll explain why you are all here. We've been chosen to test something new that could potent—"

Before Ness could finish, Risutto Akage, a slim boy with plum-colored hair and the number five on his uniform, interjected from the back with a sarcastic remark comparing our situation to beta testing a game. Ness nodded, a touch of uncertainty flickering across her face.

"For the most part, yes," Ness replied, trying to maintain composure. "Aizen Okamura has been calculating and studying for months to begin, and he has chosen all of us to test his theory."

The room buzzed with murmurs of uncertainty and curiosity. Milly's fists were clenched, her expression a mixture of anger and disbelief. I nudged her gently, silently urging her to stay calm amidst the chaos.

Ness continued, her voice steadier now, "His research is titled Haiburiddohitokurasu 1 (hybrid human class 1), and each of us have code numbers that correspond with our new internal dīenuē."

Questions began to arise from the group. One came from an elderly woman with a number two on her uniform, seeking clarification on what "dīenuē" meant in this context. Lune, the sassy girl from the Konchū Clan, responded curtly, rolling her eyes at the elderly woman's question.

"Dīenuē is DNA, grandma," Lune retorted with a hint of impatience. "We now have animal DNA developing inside us and will eventually change us."

Ness confirmed Lune's explanation, though the tension in the room remained palpable. Milly noted that the elderly woman and her husband, both with numbers indicating they were part of the feared Burūto Clan, were also participants in this experiment—a detail that seemed incongruous given their background as notorious assassins.

Ness forged ahead, explaining the upcoming procedures and the role of the doctor in overseeing their transformations. Despite the gravity of her words, Ness seemed hopeful, determined to rally us together.

"That being said, let's all introduce ourselves and our numbers and get to know each other," Ness suggested, attempting to bring a sense of unity to the group.

As each person stood to introduce themselves, the diversity of our group became apparent—Sarura Joseika with his smirk, the imposing figure of Okamina Inu who spoke in a halting manner, and Howaida Pankuro's disinterested demeanor. The introductions painted a picture of individuals from vastly different backgrounds, united now in their shared plight.

The last to introduce themselves was Tokage Burūto, an elderly man whose name carried weight due to his association with the infamous Burūto Clan. His wife, Arimizu Burūto, followed suit, though her initial interaction with Lune hinted at underlying tensions within the group.

As introductions concluded, the intercom abruptly crackled to life, interrupting our uneasy camaraderie.

"NUMBER ONE, PLEASE REPORT TO THE OPERATING ROOM DOORS. NUMBER ONE TO THE OPERATING DOORS, THANK YOU."

It was Tokage who was called. Milly, moved by empathy, chased after him to offer a few words of encouragement, displaying a tender moment amid the turmoil. The old man's response—a mix of humor and defiance—echoed a resilience that belied his years.

The scene underscored the harsh reality of our situation—trapped in Okamura's experiment, each of us grappling with our newfound identities and uncertain future. Amidst the chaos and fear, one thing remained clear: we had each other, and perhaps that would be enough to navigate the challenges ahead.

Milly chased after Tokage Burūto, calling his name as he walked slowly towards the operating room doors. Surprised by her sudden gesture of kindness, he turned around, his face showing a mix of surprise and gratitude. His sad smile transformed into a genuine one as Milly wished him luck.

"Good luck, Tokage," Milly said softly, her genuine concern evident.

Tokage chuckled lightly, a rare display of warmth from a man known for his hardened demeanor. "It's cute you think I can't handle a few needles."

Milly's brow furrowed, her concern deepening as she started to step closer to the elderly man. Sensing her intent, I quickly moved to restrain her, whispering urgently in her ear, "Shh, he's just an asshole."

Her frustration and worry were palpable, but I knew challenging Tokage's pride in that moment wouldn't help. Despite his outward bravado, I sensed a vulnerability in him—an acknowledgment of the daunting reality they all faced.

Tokage nodded gratefully at Milly before turning back towards the operating room doors. His steps were slower now, a testament to the weight of their circumstances. Milly watched him go, her hand still clenched in frustration, but she managed a small nod of understanding.

The tension in the room lingered as the intercom crackled to life once more, signaling the next phase of their ordeal. As we stood there, a disparate group united by fate and experiment, I couldn't help but wonder how each of us would navigate the challenges ahead.

Ness, ever the optimist, tried to rally our spirits once more. "Let's take this knowledge and go with it. It's the best we've got."

Milly nodded silently beside me, her eyes reflecting determination mixed with concern. Despite her tough exterior, I knew she was as scared and uncertain as the rest of us. But in that moment, I also saw her resilience—a trait that would undoubtedly become our anchor in the storm to come.

As we prepared for the next procedures, uncertainty hung heavy in the air. The journey ahead was fraught with unknowns, but we had each other. And in this strange new world created by Aizen Okamura's ambitions, perhaps that would be enough to endure.