"I hope that everything has been decent for you lately..." Akinari sighed as everyone began to meet up to prepare for the next mission. The brunette leader of the Anti-Demon Militia ran a hand through his hair in slight nervousness. "I know we run things differently, but-"

"Don't worry! Saiko loves this!" Saiko grinned widely, giving him a big thumbs up to reassure Akinari. He smiled, and Saiko realized it was one of the first times she'd ever seen him without Cana. Before Saiko could ask him about it, the grey haired boy named Nako, the darker skinned female dubbed Emma, the cold person she had first met named Rin, and the boy with the crazy smile on his face named Jarrett barged in, smiling and laughing... with the exception of Rin, who just plopped down on a couch and began to ignore everyone.

"Hey, everyone!" Akinari greeted warmly, and everyone muttered their hellos to the two. Emma in particular walked over and gave Saiko a big hug as a greeting.

"H-hug!?" Saiko squealed for breath before hugging Emma back, despite not really knowing the girl at all. "W-why..."

Finally, Emma released her with a big smile before walking over to the couch with the slash marks where everyone else was sitting. She smiled from her space.

"We all need happiness in our lives, so why not?"

"I agree! Happy, happy, happy!" Jarrett cocked his head slightly, his grin growing wider. He pulled out a knife, and began tearing at the already torn up couch. "Let's all be happy today!"

"There is no happiness in this world... we're all stuck here," Rin answered, ignoring his abuse to the couch... since it was pretty normal for him. There was a reason that couch had been torn up, and it was definitely because of Jarrett. "Against our will. Why should we be happy?"

"There's plenty of happiness," Akinari frowned at Rin's pessimistic attitude. He began to dig around in his desk, finally triumphantly pulling out something. It was a small candy, but Rin's face lit up as their hands childishly and subconsciously reached out for it. Akinari chuckled, and placed it in their hands, watching in delight as Rin ate the candy, finally sated. "Happiness just comes in different places, Rin."

"Mm-hmm," Rin watched everyone cautiously, wishing that they'd stop looking at her as she chowed down on the candy. Suddenly, she got down on one knee. "Whatever you need me to do, Akinari, I will do... the food you have provided me has rejuvenated me, and I will do whatever you say..."

"Oh, stop it," Akinari grinned, and even though Saiko was extremely confused, everyone else seemed relatively used to the same procedure. It seemed there was a lot of strange customs that Saiko had to get used to.  Akinari speaking again drew her attention back to the conversation. "You don't have to do anything for me. Just enjoy life with the rest of us, okay?"

"Okay..."

"So! Saiko, it's your first mission, are you excited?" Emma sparked up another question, her large dark eyes smiling kindly from her space on the couch. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail, her bangs attempting to hide her face, but her eyes stood out too much to allow that.

"Excited? Yes! Saiko doesn't really know what's going on, but Saiko knows how to use a gun... somewhat!" Saiko cheered. It was only a pistol, but it was something- not that it would ever kill anyone since no one really died in the Afterlife. "Plus, Saiko's getting to meet all her new friends... it's exciting!"

"Well, I'm glad you enjoy it!"

"I don't think even I was this chipper when I first came here," Emma piped up, impressed by Saiko's optimism. She smoothed out her blue skirt, smiling. "It's nice to see another person who is friendly around here!"

"What do you mean? We're all friendly!" Jarrett protested, pausing his abuse on the tan couch. Emma just rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, but everyone else is weird. You're insane, Celeste and Viola have terrible social skills, I can't hold a conversation with Allegra, Phoenix, or Lydia without them getting offended or being suspicious..." Emma was counting on her fingers, and stared at the walls in concentration. "Need me to go on?"

"No, but I assume you think you're perfectly normal?" Nako raised his brow, crossing his arms in frustration.

"Yes, of course!"

"...Okay, then!" Nako pulled out a revolver, confusing Saiko. The new girl to the group raised her hand out, trying to stop the mess.

"W-wait, what are you using that for-"

It was too late. A bullet whizzed out of the grey haired boy's gun, but it was even more surprising to the blue haired female as she watched Emma throw her body in front of the bullet... that was nowhere near any of them. Akinari sighed, pulling at his hair slightly as Emma laid 'dying' on the ground, and Nako put his revolver away.

"I died...for you..." Emma managed to speak before succumbing to her wounds.

"That bullet wasn't near anyone!" Saiko pointed out the obvious, her blue eyes wide in confusion.

"Yeah, we know," Nako snapped in frustration, his friendly nature gone. "She's as crazy as all of us. She literally does this all the time. She thinks she's saving us, and it has come in handy a couple of times, but... geez."

"Cana wasn't kidding when she said everyone is an idiot..." Saiko tapped her chin, and everyone glanced at her in surprise.

"W-what is that supposed to mean!?"

Before everyone could argue, the pom squad barged in. All dressed up in costumes of color, Phoenix spoke to them.

"Get ready. We're going to perform soon."

hey everyone! hope you're enjoying the story.

question of the story: any predictions for how saiko's first mission will go?

thanks for reading!