(Katsuna's POV): The next night...

After ironing yesterday's clothes until they were perfectly smooth, I sat down to enjoy a quick dinner of WcDonald's pancakes and tea in my flat, and as I ate, I couldn't stop thinking about what had been happening since yesterday.

The Bemular encounter (again), the fight with Dan, the interrogation, and the revelation of Dan's SSSP affiliation and alien nature were overwhelming. It was a stark reminder of how quickly things can change. 

'What is Bemular's plan? Why did he push me away like that?' 

Many questions came swirling in my head, I groaned annoyingly before I went to get my car from the stadium to clear my head, but as soon as I left my apartment to call a taxi, my orange Toyota Prius C was already parked outside.

I blinked.

'How did it get-How long was it outside for? Did Moroboshi-kun arrange this? Or was it someone else from the SSSP?'

I quickly got in my car, started it, took out the SSSP card that had Moroboshi-kun's number, dialed it, and waited for him to answer.

Meanwhile earlier...

(Dan Moroboshi's POV):

"Well be taking over the investigation of the strings of murders." I calmly announced from behind the two police officers, "And who the HELL are you?" "My name is Moroboshi..." I continue: "From the Science Special Search Party."

Having convinced the police to step aside, the SSSP searched for clues to the attacks, evidence bags rustling as they photographed, scanned for fingerprints and shoe sizes, and sifted through dust.

Some officers grumbled about protocol, likely still annoyed by my interference. However, the protocol was secondary; the local PD's crowd control limitations made my detail-oriented approach crucial. 

I excel at spotting overlooked details, details capable of breaking any case—it's my job.

Afterward, the team returned to SSSP while I joined the tail end of the briefing, which focused on assessing Shin Hayata's son's capabilities for the job to which I entered the room silently to hear Mr. Ide asking, "Is that what you wanted?" 

"Yes. Nicely done." 

Edo responded as if pleased with the briefing about Shinjiro Hayata's Ultraman candidacy, and honestly, I think they're wasting their time on someone very foolish: "So, you're taking a boy who doesn't yet have his newly acquired power, and manipulating him into doing the 'right thing?' " 

My shoes click on the tile floor after I question them both before continuing my disagreement with this arrangement. Mr. Ide turns around to meet my stoic expression:

 "Moroboshi," he continues, "How's that other situation coming along?" "The police don't like us, that's for sure," I told him before walking over to the large screen where it showed 'Ultraman' with a disapproving look, "...Is there something else you'd like to say, Moroboshi?" 

Edo asked, to which I responded with: "No...not really," I continued, "Just that...if the only to get him to accept the importance of his role is to trick him. I don't think..." Glaring at the naive child on the screen: "I'm Ever going to like him."

With tension now in the air, I was suddenly broken by the shrill ringing of my phone. The sound sliced through the air, bringing the contentious exchange to an abrupt and immediate halt. Curious, and perhaps even a little relieved for the interruption. 

I glanced at the screen, noticing it was a number I didn't recognize, without hesitation, and with a quick motion, I pressed the answer button, responding to the call from the unknown number immediately: "Moroboshi." I answered in a monotone voice.

"Moroboshi-kun! Katsuna here!" Her voice cut through the briefing room's tension. Startled, I ignored Ide and Edo's stares and stepped outside. "I'm in a meeting," I said, my tone sharp, but immediately softened a bit.

"I know but it's important." 

I sighed in annoyance until I realized she'd called my phone, "How did you get this number?"

"Uh, you gave it to me. Remember the card with the SSSP logo?"

I vaguely remembered giving her my card. "Right," I said, clearing my throat. "Katsuna, how are you calling me without a phone?"

"From my car, silly! Easier than carrying one, isn't it?"

I grunted: "Explain how you're using your car when it was left at the soccer stadium?" I pictured her teasing smile but shook it off and focused on the conversation, "That's what I wanted to tell you! I was about to get a taxi to search for it, and then it was parked outside my apartment!"

"And that's why you called?" 

"No, but now that I'm thinking about it... did you do this?" Her voice was bubbling with excitement. I paused, my mind racing. I hadn't arranged for her car to be returned, but I wasn't about to admit that. 

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose as Katsuna's voice buzzed through the car's speaker. 'I f*cking swear...she's impossible, as always.' But I couldn't help the faint smirk that tugged at the corner of my lips.

"Katsuna," I said calmly but firmly, "The SSSP has protocols for situations like this. When we recover personal belongings, we ensure they're returned to their owners discreetly. It's standard procedure to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. For example, if a civilian's car is left at a crime scene, we don't just leave it there for anyone to find. We return it to their residence to cover our tracks and prevent witnesses from asking too many questions."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost picture her blinking in surprise. 

"Oh," Her voice softened, "I didn't realize you guys went to such lengths. That's...actually really nice of you." 

I rolled my eyes, though she couldn't see it. "It's not about being nice, Katsuna. It's about maintaining order and minimizing risks. If we left your car at the stadium, someone might have noticed it and started asking questions. Questions we don't need."

She laughed nervously, and I could hear the faint rustle of her moving around in her car. 

"Well, you didn't have to go through all that trouble for me. I could've just gone and picked it up myself."

My eyebrow twitched, and I couldn't help the sharp edge that crept into my voice, "Would you prefer we left it at the soccer stadium parking lot? Because I can arrange that."

"No, no!" she blurted out in a panic, "Never mind. I'll take the car being here. Thanks, Moroboshi-kun." I smirked, satisfied that I'd shut her down. But then she added, "Did you get it clean too? It looks spotless."

My smirk faltered. 'Cleaned it? I hadn't ordered that. In fact, I hadn't even thought about it. The thought of someone going out of their way to clean her car—probably to make me look good—irritated me.' 

"That wasn't me," I said quickly, my tone defensive. "I didn't—" 

But before I could finish, Katsuna squealed, cutting me off. "Oh my gosh, you did clean it! Moroboshi-kun, you're such a softie! I can't believe you'd go that far for me. You're still the same old Dan, aren't you? Always looking out for me, even when you pretend not to care."

My eye twitched, and I could feel a vein throbbing in my forehead. 

"Katsuna, I didn't—" "Admit it," she teased, her voice dripping with amusement. "You're still the same soft-hearted guy from high school. You can't fool me, Dan Moroboshi."

I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening on the phone that I might just break into pieces by teasing attitude: "If you don't stop this nonsense, I'm hanging up right now." She laughed, unfazed by my threat, "Oh, come on, Moroboshi-kun. You wouldn't hang up on me. You care too much."

I opened my mouth to retort, but she cut me off again, "Fine, fine, I'll stop teasing you. But seriously, thanks for cleaning my car. You're the best."  "I didn't clean your car, Katsuna." I sighed, running a hand through my hair, "Someone else must have done it. But you're welcome, I guess."

There was a brief silence before she suddenly giggled. 

"You're no fun, Dan." She sounded like she was pouting right now, "Always so serious. But I'll let you off the hook this time. Thanks again for bringing my car back. I'll see you later, okay?"

Before I could respond, she ended the call, leaving me staring at my phone in mild irritation. I shook my head, muttering under my breath, "Impossible. She's absolutely impossible."

I glanced at my call history, spotting her number. 

Without thinking, I clicked on it and added her to my contacts. As I did, a message popped up from her: "Going to Alien Town for groceries, see ya soon."

I adjusted my red glasses, my expression unreadable as I marked the message as read. "Childish," I muttered, though there was no real bite to my words.

Taking a deep breath, I composed myself and walked back into the meeting room. Mr. Ide and Edo were waiting, their expressions expectant.

"My apologies for the interruption," I said formally, "It was a spam call." 

Mr. Ide raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it, but he nodded anyway. 

"Understood. Let's finish this meeting. Moroboshi, you'll be leading a squad to investigate the abandoned warehouse where we detected unusual alien activity a few weeks ago. We need to determine if it's connected to Bemular or any other threats."

I nodded, my expression serious. "I'll assemble the team and head out immediately."

As the meeting concluded, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Katsuna was back in my life, and while part of me was annoyed by her constant teasing, another part—a part I refused to acknowledge—was secretly relieved.

She was a reminder of a time when things were simpler when the weight of the world wasn't resting on my shoulders. But now, with the mission ahead and the stakes higher than ever, I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

Even if she was impossible.