Kibishi's POV

  "The what?!" Riley tilted her head in confusion.

  "We're more than one branch in this organization. You see, I was thinking about it while listening to all of you. Separating you guys would sink your hearts, and I can't bear that. I have a sister back home who's part of the execution team. So I figured, 'Why not bring them all with me?'" Akuma held her chest with a bright smile.

  "Your friendship goes beyond just friends. You treat each other like family. Not only that, you're risking your lives for one another. That's more than enough for me to protect all of you as well."

  "H-hold on a minute. I'm still confused about all of this!" Tao gripped her right arm. "The execution team? The backline team? Super codes? What are you talking about?"

  "Tao's right. All of this information is REALLY confusing, if not strange, to me." Riley scratched the side of her face.

  "But what you're saying is that we can all join in, right?" David asked in a serious, deep voice.

  "That's right. If things go well, we can make some changes if needed. In the end, you'll all have each other's backs." Akuma responded to David's question.

  "I see. Well then..." David folded his arms. "I guess that settles it for now."

  "Really?" I raised my brows.

  "Don't get me wrong, I'm still pnning to help you guys any way I can. But based on the information we just received, there's an order to all of this." David closed his eyes.

  "David's right. I don't like it, but to protect you guys, we have to follow the rules set in pce." Riley pced her index finger near her chin. "And even if we can't rank up, the idea of teleporting in case you're in trouble sounds good enough for me. That said, I am pnning to figure out the system to join the execution team—no doubt about it."

  "Agreed. We just need to understand the system and use it to our advantage!" David grinned widely.

  "In other words, you're not getting rid of us that easily, Tao, Kibishi!" Riley beamed at us with a cute blush.

  "Damn straight! So you better watch as I rank up in the near future!" David announced.

  "Riley! David!" Tao smiled brightly. I could tell their words eased the heaviness in our hearts.

  "Right! I understand." I nodded.

  "And... I'm sorry for not considering your feelings, guys. And I'm sorry for being emotional." I bowed my head in apology.

  "Didn't I say you two are like family? My little brother and sister! No matter our skin color or race!" David said with confidence.

  "And if anyone has a problem with it, we can beat the living crap out of them! Show them no mercy!" Riley decred with a cute blush and a smile.

  "L-let's not do that, okay?" I broke into a nervous sweat, smiling at Riley's terrifying words.

  But still, having them around put me at ease. I'd be lying if I said being apart wouldn't make me sad.

  So this was the right call—for our sanity's sake.

  Plus, I'd get to see them every time we finished our duties for the organization.

  Akuma cpped her hands together. "So, do we all agree? Sticking together to the end?"

  "Damn right we do! I won't take 'no' for an answer anyway!" Riley announced with high spirits, clenching her fists in determination.

  "How can you say that while smiling and blushing like it's nothing?" I smiled nervously.

  "We're going to protect our friends from anyone who wrongs them! Right, David!? Tao?!"

  "Hell yeah!" David shouted at the top of his lungs in response to Riley's cheer.

  "Hell yeah!" Tao repeated like an excited child, blushing and smiling brightly.

  "Can you guys please not corrupt Tao?!" I shouted, eyes shut tight.

  Tao was pure and needed to be protected—even from myself!

  "Oh wow! This group is amazing! I hope Jir gets along with you guys!"

  "Don't encourage them, Akuma!" I protested.

  Despite my compints, I felt like myself again. The pure chaos of this group felt great. I was happy I'd get to see my friends—no, my new family—whenever I wanted.

  We still had loads of unanswered questions, but for now, what mattered was that we'd be together again. Even if we'd have to split our time with others.

  Well, I hoped whoever was in charge wouldn't be too harsh on them. If they were, I'd have to step in. David might blow a fuse if someone made Riley cry. He'd let me off because he knew it wasn't my fault. And I felt the same about Tao—if anyone made her cry, they'd answer to me, no matter who they were.

  That said, I was surprised Akuma allowed us to be loud and vent our feelings, especially after shushing us earlier. I wondered how she'd expin things to the other groups.

  "Oh. I also want to apologize for our shouting, Akuma. I know you were trying to keep this a secret." Tao bowed to her.

  "It's fine. While you guys were talking, the soldiers expined to the prisoners that it was just an emotional reunion between friends. No harm done." Akuma gave us a thumbs-up and a grin.

  "Oh, wow! You guys work fast!" Riley sounded impressed, beaming at Akuma.

  "I suppose that's the perk of being part of an organization!" Tao chuckled, hands neatly folded in front of her skirt in case she needed to bow.

  "So we're going now, right? Let's get started already!" David shouted excitedly.

  "Yes! I want to avoid any deys! I need to rank up as fast as possible!" Riley smiled cutely.

  "There's no need to rush. We'll all live under the same roof now, so no need to panic!" Tao reassured her as Riley hugged her tightly.

  "How about it, Akuma? Ready to show us our new home?" I asked, smiling.

  "No problem! Oh, and you can call me Kuma! We're all friends now! I'll call you 'Kibi,' Taoreta will be 'Tao,' David is 'Dav,' and Riley is 'Ril'! All cute nicknames for a cute group like you guys! Welcome to the team!" Akuma clenched her fists, blushing adorably.

  "..." I broke into another sweat.

  Well... I hadn't expected her to accept us as friends so easily. Not to mention, her cute side kept showing more and more, despite her tomboyish appearance. She was getting girlier by the second.

  Either way, now that it was settled, we could move forward peacefully.