Grey: Monsters

I didn't recognize the ceiling. It was white, with a touch of milky color to it. It wasn't the ceiling of my room from five years ago or the one in my current room—it was different. The bed too—it was rather soft, too soft, probably the softest bed I had ever laid on in my life.

I sat upright on the bed. My head and several parts of my body ached. Just then, I realized where I was. I was in a hospital. A needle pierced through my hand, and from it, a liquid entered my body.

Sweeping my tired gaze, I noticed some visitors—people I had never laid eyes on before. Well, all except one—the girl who had tried to take my life a few months ago. Saiya, or whatever she called herself. All three of them were sitting around me. Among the other two was a man, young and energetic, with natural blonde hair, a sharp pointy nose, a nice jawline that stood out, and sharp eyes. From his fair skin tone, I could tell he was a foreigner. He wasn't Japanese. The other, who sat beside him, was... asleep. He was sleeping.

"You're awake, Ryuma. And here I thought you were dead," the crazy girl said. I didn't bother talking back to her—after all, she wanted me dead.

"Ryuma, as in 'dragon'?" the foreigner asked as he walked up to me. But it sounded more like a statement than a question. Regardless, I nodded.

"I was really impressed by your performance yesterday, so I wanted to be the first person you saw when you woke up."

"Hmm, thank you," I responded.

"No need to be. Here…" He handed me a folder. I opened it, and the first word that caught my eye was "CONGRATULATIONS," boldly written on the paper.

"You passed the exam. Congratulations. The opening ceremony will be held a few hours from now. Make sure to attend. Given the gifted body of yours, it won't take long for you to heal up."

Okay, that sounded weird.

"And lastly, I'm your commander from now on. Report to me when everything is over. Welcome to Squad Seven."

He concluded and turned his back to leave the room. The sleeping guy stood up without even being told to.

"Just so you know, you got lucky," Saiya, the crazy girl, said, and the rest left.

I dropped back on the bed, looking at the letter I had been handed.

"So, I got accepted, even after my little effort. Haha, talk about luck, right Bthree?"

I got no response.

"B? Are you there?"

Still, no response.

"Oi, B, say something."

"I'm here. I'm always here. Quit being such a baby, will you?"

"That's a new way of talking you've picked up. Tell me, aren't you happy for me? Look, I got accepted."

I placed the paper on my face.

"You don't have to do that for me to see it. I've already seen it."

I was happy—extremely happy.

"Haaa… so this is the feeling of progress? It sure is nice."

I jumped out of bed, walking around the room and doing some stretches.

"By the way, B, what's with you lately? You've been acting weird."

"How weird?"

"I don't know, like, out of character. And you've been mean all of a sudden."

"I don't recall ever exhibiting any of those attributes. It's all in your mind."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Oh, thanks, man. For a moment, I thought I had done something bad to you."

"You did."

"Huh? When? And I thought you weren't mad."

"You did me wrong, but I decided not to be mad about it. I don't understand how you humans think. Must one always be mad when someone does something bad to them?"

"Yes, you have to be, and you need to make sure you show it, maybe even demand something in return. Something like an apology or material stuff, like gifts. If they're a couple, then kisses or other things, even sex."

"Sex—"

"What I'm trying to say is, when someone does something bad or wrongs you in any way, always demand an apology."

"Oh, okay, then I demand an apology."

"Eh? What did I do to you?"

"You wronged me, so I demand an apology."

"How did I wrong you?"

"You called me useless."

"I don't remember that… Haa, okay, never mind. I'm sorry."

"Apology not accepted."

"What?"

"Get me ten comic books, then I'll reconsider."

"You've got to be kidding me—"

Knock, knock

The door opened, and a man in a lab coat entered the room.

"Oh, good day. I came to discharge you, but I noticed you were busy… talking to yourself. I hope you aren't experiencing any mental problems."

Everyone stood in a grand hall—those of us who had passed the final exams, specifically the combat exam. We were all given a type of military uniform. It was the usual battle suit, but I think it was the one used for meetings and ceremonies. It was also worn regularly, as I saw some other military personnel wearing them, though ours had distinct designs and colors that distinguished us from them.

"You made it too?" Kitetsu asked. Beside him was his supposed senior sister.

"Yeah, I was surprised myself. I see even our SENIOR sister passed."

"Mmhm, it's her, after all. Big Sis, this is Ryuma, a friend of mine."

"Hey, I'm Ryuma."

I naturally stretched out my hand to shake hers, but she left me hanging in the air. I had no idea why, but I was really embarrassed at that moment.

As if leaving me hanging wasn't enough, she turned her back on me and walked away.

My dignity was no more.

I felt like the wind should just come and carry me away.

"Sorry about that. That's just who she is. I see you love comic books," Kitetsu pointed to my hand.

"Err… I'm not really a fan. I'm just buying them for a friend of mine."

"A friend of yours—Oh, it's about to start."

A group of people entered the large hall. Among them was a man with a dignified aura who stood out from the rest. He stepped onto the podium, scanned his gaze over us, cleared his throat, and spoke a single word, one that brought a sense of calm and accomplishment to everyone in the hall:

"Congratulations."