CHAPTER 51: NO BREAKS + PROLOGUE.

Prologue:

Why do people sing?

I used to think it was simple because music makes you happy.

Because you can share something beautiful with the world.

For me, singing was everything. My escape. My passion. The one thing that stayed with me even when everything else, friends, family, dreams, faded away.

But the day I changed, the day they offered it to me, a power in my heart, I knew it wasn’t the right thing to do, but still.

I took it.

Then something inside me shattered and rebuilt into something inhuman... My voice, my music, stopped being mine.

It started as whispers. People are avoiding me like I carry a disease. My only friends are telling me to stay away. My parents looked at me like a stranger.

Then came the marks.

My hair used to be crimson, like autumn leaves. Now, the edges are stained green; no dye, no scissors can cut it away. It’s a reminder of whatever I’ve become.

No one told me why. No one could explain what I was.

And every time I sang, people changed.

They’d turn, eyes glassy, hearts no longer their own. They’d do what I asked, give me what I wanted. Food, money, comfort... Anything I desired.

It made surviving easy.

But every song left me emptier than before.

Because they didn’t love me. They loved the lie my voice forced into their minds.

So I decided I would make the whole world love me. If it had to be a lie, so be it. At least then I wouldn’t be alone.

That was the plan. Until the day I saw him.

It was in the city they call Tokyo. Bright lights, loud streets, people rushing past like I was invisible. And then... He looked at me.

Messy hair, distracted eyes, and for the first time in years...

Someone saw me.

Not my voice. Not my power. Not the fake smiles I forced on others.

Just me.

And for one fragile heartbeat... I didn’t want to control him.

I just wanted him to stay by my side.

Chapter starts here.

A couple of days had passed since Kentaro’s insane "vacation," and for once, things seemed quiet. The trip to the luxury island already felt like a fever dream, frozen fights, paper-thin escape plans, and dating chaos all wrapped up in Halcyon’s idea of "training."

Now, back on familiar streets with his classmates and the endlessly patient Mr. Tachibana doing one last headcount, Kentaro almost believed life was normal again.

Almost.

Because this time, walking home from school wasn’t like before.

Not when Serica walked on his right side, cheerfully humming as her hair caught the afternoon sun.

And Yura walked on his left, quietly observing the city, her usual aloofness softening whenever Kentaro said something dumb.

Normal? Not even close.

Kentaro adjusted his bag, glancing between the two Alberlines, beside him. He thought about Tenka’s words, about how far they’d all come since they first met.

But even with the sun shining and cicadas buzzing in the summer heat, his gut told him something was off.

Someone was watching.

Kentaro stopped, turned slightly, and he could feel the wind stopping instantly, even causing Serica’s humming to a halt.

He caught a flash of shoulder-length hair peeking from behind a lamppost.

He froze as his eyes widened. He knew that hair and who it belonged to.

"Kira?" He called out in confusion.

A flat voice answered immediately with a hint of sarcasm, "Oh, you noticed me. Darn."

Kira stepped out, completely unfazed. She’d been caught tailing him like a low-effort spy. Her cold eyes darted to Serica and Yura, taking in both girls before landing back on Kentaro.

"So," she said, voice carrying just a hint of venom, "where are these two going?"

Kentaro winced, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uhh... They’re just crashing at my place for a couple of hours. That’s all. Promise." His eyes wandered everywhere but directly at Kira’s eyes

Kira raised an eyebrow.

"And... When do I get my invite?" she asked casually as she tilted her head slightly.

Then, without letting Kentaro respond, she added with zero shame, "Give me your number, let me know when your house is free, and for now... I’ll sext you later?"

Serica’s cheeks went scarlet immediately.

"That’s it!" She shouted, fists clenched. "Kira, leave him alone! He doesn’t want you near him, learn your lesson already!" She took a step in front, shielding Kentaro.

Kira didn’t even flinch. She just turned her head slightly toward Serica, eyes narrowing like a sniper locking on a target.

"Shut it... Home-wrecker," she said, voice perfectly flat.

Serica nearly lunged, but Yura calmly blocked her, gently pushing her back with surprising strength.

"You mustn’t fight, Serica," Yura murmured, her usual calm tone firming just slightly. "Think about Kentaro. Fighting here would be... Futile and would put Kentaro in a weird situation."

Kentaro let out an awkward laugh, scratched his head, and walked toward Kira after patting Serica’s head. He reluctantly exchanged numbers with Kira. She smirked, preparing to turn away, but Kentaro’s tone suddenly changed.

"Kira," he said, voice low, serious. "You’re going back to Cradle soon... Right?"

She didn’t hesitate. "Yes. I’ll be reinstated soon. And once I am... I’ll fulfil my mission."

Her gaze sharpened, cold but certain. "I’ll eliminate every Alberline in sight." She softly muttered.

Kentaro’s hand tightened slightly on his bag strap. There was so much he wanted to say to stop her, to save her, but now wasn’t the time. Not here. Not like this.

He didn’t respond; he just let Kira turn around and walk away before he along with Serica and Yura, walked back to his apartment.

*

Far from the calm streets. In a skyscraper overlooking Tokyo, Reiden Vale stood in front of a holographic map of Japan. Several red blips flashed in different cities.

One of his commanders approached, helmet tucked under his arm. "Sir, our last operation failed. The boy survived resonance again. Reports say he grows stronger with every Alberline."

Reiden’s lips curved into a razor-thin smile. "Good. Let him grow stronger."

The commander frowned. "Good, sir?" His voice was filled with confusion.

Reiden turned, eyes glinting like a predator. "The stronger he gets... The more useful he’ll be to us when the time comes to break him. I have a good feeling that the boy’s influence will be useful when the time comes."

Another officer walked in, bowing sharply.

"Sir, regarding Subject Siren. The resonance event in Tokyo... It’s confirmed. She’s there."

Reiden’s thin smile deepened into something sharper.

"Excellent," he drawled, his appreciation evident. "Prepare the nets. Spire is mobilising with force toward home base Tokyo, immediately."

"Yes, sir!" Both men barked in unison before marching out.

Reiden stayed still, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the glowing city map before him. The grin remained.

Though losing the corrupted Ice-Breaker had been an inconvenience... This one, this songbird, would be his.

*

By the time Kentaro, Serica, and Yura finally reached his cramped apartment, exhaustion had replaced whatever energy they had left from the trip.

Serica barely managed to take off her shoes. She dove face-first onto the couch, hugging Kentaro’s old pillow like it was a treasure.

"Ahhh... Nice to be home," she mumbled into the fabric, sounding like a kid in a candy store.

Yura, on the other hand, stood near the door, scanning the tiny apartment like it was an alien artefact.

"This is... Your home?" She asked carefully, tone straddling disbelief and politeness.

Kentaro laughed awkwardly, tossing his keys on the counter.

"Yeah... Sorry, it’s not much. A couple of rooms, one official bed, no servants bringing me grapes or anything."

Yura blinked, then gasped softly. "I didn’t mean it like that-I just... Thought a human like you would live in something... Grander."

Kentaro chuckled again, shaking his head.

"Trust me, Yura, I wish."

Despite the cramped space, there was a warmth in the air. For the first time in a while, Kentaro wasn’t running, hiding, or dodging projectiles; he was cooking. The girls sat cross-legged at the tiny table, arguing fiercely over rock-paper-scissors while he chopped onions.

His comm crackled after being silent all the way back home.

"Ken, are you back home yet?"

Tenka’s voice made him straighten instinctively.

"Yeah, we just got in. What’s up?"

"First... How are Serica and Yura doing?"

Kentaro glanced back at the two Alberlines, locked in a heated match, each victory and loss sparking playful glares. A small smile tugged at his lips.

"They’re... Good. Yura’s adjusting, I think."

"Good," Tenka said, but her sigh carried a mix of frustration and amusement.

"As for sleeping arrangements... You’ll have to manage with both staying there. Yura’s still new; it’s safer for her to be near you. And if you move Serica out, well... She’ll be jealous you’re alone with Yura. Let Yura have the bed. You... sleep on the floor."

Kentaro groaned. "Why do I feel like I’m being punished..."

"Because it’s the right call," Tenka said simply.

Kentaro grumbled under his breath but knew she was right.

Before he could complain further, Tenka’s voice sharpened.

"Listen closely, Ken. While you were away, another Alberline appeared, this time in central Tokyo."

Kentaro froze mid-chop, knife hovering over the cutting board.

"Tokyo...? What’s the plan?" He said as his voice went quieter.

"For now, we wait. The ship’s under repair, and it’ll be ready in about a week. When it is, we move asap."

Kentaro nodded, frowning. "Any info on this Alberline?"

"Yes," Tenka replied, her tone heavy. "But that discussion happens at Halcyon HQ. Once you’ve finished there, open your front door; it’s connected to our access line now."

"Got it," Kentaro said, cutting the connection.

He then prepared and finished the meal in silence, and left Serica and Yura happily eating, and quietly grabbed his jacket.

"Stay here, don’t leave," he told them.

They both nodded with warm smiles, not asking any questions, and for a brief moment, Kentaro felt like this cramped apartment wasn’t just his anymore.

Then he walked to the door, hand lingering on the handle.

"Here we go again..." He muttered, opening it.

*

In Cradle’s fortified command centre in Oshawa, boots echoed across steel floors as Kira Mizuno stepped forward, spine straight, hands clasped behind her back. The two figures waiting for her were the branch’s top brass in the city, Chief Marshal Mr. Takeashi, a 6ft 5 beast of a man that looked more like a human version of a grizzly bear, and Mrs. Ino, with beautiful brown hair, tall, and elegant, but her sharp dark eyes pierced holes into anyone. Both Humans, yes, but their sharp, almost predatory gazes felt anything but human.

"Operative Kira Mizuno!" Takeashi’s voice boomed, rattling the steel walls and silencing every officer in the room.

Kira saluted without flinching. "Yes, sir!"

Takeashi’s eyes narrowed. "Your suspension is officially lifted. But let me be clear: I won’t tolerate another stunt like that. Skilled fighters like you are rare. Call it favoritism if you want, but even as new recruits dwindle, you won’t get another chance."

"Understood, sir! It won’t happen again!" Relief flickered briefly in her voice, even as she held her posture firm.

Takeashi’s tone softened slightly. "Your report has been received. We’ll handle the Dominance-type Alberline investigation. You keep your focus forward."

Kira nodded once, sharp and precise.

Mrs. Ino stepped up, her voice carrying the weight of orders from far higher.

"Orders from Top Brass: A specialised unit will deploy to Tokyo. Another Alberline has manifested, and the local Tokyo branch is failing to contain it."

Kira’s eyebrows knitted together. "If the Tokyo branch is struggling, it must be powerful," she muttered to herself. In the world of Cradle, a bigger city usually meant a stronger local branch. So with Tokyo, and its large team there, it really did concern Kira about the strength of this Alberline.

"This one’s codename is Siren," Ino continued. "Our intel says she can control minds through her voice. And..."

She hesitated, eyes meeting Takeashi’s before continuing.

"...She’s been seen roaming freely...Without creating a Fracture Bloom."

Kira’s breath caught. Instantly, her mind flashed back to that cave with Yura. No bloom then either. "How is that possible?" She thought to herself.

Before her thoughts could spiral, Takeashi’s tone snapped her back.

"You, along with your team, and select Special Ops will depart in a couple of days. Prepare yourselves."

"YES, SIR!" Kira and her squadmates barked in unison, saluting before exiting the briefing room.

Down the long corridor, Kira walked with her gaze low, boots clanging softly against the steel. The question gnawed at her:

"No bloom... Yura... Siren... intentional or something else?"

A hand touched her shoulder, gentle.

"Kira," came a soft, familiar voice.

She turned to see Milly, her squadmate and closest friend in Cradle. Pretty-faced, long blonde hair tied up on the left side of her head. Many told her to cut it, the commander included, but Milly always refused. It was the last thing she had from her older sister.

"Milly... Yeah. I’m okay," Kira said quietly. "It’s just... The no bloom again thing it makes no sense..." She said softly as she continued.

"Dominance didn’t have one either. Does that mean they’re different, or do they have control over when they can summon it?"

Milly’s lips pressed into a thin line.

"I wish I had answers. But whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. For now... Breathe. We’ve got a big mission ahead."

Kira gave a small nod knowing that was the best option.

Later, in the dinning hall, the squad gathered. Commander Isak, the same man who tried to stop Kira during the Serica incident, sat beside her, he was menacing to look at, his hair was short but combed over to the side, under his eye was a scar that was left by a powerful Alberline he’d fought years before, his tall 6ft 1 frame was very well built, but his eyes were the eyes of a man who had been to war, they were hollow but they struck fear.

Kira opened her mouth to apologise.

"Don’t," he said, voice calm but firm. "I don’t know why you did what you did... But you must’ve had a reason. Just... No mistakes this time around."

Kira’s eyes widened slightly, a knot loosening in her chest. She nodded silently, finally taking a bite of her food.

While Cradle regrouped, the stage was already set.

Halcyon would soon move.

Spire’s nets were already being prepared.

And someone else, someone far beyond the three factions, had quietly arrived in Tokyo days ago.

Silver hair cascading under the neon lights.

A face of almost unnatural beauty.

Eyes locked on a single goal.

And to take her first step toward it...

...She needed Siren.