Kaiju No.8: Devour and Evolve

Drake Myers had just posed his question when Reno Ichikawa dramatically began explaining the situation.

It seemed like Drake's story went like this: "Kafka Hibino's getting up there in age, and the recent events—getting injured this afternoon, the incident with the kaiju in the hospital—had all but crushed his spirit." Of course, this was Reno fabricating a narrative just to convince Drake to go see Kafka.

"Tsk, is that old man really that fragile?" Kikoru Shinomiya scoffed, her eyes brimming with disdain.

Seijuro Shinomiya's trusted butler, Sabuya, furrowed his brow at the idea. His main concern was Drake's safety. Until it was officially confirmed whether Drake was entirely human, the Shinomiya family should tread carefully. They couldn't afford to involve themselves too deeply, but outright ignoring the matter wasn't an option either.

Drake, being the ever-charismatic figure, responded seriously, "Alright, I'll go have a look. Mental health is crucial, after all."

Hearing this, Reno sighed in relief.

Kikoru, young and eager for action, didn't want to miss out on any drama and quickly tagged along behind Drake.

Without objecting, Drake let her follow. He figured it would be fine as long as they didn't talk about anything too sensitive in front of her. The truth about Kafka's transformation into Kaiju No. 8 needed to remain a secret for now. Hospitals were, after all, filled with too many prying eyes.

At Kafka's Hospital Room

Kafka Hibino sat listlessly, staring at the ceiling as if he'd lost everything.

Suppressing a grin, Drake walked up with confident strides. "Senior, what's the matter? There's still some time left before the Defense Force selection process. Giving up so early doesn't suit you at all."

"Hey, old man," Kikoru chimed in with her usual sharp tongue. "If there's ever a time to prove yourself, it's now. Unless, of course, you lack the ability."

Kafka flinched at her words, his dazed demeanor evaporating in an instant. He leapt to his feet. "Who said I'm giving up?! That's nonsense!"

To emphasize his point, he flexed his arms, showing off his muscles. However, his beer belly betrayed any impression of fitness he was trying to give.

With his square face and scruffy beard, Kafka really did resemble a parody of a seasoned protagonist. His wild hairstyle only added to the effect, drawing comparisons to Naruto.

"Haha! Oh, my God, you're killing me here, old man!" Kikoru burst into laughter, unable to contain herself.

Despite his dour mood, Kafka's natural comedic timing seemed to shine through, and Kikoru wasn't the only one stifling a laugh.

The "New Phone" Revelation

Reno Ichikawa, however, frowned. Kikoru's unexpected presence was making this delicate situation even more complicated than he had planned.

"Um, Kikoru," Reno began cautiously, "why don't we step out for a bit and give these two some privacy to talk?"

Drake shook his head dismissively. "No need. We're all friends here. Why shut the door on this conversation? Honestly, I think Senior's just feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything recently. With so many distractions, it's bound to affect his mood. Senior, just focus on healing and let everything else sort itself out."

He then turned to Kafka with a sly smile. "By the way, Senior, I got a new phone!" He waved the device teasingly.

Reno and Kafka both looked at him in confusion, not understanding his point.

Without missing a beat, Drake used the moment to exchange contact information with both of them. His previous phone, after all, had been obliterated during the fight with the kaiju.

Drake sat down beside Kafka, casually steering the conversation toward mundane topics while occasionally dropping subtle hints to help Kafka come to terms with his new reality. Unfortunately, Kafka's nerves were still frayed. His mind was a jumble of fears and self-doubt, leaving him unable to fully grasp the subtext.

Kikoru eventually lost interest in the conversation and began fidgeting. She wasn't really invested in what the two older men were discussing.

The Burden of Transformation

Kafka Hibino, despite his outer demeanor, was carrying the weight of his transformation into Kaiju No. 8. No matter how much he tried to put on a brave face, the mental toll was apparent.

Drake, understanding this, chose not to push too hard. Kafka wasn't someone who could be rushed. With his trademark bluntness and clueless charm, Kafka's character was more akin to a protagonist from a classic shonen series—a little slow to adapt but fiercely loyal and determined when it mattered.

After a few hours of casual conversation and a late-night snack, Drake finally left Kafka's room. Feeling satisfied with his efforts, he returned to his own hospital room.

Drake's Late-Night Escape

Later that night, Drake quietly slipped out of his room. Armed with some beer and a bag of snacks, he made his way to the hospital's rooftop. The moon hung brightly in the night sky, illuminating his thoughtful expression.

Sitting on the edge of the rooftop, Drake sipped his drink and gazed at the stars. His mind was filled with plans for the future. The road ahead was filled with challenges, but he felt oddly at peace.

Meanwhile, members of the Defense Force tasked with monitoring him watched in quiet frustration. Watching Drake munch on snacks and enjoy a peaceful night under the stars was almost unbearable—like he was mocking their vigilance.

For now, Drake was content to wait. His moment to rise would come soon enough.

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