Snow fell heavily over the Imperial encampment, muffling the sounds of war in a haunting silence. In the medical tents, the rescued children were being cared for, resting under threadbare blankets as nurses moved between cots with tired eyes.
Itsumi sat apart from them, unmoving, his rifle laid beside him. The children peeked at him, whispering to each other. He didn't look back. He didn't even blink.
—"He won't even glance at them..." —Min-Jae muttered.
—"It's like there's nothing left inside him," —Liang added quietly.
—"ITSUMI!" —Captain Harada bellowed. "With me."
Itsumi stood up slowly and followed without a word.
They made their way to headquarters, where General Oda awaited behind his massive desk. Harada saluted stiffly.
—"Sir, I'm here to report on soldier Itsumi's behavior during the factory assault."
—"Speak," Oda said without looking up.
—"He disobeyed formation. Initiated the attack early. He nearly got the squad killed. No regard for coordination. He acted on his own."
The general finally looked up, eyes cold.
—"Was the mission successful?"
—"Yes, but—"
—"Any casualties?"
—"No, sir, but that doesn't justify—"
—"Then what's the issue? The objective was achieved. He followed the mission. That's enough."
Harada's voice cracked with fury.
—"Enough? He nearly got us all killed! You'd be singing a different tune if we were burying half the squad today!"
Oda's voice turned even colder.
—"Captain. This is war. Not daycare. Dismissed."
Harada clenched his fists, barely able to contain himself. He turned sharply and left, Itsumi following behind.
Before they could make it far, another voice called to them.
—"Captain Harada. Soldier Itsumi. Come with me," said Lieutenant Colonel Takamura.
Inside his more modest office, he motioned them to sit.
—"Explain everything."
Harada repeated the events, this time with a quiet fury, worn down by the system more than the man beside him.
Takamura turned to Itsumi, who had remained silent.
—"How is it possible you're still in the military despite your deplorable mental state? How has no one removed you yet?"
Itsumi slowly lifted his head. His eyes were hidden in shadow beneath his helmet and hair. His answer came softly:
—"I don't know."
The silence afterward was heavy.
Takamura looked between the two men and spoke more to himself than anyone.
—"Maybe you're not the problem, kid. Maybe we are… for turning ghosts into soldiers."
Harada remained still.
—"You're dismissed," Takamura finally said. "Captain… keep your squad in check. Especially him."
They stepped out into the cold once more. Snow kept falling. The children were sleeping soundly, never knowing that the silent boy outside had once again turned his back on everything—except the mission.