Aira's scream pierced through the house.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"
Za tilted her head, ears flicking at the noise. Then she grinned, baring her sharp teeth.
Aira screamed again.
Kira groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Oh, fantastic."
Roxy, however, looked like she was having the time of her life. "Man, I should've recorded that."
Before Kira could stop her, Aira spun around, reaching for her phone. "I… I'm calling Omega!"
Kira's stomach dropped.
Shit.
With reflexes he didn't even know he had, he lunged and snatched the phone from her grasp.
Aira blinked. "Hey! Give it back~"
And then, suddenly, she wobbled.
"Uh…" Roxy raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"
Aira swayed. She frowned, looking confused. "Wait… why does the room feel like it's…?"
Then, like a puppet with its strings cut, she collapsed onto the couch.
Roxy stared. Then snorted. "Pfft. Wow. She knocked herself out."
Kira sighed, running a hand through his hair. "She must've been drinking last night. Mom's gonna love that."
Za watched Aira's unconscious form with curiosity, then turned to Kira. "Omega?"
Roxy perked up. "Oh, right! You don't know about Omega Lab, huh?" She smirked proudly. "It's the most advanced research facility on Earth. A place where the greatest minds in space science come together to unlock the mysteries of the universe. They study everything,distant galaxies, dark matter, extraterrestrial signals… even the possibility of alien life."
Za's tail flicked, her expression unreadable. "Omega…" she repeated slowly.
Kira didn't like the way she said it.
Roxy stretched. "Anyway, we should move Aira to her room before she wakes up and tries to fight an alien in her half drunk state."
Kira nodded, and together, they awkwardly carried Aira upstairs.
Roxy, as always, couldn't resist commenting.
"Dude, your sister snores like a dying walrus."
Kira rolled his eyes. "Shut up."
They set Aira down on her bed, tucking her in like she hadn't just threatened to call a top-secret research facility on them.
By the time they made it back downstairs, Za had moved.
Kira blinked. "Uh… where is she?"
Roxy glanced around, then pointed.
Za had her head stuck in a cabinet.
"…What are you doing?" Kira asked, already regretting it.
Za pulled back, holding a half-empty peanut butter jar. "Hunting."
Roxy nearly choked on her laughter. "Pfft~ Hunting for peanut butter?"
Za licked some off her fingers. "Strong food."
Kira shook his head. "Alright, enough of this. We need to hide her somewhere before Aira wakes up."
Roxy tapped her chin. "Shed?"
Kira groaned. "The shed?"
Roxy crossed her arms. "Dude, it's either that or she sleeps in your room, and I know you're not ready for that level of intimacy."
Kira scowled. "Fine. Shed."
Za, still licking peanut butter off her fingers, followed them outside.
They led her to the old shed at the far end of the yard. It was small, mostly used for tools and storage, but it would have to do.
Za stepped inside, sniffing the air. "Smells…" She made a face. "Like death."
Roxy rolled her eyes. "It's just old wood and rust. Get comfy."
Za grumbled something in her language but sat down. Kira handed her a blanket.
"For now, just stay here, okay? We'll figure something out later."
Za huffed but took the blanket. "Kira. Ro-kee."
Kira nodded. "Yeah. We'll be back."
As he and Roxy walked back to the house, Kira felt it again.
That… feeling.
Like something was watching.
He turned, scanning the yard. The shadows between the trees were too still. Too deep.
Roxy noticed his hesitation. "Dude? What's up?"
Kira shook his head. "…Nothing."
But he wasn't so sure.
Not anymore...
Somewhere far away…
The air inside the lab was sterile. Cold. The faint hum of machinery filled the silence.
A scientist stood stiffly, his back to the figure before him. "Sir, we have confirmed reports of an unidentified ship crash."
The figure in front of him remained motionless, staring through the reinforced glass of an observation room.
Beyond the glass, a creature lay chained to an operating table.
Its limbs twitched weakly as masked scientists cut into its flesh. The alien let out a strangled noise, somewhere between a growl and a whimper.
The man in charge,Dr. Nacht did not react. He simply watched.
"Location?" he asked. His voice was smooth, measured.
The scientist hesitated. "Near… Hana Isayama's residence."
For the first time, Dr. Nacht moved.
His head tilted slightly.
Then, ever so slowly, he turned.
Even behind his mask, his smile was unmistakable.
"…Jackpot."
To Be Continued…