The professional atmosphere did not waver despite the cheeriness Dr. Sakaki exudes, after all. Kazama and Lindow are higher-ranked soldiers at best. Director Johannes had noticed the abrupt change in Kazama's pallor, a slight hint of amusement glinted within his eyes. It seemed like their favorite golden boy has his own secrets.

"Yes, Yes. As you can see. We have scouted two people who are a possible match with the new-type god arcs." Sakaki's good-natured smile never wavered, his eyes glinting with more interest with each passing minute. The two veterans in front of him didn't need to be experts in reading human emotions to see that.

"Yes.. but, for what reason would our assistances be required?" Kazama tilted his head inquisitively. He isn't stupid to not possibly know what he and Lindow are needed for right now. The young veteran knew better. But it would be nice to have some concrete answer than to base on speculations.

The immaculate smile on Director Johannes' lips only widened. The opportunity for an interesting event to commence had presented itself on a silver platter. Only a foolish man would pass such choice up! "Would you like to see their compatibility tests, Kazama-kun?" a pleasant, yet unusual offer rang out from the blonde man's lips.

Lindow was surprised at the offer. He turned to Kazama who remained stoic, as if weighing his choices.

'not good. Seriously, he really attracts trouble. Is it a charm of his or two?' Lindow thought, slightly anxious for Kazama's well-being. The young man had been like a little brother to him despite not knowing much about his past.

"How kind of you, Director Johannes. But are you quite sure of your offer? I am just a mere veteran after all." an eloquent smile graced the young man, making him very out of place in this office.

But to Director Johannes, that "princely smile" was nothing more but a trap to get on his nerves, and to implicate him of plotting something. The blonde man could only sigh inwardly. 'this precocious child. Trying to implicate me of plotting something with your words?' He thought bitterly, yet at the same time, he felt quite intrigued with this child's sharp perception.

"Ahaha, Kazama-kun. This would be vital for your assignment. After all, one of them would be in your new team." Johannes' smile did not falter, much to Kazama's discomfort with the new piece of information. "New.. team?" the sentence seemed very foreign to the elegant young man.

"Yes. Kazama-kun. A New Team." an amused glint came from the blonde director, seemingly pleased with Kazama's visible discomfort."..Well then.. If it involves a new team member... I would like to meet them early as much as possible." Kazama chuckled, his nerves recovering quickly enough to retaliate.

"Then that would be splendid! You do need to see how things work in here, Hm?" Johannes' smile turned quite eerie, as if reminding Kazama of his place. He is no prince. He is only a god eater.

The chestnut haired veteran's eloquence did not falter. "How about Lindow-san?" He asked, his charming smile still plastered on his lips.

"Ah.. Unfortunately, We have called Lieutenant Amamiya for other reasons." A victorious smile had bloomed on Director Johannes' lips. He knew he had won this argument. But the true victor is Kazama. For the young man had made Johannes' show his animosity towards him in plain daylight.

Lindow isn't a moron to begin with. The man knows things, despite his carefree, and laid-back nature. And boy, can he sense the animosity between the Director and Kazama. Truth be told, he was impressed by Kazama's eloquence and his refusal to submit to Director Johannes' intimidation earlier.

"Now now. we had dallied on for quite a time. Time is gold, as they say." Dr. Sakaki smiled as he gave a knowing glance to Kazama and Johannes.

"Ah yes. We are quite running late! Kazama-kun, Let us now proceed to the testing room." Animosity disappeared from Johannes' eyes as he gently coerced Kazama outside. "Yes. I apologize for delaying our trip." Kazama smiled, no trace of the fiery eloquence he had shown earlier.

***
The testing room was a sight that Kazama had not seen for ages.

"Nostalgic, isn't it. Kazama-kun?" Johannes' silky voice echoed as Kazama stared at the contraptions inside the control room.

"Quite." a fascinated reply from the chestnut haired god eater echoed back. He has never been into the control room until now.

Johannes' chuckled at this as he made his way towards the microphone. "Sorry to have kept you waiting so long." The blonde man spoke, his words addressed to the young man standing below.

dark blue hair that seemed to defy gravity, and vibrant green eyes, and a well-built physique.

'He must be from the outside of the den... What was his name again?..'  Kazama tilted his head as he inspected the clipboard containing the man's name.:

'Lenka Utsugi'

"Now then, let me welcome you.. to humankind's last fortress. Fenrir." Johannes continued his welcoming remarks. Somehow, Kazama wanted to tune out. It's not like he didn't have the same welcoming remarks Johannes' had dished out right now.

"I will now test your compatibility as a member of the Anti-Aragami Punitive Force. The God Eaters."

'blah.. blah blah..' Kazama sighed, visibly bored over the forced pleasantries Johannes was spouting. He isn't exactly a moron to not notice on the get-go. This guy is not that immaculate as his smile says.

"Please try to relax a little. You'll get better results that way."

The last sentence made Kazama do a double-take. It was as if a sadistic smile had bloomed on his lips when he ended that. Can a smile be heard? Who knows.

"When you're ready, go stand in front of that case in the center of the room."

Kazama observed the boy named Lenka who slowly walked to the center as demanded, and slid his arm on the lower half of the armlet.

"Interesting, isn't it. Kazama-kun?" Johannes smiled kindly at the chestnut haired god eater, beckoning him to look at the view.

Which is Lenka being in pain from the armlet installment.

'Now if I was a girl, that could be an award-winning smile. But honestly the view he's pertaining to is a young man in pain. Are you a sadist, Director?..' Kazama thought as he watched the said man congratulate the new type god eater, and send him away.

'Great. Now it's the beginning of my babysitting duties. Yippee.' Deflated, Kazama could only leave the room, with the excuse: 'I do need to introduce myself to him.' Of course, Johannes couldn't even stop him. It was Kazama's assignment to 'babysit' the new-type. Not watching snot-nosed rookies in pain.

'Ah. Thank God I can get out..' Kazama sighed in relief as he sat on one of the seats near the elevator. He'd have better chances on meeting the new-type rookie if he stays here.

Soon enough, Kazama saw the said rookie.

"Hey there." Kazama greeted, a small smile plastered on his face.

"....." Was all Lenka had replied, the poor boy had been confused.

I mean, Who wouldn't be? A random pretty boy about his age greeting him for no apparent reason. Of course, Lenka wouldn't know what to do.

Kazama nearly cried when he realized that.

The cool guy facade he was rehearsing for earlier was just.. useless in this situation, especially on this person!

"Er. Not much of a talker there.. God.. just like Tenshii... " Kazama mumbled, trying his best to recover.

"Let me get this straight. My name's Kazama. And from this day on I'm your captain, Utsugi-kun. Was it?"

**Extra**

Rui Schaden's mood had dipped further. Four years had passed and still no sign of that perfect guinea pig he had seen four years ago.

Worse? Dr. Johannes had taken Kazama to watch the New-Type aptitude test.

Now to make things even more worse, Still no compatible test subject for that blasted bias factor.

It was as if the world shined on Kazama.

Like hell would Rui let that continue.

While he's miserable?.. He will drag Kazama with him.

after all, that's what friends are for right?