The Nebula Sentinel hummed with quiet activity as its crew went about their tasks. In the lounge area, Kaede Nakamura sat with a steaming cup of tea, her usual warm smile in place as she chatted with Akira and Yuto. The two were arguing over something trivial-again-but Kaede found their banter entertaining.

"I'm telling you," Akira said, leaning forward with an exaggerated seriousness, "if we could just increase the power to the rear thrusters by two percent, we'd get more maneuverability in tight spots."

Yuto raised an eyebrow, folding his arms. "Sure, if you want to risk blowing out the whole propulsion system and stranding us in deep space."

Kaede chuckled softly, shaking her head at the familiar back-and-forth. "You two never change. Always looking for ways to tweak things."

"Hey, it's all about optimizing," Akira replied with a grin. "Right, Kaede?"

Before Kaede could respond, the door slid open with a soft hiss, and Hana Sato limped in, her head still bandaged from the recent battle. Kaito Matsuda followed closely behind, still favoring his left leg but looking much better than he had after their last encounter with the Kaiju.

"There they are!" Yuto called out, waving them over. "The heroes of the hour."

Kaito smiled sheepishly as he and Hana joined the group. "Not sure about heroes. We just survived."

Hana plopped down beside Kaede, wincing slightly as she says. "You should have seen Kaito trying to walk down the hall earlier. It was like watching a newborn deer."

Kaito groaned. "Oh, come on, I wasn't that bad."

Akira laughed lightly, patting the seat next to him for Kaito to sit. "It's good to see both of you up and moving. How are you feeling?"

"Better, thanks," Kaito said as he sat down. "Still sore, but I'll live."

Akira leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head. "You're tougher than you look, Matsuda. So, what's next for you two? Ready for another round with a Kaiju?"

Hana grimaced. "Let's hope not anytime soon."

Kaede chuckled softly as she turned her gaze toward Hana. "You sure you're okay? I can contact HQ and get you more medicine if you need it."

Hana gave a shy smile, shaking her head. "N-No, I'm fine. I promised... I'm Private Sato, by the way."

Kaito chimed in after her. "Lieutenant Matsuda..."

Akira grinned, shaking his head. "No need to worry about ranks here. Just call each other by first names-except for the Commander, of course. And that old guy you'll meet soon-Major Renji."

Yuto joined in with a chuckle. "Yeah, those two are the professionals of professionals. You can't get all buddy-buddy with them unless you're as old as they are."

Kaede chuckled again. "Well, Commander Hayashi is still pretty young. But I guess the way she carries herself makes everyone avoid messing up around her."

Kaito rubbed the back of his neck and groaned. "Tell me about it... I met her for like, ten minutes, and she's already on my case about minding my manners."

The original three crew members laughed before Akira added, "Yeah, well, maybe you should. Besides being our boss, she could make your life a living hell if she wanted to."

Kaito pursed his lips, shaking his head as he regretted his first conversation with her.

After a brief pause, Kaede cleared her throat. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Kaede Nakamura. I'm in charge of communication between our ship and UDI Command."

Akira smiled, standing up and giving a slight bow. "Akira Saito, crew engineer. Though sometimes I help Yuto here with piloting the ship."

Yuto smirked, raising a hand. "Yuto Kiyoshi, pilot of the Nebula Sentinel. You two better hope I don't drink too much while we're flying unless you want to be floating next to a black hole."

"Although, I am still-"

"The best pilot in the UDI," Kaede and Akira finished his sentence, and they all burst into laughter.

Hana stood up, though she struggled a bit, and Kaede quickly supported her by holding her arm. Hana gave a slight bow, wincing in pain, but stood back up with a bright smile. "Hana Sato. I'll be joining as your medical expert. I know it might be... uncomfortable having someone as young as me in charge of your health, but I promise to do my best. It's a pleasure to meet you all!" She gave another slight bow before sinking back into her seat next to Kaede. The three senior crew members clapped with warm smiles.

Kaito stood next, bowing slightly before introducing himself. "I'm Kaito Matsuda. I'll be joining the field operations team, so I'll be in the action with Hayashi. I won't let anyone down. It's a pleasure to meet you all." He gave a small smirk as he bowed again, careful not to aggravate his still-healing ribs.

Akira and Kaede exchanged smiles, waving a hand at Kaito and Hana. Suddenly, the door slid open again, and Taro walked in, his expression serious as he headed straight to the coffee machine. He quickly made himself a drink, the room filled with the sound of brewing.

As he poured his cup, Taro glanced over at the group, his tone direct. "Having fun? Kaede, a message just came in. You should go check what it's about." He grabs his coffee and strode out toward the command center.

Kaede smiled apologetically, squeezing past Hana as she hurried out of the room. "Excuse me," she said, before disappearing through the door, leaving Kaito and Hana alone with Akira and Yuto.

"I wonder what that's all about," Akira mused, standing up and stretching. "Seems serious." He offered a warm smile to Kaito and Hana. "It was a pleasure meeting you both. Let us know if you need anything."

Turning to Yuto, he added, "Let's head to the cockpit. Looks like we might be moving soon."

Yuto scoffed lightly but nodded, grabbing his cup of coffee as he followed Akira out of the room.

For a moment, Kaito and Hana sat in silence, a quiet awkwardness settling between them. Their eyes met briefly before Kaito cleared his throat, breaking the tension.

"So," he began, leaning back on the couch, "what happened to your head?"

Hana gave a soft, solemn smile as the memory of the battlefield washed over her. She let out a sigh before replying, "Me and the Commander... we got caught in an explosion. The Blue Ultraman vanished, and we were thrown by the impact. We were lucky-the truck we were in was built strong enough to withstand the blast. Otherwise..." Her voice trailed off, the weight of what could have been heavy in her words. "I don't think I would have survived. Not even the Commander."

Kaito sighed, sitting up and gently patting her back. "I'm sorry you had to go through that... But you and the Commander made it out alive, and that's what matters." He stood up, feeling the urge to join the others in the command center.

Hana watched him rise, her brow furrowed slightly. As he began to walk away, she called after him, her voice soft but filled with curiosity. "Don't worry too much about me, Kaito. But they said they found you close to the battlefield... What happened? How'd you get so near? That was-"

"Reckless?" Kaito cut her off, his back still turned. He knew where her questions were leading, and he couldn't risk telling her more. Not yet. Not about him and Ultraman Hikari.

"And brave..." Hana added, standing up behind Kaito, her voice soft but earnest. She smiled faintly, her gaze downcast. "It's been decades since any Ultraman has come to Earth. I was beginning to lose hope when the Kaiju started overpowering us... But the Blue Ultraman gave me hope. It made me believe that we-and other species-can still work together."

Kaito remained silent, as Hana stepped up beside him, her gentle smile reassuring. She gestured with her arm for him to follow.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Kaito glanced at her and smiled, nodding as he headed toward the door. They left the lounge together.

As soon as the door slid open, Kaito yelped in surprise. Commander Hayashi stood in the doorway, her familiar grumpy expression fixed on them. Despite the recent battle, she showed no signs of serious injury. Arms folded, she looked them over with her usual sternness.

"I was just about to call for you two. We have a meeting. Follow me, there's an emergency," she says curtly, immediately turning on her heel and walking briskly toward the command center.

Kaito and Hana quickly follow suit. Kaito limps slightly at first, but soon adjusts to the pace, doing his best to keep up with Hayashi.

When the three of them reach the command center, they find Taro seated beside an older soldier, his arm resting casually on the discussion table. Akira and Yuto stand attentively nearby, ready for whatever comes next. Kaede sits alone at the far end of the room, her focus on the holographic keyboard in front of her, fingers moving quickly as she speaks softly into her earpiece.

Kaito and Hana move to stand by the table, while Naomi walks over to a nearby desk and grabs two leather jackets left draped over the chair. She hands one to each of them.

"You better look the part," she says dryly. "Otherwise, we might mistake you for the enemy on the battlefield."

The jacket is fitted with reinforced seams and padding along the shoulders and back for added protection during field operations. The jacket features a high collar and zip-up front, designed for both comfort and utility in harsh environments.

On the left shoulder, the emblem of the Nebula Sentinel is prominently displayed, signifying the crew's allegiance. The emblem is a silver patch, shaped like a nebula swirling around a star, reflecting the exploratory and peacekeeping mission of the UDI.

Red and black stripes run along the sides of the jacket and sleeves, representing the squad's specialized role in handling the frontline.

A small UDI insignia is stitched onto the right chest, and subtle, reflective accents are woven into the material, making the wearer visible in low light without compromising the jacket's clean, sharp look. While the crew name is stitched right above the UDI insignia.

They all paired it beautifully with their black cargo pant, and dark brown boots. Kaito puts on the Jacket. Though, refusing to zip it up. He wears a white t shirt underneath, while hiding his dog tag under his shirt. While Hana on the other side decides to zip it up to her collarbone.

"Everyone's here," Commander Hayashi announced as she entered the room, her voice cutting through the quiet chatter. "We've got an urgent situation. Kaede, bring up the latest intel."

Kaede nodded swiftly and, with a few keystrokes, the holographic map expanded, displaying a three-dimensional image of Pluto. The room fell silent as everyone's attention shifted to the large Kaiju figure slowly moving across the map-Gomora.

"This is the situation," Hayashi continued, as the screen behind her comes to life, showing a UDI checkpoint base destroyed, while a Kaiju, Gomora stands in the middle. "Pluto's base has been under heavy attack from their very own pet, Kaiju-Gomora. Our objective is simple: respond to the SOS, protect the base, and eliminate Gomora if needed to."

Kaito exchanged a quick glance with Hana, feeling the weight of the mission settle on his shoulders.

"Yuto, get us ready to depart in five," Hayashi ordered. "Akira, check the systems. I don't want anything going wrong out there."

"Got it, Commander," Akira responded, already moving toward the control panels.

The Commander then turned her gaze toward Kaito and Hana. "This mission is going to be tough. We'll be dropping close to the battlefield. I expect both of you to be at your best-no mistakes. Understood?"

Kaito straightened, nodding firmly. "Understood."

"Understood, Commander," Hana echoed, though Kaito noticed the slight tremble in her voice.

"Good. Prepare yourselves. We're wheels up in five minutes." Hayashi's eyes locked onto Kaito for a moment longer than necessary, and he could sense her skepticism. Perhaps she still doubted him after their rocky introduction, but there was no time to dwell on that now.

As the crew began their final preparations, Kaito noticed Kaede's sullen expression as she gazed at the holographic image of Gomora on the screen. Her earlier upbeat demeanor had faded, replaced by a look of sadness and quiet desperation. Her eyes were fixed on the Kaiju, as if she were trying to see something beyond its monstrous form.

Kaito hesitated for a moment, watching her from across the room. It was clear that something about this mission was affecting her deeply. He took a step toward her but paused, unsure whether to interrupt.

Before he could decide, Kaede exhaled softly and shook her head, as though trying to snap herself out of it. She glanced up and met Kaito's eyes, giving him a weak smile before turning back to her console.

Kaito stood still, biting his tongue before stepping away toward the infirmary section. As he passed Hana, who was trying to calm herself, she glanced at him and said, "I never thought I'd actually work in a frontline squad... This is-"

"A drag... Let's go," Kaito cut her off, his voice tense as he marched forward with the others to the armory area.

Once inside, an older man greeted them, handing each of them a plasma handgun. He stood tall, extending his hand toward Kaito. "Major Takahashi, or Renji Takahashi," he introduced himself with a firm nod. "I heard you and Private Sato went up against the Kaiju on Earth two days ago... Can't wait to see you in action properly."

Takahashi then shifted his gaze away, grabbing a submachine gun and handing it to Kaito. "Don't disappoint me, kid," he added with a gruff edge.

Kaito pressed his lips together, scoffing lightly as he moved to Naomi's side. Hana followed suit after Renji handed her a handgun and a multi-ammo rifle. She huffed, gripping her rifle tightly as she took her place between Kaito and Naomi.

Renji joins the group, hefting a heavy machine gun over his shoulder. He hands both Hana and Kaito an earpiece with a small button in the center. Pointing at it, he explains, "You know what this is? A bio-rebreather helmet. Just press the button, and the bio-shield will form around your head. Got it?"

Kaito and Hana nod in unison, plugging the earpieces into their ears. Without a word, they head toward the transit pods, sleek capsules designed for rapid, light-speed travel. As they take their seats and secure themselves, the low hum of the ship begins to shift. The subtle vibrations build as energy surges through the pods, preparing them for the instant jump to the battlefield.

The air feels thick with anticipation as Kaito grips the armrests, a slight tension in his jaw. Hana breathes steadily beside him, clutching her rifle as the final countdown begins.

"Brace yourselves," Renji calls out as the lights around them dim, signaling the start of the high-velocity jump.

In the blink of an eye, the ship's propulsion systems roar to life, and everything outside the pod stretches into streaks of brilliant light.

At the cockpit, Yuuto flicks and clicks a few buttons, the hum of the ship's energy steady in the background. He glances at the radar screen and lets out a sigh. "Sensing danger up ahead," Akira says, his jaw clenched as his eyes narrow on the readings.

"Probably Pluto," Yuuto responds with a nonchalant shrug, though his focus remains intense on the ship's yoke. "If it's hitting the radar this far out, the destruction must've be massive by now."

The propulsion engine roars louder, and suddenly the ship halts, slowing back to normal speed as the bio-shields dissolve around them. The crew in the pods look down through the transparent flooring, their hearts sinking at the sight of what remains of the UDI Pluto checkpoint.

The once formidable base is in ruins. Half of the buildings have collapsed, smoldering with flames that stretch high into the cold Pluto sky. Scattered among the rubble are a few structures still barely standing, battered but holding on, while fires rage around them. Smoke rises like pillars from the ruins, and the occasional crackle of an explosion adds to the haunting devastation.

In the middle of the chaos, Gomora roars, his massive figure illuminated by the fires around him. The ground quakes with every step the beast takes.

Hana tightens her grip on her rifle, her voice barely audible as she mutters, "What have they done?"

The comms crackle with Yuuto's voice. "Commander, should we enter Pluto's atmospheric shield?"

Naomi clicks her comm and replies, "No. We're deploying in the pods. Stay in orbit for now. Understood?"

Suddenly, Kaede's trembling voice cuts in, breaking the tension. "Let me join the on-field squad..." She sounds desperate, hopeful.

Naomi's brows furrow as she presses her lips together. "Rejected. Stay on the ship, Nakamura. We can't-"

"Commander, please..." Kaede's voice pleads more insistently.

Naomi falls silent, taking a deep breath. After a moment, she exhales heavily and clicks on the comm again. "Fine. Get your gear. You have ten minutes, or we're leaving without you."

Kaede responds immediately, rushing to the armory before sprinting to the deployment pods. She joins Hana and Naomi in their pod, securing her seat and nodding toward Naomi, her expression determined.

With a sigh, Naomi presses a button on the command panel, sealing the pod door in sync with Renji's. The pods shudder slightly, detaching themselves from the ship and descending through Pluto's atmosphere. The sight of the burning base grows larger below, as the crew hurtles toward the remains of the UDI stronghold.

The damaged base below still clings to life-broken communications towers blink weakly, and a few operational outposts flicker with power. Some defensive turrets stand motionless, as if frozen in place, but others remain functional, firing sporadically at Gomora, their desperate attempts barely making an impact.

The pods enters the atmosphere, slowly descent to Pluto's safe landing zone. Naomi merges out of the pods with her crew before she assesses the situation.

Naomi sighed, surveying the disaster that had befallen the lab and checkpoint. The destruction was vast, and the weight of the situation was heavy. She clicked her comm and addressed the field crew. "Split up. Major Takahashi and I will search for survivors in the buildings. Kaito, Hana, and Kaede, stay in position and await my orders."

As Naomi and Renji moved toward one of the damaged structures, Kaede slowly walked to the edge of a nearby hill. Her gaze softened as she locked onto the rampaging Gomora, her expression shifting to one of sadness and distant memories.

"Pakkun..." she whispered under her breath.

Hana gently touched Kaede's shoulder, her brows furrowed with concern. "Are you okay, Kaede? You seem a little... distracted."

Kaede swallowed the lump forming in her throat and exhaled deeply, trying to calm her breathing. She glanced at Hana before speaking. "That's not just any Gomora down there... it's Pakkun."

"Pakkun?" Hana repeated, puzzled.

Kaede looked back at the raging Kaiju, her steps growing slower as her mind drifted back to the past. "I only joined the Nebula Sentinel about five months ago... Before that, I worked with the SRC."

---

10 Years Ago

Kaede laughed as she ran across the sprawling fields of Kaburaya Island, her orange SRC jumpsuit and silver bomber jacket flapping in the wind. Above her, a flock of baby Lidorias soared, their small wings fluttering against the breeze. She beamed up at the sky, watching the majestic adult Lidorias as it glided gracefully, cutting through the air like a living monument.

"Be careful, Lidorias!" Kaede called out playfully, her heart full of joy.

Suddenly, her comm crackled to life with the voice of an older man. "Nakamura, we've got another Kaiju inbound. This one's coming your way. I think you'll do a fine job with him-been pretty good with the younger ones, far as I've seen."

Kaede blushed at the compliment, chuckling sheepishly. "I don't know about that, sir. I just try to keep them entertained. Could you give me a report on this Kaiju?"

The old man's voice grew more serious. "Yeah... Poor thing, really. We found him near an explosion site in Hokkaido. Likely caused by some electrical malfunction."

Kaede's smile faltered. "What about his parents? Are they in our care too?"

A heavy pause. "No... We found them dead, probably caught in the explosion while they were out foraging for him. I know it's a lot to handle-"

"I'll take him," Kaede interrupted, her voice firm despite the emotions welling up inside her. "When's he arriving?"

That evening, the young Gomora arrived on Kaburaya Island. He was already 15 meters tall, his massive frame trembling with fear. Kaede approached cautiously, extending her hand with a soft smile. "Hi there, little Gomora. I'm Kaede... I'll be taking care of you... little... Gomora," she added, slightly overwhelmed by the size of the "baby" Kaiju.

From the very start, things were challenging. The young Gomora struggled to sleep and wreaked havoc around the island-tearing up trees, wandering dangerously close to the Lidorias flock, and causing chaos at every turn. Kaede found herself constantly calming the panicked Lidorias while trying to manage Gomora's wild energy.

Weeks passed, and Kaede's exhaustion grew. Stress weighed on her as she trudged to the island each day. She had begun to regret her decision, feeling overwhelmed by the task she had taken on. Arriving at Gomora's den, she tied a stack of food high on a tree branch, hoping it would entice the young Kaiju.

As she stood back, she heard the thudding of heavy footsteps. Turning, she saw the towering 15-meter Gomora gazing at her. Kaede let out a weary sigh, trying to muster a smile as she patted the stack of food. "Here, Gomora! I brought you some foooood~"

But Gomora sniffed at the food, unimpressed. He turned away and ambled back into the forest, leaving Kaede stunned. She clenched her fists in frustration before climbing down the ladder and rushing after him.

"Oy! Can you stop being so difficult?!" Kaede shouted as she hurried after Gomora, frustration evident in her voice. "Do you have any idea how heavy your food is?! At least eat! You're only going to stress yourself out!" Her voice echoed through the forest as she followed the trail of the young Kaiju.

But Gomora paid her no mind, continuing to lumber through the dense trees. Kaede clenched her fists in exasperation, her frustration boiling over. "Raaaaaarrrggghhh!" She let out a groan of irritation, rushing to catch up with him again.

"Oy! Gomora! Gooo-morrrraaa!" She yelled, throwing her hands up toward the sky in dramatic fashion. This time, Gomora finally stopped, turning to glance at her briefly. But the moment was fleeting, and Kaede's exasperation grew as he resumed walking. Huffing, she turned her back to him, cheeks puffed in a childish sulk.

"Fine then! Don't eat! Hmph!" she yelled, crossing her arms defiantly.

She expected the same indifference, but to her surprise, she heard a series of heavy thuds behind her. Turning around, Kaede's eyes widened in disbelief. Gomora had stopped and mimicked her exact posture-folding his massive arms and turning his back toward her, as if sulking too.

"Ehh? Now YOU'RE sulking at me?" Kaede asked, her voice laced with confusion.

Gomora responded with a soft screech, refusing to break the pose. Kaede groaned, her shoulders slumping as she scratched her head in both frustration and disbelief. The Kaiju was impossible, but in an oddly endearing way.

Suddenly, she noticed Gomora mimicking her again-scratching his head with his oversized clawed hand, screeching softly as he did so. Kaede froze, staring at the massive creature before finally covering her mouth with her hand. A chuckle escaped her lips, which quickly turned into a full-blown fit of laughter.

Gomora, watching her, began to mimic her laughter too. He covered his own mouth, his screeches becoming louder and more jovial, matching Kaede's infectious energy.

As their shared laughter died down, Kaede tilted her head, grinning warmly at the Kaiju. Gomora, tilting his head in sync, mirrored her movements. They locked eyes for a brief moment, an unspoken connection forming between them. Kaede nodded, then slowly turned and began walking back toward the hanging stack of food she had prepared earlier. Gomora followed, careful not to get too close, but clearly curious.

Once they reached the hanging food, Gomora leaned in, sniffing the assortment of fruits and vegetables. He hesitated, looking at Kaede with a confused whine.

Kaede smiled softly and exaggerated an open-mouthed chewing motion. "Like this," she said, her expression playful.

Gomora blinked, glanced back at the food, and then, following her lead, opened his mouth and took a tentative bite. His eyes widened in surprise at the taste. With newfound enthusiasm, he leaned in closer and began to devour the food sloppily, finishing the entire stack in just a few minutes.

Kaede's heart swelled as she watched him eat, a warm smile spreading across her face. She placed her hands over her chest, feeling a sense of adoration and relief wash over her. At that moment, the bond between her and Gomora had truly begun.

Gomora let out a small burp after finishing the last of his meal. Kaede chuckled, finding the kaiju's behavior oddly adorable.

"You're unbelievable, Gomora..." she muttered softly, shaking her head with a smile.

She began to climb the ladder to gather the leftover, but paused when she heard a low, gentle bellow from behind. Turning around, she saw Gomora lowering his head toward her, as if beckoning her.

Kaede's eyes widened in surprise. "Eh? Do you want me to climb onto your head?" she asked.

Gomora let out a soft whine, urging her. With a chuckle, Kaede reached up and gently grasped one of Gomora's sturdy horns. With a grunt, she held on as Gomora slowly lifted her up, rising to his full 15-meter height. Kaede steadied herself, positioning herself comfortably on the midpoint of his horn.

She tapped the horn playfully, laughing. "I never knew how sturdy and comfortable your horn actually is-" She yelped as Gomora leaned forward, helping her reach the rope that held the leftover fruit tied to the tree. Kaede stretched out and untied it, holding the bundle in one hand while she knocked gently on Gomora's horn again.

"Okay, that way!" she instructed, pointing toward the exit of Kaburaya Forest. Gomora gave a soft growl of acknowledgment and began walking in the direction she pointed, carrying her toward the disposal area. Once there, Kaede tossed the leftovers into the bin and chuckled, knocking on Gomora's head.

"Alright, you can put me down now!" she called out. But instead of lowering her, Gomora suddenly screeched to the sky and darted playfully across the island's fields. Kaede gasped, gripping his horn tightly as she laughed, her heart racing from excitement.

"Waaaaghhh!" she cried out in joy, giggling as Gomora rushed past a group of Pigmons, who jumped excitedly in response. Kaede waved to the little kaiju as they bounced in delight, clearly enjoying the spectacle of her and Gomora's fun.

Some of the SRC staff on the island spotted them, shaking their heads in confusion at the sight. One of the older staff members, wearing a suit, smiled warmly and tapped a colleague on the shoulder. "That's just Kaede being Kaede," he said, laughing. The others joined in with laughter, watching the playful bond between girl and kaiju.

As the day wore on, Kaede and Gomora continued to bond, sharing joyful moments for weeks and months to come. They played ball, raced across the hills, and always managed to avoid disturbing any other kaiju under Kaede's careful supervision.

One evening, Gomora lay on the ground, resting peacefully. Kaede leaned against his large belly, gazing out at the beautiful orange sky as the sun began to set.

"You have fun today, Gomora?" she asked, patting his arm gently. The kaiju responded with a soft growl, his large chest vibrating beneath her.

Kaede chuckled, folding her arms as she looked up at him with a thoughtful expression. "You know," she said, "calling you just 'Gomora' doesn't feel right anymore. You're so cute, and fun to be with..."

She tapped her chin, deep in thought, then suddenly lit up with excitement. "I've got it! From now on, I'll call you Pakkun! Do you like it?" she asked, tilting her head playfully.

Gomora-now Pakkun-looked at her for a moment, then whined gently and grumbled, the soft purring vibrations rolling through his body and into Kaede's back.

She giggled and brushed his stomach lovingly. "You're the best friend I could ever ask for, Pakkun..." she whispered, her voice full of warmth and affection.

5 Years later

The news spread quickly: the UDI and SRC had agreed to a joint venture, combining their efforts to keep Earth safe. Kaede, however, was anything but thrilled. She had hidden herself deep in the Kaburaya Island forest, trying to process the devastating news. Pakkun, her beloved Gomora, was to be handed over to the UDI as a symbol of their new partnership.

Her earpiece buzzed, breaking the quiet stillness around her. The familiar voice of the old man she had worked with for years crackled through. "Kaede... it's time to bring Pakkun out. The UDI officers have arrived." His voice was thick with sadness and hesitation, the same reluctance Kaede felt in her own heart.

Kaede pressed her lips together, fighting back the surge of emotion. She clicked her comm on, her voice shaky. "Y-... Yes, sir..." she whispered.

Bracing herself, she stood up, trying to steady the ache in her chest. She couldn't fall apart now, not in front of Pakkun. With slow, deliberate steps, she made her way into the forest. Taking a deep breath, she placed two fingers in her mouth and whistled the familiar call. "Pakkun! Here, boy!"

The ground trembled softly as the massive form of Pakkun emerged from the trees, now towering at an impressive 40 meters tall. He gazed down at her with his usual, innocent happiness, blissfully unaware of what was to come.

Kaede's smile was soft, but her eyes were red and swollen from the tears she refused to let fall. "Follow me, Pakkun... someone wants to see you." Her voice wavered, barely masking the heartache she felt.

Pakkun tilted his head, sensing something was off. He lowered himself, offering his head for her to climb up, as they'd done so many times before. But Kaede couldn't bear it this time. She placed a trembling hand on his horn, and the lump in her throat nearly choked her. She stepped back, shaking her head, unable to meet his eyes.

She took a deep breath and clicked her tongue, a signal they both knew. "Let's go, Pakkun..." she muttered, her voice tight.

Pakkun stood tall again, puzzled but obedient, following her lead. As they walked together, the sky was ablaze with the colors of sunset, casting an orange hue over the hill. The scene that awaited them at the clearing made Kaede's heart sink further - a giant cage, tethered to an enormous jet, hovered in the sky. It looked like something out of a nightmare.

A soldier broke away from the group and approached them, grinning in awe. "Whoa-this Gomora's a giant! Impressive!"

Kaede's teeth clenched. "His name is Pakkun..." she muttered through gritted teeth, her voice barely audible, but filled with bitterness.

The soldier's smile faltered as he glared at her, irritated. "Oi, what's your problem?"

Kaede balled her fists, every fiber of her being fighting to hold back the tears, the anger, the grief. She couldn't look at him. Not without causing a scene. Not now.

Pakkun looked between Kaede and the soldier, confused and anxious, sensing that something wasn't right. He whimpered softly, his large frame casting a shadow over the field as the weight of the moment settled in.

The old man's smile falters as he watches the commotion unfold. He sighs deeply and walks toward Kaede, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Kaede, I-"

Before he can finish, Kaede pulls away, her gaze fixed on the grass beneath her feet, refusing to look at anyone.

Pakkun, now being led into the giant cage, glances around, confusion and innocence in his eyes as the door closes behind him. The jet's engines hum to life, their soft roar carefully controlled to avoid disturbing the other Kaiju.

Kaede finally lifts her head, her red, puffy eyes locked on Pakkun. Tears streak down her face as Pakkun turns to look at her one last time. His growl is low, uncertain, as the jet begins to rise. The distance between them grows.

"Pakkunnn!!" Kaede's voice cracks as she runs across the field, chasing after the jet, her arm outstretched in desperate hope. Her voice is thick with sorrow, desperation filling every step as she sprints.

Pakkun, whining softly, presses his massive hand between the cage bars, reaching out to her as well. His eyes wide with confusion and fear, the gentle giant's heart clearly breaking. The jet's engines pulse brighter, the propulsion igniting with energy.

Kaede runs as fast as she can, but the jet is already soaring higher. Pakkun's cries grow fainter as the distance increases, his whines barely audible over the hum of the engines. She keeps running, her feet pounding against the ground as she tries to keep him in sight.

Then, with a final burst, the jet's engine glows intensely and vanishes into the sky.

Kaede freezes in place, her breath hitching as her eyes widen in shock. Tears flow freely now, her body trembling. She grits her teeth, choking back a sob, but it's no use. Collapsing to her knees, she presses her hands to her face, muffling the anguished scream that escapes her lips.

"Pakkunnn!!" Her voice echoes across Kaburaya Island, filled with raw pain, sorrow, and anger as the reality of Pakkun's departure settles in.

The old man approaches, standing quietly behind her, his hands clasped behind his back, eyes full of sadness. He kneels down beside Kaede, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders.

Without hesitation, Kaede falls into his embrace, gripping his arms tightly as the sobs rack her body. She buries her face in his chest, crying uncontrollably, while the old man holds her gently, offering silent comfort in her grief.

Present

Kaede keeps her gaze fixed on Pakkun as a single tear slides down her cheek. Behind her, Kaito and Hana exchange glances, finally understanding why Kaede fought so hard to be on this mission.

"A couple of months later... I went to my boss and asked to be stationed with Pakkun at the Pluto checkpoint base... but they denied me," Kaede says, her voice trembling as she tries to mask the sorrow.

She sniffs slightly, watching Pakkun-now growling in rage, his massive feet stomping and kicking the base to pieces. "Commander Hayashi took me under her wing after that. She said... I could help the Nebula Sentinel instead. So I trained hard, passed my UDI exams on the fourth attempt... I thought it would mean I'd see Pakkun again. But not like this..."

Hana and Kaito remain silent, their eyes heavy with sympathy. After a moment, Hana steps forward and gently wraps her arms around Kaede, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"We'll save Pakkun... all of us, together," Hana says, her voice filled with quiet determination.

Kaede meets Hana's eyes, her silence speaking volumes. She glances at Kaito, searching for reassurance. He offers her a soft, but firm smile. "We'll do everything we can," he adds, his tone resolute.

Kaede's lips tremble into a small smile as she leans into Hana's embrace, her voice barely a whisper. "Please... don't let them hurt Pakkun..."

Kaito feels a surge of responsibility, an odd yet undeniable desire to protect rising within him. Something stirs inside, but for now, it remains unspoken.

The three of them turn to watch Pakkun again, still rampaging amidst the wreckage. Kaito clenches his fists as a new determination hardens in his heart.