Back at the table, Mia was staring out the window. He couldn’t shake the growing sense of finality that had been hanging over him all evening. The warmth of the sun was fading, and he was reminded of how much time was slipping away. He wiped his face quickly, feeling the sting of a tear, and let out a soft laugh to himself. 

“This is it,” Ryuuji looks over as Mia continues.

“This is the last time I’ll have some real time with you before I leave…” His voice cracked, and without thinking, he reached over, pulling Ryuuji into a tight hug. Ryuuji stiffened at first, but then relaxed, patting Mia awkwardly on the back. Ryuuji held his breath awkwardly. ‘Where did this come from??’

“Thanks for being my friend… Ryu,” Mia exhaled, his voice thick with emotion, yet somehow hollow. Ryuuji hesitated before nodding. 

“Yeah… I’ll see you later.” He couldn’t find the words to say what he really felt. Mia pulled away, a quiet sadness settling over him. The hug had been both a comfort and a reminder that soon, everything would change.

-----

Mia’s grip tightened on his back pack strap. Aisuru standing a foot or so behind him.

“Mia… I'll be fine… I know you can make it until I get there” Mia looks down.

“But… I…” Mia quickly shook his head.

“No. I should stop thinking like that” Mia turned to Ryuuji who had tears waterfalling down his cheeks.

“Ryuuji… really?” Ryuuji sniffled.

“Yeah, really. I’ll really miss you!” Mia calmly smiled and put his fist to Ryuuji’s chest.

“Stop being such a crybaby, okay?” Ryuuji wiped his eyes.

“Sure… yeah… I’ll try” Aisuru smiled as Mia turned to him. The two quickly bear hugging each other.

“See you soon, Dad” Aisuru nods as Mia breaks the hug.

“Me too, Mia” Mia smiles and waves, walking towards the terminal.

His knee high combat boots boomed against the tiled floor of the airport. He looked around and exhaled.

“Where in the world am I?” His hair was bright red and spiky, matching his red eyes, wearing a rat tail behind his head, braided. 

Rank 3 Agent: King. Hia ability allows him to touch anything and cause it to explode!

He squinted and looked up at the ceiling rafters.

“Terminal G? I just came from A… where in the huh is Terminal C!?” He grits his teeth and steps forward, bumping into someone.

“Oh?” He steps back a bit and leans down.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to bump into ya like that… you okay?” He reached down, grabbing the boy’s hand and helping him up.

“Yeah, I'm fine… I could be asking you the same question, Mr. King” The boy’s black hair was combed left and he had slightly tanned skin, his eyes hidden under his hair. King exhales.

“Well, I wouldn't say I’m GOOD right now, but I ain’t bad either” The boy perks up a bit.

“Everything okay?” King exhales and looks at the small piece of paper.

“I was sent here to pick up a student coming from the US… he’ll be coming from Terminal C, but I can’t seem to find it” The boy smiles.

“I just came from there, actually… but I’m in a hurry… Terminal C is at the very end of this Terminal, then take a left, that should be Terminal C” King exhales.

“That’s such a big help, thanks kid” The boy smiles and waves his hand, Silently walking away.

He exhaled, looking up at the large “C” sign.

“Guess that kid was right… seems there’s a flight disembarking now, actually” He steps forward, turning and looking around. ‘Stupid Daniel telling me so little about the student I’m here to find’ He looks at the small paper in his hand, reading ‘Terminal C - blue hair kid - Ikati Mia’

“Now where is this… Ikati Mia, I’m looking for?”

“That would be me,” King violently jumps, turning to look at the kid standing to his left, wearing a hood.

“How can I be sure?” Mia lowered his hoodie, revealing his bright blue hair and deep blue eyes.

“This enough?” King sighs.

“Yeah… let’s get going then, I guess” Mia nods.