HSBA Delta Branch: Where Paths Cross Again - CHAPTER 18

[HSBA Delta Training Camp Branch — Administration Building | Main Instructor Office & Conference Room | 9:33 A.M.]

Silence lingered inside the Main Instructor Office.

Not an uncomfortable silence.

Not anymore.

Just the exhausted acceptance of people who had long since realized that normality had abandoned HSBA Delta Branch.

For several seconds—

Nobody spoke.

Then—

Instructor Faye looked toward the others.

Instructor Mark looked back.

Instructor Landrieu sighed.

Instructor Azhette pinched the bridge of her nose.

Instructor Syndie folded her arms.

Instructor Arch Jude stared at the ceiling.

Instructor Monique shook her head.

Instructor Jonathan slowly adjusted his glasses.

One by one—

Small smiles appeared.

Tired smiles.

Resigned smiles.

The kind of smiles people wore when they finally accepted that resisting reality was pointless.

Then—

Almost simultaneously—

All eight sighed.

A long collective sigh.

Instructor Landrieu spoke first.

“…Well.”

Another sigh.

“…At this point, what’s one more mystery?”

Several instructors chuckled.

Even Counselor Jeff smiled.

Instructor Faye finally closed the classified file and placed it neatly on the table.

“Welcome to HSBA Delta Branch, Counselor Jeff.”

A brief pause.

“We’ll give you a proper tour later.”

She glanced toward the others.

“But first…”

Her expression turned apologetic.

“We’ll have to trouble you by joining us in the conference room.”

Counselor Jeff blinked.

“The conference room?”

Instructor Mark nodded.

“Our paperwork.”

Instructor Monique groaned dramatically.

“The mountain of paperwork.”

Instructor Jonathan sighed.

“The paperwork that was interrupted.”

Instructor Syndie pointed toward the wristband notification.

“Because of the urgent notice about your arrival.”

Understanding immediately appeared on Counselor Jeff’s face.

Then he bowed apologetically.

“My apologies.”

The eight main instructors immediately shook their heads.

"No, no.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Headquarters scheduled it.”

But Counselor Jeff smiled apologetically anyway.

“Regardless, I understand.”

“I certainly don’t mind joining all of you.”

A brief pause.

“Please finish what you need to finish first.”

His smile widened slightly.

“Besides…”

His smile became warmer.

“I’m already grateful.”

Several instructors blinked.

“Grateful?”

Counselor Jeff nodded.

“You’re personally showing me around the branch.”

“Most transfers aren’t that fortunate.”

“I’ve seen people arrive at new facilities and spend half a day wandering around because nobody had time to guide them.”

A small laugh escaped him.

“So honestly…”

“I’m grateful.”

Another pause.

“Most places would simply hand me a map and let me get lost.”

That earned a laugh from several instructors.

Instructor Landrieu awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

“…Yeah.”

“You’re right.”

His smile became sheepish.

“When you put it that way…”

Instructor Azhette immediately sighed again.

“There he goes.”

Instructor Landrieu looked offended.

“What?”

“You know I’m right.”

Another sigh escaped Instructor Azhette.

Then pointed toward the door.

“Shall we go now?”

She gestured forward.

Like she was naturally leading the way.

Counselor Jeff immediately understood.

“Of course.”

Without hesitation—

He started walking toward the entrance.

Behind him—

Instructor Azhette followed.

Then Instructor Landrieu.

Followed by Instructor Syndie.

Then Instructor Arch Jude.

Then Instructor Monique.

Then Instructor Jonathan.

And finally—

Instructor Faye and Instructor Mark.

As the group moved through the corridor—

The formation naturally formed around Counselor Jeff.

Not intentionally.

Not consciously.

Simply instinctively.

Years of HSBA training.

Protective positioning.

Awareness of surroundings.

Counselor Jeff immediately noticed.

And smiled.

The formation felt strangely familiar.

Very familiar.

It reminded him of another group.

A group that constantly moved exactly the same way.

Hyacinth.

Ravielle.

Britney.

Sapphire.

Skyrish.

Amethyst.

Bailey.

Raphael.

Nexcialine.

Sahm.

Patrick.

Blade.

Bryce.

Louie.

Sharlene.

Mishy.

The memory made him smile.

I wonder where they are now...

A pause.

And Britney...

Did she really leave?

Or did she stay?

Two years ago—

She had called him countless times.

Whenever the burden became too heavy.

Whenever she needed guidance.

Whenever she needed someone willing to listen.

The thought brought a nostalgic smile to his face.

Several instructors immediately noticed.

Instructor Monique tilted her head.

“…Why is he smiling?”

Instructor Jonathan adjusted his glasses.

“I was wondering the same thing.”

Instructor Mark quietly observed him.

“He looks like he just remembered something.”

Counselor Jeff simply continued smiling.

Saying nothing.

The group eventually reached the conference room.

The same room they had left earlier.

The same room where Trainee Kaycee’s future had been decided.

Instructor Faye reached for the handle.

CLICK.

The door opened.

And everyone stepped inside.

Then froze.

The thirteen injured instructors were still there.

Together with Trainee Kaycee.

The room was much calmer now.

People sat in scattered positions.

Some talking.

Some resting.

Some helping organize documents.

Only one person seemed absent.

Instructor Britney.

Probably inside the powder room connected to the conference room.

Instructor Faye opened her mouth.

Preparing introductions.

But before she could speak—

A shocked voice suddenly echoed across the room.

“…Jeff?”

Everyone turned.

Instructor Ravielle had already stood.

Her eyes widened.

Complete disbelief visible on her face.

Counselor Jeff froze too.

“…Ravielle?”

His eyes widened.

“I didn’t expect you to be here.”

His eyes immediately dropped toward her injuries.

Then toward everyone else.

Bandages.

Bruises.

Slings.

Medical wraps.

Everywhere.

His confusion grew.

Before he could ask—

Another voice spoke.

A trembling one.

“C-Counselor Jeff…?”

Counselor Jeff turned.

His eyes widened again.

“…Kaycee?”

The trainee immediately stood.

Still visibly emotional.

“You… you’re really here?”

Counselor Jeff blinked twice.

“You too?”

“I didn’t expect you’d be here either.”

He looked between her trainee uniform and everyone else’s instructor uniforms.

His confusion only deepened.

Before he could process that—

Another wave struck.

Then—

One by one—

More shocked voices followed.

Instructor Sapphire stood.

“Ehh?!”

“Counselor!”

Instructor Skyrish blinked.

“Long time no see.”

Instructor Amethyst smiled.

“Long time no see, Counselor.”

Instructor Bailey nodded.

“It’s been years.”

Instructor Raphael smiled.

“Long time no see.”

Instructor Sahm.

“Counselor.”

Instructor Patrick.

“Good to see you again.”

Instructor Blade.

“Long time no see.”

Instructor Louie.

“It’s really been a while.”

Counselor Jeff stared.

Then laughed softly.

Shaking his head.

“Long time no see.”

A warm smile appeared.

“I didn’t expect all of you to be here too.”

The eight main instructors watched everything.

Completely stunned.

Again.

Every single person knew him.

Every single one.

As if they had spent years together.

And before Counselor Jeff could ask about their injuries—

Two cheerful voices suddenly rang out.

“Daddy!”

Instructor Bryce and Instructor Nexcialine immediately stood.

Despite their injuries.

And hurried toward him.

The room froze.

The eight main instructors froze even harder.

Counselor Jeff laughed.

“Oh?”

Then gently ruffled both their hair.

“My inseparable twins.”

His smile softened.

“Long time no see.”

“I didn’t expect both of you to be here too.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

The eight main instructors stared.

Blankly.

Twins?

Daddy?

Instructor Jonathan’s glasses nearly slid down his nose.

Instructor Monique blinked repeatedly.

Instructor Landrieu looked physically confused.

Instructor Azhette stared.

Hard.

Because nothing made sense.

Instructor Bryce already had an identical older twin brother.

Instructor Blade.

Instructor Nexcialine already had an identical older twin sister.

Instructor Abigail.

They weren’t even related.

Didn’t share surnames.

Didn’t share birthdays.

Didn’t even share ages.

So why—

“Inseparable twins?”

The confusion nearly doubled.

Yet—

Everyone involved acted as though it was completely normal.

Meanwhile—

Counselor Jeff finally looked around again.

Now genuinely concerned.

“Alright.”

A pause.

“Can someone explain why all of you are injured?”

“And why is Kaycee injured too?”

Immediately—

Instructor Bryce scratched the back of his neck.

Instructor Nexcialine did the same.

Both wore identical guilty smiles.

Then quietly retreated to their seats.

Avoiding eye contact.

The movement only made them look more suspicious.

Counselor Jeff immediately noticed.

So did everyone else.

Then—

Instructor Skyrish sighed dramatically.

“Oh, how could we not be injured?”

Instructor Bailey folded her arms.

“Especially after yesterday’s classified mission.”

A pause.

Then both looked toward Instructor Bryce and Instructor Nexcialine.

“Considering your inseparable twins were the main reason behind half of our injuries.”

Instantly—

Counselor Jeff slowly turned.

Instructor Bryce and Instructor Nexcialine immediately straightened.

“We can explain.”

“We’re sorry.”

They laughed awkwardly.

Like two guilty puppies.

Counselor Jeff immediately understood.

Without missing a beat—

He sighed.

One hand covering his face.

Then finished the sentence himself.

“Let me guess.”

“One still can’t identify a proper direction.”

“And one still can’t throw a grenade properly without making everyone suffer.”

The entire room erupted.

Instructor Ravielle nodded immediately and sighed.

“Correct.”

She then glanced briefly toward Trainee Kaycee.

“Though Kaycee’s injuries are unrelated.”

“Those came from her Day Zero Test.”

“The rest of us are another story.”

Instructor Sapphire pointed.

“Exactly.”

Instructor Skyrish.

“Perfectly accurate.”

Instructor Amethyst.

“That’s literally what happened.”

Instructor Bailey.

“Every word.”

Instructor Raphael.

“Unfortunately.”

Instructor Sahm.

“Confirmed.”

Instructor Patrick.

“One hundred percent.”

Instructor Blade.

“No objections.”

Instructor Louie.

“Absolutely.”

Instructor Bryce and Instructor Nexcialine immediately looked betrayed.

“What?!”

“You all agreed?!”

Counselor Jeff simply shook his head.

“It’s been how many years?”

“You two still haven’t changed.”

Instructor Bryce and Instructor Nexcialine immediately apologized again.

This time nearly crying.

“We’re sorry.”

“We tried.”

“Kind of.”

Their pitiful expressions finally broke everyone.

And before Counselor Jeff could continue—

Instructor Ravielle immediately intervened.

“Alright.”

“It’s already over.”

She carefully adjusted her injured shoulder.

“No need to scold them anymore.”

Counselor Jeff sighed.

Defeated.

“Fine.”

Then—

The powder room door opened.

Everyone looked over.

Instructor Britney stepped out.

And froze.

Her eyes immediately landed on Counselor Jeff.

Silence.

For several seconds—

Neither moved.

Then Instructor Britney smiled.

A small smile.

“Counselor Jeff.”

A pause.

“Long time no see.”

Another pause.

“Welcome to the branch.”

Counselor Jeff stared.

Then smiled.

A genuine smile.

“Britney.”

The room became quiet.

“Long time no see.”

Emotion slowly entered his voice.

“I didn’t expect you’d really stay here.”

The words hit harder than anyone expected.

Even Instructor Britney’s smile trembled.

“…Neither did I.”

For a moment—

Nobody spoke.

Then—

A tear rolled down Instructor Britney’s cheek.

Followed by another.

And another.

She tried to maintain her smile.

Tried to breathe normally.

Tried to stay composed.

But failed.

Immediately—

Counselor Jeff walked toward her.

Without hesitation.

And gently embraced her.

Careful of every visible injury.

Careful of every bandage.

Careful of every bruise.

Yet unable to completely avoid them.

Instructor Britney finally broke.

Tears flowed freely.

Counselor Jeff slowly caressed her back.

Protectively.

Supportively.

Just as he had done years ago.

Then he spoke softly.

“You know…”

A pause.

“Whatever decision you make…”

“I’ll always support you.”

More tears fell.

“After all…”

His voice softened even further.

“You’re my pride, Britney.”

Another pause.

“You’re our pride.”

“Always remember that.”

Britney cried harder.

Holding onto him despite her injuries.

Unable to stop.

Across the room—

The eight main instructors stood completely silent.

Watching.

Processing.

Remembering.

Especially—

Instructor Faye.

Instructor Azhette.

Instructor Monique.

Instructor Jonathan.

Because the scene hurt.

More than they expected.

Two years.

For two years—

Instructor Britney had endured isolation.

Endured suspicion.

Endured judgment.

While remaining silent.

While protecting others.

While carrying burdens nobody fully understood.

And now—

Another person from her past had appeared.

Another person who immediately valued her.

Immediately respected her.

Immediately cared about her.

The realization settled heavily inside the room.

And for the first time—

Several of them quietly wondered how much pain Instructor Britney had truly carried alone all these years.

While everyone else had failed to see it.

And as the eight main instructors continue to watched—

A single thought appeared in all of their minds.

Just how many years had these people known each other?

Because every greeting—

Every reaction—

Every smile—

Every tear—

Made it obvious.

This wasn’t a friendship measured in months.

Or even years.

This was something far deeper.

And somehow—

The mystery surrounding Instructor Ravielle…

Instructor Britney…

Trainee Kaycee…

The remaining injured instructors…

And now Counselor Jeff…

Had only become even larger.

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