what

I love these extras, because they give that additional insight into some of our favourites, which often helps me a lot with writing them.

A few things that stood out to me:

Hoshina's gravitation towards Kafka, and the fact that he genuinely likes him as a person, was further compounded by some of the reasoning given: that he sees so much of his younger self in Kafka as he is currently. This may be obvious, but the confirmation was delivered in such a sweet and nostalgic manner, with Hoshina never naming himself outright as the young 'fool' who never gave up on his dreams, but making it clear through the narrative all the same.

I love how Hoshina's characterization is handled here, with his charming, seemingly easy-going personality always remaining intact, but showcasing a vulnerability, a driving hunger to fight, to prove himself, that becomes one of his hallmarks later in the canon events.

One of the key facets to his character is given some great exposition: the fact that he's a humble, pretty unassuming guy, who never takes anyone's regard for granted, but he's ambitious, tenacious in reaching his goals, his desire to be acknowledged and leave his 'mark' shining through.

Branching off this point is the fact that Hoshina in the main series is already Vice Captain, beloved and respected by his soldiers, and someone who truly lives the example he sets as an exemplary officer. Accordingly, it's really interesting to see him on the opposite end of the scale, someone who struggles to match the other officers and prove himself useful, who is highly skilled, but not overly powerful to begin with, his sword play leaving him hampered and behind the other officers on the battlefield.

The futility of his fight really hits home when you can see firsthand how many people have discouraged him, how he's always relegated to rear guard, how he's never expected to show more potential and eventually reach a point where he cannot function with his weapons alone.

It's tough to see how he expects this discouragement. The scenes that made me really feel for him include one in which he looks around at the 3rd division and sees nobody else wielding blade weapons any longer. He even mentions feeling like a true 'outcast', the way the scene is drawn creating an impression of even greater distance between him and the other officers. He later mentions being treated like a 'tumour' in his previous division, before joining up with the third.

This makes the contrasting view Ashiro has of him stand out all the more. She looks at him with a direct and bright gaze, expectant and challenging, as opposed to all the other sidelong glances he gets. She holds out her hand to him, gives him more than one chance to prove himself, and displays full faith in his ability to save the child during the operation. In proving her ability to hold her role as Captain, she instils a certain faith in him too, one that allows him to place full trust in her, to give his life 'carving a path' in order to hand the baton over to her. (I love these two as Captain and VC SO MUCH). Mina was shown to bring out the best in Soshiro in the main series, and the expansion on that is really wonderful to see.

The return to present time after Soshiro's reminiscing presents him as he currently is, someone who has grown from strength to strength, as Mina predicted, and proved his worth beyond measure as a leader of the Third Division. It's appreciated all the more given that we've seen his own struggle, that he worked DAMN HARD to be where he is, and that he has never stopped trying his best to be worthy of his role.

Mina states many times that she relies on him wholeheartedly, that he's the man who's faithfully followed her and repaid her trust by always standing by her. In a way, Hoshina's story has many parallels to Kafka's, each reaching their full potential by taking very different paths.

What they have in common though, is a natural leaning towards helping and saving others, the desire to create a society safe from the dangers posed by kaiju. This is the second time that Soshiro has been depicted as a heroic figure to children, and the younger generation of officers, a symbolic representation of the hope and fighting spirit that he embodies.

As simple as the story was, I loved reading more of Soshiro's background, and it really worked as a means to link past and present, as well as provide more exposition on the faith he places in a soldier like Kafka (who at this point of the main story hadn't even revealed himself as kaiju no 8 yet). Soshiro's belief in Kafka was a huge motivating factor, even when things looked bleak.

It highlights his role as both a guiding light, kind and warm when needed, and lighting a fire of fierce determination in others when he leads by example.

Iharu Furuhashi laughed, plopping down on a rickety chair that creaked ominously under his weight. "That's just his face, man. Vice-Captain Hoshina always looks like he's plotting something."

"That's because he usually is." Haruichi Izumo muttered, meticulously organizing documents into labeled folders. As someone who actually appreciated proper record-keeping, he was the only one who seemed genuinely invested in the task.

Aoi Kaguragi, ever the gentle giant, carefully moved a precariously stacked tower of boxes to prevent an avalanche. "We should focus on finishing quickly. Captain Ashiro mentioned wanting this room cleared by the end of the week."

"Yeah, yeah," Kafka sighed, wiping sweat from his brow. "Let's just get through these boxes and—whoa, what's this?"

He'd opened a box marked 'MISC - Photographs 2008-2015' and found it filled with old photo albums and loose pictures in protective sleeves. Unlike the boring documents they'd been sorting through, these actually looked interesting.

"Photos?" Kikoru perked up, her curiosity piqued. "Let me see."

Within moments, the entire platoon had abandoned their assigned boxes and crowded around the table where Kafka had spread out several photo albums. The images were a fascinating glimpse into the Third Division's history—formal platoon photos, candid shots from training exercises, and even a few party pictures from various celebrations.

"Look how young Captain Ashiro looks here!" Iharu pointed at a photo from what must have been her early days in the Defense Force. She couldn't have been more than twenty, her expression already carrying that same focused intensity.

"Is that Vice-Captain Hoshina?" Reno leaned in closer, examining a group photo from 2012. Sure enough, a younger Soshiro Hoshina stood in the back row, his signature lazy smile already in place, though his face still carried a hint of youthful roundness.

"He looks exactly the same," Kafka observed. "Just... slightly less terrifying?"

"I didn't know officers kept personal photos in the archives," Kikoru mused, flipping through one of the albums. "Oh, look—these must be from the New Year's celebration in 2014. Everyone's in formal wear."

Haruichi adjusted his stance, studying the photos with analytical interest. "It makes sense. The Defense Force is like a family for many officers. These are memories worth preserving."

They continued sorting through the photographs, commenting on how different everyone looked, laughing at particularly funny candid shots, and marveling at how much the base had changed over the years. It was a pleasant distraction from the tedious sorting work.

Then Aoi, who had been quietly examining a stack of individual photos, suddenly went very still.

"Um... everyone?" His deep voice carried an unusual note of uncertainty. "You might want to see this."

The others clustered around as he held up a photograph, and for a moment, nobody spoke.

The image showed Vice-Captain Hoshina—definitely younger, maybe in his mid-twenties—standing in what appeared to be a traditional Japanese garden. Cherry blossoms drifted in the background, and the lighting suggested either early morning or late afternoon, that golden hour that made everything look soft and dreamlike.

But it wasn't Hoshina that had captured their attention.

Next to him stood a woman.

She was beautiful in an understated way, wearing an elegant kimono in shades of soft pink and cream, patterned with delicate cherry blossoms that complemented the scenery. Her hair was styled in a traditional manner, adorned with ornamental pins that caught the light. She wasn't wearing a Defense Force uniform—in fact, everything about her appearance suggested she was a civilian.

And she was clearly pregnant.

Despite the flowing sleeves of her kimono that draped gracefully over her midsection, there was an unmistakable gentle swell to her stomach—not dramatically large, but definitely present. Her hand rested naturally on the bump, a gesture so instinctive that it spoke of months of habitual protection.

But what truly caught their attention was the intimacy captured in the photograph.

Hoshina's arm was wrapped around her waist, his hand covering hers where it rested on her stomach. His usually playful expression had softened into something tender, almost reverent, as he looked down at her. The woman gazed up at him with such open affection that it made the photograph feel almost too private to be viewing.

They looked like...

"Is that... Is Vice-Captain Hoshina married?" Kafka finally broke the silence, his voice climbing an octave in disbelief.

"There's no way," Iharu breathed, leaning in so close his nose nearly touched the photograph. "Vice-Captain Hoshina? The guy who practically lives at the base? The one who turns every conversation into a swordsmanship lecture?"

"And apparently has a wife," Kikoru added, her eyes wide. "A pregnant wife. Or... had? When was this taken?"

Reno carefully turned over the photograph, looking for any identifying information. In faded ink, someone had written: Spring 2015 - H & Y

"2015," Reno announced. "Ten years ago."

"H & Y," Haruichi repeated thoughtfully. "Hoshina and... Y? Does anyone know a Y-name associated with the Vice-Captain?"

They all shook their heads, still staring at the photograph in stunned fascination.

"She's really beautiful," Aoi observed gently. "And they look... happy."

"Happy?" Iharu sputtered. "They look like they're in a romance movie! Look at how he's looking at her! I didn't even know Vice-Captain Hoshina's face could make that expression!"

"His hand is on her stomach," Kikoru said slowly, as if working through a complex equation. "On the baby. Which means..."

A collective realization seemed to dawn on the group simultaneously, and various shades of red began creeping up necks and across faces.

"Oh my god," Kafka choked out. "Vice-Captain Hoshina... and she... they..."

"Of course they did, you idiot," Kikoru snapped, though her own face was decidedly pink. "That's generally how pregnancy occurs."

"I KNOW THAT!" Kafka's voice cracked. "It's just—he's Vice-Captain Hoshina! Our Vice-Captain Hoshina! The guy who makes us run laps until we puke! The weapons master who can take down Kaiju with just swords! And he... he..."

"Had sex?" Iharu supplied helpfully, though he looked equally flustered. "Yeah, man, that's... that's a mental image I didn't need."

"Do you think they're still together?" Reno wondered aloud, mercifully steering the conversation away from that particular topic. "He doesn't wear a wedding ring."

"Lots of Defence Force officers don't wear rings," Haruichi pointed out logically. "They can interfere with combat suits and equipment. It's actually discouraged during active duty."

"But he's never mentioned a wife," Kafka insisted. "Not once. And I've been here for months now!"

"Have you ever asked him about his personal life?" Kikoru countered.

"...No?"

"Then why would he volunteer that information?"

Aoi carefully set the photograph down on the table, and they all stared at it some more, trying to reconcile the image of their stern, sword-obsessed Vice-Captain with the tender man in the photograph.

"Look at his smile," Aoi said softly. "It's different from his usual one. More... genuine."

He was right. Hoshina's typical smile was sharp, almost predatory—especially when he was about to put them through particularly hellish training. But in this photograph, his smile was warm, unguarded, full of unmistakable love.

"She must be someone really special," Kikoru murmured. "To make him look like that."

"Do you think something happened to her?" Kafka asked quietly, voicing the worry that had started creeping into all their minds. "I mean, if he doesn't talk about her, and this was ten years ago..."

"Don't jump to conclusions," Haruichi said firmly, though his expression was troubled. "There could be many reasons he keeps his personal life private. The Defense Force is dangerous work. Maybe he wants to keep her safe by maintaining that separation."

"Or maybe she left him?" Iharu suggested, then immediately looked guilty for saying it. "I mean, not that I'm saying she would! But being married to a Defence Force officer has to be hard, right? Especially someone as high-ranking as Vice-Captain. He's always here, always working, always in danger..."

"Look at this photograph," Reno interrupted, his quiet voice cutting through the speculation. "Really look at it. Does this look like a relationship that would end badly?"

They fell silent, studying the image once more. The way Hoshina held her, protective and gentle. The way she leaned into him, trusting and content. The way they both cradled that precious bump, their unborn child, with expressions of wonder and anticipation.

"No," Kikoru finally said. "It doesn't."

"So where is she?" Kafka asked. "Where's the baby? They'd be, what, nine or ten years old now?"

"Maybe they don't live on base," Aoi suggested. "Maybe Vice-Captain maintains a separate family home. For safety."

"That would make sense," Haruichi agreed. "If Kaiju attacked this base, which has happened before, having his family elsewhere would be strategic."

"It's still weird that he never mentions them though," Iharu insisted. "Not even in passing?"

"The Vice-Captain is a private person," Reno observed. "Have any of you ever heard him talk about his personal life at all? His hobbies, his family, anything outside of work?"

They all thought about it and realized Reno was right. For all his chattiness during training and his constant presence around the base, Hoshina never actually shared anything truly personal. They knew he came from a prestigious family with a strong military tradition, they knew he was obsessed with perfecting his sword techniques, they knew he had a complicated relationship with firearms and conventional weapons.

But beyond that? Nothing.

"He keeps his walls up," Kikoru said thoughtfully. "Captain Ashiro does the same thing, but at least she's obvious about it. Vice-Captain Hoshina hides behind that smile and all his teasing, so you don't notice that he's not actually letting anyone in."

"That's kind of sad," Kafka said softly. "If he has this whole other life—a wife, a kid—but feels like he can't even mention them..."

"Or maybe he's just professional," Haruichi countered. "There's nothing wrong with maintaining boundaries between work and personal life. In fact, it's probably healthy."

"Healthy?" Iharu scoffed. "The man practically lives here! I don't think I've ever seen him leave the base except for missions!"

"Maybe he visits them when we're not paying attention," Aoi suggested diplomatically. "During his time off."

"Does Vice-Captain Hoshina even take time off?" Kafka wondered aloud.

They all looked at each other. Nobody could remember a single instance.

"Okay, this is getting depressing," Iharu declared, shaking his head. "Can we go back to being shocked that he had sex? That was more fun."

"Please don't," Kikoru groaned, covering her face with her hands.

"What don't you want him to do?"

The voice came from directly behind them, cheerful and unmistakable, and every single member of the platoon froze in perfect, synchronized horror.

Slowly—so slowly it was almost comical—they turned to find Vice-Captain Soshiro Hoshina standing in the doorway of the surveillance room, his hands in his pockets, his expression pleasantly curious.

And his eyes were closed in that familiar, deceptively friendly expression that usually meant someone was about to have a very bad day.

"V-Vice-Captain!" Kafka stammered, unconsciously moving to stand in front of the table where the photograph still lay in plain view. "We didn't—I mean, you're—what are you doing here?"

"Well, I came to check on your progress," Hoshina said casually, stepping further into the room. "It's been awfully quiet up here, and knowing you lot, quiet usually means trouble."

His gaze swept across the group, noting their guilty expressions and suspicious positioning, before landing on the table behind them.

On the photographs.

On that photograph.

For just a fraction of a second—so brief they might have imagined it—something flickered across Hoshina's face. Surprise? Recognition? Nostalgia?

Then his usual smile was back in place, perhaps a touch sharper than before.

"Well, well," He said softly, moving forward. The platoon parted like the Red Sea, unable to do anything but watch as he picked up the photograph. "I haven't seen this in a long time."

The silence was deafening.

Hoshina studied the image, his expression unreadable. His thumb traced the edge of the photograph with surprising gentleness.

"Sir," Kikoru finally found her voice, standing at attention despite her obvious nervousness. "We apologize if we intruded on your privacy. We were sorting through the archives as ordered and found—"

"It's fine," Hoshina interrupted, though his tone was distant. He was still looking at the photograph. "These are old personnel files. They're technically public record for Defence Force members."

"Even personal photographs?" Haruichi asked carefully.

"Even those." Hoshina finally looked up, and his eyes were open now, fixed on each of them in turn. "Though I'm curious what conclusions you've drawn from this particular image."

Oh, this was a test. They all recognized that tone.

"That you were married, sir?" Reno offered cautiously. "Or are married?"

Hoshina's smile widened fractionally. "Good observation. What else?"

"That your wife is a civilian," Kikoru added. "Based on her clothing and the setting."

"Also correct."

"And that she was pregnant," Aoi said gently. "Congratulations, sir. If that's appropriate to say."

Something genuinely warm entered Hoshina's expression then. "Thank you, Kaguragi. That's very kind."

Kafka raised his hand hesitantly, like he was back in school. "Sir? If you don't mind me asking... why doesn't anyone know about this?"

Hoshina set the photograph down carefully, his fingers lingering on it for just a moment before he straightened.

"Tell me, Hibino," He said instead of answering. "When you joined the Defence Force, what did they tell you about Kaiju?"

Kafka blinked at the sudden change in topic. "Uh... that they're dangerous? Unpredictable? That they can attack anywhere, anytime?"

"Exactly." Hoshina's voice was quiet but intense. "The Defence Force isn't like a normal military. We can't predict where or when attacks will occur. Our enemies don't follow rules of engagement. They don't care about treaties or cease-fires or civilian casualties."

He paused, letting that sink in.

"Everyone in this room has seen what Kaiju can do. You've seen the destruction, the casualties, the chaos. You've felt the fear of facing something that could kill you in seconds." His gaze swept across them all. "Now imagine having people you love more than your own life, and knowing that any day, any mission, could be the last time you see them. Or worse—that they could become targets specifically because of their connection to you."

The room had gone very quiet.

"The higher you climb in the Defence Force, the bigger the target on your back," Hoshina continued. "And on the backs of anyone associated with you. I'm Vice-Captain of the Third Division. I've personally killed more Kaiju than most officers see in their entire careers. I've made enemies—not just monsters, but rival divisions, political opponents, criminals who've lost their operations to our raids."

"So you keep your family secret," Haruichi said slowly, understanding dawning. "To protect them."

"To protect her," Hoshina corrected softly. "To protect them both."

"Both?" Kafka's eyes widened. "So the baby—"

"Is nine years old now," Hoshina confirmed, and there was no hiding the pride in his voice. "Nine years old and absolutely fearless, just like her mother."

"Her?" Kikoru's voice rose with excitement. "You have a daughter?"

Hoshina's smile turned genuinely fond. "I do. Smart as a whip, stubborn as a mule, and completely convinced she's going to join the Defence Force someday, no matter how many times her mother and I tell her to consider literally any other career."

Despite the serious conversation, several of them couldn't help but smile at that.

"What's her name?" Aoi asked.

"Nice try, Kaguragi." Hoshina's eyes crinkled with amusement. "I'm not giving you ammunition for future teasing."

"And your wife, sir?" Reno ventured. "The woman in the photograph?"

Hoshina picked up the photo again, and his entire demeanor softened in a way they'd never seen before.

"Her name is [Y/N]," He said quietly, as if the name itself was precious. "We met when I was twenty-one, married when I was twenty-five. This photo was taken at her family's estate during Hanami—cherry blossom viewing. She was six months pregnant at the time."

"She's beautiful," Kikoru said sincerely.

"She is," Hoshina agreed without hesitation. "Though if you tell her I said that, she'll probably hit me with a rolled-up newspaper again."

"Again?" Iharu couldn't help but laugh.

"My wife is not impressed by my rank or reputation," Hoshina said dryly. "She treats me exactly the same as she did when I was a cocky young officer fresh out of training. It's... refreshing, actually."

"Does she know about your work?" Haruichi asked. "The danger?"

"She knows everything." Hoshina's expression grew serious. "I won't lie to her, not about that. She knew what she was signing up for when she married me. Doesn't mean she likes it, but she understands."

"That must be hard," Kafka said quietly. "On both of you."

"It is," Hoshina admitted. "There are nights I don't come home. Missions that keep me away for weeks. Injuries I can't fully explain because the information is classified. And every time I leave, neither of us knows if I'll come back."

The weight of that reality settled over the room.

"But," Hoshina continued, his voice stronger now, "that's exactly why I do this job. So that she can live in a world where Kaiju attacks become less frequent, less deadly. So that my daughter can grow up without the fear I grew up with. So that maybe, someday, families like mine don't have to make these kinds of sacrifices."

He looked at each of them in turn, his gaze sharp and assessing.

"You all have people you care about, don't you? People you want to protect?"

They nodded, thinking of their own families, friends, loved ones.

"Then you understand why I keep mine separate from this life. It's not because I'm ashamed or because I don't love them. It's because I love them so much that I'll do anything—including erasing my presence from their public life—to keep them safe."

"Does Captain Ashiro know?" Kikoru asked suddenly.

"The Captain knows everything," Hoshina confirmed. "She's actually met [Y/N] several times. They get along frighteningly well, which means they probably spend their time together discussing all my flaws."

Despite the tension, that drew a few chuckles.

"So what now?" Kafka asked. "Now that we know, I mean."

Hoshina's expression turned serious again, and when he spoke, it wasn't Vice-Captain Hoshina the hardass trainer or Hoshina the playful tease. It was simply a man asking for a favor.

"Now, I'm trusting you all to keep this information to yourselves," he said quietly. "Not because I don't trust the other divisions or our subordinates, but because the fewer people who know, the safer my family is. Can I count on you?"

"Of course, sir!" They chorused immediately, standing at attention.

Hoshina smiled, the gesture warm and genuine. "Thank you. Truly."

He moved to return the photograph to the box, then paused, studying it one more time.

"You know," He said conversationally, "this was taken the day [Y/N] told her parents she was pregnant. They were... not thrilled initially. I was still relatively junior, my career was dangerous, and they'd had different hopes for their daughter. But by the end of that day, after seeing how happy she was..." He trailed off, lost in the memory. "Her father pulled me aside and told me I'd better take care of both of them. Best threat I ever received."

"Do you see them often?" Aoi asked gently. "Your family?"

"Not as often as I'd like," Hoshina admitted. "But I make it work. Late night visits when I can slip away. Video calls when I can't. And [Y/N] brings our daughter by occasionally, though they use false names and she dresses down to avoid attention."

"Wait," Iharu's eyes widened. "Has she been here? To the base?"

Hoshina's smile turned mysterious. "Maybe. Maybe not. That's for me to know and you to wonder about."

"Evil," Kafka declared. "That's just evil, Vice-Captain."

"I learned from the best," Hoshina said cheerfully, clearly referring to Captain Ashiro.

He finally placed the photograph back in the box, handling it with obvious care.

"All right, enough slacking off," He announced, his usual brisk tone returning. "This room isn't going to organize itself. I want this done by 1700 hours, understood?"

"Yes, sir!" They scrambled back to their assigned boxes, suddenly motivated to actually complete the task.

Hoshina moved toward the door, then paused at the threshold.

"Hibino."

Kafka jumped. "Yes, sir?"

"That photograph..." Hoshina's voice was casual, but there was something weighted beneath it. "It stays in the archive. But if you happen to find any others of my family, I'd appreciate it if you'd set them aside for me. Some memories are worth keeping close."

"Of course, Vice-Captain," Kafka said softly. "I'll make sure they're kept safe."

Hoshina nodded once, then left, his footsteps fading down the corridor.

For a long moment, nobody spoke. They simply stood there, processing everything they'd learned, seeing their Vice-Captain in an entirely new light.

"He's kind of amazing, isn't he?" Kikoru finally said. "Balancing all of this—being one of the strongest officers in the Defence Force while maintaining a secret family."

"It must be lonely sometimes," Reno observed. "Not being able to talk about them."

"That's why he told us," Aoi said wisely. "Because he knew we'd understand. That we'd protect his secret."

"And because we caught him with evidence," Iharu added pragmatically. "No point denying it at that point."

"Either way," Haruichi said firmly, "we have a duty now. To Vice-Captain Hoshina and to his family. No one outside this room learns about this."

They all nodded in solemn agreement.

"Now come on," Kafka said, rolling up his sleeves with renewed determination. "Let's finish this sorting. And keep an eye out for more photos. If Vice-Captain wants them, we're going to find every single one."

Over the next several hours, the Third Platoon worked with newfound purpose. What had started as tedious busy work had transformed into something resembling a treasure hunt, though they were careful to remain respectful of the privacy they'd been entrusted with.

As they meticulously sorted through box after box, they did indeed find more photographs—not many, but each one was carefully set aside as Vice-Captain Hoshina had requested.

There was one of Hoshina in what appeared to be a hospital room, looking absolutely exhausted but radiantly happy, cradling a tiny newborn wrapped in a pink blanket. [Y/N] was visible in the background, resting in the hospital bed, her expression one of tired contentment. The date on the back read simply: Best day of my life.

Another showed a toddler—presumably their daughter—with her mother's features and her father's mischievous smile, wearing a tiny kimono and holding what appeared to be a toy sword. Hoshina was crouched beside her, his hand steadying her grip, clearly already teaching her the basics of swordsmanship. [Y/N] stood behind them, her arms crossed and her expression caught between amusement and exasperation.

There was a family photo from what must have been New Year's, all three dressed in formal traditional clothing, standing before a shrine. Their daughter looked about five years old, holding both her parents' hands and beaming at the camera with unrestrained joy.

Each photograph was a glimpse into a life completely separate from the Defence Force—moments of normalcy, love, and domestic happiness that seemed almost surreal when contrasted with their stern, sword-wielding Vice-Captain.

"It's strange," Kikoru mused as she carefully placed the photos in a protective folder. "Seeing him like this. He's still obviously the same person, but..."

"Softer," Reno supplied. "More open."

"Happy," Kafka added simply. "He looks genuinely, completely happy."

"He is happy." Came another unexpected voice from the doorway.

They all spun around to find Captain Mina Ashiro standing there, her usual stoic expression in place. She'd entered so quietly that none of them had heard her approach—a testament to her skill and their distraction.

"Captain!" They immediately stood at attention.

Ashiro waved them at ease, stepping into the room with her characteristic composed grace. Her sharp eyes immediately found the folder of photographs on the table.

"So you've discovered Vice-Captain Hoshina's secret," She observed, no question in her tone.

"Yes, ma'am," Haruichi confirmed. "He found us reviewing the photographs and explained the situation. He's asked us to maintain confidentiality."

"Good." Ashiro picked up the folder, flipping through the images with an expression that might have been the slightest hint of fondness. "The Vice-Captain's family is one of the Defence Force's best-kept secrets. It needs to stay that way."

"You've known the whole time, haven't you, Captain?" Kikoru asked.

"I was at their wedding," Ashiro replied simply. "Small ceremony, very private. Just close family and a few trusted friends. The Vice-Captain asked me to be a witness."

That revelation sent a wave of surprise through the group. The idea of Captain Ashiro at a wedding—their normally stoic, all-business Captain attending something as sentimental as a marriage ceremony—was almost harder to imagine than Vice-Captain Hoshina being married in the first place.

"What was it like?" Kafka couldn't help but ask. "The wedding, I mean. If you don't mind sharing."

Ashiro was quiet for a moment, as if deciding what she could reveal. Finally, she spoke, her voice carrying an unusual note of warmth.

"It was beautiful," She said simply. "Traditional ceremony at [Y/N]'s family estate. The Vice-Captain wore formal hakama, and [Y/N] wore a Shiromuku—a white kimono. I've never seen Hoshina look so serious. Or so terrified."

Despite themselves, they smiled at that image.

"He was terrified?" Iharu asked, delighted. "Vice-Captain Hoshina, who faces Kaiju without blinking?"

"Terrified," Ashiro confirmed with the ghost of a smile. "He told me later that fighting Kaiju was easier than standing before [Y/N] and promising to love her for the rest of his life. The weight of that vow, knowing his dangerous work, knowing he might not be able to keep it... it shook him."

"But he made the promise anyway," Aoi said softly.

"He did." Ashiro's gaze grew distant, remembering. "And [Y/N] promised the same, knowing full well what she was accepting. They went into that marriage with complete honesty about the risks and challenges. I respect them both for that."

"What's she like?" Kikoru asked curiously. "Mrs. Hoshina, I mean. [Y/N]."

Ashiro considered the question carefully. "Strong," She finally said. "Not physically—she's a civilian with no combat training. But mentally, emotionally... She's one of the strongest people I've met. It takes a particular kind of strength to be married to someone in the Defence Force, especially at the Vice-Captain's level. The constant worry, the long absences, the injuries, the near-misses with death... it wears on you."

She paused, her expression thoughtful.

"But [Y/N] handles it with grace. She's built a full life for herself and their daughter, independent of Hoshina's career. She doesn't sit around waiting for him to come home—she's a successful calligrapher and teaches traditional arts at a cultural centre. She's made sure their daughter has stability and routine despite her father's chaotic schedule. And when Hoshina is home, she makes every moment count."

"She sounds amazing," Kafka said sincerely.

"She is," Ashiro agreed. "The Vice-Captain is lucky to have her. Though he's very aware of that fact."

"How often does he see them?" Reno asked.

"That's not my information to share," Ashiro said firmly, though not unkindly. "But I'll say this—Vice-Captain Hoshina is very careful about maintaining the separation between his work life and home life. There are established protocols for his visits, security measures to ensure his family's safety, and contingency plans in case his identity is compromised."

"That must be exhausting," Haruichi observed.

"It is," Ashiro confirmed. "But he considers it worthwhile. As should you all. The Vice-Captain has chosen to trust you with this information. Don't make him regret it."

"We won't, Captain!" They chorused seriously.

Ashiro nodded, satisfied. She set the folder of photographs back on the table.

"Finish organizing this room by the end of the day. Those photographs should be returned to the Vice-Captain directly—I'll inform him that you've set them aside. Everything else is to be properly filed or disposed of according to regulations. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

As Ashiro turned to leave, Kafka's curiosity got the better of him once more.

"Captain? One more question, if that's all right?"

Ashiro paused, looking back at him with one eyebrow slightly raised.

"Does Vice-Captain Hoshina ever..." Kafka hesitated, trying to find the right words. "Does he ever regret it? Choosing to have a family while serving in the Defense Force? Given how dangerous and complicated it makes everything?"

For a long moment, Ashiro simply studied him, her expression unreadable. Then, surprisingly, she answered.

"I asked him that once," She said quietly. "Years ago, after a particularly difficult mission where he was severely injured. He was in the medical bay, recovering, and I asked him if he thought it was fair—to [Y/N] and their daughter—to continue putting himself in danger when he had so much to lose."

She paused, and something almost tender crossed her face.

"He told me that having them didn't make him weaker or more cautious. It made him stronger. Because he wasn't just fighting for some abstract concept of humanity anymore—he was fighting for his wife's smile, for his daughter's laughter, for the future they would share. He said every Kaiju he killed was one less threat to their world. Every mission he completed was another day his family could live in peace."

The weight of those words settled over them.

"So no," Ashiro concluded. "I don't believe he regrets it. Not for a second."

With that, she left, her footsteps echoing down the hallway until they faded entirely.

The platoon stood in silence for a moment, processing everything they'd learned. Then, without needing to discuss it, they turned back to their work with renewed determination.

They had a job to do, and now it felt like more than just busy work. They were protecting something precious—a family, a secret, a piece of happiness in a world filled with monsters.

And they would guard it well.