The man with the mask

"Why on earth would you even ask that?!" Lieutenant Kenji asks his daughter, looking at her across the table like she's grown another head.

"I've thought about this, Dad. I really want to go to the military academy like Hinata. I know I can." Aruna retorts, setting her chopsticks down.

"We've discussed this; women aren't meant to be warriors. Not in my household. End of discussion." Lieutenant Kenji replies, looking away from Aruna and back to his plate.

"But dad-"

"End. Of. Discussion!"

Kenji rises from his seat, glances at Kyoko—his second daughter, two years younger than Aruna—and finally back at Aruna. "No matter how many times I tell you, you just won't understand. You aren't your brother. You're a woman!" He sighs. "You have a lot to learn from your sister, Aruna." He glares at Aruna, then heads for his room without another word.

Frustrated, Aruna heads to her room as well.

The next day, Kenji knocks on Aruna's door, hoping to talk some sense into his 23-year-old daughter.

"Aruna, open the door. I need to speak with you."

No one responds. He knocks again, and when he doesn't get a response once again, he opens the door. He freezes at the door.

Kyoko, watching her dad from a distance, decides to go over to see what is wrong.

"Dad, what's wrong?" she asks as he reaches him.

"Your sister... She's gone!"

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for part two to find out what happens next!