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The night is colder than usual, or maybe that is just your feeling, though the heavy atmosphere seizes you, enveloping inside the room you are sitting in. Despite this, you ignore them and drag your focus back to the computer in front of you; the only source of light in the darkness of the room.
In front of you is a document—one that shouldn’t be accessed so freely. In the first page, red colored text welcomes you:
CLASSIFIED
You, who do not possess the necessary clearance for this document, would close the document and shut down the computer, normally—yet you find yourself intrigued, as the name ‘The SCP Foundation’ is a foreign name you have never heard, pulling your curiosity.
Thus, you ignore the forewarning and, with a heart full of anticipation, open the next page without an ounce of doubt.
Page 3
CONFIDENTIAL RECORD
SCP-6061-A-557
Record of SCP-6061-C event on Japan Anti-Kaiju Defense Force (JAKDF) Signed by Dr. Fern of SCP Foundation.
Name: Gen Narumi
Occupation: First Division Captain of JAKDF
Country: Japan
Injuries Sustained: One gunshot wound to the back of the head. Deceased upon arrival in Foundation custody.
Crimes: None.
Inscription on SCP-6061-B: “Mr. G. Narumi – GUILTY”
Additional Note: Due to East Asian naming conventions where one’s given name is placed after one’s surname, the inscription has been found to be incorrect.
In addition to that, it is known that Gen Narumi has been found speaking in regards to the death of Third Division Vice-Captain of JAKDF, Sōshirō Hoshina, as his ‘sin’. This is believed to be the reason for SCP-6061-1’s arrival who act as a judge to punish Gen Narumi in the form of Sōshirō Hoshina.
Your hand stops, slightly shocked as you read the report of the case. You recognize the names, Narumi Gen and Hoshina Sōshirō—two renowned figures, well-respected even after their death five years ago. When you first joined the Defense Force, you’ve heard the stories about those two from your seniors.
Especially from your Captain, a young-looking figure, who always has this distant longing whenever she tells stories about them, as well as tears that threaten to fall from her eyes.
You hear people talk of the fact that Captain Shinomiya is one of the people who are close with both—something that makes you feel sympathy, for the pain must be unimaginable and unbearable for her.
Taking a deep breath, you move to the next page with tremor in your hand.
Page 4
6061 - 27/11/20XX: 3 weeks after the case of SCP-6061-A-557, the Japanese Anti-Kaiju Defense Force (JAKDF) have successfully contacted the Foundation to state a witness report. Witness, Ms. Rin Shinonome, tells about the possible reasoning behind the coming of SCP-6061-1. Interview log with said witness is transcripted below.
Interviewed: Ms. Rin Shinonome, Platoon Leader of JAKDF’s First Division
Interviewer: Dr. Xavier Fern
Interpreter: Octavia Langley
Begin Log
[Dr. Fern raises his head when the door opens. He stops writing his note. Ms. Shinonome enters the room with Langley with firm steps.]
Dr. Fern: Greetings, Ms. Shinonome.
[Shinonome seats on the opposite side of Dr. Fern, Langley right beside her. She smiles.]
Shinonome: Hello.
Dr. Fern: My name is Xavier Fern, but you can refer to me as Dr. Fern. I will be conducting an interview today in regards to your status as witness in the case of SCP-6061-A-557.
[Langley relays the information to Shinonome, she nods.]
Dr. Fern: Ms. Shinonome, was there anything out of ordinary before SCP-6061-1 appears before Mr. Gen Narumi?
[Shinonome clenches her fist, sharply inhaling.}
Shinonome: Three weeks before Captain Narumi’s … death, one of our Vice-Captain was killed in action.
Dr. Fern: May I know the identity of that Vice-Captain?
Shinonome: Hoshina. Hoshina Sōshirō. He was the Third Division’s Vice-Captain. One of our strongest soldiers.
[Dr. Fern nods, noting it down in tandem to Langley interpreting.]
Dr. Fern: Does Mr. Hoshina’s death has connection to Mr. Narumi?
Shinonome: Before Vice-Captain Hoshina died, no one was able to save him from being taken by the kaiju. We—Captain Narumi tried to free him but it was futile.
[Shinonome stops, letting Langley translate what she just said. Shinonome fixes her sitting position, hands laced together on top of the table.]
Shinonome: Everyone thought Vice-Captain Hoshina would free himself as usual, but the kaiju’s skin was too tough and thick, difficult to pierce through with a blade.
Dr. Fern: And then what happened?
Shinonome: The kaiju ate him.
[Shinonome’s hands tremble visibly. She closes her eyes for a moment, breathing out.]
Shinonome: As a soldier, death is something we get used to, but that was the first we saw … a body being split in half with … its insides spilling out. The kaiju wasn’t interested in the rest of the Vice-Captain’s body after eating some parts of it. All of us … were far too stunned that we ended up standing in place when what was left of it was caught by Captain Narumi.
Dr. Fern: And the monster?
[Shinonome bows her head.]
Shinonome: Captain of the Third Division, Ashiro Mina, was the first one who reacted and shot the kaiju dead. After the kaiju were dealt with, we only stood there in silence for a long time.
Dr. Fern: My condolences ….
Shinonome: Thank you.
Dr. Fern: Then, what happened next?
[Shinonome stares back at Dr. Fern. Her expression is sorrowful.]
Shinonome: All of us mourned, especially Captain Ashiro and the Third Division, but the one who blamed themselves the most, I think, was Captain Narumi.
Dr. Fern: What do you mean by ‘blaming himself’?
Shinonome: Captain Narumi believed that Vice-Captain Hoshina’s death was the result of his incompetence at that time. He felt that the one who drove Vice-Captain to his death wasn’t the kaiju, but Captain Narumi himself.
[Shinonome stares at Langley, then to the window.]
Shinonome: After that, Captain Narumi started to convince himself that he was the one who killed Vice-Captain Hoshina, always saying that to us. Claiming that Vice-Captain’s death is a sin he has to shoulder for the rest of his life.
Dr. Fern: And you believe that is the cause of SCP-6061-1 to appear and execute Mr. Narumi?
Shinonome: Yes.
[Dr. Fern closes his notes and stands to shake Shinonome’s hand.]
Dr. Fern: Thank you for your cooperation, we will be monitoring closely on the investigation of this case.
Shinonome: Thank you, Dr. Fern.
You hold your breath, for the reason behind the death of Hoshina Sōshirō is not something you expected. You’ve heard the amount of praise given to him, so when you know the cause of his death, it comes across as absurd, in your opinion, because you are sure, for someone who possesses the speed above-average of a human, that he would have avoided the kaiju’s attack.
Except you did not know him, never met him directly. You curse yourself for your naivety and beg for forgiveness deep within your heart.
Once again, your eyes are focused on the screen, opening the next page.
Page 6
6061 - 25/12/20XX: Survivor of case SCP-6061-A-557 has contacted the Foundation after repeated refusal of witness statements. The survivor named Kikoru Shinomiya (hereafter will be referred to as SCP-6061-A-558) is a person who is in the same room as SCP-6061-A-557 before the arrival of SCP-6061-1. Interview log with SCP-6061-A-558 is transcripted below.
Interviewed: SCP-6061-A-558, Kikoru Shinomiya
Interviewer: Dr. Xavier Fern
Foreword: SCP-6061-A-558 is found stunned in place while hugging the bloodied body of SCP-6061-A-557 in the corridor of the First Division, Ariake Maritime Base. Foundation has requested SCP-6061-A-558 to cooperate in giving a witness statement but was refused due to the recent traumatic event. Subject has been confirmed to possess no physical wound.
Begin Log
[Dr. Fern enters. SCP-6061-A-558 immediately stands and bows.]
Dr. Fern: Good morning, Ms. Shinomiya. My name is Dr. Fern who will be interviewing you today.
SCP-6061-A-558: Good morning, Dr. Fern.
Dr. Fern: I noticed you don’t bring an interpreter with you, is it because you’ve studied overseas before?
[SCP-6061-A-558 nods, her eyes keep following Dr. Fern who begins to sit.]
Dr. Fern: Then let’s begin ….
[Dr. Fern opens his notes. SCP-6061-A-558 seems a little nervous.]
Dr. Fern: Can you tell me about what happened?
SCP-6061-A-558: I … I’m not sure where to begin ….
Dr. Fern: What were you doing with Mr. Narumi?
SCP-6061-A-558: Ah ….
[SCP-6061-A-558 shudders, her hands hugging herself, while she averts her eyes to the wall on her right side.]
SCP-6061-A-558: I came to meet the Captain to … spar as usual. We planned to go to Training Room #5. There was nothing weird when we were walking but…
[SCP-6061-A-558 covers her face with her hands.]
SCP-6061-A-558: I just remembered about Vice-Captain Hoshina and … and accidentally, talked about him.
Dr. Fern: May I know what you were talking back then?
[SCP-6061-A-558 nods.]
SCP-6061-A-558: We were bantering as always. It’s a habit … for us. Then I … I said that … “No matter how much you tried, Vice-Captain Hoshina will always be the best in short-ranged fights.”
Dr. Fern: And Mr. Narumi’s reaction at that time was?
SCP-6061-A-558: He didn’t give any response. I tried to change the topic … tried … tried to apologizing, but Captain Narumi looked like … as if he wasn’t there with me.
Dr. Fern: Was that when SCP-6061-1 came?
[SCP-6061-A-558 shakes her head, her breath hitched.]
SCP-6061-A-558: Captain Narumi … started laughing, all of the sudden. And he talked about … that incident. When … when Vice-Captain Hoshina …
[SCP-6061-A-558 exhales slowly.]
SCP-6061-A-558: I’m sorry.
Dr. Fern: It’s fine. Please take your time.
SCP-6061-A-558: Captain Narumi … and Vice-Captain Hoshina is very … close.
Dr. Fern: Yes, I heard about the rivalry.
SCP-6061-A-558: That’s true but … it wasn’t what I meant.
Dr. Fern: Are you implying there is another meaning to that ‘closeness’?
[SCP-6061-A-558 nods. She leans back to the seat, staring at the ceiling of the room. SCP-6061-A-558 looks pretty tired.]
SCP-6061-A-558: Captain Narumi was planning to propose to Vice-Captain Hoshina on his birthday. Everything was ready. Even I have an inkling that the Vice-Captain knew about it. It's just that … it happened … and …
Dr. Fern: I understand.
[SCP-6061-A-558 goes silent for a few minutes. Dr. Fern lets it be while writing down on his note.]
SCP-6061-A-558: At that time … when Captain Narumi suddenly laughed and … talked about him, he kept … blaming himself …
Dr. Fern: Does Mr. Narumi claimed that it was his doing?
SCP-6061-A-558: Yes. I actually don’t understand why he would think like that … it feels bizarre and … unlike him …
Dr. Fern: The pressure from guilt, stress, and trauma made it hard for him to accept reality, presumably.
SCP-6061-A-558: Maybe ….
Dr. Fern: Are you still able to continue?
[SCP-6061-A-558 nods, sighing heavily and adjusting her seat.]
SCP-6061-A-558: When I tried to calm him down … that creature came.
Dr. Fern: The CCTV did not catch any other figure aside from you two, were you able to see it clearly?
[SCP-6061-A-558 chokes, trembling.]
SCP-6061-A-558: I don’t understand … I really don’t understand …
[SCP-6061-A-558 begins to cry.]
SCP-6061-A-558: What we saw was … wasn’t something weird or anything … it’s not … it’s not like a kaiju.
Dr. Fern: What form did you see SCP-6061-1 in?
SCP-6061-A-558: It … it looked like … looked like Vice-Captain Hoshina. His face … as well as his voice …
Dr. Fern: Is there any distinguishing feature between the real Mr. Hoshina and SCP-6061-1?
[SCP-6061-A-558 shakes her head. Her face is filled with terror as she stares towards Dr. Fern.]
SCP-6061-A-558: It looks … so similar. Captain Narumi was about to run and … hug him …
Dr. Fern: Is there anything that stopped him from doing so?
SCP-6061-A-558: We … I felt something … right behind my head. Like the end of a gun barrel … sticking closely. I could feel its coldness. Then the Vice-Captain—that creature—suddenly spoke: Kneel. And we … we obeyed it, without understanding why.
SCP-6061-A-558: Maybe because it looked like Vice-Captain Hoshina … or there was something else that forced us to obey. I felt something was wrong. Really wrong, except I didn’t know what.
SCP-6061-A-558: The creature then read to us … what sounded like our charges, but its words were unclear. I could understand … but at the same time, I did not. It felt like we were trialed … and that creature was our judge stating our crimes.
[Tears begin to flow from SCP-6061-A-558’s eyes. Her voice trembles greatly.]
SCP-6061-A-558: Captain Narumi was in front of me … but I couldn’t see his expression. I didn’t know his feelings back then, couldn’t imagine how he felt. Despite that, I could hear him whispering: “Hoshina … Hoshina ….”
SCP-6061-A-558: After the creature finished stating our crimes, it then asked: “Guilty or not guilty?”
[SCP-6061-A-558’s voice gets smaller.]
SCP-6061-A-558: I didn’t understand, scared. I’m a JAKDF officer, but I felt genuine fear back then. I didn’t know what I had done wrong, nor why this creature would appear to us. I’m confused ….
SCP-6061-A-558: It asked the same thing again and … and Captain Narumi answered first. “I’m guilty,” he said. “I’m guilty because I killed you—I’m guilty because I failed you.”
SCP-6061-A-558: I couldn’t say anything to refute that, my voice couldn’t come out. Captain Narumi is innocent—none of us were guilty of a crime.
[SCP-6061-A-558 sobs, her fist hits the table.]
SCP-6061-A-558: But then, something hit his head. The creature shot Captain Narumi. I … I saw him fall, blood everywhere—on my face, my clothes. I saw the hole through his head and I swear—I swear, I saw his brain—
[SCP-6061-A-558 bows her head. Her shoulder shakes and her sobs escalate.]
SCP-6061-A-558: I was sure that it was me next, so I gave up. For some unknown reason … the creature just stared at me, then left. I don’t understand why I would be spared. I … I …
Dr. Fern: That’s enough, Ms. Shinomiya. No need to say any further. Thank you for your cooperation.
You close the document, not able to stomach other pages of it. Now, you understand why everyone avoids talking about their deaths, why Captain Ashiro never speaks of them, why your Captain, Shinomiya Kikoru, looks as if she’s in a distant place whenever you ask about them.
This absurdity is something your logic would not accept, but recalling how numerous kaiju exist in the world, it feels idiotic to think that this bizarre event would be an impossibility.
It could be that this creature—SCP-6061-1—is the humanoid kaiju your seniors fought against many years ago.
You lean against your seat, your inner turmoil raging against your ribcage. You wonder, if both of them met in the afterlife or somewhere out there in the other world? Did they end up being happy? It is a question you would never attain an answer to.
Exhaling your breath, you shut down your computer and proceed to clean up your mess. You decide to return to your quarter, recalling how your higher-up, Kafka, would patrol and check one by one if people who are not stationed on night duty are getting their rest.
As soon as you step out and about to lock the room, you hear a soft click, a cold sensation on your temple.
“Kneel.”