HOMRA (Part 1)

Homura [Part 1] is the first chapter of K: Memory of Red.

Summary
In Shizume City, there's a legend about a red king with demon-like abilities that single-handedly created the Homura organization. As long as you get accepted into Homura, you can gain extraordinary powers. Seeking this power, a young man heads to the headquarters of Homura where he states his desire to join. He is greeted by a man wearing glasses and upon hearing his name mentioned, turns around to find Totsuka Tatara taking a video of him, explaining that the meetings must be recorded. Yata Misaki takes a look at Shouhei, telling him not everyone who wants to join is able to, though kindly Izumo tells him to stop.

Upon going inside, Shouhei recognizes his childhood friend San. Despite Shouhei's enthusiasm, San acts angrily with him and says he won't be able to join Homura. Totsuka states it isn't San's decision and brings Shouhei with him to meet the 'King'. Upon opening the door to the King's room, the two find a young girl in the room with the King sitting in a chair behind her, making Shouhei nervous. Shouhei states his wish to join Homura, at which point Suoh offers him a hand. Though intending to shake, Shouhei backs off when Suoh's hand is engulfed in flames. Telling him he ought to shake if he wishes to join, Shouhei bravely puts his hand forth, surprised that upon the handshake ending, the flames are not hot. With that, Suoh declares him a member of Homura.

Later on, Shouhei gathers with the other members in the kitchen to talk. San appears as well, insisting that Shouhei call him Bandou San due to his seniority in the organization. Instead, Shouhei acts casually with him, much to his anger. Over the next several days, Shouhei is strictly instructed by Bandou about the business of Homura such as the link between partners, the hierarchical relationship and the respect for the king. Eventually, other members get angry with Bandou, even slapping him and berating him for the way he treats Shouhei, commenting that he's gone too far. As Bandou is punished, Totsuka tells Shouhei he can talk to him about what he needs.

As Kamamoto Rikio and other members of Homura take care of Shouhei, Bandou watches on from afar in surprise. As Shouhei leaves for the day, Bandou begins complaining again about the attention he gets as the others ask him what he has against Shouhei, even forcing his mouth shut. Izumo also takes Bandou aside and talks to him, scaring him with his way of speaking.

Bandou soon explains the first time Shouhei made him angry, by kissing his crush back in kindergarten even though he didn't like her. When confronted, Shouhei claimed he kissed her cause she wanted to kiss him. As Izumo comments on the speed of the girl's maturity, Bandou continues to get angry as he keeps listing the ways in which Shouhei has upstaged him all their life. As he continues to get angry, the other members soon stop listening.

Elsewhere, with the power he has gained after joining Homura, Shouhei prepares to test himself. Back at Homura, Izumo and Totsuka are told of what Shouhei did. At a bus stop, Totsuka sits with Bandou and discusses his problems with Shouhei, which he finds to be petty. Despite beating him, Shouhei considers Bandou an equal, perplexing Bandou. Totsuka tells him that Shouhei is in a battle and asks what Bandou will do to help

On the street, Shouhei recalls a conversation he had with a girl who was dating a leader of Rakshasa. Upon commenting that they were dangerous, the girl brushes it off but asks Shouhei to save her if anything should happen. While Suoh is told of the ongoing incident with Shouhei by Anna, Bandou rushes to save him.

Characters In Order Of Appearance

 * 1) Akagi Shouhei
 * 2) Izumo Kusanagi
 * 3) Totsuka Tatara
 * 4) Yata Misaki
 * 5) Bandou Sanrouta
 * 6) Anna Kushina
 * 7) Mikoto Suoh
 * 8) Kamamoto Rikio
 * 9) Unnamed Female Individual
 * 10) Unnamed Information Broker