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<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Black magic...?" [Akane]: "Watch." She taps the table with her fingers. I look down at it. A glowing magic circle appears, about thirty centimeters across. The circle quivers slightly as it rotates slowly. Concentric circles with handwritten text around the edges flicker, move and change. It's even a little creepy, as if countless bugs are writhing around to form the right shape. Suddenly, something flies out from the center of the circle. It flaps wildly and goes up to the ceiling. [Kotarou]: "Owaaa!" I take a few steps back and bump my head against a locker. [Kotarou]: "A-a bird?" It flies gracefully around the room. I recognize it. That's the messenger bird she sent earlier. It passes in front of me, as if showing off, then lands on Akane's shoulder. [Kotarou]: "Th-that was...the bird you..." [Akane]: "This is our power." [Akane]: "...familiars." [Kotarou]: "F-familiars...?" [Akane]: "You can call them demons or djinn or monsters if you want." [Akane]: "Though these days it might be safest to call them UMAs." She smirks. My lips are shaking too hard to speak. [Akane]: "We control familiars, and they hunt them." [Akane]: "It's almost natural that we'd fight each other." [Kotarou]: "S-so superhumans and familiars...are the heroes and monsters in all the myths?" [Kotarou]: "I've never heard about this before." [Akane]: "It's been kept secret." [Akane]: "Both sides have supernatural powers, and both want to avoid public scrutiny..." [Kotarou]: "I see, so that's why you act as deterrents for each other." [Kotarou]: "So the really huge one I saw that day..." Akane doesn't answer, but she doesn't deny it either. I've been hiding my power for years, and she doesn't want to reveal her secrets either. But I can't suppress my curiosity. [Kotarou]: "If the superpeople are "Guardian", what do you call the people with familiars?" [Akane]: "It's just a nickname, but..." [Akane]: "We're usually called Gaia." [Kotarou]: "Gaia and Guardian..." Even after saying it out loud, it doesn't feel real at all. The next day, I head to the club room after class ends. [Kotarou]: "A guard?" [Akane]: "Or an attendant, or a pupil, or a secretary-in-training. Whichever you want." [Kotarou]: "...is it like the secret service?" [Kotarou]: "Can I really do that?" [Akane]: "I'm not expecting that much from you. You just need to have a simple job that gives you an excuse to be around me." [Kotarou]: "...so I'm your pet." [Kotarou]: "...I had no idea Martel was hiding an army of familiars." [Akane]: "Most of the members don't know about it." [Kotarou]: "But my parents dragged me to several of their meetings when I was younger." [Akane]: "I know." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Did I tell you about that?" [Akane]: "I looked it up after we met." [Kotarou]: "You have that much information on me? ...scary." I remember asking if she was using any detectives, but this is just terrifying... [Akane]: "...I did know a lot...but there was also a lot I didn't know." [Akane]: "We're not very good at this, after all." [Kotarou]: "Good at what?" I feel like she changed subjects on me. [Akane]: "Kotarou." Suddenly, she sounds serious. [Akane]: "You're in a very dangerous position." [Akane]: "Guardian doesn't allow feral superhumans. If they learn about your power, it's only natural they'll start tailing you." [Kotarou]: "What were they going to do with me?" [Akane]: "Try to bring you to their side, or swear secrecy...and if they decided they couldn't do either, they might have done something very bad to you." [Kotarou]: "Mmmm...that really does sound like a conspiracy." [Akane]: "I have to apologize about that." [Akane]: "It's likely that they suspected you in part because of your association with me." [Kotarou]: "Ah, that's right. What position are you in Gaia?" [Akane]: "I'm the holy woman's servant." [Akane]: "Most of the summoners in Japan belong to Martel, and the holy woman is their symbolic leader." [Akane]: "Candidates for the next holy woman are chosen by nomination...and they act as servants for the current one." So that's why she had so much authority. [Akane]: "In ancient times, she was the religious leader of Gaia...but times have changed." [Kotarou]: "I see, they turned into an environmental group since being such a huge religion would make them a target." [Akane]: "Exactly." It's tough being a secret society. [Kotarou]: "Okay, I see why you'd need a bodyguard." [Kotarou]: "It's kinda sad just being around for show...I'm not that weak, you know." [Akane]: "...let me say it again." [Akane]: "Do not ever show your power in front of other people." [Kotarou]: "Y-yes, I understand." She starts explaining things that evening. The animosity between Gaia and Guardian runs deep. Since I'm a superhuman, I need to be extremely careful what I do within Gaia. So I need to protect Akane without letting anyone see my power. My most powerful ability is completely useless. I think Akane felt bad when she saw how downhearted I was after that. She said this. [Akane]: "...well, you'll still be helping a lot just by filling that role." [Kotarou]: "?" I may be her bodyguard now, but I'm the one being protected. [Kotarou]: (I'd like to be able to do that job for real, but...) [Akane]: "And there's one other thing I need to apologize for." [Akane]: "About school..." [Kotarou]: "I've already made that decision." [Kotarou]: "I'll drop out." Akane looks like she's at a loss for words. [Akane]: "...such a frivolous primate." [Kotarou]: "You're a primate too!" [Kotarou]: "And you were pretty frivolous back in the club..." [Akane]: "Well, I was going to tell you to quit, so that's convenient..." [Akane]: "I'm surprised though. I thought you were more attached to this place than any of us." [Kotarou]: "I had to think about it a lot..." Honestly, quitting school wasn't an easy decision. But even if I stay, the Occult Club won't come back. No doubt I'd end up wasting a lot of time being isolated from everyone, again. I could just put up with that, graduate, and go on to university and a job. But...I can't imagine myself doing that. [Kotarou]: "...besides, you're not going to keep coming here, are you?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "You never attended classes anyway." [Akane]: "I never needed to." [Akane]: "This study was safe in many ways, and no one would think to look here. That's why I've been using it." [Akane]: "Going to class would just make the others worry." [Akane]: "But now I've given them too much time..." Akane looks more lonely than usual. [Akane]: "Tell me one thing. Would you say school was the best place for you?" That's a personal question. [Kotarou]: "The best? ...I don't think so." [Kotarou]: "I tried to make it the best, and look what happened." [Kotarou]: "Everything I've done has been a waste of time..." [Kotarou]: "I'm pathetic." [Akane]: "...don't say that." [Akane]: "You did the best you could...I mean..." [Akane]: "I think you made a good effort, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Haha...getting a compliment from you feels like an honor." [Akane]: "I can't let you go to school, but I can let you graduate." [Kotarou]: "That's possible?" [Akane]: "Martel funds Kazamatsuri Academy." [Akane]: "What is Martel's is mine." I burst into laughter. I haven't done that in a while. [Akane]: "Also, if you're worried about the other club members, I'll do what I can to look for them." [Kotarou]: "Seriously?" [Akane]: "Don't get your hopes up. We're not very good at gathering intelligence." [Kotarou]: "Okay, but seriously, please do that." [Kotarou]: "Those are the best perks I could possibly ask for." [Kotarou]: "But why are you offering that much?" [Akane]: "...to manipulate you." [Akane]: "If I make you owe me like this, you might be willing to sacrifice your life for me if you ever have to make that choice." [Kotarou]: "...huh?" She's so frank about it I almost laugh. [Akane]: "I'm surprised you chose me. But people have the right to do stupid things if they want." [Akane]: "And I know I'm in no position to deny you that..." [Akane]: "Well, I won't force you either way." [Akane]: "To be honest, I still can't completely discard the possibility that you're a spy from Guardian..." Ah, so that's why she bothered to look up all that stuff on me. This all explains why she was so secretive about things. [Akane]: "But it's my decision. I'm accepting you." [Akane]: "If you are a spy, then I made an error in judgment and will not complain if that spells my―...no, I will complain. You bet I will. I'll sue your pants off." [Kotarou]: "Please do that if I ever do betray you..." There's no way I'm a spy... But the only way to prove it is to do my job without complaining. Maybe it's unfair of her. Even if it is, she's really good at this. I like this part of her. [Kotarou]: "I've got nowhere else to go, so I like this plan." [Akane]: "You're sure?" [Kotarou]: "Yes." And thus, I become a member of Gaia. I gather up what I need from my house, arrive at the specified place, and find Akane waiting for me. [Akane]: "You came." [Kotarou]: "I look forward to working with you." [Kotarou]: "So...this is your HQ?" The Kazamatsuri General Purpose Hall. Nine thousand square meters of land. Sixty-four hundred square meters of floor space. An eight-floor tower with stairwells and a main hall with two thousand seats. Rehearsal rooms, recording studios, various music-related facilities...though I guess none of that matters to us. There are a huge number of people heading inside. [Kotarou]: "Is everyone here part of Gaia...?" [Kotarou]: "...owww." She hits me. [Kotarou]: "What was that for...?" [Akane]: "Shh! People can hear you." A young office lady passes by us. She looks at me with a strange face. I understand. [Kotarou]: "...so they don't all know about it." [Akane]: "There's no benefit to telling everyone. Be more careful." [Kotarou]: "...roger." [Kotarou]: "By the way, where's the bathroom?" [Akane]: "Mm..." She points. A very large old man gets in there first. ...he's huge. Like a pile of muscles on legs. Or a heavyweight wrestler. His ears are oddly deformed to the point where they look like gyoza, as if he's done judo. Our eyes meet, and I look away. His face is scary. [Big Man]: "...you're not from around here." He spoke to me!? [Kotarou]: "...I am now." [Big Man]: "What are you doing here?" [Kotarou]: "Going to the bathroom." The man raises an eyebrow. I was just being honest. [Big Man]: "Are you a student?" [Kotarou]: "...I was until today." The giant man stares at me in silence. His facial muscles are convulsing. I mean that literally. It's actually kind of scary, so I wish he'd stop holding it in. I'd prefer he said it out loud. I'd prefer he was honest. [Big Man]: "Are you a normal member? This area is supposed to be off-limits." [Kotarou]: "Not really...I'm definitely not a normal member..." [Big Man]: "Then what are you?" [Kotarou]: "...I'm not sure." [Big Man]: "You don't even know what you're doing?" [Kotarou]: "...I did until recently." Anger fills his eyes. I'm not doing this on purpose. He just keeps asking questions I can't answer any other way. He's really bad at choosing his questions. ...I can't just tell him about Gaia without knowing he knows. [Big Man]: "...are you mocking me?" [Kotarou]: "No, not at all." [Kotarou]: "I'd never pick a fight with someone who has ears like that." The man suddenly feels more imposing. [Big Man]: "...did you...just.........talk about my ears...?" My instincts tell me I'm in danger. [Kotarou]: "N-no, I didn't say anything..." [Big Man]: "...did you just...compare my ears to that Chinese food made by steaming and grilling meat and vegetables wrapped in wheat flour dough?" I'm scared by how much effort he put into not saying "gyoza". And zip your fly...! [Kotarou]: "N-not at all! I didn't say anything about gyoza! ...ah, crap." [Big Man]: "Yes you diiiiiiiiid!!!" [Kotarou]: "Uwaaaaaaaaa!" The man charges. I run away. [Akane]: "What's wrong, Kota..." Akane looks at the man's lower body, then spins around and clings to the wall. She falls to her knees. The man still hasn't zipped up. Do people seriously forget to do that? Well, apparently he just did. [Big Man]: "Stand stiiiiill!!" Gyoza Man continues chasing me.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Akane]: "Takasago?" [Kotarou]: "Hiiiiiiiii!" [Takasago]: "I'm gonna crush youuuuuuuuu!" [Kotarou]: "H-he's gonna kill meeeeeeeeeee!" I run around the corner. There's a sign blocking my escape. For some reason I can be bothered to read it―― "This area has been sealed off due to a swarm of cockroaches over twenty centimeters in length." I don't want to go in there even if I do die out here. [Takasago]: "You brat...soon your blood will be all over my gyoza ears." Gyoza Man cracks his knuckles as he approaches. [Kotarou]: "L-let's talk about this...ni hao, ni hao." [Takasago]: "Sorry, my ears are too messed up to hear anything." I point at his crotch. [Kotarou]: "Ah, society's window is open." [Takasago]: "You think I'd fall for that!?" [Kotarou]: "No, seriously, it's down..." [Takasago]: "Uoooooooo! You're right!" [Kotarou]: "Orya!" I jump kick him. He blocks it perfectly despite my element of surprise, but the man still falls over. [Takasago]: "Whaaat?" I run back the way I came. [Kotarou]: "Idiot! Go burn in a frying pan!" That's the best I could come up with. [Takasago]: "Wait right there!!" He chases after me the moment he gets back up. Thirty minutes later, Akane finishes lecturing me. [Akane]: "Now don't forget you can't act like a student anymore." [Kotarou]: "...sorry." ...sitting seiza-style really hurts. [Akane]: "If you keep causing trouble this easily you're not going to last very long." [Kotarou]: "...sorry I'm useless." [Kotarou]: "But I really think that was his fault..." [Akane]: "Don't cause any more trouble with him." [Kotarou]: "Do you know him?" [Akane]: "He's in Gaia." [Kotarou]: "I see." So they have some guys who prefer fighting directly rather than using familiars. [Akane]: "You'll probably end up seeing him again at some point whether you want to or not." [Akane]: "When that happens, don't set him off, even if you have to prostrate yourself." Crap, she's not gonna help me at all. [Akane]: "...though I can at least sympathize a little, since you haven't had a chance to adapt to this yet." [Akane]: "But that just means you need to get working. Your feelings will sort themselves out if you keep your body moving." [Kotarou]: "Yes, ma'am." [Akane]: "Stand up. We're going to meet people." [Kotarou]: "I'm coming too?" [Akane]: "You're the one who needs to meet them." [Akane]: "I need to introduce you to someone from the inner circle." [Akane]: "We don't want another incident like that, now do we?" [Kotarou]: "I-I see...the inner circle." The secret society's inner circle... For some reason I imagine them all wearing weird triangular headdresses. Akane sighs with a dejected expression. [Akane]: "...I don't like it, but there's no avoiding this." [Kotarou]: "?" [Akane]: "Don't let your guard down. You're going to be meeting a very troublesome person." And then, she leads me to an office where someone else is waiting. [Akane]: "This is Tsukuno, my secretary." [Kotarou]: "...I know her." [Akane]: "Oh." [Tsukuno]: "It's been a while, student." [Kotarou]: "Haa...you too." [Akane]: "So you've met." [Kotarou]: "I wasn't really expecting this..." [Tsukuno]: "Yes...this is quite strange." [Tsukuno]: "We must have some strange fate together." I don't think it's quite that odd. But now that I think about it, the way we met was really weird. She was trying to catch tsuchinoko and all. [Akane]: "Where did you two meet?" [Tsukuno]: "At his school. I was attempting to recapture the escaped test subject." [Akane]: "...aaah, that stupid familiar...yes..." She presses on her temple like she has a headache. [Akane]: "...you let it escape all the way to the school...?" [Tsukuno]: "In the end there were zero witnesses, so there shouldn't be any problems." [Akane]: "That's not possible...tons of students must have seen it." [Tsukuno]: "It's all right, only occult fanatics would care about it." [Akane]: "There's a limit, you know..." [Tsukuno]: "I was worried when you said you were going to protect a feral superhuman...but I'm relieved to see it's someone I know." [Tsukuno]: "I wasn't expecting you to be here." [Kotarou]: "...a lot's happened." [Kotarou]: "I'm Tennouji Kotarou. I look forward to working with you." [Tsukuno]: "As do I. You'll be her bodyguard, yes?" [Kotarou]: "Yes. I think I'm fairly tough." [Tsukuno]: "Good luck dying in the line of duty." [Kotarou]: "I'm hoping I don't have to do that..." [Akane]: "If you need something, just ask Tsukuno." [Kotarou]: "Okay." I'm kind of disappointed for some reason. She's definitely troublesome, but... [Kotarou]: "Don't scare me like that, Akane-san." [Akane]: "What do you mean?" [Kotarou]: "Tsukuno-san." [Akane]: "...?" [Kotarou]: "I was expecting someone really dangerous to show up." [Akane]: "One of the people you need to meet is dangerous." [Kotarou]: "...ah, I see." [Akane]: "Your usual nonsense won't go over well around him. Think before you talk." [Kotarou]: "Got it." Then, she opens a door, and a young girl hops out. She runs over to Tsukuno and hugs her. [Tsukuno]: "This is Shimako." [Akane]: "...were you wandering around on your own again?" [Kotarou]: "Sh-she's terrifying...!" I'm shivering. [Akane]: "She's not the dangerous one." [Akane]: "Just look at her." [Kotarou]: "That's what I thought, but..." The girl stares at me. [Kotarou]: "Hi there." I try being nice. The girl turns away furiously. ...she already hates me. [Tsukuno]: "I'm sorry, she doesn't like overly cheerful people." [Kotarou]: "Aaah." She looks about seven or eight. It's almost like she's acting too young for her age. [Kotarou]: "She's a lot like you." [Akane]: "Eh?" [Kotarou]: "This girl and you, Prez."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Not how you look, but just the impression I get from her. It's similar." A strange silence fills the air. [Kotarou]: "...did I say something bad again?" Akane smiles. [Akane]: "...that's probably because I'm guiding her." [Kotarou]: "Guiding?" [Akane]: "This is one of the jobs I have as a servant of the holy woman." [Akane]: "This girl is also her servant. Since I'm older, I have to take care of her." You've been doing that too? [Akane]: "Though I've been making Tsukuno do most of the work..." [Akane]: "You've probably noticed already, but Shimako still can't talk, even at this age." [Kotarou]: "...I see." That did seem odd. She has a different personality, and different issues to deal with. But for some reason, I feel something similar from Shimako and Akane. It's strange. She continues looking at me from behind Tsukuno-san. She seems interested in me. If she doesn't like friendly people... [Kotarou]: "...h-hello." I try sounding introverted instead. The girl clings to Tsukuno-san's leg, and hides her face. She seems embarrassed. Maybe she's just modest? [Tsukuno]: "That's unusual. Shimako normally doesn't show interest in people she doesn't know." [Akane]: "...it's just a coincidence." Akane cuts off Tsukuno's meaningful gaze. Eventually the girl starts acting tired. [Tsukuno]: "It's time for her to go to bed, so we'll be leaving now." [Akane]: "Thank you." [Tsukuno]: "Goodbye, Tennouji-san." After they leave, Akane speaks with a tense voice. [Akane]: "Perfect timing...the others are coming. Be ready." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" The next moment, another door opens, and a group of men barge into the room. I instinctively take a step back, slightly behind Akane. Three old men are here now. One of them looks like their leader. Akane was right. There's no way my usual attitude will be acceptable in front of him. With a stern face, he starts talking. [Man]: "You've caused some very unnecessary trouble for us." [Kotarou]: "S-sorry!" I didn't think he was talking to me, but my apology instincts kicked in anyway. [Akane]: "...just stand back, idiot." [Kotarou]: "...okay." Akane goes back to looking at the man. [Akane]: "I didn't intend to cause any trouble, but some people seem to be freaking out over nothing." She openly challenges him. The men look even more displeased. [Akane]: "I don't see why we have to have a meeting to criticize me just because I hired someone." [Akane]: "Or is something else going on? Is the board of directors trying to restrict the hiring policies of the holy disciples too?" [Man]: "I would appreciate it if you stopped making wild accusations. This is not a meeting to criticize you, but to come to an agreement." [Akane]: "Then why are there three of you and only one of me?" She says harshly, unwilling to miss a single opportunity to strike back. [Akane]: "I will report this to Kashima as an improper summons of the holy woman's servant." [Akane]: "Trying to create conflict at such an important time damages all of our reputations." [Man]: "...calm down, Senri. I told you this is not an interrogation or a cross-examination or anything of the sort." [Man]: "This is a formal objection." [Akane]: "...objection?" Invisible sparks fly between them. [Akane]: "Go ahead, Suzaki." The man called Suzaki gives me a cold glance. As if I'm just an insect. [Suzaki]: "Is this the new hire?" [Akane]: "Tennouji Kotarou. Former student of Kazamatsuri Academy." [Kotarou]: "...hi." My brief greeting is ignored. [Suzaki]: "Isn't he just a child?" [Akane]: "I understand that this is exceptional treatment, but he is a rare individual." [Akane]: "And young servants are hardly unusual." [Suzaki]: "Servants, yes." [Suzaki]: "But bringing a boy you met at school into our organization...does not seem reasonable." [Suzaki]: "And he does not look rare to me." I have never been belittled so much in my life. I open my mouth to argue back. [Kotarou]: "Hey, geezer." [Suzaki]: "WHAT!?" [Kotarou]: "...pleased to meet you." Adults are too scary. [Kotarou]: "...I'll be quiet." [Akane]: "...please do. You're throwing everyone off." After that, they begin debating. They aren't badmouthing each other directly, but exchanging words wrapped in several layers of insinuation and sarcasm. I almost get a stomachache. Basically, Akane did something irrational by bringing me here. And Suzaki, a core member of the group, is blaming her for that. But there was already a deep ravine between them. Maybe this is what it means to be political opponents. I don't know all the details, but... From listening to their conversation, I could piece together the power structure of Gaia. Gaia has a few factions, separated by differences of opinion. Akane's group doesn't get along well with the administrative group led by Suzaki. [Suzaki]: "...so you insist that this child has the strength to protect you?" The argument reaches its climax. [Akane]: "Of course. That's why I gave him that position. And since I've been in contact with him for a long time, I decided it was appropriate to bring him here to prevent any more information from leaking to the hunters." [Suzaki]: "It's not an appropriate time." [Suzaki]: "The harvest festival is approaching. We can't expect him to do anything useful for us. Or do you plan on using him as a meat shield?" [Akane]: "Yes, that's exactly my plan." ...okay. Evidently we're trying to keep my superpower a secret from these guys too. A meat shield...can I really give my life for her if it comes down to that? It's easy to say I can. But I won't know for sure until it happens. After what happened in the forest, I know that. [Suzaki]: "...he doesn't look prepared for that." [Akane]: "Tennouji, would you die for me?" Suddenly the conversation flows to me. [Kotarou]: "Ah, yes. I can die if I have to." I respond on instinct. [Kotarou]: "That's no problem at all." [Akane]: "He may not be convincing, but I know his loyalty is real." [Suzaki]: "...I'm not so sure. Saying it and meaning it are not the same thing." [Suzaki]: "To be quite honest, many people think you have simply dragged your lover in here." [Akane]: "I don't mind. My decision will be proven correct sooner or later." [Akane]: "I couldn't care less what the masses choose to assume." [Suzaki]: "Only the holy woman can twist words like that." [Suzaki]: "Sakura-sama spoke the same way quite often." [Suzaki]: "Though we trusted each other far more."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Akane]: "I wouldn't exactly mind if you started respecting me as well." [Suzaki]: "Do you think your words have the same weight as hers? Don't delude yourself. We're not your servants." [Suzaki]: "Think about your position. Can you really just ignore the rumors that you've brought a lover into the organization?" [Akane]: "If that's a problem, then what about your relationship with Kashima?" She says sharply, as if tearing through the air. [Suzaki]: "...I don't know what you're talking about. Would you please stop making baseless accusations?" [Akane]: "That's exactly what I'm saying to you. This has nothing to do with love. If you really wanted to reach an understanding, you should never have brought it up." Suzaki goes quiet. She might have gotten the upper hand. [Suzaki]: "...you're supposed to be unusual, right? Can you prove it?" [Akane]: "Why don't we test him?" She says like it's nothing. [Suzaki]: "Oh? Shall we see how he compares to one of my subordinates?" [Suzaki]: "That should allow us to see if he's loyal enough to risk his life." [Akane]: "I don't think it's fair to put a bodyguard-in-training up against a seasoned pro, but it seems there's no other way to make you trust him." I wasn't expecting that... And then, the office's internal phone line rings. One of the men answers it. [Secretary]: "It's from the festival preparations committee." [Suzaki]: "We can't afford to spend more time on this, so our final agreement will be based on that test." [Akane]: "...I appreciate that." [Suzaki]: "We'll do it later today. I'll contact you later. All right?" [Akane]: "Tennouji, is that okay?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah, that's fine." [Suzaki]: "Have you done a backgr―" [Akane]: "Yes, I did all of that ages ago." [Suzaki]: "Can we see the report?" The men leave. I barely had to say anything at all, but I feel extremely worn down. [Akane]: "Kotarou, you'll have to beat an adult with martial arts training without using your power." Yeah, I remember that part. [Kotarou]: "...not looking forward to that." This is something I need to do to stay with Akane. [Kotarou]: "Well, I'll give it a shot." [Akane]: "Thank you. Now go to the club room and stay put." [Kotarou]: "We're going back already?" [Akane]: "There's a shortcut that lets me get there and back in five minutes." [Akane]: "And only I can use it." Akane takes me to a door in the back. She inserts a keycard into a device underneath a display panel. A lock releases and a door opens. [Kotarou]: "...like something in a movie." We walk down a gloomy passage with nothing but emergency lighting. We hit a dead end, and she again uses her card key to open a lock. Now we're in a huge storeroom. [Akane]: "This way." There's a freight elevator heading underground. We go down using that. Now we're in a narrow hallway. [Kotarou]: "Huh? Is this a subway?" It's rather cramped, or maybe unfinished, but this looks like a station. Even here, there's only faint emergency lights. [Akane]: "Yes, but it was never finished." [Akane]: "It's a small ward, and it doesn't overlap with any other subway routes, so almost no one knows it's here." [Kotarou]: "Right under everyone's noses..." There's a small maintenance vehicle on the tracks. It's not coupled to anything else. Akane hops into the control room. She touches the controls. I get into the passenger seat, and we start sliding down the tracks. [Kotarou]: "This is insane..." [Akane]: "Don't tell anyone, okay?" [Kotarou]: "I doubt anyone would believe me anyway." She wasn't kidding. It really did take only a few minutes. The vehicle stops, and we get onto another maintenance lift. We come out in what looks like a prep room. I recognize it. [Kotarou]: "Ah, is this...?" She opens the door with a key. Light streams in. [Kotarou]: "The club room." I had no idea all this was here... [Akane]: "I'll give you a spare key, so you can use that passage too." [Akane]: "Now kill some time here." [Kotarou]: "What about you?" [Akane]: "I have work. After everything I just said, I can't afford to slack off now." After saying that, she returns to HQ. Late at night, Akane finally comes back. [Akane]: "We're going to start the test now." [Akane]: "Listen, it's not absolutely vital that you win." [Akane]: "The most important part is to hide your power. Do not reveal that you're a superhuman." [Akane]: "Do the best you possibly can with your normal abilities." [Kotarou]: "...okay." I'd still like to kick the other guy's ass. Apparently there aren't any suitable places at the HQ, so they decided to use the gym at school instead. So we head over there, and I get to see the guy I'm supposed to face. Come to think of it, we do know each other. [Takasago]: "...so that's what this was about." [Takasago]: "Listen up. I've been dragged out here to test you." [Kotarou]: "Haa..." [Takasago]: "You're going to regret mocking me." Apparently he's the type to hold grudges. Akane said I don't have to beat him...but I don't like the idea of letting him pummel me. [Akane]: "You don't have any spectators?" Tsukuno-san's the only one here besides me and Akane. Takasago is the only representative of Suzaki's group here. [Takasago]: "We don't have that much free time. I'm here alone." Takasago doesn't seem to respect the holy woman's servant either. [Takasago]: "Okay, let's get this over with." [Tsukuno]: "Then I will act as referee." [Takasago]: "Hmph. Just give us a starting signal." [Takasago]: "I'll decide when we stop." Takasago and I stand opposite each other in a martial arts room in the back of the gym. [Tsukuno]: "Please begin." [Takasago]: "Hey, don't we need to decide on some rules?" [Takasago]: "We can't just let anything go." [Akane]: "Isn't that normally how this works?" [Takasago]: "If you don't mind me hitting his face or vital points, I can do that." [Takasago]: "But I might permanently break him if you let me do that." [Tsukuno]: "Let's avoid causing serious injury. Punching and kicking should suffice." [Takasago]: "So I can't go for your eyes but I can hit you in the face. That work for you?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah...I'm fine with that." [Takasago]: "Good."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> Takasago's been smirking the whole time. He must be very confident. [Tsukuno]: "Now, begin." We both crouch down at the same time. Neither of us attacks immediately. We just watch our opponent. [Kotarou]: (He definitely looks strong...probably twice as strong as a normal man.) He must have gone through a lot of training. In terms of sheer physical strength, no ordinary high school student would stand a chance. I'd be fine if I could use my full strength...but... I'm hesitating a lot since I'm not used to a match like this. [Akane]: "Kotarou, what's wrong? Hurry up and hit him." My employer makes absurd demands. I need to make a move. For now, let's see if I can hit him. I move forward and swing my fist. I aimed to break his nose, but Takasago moves forward with flawless timing. I hastily move my right arm instead, but Takasago's arm brushes it aside easily. He grabs me by the chest and pushes me back. I brace my legs so I don't fall backward, but then he pulls me toward him. [Kotarou]: "―!?" I completely lose balance. I may have the same raw strength, but he's still far bigger than me. Takasago's leg wraps around my ankle. He sweeps my legs out from under me, and I feel myself falling. I flail madly, and somehow manage to prevent my fall. Takasago stops smiling. [Takasago]: "...?" I hit his face with my left hand. But that attack didn't do anything to Takasago. Since I was off-balance, my punch had no force behind it. He starts trying to execute another move. I feel my entire body being scooped up. He throws me. I cling to Takasago as he does it, resisting the throw with pure grip strength. [Takasago]: "Hmph!" His technique is too good. He can easily counter any of my awkward swings. I can't use my blades, so I have to use leverage. I can see Akane flinch in the corner of my eye. She knows what I'm about to do. [Kotarou]: (...women really do have good instincts.) But I've already decided. This is my chance, while we're grappling with each other. I boost my physical strength a little bit. The change affects my whole body. Suddenly, I can hold Takasago back much more easily. Okay...time to fight back. I wrap my arms around one of his thighs, which feels like a tree trunk, and pull up. Without any leverage it probably wouldn't budge. It's rooted to the ground like an actual tree, but I manage to pull it up like a weed. [Takasago]: "...ooooh!" His sense of balance is so good he manages not to fall over despite that. I pull even harder, and Takasago flies up into the air. Only a few dozen centimeters, but there's still no way for him to regain his balance in midair. I jump toward him. [Akane]: "Finish him, Kotarou!" Akane opens her eyes wide and speaks with the voice of a master tactician. And now she's going to give me some precise and helpful advice using her vast stores of knowledge! [Akane]: "Do something!" ...that was disappointing. That's right, she doesn't know anything about martial arts either. I furiously pound his face and chest with my fists. Takasago focuses on defense. [Takasago]: "Uuuuuuuuu..." He flails wildly underneath me. With more power than before. He uses all his strength to try and escape. I get shaken around, and suddenly one of my legs goes up. Takasago picks his body up. I've been thrown off. I don't want to fight him anymore. I just feel terrified. So I release a full-power drop kick in his direction as he finishes getting up. Takasago flies back like a video game mook. He rolls around and stops moving. I look toward Tsukuno-san, assuming she'd start counting. I wink to remind her to do that. *wink*☆ Not that! [Kotarou]: "You're the ref!" [Tsukuno]: "...ah." [Akane]: "Did he do it?" [Tsukuno]: "I think so...that should count as a hit." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Just one hit?" [Tsukuno]: "I don't know martial arts that well." [Kotarou]: "Just one hit won't win a match." [Tsukuno]: "But Takasago still looks willing to fight." [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Takasago]: "You...braaaat..." The man hadn't fainted at all. He stands back up, gasping for air, and glares at me with a bloody face. This time he's standing defenseless, without lowering his center of gravity. Something's not right. Takasago's always smiling. But now it looks dark. There's something wrong with him. [Akane]: "...stop, Takasago." Light appears at his feet. A ring of light? A magic circle? [Takasago]: "You know, I was bullied a lot when I was younger." [Takasago]: "I always wanted to be stronger, so I trained so hard it almost killed me." Out of nowhere he starts talking eloquently. [Takasago]: "I did judo, karate, boxing, kendo...even tried a bit of muay thai." [Takasago]: "...but no matter what I tried, I had no talent. I could never make it to the top." [Kotarou]: "You're really strong now...isn't that enough?" [Takasago]: "How is that enough when I'm still losing to brats half my size?" [Takasago]: "It's laughable. Ever since I was fifteen I thought about nothing but how to make my abs rock hard. I even joined the SDF for a while. But I never found anything that satisfied me." [Takasago]: "I've seen so many young brats get all the glory without making half the effort I have...I'm sick of it." [Takasago]: "Only people with god-given talent ever get anywhere in this world." [Kotarou]: "...what does any of this have to do with us?" [Takasago]: "And today, I just lost to a brat with no training whatsoever..." This is getting bad... I didn't know jocks could get so hung up on things like that. The magic circle starts flashing curiously. He's... [Akane]: "Takasago, if you keep that up I'm going to have to object." [Takasago]: "Shut up you figurehead!!" The circle starts wavering, and a familiar leaps out of it into the air. He was summoning something!? A tiny little familiar falls to the ground between us. [Akane]: "...you fool." [Takasago]: "Guys with talent can get strong so fast, can't they?" [Takasago]: "But if you can't deal with this guy, you don't deserve to be a holy woman's bodyguard. Isn't that right?" I look at the familiar. It's small, but scary. My instincts scream that it's dangerous. A fantastic beast that doesn't exist in the natural world. A life that isn't alive. A beast of the night. It's a very small thing, covered in messy fur. A furball with a long tail.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> Kinda like a longhair cat, but more demonic. [Tsukuno]: "Tennouji-san, can you defeat that familiar?" [Akane]: "Tsukuno...!" [Tsukuno]: "Why not? It's not a strong one." [Tsukuno]: "This seems like a reasonably effective test." [Akane]: "...Kotarou's not ready for this. He needs proper training before..." [Tsukuno]: "Akane-san, you're being too easy on him." [Tsukuno]: "I do not trust him yet. He's going to be taking over part of my job, so I want to be sure he's capable of it." [Akane]: "So you want Kotarou to beat it." [Tsukuno]: "Yes. That's my opinion as a disciple." [Akane]: "Kotarou, do it." [Kotarou]: "...umm...you want me to beat it "as-is", right?" [Akane]: "Yes, "as-is". No additional help." Guess I have no choice... The beast attacks me. It's just a simple forward charge...but it's really fast! [Kotarou]: "...abu!" I cross my arms and take the blow. Even my bones go numb. The little animal flies off, landing easily a short distance away. It zips toward me like a bullet again. I dodge it on instinct alone. The creature grazes my face, passing behind me. [Tsukuno]: "I see." Tsukuno-san nods, satisfied. She's totally unconcerned about the danger I'm in. It flies toward me again from behind. My eyes are finally getting used to it. I manage to hit it dead on with my elbow. It silently rolls along the floor like a ball. [Takasago]: "...uuu." Now it's coming from that direction. I try to stomp on it, but it jumps away too quickly. This thing's more nimble than I am, by far. There's no chance of me hitting it with a kick. I try a faster soccer-style kick, but the creature still dodges it easily. Counters are probably my only option. But it's not charging me anymore. It throws itself into the air and spins around, using centrifugal force to hit me with its long tail. Just before I block it with my arm, I hear a sharp crack. [Kotarou]: "...nga!?" A light, sharp, miniature explosion. It tears my arm open in several places, making blood spray everywhere. [Kotarou]: ".........oh come on." ...that tail is a whip. That massive blood loss discourages me. I can't take too many more of those hits... I feel an attack coming, even though I can't hear anything, so I jump away. Sound is useless. It doesn't take long to reach me, but it's still too long. The tail strikes the place I was a moment ago. The moment the beast lands, it swings its tail horizontally. [Kotarou]: "Daaaaa!" I just have to get the timing right. I hear the air burst again, and sharp pain rushes through my arm. My legs fail me, and the shock of that hit knocks me backward. But that attack wasn't even using its body weight. That was just the force behind its spin. [Kotarou]: (This is just irritating...) I really want to crush that thing under my foot. But to do that... The whip comes toward me again. I watch the tail fly toward me, and reach out my hand. I grab it, and feel a little explosion happening inside my fist. I ignore the damage it's causing me, and hold onto it even harder. [Takasago]: "Uu!" Now it's just a dog on a leash! As its last stand, the beast charges straight for me. That's not surprising, but in midair the beast opens its mouth. A mouth that takes up nearly half of its body. [Kotarou]: "Wha――!?" The half-mouth half-fur monster bites into my right hand. A few of my bones crunch. [Akane]: "Kotarou...!" I'm a little happy that she's reacting that way. Maybe being in danger once in a while isn't so bad. I want to win this. She said not to use my power, but as long as no one knows I used it, it's fine. I hold out my right arm toward Takasago. This way, the beast is blocking his view of my hand. A really small one should be enough―― I concentrate on my aurora. It flows out of the slit in my wrist like living mercury. It forms a blade sticking out through the creature's forehead. After being stabbed from the inside, the beast stops moving. I throw its dead body onto the floor. It quickly loses its color, and collapses into what looks like ash. [Tsukuno]: "He seems to have won, Takasago-san." [Takasago]: "...the hell did you do?" [Kotarou]: "...I used my qi." He looks at me suspiciously. [Akane]: "You need a good understanding of biology to produce fictional creatures like that." Akane starts talking to Takasago. [Akane]: "If you know you have no talent, you should really stick to animal-shaped familiars with prescribed creation methods." [Akane]: "What were you thinking, using a thing like that?" [Akane]: "Real animals that have gone through the evolutionary process are more complete." [Akane]: "Creating a fictional creature on par with them requires more than just hard work...but you ignored that blatant fact." Takasago lowers his head for reasons I can't understand. [Akane]: "...your greatest weakness is your own inferiority complex." [Akane]: "But...that emotional deficit might be what brought you into Gaia." [Akane]: "Now go. Tennouji Kotarou has shown you what he's capable of. I expect no further complaints." After Takasago walks away in silence, I talk to Akane. [Kotarou]: "Was he a lot more naïve than he looks?" [Akane]: "...everyone in Gaia is." [Kotarou]: "Even you?" [Akane]: "Maybe." [Kotarou]: "...is it safe to say I passed?" [Akane]: "Yes." [Akane]: "But you used your power, didn't you?" [Kotarou]: "Sorry, I did." [Tsukuno]: "I don't think he could have seen it from his position." [Akane]: "...yes, I know that." [Akane]: "Well...it all worked out in the end, so I'll allow it." [Kotarou]: "Thanks." She twists my nose. [Kotarou]: "Owowowowow!" [Akane]: "Starting today, you're a member of Gaia and a holy disciple." [Akane]: "I expect a lot from you." Akane smiles, but she looks somehow lonely. I end up suspended from school. That should have caused all sorts of trouble with my parents, but Akane's magic instantly settled it. From now on I don't need to attend classes anymore. [Akane]: "If you don't want to go home for whatever reason, you can sleep here." She gives me a key for the club room. [Akane]: "I won't be using this place for a while." [Akane]: "Originally it was just supposed to be a study where I could relax." [Kotarou]: "But why go all the way to the school for it?" [Akane]: "Would you want every aspect of your life to be contained under a single organization's roof?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Shimako | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Akane]: "I was just being a bit rebellious. A bit of a daredevil." [Kotarou]: "Sounds like something Yoshino would do..." [Akane]: "I also wanted to feel like I was going to school." [Kotarou]: "Are you really going to drop out?" [Akane]: "Yes, that's the plan." [Akane]: "Things have gotten much busier...so I won't have time to play anymore." [Akane]: "This was always going to happen, so it's not a big deal though..." [Akane]: "Kotarou, I should tell you this now. We're not always in a position where we can go above and beyond the law." [Akane]: "Whenever we use familiars, Guardian will reveal it to the public in the guise of a terrorist attack." [Kotarou]: "...familiars are actually illegal, right?" [Akane]: "You won't get to be a hero from following me." [Akane]: "If you want to quit, this is probably your last chance." [Kotarou]: "...no, no, I'm not gonna quit." I'm sick of being alone. [Akane]: "Then you need to be prepared." [Kotarou]: "For what...?" [Akane]: "Killing." I thought I was, but I have a hard time responding to that. [Akane]: "...that's a normal reaction." [Akane]: "I really can't do anything but console you." [Akane]: "So I'm fine even if you can't serve your role as bodyguard." [Kotarou]: "Well, I wouldn't want to..." [Akane]: "Gaia's teachings involve seeing the Earth as an equal." [Akane]: "In a nutshell, the planet's survival is more important than human survival." [Akane]: "...so it might be an uncomfortable place for someone like you." [Akane]: "If you're going to stay with me...then close your eyes and block your ears." [Akane]: "But if you ever truly get fed up with how they think...yes...you can do whatever you want." [Kotarou]: "Whatever I want...?" [Akane]: "I'm saying you can betray us." After Akane disappears for work, I spend some time thinking. Siding with Gaia means fighting Guardian. That could put me in a life-and-death situation. I'd like to do the right thing, if possible. I don't want to make anyone suffer. But is that really the best choice for me personally? By the time the girl appears, I'm too deep in thought to notice. I finally feel her gaze and turn around. [Kotarou]: "Hiiiiiiii!" I'm really weak to people appearing like ghosts. [Kotarou]: "Make some noise when you approach people!" [Kotarou]: "That's right, you can't talk." [Kotarou]: "Those are some neat clothes. You look like a witch from a video game." Essentially, she's wearing a robe. I saw a few people wearing similar clothes in the HQ. They probably can't wear this stuff outside... [Kotarou]: "...that's right." So these robes are like uniforms for certain members of Gaia. [Kotarou]: "How old are you?" The girl gives me a thumbs-down. [Kotarou]: "Hey!" [Shimako]: "...!" She runs behind the curtains. [Kotarou]: "I can see your feet." She comes out. [Kotarou]: "So, how old are you?" The girl holds up her fist, and slowly extends her middle... [Kotarou]: "Waaa! Don't do that!" [Shimako]: "...!" She runs under the bed. [Kotarou]: "I can still see your feet." She comes out. [Kotarou]: "I won't ask anymore." [Kotarou]: "You're really bad at hiding though." [Kotarou]: "Is it okay for you to wander around all the way out here?" She nods. She seems to understand what I'm saying. [Kotarou]: "Hmmm..." [Kotarou]: "Ah, did you use that subway passage too?" [Kotarou]: "Where do you normally live?" Shimako extends her hands in different directions. [Kotarou]: "Where?" [Shimako]: "...?" I don't get it... I had no idea it was this hard to communicate without words. [Kotarou]: "I'm on your side now. Do you understand?" [Kotarou]: "But there seems to be a lot of trouble in this world too." [Kotarou]: "...not that I'm trying to be a saint or anything..." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, that's right..." Good and evil don't matter anymore. I was never living my life based on that anyway. To me, what's right is simply what's most precious to me. What's most precious to me... [Kotarou]: "...is probably..." So that's how it is. I feel like a fog just cleared. The girl who feels a lot like Akane tries to make herself taller. [Kotarou]: "I'm going to be Akane-san's bodyguard. We'll be seeing a lot of each other." [Shimako]: "...!?" The girl looks displeased, and starts flailing angrily. [Kotarou]: "You don't like that?" [Kotarou]: "You have some really strong reaction...OW!" One of her kicks accidentally hits my solar plexus. [Shimako]: "...!" Daaa! The girl flies out into the hallway. The school hallway. [Kotarou]: "Hey, don't go there!" [Kotarou]: "Waaaait!" [Kotarou]: "Don't think you can run from me!" After sprinting all around the school, I finally capture her. Like any other child, Shimako is frighteningly quick. I ended up chasing her with a demonic expression. [Kotarou]: "Resistance is futile. You will not cause me any more trouble..." [Teacher]: "What are you doing to her?" [Kotarou]: "I was going to take her back to the club room and lock her inside." [Teacher]: "Is anyone else in that room?" [Kotarou]: "Of course not." [Teacher]: "I'm not sure I can condone that." [Kotarou]: "...eh?" The teachers surround me. Until Tsukuno-san came for me, I was interrogated for crimes against humanity in the staff room. While Shimako got to eat a popsicle... [Akane]: "Idiot." Akane returns around midday. [Kotarou]: "...I'd like to defend myself this time..." [Kotarou]: "I haven't done anything criminal." [Akane]: "No you haven't." [Akane]: "I'm surprised Shimako came all the way out here on her own." [Kotarou]: "Kids that age are really good at getting all over the place." [Akane]: "She never came when I was here." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" She seems distant for some reason... [Akane]: "Anyway, I bought lunch." Akane puts two bentou boxes down on the table. Expensive bentous, the like of which I've never eaten before. [Kotarou]: "Aaah, this stuff is great..." I had no idea... ...that a single bite of meat could explode into so much flavor.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> Everything I've eaten in the past was just jerky compared to this... [Kotarou]: "You eat some good stuff." [Akane]: "Only once in a while." [Akane]: "You can't get much done if you don't have any energy." She says that, but she doesn't seem to be savoring the flavor at all. After lunch, she asks me a question. [Akane]: "...do you really want to do bodyguard work?" [Kotarou]: "Yes, please." [Akane]: "You understood what I was saying earlier, right? Why would you..." [Kotarou]: "I'm not trying to be a hero or anything." [Kotarou]: "I just...I guess I want to do what I want to do." [Akane]: "Which is?" [Kotarou]: "Umm...protect you." [Akane]: "Hmmm." She puts the teacup to her lips. Tea spills out from the corners of her mouth. [Akane]: "Ow, owww!" [Kotarou]: "I've never seen anyone spill a drink that badly in real life before." [Akane]: "I am always calm and composed." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" I never said you were nervous or anything. [Kotarou]: "Anyway, I do want to be a real bodyguard." [Akane]: "You're probably capable of it...but if something happens, it's hard to make the split-second decision to sacrifice yourself." [Akane]: "I'm sorry, but I don't think you can do that." [Kotarou]: "I've been preparing myself for that." [Kotarou]: "I'll probably cause some trouble at first, but I'm sure experience is all I need." Akane stares at me. [Kotarou]: "You said you'd protect me, but...having to protect your own bodyguard is just silly." [Kotarou]: "So can I at least try to protect you?" [Akane]: "...haa." [Akane]: "You're a very impulsive person." [Kotarou]: "I've been thinking about this for a while." [Akane]: "...in that case, I should probably tell you a little more about us first." Then Akane begins telling me. About Gaia―― How long has Gaia existed? They were around in an era when humans had yet to invent writing. Familiars are a kind of false life that only members of Gaia could produce. They used them to move objects, controlling them with their own life force. At times they might have been called demons or youkai. [Kotarou]: "Their own...life force?" [Akane]: "Yes. When you control a familiar, it sucks up part of your own life." [Akane]: "So summoners always die a bit young." [Akane]: "With a handful of extremely talented exceptions." [Kotarou]: "Are those the holy women?" [Akane]: "They're different...though I have heard that Kashima Sakura has incredible talent..." [Akane]: "The title of "holy woman" is just an honorary position inherited by nominated servants." [Akane]: "So I don't have that much skill as a summoner." [Kotarou]: "Why do you guys make familiars?" [Kotarou]: "I can see myself messing around with those things out of curiosity, but is it worth shortening my lifespan?" [Akane]: "That's a complicated subject." [Akane]: "It's not that hard to teach someone how to be a summoner." [Akane]: "A summoner's power comes from deep inside their mind. It's kind of like a desire." [Akane]: "When someone feels extremely dissatisfied with the world around them, they lock themselves away from it, right?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah." [Akane]: "Different people will do different things in that situation." [Kotarou]: "Wait, have we talked about this before? It sounds familiar..." [Akane]: "Remember the questionnaire?" [Kotarou]: "Ah! That!" That's what I got when I first tried to get into contact with "the witch". [Akane]: "Someone is dissatisfied with the world, but they can't change it. That dark feeling comes out as a terrifying monster...called a familiar." [Akane]: "Sometimes that gloom can be strong enough to destroy them." [Akane]: "Summoners all have very strong emotions, despite their tendency to keep them in." [Kotarou]: "What about the opposite?" [Akane]: "Some people, when they encounter a problem they don't have the power to solve, will instead work hard to improve themselves until they have that power." [Akane]: "For them, the only person they can trust is themselves. They conquer things by strengthening themselves. They are..." [Kotarou]: "...superhumans." Akane nods. There was a good reason I called it "strengthening". I solved problems by improving myself. That's exactly how my power works. [Akane]: "That's why so many of them are extroverts, and they so easily fall into self-justification." [Akane]: "But the idea that you can solve anything just by being around fundamentally lacks the will to solve the root of the problem." [Akane]: "For Guardian, fighting is the purpose of their existence..." [Kotarou]: "But...I think I can understand both sides." [Kotarou]: "Training yourself to be better at things is always important, but there's also tons of stuff that'll never be enough for..." [Kotarou]: "And when that annoys you, it's natural to hold it in." [Akane]: "Your power is definitely unusual in that regard." [Akane]: "I can't even imagine what hunting instinct turns into that power in its extreme form." [Kotarou]: "I've been calling it "aurora" because of the color..." [Kotarou]: "But honestly, it feels foreign to me." [Akane]: "Maybe it's unrefined." [Kotarou]: "What does that mean?" [Akane]: "We should find out soon whether you can control familiars or not." [Kotarou]: "...haa." I feel like she ignored my question. I still can't quite tell what Akane's thinking. [Kotarou]: "So how does Gaia want to change the world?" [Akane]: "Eh?" [Kotarou]: "Weren't we just talking about that?" [Kotarou]: "They don't like the world, so they summon familiars to change that." [Akane]: "...ah, that, yes. So you did understand that." She looks conflicted. [Akane]: "That's right. We're using familiars to change the world as we see fit." [Kotarou]: "And not just Japan, right?" [Akane]: "Kazamatsuri happens to be a holy place for us, but the fighting between familiars and hunters happens worldwide." [Akane]: "...but, Kotarou." [Akane]: "No matter how strong a familiar we create, the world won't change." That afternoon, Akane suddenly returns to HQ. She must be pretty busy. Once again, I have too much free time. Just as I decide to try working out, my cell phone starts ringing. [Kotarou]: "Y-yes, this is Tennouji." I answer it timidly. [Tsukuno]: "This is Tsukuno. Could you help me with some heavy lifting?" [Kotarou]: "Yes, I'd be glad to help." [Tsukuno]: "Thank you. Please meet me in front of HQ in half an hour."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> I finally have real work, and it's the kind I'm perfect for. I need to get used to working in this organization as soon as possible. As I walk over, I notice the town is insanely busy. Shops and pavilions are springing up all around town. The world was changing while I was cooped up inside. I get in Tsukuno-san's car. [Kotarou]: "I know this happens every year, but the crowds are ridiculous..." [Tsukuno]: "I really do wonder what's so fun about it." [Kotarou]: "...aren't you helping to run this festival?" [Tsukuno]: "Waiting two hours for food and one hour for the bathroom." [Tsukuno]: "The thought of not making it in time is terrifying." [Kotarou]: "If you say so..." When we arrive, several women from the Martel Group are waiting for us. Tsukuno-san introduces me to them. Most of them are elderly. They've all been in the group for many years. [Tsukuno]: "The miniature garden for the sponsors has fallen behind schedule." [Tsukuno]: "The soil we needed was delivered, but they didn't carry it over here like we wanted because of a clerical error." Large, thick bags are piled up near the entrance. [Kotarou]: "So I just need to carry these? No problem." [Kotarou]: "Just tell me where to put them." [Tsukuno]: "Thank you." Tsukuno-san whispers in my ear. [Tsukuno]: "...just one at a time, so no one suspects anything." [Kotarou]: "...okay." That's right, these people aren't necessarily summoners. Some of them may know the big secret, but others might be perfectly normal people. I stick to twice the strength of a normal boy. I complete the job without any difficulties. That was pretty easy. Though at one point I picked up a plant refrigerator all by myself. That did get some attention. ...though perfectly normal people can pick up an empty one. During the break, I get bombarded with questions by girls over forty years old. I finally realize that Akane's famous. The holy woman is the charismatic center of the group. Any of her servants is automatically a key figure. Given her age, it's only natural for people to spoil her. [Woman]: "...it's so tough for Akane-san though. She has to take care of Sakura-sama and all her religious duties." [Woman]: "Her last stand-in speech was really good. She was so firm and resolute, she really felt like a holy woman." [Woman]: "I heard the servants used to never speak in public, so that's huge progress." [Woman]: "Was it true that they're thinking about changing the term "holy woman"?" [Woman]: "They're still worried we'll be mistaken for a religion!" [Woman]: "Does it really matter? That's just paranoid." [Woman]: "I'm strongly against changing the term "disciples"." [Woman]: "Should we get together and protest? I'll make the picket signs! They called me the picket monster when I was in school!" [Woman]: "Do you think that might actually happen after Sakura-sama passes away?" [Woman]: "She hasn't been looking well lately." [Woman]: "Maybe Tennouji-san knows something about that?" [Woman]: "Tell us, Tennouji-san! Is Sakura-sama okay!?" [Kotarou]: "...eh? ...what?" I can't keep up with them at all. Their eyes all pierce through me. [Kotarou]: "Sakura-sama...she's the current holy woman, right?" [Woman]: "Oh no! You don't even know that?" [Woman]: "That's unacceptable!" [Woman]: "What a waste!" [Woman]: "You're supposed to be helping her!" [Kotarou]: "...I am?" [Woman]: "Yes! Akane-san's been doing all that work by herself. You're a good guy so you need to do some of it for her!" [Woman]: "Think of it as a dry run before getting married." [Kotarou]: "Hahaha..." Elderly girls are too energetic... [Kotarou]: "Akane-san still hasn't told me much about that." [Woman]: "That's true, the servants are supposed to be the ones taking care of her." [Woman]: "But she's getting so weak, and she isn't going to the hospital...it's worrying." [Woman]: "Doesn't she have a private doctor? She'll be fine." [Woman]: "But look at her age. There's no way to be sure. How many years has it been since she showed herself in public? One, two, three..." [Woman]: "Akane-san's been working so hard ever since Sakura-sama fell ill...she must be really concerned about her." [Woman]: "...what if Sakura-sama's already gone?" Don't say that. That's mean. I can't believe you. It can't be―― Girls really like cutting each other off. Their conversation starts to sound like the background noise of a jungle. [Kotarou]: (...Kashima Sakura.) She must have a lot of charisma. When we get back to work, I feel relieved. This wasn't a break at all for me. But young guys like me need no breaks. By the time we finish, the town is covered in the orange of the setting sun. [Woman]: "Hey, hey, Toshi-kun, look at this, it's so cute." [Man]: "It's on sale for the festival. Wanna check it out?" I walk by a couple talking excitedly about the items displayed in the window. [Kotarou]: (I wanna go on a date too...) The festival's happening right now, but Akane's too busy. I consider buying her a present, but then... She looks like a mirage. I can't tell if she's far away, or right next to me. My sense of distance is failing. She's definitely in the crowds, and it's not just a coincidence that I'm noticing her specifically. There's something about her... She's clearly not human. ...but she's not a ghost. She's not something that ordinary. Something unusual. Something unique. I don't know why, but I receive a strong shock from it. My body tenses up, and I can't move. The crowds get more dense, blocking my line of sight to her. Finally, I manage to move again. I slip through the crowds, toward the source of my anxiety. [Pedestrian]: "Kya! ...what was that? Wind?" I don't hit anyone. Even though I'm running at full speed. I'm slipping through the tiny gaps between people. So I should have gotten there faster than anyone else could move. And yet... [Kotarou]: "...she's gone." The girl's nowhere to be seen. I try calling Akane to ask her about it, but it doesn't connect, so I text her. "7 PM, HQ Cafeteria" That was her terse response. I arrive slightly early, and find Akane surrounded. [Member]: "How's Sakura-sama doing?" [Member]: "Don't give up, we're rooting for you." [Member]: "Please come to our regional meeting next time." [Member]: "Umm, could we shake hands?" [Member]: "Me too!" [Member]: "Me three!" [Member]: "I want an autograph!" [Member]: "Can you sign with one hand and shake with the other!?" [Member]: "If you don't mind pictures, please look over here!" [Member]: "If you release a CD I'll buy it!"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: (That's not gonna happen...) The holy woman is definitely a special person within Martel. There are tons of people heading in and out of this place during the festival. So she ended up completely surrounded. Akane's acting as polite as possible. She never smiled that way around us. She's even hesitant and timid, unlike her usual arrogant attitude. She'd probably get mad if I said this, but it's cute. I sit down far away, and wait for the crowds to die down. ...ten minutes later, nothing's changed. Word must be spreading that she's here, since people keep coming in. And from here I can tell that some people are getting back in line after their first handshake. This is unbearable. [Kotarou]: "Okay, everyone back up a little. I'm her manager." [Akane]: "Y-you...?" [Kotarou]: "Let me handle this." Thirty minutes later. [Staff A]: "This is the line for shaking Akane-sama's hand." [Staff B]: "We're handing out tickets now." [Staff C]: "Please do not take photos or start conversations with her." [Staff D]: "Please help us reduce congestion! Anyone who hangs on to their ticket will have priority in the next handshake event!" [Staff E]: "To reduce congestion, we have a second line for people who failed to reach Akane-sama the first time. Please make use of it." [Scalper]: "Anyone want a ticket?" [Akane]: "Wh-what is this?" [Kotarou]: "Order." [Akane]: "Who told you to make this a huge event?" [Kotarou]: "I figured this would make it end faster." [Akane]: "Mmm..." Another thirty minutes later. People finally start to disperse. [Kotarou]: "Good work today." [Akane]: "...I shouldn't have chosen this place." [Akane]: "Anyway, you wanted to talk. Let's go to the club room." Akane gets two bentous from the cafeteria and makes me carry them. We use the underground passage to get to the club room. [Akane]: "...huu." [Kotarou]: "I'll pour some tea." [Akane]: "This place is so calming." She reclines in her usual throne. She presses on the corners of her eyes. [Kotarou]: "Why not do some work here?" [Akane]: "My work consists of meeting people." [Kotarou]: "You had a lot of charisma though." [Akane]: "That has nothing to do with me. That's just respect for the holy woman." [Akane]: "And there are a ton of people coming from out of town to help with the festival..." [Akane]: "If it's like this every day, I won't be able to use the cafeteria." [Kotarou]: "I could get the bentous for you." [Akane]: "Maybe we'll do that..." [Kotarou]: "Also, Akane-san, you were pretty cute back there when you were embarrassed, haha." She twists my nose ninety degrees. [Kotarou]: "Jaaaa!?" That really hurts! [Akane]: "Do not call your superior cute." [Kotarou]: "Sorry..." [Akane]: "From now on don't go quite so overboard when you help me." [Kotarou]: "...got it." I have work! [Akane]: "So what did you want to talk about?" Akane says as she opens her bentou. [Kotarou]: "Remember back when I was being haunted?" [Akane]: "Yes, of course." [Akane]: "Some vengeful spirit came out of your TV, right?" [Kotarou]: "You don't remember it at all!" [Kotarou]: "Do you remember giving me all those shikigami?" [Akane]: "Ah, that..." [Kotarou]: "...I saw the ghost in town today." [Akane]: "Oh." She sounds bored already. [Kotarou]: "And that reminded me of the...dragon familiar?" [Akane]: "The Leaf Dragon." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Akane]: "That's the large dragon familiar you're talking about." [Akane]: "It's built like a balloon, and when folded up it can fit into a bentou box...never mind, that doesn't matter." [Akane]: "So what about it?" [Kotarou]: "The ghost was there when I saw the dragon, though I forgot about it until now." [Akane]: "Assuming that's not a delusion..." [Akane]: "...someone with very good tracking skills? The only people who could do that are..." [Kotarou]: "No, I don't think she's from Guardian..." [Kotarou]: "She felt more...ghost-like." [Akane]: "That's not enough information to work with. Do you have a picture of her?" [Kotarou]: "No..." [Kotarou]: "It's just...she felt like a familiar to me." Akane's face tightens up a bit. [Kotarou]: "Are there any human-shaped familiars?" [Akane]: "They do exist...but they're a special case." [Akane]: "Our organization doesn't have any way of reanimating human bodies." [Akane]: "Unless there's another group of summoners separate from Martel, it's hard to explain." [Akane]: "Though if you only mean human-shaped, it's not hard to control a doll." [Kotarou]: "No, she felt like a real human." [Akane]: "Wait, did you say it was a girl?" [Kotarou]: "Yes. She looked around the same age as us." [Akane]: "Any distinguishing features?" [Kotarou]: "There were ribbons around both of her wrists. I had no idea why, but..." [Kotarou]: "They seemed to be floating in the air." [Kotarou]: "Like they weren't natural." Akane's face gets more and more grave. [Akane]: "...it's not impossible." [Kotarou]: "?" [Akane]: "But showing interest in a single individual is..." Akane looks at me. [Akane]: "Kotarou, do you think everyone else was able to see that girl?" [Kotarou]: "No, I don't think so. It was probably just me." [Kotarou]: "Though even for me things were kinda hazy, and I lost sight of her pretty quickly." [Kotarou]: "Maybe I just wasn't feeling well." [Akane]: "There are a few familiars with the ability to block people's awareness of them." [Akane]: "Meaning they aren't conscious of the familiar's presence even if they can see it." [Kotarou]: "Sounds like typical magic." [Akane]: "The life energy we use to control familiars is also hard to see for most people, so some of them end up with that same property." [Kotarou]: "So you're saying that girl is a special kind of familiar?" [Akane]: "You're a hunter. Some of your hunting instincts are highly developed. Being able to see your prey is important when hunting." [Akane]: "Some superhumans have exceptionally good eyesight. You might be one of them..." [Kotarou]: "My eyes really aren't that good..." They're just good enough that I'll never need binoculars or night vision scopes, but that's it.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Akane]: "It's probably appropriate to assume you have that power, but it's unstable." [Kotarou]: "So if she's a familiar...who's controlling her?" [Akane]: "...Kotarou, would you like a new assignment?" [Kotarou]: "Yes, whatever you want." [Akane]: "I want you to capture that girl." [Kotarou]: "Geh." [Kotarou]: "Superpeople always die when facing off against ghosts in horror movies..." [Akane]: "Don't worry. The chances of her being a vengeful spirit are under 25%." [Kotarou]: "That's not good enough!" [Kotarou]: "I can't accept that job!" [Akane]: "I thought you said you'd work for me!" I walk out of the school by myself in the middle of the night. ...in the end she pressured me into it. [Akane]: "The girl you saw...is probably a supernatural being we call the Key." [Kotarou]: "The Key?" [Akane]: "Familiars are created by humans. But the Key's different." [Akane]: "...the Key is naturally born from the Earth." [Kotarou]: "You mean that girl just grew out of the ground?" [Akane]: "That's right. No human will was involved." [Kotarou]: "I'm not sure I understand." [Akane]: "It'll take a long time to explain. I'm trying to keep it simple." [Akane]: "Just know that everyone in Gaia sees the Key as an object of worship." [Akane]: "But to our enemies, the Key is something to be exterminated." [Kotarou]: "Guardian?" [Akane]: "If the Key's wandering around the city, we have to capture it immediately, before they find it!" [Akane]: "We need to do things in secret, so I want you to operate alone. And do not tell anyone other than me about it." [Kotarou]: "...o-okay, I understand." So, that's why I'm here. [Kotarou]: (...let's do this.) I charge into the town in high spirits. Three hours later―― [Kotarou]: "...I couldn't find her." [Akane]: "Well, I can't say I'm surprised. You're hardly a detective..." [Kotarou]: "I'm getting tired, so is that enough for today?" [Akane]: "I guess..." [Akane]: "Now that I think about it, it's probably a bit...no, very ridiculous to expect you to pull this off." [Kotarou]: "I'll do what I can..." [Akane]: "Tomorrow I'll give you some people to make things more convenient." [Kotarou]: "So you want me to keep doing this?" [Akane]: "Of course." [Akane]: "You're the only one who can see it." [Kotarou]: "...I've never been in charge of anyone before." [Akane]: "Then this is your chance to get some experience. You'll have to do it sooner or later anyway." [Kotarou]: "I'm really not fit to lead things though...the Occult Club didn't exactly go well." [Akane]: "...I think that club was doomed to failure." [Kotarou]: "Uu...I know I don't have that much charisma." [Akane]: "Not in that sense." [Akane]: "...besides, no one would care about me if I wasn't a servant." [Kotarou]: "Akane-san, are you tired?" [Akane]: "Eh? Am I?" [Kotarou]: "Your womanly charms are lower than usual." [Akane]: "...wh-......at...?" [Kotarou]: "You must be really busy." [Akane]: "If I wasn't busy at a time like this that'd be worrying." [Akane]: "I know, let's show you how to use a familiar." [Kotarou]: "Eh? When?" [Akane]: "Right now, obviously." [Akane]: "Dunce." [Kotarou]: "Uuu..." She takes me to an underground room. It's pretty big, but has no furnishings, so it feels barren. The HQ has very huge underground facilities. [Kotarou]: "It's very dark..." [Akane]: "That helps with making familiars." [Akane]: "Making visible things less clear weakens your grasp of the environment, making the meaning of life vaguer..." [Akane]: "Familiars are created between reality and other worlds." [Akane]: "Listen. In many ways, the Key is the archetype of all familiars." [Akane]: "It's unstable, but it can change its form at will. A life that is not fully alive. That's what all familiars are." [Akane]: "We stole this technique from the Key a long, long time ago." [Kotarou]: "So that's why the Key is special..." [Akane]: "We've been fighting a long war around the Key for centuries." [Akane]: "The harvest festival was originally a celebration of the Key's arrival." [Kotarou]: "Oooh..." [Akane]: "The Key has instincts to wander and return home." [Akane]: "So it spends decades wandering the world after its birth, and when the time comes it returns home..." [Kotarou]: "Like salmon?" [Akane]: "And Guardian is sending a large number of people here for the festival in order to catch that salmon." [Akane]: "...the Key has the power to change everything." [Kotarou]: "You said familiars come from people's desires, right?" [Akane]: "Yes. But familiars are weak and incomplete. The Key is different." [Akane]: "...there's not much point in hiding it, so I might as well tell you. It can destroy civilization." [Kotarou]: "How?" [Akane]: "Pretend it's a bomb." [Akane]: "But dozens of times more powerful than any nuke, and capable of wiping out everything on the surface of the planet." [Kotarou]: "So the Key's going to explode?" [Akane]: "Not really, but that's good enough for now." [Akane]: "Guardian is trying to prevent that from happening by destroying the Key." I see, so that's their ultimate objective. That definitely would get rid of the danger... [Akane]: "...the Key won't destroy humanity without a good reason." [Akane]: "It's a sin to destroy such a noble being for selfish ethical reasons." [Kotarou]: "Isn't that too big a responsibility for just me...?" This is really weighing on me now. [Kotarou]: "Shouldn't we bring in the full power of Gaia to capture it...?" [Akane]: "...I'd prefer to deal with it in secret." [Akane]: "Without Suzaki knowing." [Kotarou]: "So you and Suzaki..." They really are enemies. [Akane]: "He does believe Gaia's teachings, but he's just after power." [Akane]: "Like Guardian, he wants personal control over the Key." [Akane]: "The Key watches how people behave. It's an observer." [Akane]: "Ideally, destruction should be avoided simply by humans acting appropriately..." [Akane]: "The Key is not a weapon or a catastrophe. It's the will of the planet." [Kotarou]: "So we have to protect it?"

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Akane]: "Exactly. But Suzaki's keeping a close eye on me right now." [Akane]: "The holy woman isn't as powerful as she used to be. We don't have very many options." [Akane]: "Most of the people we do control are also being watched by Suzaki, so we can't use them easily." [Akane]: "You're one of the few people we can send on this mission without attracting attention." [Kotarou]: "So that's why..." [Akane]: "And you can see the Key, so you're the ideal choice." [Akane]: "If you can use familiars too, that should make things easier." [Kotarou]: "Got it. Tell me how it works." Akane nods, and approaches a table in the center of the room. She runs a hand over the surface. Then a circular pattern appears, and shimmers like water. A bird flies out of it, like a fish leaping out of the water. The vibrantly colored bird flaps elegantly and lands gently on her arm. [Kotarou]: "So that's your familiar...?" [Akane]: "It's called a Scout Bird." [Kotarou]: "It looks just like a real bird." [Akane]: "A real bird's skeleton was used to make it." [Akane]: "The outside is mostly leaves and vines, though the eyes come from a bird of prey." The familiar turns its head mechanically and stares at me. Its movements are perfectly efficient. It doesn't feel alive at all. It's as still as a robot. So that's what familiars are like. [Akane]: "In broad terms, the ritual consists of constructing a familiar, then making a contract with it." [Akane]: "Creating the familiar and using it are two different things." [Akane]: "So it's possible for one person to make a familiar, then have someone else use it." [Kotarou]: "Oooh." [Akane]: "Though there are lots of individual quirks, so it's best to use one you made yourself." The bird flies around the room. From far away, it looks identical to a real bird. Then it dives back into the magic circle and disappears. [Kotarou]: "How do you make it appear and disappear like that?" [Akane]: "...that's probably the most implausible part." [Akane]: "I'm calling it from the city of stone." [Kotarou]: "The what?" [Akane]: "To you, it's like another dimension." [Kotarou]: "Ah, is that the place I got lost in...?" [Akane]: "Probably." [Akane]: "It's also said to be an area where life energy collects after leaking out of Kazamatsuri." [Akane]: "So it's kind of like a city-sized familiar." [Akane]: "It tries to duplicate Kazamatsuri City, though it doesn't have all the infrastructure, of course." [Akane]: "Right now, we're using it to store our familiars." [Akane]: "There's a trick we can use to make the city of stone spit our familiars back out into this dimension." [Kotarou]: "Can you send humans in and out too?" [Akane]: "Not reliably." [Akane]: "Normal people can wander in there and get lost forever. There's no precise, mechanical way of doing it." [Kotarou]: "So all the occultists in Kazamatsuri were right..." [Akane]: "Who?" [Kotarou]: "The guys who really like UFO and UMA stories..." [Akane]: "By the way, this summoning trick doesn't work outside Kazamatsuri City." [Akane]: "Everywhere else, we have to move our familiars around physically." [Akane]: "Some of them are made of perishable materials, so it's often best to refrigerate them." [Kotarou]: "...seriously?" That's nowhere near as cool as summoning monsters at will. [Kotarou]: "That was sobering." [Akane]: "It doesn't matter if it matches your fantasies or not." [Akane]: "Back to the point. We're going to see if you can make a contract with an existing familiar." [Akane]: "If you can move it around, then we can try to find one that suits you." [Akane]: "Let's get started." Akane gestures, and the room gets even darker. It feels like the darkness in a theater just before the movie starts. The door opens, and Tsukuno-san comes in. She carries something in both hands, which she puts down on the table. [Kotarou]: "A doll?" Tsukuno-san bows, then heads back out. [Akane]: "...you can see it?" [Kotarou]: "There's still a little light in here..." [Akane]: "Then keep your eyes on it." There was no solemn ritual, ominous chant, or special items. She just runs her hands over the doll. Easy, simple, and slightly disappointing. As if she's trying to learn the doll's shape without using her eyes. [Akane]: "The idea is to search for a place where your fingers feel like they're sinking into it..." [Akane]: "If you're capable of controlling familiars, there's no way you can miss it." [Akane]: "...there, found it." [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Akane]: "I'm connected to it. The contract's complete." From my point of view, nothing happened. But Akane said it did. I watch with wide open eyes. [Akane]: "In a sense it's connected to my nerves now. But that's not enough to move it." [Akane]: "Familiars have no life energy to move." [Akane]: "They don't eat, and they have no organs. Familiars can't move on their own." [Akane]: "So you need to give them a little of your own life..." I hold my breath. Eventually, it happens. [Kotarou]: "It moved..." The doll stands up. I've seen a lot of familiars already, but this is still surprising. Akane's not moving it with her hand. The doll's standing up on its own. And... Walking along the table. Like a badly-made spring-wound toy. [Kotarou]: "Oh...watch out..." It has no intelligence. The doll just walks. It continues to the edge of the table, and falls right off. I quickly reach out and catch it. [Kotarou]: "...it's moving." The doll's limbs wriggle around in my hand. I put it back on the table. The doll picks itself back up, and starts walking again. [Kotarou]: "Can it do anything besides walk?" [Akane]: "No, it's just a practice familiar." The doll moves to the center of the table, then falls over and stops moving. [Kotarou]: "It died...?" [Akane]: "I cut the contract, so it can't move anymore." [Kotarou]: "Prez...are you sweating?" [Akane]: "Using familiars...requires some of your own life, and it can be quite exhausting." [Akane]: "I'm not very good at using them...and I haven't had much sleep lately." [Kotarou]: "Are you okay?" [Akane]: "Yes...I'll have time to sleep tonight..." [Akane]: "Anyway, Kotarou, you try it now." She points to the doll. [Kotarou]: "With this thing?"

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Akane]: "Touch it. See if you can find the right spot." [Kotarou]: "Like this?" I try touching it the same way Akane did. [Akane]: "Do you feel anything? Anything like a connection?" [Kotarou]: "...ummm..." [Akane]: "If something feels different from just touching a doll normally, focus on that." [Akane]: "Your vision will only get in the way, so you should close your eyes if you can see it." I do as she says. ...after a little while, I feel something like static electricity between me and the doll. It makes my hair stand on end. [Kotarou]: "Ah, I got something...is this it...?" [Akane]: "...try to control that sensation through your fingers." [Kotarou]: "Through my fingers..." As I focus, the vague static starts to converge into a single line. It connects me to the doll. [Kotarou]: "...it worked." Suddenly, I understand. I'm connected to it. My life is connected to it. Just as a mother is connected to her child. The doll is sharing my life. [Kotarou]: "Okay...stand." The doll twitches and quivers. It uses both hands to push itself to its feet. [Kotarou]: "Now, walk..." ...it takes big, awkward steps, like it has skis on its feet. [Kotarou]: "I did it..." [Akane]: "...I expected this, but it's still surprising." I can barely hear Akane's words. I focus entirely on this new sensation. But I can't control it precisely. I can probably make the doll kick a ping pong ball. But I can't make it pick up a pen and start writing. I tell Akane that. [Akane]: "...then your talent with familiars is probably C+." [Akane]: "I'm B-, by the way." [Kotarou]: "But you're so charismatic..." [Akane]: "My predecessors were absurdly good at this. I couldn't hope to match them." [Akane]: "But I can charm everyone by riding on their coattails." [Kotarou]: "That sounds really pathetic..." [Akane]: "I can't help it. You're born with this." [Kotarou]: "Was your predecessor that amazing?" [Akane]: "I heard she could control one of the largest familiars all by herself." [Kotarou]: "Like the one I saw in the forest?" [Akane]: "The Leaf Dragon is only 25 kilos. That's lighter than a hunter." [Kotarou]: "It's that light...?" [Akane]: "It was designed from scratch without using any pre-existing creature as reference...we say it's a fictional-type." [Akane]: "But the fact that it's light doesn't mean it's easy to control..." [Akane]: "Even for us summoners, controlling a familiar that can fly is extremely hard." [Kotarou]: "...so I'll never be able to do that." [Akane]: "It took me years to get that bird to fly properly, so that's probably true." She chuckles. [Akane]: "How did controlling the doll feel? Did you get tired?" [Kotarou]: "Not really." [Akane]: "Then you must have a lot more life force than me." [Akane]: "You'll probably notice it if you try to control a hound though." I assume "hound" means one of those black dogs. Anyway, now I know that this life sharing connection thing is called a "contract". Using something is always easier than making it. I can't make a cell phone, but I can use it. Same with familiars. [Kotarou]: "There." As she explains stuff to me, I make the doll backflip. I failed my first several tries, but now I've gotten the hang of it. Just like any other skill, practice makes perfect. [Akane]: "If you want to play around, fine, but keep listening." [Kotarou]: "Okaaay." [Akane]: "About capturing the Key..." [Akane]: "In principle, the Key will never attack people on its own. But reports indicate it will fight back if attacked." [Akane]: "So you must not attack it in any way." [Kotarou]: "Making me feel that kind of terror seems like an attack all by itself..." [Kotarou]: "But if I can't talk to it, how do I capture it?" [Akane]: "According to old records, it normally gets worshipped as a deity." [Akane]: "It seems it will naturally approach people who seem to be enjoying themselves." [Kotarou]: "Is the Key strong?" [Akane]: "...well, it's definitely not weak." [Akane]: "But Guardian has been able to destroy it a number of times." [Akane]: "The Key has human form, but it's not human. Our strategies and tactics don't apply to it." [Akane]: "We probably can't handle a conflict around it." [Kotarou]: "Hmmm...so I can't let them find me." [Kotarou]: "But it sounds like trying to drag it here by force would be too dangerous." [Akane]: "If you don't plan on hurting it, it won't attack...I assume. But there's no way to be certain." [Akane]: "Still, it seems to be attached to you for some reason, so try to make use of that." [Kotarou]: "Why me?" [Akane]: "I don't know...this is unheard of." [Akane]: "Sorry to force this on you." [Kotarou]: "Ah, no, it's fine. I'm just glad I have something to do." I make the doll wave his hand. [Akane]: "Huhu..." She smiles gently. She's cute when her face softens like that. But... [Akane]: "...what?" [Kotarou]: "Nothing. You just looked pale." [Akane]: "Oh no...do I?" [Akane]: "I'm just composed." [Akane]: "Anyway, the Key." [Akane]: "...it's very important...that we end this without letting anyone find out..." Suddenly, Akane falls to her knees. I grab her before she hits the ground. Her clothes are damp with sweat. [Akane]: "...I'm fine...it's just low blood pressure..." [Kotarou]: "Really? Your body feels cold..." [Kotarou]: "I'll call Tsukuno-san." [Akane]: "Don't. I'll be fine if I get some rest..." [Kotarou]: "But..." [Akane]: "Tsukuno would overreact. She's always been overprotective..." [Akane]: "If people make a fuss over me collapsing at a time like this, it'll just get in the way of everything. I don't want to give Suzaki another excuse..." [Kotarou]: "Let's stop here for today." [Akane]: "No, we have to...make a plan..." [Akane]: "Huu..." She's asleep. She must've been really tired. Has she been running around the past few days without any sleep at all? If she would just show me her weakness, I could do something to help. I still don't know what's hurting her though. But I'm sure I'll find out eventually. That will be when I can truly help her. That's what it means to get close to someone. This one-way relationship is enough for now.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> In the darkness, only I can see her innocent face. I watch her sleep for a minute before calling someone. The next morning. Akane comes to the club room. [Kotarou]: "You don't have to come all the way here if you want me for something." [Akane]: "There's no way to know who might be listening back there." [Akane]: "...sorry about last night." [Kotarou]: "It's fine." Her complexion looks better now, so she must have gotten some sleep. But it's still not good. Akane feels on edge, both physically and mentally. I know she's in a position with a lot of responsibility... But is that enough to make her this tense? [Akane]: "...I don't have much time today, so we'll have to decide on our plan right now." [Kotarou]: "Are you sure you're awake enough for it?" [Akane]: "There's no time...starting tomorrow I'll have no free time at all..." [Kotarou]: "I see..." We get out a recent map of the city, and discuss a plan to capture the Key. We can't involve anyone else, and we have to keep this a secret from both allies and enemies, so we have a lot of trouble. But it's also a little fun. [Akane]: "Why are you smiling?" [Akane]: "I see why you'd enjoy this, but we need to take this seriously." [Kotarou]: "I know. I'm being serious." [Kotarou]: "It'd be so much easier if we could use a car..." [Kotarou]: "Actually, didn't you say you were going to give me some helpers?" [Akane]: "You'll get one person. A female holy disciple named Tsuruhashi." [Kotarou]: "What's she like?" [Akane]: "She's good at her job, has a driver's license, and is rather sociable." So she has no special skills. [Kotarou]: "Can I use any familiars?" [Akane]: "You wouldn't be able to. I haven't even taught you how to summon them yet." [Kotarou]: "Are there any I can bring around town inconspicuously?" [Akane]: "It's not that easy to make birds fly properly." [Kotarou]: "...so much for that." [Akane]: "You can still use Tsuruhashi like a familiar." [Kotarou]: "I'm not gonna be that mean..." [Tsuruhashi]: "Tennouji...san? I'm Tsuruhashi, a disciple." Her car says "Culture Promotion, Inc." on the side. [Kotarou]: "Pleased to meet you. I'm Tennouji. I look forward to working with you." I've been given one of the company employees working on festival planning. Disciples are all over the place. [Tsuruhashi]: "We're going to patrol around the city, right?" [Kotarou]: "Yes." I get in the passenger seat, and she starts driving. Traffic is strictly limited during the festival. Normal cars can't go through this area, so I'm very glad we have this one. [Tsuruhashi]: "Are you a high school student?" She talks to me after a while. [Kotarou]: "...I just dropped out." [Tsuruhashi]: "Hmmmm." [Tsuruhashi]: "From Akane-san's school?" [Kotarou]: "Yes." [Tsuruhashi]: "I see..." [Tsuruhashi]: "You're her protector, yes?" [Kotarou]: "Is that what I'm called?" [Tsuruhashi]: "Yes. The current holy woman used to have protectors too..." [Tsuruhashi]: "And a man named Suzaki-san is in charge of them now." [Kotarou]: "Oooh..." [Tsuruhashi]: "Tennouji-san, are you Akane-san's boyfriend?" [Kotarou]: "It's not like that...yet." [Kotarou]: "I'm not sure." [Tsuruhashi]: "Hmmm." [Tsuruhashi]: "...it's nice being young." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Tsuruhashi-san, aren't you still young?" [Tsuruhashi]: "Not at all." [Kotarou]: "Aren't you in your twenties?" [Tsuruhashi]: "I am in my early twenties, but I'm already sterile." [Tsuruhashi]: "I'm already a washed up old hag." I look blankly at her. She looks totally normal. Young, hardworking... She should have endless possibilities ahead of her. [Tsuruhashi]: "Well, the bigger problem is that I'm incompetent." She starts smoking a cigarette without asking. Though this is her car, so that's fine... I can't pin down why, but she seems kinda hard to deal with. [Tsuruhashi]: "The only reason I haven't been fired is because Martel funds us. Normally I'd have been handed a pink slip by now." [Kotarou]: "Akane-san said you're good at your job." [Tsuruhashi]: "She was just saving face. I'm no good at all." [Kotarou]: (She's really negative...) She pushes her long cigarette into the ashtray, and starts on a second one. A few high school girls pass by the window, chatting happily to each other. Tsuruhashi-san sees them. [Tsuruhashi]: "Young kids look so hopeful. What are they so happy about?" [Tsuruhashi]: "They'll never be able to laugh like that in the future." Her words feel eerie, as if I'm peeking into a bottomless abyss. Exactly the kind of place familiars would come from. People who can't live in the real world, and employ monsters instead... How do I feel about this? Nowadays they'd be called a cult, but what about in ancient times? The term "disciple" suddenly bugs me. It's like she's a kind of holy woman herself. [Kotarou]: "Wait a minute. I need to get something." I ask her to stop the car near my house. I get out of the car, and sigh deeply while looking away from her. [Kotarou]: (I'm so tired...) I can't look for the Key like this. So I decided to get a bunch of things from home. I won't have many other opportunities to do this. Thankfully, my parents aren't around. I'd probably feel terrible if they were here. How did Akane-san talk them into allowing all this? We weren't on bad terms, but they usually don't worry much about me. And I think that's because I stopped going to the Martel meetings. When I was young, they took me to them... And I didn't like it, so eventually they stopped. I vaguely remember getting in a bit of a fight with them at the time. [Kotarou]: (Yeah...that was when we started drifting apart.) No point thinking about it now. I pack a bunch of stuff I might need into a boston bag. I pick up a textbook, and think. I don't need this anymore. Manga, books, game consoles, clothes... There's so many things here that used to be part of my life. But they aren't anymore. They all feel like part of my past. Something feels wrong, and I look at the ground. I see a blonde hair on the ground. I turn on my PC. I use a program to check when it was last turned on.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Shimako | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "...damn." It's been activated once since I left home. This computer is password protected, but whoever it was broke through that. And they checked a huge number of files. There's nothing on it I wanted to hide, but... [Kotarou]: (...someone's investigating me?) Later I check the living room, and find evidence that the window was unlocked from the outside. They must have used a lockpick. Incidentally, no money or valuables were taken. The intruder was here to learn about me. If Akane sent someone to do this, that's fine. But if it's not her... There's only one answer. [Kotarou]: (...I'd better not wander around here anymore.) Like past pre-festivals, I can see a number of girls in their native dress. It finally feels like the festival's starting. It'll be even livelier when it really gets started. The city will be full of costume parades, and tourists taking tons of pictures. In this place, a group of people wearing dark robes wouldn't stand out at all―― [Kotarou]: "...stop here." She pulls aside and stops the car. I stay inside and watch the group of robed people. [Kotarou]: "...are they...?" [Tsuruhashi]: "Probably allies." [Tsuruhashi]: "I assume they're people from HQ who live in the city of stone." [Tsuruhashi]: "They should be heading back now. I think there's a passage near here." [Kotarou]: "A passage?" [Tsuruhashi]: "A place where they can enter the city of stone." [Kotarou]: "How many places are there in the city?" [Tsuruhashi]: "I'm not sure, that's Suzaki-san's department..." [Tsuruhashi]: "But there should be tons of them." [Kotarou]: "Can we use them?" [Tsuruhashi]: "Good question...why don't you ask Akane-san?" [Tsuruhashi]: "You're both still young, and you're in a very fortunate position, so take advantage of it." Everything she says bugs me somehow... [Kotarou]: "...will do." I'm not good at talking to her... In the evening, I return to the club room. I didn't find the Key. The only achievements today were learning there's been a spy in my house, and seeing some of Suzaki's summoners downtown. Akane still won't answer her phone, so I report to her via text. After taking a shower and getting changed, Tsukuno-san and Shimako show up. [Tsukuno]: "Sorry, but could you keep an eye on her for a while?" [Kotarou]: "Umm, sure..." [Kotarou]: "But wouldn't she get bored being around me all day?" [Tsukuno]: "No, she really likes you." [Kotarou]: "She does...?" [Tsukuno]: "I have an important errand to run, but I'll be back in around two hours." [Tsukuno]: "There's no one else I can ask." [Kotarou]: "Well, if you say so..." Then she leaves Shimako with me. [Kotarou]: "Keep an eye on you..." [Kotarou]: "...should we play a game or something?" After Shimako finishes wandering around the room, she stands in front of me. ...did she understand what I said? [Kotarou]: "Are there any board games around here..." There are plenty of computer games lying around, but I can't imagine a little girl enjoying those much. Akane seems to like some really bloody games. Maybe that helps her relieve stress. [Kotarou]: "...uuu...nothing." [Kotarou]: "We'll need to play something that doesn't require toys." [Kotarou]: "How about shiritori? I'll start. Shaft." [Shimako]: ".........?" She looks at me with innocent eyes. [Kotarou]: "...sorry, that was inappropriate. You can't talk anyway." [Kotarou]: "Ah, that's right, the old Occult Club should have..." [Kotarou]: "There it is!" Kotori unearthed these board games in the pile of cardboard boxes from the previous club. They probably used this stuff to kill time. Pocket shogi, Othello, playing cards, tarot cards, hanafuda...lots of stuff like that. [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's go through these one by one." She looks down at the worn-out, dusty toys. Then she runs off. [Kotarou]: "Ah, no, not that way." Shimako flies toward the door to the hallway. She opens it, and tries to escape. [Kotarou]: "Not gonna happen." I'm not playing tag with her again. I use super speed to grab her from behind. [Shimako]: "―!?" Shimako seems surprised by my near-teleportation. [Kotarou]: "Adults are powerful." [Kotarou]: "You can't go into the school. There are still people there." [Kotarou]: "If you want to go to school someday, study for the entrance exams in here." [Kotarou]: "Then you'll have to come here every day whether you want to or not." She flails. [Kotarou]: "Let's play shogi or Othello. I know it's kinda ordinary, but...they're still fun games." I give it my best shot, but Shimako only manages to learn Othello. Then we start playing, and it's surprisingly fun, so we spend a lot of time on that. By 9 PM, she's sound asleep on the sofa. [Kotarou]: "...I forgot to eat dinner." I put a bunch of milk in my coffee to make up for it. I turn on the TV and lower the volume. Several news channels are covering the pre-festival. But the real thing is tomorrow. Hundreds of thousands of people will be there. Including tons of foreigners. There's no way to know which of them are from Guardian. [Kotarou]: (...I still can't find it.) Now that I think about it, today was ideal for finding the Key. Finding it before the festival starts would've been perfect... Am I still not taking this seriously enough? Eventually Tsukuno-san comes back, takes Shimako away, and I put my sweater on again. I come back late at night. Akane's here. [Akane]: "...Kotarou, where were you?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, I went looking for the Key again." [Akane]: "Again?" [Kotarou]: "I figured it'd be easier to find her today before the festival starts..." [Kotarou]: "But I still haven't found anything." [Akane]: "...thank you." [Kotarou]: "But I'm not helping at all." [Akane]: "I'm surprised to see you actually trying to do this." [Kotarou]: "I'm serious about it." [Akane]: "It would seem so." [Akane]: "Even though we were completely lacking in preparations, and I underestimated the difficulty." [Akane]: "There really isn't anything for you to blame yourself for." [Kotarou]: "Guardian will be out there in full force tomorrow though." [Akane]: "There's no helping that. We can't stop them."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Akane]: "But they're not making much headway either. We don't think they've found the Key yet." [Akane]: "We should still have the advantage." [Kotarou]: "What about Suzaki's people?" [Akane]: "I don't know. They're acting on their own...but they do seem a little frantic." [Akane]: "As I've told you before, summoners are operating on a wide scale within the city." [Kotarou]: "He's hiding something." [Akane]: "He is. He's probably after the same thing we are." [Akane]: "But they didn't make such a big deal out of it last year." [Akane]: "Suzaki's people must know the Key's here." [Akane]: "What do you think?" [Kotarou]: "...so someone leaked that information? There aren't many people who know what we were up to." [Akane]: "Like who?" [Kotarou]: "You and me. There's no way you'd betray me, which means the mole has to be me!" [Kotarou]: "...it's not true...please believe me..." I cling to her. [Akane]: "Seeing your idiocy makes me feel so much better about things." [Akane]: "Of course I know that." [Akane]: "There are familiars that can detect the Key, so it's not that strange." [Akane]: "...this could turn into a three-way race." [Akane]: "I think this situation might continue even after the festival. We need to approach it calmly, without rushing." [Kotarou]: "I've still got plenty of stamina." [Akane]: "At least you're dependable in that sense." [Akane]: "The truth is, I'm putting my hopes on the fact that the Key seems to be attached to you for some reason..." [Kotarou]: "You're right, if it approaches us..." [Akane]: "If I wasn't so busy I could do more for you...I'm sorry." [Kotarou]: "It's okay, I'll do what I can." [Akane]: "Could you make some coffee?" [Kotarou]: "Sure." I make two cups. [Kotarou]: "Here's yours." [Akane]: "Thank you." [Akane]: "Also, we weren't the ones searching your house." [Kotarou]: "So it was..." [Akane]: "Probably." [Akane]: "Which means Guardian's been watching you. We don't know for how long though." [Kotarou]: "...we really can't let our guard down." [Akane]: "We're at war." [Kotarou]: "We really are..." Akane checks the time and stands up. [Akane]: "...I'll go back to HQ now. Good luck tomorrow." [Kotarou]: "Eh? You've still got work?" [Akane]: "Yes. It's been piling up for a long time." [Kotarou]: "But it's already nighttime." [Akane]: "Exactly. Don't you pull all-nighters when you study for tests?" [Akane]: "It's easy to work that hard when you know there's an end to it." [Kotarou]: "...okay, if you say so." The harvest festival begins. In this area, it's an even bigger day than New Year's or Christmas. The whole city is decorated, and there are parades and attractions going on all over the place. The street is a hellish mob of pedestrians. All of the stands lined up around town are doing well. The flow of people is as thick as a full subway train. It's impossible to walk around in the direction you want to go. Local traffic laws prevent anyone from using cars today, so even Tsuruhashi-san can't help. This isn't very efficient, but the best choice is to look around on my own. I look down at the seal case in my hands. [Akane]: "Anyone who sees this will treat you as a VIP――" This seal case... Apparently this is how the Martel-affiliated firms know who to give special treatment. Is that true? I don't really need help right now, but... [Kotarou]: "Umm, excuse me..." I approach some people trying to set up a shop, and show the owner the seal case. The case has the kanji for "holy" written on it in gold lacquer, surrounded by floral designs. [Man]: "Th-that is the sacred emblem of those chosen few trusted by the holy woman..." [Man]: "Please take this!" I obtained takoyaki. That wasn't what I wanted at all... Before I can thank him, the crowds sweep me away. [Kotarou]: "Hmm...this is good." Genuine large-grain takoyaki. Especially good since I skipped breakfast. [Kotarou]: (But there's no way I can look for anyone in these crowds...) I need to escape to a less busy street. Slipping between buildings is the easiest way to do that. ...apparently every company in this area is affiliated with Martel. [Man]: "Hey, you're not allowed to go through here." I show him the case. [Man]: "This is...please walk through here!" [Kotarou]: (This thing's amazing.) [Kotarou]: "Those popsicles look good. By the way, look at this." [Man]: "Oooh! Have whatever you want!" [Kotarou]: "I know it says anyone who comes through here without permission gets fined ten thousand yen, but I can do it for free, right?" [Man]: "The hell is your problem!?" [Kotarou]: "Oh, you didn't see this emblem?" [Man]: "Th-that...! My apologies! Of course we won't fine you!" [Man]: "What the hell!? Are you aware that I'm the thirteenth head of the Kyokutou Samejima Peddler Alliance!?" [Man]: "Look at the rising super ball embroidery on my signature apron!" [Kotarou]: "Here. *seal*" [Man]: "Sorry. I was wrong. Please walk through here. Would you like a super ball ticket? You can have it for free." [Kotarou]: (Even these wackos are part of Martel...?) Around this point I start to forget why I'm here. [Kotarou]: "I'm so hungry...*seal*" [Man]: "Eat up!" [Kotarou]: "I'm so thirsty...*seal*" [Man]: "Here's some lemonade!" [Kotarou] "I'd love some shiny pieces of metal right about now...*seal*" [Man]: "These are all the coins we got from customer donations!" Delicious food and warm drinks. I'm spoiled so much I enter a happy trance. [Kotarou]: "...oooh..." [Kotarou]: "...huh?" [Kotarou]: "What the hell am I doiiiiiiing!?" I've been given this money to investigate with. [Kotarou]: "Wait, why do I have more money now!? Whyyyyyyy!?" I've just been enjoying the festival like normal people. It's almost 10 AM now. I just lost two whole hours. At that moment, it suddenly feels like a drill is being shoved into my spine. [Kotarou]: "...!" This sensation... I look around. ...there! [Kotarou]: "...the Key." I look up. The girl's standing in midair, looking down at me. No...she's not floating.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> The ribbons extending from her wrists are forming a spider-like web across the street. She's just standing on that. The crowds around me are making lots of noise, but not because of this. They can't see the girl. [Kotarou]: (She really can prevent them from noticing her...) It's having an effect on me too. The girl seems to be flickering. I need to capture her. The Key walks along the ribbon, and hops onto one of the buildings. I rush inside, up the stairs, and look out the window. [Kotarou]: "She's gone!?" I open my eyes wide to look for her, and find she's already at a different building, much farther away. She's the size of my fingertip now. Just a slight inconsistency in the background. Nothing more. There's no way I can follow her in a crowded area. But this might be my only chance. I can't just ignore it. [Kotarou]: "I hope no one's watching..." I put a foot on the window frame. Pipes, window frames, ledges... I use as many of those as possible to climb up to the roof. I reach the roof, and jump to the next building. [Kotarou]: "Whoah..." I almost miss, but since these buildings are so close together I just manage it. I start catching up with the Key as I leap from roof to roof. The Key isn't moving. It's just looking at the ground. [Kotarou]: (Almost there...) I reach the final hurdle. The last roof is higher than the one I'm on. The distance between the two buildings is only a few meters, but I'll have to jump up at least three meters to grab the edge. It doesn't seem feasible. Can I do this...? [Kotarou]: (I'm a superhuman...let's do this!) I jump. I fail, and fall from the tenth story. [Kotarou]: "Hooooo!?" I manage to grab on to the long hand of a giant clock on the side of the building. [Kotarou]: "...p-phew!" But my hands slip. [Kotarou]: "Nooooooooooo!" I break through several awnings on the way down. Two... Three... At the bottom is a very conveniently placed fruit juice stand. [Kotarou]: "...I'm alive..." The piles of fruit break my fall. [Employee]: "Wh-wh-what are you doing...?" [Kotarou]: "The Martel Group will compensate you for the damages." I show him the seal, and he backs off. [Employee]: "Th-thank you for your business..." The pedestrians are stunned. Crap, I drew unnecessary attention. I pick myself up out of the wreckage, and speak to the crowds with part of a watermelon on my head. [Kotarou]: "I'll be doing an encore later in the festival!" [Pedestrian]: "Oh, it was just a magic show..." [Pedestrian]: "I seriously thought he fell from the roof." [Pedestrian]: "There really are shows going on everywhere here." Thank god the masses are so easily tricked... But the Key's completely gone. [Akane]: "...dunce." [Kotarou]: "I know..." Akane scolds me when I get back. [Akane]: "You wasted our one chance..." She covers her face with one hand. [Akane]: "I'm even getting complaints." [Kotarou]: "Complaints?" [Akane]: "You overused the seal." [Akane]: "You may be a VIP, but you shouldn't be wasting that power on free food, moron." [Kotarou]: "...sorry." [Akane]: "But this is still good. If you're that stupid, that completely eliminates the possibility of you being a double agent." [Kotarou]: "Haha, so it wasn't all for nothing." [Akane]: "I'm being sarcastic. You should be able to tell. Are you stupid? Are you handicapped?" [Akane]: "You're not allowed to use that seal anymore!" Akane spends all of our precious break time lecturing me, then heads back to work without eating. [Akane]: "Ah, that's right...I did learn something. Join me for dinner tonight." [Akane]: "I'll explain then." Then she leaves. After receiving that much mental damage, I had to lie down on the bed, so I only grunted in response. A few hours later, someone knocks on the door. Someone from HQ. [Kotarou]: "Come in." [Tsukuno]: "I heard she disciplined you." [Kotarou]: "...I screwed up today so I'm not allowed to go outside." [Kotarou]: "What brings you here?" [Tsukuno]: "Did Shimako come here?" [Kotarou]: "No, haven't seen her." [Tsukuno]: "Hmmmm, that's strange...I can't think of anywhere else she might go." [Kotarou]: "She's missing?" [Tsukuno]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "Is she somewhere in this building?" [Tsukuno]: "Yes, I think so." I look around the room. No sign of anyone hiding in here. [Kotarou]: "Better check under the bed...ah." [Tsukuno]: "What is it?" [Kotarou]: "There's a toy down here." There's a carved wooden doll under the bed. I can't imagine anyone but Shimako having this. I take it out. It's more like a doguu or a haniwa than a doll. It's a simple design, like a happy mascot character. [Tsukuno]: "Definitely Shimako's." [Tsukuno]: "She must have been watching you from under there, Tennouji-san." It takes me three seconds of hard thought to figure it out (I know I'm an idiot). [Kotarou]: "...is this a familiar?" [Tsukuno]: "Yes, it's a wooden practice doll." [Kotarou]: "So Shimako can use familiars too..." [Tsukuno]: "She's very talented at it." [Kotarou]: "But familiars shorten her lifespan, don't they? Isn't it bad to let a child use them?" [Tsukuno]: "She's a very rare child. She learned how to use familiars all on her own at a very young age." [Tsukuno]: "Her parents had no connection to Martel, so they were very worried." [Tsukuno]: "Eventually we took her in." [Kotarou]: "...I had no idea..." [Tsukuno]: "She has improved a lot compared to when she first came here." [Tsukuno]: "She didn't even walk around on her own at first." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Tsukuno]: "She almost never moved on her own, and controlled nearby objects instead..." [Tsukuno]: "That's what she was like as a child." [Kotarou]: "Sounds like a horror movie already." No wonder her parents freaked out. [Kotarou]: "She seems interested in school, so maybe she's having an adventure out there...I'll go look for her." [Kotarou]: "She probably thinks this place is part of her home." [Tsukuno]: "Thank you." Shimako isn't here. Since it's the harvest festival, there are hardly any students around. There are some teachers though, so I have to avoid them. [Kotarou]: "...mm." I can see tiny ankles from around the corner.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Shimako | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "You're really easy to track." I grab the back of her neck like a cat, and she starts struggling. [Kotarou]: "Look, here's your doll." She grabs the doll and calms down. [Kotarou]: "It's ugly but it's also kinda cute." *smack* *kick!* A ferocious kick lands in my calf. [Kotarou]: "Owowow, stop that!" [Shimako]: "......!" Daaa! [Kotarou]: "Ah, hey!" She runs away the moment I let my guard down. [Kotarou]: "...dammit, she's so good at escaping." She could probably do fine in normal society even without Gaia. [Kotarou]: "Gotcha!" *drag* *drag* *draaaaaaaaag!* I grab her ankle and pull her out of the darkness. It's easier than pulling radishes out of the ground. Shimako's good at escaping, but terrible at hiding. [Shimako]: "...! ...!" She flails madly. She still has loads of energy, even after running around for half an hour. [Kotarou]: "Do you have any idea how much trouble I'd be in if a teacher saw us!?" [Shimako]: "～～～!" [Kotarou]: "Stay at the HQ!" She resists. A kick reaches my jaw. [Kotarou]: "Come on! Don't...don't kick!" [Kotarou]: "If you keep doing that I'll really be mad!" Tsukuno-san's not here after all. Should I...? Shimako tries to perform various gymnastic moves, using my arm as a bar. She swings all the way up and kicks me in the head from above. [Kotarou]: "OWWWW!" It hurts so bad my eyes tingle. Shimako falls back to the ground, and follows up with a spinning jump. Her hurricane kick gets a combo on my face. [Kotarou]: "OWWW!" [Kotarou]: "How the hell can you do thaaaaaaaaaat!?" I force her down to the ground. Shimako continues writhing underneath me, but her movements are limited now, so she can't fight back effectively. [Kotarou]: "Submit!" [Kotarou]: "It's only going to get worse if you keep struggling!" [Teacher]: "Get worse how?" [Kotarou]: "Well, I'd have to punish her somehow." [Teacher]: "That seems problematic." [Kotarou]: "No, no one's watching so..." I look up. I'm surrounded by teachers. [Kotarou]: "...thank you for coming before the police got involved..." Tsukuno-san arrived in the nick of time. I don't want to be interrogated... [Tsukuno]: "I'm sorry. She seems to be overflowing with energy lately." [Kotarou]: "Isn't that a good thing...?" She re-energizes me in a way. Hanging around little kids is always like that. A bag hits the back of my head. [Kotarou]: "Shimako...if you keep doing that, I'll start shouting antisocial nonsense." That wasn't a very mature response, but Shimako looks away and ignores me. [Kotarou]: "You're the one who started it, why are you ignoring me?" She's like a mini-Akane. [Kotarou]: "These are probably just toys anyway." I open the bag. It's full of dolls that look like mascot characters. [Kotarou]: "You've got quite the collection." [Tsukuno]: "She likes playing with them a lot." [Kotarou]: "You mean throwing them at people's heads?" [Tsukuno]: "Not that. Those are familiars." [Tsukuno]: "Children who become summoners at such a young age often get adopted by disciples." [Tsukuno]: "Controlling strong familiars for long periods of time would damage their health, so we give them these little ones to avoid that." [Kotarou]: "So they basically are toys." How does she play with these? [Kotarou]: "Do you make all these mascots have a battle royal?" I make those annoying guys kill each other off. [Kotarou]: "Haha! Excellent." [Tsukuno]: "...Tennouji-san?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, nothing. So how do you play with these guys? Is it like chess?" Shimako splits the dolls into two groups. She pushes half of them toward me. [Kotarou]: "So these are my pieces." For now I line them up in some kind of formation. [Kotarou]: "So?" [Shimako]: "......!" Shimako gathers her willpower, then the pile of twelve dolls in front of her leaps up all at once. They assault my formation. Swords, antlers, and other sharp pointy objects scatter my forces apart in no time. [Kotarou]: "You do war games with these things!?" She looks like a proud general getting drunk after a victory. [Kotarou]: "Wait a minute, that one doesn't count. I can't even move my troops." [Tsukuno]: "That was probably what she was relying on." [Kotarou]: "She's so mean to newbies..." [Kotarou]: "Lemme see if I can move them first." I remember how the contracts work. Look for where they connect. It's even easier than finding your pulse. [Kotarou]: "Huh?" I only manage it with two of them. I make contracts with them, and feel a faint sharing of our senses. Not a strong connection... It feels like trying to control an RC car with thick gloves on. Oh well, it's the best I'm gonna get. Maybe being able to focus on just two of them will give me some advantages. [Kotarou]: "Okay, round two!" I attack with a colorful baseball mascot and a mysterious yellow creature with a police baton. Shimako's army sends forth a fully armed and armored samurai cat against me. He throws down his weapon, prepared to fight barehanded. [Kotarou]: "You think me so weak you've deliberately weakened your forces. Ha!" [Kotarou]: "You will regret that decision!" The cat brings one arm behind him, imitating an old Chinese martial artist, and effortlessly deflects all my attacks with the other arm. [Kotarou]: "Whaaaaaaat!?" He does a spin kick. Both of my familiars are blown away. The contracts break, and I lose control of them. I lose in numbers and technique. I never had a chance. Shimako looks smug. She knows she got me. [Kotarou]: "Mmmm..." She's just too strong. Tsukuno-san smiles. [Tsukuno]: "Being a superhuman must have weakened your ability as a summoner, Tennouji-san." [Tsukuno]: "Shimako is extremely good at this." [Kotarou]: "...I'll never be able to beat her." [Tsukuno]: "Then we can just give you a handicap." [Kotarou]: "She just did give me handicaps." [Tsukuno]: "Then try using this." A magic circle appears in the floor. The next moment, a thirty-centimeter tall wooden bear crouches down in the center. [Kotarou]: "...that looks a lot like the kind of wood sculpture you see outside hot spring resorts." [Tsukuno]: "That's what it's made from."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Tsukuno]: "Now, Tennouji-san, try to make a contract with this bear." [Kotarou]: "It does look strong." Compared to the dolls, it's a giant. I might be able to get revenge on Shimako with this thing. I try making a contract. I find the right sensation quickly. The bear moves. It shakes its head, and claws at the air. The twelve members of Shimako's army prepare themselves. But they're just too small compared to the bear. [Kotarou]: "Pulverize them!" The bear charges. It's just too big. I expected the battle to be a complete landslide. And it was. [Kotarou]: "...I...lost..." They threw ropes around it from all directions and ganged up on it. The bear falls apart into splinters and disappears. [Kotarou]: "Shimako's army is invincible!" Shimako's face fills with pride. [Tsukuno]: "Shimako has perfect connections to all of her familiars." [Kotarou]: "I get the point, you're amazing...I lost." I pat Shimako on the head, and she screams. [Kotarou]: "Eh? What's wrong?" I have no idea what to do, so I put my hand on her shoulder. She screams louder. I pull my hand back. [Kotarou]: "Does it hurt that much?" I wasn't trying to hit her. I just put my hand on her. Her piercing cry doesn't end. I'm honestly worried she'll hurt her throat. I look at Tsukuno-san, hoping for help. She calmly takes a pill out of her pocket and puts it in Shimako's mouth. [Kotarou]: "What's that?" [Tsukuno]: "A tranquilizer for children. An overly intense tantrum can cause seizures, so..." Tsukuno-san gently picks up Shimako, and waits for her to calm down. As my cold sweat continues, I think about how hard it is to take care of a child and how valuable life experience is and other obvious things. [Kotarou]: "...was that my fault?" I ask after Shimako falls asleep. [Tsukuno]: "No, it wasn't. Please don't worry about it." [Tsukuno]: "This is quite common. She hasn't done it in a while so I let my guard down." [Kotarou]: "It's common...?" She freaks out like that often? Good thing we were in this room. What if we were on the train? Or somewhere else in the school? Or in a restaurant or movie theater? It hits me that people like Shimako don't go outside much. Out into society. It was an obvious conclusion. But it never occurred to me before. [Kotarou]: "Umm, sorry if I'm misunderstanding, but..." [Kotarou]: "Are all the "disciples"...?" [Tsukuno]: "Yes, they're all like Shimako." [Kotarou]: "......" [Tsukuno]: "They either have nowhere else to go, or they find the normal world hollow and meaningless, or they simply can't get along with normal people." [Tsukuno]: "We're like a bunch of runaway children." [Kotarou]: "Even you, Tsukuno-san?" [Tsukuno]: "In the past, yes." [Tsukuno]: "I was mute for a while, and even then it was mild." [Kotarou]: "...is that why the "holy woman"...?" [Tsukuno]: "Yes." [Tsukuno]: "In the past, people with these problems would either be persecuted or worshipped." [Tsukuno]: "I think that's part of what that term means." Maybe I'm a lot more fortunate than I thought. She lets Shimako sleep on a bed in the back corner of the room. [Kotarou]: "...I dunno if I'm any good at babysitting her." [Tsukuno]: "I think you're doing fine. She seems to like you." [Kotarou]: "I don't think it's normal to hurricane kick people you like..." [Tsukuno]: "Originally, Shimako would spend most of her time asleep." [Tsukuno]: "She was able to turn everything around her into a familiar, so she never needed to move herself." [Tsukuno]: "But her familiars hurt her parents." I look up. Tsukuno-san looks even more emotionless than usual. [Tsukuno]: "Shimako hasn't been raised by other humans as much as most children." [Tsukuno]: "She has surprisingly little experience using her own body to interact with people." [Kotarou]: "She doesn't interact with other disciples?" [Tsukuno]: "Not really." She looks a little sad. [Tsukuno]: "Summoners don't like being too attached to their normal lives." [Kotarou]: "The planet's more important than any individual...is that it?" [Tsukuno]: "Since we've all failed to live normal lives before, it's easier to think that way." [Tsukuno]: "Even you've failed too...but you haven't given up yet." [Kotarou]: "Me?" [Tsukuno]: "For us, seeing someone like you is both inspiring and frustrating." [Tsukuno]: "Akane-san said she's protecting you." [Tsukuno]: "But I think she's hoping you'll change something..." Even late at night, after 9 PM, Akane doesn't summon me. And now it's 10 PM. I know she's busy, but I have to text her. "I'm hungry." A few minutes later, she responds. "HQ cafeteria. Wait." A terse text. I know what she means. During the harvest festival, tons of people go in and out of the cafeteria even at night. But now it's empty for some reason. The lights are low, so I feel like I'm sneaking in here. There are two trays of food lined up on one of the tables. That's probably our dinner. I wait there for her. "You can start eating." Eventually I notice she sent that text too. It arrived half an hour ago. I stand up. It's almost midnight. This is just way too late. I walk around the building. On the way, I pass by a man and woman in white coats. ...a doctor and a nurse? [Kotarou]: (It can't be...) They go into an elevator, and I watch which floor it goes to. After it comes back down, I go to the same floor. When the door opens, the smell of medicine is so strong my eyes sting. None of the other floors I've been on are like this. In front of me is a panel saying unauthorized personnel aren't allowed here. There's a stretcher to one side. The lights are out, but thanks to the emergency lighting it's not completely dark. I can hear people talking in the distance. I listen. [???]: "Did she go to another floor?" [???]: "No, that shouldn't be..." [???]: "You also said she never wandered around out here before." [???]: "Anyway, split up and search the building." Apparently someone's missing. One of those people starts rushing over, so I move away. After rounding a corner, I bump into someone and almost scream. An old lady. In a white kimono. She's very skinny, but standing straight up, so she looks like a willow tree. She feels like she's almost not there, because her eyes are empty. I've seen this woman's face somewhere before.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "...Kashima...Sakura-san?" No response. She doesn't even look at me. She's lacking the spirit I remember from her pictures. [Akane]: "Kotarou." I hear a voice behind me. [Kotarou]: "Akane-san..." [Akane]: "What are you doing here?" [Kotarou]: "You never showed up, so..." [Akane]: "Normal members aren't allowed in here. Didn't you see the sign?" [Kotarou]: "Sorry...I was just worried about you..." A handful of medical staff appear behind her. [Akane]: "Take her back to her room. I'll join you all in a minute." Two of them grab the woman's hands and lead her back. Akane and I are left alone. [Kotarou]: "...was that Kashima Sakura-san?" [Akane]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "She's that sick?" [Akane]: "Her life has been chipped away for many years now, so that's what happens." [Kotarou]: "It's hard to watch..." [Kotarou]: "...knowing...being in Gaia causes that...is kinda..." [Akane]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "Well, I guess it's kinda honorable if you're all willing to do that..." [Akane]: "Do what?" [Kotarou]: "...nothing. Never mind." Akane's eyes have a stronger glow than usual. It's scaring me. [Kotarou]: "Anyway, you don't look so good either..." [Kotarou]: "I think you should get some sleep." [Akane]: "...I'm supposed to be taking care of her." [Kotarou]: "But it's past midnight." [Kotarou]: "And you haven't even eaten dinner..." [Akane]: "This is more important." [Akane]: "It's like a ritual to inherit the title of holy woman." [Akane]: "If I don't take it seriously, I'll give people like Suzaki an excuse to object." [Kotarou]: "But, she clearly needs...to be in a hospital or something..." [Akane]: "We have professional medical staff assigned to her." [Akane]: "...sorry, Kotarou...I'm a little..." Akane bends over. I support her before she falls. She's heavier than I expected. Her legs aren't doing anything. [Kotarou]: "Are you still awake?" [Akane]: "...just low blood pressure." [Kotarou]: "You're really making me worry." [Kotarou]: "Shouldn't you have those doctors take a look at you?" [Akane]: "No. I'm just tired." [Kotarou]: "...don't tell me you're nursing her." [Akane]: "...I can't sleep." [Akane]: "Whenever I try, I get too worried..." [Akane]: "I have to do something, but I don't know what...and there's no time..." [Kotarou]: "Prez...?" [Akane]: "I hate humans." [Kotarou]: "...eh?" [Akane]: "It hurts to live among so many other people." [Akane]: "If the Key...has arrived...I can leave everything to it..." [Kotarou]: "Should I take you to your room?" Akane's starting to talk nonsense. [Akane]: "I'm fine now. Thank you." Akane stands back up. But she still looks pale. [Akane]: "...I'm sorry about dinner. I'll make it up to you later." [Kotarou]: "You need rest." Akane turns away, and waves goodbye with one hand. The girl stands there like a doll. Is this an old memory? The world blurs. The girl's just standing. Where am I...? What are we doing...? I have no idea. No dialog. We're just gazing at each other. Why would I even remember this? Somehow, I do. I think back on it. The girl's lips move. I can't hear her very well. She's something special. I've forgotten this, but I know that. Akane's in my heart. She's been there for a very long time. After I wake up, I still remember that dream. [Kotarou]: "...when did we meet?" I thought I first met her at school. I had no idea I'd forgotten her. [Kotarou]: "Is that even possible?" Somewhere, gears aren't meshing. Somewhere deep inside me. That morning, I head to HQ. I go to the restricted floor where I saw Kashima Sakura. It's deathly silent, with no sign of doctors anywhere. I walk around until I find Akane in an empty room. She's sleeping on the sofa. Her breath is shallow. She almost seems to be having trouble breathing. There's a bamboo curtain covering the back of the room, where I assume Kashima is. There's also an array of medical equipment, which doesn't fit the style of the room at all. ...I can't wake her up. I go back outside without saying anything. There aren't many people around. To check how my body's doing, I try a backflip. Not bad. I decide to try running up the prison-like wall around the area. I almost make it to the top using only my legs, but at the last second I have to push off and land back on the ground. [Tsukuno]: "That was incredible!" She literally leaps up and scares me. [Kotarou]: "T-Tsukuno-san? ...you saw that?" [Tsukuno]: "You're lucky it was just me." [Tsukuno]: "If anyone else saw that you'd be in trouble." [Kotarou]: "Sorry...I didn't think I'd get that high...I misjudged it." She doesn't seem too mad. [Kotarou]: "Thank you..." Come to think of it, I need to ask her something. [Kotarou]: "Umm, about Akane-san..." [Kotarou]: "She doesn't seem to get much sleep." [Tsukuno]: "There's always a lot for her to do around this time of year." [Tsukuno]: "And she has to take care of the holy woman too." [Kotarou]: "She didn't look so good yesterday." [Kotarou]: "She even seems mentally unstable..." [Tsukuno]: "...don't tell anyone I said this, but the board of directors is pressuring her too." [Kotarou]: "You mean Suzaki?" [Tsukuno]: "...yes." [Tsukuno]: "Though it wasn't like this before Sakura-sama weakened." [Kotarou]: "...so Akane-san's black magic doesn't help here." [Tsukuno]: "Suzaki-san doesn't want us to do anything right now." [Kotarou]: "Right, that's why I..." Tsukuno-san comes closer. [Tsukuno]: "They're definitely more active than they have been in the past. Please be careful." I want to give Akane some encouragement. I'll find that Key. I'm even more motivated now. When I head back inside, someone talks to me. [Suzaki]: "What are you doing?" [Kotarou]: "...nothing." [Suzaki]: "...I thought you were Senri's bodyguard." [Suzaki]: "Why are you walking around alone? You haven't been slacking off, have you?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "I had an errand to run." [Suzaki]: "What kind of errand?" I can't pause too long and make him suspicious. I need a plausible lie. [Kotarou]: "I was looking for a lost girl." [Kotarou]: "One of the disciples." That should be plausible enough. [Suzaki]: "...contributors." [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Suzaki]: "The term "disciples" will be changed this year." [Suzaki]: "From now on they're called "contributors"." [Kotarou]: "Why?" [Suzaki]: "Because that's what they are. People who want to contribute to the betterment of humanity and the planet." I do remember hearing a rumor about that term being changed. [Suzaki]: "...are you and Senri lovers?" [Kotarou]: "No." [Suzaki]: "Really? Senri seems partial towards you." [Kotarou]: "I don't know what you mean." [Suzaki]: "...then why don't I take this opportunity to explain." [Suzaki]: "Come with me." [Kotarou]: "That's fine, but don't you need permission from the disciples first?" [Suzaki]: "I'll send a report later." [Kotarou]: "Sorry, but that's not good enough." [Kotarou]: "I only take orders from the disciples." [Suzaki]: "You like picking fights." [Suzaki]: "I don't approve of that attitude." [Kotarou]: "Umm, if you want to talk more about this, I'd prefer we have a formal meeting." [Kotarou]: "Should we set one up now?" I take out my phone. I can see Suzaki's face contort slightly. [Suzaki]: "...Senri's selfishness is causing so much trouble." Suzaki turns around without even saying goodbye. [Kotarou]: (...I made it.) My heart's pounding. But I ended up relying on Akane-san again. I want to help her, but at this rate I'll be even worse off than her. I didn't see Akane today either. I reported to her via text again. I still can't find the Key... Days pass. Nothing changes. I keep searching for the Key. And I still can't find it. Akane is still as busy as ever. She spends all day, from morning to night, dealing with festival-related work that Martel's doing and taking care of Kashima Sakura. According to Tsukuno-san, she isn't eating often enough. The situation finally changes on the 26th. By that time I've finished searching every corner of the city, so I start checking near the forest. Then, I see something troubling. A human corpse. A man in his twenties. It looks like something bit into his shoulder, opening up a wound down through his chest. The blood is just starting to coagulate, so it looks like thick fur. He's probably only been dead for a few hours. Going any farther would be dangerous. So I leave the forest. I text Akane about it. [Akane]: "...he was probably from Guardian." [Kotarou]: "I thought so." Akane calls me later that evening. [Akane]: "Suzaki and the hunters are waiting for when the Key tries to return to the forest...just like every other year." [Kotarou]: "So they're already fighting." [Akane]: "That's just a skirmish. That stuff happens all year round." [Akane]: "They've probably recovered the body by now." [Kotarou]: "That really doesn't feel real." [Akane]: "...but it is real. You need to be prepared for this." [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." [Kotarou]: "You must be very tired, Akane-san." [Akane]: "Of course..." After seeing her for the first time in days, I'm honestly surprised. She looks thinner. She takes her time sipping hot cocoa. [Akane]: "This is good." [Akane]: "...I've been having trouble digesting solid foods lately." [Kotarou]: "Do you still have work tonight?" [Akane]: "I plan to rest tonight." I feel relieved. There's no way she can get a good night's sleep with her workload, but just lying down for a few hours would help at this point. [Akane]: "...that's right, I forgot to tell you." [Akane]: "I heard about Kanbe Kotori." [Kotarou]: "Eh? ...heard what?" [Akane]: "She's still missing, but so are her parents." [Akane]: "Her father quit his job several years ago." [Kotarou]: "Really?" [Akane]: "I trust the detective who looked into this. There's no doubt it's true." [Akane]: "He's trying to track them through bank withdrawals at the moment...but it'll take a while." [Kotarou]: "...what the hell is she doing?" She never had that many friends. She never tried interacting with people, so she ended up isolated in no time. It always felt like she'd just disappear if I let go of her... [Akane]: "She always drew a fine line between what did and didn't matter to her..." [Kotarou]: "...especially around me. She always kept her distance." [Akane]: "I don't have any evidence, but I think she cared about you." [Kotarou]: "Then why did she disappear?" [Akane]: "I don't know...I'm hoping she didn't get involved in this." [Kotarou]: "What about the others?" [Akane]: "...Ohtori Chihaya apparently moved because of family issues." [Kotarou]: "Moved?" [Kotarou]: "Why then?" [Akane]: "Maybe something bad happened to her parents. I couldn't find any details." Something bugs me. Akane's speaking about this too lightly. I want to ask more questions...but the words don't come. ...what's the point in knowing? I can only live one life. I've already decided to be with Akane. It's too late now... I shouldn't get worked up just from hearing about the others...but I can't help it. [Akane]: "Does it hurt?" Akane's right next to me. [Kotarou]: "That day..." [Kotarou]: "...I think something broke." [Kotarou]: "I understand now that it will never go back to the way it was." [Kotarou]: "I've already decided to stay here...so I shouldn't be letting this bother me." [Akane]: "...I understand." [Akane]: "If they learn anything else, I'll keep it to myself. That okay?" [Kotarou]: "...yes." [Kotarou]: "That's...for the best..." I go quiet, and Akane cautiously puts a hand on my head. For the first time, her hand feels genuinely warm. Before I realize it, Akane and I are sleeping on the sofa together. [Kotarou]: (...uwa...what did I...) I quickly get off her. Akane then curls up, taking up the entire sofa. ...there's no room for me to squeeze in now. I feel disappointed. [Kotarou]: (Crap...she's too cute when she's asleep...) I want to do something to her. Something. I agonize over this unfamiliar passion. [Akane]: "Mm..." She starts talking in her sleep.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Akane]: "No diapers..." What...is this feeling...? An electrifying sensation I've never experienced. My face is covered in cold sweat before I can even react to it. [Kotarou]: (Now I really want to know...what kind of dream made her say that...) Then the phone rings. [Kotarou]: "...ah...umm..." I want to let Akane rest a little longer. So I decide to answer it in her place. [Kotarou]: "...hello." [Suzaki]: "Who are you?" [Kotarou]: "Tennouji...her bodyguard." [Suzaki]: "What are you doing there? ...never mind, I need to talk to Senri." [Kotarou]: "She's resting right now. I'll tell her about it later." [Suzaki]: "I said I need to talk to Senri." [Kotarou]: "Like I said, she's resting right now..." [Suzaki]: "So you won't get her?" [Kotarou]: "I'm saying...she can't answer the phone right now." Why's he completely ignoring me...? [Suzaki]: "Is she asleep?" [Kotarou]: "Yes." [Suzaki]: "Wake her up." [Suzaki]: "You're not supposed to think. Just do as you're told. Get Senri on the phone." [Kotarou]: "...no." [Suzaki]: "How dare you..." [Kotarou]: "She collapsed from exhaustion! She needs to sleep!" [Suzaki]: "You are a nuisance. I'm sending someone there now. Our organization doesn't need you anymore." [Kotarou]: "They can't get in here." [Suzaki]: "An infantile response from a child." [Kotarou]: "You were a bodyguard too!" For a moment, Suzaki goes quiet. [Suzaki]: "That was a long time ago. I have no obligation to explain myself to you." [Kotarou]: "You're clearly overworking her. This just isn't fair." [Suzaki]: "But she has to do these things. That is the responsibility that comes with her position." [Suzaki]: "Don't object to how our organization works with your shallow emotions." [Suzaki]: "Martel isn't here to support your relationship with her." That accusation shocks me. I can't find the words to respond. [Suzaki]: "Have your sappy love story on your own time." [Akane]: "I'll talk to him." [Kotarou]: "Akane-san..." [Akane]: "I told him not to let anyone in because I was taking a nap. Don't make such a big deal out of it." [Akane]: "I'll be there soon. Just be patient." [Akane]: "I got some sleep, so I'm fine now. Don't worry about me." Akane says that and leaves. I go outside to enjoy the night breeze, and end up walking all the way to the center of town. At some point I decide to climb up a building. I think Martel funds this place too. The wind is much colder on the roof. I feel much calmer now. I think about how powerless I am. The only thing I can do to help is find the Key. I feel a powerful gaze on me. The Key's standing on the adjacent roof. [Kotarou]: "...what do you want from me?" I don't understand. The one thing I do know is... If I throw away this chance, I'm complete and utter trash. I lure the Key toward the forest. The Key's standing absentmindedly, between the trees. As I keep an eye on the Key from a short distance away, a colorful bird lands on my shoulder. [Akane]: "Kotarou, can you hear me?" [Kotarou]: "...this bird can project your thoughts?" There's no way I can secure the Key without the disciples' help. [Akane]: "Where's the Key?" [Kotarou]: "...it hasn't moved." [Akane]: "What do you plan to do?" [Kotarou]: "Is there any chance we could restrain it using familiars?" [Akane]: "With our forces, that would be difficult." [Akane]: "Take this." The scout bird drops a little tube-shaped case in my hand. [Kotarou]: "What is it?" [Akane]: "Poison. It's a solution frequently used in herbicides." [Akane]: "It acts like anesthetic on familiars." The case contains an ampule. It has a needle attached, so I can easily inject it into something. [Kotarou]: "So...you just want me to use this?" [Akane]: "That's the safest option." [Kotarou]: "...okay, I'll try it." The ampule has a thin chain attached to it. I put that around my neck, then hide it in under my shirt. [Akane]: "I'm sending other disciples there now." [Akane]: "I can't leave this place myself, but I can use this bird to give orders." [Akane]: "However, none of them are used to combat. You'll need to command them." [Kotarou]: "...got it." The operation to capture the Key begins. First, we try using flying familiars to cast a large net over it. They accurately drop the net precisely where I tell them to. It falls right on top of the Key. But its ribbons tear right through it. The Key itself doesn't react at all. [Kotarou]: "...so much for that." We switch plans. Using the bird, I position several familiars in a circle around the Key. Then order them all to attack at once. A flash of light. All the familiars are cut into pieces and crumble into dust. The ribbons begin multiplying. Two, four, eight...their numbers rapidly increase. Just one makes her look kinda cute, but that many of them is just creepy. It looks like a nameless beast that might lurk at the bottom of the ocean. The Key's on guard...... My throat dries. It feels like the oxygen's getting thicker. I can't figure out when to attack it. I inch up to it, but one of the ribbons blocks me. I don't want to be cut up. I make an aurora blade. I try cutting through the ribbon, and the tips of my aurora melt. As if it's being sucked out of me. [Kotarou]: (Even this doesn't work!?) Before I can think about it, multiple ribbons fly toward me like lassos. One of the familiars leaps in front of me. It gets chopped up like butter. I hesitate. Maybe I should rush in during this opening, but I'm too afraid of the Key's power. I've never seen the Key kill a human. I have a vague hunch that it might not even try to hurt me. But is that true? The Key assaults anything that threatens it, without exception. Can I get close to it and inject an ampule without it seeing that as an attack? Should I move forward, or pull back? I want to run away. Senri Akane's face comes to mind. I have to be useful. If I don't step forward now, there won't be any reason for me to stay with her anymore. I forget my fear, and rush forward. But I still involuntarily scream. Bright lines flicker in front of me. It's impossible to dodge all of them. The familiars charge in faster than me. ...I'm grateful. I leap up to a branch. I should try approaching from above.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> While the Key's busy with the familiars, I swing from branch to branch. I move to a point near its head. [Kotarou]: (...this would be a good time to pray.) From above, the Key's ribbons look like expanding magnetic field lines. They're focused more on defending the Key than on attacking the familiars. We'd have to get larger numbers of stronger familiars to stand any chance of breaking through. But right now, it has no defense directly above it. All the familiars are going forward along the ground to get to it. Hopefully the Key is letting its guard down, just like a human would. I jump down, land on the Key, and we roll along the ground. I hold it down on the ground. I have to inject it with the ampule. The ribbons wrap around my neck and both arms. I can't move, and I'm being strangled. [Kotarou]: "...uuu!" The Key sees me as an enemy now. The familiars are almost all gone. The ribbon around my neck tightens. It's incredibly strong. My mind is fading. [Kotarou]: (Owwww...!) At that moment, a small flying object shoots down from the sky. The scout bird! A momentary electrical discharge turns my vision white. I don't know what happened, but everything is white. My mind is focused on a single desire. The ampule. My arm moves. It's a little awkward, but it moves. I tear the chain hanging from my neck. My vision starts to come back. The world regains color. The aurora restraining me has come undone, and lies limp on the ground. [Akane]: "Kotarou, do it now!" The bird's sitting on a tree branch. ...I know. I tear the cap off with my teeth to expose the needle. This kind of injector is used all over the place, even in American army medkits. As the Key convulses involuntarily, I stick the needle into its white, colorless neck. [Kotarou]: "Sorry." I squeeze the bulb containing the liquid. It flows into the Key. The Key's movements slow down, and eventually it freezes completely. [Kotarou]: "Yes..." I roll to one side, lie down and spread out my limbs. [Kotarou]: "The Key...is unconscious..." [Akane]: "You did it, Kotarou!" The bird comes down next to the Key. [Akane]: "Is this...what the Key looks like? This girl..." [Kotarou]: "You can see it?" [Akane]: "Now that it's fainted, its power doesn't seem to work on us anymore. We have to carry it away now." That part isn't my job. As I lie on the ground, I make some aurora with my right hand. So the Key didn't completely remove it...but... [Kotarou]: "So useless." Was I using it wrong? What properties does this power have? Maybe it's not supposed to be a weapon like a sword. Eventually some disciples arrive, and prepare to transport the Key. They restrain it, put it in a bag, and have a treeman familiar carry it. The scout bird lands on my shoulder again. [Akane]: "Kotarou...this could be very bad." [Akane]: "Suzaki's men have realized what we're up to. Summoners are headed your way." [Akane]: "We used too many people and familiars." [Kotarou]: "That is bad..." Everyone can clearly see the Key now. [Kotarou]: "How many are we talking?" [Akane]: "It's a team of engineers and fighters. At least fifteen of them." [Akane]: "They're going to hunt us..." [Kotarou]: "What do we do?" [Akane]: "If they catch you, we won't be able to make any excuses. We need to hide the Key's existence." [Akane]: "We'll have to make the disciples run a diversion for you." Then I escape the forest with the Key, since I'm not a familiar. If I can get back to the city, I can use cars or underground passages to escape Suzaki's men. [Kotarou]: "Isn't that dangerous for them?" [Akane]: "Of course. Takasago will attack anyone he doesn't recognize without warning." [Akane]: "But we have to secure the Key." [Kotarou]: "Okay..." I'm in no position to complain about that decision. [Akane]: "Kotarou, hide your face. We don't want any of their familiars recognizing you." One of the disciples hands me a mask. It's a balaclava, just like any cliché bank robber would wear. [Akane]: "Listen. We're dealing with Suzaki, so we can't support you with familiars...you must not let them catch you, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Okay." I put the mask on. After we discuss some details, the disciples all slowly leave the area. Their job is to distract Takasago and the rest of Suzaki's men, no matter how dangerous. I lower my head to them without a word. I don't know what else to say. I get the Key situated on my back so I can carry it. The disciples have a harness for me to use, so I can still move my arms around. Akane and I plan out a path for me to take, and I set off. [Akane]: "...they're not making this easy." Her voice is low, but I can still hear the anger in it. [Akane]: "They caught the bait. Two disciples severely wounded." [Kotarou]: "Th-they're attacking? But we're all part of Gaia..." One of the disciples' diversions was attacked by familiars. And it was a one-sided fight. [Akane]: "We're not even supposed to be here. They can easily pretend they suspect us to be traitors, or superhumans pretending to be disciples." [Kotarou]: "And if they find the Key, they'll claim we betrayed Gaia..." Suzaki's trying to break down the long-standing authority of the holy woman. I speed up. But my legs are only human. I have no chance of outrunning those supernatural dogs. I can already feel them closing in. [Kotarou]: "I think they found me." [Akane]: "...five hounds, heading straight for you. They'll catch up in a few minutes." [Kotarou]: "A few minutes..." Not much time. But it's enough to do something. My face is hidden. They don't know who I am. If I can give these familiars the slip, it'll be possible for Akane to deny that this had anything to do with the disciples. After all, no ordinary human could possibly fight off five black dogs. Only someone with more power than a familiar could do that. Only Guardian. [Kotarou]: "Akane-san, keep me up to date on their positions." [Akane]: "What are you going to do?" [Kotarou]: "I'm going to rewrite my power. I'll need a few minutes to focus on it." [Akane]: "...understood." She probably wanted to ask me a ton of questions, but she knows there's no time. The scout bird flies up without another word. We can't let them see a familiar working with me. [Kotarou]: (Okay.) [Kotarou]: (...I need the strength to fend off five hounds.) I put down the Key, and start rewriting. My heart twists. The strength of my wish warps my mind.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> A reckless attempt at self-improvement, like taking a zero and trying to twist it into an eight. I need to triple my strength in these few minutes. The enemy is strong, and I need to be even stronger. All I need to do is wish. Up until now, there's never been a price. Nothing's scarier than a free gift. I'm sure I'll have to pay the price for this power someday. [Kotarou]: (I don't care...) Senri Akane's face appears in my mind. Those few times when I can see deep sadness in her eyes. An almost ferocious desire wells up. The strength of my heart. I can convert that strength directly into power. But that process only has an accelerator. There is no brake. If I start it, I'm guaranteed to crash eventually. But I care about someone else enough that I don't care what happens to me. [Kotarou]: (Whatever it takes...) Deep inside my heart, something very precious is taken away. A translucent red, green and purple glow fills my mind. I sink into the unknown. It's filled with information. A tremendous history. Records of past lives. Ways to break down hydrogen sulfide. How photosynthesis works. Diagrams of aerobic respiration. Flawless records on every aspect of life. A tree-lined path full of blessings and despair. The origin and oblivion of all lives. Where possibilities are created and destroyed. Where evolution flourishes or hits dead ends. All things take one of these countless paths. The goal is conflict. All heat eventually disperses. It cools down until it reaches the same temperature as its surroundings. Burning planets and stars all become cold in the end. Life is fighting against that. Against what we call entropy. Life used oxygen because of the energy it contained. Likewise, my soul wishes for strength. I need hatred and bloodlust. Without them, I can't fight back against this cold world. Lives are born to live. They've been fighting this enormous world for many generations. Right now, we have no chance of winning. But someday... [Akane]: "Kotarou! Hurry it up!" I hear her thought calling to me, and open my eyes. The power is spreading through my body. I stand up, and stretch. I can feel my newfound power. My muscles are so strong my bones are aching. It feels like magma is flowing between my muscle fibers. A hound leaps toward me. To any normal person, it would look like a sped-up version of a dog jumping. But to me it's slow motion. I crouch down under it, and grab one of its front legs. The dog's momentum carries it into the ground head first. Aurora shoots out of my wrist, like mercury with a will of its own. It spreads out like a fan, and cuts through the dog's neck. The black dog crumbles into sand. The aurora reliquifies, and gets sucked back into my body. [Kotarou]: "What...?" Until now I always lost aurora after using it, but now I can pull it back into me. It's going in and out through the slit in my wrist. I barely feel any pain at all. I try making a weapon. Fluid flows out from the slit, extends forward and wraps around my hand. It forms three blades. No, something even sharper. They're stronger than before too. I feel like these might be as powerful as the Key's ribbons. I try expanding them. The three blades extend, as if being pushed forward. They produce a number of joints along the way, in order to move more effectively. New blades come out of my wrist one by one. It resembles a praying mantis with as many legs as a spider. ...the shape is completely different from those ribbons, but this is similar. They move as fast as I can will them to, and they're more precise than any scalpel. That's because of aurora's fundamental properties. I can't use it effectively without knowing about them. Now I finally have some idea what they are. Two more hounds appear. I swing my arm. Every joint in my blades moves with lightning speed. The dogs are diced in midair. [Kotarou]: (Five of them should be no problem.) I'm no longer worried about taking out the last three. [Akane]: "...five summoners are pulling back now." [Kotarou]: "Do they think I'm from Guardian?" [Akane]: "They should assume that." [Akane]: "Well done, Kotarou. For once you did something cool." [Kotarou]: "...for once?" [Akane]: "Your blades feel similar to the Key's." [Kotarou]: "I was thinking the same thing. I really don't know why." [Akane]: "That might be why the Key keeps following you." [Kotarou]: "Ah, you're right..." [Akane]: "Now get moving." [Kotarou]: "Okay, will do." I follow our original course through the forest. It's completely quiet. No more pursuers. Every so often, the scout bird looks around and makes sure I'm on the right track. As I head deeper into the forest, it gets harder to walk. The ground gets steeper. It's still quiet. But the hair on the back of my neck won't stop standing up. This silence is unnatural. [Kotarou]: "Am I being followed?" [Akane]: "You can tell? You're like a wild animal now." [Akane]: "The scout bird's also feeling anxious for some reason." [Kotarou]: "It's not familiars. Humans." [Akane]: "But that means..." Akane's right. Whoever they are, they're moving across this harsh terrain as if sprinting around a track. Even a skilled mountain climber shouldn't be able to move this fast. The only people who can do this are... [Kotarou]: "Shall we test them?" [Akane]: "How?" [Kotarou]: "Like this." I start running faster. I slide up smooth rocks and climb up sheer cliffs, as if a rope's pulling me up them. I slip between the trees and leap over several large gaps. [Kotarou]: (...they're keeping up.) Maybe... It just hit me, but... Someone is following me, but keeping a constant distance away. Without making a sound or revealing their presence. And there's more than one of them. [Akane]: "...keep going, I'll scout them." The bird flies up into the sky. It reaches a height where no normal person could see it, then it explodes. [Kotarou]: (Someone attacked it!?) We provoked them without realizing it... I hide myself in an area with particularly thick trees. The silence envelops me. [Kotarou]: (...there's something dangerous out there.) My heart beats faster. [Kotarou]: (It's coming...!) ...but nothing comes. I start panicking. My mind burns with the urge to rush out. Endure. Endure. Endure. Without warning, the tree I'm hiding behind is torn apart. Right in front of me is the tip of a large stake, piercing through the tree trunk. [Kotarou]: "......!" I crouch down. They were trying to snipe me with this thing. The tip is clearly artificial. I move to a different tree. But I already know a tree isn't enough to protect me. They can break through and hurt me in a single attack. I have no idea where they are, so trying to attack them would be suicide.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Arata Imamiya | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "...they're definitely superhumans." None of us were expecting this. This is bad... Really bad... And I lost my guide, so I have no idea how to deal with this. Despite my confusion, I do realize that hiding in the same place forever is a bad idea. I keep my head low and move from tree to tree. Stakes accurately run through each tree after I leave. [Kotarou]: (They know exactly where I am.) The precision of their attacks is terrifying. But they've missed me several times, so it's not perfect. Eventually, the attacks stop. Did they run out of stakes? Those things were pretty big. There has to be a limit to how many they can carry. If they're out, then now's my chance. I don't let my guard down. I just see an opportunity and act on it immediately. It feels like a cannonball hits me in the side. [Kotarou]: "Guaaaaaa...!" They got me... They hadn't run out. The stake ran through multiple trees before hitting me. The tip reaches my internal organs. I feel overpowered by it. I try to move, but sharp pain rushes through me. I can't even walk or lie down. I cling to the nearest tree trunk, and stop thinking. But no one's going to help me. I have to save myself. [Kotarou]: (...I have to do this...) This is stupid. I should've been prepared for this, but I underestimated how cruel it could be. I didn't realize I was unprepared to fight humans. It didn't even occur to me I'd have to do that. The enemy will kill me without hesitation. I'm still not ready to fight back against such cold killers. Do I give up, or keep going? I hesitate for a moment. [Kotarou]: "...no." I decide to continue. I can't die yet. There's so many things I still don't know. And most of all, there's someone... I grab the stake and grit my teeth. [Kotarou]: "......! ...uuu...～～～!!" I use all my strength to pull it out. I try not to scream, but I still end up groaning like an animal. Blood gushes out of the wound. I hold it with my right hand, but that doesn't block it completely. It's still pouring out. [Kotarou]: (I need to stop the bleeding...) But I don't know how, and don't have the time. I take off my mask, tear it, and wrap it around my arm. It doesn't matter anymore. At this point, I'll have to kill everyone who sees me just to survive this. Every time my feet hit the ground, I feel it in my wound. But I run anyway. I reach my limit quickly. I fall over. My blood pressure's so low my limbs are all weak. The Key hardly weighs anything at all, but I can barely even pick it up anymore. [Kotarou]: (Is this it...?) I lean back against a tree, since I'd at least like to see whoever attacks me. He doesn't bother hiding anymore. He breaks branches and steps on leaves as he approaches. A tall man comes out of the bushes. Someone who shouldn't be here. [Kotarou]: "Imamiya...san?" The man who helped me when I was looking for a camera. ...back then he felt familiar too. But...why did I know his name just after...? My thoughts end. He's silent. He's a professional, so there's no reason for him to speak. But he still looks at me with an expression of sadness and frustration. As if he's looking at a pupil who betrayed him. ...why? This shouldn't be possible unless we knew each other a long time ago. Imamiya-san pulls out a large knife. Ah, so he is going to kill me. He holds out his left hand, and covers my eyes. Because of the strange air, I don't feel like resisting. I just don't. I'm actually scared. But my emotions are so confused, I just end up numb. The truth is, I want to live―― Light flies out. The arm covering my eyes is moved. No, not moved. Cut off. [Imamiya]: "...uuuu!" A ferocious growl comes from his throat. Since his arm just got severed, I can't imagine how much pain he must be in. But he still reacts quickly. He immediately jumps back. He disappears back into the forest. At the edge of my vision, a vividly glowing membrane writhes around. *peck* *peck* *peck* *peck* *peck!* [Kotarou]: "...owwww." *peck* *peck* *peck* *peck* *peck* *peck* *peck* *peck!* [Kotarou]: "Owwwwwwwwwww! That really hurts!" There's a bird violently pecking at my forehead. [Kotarou]: "I thought woodpeckers only pecked wood!" I leap up and grab the bird. Pain rushes through my side. [Kotarou]: "Owww..." The wound's closed, and it's not bleeding much anymore. How could a hole this large heal so quickly...? The bird...the leaf bird flaps madly at my side. [Kotarou]: "Is that you, Akane-san?" The bird nods like a human. She must have replaced the scout bird with a mass-producible leaf bird. This one can't convey her thoughts to me. It gestures with its beak, telling me to look to one side. The bag I was carrying the Key in. I must have put it down before lying against the tree. It's been torn, and I can see the Key's face through the hole. [Kotarou]: "...huh...?" I remember Imamiya-san's arm being cut off. That glowing membrane... [Kotarou]: "So it probably wasn't trying to protect me...but it still saved me." His arm is still lying where I last saw it. I don't want to look at it. The leaf bird continues pounding on my head. Evidently she really wants me to get moving. Guardian must be coming. Imamiya-san retreated, but others are coming. [Kotarou]: "Damn..." I should've gotten moving as soon as he retreated. I carry the Key for a while, but my stamina is definitely suffering. It feels like I'm carrying a boulder. The leaf bird pulls up on the bag, trying to make it easier for me. It doesn't help at all. I can tell I'm moving slower and slower. The forest grows darker, until I feel like I'm at the bottom of an ocean. [Kotarou]: "...Akane-san, I smell blood." Humans stand out in the forest. Smells that would be perfectly normal in the city seem out of place here. [Kotarou]: "No sign of anyone around here..." The small bird flies off to scout the area. It comes back and shakes its head. ...so there's nothing here. My senses tell me the same thing. We don't have a lot of other routes to choose from anyway. I proceed cautiously. After walking for a while, someone grabs my ankle. [Kotarou]: "Y-you...Takasago...!?" That giant man has fallen to the ground. Takasago's been torn up. He's covered in wounds, and his clothes are in tatters. Blood is coming out from everywhere, not just his face or arms. He doesn't seem to see me clearly, so he must have just woken up.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Takasago]: "You...what are...you doing here...?" [Kotarou]: "I..." I can't think of a good answer. I was supposed to avoid being spotted. Because there's no way for me to make an excuse if they see me here. Takasago looks weak, but his words are clear and his grip is strong. I can't talk my way out of this... [Takasago]: "...I see...so that's it." [Takasago]: "...you were a traitor..." ...does he mean Guardian? This must be why I didn't get attacked by any more familiars. [Takasago]: "I thought it was strange...that a brat like you...was her bodyguard." [Takasago]: "You tricked us..." [Kotarou]: "N-no I didn't..." [Takasago]: "What are you carrying...?" [Kotarou]: "What does that matter?" Takasago picks himself up. [Takasago]: "Shooow...meeee..." ...not good. I have to run. He might follow me or tell someone he saw me, but I'll just have to play dumb when that happens. I ignore Takasago and leave quickly. Something hits me in the thigh. I can't walk, and tumble to the ground. [Takasago]: "You fucking spy...this is all your fault..." In his hand is a revolver. [Kotarou]: "The hell are you thinking...?" [Takasago]: "Open the bag." I realize there's no way I can run away from this. Then my confusion evaporates, and instead a strange heat appears in my side. [Kotarou]: "...okay, I'll open it." My voice is strangely calm. I pretend to obey him, and open the bag. He shouldn't be able to see inside it. [Takasago]: "Take out what's inside so I can see it!" [Kotarou]: "I can't do that on this leg. It's too heavy." [Takasago]: "There's something in there." [Kotarou]: "A girl. She got lost out here. I'm trying to save her." [Takasago]: "What? ...you think I'd buy that...?" Takasago approaches me, still holding his revolver with both hands. [Takasago]: "Step back." As he says, I drag myself back a few steps, leaving the bag in front of him. Takasago looks inside. A heavy silence. [Takasago]: "This girl...she's not human..." [Takasago]: "She's...aaah...!" His gun shakes slightly. Not yet. Not yet... Takasago looks at me with hollow eyes. [Takasago]: "You bastard, stop fucking with me. Don't you dare play dumb." I feel danger. Takasago's losing it. He could pull the trigger at any moment. In fact, I'm convinced he will. He has no intention of coming with me. I'll just have to fight him, even if it means taking each other out. I hold out my right hand. The glowing fluid pours out of my wrist, coagulating as it projects forward, creating sharp blades. It's much faster than before, but not as fast as a bullet. The first bullet grazes my cheek, and his second shot flies off into the distance. After that, my elongated blade digs into Takasago's shoulder like a whip. He screams like a beast. I didn't hit him in the best place, so I only dig a few centimeters in. Too shallow. Takasago points his gun at me again, with my blade still in him. I quickly roll to dodge the next few shots. The aurora between us reaches its limit and breaks apart. I rush toward Takasago, hoping to get a better hit at close range. He points his gun at me again when I'm only a few meters away. It's aiming right at my forehead. I feel I'm about to die. But then... The leaf bird jumps out of hiding and onto Takasago's face. [Takasago]: "Uuooo!?" [Kotarou]: "―!" I push against the ground with both legs, leaping into Takasago. I quickly form a blade and cut across his chest. Not a light blow like before, but a wide slash with my body weight behind it. He groans under my feet. He's mortally wounded now. But he's still alive. However, no medical attention could help him survive that. He's a goner. We can't even talk anymore. His face is pressed against the ground as he squirms. My heart is cold. From now on, I won't just be someone who needs protection. I won't have the right to complain no matter what happens to me. That's the consequence of crossing this line. [Kotarou]: "Sorry, but I have to finish you off." [Kotarou]: "If I let you live, I'll be in danger when this is all over..." [Takasago]: "You...stupid...brat..." [Kotarou]: "Call me whatever you want." I extend a blade. Just one is enough. [Kotarou]: (...is it weird that I'm thinking of a girl as I do this?) Akane's face flashes through my mind. This is one of the things I have to do to help her. And I'm willing to do it. I aim carefully, hold my blade high, and... ...swing down. ...it wasn't as clean as in the movies. Because I'm not used to this, and the blow isn't strong enough, I make him suffer needlessly. That part I feel sorry for. My cheek's already healed. But the bullet's still in there, so it's not perfect. I still feel pain when I walk. Gunshots echo through the forest. Even the insects go quiet, forming an ominous silence dragging everything into darkness as it approaches me. [Kotarou]: (More pursuers...?) I can feel multiple people behind me. Not familiars. Much worse. I don't want to fight them. I don't stand a chance now. My body is heavy. I can't run nearly as fast as before. The leaf bird guides me. It doesn't talk, but I feel a lot better having it around. The Key's ribbons start to float out of the bag, like seaweed. There's no sign of them attacking me. It's still asleep. But the drug I gave it is slowly wearing off. My pursuers speed up. They'll be here any second. [Kotarou]: (...sorry, Akane-san.) I apologize to her on the inside. I can't run anymore. In order to fight multiple superhumans, I'll have to stop and put down the Key. And I'll have to make all of them unable to follow me before I can start running again. There's no way I can do that. But if I keep walking like this, they'll just attack me from behind. I put down the Key. I'll just have to try and take them out one by one from here. ...they're professionals. I have no real chance of winning this. But this is my only chance of escaping with my life. I hide the Key in the bushes. If the anesthetic wears off and it starts moving again, they won't be able to see it. So at least Guardian won't get their hands on it. [Kotarou]: (Please don't find it...) Now that I don't have to carry that anymore, I locate the nearest enemy and start moving. I brought Takasago's gun with me... It functions the same as a high-end toy gun. But I have no spare bullets, and I have no idea if I'll be able to hit anyone.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> For now I slip it into my belt as a good luck charm. From what I can see, there are three pursuers. The first one approaches. I hide behind a tree and wait. The man shows himself. I was worried what he might be like, but he looks perfectly normal. Standard outdoor clothing, plus a face mask. There's an axe hanging from his belt. You could probably buy one of those at a hardware store, but... There's still something very strange about him. Fortunately, the man walks by me without noticing. I aim my gun at his back. The man steps to one side. ...he heard me! I forget about trying to shoot him and extend my blades instead. The man takes a huge step back, dodging my swing and getting around me. His axe swings down. It hits my blades and shatters them. If I hadn't pulled my arm back, it would've cut off my hand instead. He thrusts his left fist toward me. I catch it in one hand, but the force shakes my bones. After another few hits, I lose my balance. The axe comes down. I roll to one side. The thick blade digs into the ground behind me. I don't have any way of blocking his attacks. I leap into an area with dense trees. The man swings horizontally. The trees burst apart, as if they were made of water. [Kotarou]: "......!" I don't know whether it's his arm strength or his superpower, but he's powerful. I try to regain my composure as I retreat. In the corner of my mind, I can feel the other two rapidly closing in. ...I completely failed to get the jump on them. My heart fills with despair. I have to focus on defense. I can't even run away now. Every time the man turns his wrist, the axe changes its path. I continue backing up, and bump against a tree. I immediately crouch. My instincts tell me to. The axe passes over my head, slicing right through the tree. I stick out my right hand. The man grabs my arm. He raises his knee into my jaw. I almost black out just from that. He raises his axe again. This time he might actually break my skull open. Just as I give up, a tree grabs him from behind. [Kotarou]: (...a treeman!?) I quickly grab his arm. I twist it up as best I can. I push harder, trying to break it. The man resists with sheer muscle strength. It feels like I'm trying to break steel. [Kotarou]: (...dammit, he's too tough!) I hear something rupture, and the man's left hand grabs my face. He tore through the treeman's arm. And now his Herculean strength is on the verge of crushing my skull. [Kotarou]: "～～～!" I shoot him in the thigh. He doesn't scream or weaken his grip. I continue shooting. I'm hitting him at point-blank range, but it's not affecting him at all. If I have to wrestle with this guy he'll kill me! In my panic, I take action without thinking. [Man]: "...gaaa!?" His claws release me, and I roll to one side to get away. The man covers his face with one hand. I can see a huge amount of blood coming out between his fingers. The countless blades coming out of my right hand are twitching around like a living thing. Like a creature made out of them―― No... [Kotarou]: (A familiar...?) The bundle of swords heads in another direction. The man tries to pick up the axe he dropped. I hold my right arm out. The swarm of aurora surges toward him. He turns his thick shoulder toward me, probably because holding up his arm wouldn't be enough. My blades eat into his flesh with joy. They clamp around his shoulder like bear traps, tearing out large chunks of flesh. They chew on him. The sound of it sends chills down my spine. [Man]: "...uaaaaaaa!" I hear a sharp crack, proving that they're cutting down to his bones. And it's not just his shoulder. Several parts of him are being torn apart, from his neck down to his side. His skin tears open, and his flesh is eaten away. His bones crack, and blood gushes out. His left forearm flies off. Another blade catches it, and they start fighting over it. I can't bear to watch it. [Kotarou]: "STOP!" The creatures immediately stop moving. In the next moment, they lose form and return inside my body. The man's still alive, despite having his flesh torn off layer by layer from the neck to the waist on one side. He slowly falls to his knees. His kneecaps are shaking. He picks up his axe. [Kotarou]: "Don't..." But he doesn't stop. He holds his axe up horizontally. He's trying to throw it. [Kotarou]: "...don't do it." He throws. The axe spins through the air as it approaches me. It's hard to believe he's on the verge of death. It grazes my cheek, and disappears into the darkness behind me. I make a blade. By the time I hold it up toward him, I realize he's already finished. He's not moving anymore. But he's not the only one here. I decide to leave immediately. [Akane]: "Kotarou, you're all right!" It's only been an hour or two, but that voice is a huge relief. [Kotarou]: "Akane-san?" A tiny silhouette approaches me. It's Shimako. She has a scout bird on her shoulder. ...so it wasn't destroyed after all. [Akane]: "Kotarou...you..." After seeing my face, her voice sounds pained. I feel heat on my cheek, then realize I'm crying. My expression hasn't changed. I'm just crying. My nose isn't even running. Tears are just running down on their own. There's no overpowering urge to sniffle and sob either. [Kotarou]: "This is weird..." I wipe my tears. No matter how much I do that, the tears don't stop. [Akane]: "Stop..." For some reason, she sounds like she's wincing from a blow. I look at my hands. They're covered in blood. I've had blood on my face this whole time. It's shameful seeing my own fragility on display like this. I'm still shaken up by what happened earlier. [Kotarou]: "...Akane-san, there's at least two more enemies coming." [Akane]: "I know. She'll deal with them." [Kotarou]: "Eh? ...what do you mean?" [Akane]: "Shimako is one of the best summoners among the disciples." [Kotarou]: "Wait, so..." [Akane]: "She's brought new familiars with her. She'll keep those two off you." [Kotarou]: "No! Let those familiars carry the Key! I'll hold off the other two!" [Akane]: "...you can't do that. We all know that." [Kotarou]: "I have better odds than a child!" [Akane]: "...she's...listen, she can do it." [Akane]: "We brought a transport familiar too. Let's hurry." [Kotarou]: "She'll die if we just leave her here..." [Akane]: "...that doesn't matter...she has no future anyway." [Kotarou]: "What did you...?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> Something I've been holding back for a while feels like it's about to burst out. [Akane]: "It's complicated. I don't have time to explain." [Akane]: "It's part of being the next holy woman..." [Kotarou]: "...doesn't she still...have the right to live at least?" She has no words. If she sympathizes, she could at least agree with me. But she's silent. That means she accepts it as part of Gaia. [Akane]: "Even if you're right...what do you suggest doing instead?" We've had a conversation like this before. I'm supposed to be prepared for this. But... [Kotarou]: "I'm bringing Shimako and the Key with me." [Akane]: "Kotarou..." [Kotarou]: "If we get attacked, I'll fend them off! Is that good enough for you?" [Akane]: "Capturing the Key is more..." Akane changes her mind mid-sentence. [Akane]: "...do as you like." [Kotarou]: "Sorry...for being selfish." [Akane]: "It's fine, just hurry. The situation's changed." Familiars show themselves in the trees behind Shimako. They're much bigger than hounds. ...wolves, but far stronger than the real animals... And more than one of them. Two, three...they keep coming. A total of ten wolves appear with their red eyes glowing. [Kotarou]: "Wh-wh-wha..." [Akane]: "Wolves are strong familiars that excel at working together in forests." [Kotarou]: "You got all these guys out here...?" [Akane]: "Even I have a few tricks up my sleeve." [Kotarou]: "Is it...okay for her? To have this many..." [Akane]: "Younger children have more life to use." Well, Shimako doesn't have a drop of sweat on her. I guess she really is a prodigy at this. The familiars raise their noses all at once. Soon, I sense it too. [Kotarou]: "...they're here." The wolves split up in four directions. They're so light on their feet I can hardly believe how big they are. Nine of them vanish into the shadows. One of them remains to carry the Key. If she can control this many this easily, maybe I should just leave the fighting to her. ...Akane-san must've been underestimating her. I make that assumption and go back to focusing on the mission. [Kotarou]: "...let's go." [Akane]: "Guardian knows what we're up to now, so we and Suzaki's men are all on edge." That's how Akane-san explained it. [Kotarou]: "How did they find out?" [Akane]: "Beats me. They've always been better at this. We're amateurs compared to them." [Kotarou]: "Could they have a mole?" [Akane]: "If they knew about all this in advance, I think they could've done a lot more damage. But we still have the Key." [Akane]: "They were probably sent out here in a hurry too." So Suzaki's men rushed out here because they realized we found the Key. Then Guardian noticed that and figured out something was happening here. [Kotarou]: "...this is no time for infighting." [Akane]: "Agreed. But humans aren't that smart." [Akane]: "Suzaki's sent too many on this mission. This is going to be the decisive battle for all three factions." [Akane]: "But we're the weakest of the three, so we need to disappear before they realize exactly what's going on. Ideally, without anyone seeing us." [Akane]: "Depending on how this plays out, we may end up in an all-out war." [Kotarou]: "...I'll hurry." I put Shimako and the Key on top of the wolf, and we start moving through the forest. I can feel cold-blooded hunters approaching from various directions. Shimako quickly sends familiars toward each of them. So we manage to avoid a fight. If the wolves weren't here, we would've been surrounded and annihilated by now. [Akane]: "...Kotarou, one made it through." One of the hunters broke through the wolves and is heading right for us. But the dense trees make it hard to plan a direct attack. By sheer coincidence, we run into each other just after coming into a clearing. Our eyes meet. He's wearing some mountaineering equipment, but he's obviously not normal. He immediately notices that Shimako's a summoner and heads for her. I stand in his way. A bundle of blades come out of my wrist. I'm starting to understand how to use these things. I hold my arm out, as if releasing guard dogs. My claws extend fiercely toward him, as if they have a life of their own. I'm not controlling them at all. I leave the attacking to this pseudo-familiar. My arm is just a leash attaching me to it. The only thing I have to do is keep track of the distance between me and the enemy. And occasionally support them with my left hand. The blades wrap around him using only their combat instincts, sinking their fangs into his neck. They pierce his skin and ravage his flesh. Despite those severe wounds, he won't let go of his weapon. I can tell he's waiting for a chance to counterattack. He might have a few tricks I don't know about. [Kotarou]: (I have to make sure he can't use them...) I twist my arm, causing the blades to pull him down to his knees. Then I fling him against a tree trunk. Then pull him back, and fling him forward again. I was focused. I never considered being merciful. Eventually, I feel his resistance less and less. But since I can still see him holding his weapon, my terror doesn't let up. I push my whole body weight against him, through my right hand. All the blades run deeper into him. The man's legs begin convulsing. I continue pushing until he stops moving. [Kotarou]: "Let's go." She looks pale. I just showed her an extremely brutal way of killing someone. That can't be good for her. [Kotarou]: "Sorry. You should try to forget about this." [Akane]: "There's more...a few coming from behind." She's right. I can feel intense danger approaching rapidly. Probably three or four people. [Kotarou]: "...I'll―!" [Akane]: "Wait, go a little farther." [Kotarou]: "But―!" [Akane]: "You only need to go a little bit farther! Now hurry up!" [Kotarou]: "...got it." I move on ahead for now. But they're faster. I'm losing it. Guardian's superhumans are far more terrifying than any of these familiars. [Kotarou]: "Akane-san, there's no time. I have to fight!" I pull out the revolver with my left hand, and make blades with my right. I can tell they've set their sights on me. It's likely they'll try projectile attacks. I keep my mind focused on the darkness behind me. Something cuts through the darkness and flies toward me. My strengthened senses detect it. I send my blades around the arrow. My blades shatter from the strain. But the arrow flies off in a different direction, completely missing me. Any familiar would die after one hit from that. I hold my revolver with both hands. I pinpoint their locations, and pull the trigger.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Shimako | Gender: Female </METADATA> The bullet is sucked into the darkness. I'm pretty sure I missed. They stop moving. They must not have expected gunfire. [Kotarou]: (That won't stop them for long...) I catch up to Shimako. Four hounds rush by to take my place. [Kotarou]: "Reinforcements!?" [Kotarou]: "Shimako, are you controlling them?" [Shimako]: "...*nod*" [Kotarou]: "I'm amazed you can control that many at once...but don't hurt yourself. You've got a long life ahead of you." She answers by making a V-shape with her fingers. [Kotarou]: "You're doing really well." I find myself smiling. I can feel our pursuers slowing down behind us. The familiars are delaying them. [Akane]: "We're sending as many reinforcements as we can in that direction, so focus on moving." [Akane]: "Our main unit is right in front of you." [Kotarou]: "In that case...!" Shimako takes control of all the reinforcements from the disciples, and sends them toward our pursuers. The scout bird flies over our heads, acting as our eyes and ears, even though it only has one wing. That's why we can keep avoiding the superhumans. ...this was a long day. But I'm going to get out of here and end it. [Kotarou]: "Shimako, how many familiars are you controlling now?" She makes an X with her hands. So this wolf carrying her is the only one left... [Akane]: "There were too many enemies. It's not her fault." [Akane]: "I'm amazed she held them all off with so few." [Kotarou]: "What about Suzaki's men?" [Akane]: "Guardian managed to split them up and is hunting down the stragglers." [Kotarou]: "So they wanted us to all go in different directions...and that actually helped our side." [Akane]: "We can't say that for sure yet. We need to finish this first." [Kotarou]: "I know. There aren't any enemies near here right now..." This time, the scout bird bursts apart for real. I immediately realize it was sniped. [Kotarou]: "...dammit, get down!" Shimako lies down flat on the wolf's back. [Kotarou]: (That was an arrow...) It might be the same person who tried to shoot me earlier. [Kotarou]: "Run!" The wolf starts running. I run alongside it. I look behind me, checking if there's a second shot coming. I don't feel anything, so he must not know where we are yet. But he's there somewhere. He's trying to find me right now. ...there! The man holds a competition bow fully drawn, and stands low, trying to blend into the background. He releases an arrow. This time I won't be able to knock it out of the way. It's too fast...! The lightning-fast arrow lands in the wolf next to me. The familiar falls to one side in mid-stride. Then it turns to dust. I feel gut-wrenching pain. [Kotarou]: "Shimako!" ...she's fine. But she was thrown off, and is now lying unconscious on the ground. I pick her up. Her body feels really warm. [Kotarou]: (She's been using familiars for too long...) I should have expected this. These powers all have a price. Our own lives are what allow familiars to move. I carry Shimako as I search for the Key. Obviously, I'm an amateur, and I have no way of escaping this situation on my own. The only reason I've survived this long is because of my aurora. That lets me exchange something for power. I've always been afraid of using that power, and in the past it also felt really unfair. But surviving right now is more important. All humans have to take advantage of what they're good at in order to live. People who fight their own nature never accomplish anything. I need to accept this power. It's not my real strength, and it's not something I earned through hard work. It's just something I was born with. If I could become a hero through sheer effort, that would be great. But...I'm not living for the sake of being noble or honorable. I use unfair and cowardly tactics whenever I need to. That's what I've been doing for the past few hours. I've been mentally prepared to do that. I believed that would allow me to accomplish something here. Inside me, something violent stirs. Something lurking in my blood vessels. Something that helped strengthen me. The slit in my wrist opens. Blades crawl out. Three brutal claws. They don't look that different. They seem a little more lifelike than before, but that's the only change I can see. But now they have brutality and ferocity. And those traits make them dependable. Aurora beasts. Living blades that eat into enemies all on their own. A third shot. Even I can't see the arrow coming, but my blades react to it. They lunge toward it automatically. They capture and break the arrow in front of me. A fourth shot. Same result. The aurora beasts instinctively destroy it. I leave defense to them, and pick up Shimako and the Key with my left arm. I move toward the rendezvous point. With two girls under my arm, it's slow. He fires several more arrows, but none of them hit. Before I realize it, I'm completely surrounded. ...I could probably hold them off for a little while. I can't afford to think about anything after that... All the superhumans raise their weapons and close in. I get down on the ground, covering Shimako and the Key. The forest explodes. The superhumans are distracted. As splinters fly through the air, Akane shows herself. I'm shocked to see her here without anyone defending her. [Akane]: "Are you alive, Kotarou?" She kneels down next to me. Akane's face softens with relief. [Akane]: "Ah, thank goodness." Seeing her warm, gentle face makes me feel relieved too. One of the superhumans rushes toward us. [Kotarou]: "Akane-san, look out!" [Akane]: "...fool." The air suddenly freezes. All the superhumans jump back, except for the one heading toward Akane. A large snake-like creature appears from behind the trees, and runs through the man's chest. As it holds him up in midair, his limbs spasm, then he dies. It's not a snake. It's the tail of something much bigger. It steps toward us with audible footfalls, over the pile of splinters from the trees it broke through. We're covered by a mountainous shadow. [Kotarou]: "......!!" Even the cool-headed superhumans are clearly shaken. ...this is a monster. An enormous, unparalleled beast. It's so big I lose my sense of scale. I can't grasp its shape from this angle. Just looking at it makes me feel uneasy. It doesn't feel real. I'm looking straight up at it, but I still can't believe it. ...it's a familiar. An incredible huge... [Kotarou]: "...dragon..." And it's not alone. More new familiars rush forth, as if to protect us. Wolves, hounds, birds... And robed women controlling them.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> They put the bag with the Key on one of the familiars and carry it back to a safe place. Akane pulls me up. I see someone carrying Shimako, and finally let myself relax. [Kotarou]: "What...is...?" [Akane]: "Dynamosaurus." [Akane]: "The Earth Dragon." [Akane]: "The greatest familiar in existence. It's existed for...hundreds of years at least. It's very special to us." Akane watches the dragon advance with hollow eyes. Its steps are surprisingly quiet. I can feel the ground shake a little each time, but far less than I would expect given its size. Despite its enormous body, its moves are seamless and efficient. [Kotarou]: "...a T-Rex." [Akane]: "Begin the attack." [Akane]: "Moon Team and Grass Team take the left flank. Snow and Wind take the right. Unassigned summoners, follow Tsukuno's orders." She gives a series of firm, resolute orders. The superhumans back off and hide. They don't seem like they're retreating. They're surprised at what just happened, but they haven't lost the will to fight. The battle begins. The Earth Dragon cuts into their ranks. It fights with its enormous jaw, and its long tail that acts as both a spear and a club. Guardian moves around it, staying out of its range. Despite their superpowers, they're hesitating to attack. The dragon doesn't rely on its body weight to fight. It nimbly evades stronger attacks, and its own attacks are quick and precise. In comparison, the superhumans running around it look like they're wasting a lot of energy. The dragon is used to fighting humans... It excels at countering their techniques. The tail thrusts. One of the superhumans just jumped to one side, so it aims where he lands. His head flies off before he can even attempt to dodge. [Kotarou]: (...amazing.) It knocks over trees effortlessly. The forest looks as if a typhoon came through it. The superhumans run around, bewildered. They can't stay in the same place for more than a moment. But the dragon starts to take noticeable damage. Spears pierce it, its skin is cut, and eventually it falls to one knee. It leans to one side and groans in agony. Seeing their chance, the superhumans start to focus their attacks. Projectiles come at the Earth Dragon from several shadows. [Kotarou]: "Ah!" [Akane]: "...it's okay." The dragon twists its body. One of the superhumans gets hit by the tail, and bursts apart like a paper balloon. Then it bites another one in half with its enormous jaw. Yet another tries approaching it from the side, but it gets swiped away by the dragon's foot. Someone's axe twirls through the air. It lands in the ground, like a tombstone for its former owner. [Kotarou]: "......!" Multiple people vanished in an instant. The dragon looks down on the shocked humans, and casually shakes the blood off his tail. [Kotarou]: "...he's an expert at this." [Akane]: "A familiar of that size requires multiple lives in order to operate." [Kotarou]: "Multiple...lives?" [Akane]: "That's why we can't use it often, and sometimes we can't even get enough summoners capable of using it. The only old summoners are ones who avoid using their familiars whenever possible." Their attacks weaken. They still have the dragon surrounded, but they're hesitating to attack. That's when the disciples' other familiars go on the attack. The superhumans gradually start falling back. But they still show no sign of retreating. They're hoping to hold their position until we let up. They're waiting for something. [Disciple]: "Akane-sama...the Key..." One of the disciples runs up to us. She looks pale as she whispers something in Akane's ear. [Akane]: "...Kotarou, the Key's starting to move...could you deal with it?" I head over, and find the Key on the verge of waking up. Its eyes are closed, but it's standing up on its own, and its ribbons are filling the area. The restraints they used on it lie on the ground in pieces. [Kotarou]: "Ah, this is bad..." [Disciple]: "We gave it another dose of the anesthetic, but it isn't working..." [Akane]: "It's probably adapted to it...I should've planned for this." It's on edge right now, so giving it another injection would be difficult. Even Imamiya-san got his arm cut off by these ribbons. They can kill humans if need be. This won't be easy... A ripple runs through my body. My instincts scream. I can't stand here. I grab Akane to protect her and fall to the ground. [Akane]: "Kya―!" A fraction of a second later, a shockwave passes over our heads. There's a man in a dark suit holding a reinforced compound bow and running between the trees. The dragon casually swings its tail, knocking the axe in the ground back into the air. It spins directly toward the man. I can see it cutting his chest in half. That's the guy who's been trying to finish me off this whole time. I'd prefer to have defeated him myself. But reality couldn't care less about my petty desires. It only becomes more cruel. [Disciple]: "The Key...!" The arrow didn't hit us, but it did open a huge hole in the Key's chest. This was always their main objective. [Kotarou]: "Crap..." It wasn't an instant death. The Key writhes in agony. It instinctively tries to defend itself, making its ribbons multiply until they fill the entire area. They slice apart everything they can reach. [Kotarou]: "It's too dangerous. Everyone, get away from it." All the disciples back away in a slight panic. A boulder within range of the ribbons gets diced up like a potato. It's completely lost control. ...suddenly, the ribbons stop. They harden in midair, like a set of overlapping ripples. [Akane]: "...what happened?" As we watch them, the ribbons lose their glow and start to crumble. They break up into glowing dust, just like familiars. [Kotarou]: "...so that's it." I try to accept it. [Kotarou]: "...it's probably wilting." Akane gasps. We're about to lose something we spent an immense amount of effort to secure. It doesn't stop crumbling. Its beautiful human body shrivels up and hardens like a dried leaf. The collapsing ribbons form a cloud of snow covering the ground. Even those particles only exist for a fleeting moment. In no time at all they disappear. Guardian rapidly retreats. They achieved their objective. I sigh with disappointment... ...and walk up to the girl-shaped corpse. [Akane]: "Kotarou!" [Kotarou]: "It's fine." [Kotarou]: "There's no life left in it anymore." The disciples watch from afar, but Akane walks out to me. [Kotarou]: "Sorry...I wasn't strong enough." [Akane]: "That's not true." She shakes her head, blaming herself. [Akane]: "...I mean it. You did more than I could have ever asked."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Akane]: "I wasn't expecting anywhere near this much from you." [Akane]: "You did everything you possibly could...I wish I could say the outcome doesn't matter, but..." [Akane]: "I'm grateful for what you did."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> We lay several of the summoners down on white sheets. They're quietly carried away on stretchers. [Kotarou]: "Are they...dead?" [Akane]: "They used up their lives controlling that familiar." [Kotarou]: "...so they did die from that." [Kotarou]: "Is Shimako...?" [Akane]: "She's still fine. She's exceptionally talented at it." [Akane]: "She'll fully recover after a few days." [Akane]: "Kotarou, you asked me earlier whether Shimako "has the right to live"." [Akane]: "To us, what's moral and immoral is determined by the will of the planet." [Kotarou]: "The planet?" [Akane]: "For instance, whether the human race should live or not." [Akane]: "Only the Key, the planet's messenger, can make that decision." [Kotarou]: "...so the Key can wipe us out?" Akane looks directly at me. [Akane]: "Only if we deserve it." [Kotarou]: "...how can you accept that?" [Akane]: "So would you kill the Key just to save yourself?" [Akane]: "Guardian is made up of people who've justified that to themselves." [Akane]: "They think humanity is noble. That their own achievements prove that. So they refuse to accept anything which challenges that belief." [Akane]: "That's the logic they use." [Kotarou]: "What about Gaia? Would you guys just stand around and watch the world get destroyed?" [Akane]: "We think humanity should be doing what it can to avoid that fate." [Akane]: "Do you think humanity can change?" [Kotarou]: "Of course...if we all work hard enough." [Akane]: "So we're not there yet, but we can improve little by little?" [Kotarou]: "Well, yeah...what are we supposed to do if we can't even believe that?" [Akane]: "Then why is there any need to destroy the Key?" [Akane]: "...not that this argument matters anymore." She smiles weakly. [Kotarou]: "I guess the world won't be destroyed anyway." [Akane]: "Yes...though there should be another Key decades or centuries from now." [Akane]: "But by then...this planet..." It's evening now. The sunset makes the forest look as if it's on fire, making the world seem desolate. We return to our room, and Akane rests her head on my chest. [Kotarou]: "A-Akane-san...?" I hold her shoulders. She's shaking. [Akane]: "...what are we supposed to do now?" [Akane]: "We're so weak..." [Akane]: "How am I supposed to save everyone when I have no holy work to give them...?" [Akane]: "None of them can live in the normal world." [Akane]: "But they're still alive because they believed..." [Akane]: "Because they saw the Key's judgment as salvation." [Akane]: "I don't know...what to tell any of them now..." [Kotarou]: "They should be able to change." [Akane]: "Change?" [Kotarou]: "Maybe not all of them, but...if they really want to, I think they can." [Kotarou]: "If any of them can't, then you can help them, Akane-san." [Kotarou]: "Is that not good enough?" [Kotarou]: "I don't know what happened to all the disciples in the past, but..." [Kotarou]: "With an organization this huge, there must be other things we can do." [Kotarou]: "Other useful, productive things...besides protecting the Key." [Akane]: "...even if they're fine with it, I don't know if I can do that." [Akane]: "I don't know if I could take it..." [Kotarou]: "I'll support you." [Akane]: "...so what? ...what good does another human's support do?" [Kotarou]: "We'll do this together." [Kotarou]: "I'll take on part of your responsibility, Akane-san." [Akane]: "You think you can bear my sins?" [Akane]: "...can you?" [Kotarou]: "...eh?" [Akane]: "The planet creates Keys because humanity puts too great a burden on it." [Akane]: "The Key is an observer. If one appears, that proves the Earth is on the verge of drying up." [Akane]: "It's the planet screaming in agony." [Kotarou]: "But didn't you say there'd be another one in a few decades...?" [Akane]: "This planet will pass the point of no return before that happens." [Akane]: "It's not about environmental damage. Its life force is drying up..." [Akane]: "All we can do is ignore that fact until the end comes." [Akane]: "We have to give everyone else a way to ignore it." [Akane]: "Are you capable of lying to them if that's what it takes to lead them?" Ah, so that's what she means... Now I know why she's so resigned. If the Key survived, it almost certainly would have wiped out humanity. But that was the planet's will. For people who don't feel they can live in the normal world, that's the only way they can find a purpose. By trying to help their planet... Even giving their lives to power familiars is meaningful to them, if it will protect the Key. That's what Akane means by "salvation" for them. [Kotarou]: "...I don't know much about the state of the planet, but..." [Kotarou]: "Even if we don't have a lot of time left, there is something I want, and I can only get it by staying with you." [Kotarou]: "So please let me bear some of the burden." [Kotarou]: "I can help you, Akane-san. I can be reckless and stupid at times, but I think that might be just what you need." When she looks up at me, her eyes are watering. She presses her face against me to hide it. I gently put my hands around her back. ...she doesn't resist. I hold her a little tighter. After a little while, we let go, and she's back to normal. [Kotarou]: "It helps to cry sometimes." [Akane]: "...why would I cry just from this?" She wipes the corner of her eye with one hand. [Akane]: "If I need to cry, I'll do it somewhere no one can see me." [Kotarou]: "...okay." [Akane]: "If you're going to support me...make sure I never have to do that." Akane looks at me. ...what exactly did she mean by that? [Akane]: "That's your job now..." She hands me a key. A normal key, without any special powers or deep meaning. Just a piece of metal. Something makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. This is just the beginning. My real work begins now. Akane says there's no hope, but that's not how I feel. Being able to support someone is more fulfilling than words can describe. Far more so than just following someone's orders. The key to Akane's room. To me, it's even more precious than the supernatural Key. [Kotarou]: "That's right...Akane-san." [Kotarou]: "Should we slip outside for a bit tomorrow night?" [Akane]: "And do what?"

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "I was thinking...of going to the harvest festival..." [Akane]: "I-if you want..." [Kotarou]: "Yes! I'll take that instead of payment." Akane bursts into laughter for a moment. [Akane]: "I'll still give you your allowance." [Kotarou]: "...huh? I get a weekly allowance for this kind of work...?" There's plenty of happiness in a normal life. We just need to start looking for it. That night, everyone in the facility panicked. There was a power outage in the evening. It didn't take long to repair, but it was still too late. During that confused time, Akane was summoned to meet someone. Akane accepted the situation with a pale, but emotionless face. That day, the holy woman and symbolic leader of the Japanese Martel Group, Kashima Sakura...died. Akane had to prepare for her funeral. There was nothing I could help her with. I went back to the club room to stay out of her way, but Akane came right after me. [Akane]: "Out of the way..." [Kotarou]: "Aren't you supposed to be...?" She falls heavily into her chair. Her mind sinks as far as it can go, as disappointment reveals itself in her face. I don't know what to say to her. To Akane, Kashima Sakura probably felt like part of her family. I know I shouldn't make any jokes, but I can't tell if I should try to console her. [Akane]: "How are your injuries?" [Kotarou]: "I'm fine. The marks were all gone this morning." Even the bullet Takasago shot into me came out on its own at some point. My body has gotten insanely good at healing itself. [Kotarou]: "My metabolism seems to be a lot faster now...I shed a lot of skin too, so I've been taking a lot of showers." [Akane]: "I see..." [Akane]: "...oh right...sorry for breaking that promise." [Kotarou]: "It's okay." [Akane]: "We'll be having a vigil tonight. Relatives only." [Kotarou]: "So I...?" [Akane]: "You're my bodyguard, so you'll be there. If people never see you it'll just make it harder to use you later." [Akane]: "But the vigil itself is restricted, so you'll be waiting in the next room." [Kotarou]: "Okay, can do." Then we go silent again. [Kotarou]: "Ah, my condolences for your loss." Akane looks at me blankly. [Akane]: "...it's fine. She's been ill for a long time. I was prepared for this." [Kotarou]: "Have you...known Kashima-san for a long time?" [Akane]: "I first met her when she adopted me, so...less than ten years." [Kotarou]: "That's still a long time." [Kotarou]: "Did you live together?" [Akane]: "Yes...for a few years. That's when she trained me to be the next holy woman." [Akane]: "But we weren't family..." [Kotarou]: "Really?" I stand next to her chair as I ask. It doesn't mean anything. I just wanted to talk to her. [Akane]: "Why do you ask?" [Kotarou]: "You tend to suppress how you feel about things sometimes...so I was a bit worried." [Akane]: "Are you saying I don't look sad?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, no, not that, everyone reacts differently to this...if anything I respect that, but..." I wanted to try and be considerate, but I lose my train of thought. Akane giggles at me. [Akane]: "...of course I'm sad about this. I'm not holding anything in, don't worry about that." [Akane]: "It's just...I want to deal with this feeling properly..." [Kotarou]: "That sounds just like you." [Kotarou]: "In that case I'll try not to get in your way..." I start moving away, but she grabs my sleeve. [Kotarou]: "Akane-san?" [Akane]: "Eh?" [Kotarou]: "...my sleeve." [Akane]: "............ah, sorry." She opens her hand like a small child. I return back to my usual seat. Our eyes meet. She's the same as usual, but I can see that some invisible part of her is becoming unbalanced. [Akane]: "...I hated her." Suddenly, she starts talking. [Akane]: "At first I didn't understand anything. I was always in a white haze..." [Akane]: "But then Kashima Sakura granted me intelligence." [Akane]: "And then I immediately hated her. At the same time, I loved her." [Akane]: "Kashima knew that would happen, so she was never kind to me." [Akane]: "That's part of being the holy woman...or her heir." [Akane]: "All humans love themselves, but at the same time find themselves intolerable." [Akane]: "No one can accept a duplicate of themselves." [Kotarou]: "A duplicate...?" [Akane]: "But...she died..." [Akane]: "What the hell...why now? ...why'd she have to leave after making my life such a mess?" [Akane]: "She doesn't have to worry about any of this now...she just left it for the rest of us to deal with..." I walk up to her again, and this time I hold her. Akane clings to me. She presses her face against me, and wraps her arms around me. ...that's probably what she wanted to do from the beginning. [Akane]: "...yes, I loved her! I could never completely hate her!" [Akane]: "She gave me a heart back when I was hollow...she pulled me out of the darkness...I'm grateful for that..." [Akane]: "But I still couldn't stand her...!" [Kotarou]: "Wh-what's wrong with that? If you loved her, that's all that matters." [Kotarou]: "Whether she loved you back or was just using you is irrelevant." [Akane]: "Even if that's not real love...?" [Kotarou]: "Of course..." [Akane]: "Come on, that doesn't mean anything." [Kotarou]: "Trying to find meaning in everything just makes it more complicated than it needs to be." [Kotarou]: "Akane-san, you don't have to think so hard about these things." [Akane]: "No one would accept a holy woman who doesn't think hard about them." [Kotarou]: "Then..." [Kotarou]: "Why not just quit?" [Kotarou]: "We can go make our own cult. You'll be the charismatic leader, and I'll be your secretary." [Akane]: "...huhu." [Akane]: "Ahaha!" [Akane]: "Don't make me laugh about this, you idiot." [Kotarou]: "Haha..." She criticized me, but I can feel the tension leaving her shoulders. [Kotarou]: "We can always run away from this...don't forget that." Akane stands up. She brings her face closer to me. And...for a brief moment, we touch. [Akane]: "Mm...!" Akane slides down to my chest, buries her face in it and starts sobbing like a child. I can finally see her like this. The tension inside her finally gives way. She clings to me. As tight as she can.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> I hold her tight. someone wakes me up with a punch. [Kotarou]: "OWWWW!" [Akane]: "Tsukuno's here! Wake up!" [Kotarou]: "Eh? Eeeh?" I fail to understand the situation. For now I go along with what Akane said and try to hurry. [Kotarou]: "Wh-what do I do!?" [Akane]: "She'll assume the worst! H-hide in the locker!" [Kotarou]: "O-okay!" I hide myself. [Tsukuno]: "Good morning." [Akane]: "Wh-what!?" Tsukuno-san tilts her head with suspicion. [Tsukuno]: "...there's something top secret I would like to discuss." [Akane]: "T-top secret? It's that important?" [Tsukuno]: "It is. I'm the only one who knows about it, other than the people working directly on it." [Tsukuno]: "...there seems to be no one else here, so do you mind discussing it now?" I can see Akane sweating. [Tsukuno]: "The truth is..." [Akane]: "Stop." [Tsukuno]: "Huh...?" [Akane]: "...that's enough. You can come out." I timidly come out of the locker. Tsukuno-san is lost for words. [Tsukuno]: "What is...?" [Akane]: "Tsukuno-san, just so you know, there's no deep meaning behind this." That's a really broad denial... [Tsukuno]: "Ah, I see..." [Tsukuno]: "I apologize for the disturbance." [Tsukuno]: "But let me be the first to congratulate you both." [Akane]: "That's not it!" [Akane]: "This is top secret, Tsukuno..." [Tsukuno]: "Then we'll talk somewhere..." Tsukuno-san fails to finish her sentence, trying to figure out what to do about me. [Akane]: "Kotarou's fine. You can let him hear it." [Tsukuno]: "...in that case..." [Tsukuno]: "A supernatural poison was detected in Sakura-sama's body." [Tsukuno]: "There's no sign of it being planted after death, so it's almost certain she was murdered." [Akane]: "I see..." [Tsukuno]: "It was almost certainly plotted by someone within our organization." [Tsukuno]: "After checking the situation at the time of the crime...there does appear to have been an entrance left unguarded." Tsukuno-san's telling us that someone we know betrayed us. [Akane]: "Do you think...Suzaki ordered this?" [Tsukuno]: "The security department wouldn't let me see the logs." [Kotarou]: "Suzaki? ...are you saying Guardian got to him or something?" [Kotarou]: "That he's a double agent?" [Tsukuno]: "Even if he's not, he still benefits from making this happen." For instance, he could have leaked information on the guards' patrol patterns to the enemy, allowing them to do it for him. [Kotarou]: "...is it worth going that far to bring down the holy woman?" [Akane]: "Yes. He wants to lead the Martel Group as a scientific organization." [Akane]: "...do you think Suzaki knows the Key was destroyed?" [Tsukuno]: "It's very likely he's reached that conclusion just from analyzing Guardian's behavior." Akane bites her nails angrily. [Akane]: "...even if we secured the Key, Suzaki would've found it somehow." [Akane]: "Kashima can defend herself, but his men could overpower her if they wanted..." [Akane]: "Let's keep this to ourselves until after the funeral. Good work, Tsukuno." Tsukuno-san bows deeply. [Tsukuno]: "Also..." Akane told her she doesn't need to hide anything from me, but for some reason she whispers into her ear. I can see her face changing as she listens. Then she looks at me. She doesn't look normal. I have a bad feeling about this. [Kotarou]: "What is it?" [Akane]: "...Kotarou, stay here. I need to go back to HQ." [Kotarou]: "Akane-san, if something's happening shouldn't I...?" [Akane]: "No...it's not that...I'll be fine..." Akane quickly leaves, as if running away. The way they were both acting bugs me a little. I can hear fireworks. This is the last day of the harvest festival―― The next day. The funeral happens at 6 PM. It will be held in an assembly hall on the medical floor. It's meant to be a small, quiet ceremony, for relatives only. But there are tons of people involved in the Martel Group coming from overseas. The holy woman had a huge amount of influence. After that, they talk about what to do from now on. I'm supposed to be Akane's bodyguard, but I'm left waiting in another room. Akane was acting strange this morning. To be precise, her face has lost its humanity ever since she heard about Kashima Sakura's death. Her eyes never change, as if she's not in the same world as us... Midnight. All the other guests have returned to their rooms, but Akane and Suzaki are still in there. I stand in front of the door, and very slightly open the door. [Suzaki]: "...you made quite a mess in the forest." [Suzaki]: "Please stop playing dumb. We know what you did." [Akane]: "You lost a lot of men too." [Suzaki]: "If you hadn't done that, none of this would have happened." [Suzaki]: "You're not even the official holy woman yet, but you've abused what little authority you have as if you own the whole organization." [Suzaki]: "We aren't going to keep quiet about this. Expect a thorough investigation." [Akane]: "Do whatever you want." [Suzaki]: "Martel is not a cult anymore. The masses no longer want a holy woman." [Suzaki]: "Salvation will come in the form of scientific innovation." [Akane]: "...you call toying with lives a form of science?" [Suzaki]: "It's a natural phenomenon we haven't fully explained yet. How is studying it not science?" [Suzaki]: "...we do not believe the holy woman needs any independent authority in this day and age." [Suzaki]: "And didn't Kashima Sakura lose her life because you left your post?" [Suzaki]: "Or perhaps you guided the enemy into our base?" How dare he... A molten hot anger boils up inside me. But Akane opens her mouth before I do anything. True anger is deep, silent and cold. Her voice proves that. [Akane]: "...who's the real traitor here?" [Suzaki]: "What?" [Akane]: "You've betrayed us twice." [Suzaki]: "Me? Twice? What are you talking about?" [Akane]: "You abandoned your job as Kashima Sakura's protector, because you feared her." [Akane]: "And just a few days ago, you hatched a new scheme, and it worked. I know all about it." [Akane]: "After what you've done, you have no right to call yourself part of Gaia." [Suzaki]: "...what nonsense." [Suzaki]: "You may be a servant, but I cannot overlook such rash talk." [Suzaki]: "Clearly you are not prepared to inherit her title. You're no different from a doll."

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Suzaki]: "And dolls have no power." [Suzaki]: "The disciples will cease all activity. This is a formal request from the board of directors." [Akane]: "And we refuse, obviously. We don't need to play ball with your political games." [Suzaki]: "Your attitude is no different from a wailing child." [Suzaki]: "Listen, running an organization requires..." Akane stands up, and Suzaki stops. She looks down at him as she speaks. [Akane]: "I know exactly why you can't use familiars." Suzaki's face freezes. And Akane's expression has a piercing coldness. [Akane]: "Why do you think you can speak of our sadness and suffering when you can't even experience Gaia's teachings for yourself?" [Akane]: "You understood Kashima Sakura once, but now you've left her and split her organization in half." [Akane]: "And you accuse me of being unprepared? What gave you that impression? You don't even know what it means to inherit the holy woman's position." Suzaki gulps. Upon seeing that, Akane smiles like a witch. [Akane]: "It's more than just a ritual. It creates an invisible but powerful bond." [Akane]: "The covenant between me and Kashima Sakura was fulfilled upon her death." [Akane]: "...for your sake, I hope you're not the only one who thinks I'm just a doll." [Suzaki]: "Wh-what are you thinking...?" She's successfully intimidating Suzaki. [Suzaki]: "The Key is lost! The disciples have nothing now!" [Suzaki]: "Gaia has no need for anyone besides my scientists!" [Akane]: "Since when have they provided anything but blind hope?" [Akane]: "...you neophyte." [Suzaki]: "Wh-what are you thinking!?" Akane doesn't answer. She just walks out. [Akane]: "Oh, Kotarou, you're still here?" [Kotarou]: "...sorry, I was getting worried...so I started eavesdropping..." [Kotarou]: "But what were you...?" Akane suddenly relaxes her face. [Akane]: "I was just taking it out on him." The harvest festival ends, and peace returns to the town. It was the biggest event of the year, as usual... But this year it didn't matter to me at all. I'm in Gaia. I'm Akane's protector. But I'm still not exactly sure who or what I'm trying to be. After losing the Key, I thought Akane had opened her heart up to me a little. ...but now... Ever since that day, Akane's been working tirelessly. Like a completely different person. She flies back and forth across Japan, having endless meetings. She makes connections with many important people. She attends conferences and gives speeches. Despite Suzaki's expectations, everyone saw her as a shining leader of a unified organization. It took less than a month for everyone to acknowledge Akane as the new holy woman. The disciples and the board of directors remain separated. Suzaki's men continue putting pressure on her and getting in her way, but... Akane has countless supporters. Mostly because of the holy woman's miracles. Akane spends as much time as possible visiting hospitals and sanatoriums. She was looking for people who had virtually no hope of recovery. I came with her, and the harsh reality I saw there always made me choke up. The people she found were only alive in the biological sense. They had no hearts or minds, and were unable to live in the normal world. Even if they recovered from their illnesses, they could never lead fulfilling lives. Akane revived them. Her miracles were shocking. [Akane]: "...this is the power of the holy woman. Though in principle it's the same as a summoner's power." No matter how many times I watch someone in a coma wake up and get back on their feet, it never stops surprising me. Mute children start speaking, and demented old men become sane again. Akane performed as many miracles as her schedule would allow. She took no payment for it. She thoroughly avoided the media. But she couldn't stop people from talking about it. As her bodyguard, I was busy every day. We hired more staff, so our relationship wasn't nearly as close as before. I was satisfied. It felt like what I was meant to be doing. Many of the people saved by Akane's miracles joined Gaia as disciples. This was the religious side of the organization that Martel had once tried to cover up. There are many people who despise cults. And there were many who accused us of brainwashing people. Many called Akane a fraud. And once in a while, someone tried to harm Akane. Dealing with them was my job. Compared to Guardian's hunters, ten or twenty hoodlums is nothing. Months pass by in the blink of an eye. Then half a year. And finally a full year. On one of my few days off, I walk around the city aimlessly. I haven't been in Kazamatsuri much lately. Most of my time is spent flying all over the country. Being a bodyguard is a really busy job. For instance, if Akane needs to stay at a hotel... More then ten people have to go inspect the hotel in advance. That plan has to be made a week in advance. Of course I have to look at the place in person. The room next to the one where Akane and I are staying becomes the war room. It's filled with elite summoners and guards. Machines have to be carried there. Everything is scheduled around it. Working together with Tsukuno-san and the other disciples is important. When Akane goes outside, I always follow her. She can't even buy a can of juice by herself now. Sometimes Akane laments it. No matter how hard she has to work, her schedule is always packed with more trips and appointments. Every day is a fight to get through that schedule. They say the way you live is visible on your face. I wonder what my face looks like now. Do I look pressured? Do people think I'm cold when they look at me? No one sees me as a carefree student anymore. It's rare for anyone to comment on my youth or ask if I'm a student now. I look about ten years older than I did a year ago. I get the feeling I could buy alcohol or cigarettes without being asked for ID. I walk wherever I feel like, and eventually reach familiar places. Places that have nothing to do with me anymore. Everyone I remember from school is probably a third-year by now. They're probably taking their exams. I see familiar uniforms walking by. They all look strangely young to me. I never felt that way before... I probably changed more than they did. [Yoshino]: "......!" I see... A lot happened between me and him. And we never got any closure on it. Though we were never that close to begin with... Yes. The two of us failed. We never became friends or rivals. We just failed. That's all. I have nothing to say to him, and there's nothing I need to hear from him. I turn away. [Yoshino]: "...hey." Apparently he doesn't feel the same way. [Yoshino]: "...Kanbe's been missing for...hey, wait up you..." [Yoshino]: "Wait..." I know. Kotori's been missing ever since that day. Not just her. Shizuru and Lucia too. Akane looked into it before, and I've done some research of my own.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female </METADATA> The detectives' reports always reached the same conclusion. The trail's cold. Honestly, that made me feel relieved. I didn't want to learn something I shouldn't. I didn't want to know who was on which side of this. I notice someone's standing behind me. ...I'm a little afraid of her. But that's all. I can take her. [Kotarou]: "What is it?" [???]: "...do you remember me, Tennouji?" [Kotarou]: "You..." I turn around in shock. [Kotarou]: "Nishikujou-sensei...?" She stands there, looking extremely sad. [Nishikujou]: "Sensei...that's right." [Nishikujou]: "...it's been a while, Tennouji-kun. A whole year, was it?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah, something like that." [Kotarou]: "I'm sorry I had to drop out." [Kotarou]: "I'm doing pretty well now though." [Nishikujou]: "Humanity is a poison." [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Nishikujou]: "Human activity pollutes the environment." [Kotarou]: "...Sensei, what are you talking about?" She continues talking, indifferent to my question. We're pretty far apart. Over ten meters. Why isn't she moving any closer? It's almost... ...as if...she's planning to... [Nishikujou]: "Humans are arrogant, self-righteous, and cruel." [Nishikujou]: "We can't deny our sins." [Nishikujou]: "But, Tennouji-kun..." [Nishikujou]: "...humans still deserve to live." [Nishikujou]: "No matter how sinful we are, no matter what we sacrifice..." [Nishikujou]: "We should still continue to live." [Kotarou]: "What if the world wouldn't even last another thirty years?" [Nishikujou]: "That changes nothing. Humans should keep living until the final moments." [Nishikujou]: "Humanity can not sacrifice itself." [Kotarou]: "That doesn't make sense. People oppress other people all the time." [Nishikujou]: "...we can't all be happy right away." [Nishikujou]: "But that just means we need to make progress." [Nishikujou]: "No one has the right to take away the lives of innocent people." [Kotarou]: "The Earth does." [Nishikujou]: "That's..." [Kotarou]: "If the Earth has a soul, it might disapprove of humanity." [Nishikujou]: "But we can work to help save the planet." [Kotarou]: "Not realistically. That's just an ideal." [Nishikujou]: "...it may not be likely, but as long as we don't give up...we'll achieve it eventually." [Kotarou]: "No, it's not that simple." [Nishikujou]: "Yes it is. That's what makes humans so strong." [Nishikujou]: "That's what I wanted to teach everyone." [Nishikujou]: "The beauty of humanity. The nobility of the will to live." [Nishikujou]: "I wanted to teach you those things too, Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: "...humans aren't beautiful, Sensei." [Kotarou]: "They devour, destroy and discriminate against whatever they want." [Kotarou]: "We can do whatever we put our minds to as long as we never give up, but that's just a nicer way of describing survival of the fittest." [Kotarou]: "Are you saying we should believe in ourselves no matter how deep our sins?" [Kotarou]: "Would you shed a tear and tell me we have to overcome those tragedies?" [Kotarou]: "That's just lying to yourself." [Kotarou]: "And no one's innocent. All of humanity is equally guilty." [Kotarou]: "There isn't a single innocent person anywhere. Everyone who clings to civilization is an accomplice." [Kotarou]: "If you really want to help the planet live longer, then we should be throwing away every vestige of modern technology." [Kotarou]: "You can say you believe in humanity all you like, but we're still producing countless toxins all the time." [Kotarou]: "Do you think you people are so wonderful you can change all that before it's too late?" Nishikujou-sensei looks down. [Nishikujou]: "...I see. So that's your answer, Tennouji-kun." When she looks up, not a shred of sadness is left in her eyes. Only a sharp, firm will. [Nishikujou]: "There is some logic in what you say." [Nishikujou]: "Humans probably aren't beautiful." [Nishikujou]: "...but we still have to live." [Nishikujou]: "Suicide isn't a valid choice." [Nishikujou]: "And forcing others to commit suicide with you is simply unforgivable." [Nishikujou]: "That violates their right to live." [Kotarou]: "Right to live, huh..." [Kotarou]: "You guys are so short-sighted. None of that's going to benefit anyone in the long run." [Nishikujou]: "We still have to live here and now." [Kotarou]: "...for your information, Sensei, it's already too late." [Kotarou]: "You should be thinking about how to spend the time we have left." [Nishikujou]: "We don't know that yet. There are plenty of possibilities." [Kotarou]: "You're being overconfident and optimistic." [Nishikujou]: "You always were a pessimist." Our words gradually become more hostile. She doesn't sound like a teacher anymore. She's probably getting fed up with me too... [Kotarou]: "...there's no point talking about this anymore." I had a feeling. She's probably... [Nishikujou]: "Let me tell you one last thing." [Nishikujou]: "I'm going to be leaving Kazamatsuri soon, so this is my final lesson." [Kotarou]: "...what is it?" [Nishikujou]: "She's going to destroy the world." A gust of wind. Sensei...no, Nishikujou has been holding some sand in her fist, and now she releases it. I don't know how she's doing it, but the particles are flying right into my eyes. I can feel a strange power at work. As I block my eyes, I sense danger and leap back. But no attack comes. After I rub the sand out of my eyes, Nishikujou's nowhere to be seen. [Kotarou]: "...destroy...the world...?" A singing voice. The Kazamatsuri General Purpose Hall was originally designed for concerts and other musical events. Recently, the main hall has been used for singing lessons for people chosen by the disciples. Akane goes very far out of her way to make time for these lessons. Right now she's sitting in the back row, folding her arms and legs and watching the proceedings. [Kotarou]: "This is a strange chorus." A very simple song. It feels less like singing and more like forcing the voice to go higher and longer than it normally can. [Akane]: "It's based on an ancient monophony."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "There's no accompaniment at all. Is this what they call a cappella?" [Akane]: "A cappella isn't necessarily unaccompanied." [Kotarou]: "It isn't?" [Akane]: "Just think of this as a simple monophony." [Kotarou]: "Okay." [Akane]: "It's just a simple melody...that's right, have you heard of Gregorian chants?" [Kotarou]: "Dunno...I'm not that familiar with classical music." [Akane]: "They're religious songs much like this one." [Kotarou]: "Is this song religious too?" [Akane]: "...that depends on how you define religion." [Akane]: "Do you feel anything when you hear it?" [Kotarou]: "Hmm...kinda." It's much calmer than modern music. A simple melody, and no instrumental accompaniment. Even classical music nowadays has the sounds change at dizzying speeds. But this is just a single sound drawn out for a long time, never changing into something else. Honestly, it's boring. But everyone's singing that boring song the same way. [Kotarou]: "It has a kind of weight to it, but it's still underwhelming..." [Akane]: "What images does it bring to mind?" [Kotarou]: "Images..." [Kotarou]: "I guess something solemn." [Kotarou]: "Maybe somewhere with the wind blowing." Akane smiles. She must have liked my answer. [Akane]: "Good. That's how it should feel to a Gaian." [Kotarou]: "It also kinda feels inhuman, I think." [Akane]: "Yes, that's right. It's not a human song." [Kotarou]: "Then what is it?" [Akane]: "...the planet's song." [Akane]: "Like blowing wind, shifting earth, burning trees and echoing roars." [Akane]: "This song symbolizes those signs of impending natural disasters." [Kotarou]: "...not a very peaceful song." [Akane]: "Indeed..." [Kotarou]: "How far back does this go?" [Akane]: "Good question..." [Akane]: "Probably around six hundred million years." [Kotarou]: "...huh?" Akane chuckles. [Kotarou]: "Was that a joke?" [Kotarou]: "Your humor really isn't suited for young people like us." [Akane]: "It's hard to call it a joke...but it's definitely laughable." [Akane]: "Still, there is some evidence that Neanderthals sung it." [Akane]: "Which would mean the concept of music has been around for tens of thousands of years at least." [Akane]: "Incidentally, the oldest known whistle is thirty-five thousand years old. They probably had simple drums even before that." [Kotarou]: "So this is what ancient music sounded like?" [Akane]: "A sentimental summoner discovered this melody from ancient familiars." [Akane]: "It doesn't fit into the music theory we've had since the middle ages, and that summoner only heard fragments, so it took a long time to figure it out." [Akane]: "Our analysis indicates this song represents the power of nature..." Researching things like this which are relevant to Gaia's ideals is part of the disciples' work. [Kotarou]: "It's impressive." [Kotarou]: "...but I can't see it ranking very high on the charts." [Akane]: "This is just the start, so it still sounds bleak." [Akane]: "It gets more polyphonic as the song goes on." [Kotarou]: "Okay..." [Kotarou]: "But I don't see any instruments anywhere." [Akane]: "...we don't need any. The other parts are played by nature itself." [Akane]: "No human can replicate them." I don't understand that part. I can see Shimako in the group singing the chorus. She can't sing, but she's trying to. [Akane]: "The harmony is still a bit off. Pay attention to that." [Akane]: "Don't let each other fall out of sync. You're probably not used to this, but it's absolutely necessary." Akane steps forward as conductor, cutting off our conversation. [Disciple]: "Tennouji-san, there's something we need to check with you about next week's guard rotation." [Kotarou]: "Ah, okay. Take my place here." I look at Akane as I leave. [Akane]: "Let's try that part again. Don't put too much effort into the finer details. Focus on aligning your minds..." I can't even say goodbye to her. It's always been like this lately. It's not like I never see her or anything, but... ...she feels far away from me. A certain magazine was canceled at one point because the publisher was having financial trouble. It was just a small weekly photo magazine. No one really seemed to care when it came back. A few editions of it got published with a steady supply of articles. The content was just too ordinary. Many people in the company were puzzled by the decision to bring it back, considering how little money it made. Apparently the publisher made a deliberate point of putting money aside for it. Various shops had the magazine assigned to high-priority shelves, despite its unpopularity. By putting it there, the shops enjoyed a variety of benefits. That's what the rumors say. But the most recent edition has a special feature. "The Occult Activities of the Martel Group". This article is a huge deviation from their usual honest, reliable coverage. It's filled with prejudices and emotional arguments. It covers the full history of Martel. Their investigation reaches deep into the organization, and includes multiple interviews from former members. At first glance the articles look genuine and trustworthy. But the more you read, the more you can see delicately-fabricated lies pushing the reader toward a specific opinion. Parts of their budget aren't transparent, and they're forcing themselves to change from a cult to a scientific group. The articles criticize various attempts to prevent that change and stick to the old ways. In particular, it focuses on the miracles performed by the holy woman. It even has a photo of Akane. It doesn't say her name, and it does censor part of her face, but it's still obviously Akane. It claims to expose the trick behind her miracle healings. According to the articles, all the "patients" were just acting. They got perfectly normal humans classified as braindead so she could pretend to cure them. Then use those miracles to recruit new members...or so it claimed. That's the part where I started feeling angry. It lists several pieces of impossible evidence. Documents requesting misdiagnoses, and evidence of payments for them. There's even an anonymous interview with someone who claimed to be one of those actors. It's obviously all a huge lie. But who would do this? And why? This edition has been selling like hotcakes. TV shows and newspapers have been republishing the story. The disciples bear the brunt of the outcry. One of the news shows runs footage of me keeping people away from Akane as she gets into her car. She's just a minor. Her real name shouldn't get published. [Onlookers]: "Senri Akane-san, admit your lies!" But the voices of the crowd can also be heard. I doubt that was just a simple mistake by the network. Her name was deliberately leaked that way. The reports intensify every day. Mobs of interviewers await us everywhere.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Shimako | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> Akane's been forced to reduce her activity. That does mean I get more free time now, but I can't go outside either so it doesn't mean much. The internet is no better. [Kotarou]: "...we do seem to have some fans on our side..." [Akane]: "I don't want that kind of fan..." At first the disciples were also pestered about this. By now we're all holed up inside the HQ. Fortunately, this is Kazamatsuri. The HQ hasn't been surrounded by hordes of chanting protesters or anything like that. But we do hear about those things happening at other research groups throughout the country. We've been keeping a low profile for two weeks now. I'm impressed none of our staff are getting antsy about it. There are still reporters trying to force their way into the building. There are still complaints and prank calls we have to deal with. But no one's letting it get to them. Anything can become normal if it goes on long enough. Everyone still looks fine. [Akane]: "We're used to persecution. This has been a problem for religions since ancient times." Akane says with a calm face. We have more time together now. I'm happy about that. It was hard to make this time in the past. The Martel witch hunt hasn't changed much, though it has started to target Akane's personal acquaintances too. The latest magazine has my public debut. "A possible lover!? The cult leader's shocking sexual life." I knew that was coming. I've been seen on camera countless times. It's the obvious next step. But I wasn't expecting the accusations to be this lewd. It's evil. It's almost erotic. I decide to keep this article to myself. But when I get back to the room, Shimako finds it... ...and shows it to Akane. She reads it. [Akane]: "Wow, this is pretty accurate." ...she's unshakable. At least they didn't publish my real name. I'm just the "secretary boy". Though that term bugs me too. It's deliberately designed to make people curious. [Akane]: "I wonder how they found out about this." [Kotarou]: "...they're just making stuff up." [Kotarou]: "We can't even open the curtains anymore..." We have to assume any room with a window might have telescopic lenses trained on it. We've seen pictures taken of us that way more than once already. I don't want people to take pictures of Akane and I trying to relax in privacy. So the curtains have to stay closed all day. Guardian's been laying low ever since this started. They don't want to get any of their members targeted either. [Kotarou]: "None of these articles even hint at the existence of familiars." [Akane]: "That's not so easy for reporters to find out." [Kotarou]: "...is it really harder than digging up all this other stuff?" It definitely seems unnatural. Some of these statements from former members might even be real. [Kotarou]: "Are there any summoners who've quit Gaia?" [Akane]: "There aren't supposed to be, but once in a while someone leaves." I wonder what kind of life they lead. If they quit because of some conflict with Gaia, how would the organization stop them from leaking information? I could ask the same thing about Guardian. How do they handle those situations and still keep everything secret? The door opens. Shimako comes in. She's been getting more expressive lately. Her development is remarkable. I can see glimpses of a normal girl's emotions and mannerisms from her now. [Kotarou]: "What's up? Do you wanna play cards again?" She gives us a thumbs-up. [Kotarou]: "You've been into cards for a long time now..." She's been hanging out with us for a few hours every day since we went into hiding. Shimako tugs on Akane's arm. [Akane]: "...yes, yes, we'll play with you." The three of us gather around a table. [Kotarou]: "So what do you want to play this time?" Just one game gets old fast, so we try several different ones. Old maid, sevens, doubt, daifugou, memory, blackjack, page one, poker, skat, freecell... There are countless ways to play with cards. Also, Shimako's really good at remembering things. She can recall every single card she saw earlier in the game. So she automatically wins every game of memory. The games that require fast reflexes, I usually win. In my eyes, their hands are barely moving at all. ...though that wasn't very fair. For that reason, Karuta was banned almost immediately when we tried it. Akane wasn't very good at any of them. She's just not good at games in general. Shimako chooses doubt today. [Kotarou]: "...this is gonna take a while." It's hard to end that game with so few people. [Kotarou]: "Doubt." [Shimako]: "*signal*" Akane picks up most of the cards that get played. Even she's pretty competitive once she has enough cards. The game continues in silence. [Tsukuno]: "You have a meeting soon." [Akane]: "...ah, you're right." [Kotarou]: "Another one?" [Akane]: "Yes. I'm sorry, Shimako. You and Kotarou will have to play without me." [Kotarou]: "Ah, no, I need to escort you." [Akane]: "It's just a meeting, you can stay here." [Kotarou]: "What about?" Akane and Tsukuno-san look at each other. [Kotarou]: "If Suzaki's there, then..." [Tsukuno]: "He's not. It's a meeting between disciples." [Kotarou]: "But it's still my job." [Akane]: "We terminated our contract with the cleaners, so we have to take turns cleaning the girls' bathroom now." [Akane]: "Anything you can do to help with that?" [Kotarou]: "...not really." [Kotarou]: "We seem to be missing each other a lot lately." [Akane]: "Don't we spend more time together now?" Akane says as she dries her hair. The club room remains an oasis for us. No one's found out about it yet. We spend a lot of our precious spare time here. [Kotarou]: "No, not time spent in the same room..." [Kotarou]: "It feels like we've been very far apart...emotionally." [Akane]: "Emotionally? Are you sure you're not imagining things?" [Kotarou]: "...I hope I am." [Kotarou]: "How much longer are we going to wait for things to calm down?" [Akane]: "I don't think it'll take much longer." [Akane]: "They haven't discovered any of our real secrets. It's just another scandal." [Kotarou]: "...you seem really confident about this." [Akane]: "If I couldn't keep calm in this situation, everyone would freak out." Akane wraps her arms around my neck from behind. [Akane]: "Should we enjoy our time off while it lasts?" [Kotarou]: "...yeah." I feel anxious for reasons I can't explain. And I don't feel like I can tell Akane about it. I don't like this. I love her, but I keep imagining the worst. [Akane]: "Why are you worried about that?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "...call it men's intuition." [Akane]: "It's supposed to be "women's"." [Kotarou]: "Well, after how Suzaki-san left, why wouldn't I be worried?" As his faction fell into the minority, Suzaki announced that he was transferring the Martel Group's Japanese Headquarters and sold off the building. He bought a new HQ outside city limits, but there was no place in it for the disciples. Of course we aren't going along with that unilateral decision. But this does mean that it's no longer possible to stop Gaia from splitting in two. And this building is now the headquarters of the disciples only. [Kotarou]: "Isn't it a bad idea to leave him out there where we can't watch him? He might try to do something." [Akane]: "He was trying that even when he was here." [Akane]: "...maybe I should tell you this." [Akane]: "There's a possibility that Suzaki caused this scandal." [Kotarou]: "Eh? ...you mean he leaked all that information?" [Akane]: "That's why there's no information about familiars." [Kotarou]: "How does Suzaki benefit from doing that?" [Akane]: "He wants to normalize the organization." [Kotarou]: "...what does that mean?" [Akane]: "Convert it to a standard human corporation." [Akane]: "Something that sustains itself by its contributions to society, not by secret knowledge of familiars." [Akane]: "He sees the disciples as a pustule: something that can only be drained by forcibly cutting it open." [Akane]: "So he took drastic measures." [Kotarou]: "I see..." The whole organization is suffering losses from this. He's hoping for Akane to be overthrown so his new HQ can take control of everything. She's lost a lot of trust, and she hasn't been able to do as much lately, but... Suzaki's definitely capable of leading the organization himself. [Akane]: "They're probably running around trying to improve the reputation of the rest of Gaia." [Akane]: "He values prestige highly." [Akane]: "He doesn't want anyone to see Gaia as a dangerous cult." [Akane]: "In that sense, he's just as much a member of Gaia as the rest of us. He saw something in the world he couldn't stand." [Kotarou]: "That makes him sound really pitiful." [Akane]: "He's been pitiful from the start." [Akane]: "He could never control familiars because his dissatisfaction was so noncommittal." [Akane]: "He only wants to control this organization because he resents his inability to use familiars." [Akane]: "Because he was so successful in the Self-Defense Force, nothing could discourage him." [Kotarou]: "But can he really help Martel recover after all this bad PR?" [Akane]: "Suzaki wanted to scientifically analyze familiars, until we could use them for business purposes just like any other proprietary technology." [Kotarou]: "...so...a familiar in every house?" Akane smirks. [Kotarou]: "So, as leader of the so-called "pus", how do you feel about all that?" [Akane]: "Good question...seems fine to just let him run loose for a while." [Kotarou]: "...really?" [Akane]: "I don't really care if Martel gets crushed or anything." [Kotarou]: "Huh...?" [Akane]: "We can always run away if that happens." [Kotarou]: "...if we have to, I guess." I remember Nishikujou-sensei's words. She said Akane would destroy the world... I've been trying not to worry about it, but I can't get it out of my head lately. [Akane]: "Plus it's kinda fun being a NEET." [Kotarou]: "Not as much as it seems..." [Akane]: "Once my work here is done, I'll look into that lifestyle." [Kotarou]: "...it's going to end?" [Akane]: "Everything ends eventually." On my way back, a man claiming to be a freelance journalist speaks to me. [Man]: "Could you spare a moment of your time?" [Kotarou]: "Sorry, but I don't do interviews right now." [Man]: "I see. I can understand." [Man]: "All right, then just let me talk to you for a moment. It won't take long." [Man]: "Are you Tennouji Kotarou-san?" [Akane]: "...was he from public welfare?" [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Akane]: "That's what it sounds like to me." The man didn't ask much about Martel at all. After a little small talk, he explained what he knew about me, and he seemed sincerely concerned. He knew I'd quit school, that the Martel Group was in a tough spot, that I had to avoid the media all day... At the end he gave me his business card. He said to talk to him if anything was troubling me. [Kotarou]: "This feels like a spy novel..." [Akane]: "They like long-term strategies, so this isn't uncommon." [Akane]: "But I don't see the harm in hanging on to it." [Akane]: "If you ever feel like starting a third life, just talk to him." [Kotarou]: "What does that mean...?" [Akane]: "If you ever feel like leaving Gaia or something." That annoys me so much I hug her. [Akane]: "Wait...it's dayti―!" I'm not planning on doing anything in particular. I just wanted to hold her. We collapse together onto the sofa. [Kotarou]: "...I'm not leaving." [Akane]: "Kotarou..." [Kotarou]: "I already made my decision." [Akane]: "...but you never agreed with Gaia's ideals, did you?" [Kotarou]: "I'm not that immature, you know." [Kotarou]: "I won't let something like that get in the way of what matters most to me." [Kotarou]: "I'll do anything you want me to, Akane-san." [Akane]: "I...feel like I'm using you, Kotarou." [Akane]: "I don't have any right to be loved by you..." [Kotarou]: "Don't say that..." [Kotarou]: "I fell in love with you, and I worked hard to help you." [Kotarou]: "And this is what happened. That's all there is to it." [Kotarou]: "You don't understand a man's heart, Akane-san." [Kotarou]: "If you rely on me, that's all the happiness I need..." [Kotarou]: "I'll do anything for you." [Akane]: "...thank you." [Akane]: "Kotarou, I lo―.........keep working hard." [Kotarou]: (Why did you stop!?) I was aware of this, but... She is so bad at hiding her feelings. [Akane]: "...and..." She turns toward me and puts both hands on my face. We both move our lips forward. A few days later, the situation gets worse. Just as the scandal was about to die down. The connections between Martel and the municipal government have been exposed by a local paper. Suspicious transfers of money. Donations. Compensations. Any organization can be harmed by tracking down where its money comes from. And all the details of that have been revealed now.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> Many members of the disciples have psychological problems. Akane and Kashima healed them, and that's why they joined. But the article is written as if that's a bad thing. It even claims we brainwash them into being our slaves. Public opinion toward Martel worsens. Everyone's busy, but there's nothing I can to do help. Other than stay inside so I don't cause any further trouble. The next day, a protest group comes to "save the poor brainwashed girls". They take up positions in front of the facility. They distribute fliers and use megaphones to rally people. Most of them are middle-aged women. They cry out about human rights violations and demand the Martel Group be disbanded. [Akane]: "It's finally started." Every time someone goes in or out of the building, they get bombarded with questions about their association with Martel. Before long no one will dare approach this building. [Tsukuno]: "I'll inform the police, just to be safe." [Akane]: "Please do." [Akane]: "Not that I expect much help from them." The police do come, but... They arrive five hours after the demonstration begins. That goes way beyond laziness. And even then, all they do is verbally warn the protesters. Then they leave. The police aren't willing to help us either. [Akane]: "This is what happens when you try to heal people in the modern era." [Kotarou]: "...why did you do it so openly then?" [Kotarou]: "Couldn't we have kept it secret somehow?" [Akane]: "I needed a lot of people, and urgently." [Akane]: "I knew we were going to split with Suzaki eventually, and we can't beat his political power anyway. The best way to reinforce our position was to quickly increase manpower." But that came at a huge cost. The protests get more radical every day. Even though they're far from any residential area, they keep going all through the night. According to public welfare regulations, you aren't supposed to make enough noise to bother people. But no one seems to care about that. If we did the same thing they're doing right now, I'm sure we'd be criticized for it. The media supports the protests. TV has an incredible amount of power. The people side with the protesters. We have eyes on us 24/7. Every person who goes in or out of the HQ is immediately threatened and accused of being involved. Even young women and children. They're convinced of their righteousness. [Tsukuno]: "...this activism is becoming very unpleasant." Tsukuno-san investigates them for us. [Tsukuno]: "They have legal consultants, and links to other activist groups, and they're getting funds from so-called "reconciliation" money." [Tsukuno]: "They're even linked to publishing firms. No doubt books about this will be in the shops very soon." [Tsukuno]: "Then the firms they're affiliated with buy the books in bulk, so the stores can call them bestsellers." [Akane]: "Oh, that's efficient." [Tsukuno]: "Yes, it is." [Akane]: "I should've done something like that when I was younger." [Kotarou]: "...you guys are really taking this lightly." [Tsukuno]: "Panicking over this will accomplish nothing." [Akane]: "Exactly. We have to enjoy it while we can." [Kotarou]: "How can we enjoy this?" [Akane]: "You're such a kid, Kotarou." She smiles. Akane's been unnaturally cheerful recently. [Akane]: "I wonder if Suzaki did all of this." [Tsukuno]: "He does seem to be giving those groups financial support." [Akane]: "Foolish man. If he'd continued to love Kashima he wouldn't have fallen so far." [Kotarou]: "So Kashima and Suzaki really were in a relationship?" [Akane]: "Yes. At one point he was resolved to protect and support her as the holy woman, but then he got scared and ran away." [Kotarou]: "Scared of what?" [Akane]: "Kashima's power...no, probably what she was really like." [Kotarou]: "...I'm not sure what you mean." [Akane]: "Kashima...lived for certain ideals." [Akane]: "She was a faithful believer in the ideas of Gaia...which Suzaki was completely incapable of understanding." She was the most faithful adherent of Gaia. That means she despaired more than anyone about the condition of the world... Because she's the holy woman? Is Akane going to become like that eventually? If so... I'll still have to support her. I won't run away. But Suzaki was in the same position I'm in now. That fact keeps nagging at me. The harvest festival is approaching. The Martel Group normally runs it, but we're laying low right now. If it was a smaller festival we could just cancel it, but the harvest festival is far too big for that. The townsfolk can't decide how they want to handle it either. No one's in a position to lead a large-scale festival for hundreds of thousands of people. [Kotarou]: "Tsukuno-san, are you online right now?" [Tsukuno]: "I'm looking up the people in charge of the festival. Why?" [Kotarou]: "Look at this." I turn my laptop screen toward her. [Tsukuno]: "...ah, Suzaki-san......" [Akane]: "What is it?" Akane's playing cat's cradle with Shimako. [Tsukuno]: "Look." [Akane]: "Hmm..." The official homepage of the Japanese Martel Group. The center of the whirlpool. Recently it's been getting hundreds of thousands of views every day. The hit counter is skyrocketing. And many of those new viewers are accessing it from mobile devices. Recently, the top of the homepage has been an official apology. Suzaki's men are in charge of the page. There's nothing we can do with it. So they've been able to post whatever they wanted up there. ―To all our members and affiliates: Regarding the recent reports, we sincerely apologize for all the trouble and concern this has caused to our faithful supporters. We take these scandals very seriously, and after performing a thorough investigation into the allegations, we have this to report. A department of the Japanese Martel Group commonly known as the "disciples" has been receiving contributions from welfare facilities outside the city in exchange for taking care of certain children. They selected children with various handicaps, particularly those already on the road to recovery, and with specialized brainwashing techniques... [Kotarou]: "Daaa! Enouuuuuuuuuugh!!" I can't stand to read any more of it. [Kotarou]: "This makes us sound like slave traders!" [Akane]: "...they're doing a really good job of this." [Akane]: "Instead of healing them with miracles, we're just choosing ones who were already recovering...of course." [Tsukuno]: "It is technically correct, if we ignore the emotionally charged language." [Kotarou]: "Didn't Shimako start to get better after she came here...?" [Akane]: "We didn't adopt her solely out of kindness. That much is true." [Kotarou]: "Mm..." Every member of the disciples is a summoner. And that means they get sent onto the battlefield. Even Shimako helped out with a dangerous mission a while back. [Tsukuno]: "You could call what we're doing child abuse."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Akane]: "Even though all of us have gone through it at some point." [Akane]: "...how are the normal employees?" [Tsukuno]: "They're wavering." [Tsukuno]: "I expect many of them to quit in the near future." [Tsukuno]: "We should prepare to take over many of their roles." [Akane]: "Please do. If anyone wants to leave, they should be free to do so." It's been almost a month since we went into hiding. Many of the employees who were commuting to work simply can't do so anymore. Some of them are being stopped by their families. Some are too afraid of the protesters to come near here. Some who've simply been shocked by the scandals. For normal people who know nothing about the secrets of Gaia, that's completely understandable. The protests are becoming normal. Every day they cry out for someone to save the poor children from the clutches of Martel. The accusations are powerful. People get emotional when children are involved. What is Akane planning to do about all this? How does she expect to rebuild the organization? It looks hopeless to me. Like we're slowly heading off a cliff... I thought our lives would go back to normal after the Key died. Why did all this have to happen...? [Akane]: "Suzaki controls everything related to the harvest festival. They say they'll handle it just like every other year." Akane says indifferently as she gazes at the laptop. [Tsukuno]: "Then we can take it easy this year." They both smile. We continue laying low. People finally start to get bored of it. The protesters diminish, and they lose some of the force they had earlier. It's far from a resolution, but it feels like an improvement. A lot of this doesn't feel real. They acted based on their impression of justice. Based on the emotions of the majority. They tried to push on us what they thought would be a change for the better. A group of lunatics who illegally acquire children in order to brainwash them. That's our role in all this. Since Akane can't do anything outside anymore, all she does is attend those singing rehearsals, read manga and eat snacks. ...she's putting on some weight. Tsukuno-san's not as busy as before either, so she spends a lot of time looking after Shimako. The disciples never cared much about the outside world to begin with. But many people farther down the hierarchy aren't so laid back. Many employees suddenly start asking to quit. Probably because the protesters have weakened a bit, so we're not as tense anymore. Akane allows all of them to leave. She even decides to throw a farewell party for them. I have to go buy the cake. To keep it secret I use the underground passage. So far no one's found out about that. While I'm at it, I try walking around the area in front of the HQ. I see some people still camped out nearby. They don't look like reporters. Not that it would be suspicious if they did. They look like they're just killing time, but they're also alert. Almost as if they've been trained... I won't try to contact them. I head back. It was a bit unusual. A lot of what's happening lately is unusual. We're slowly running out of office staff. The HQ feels almost abandoned. There wasn't much work for them to do anyway, so it's not exactly hurting us... Lately we've been playing a ton of hide-and-seek with Shimako. Mostly because there's tons of places to hide now. And Shimako's really good at hiding. Sometimes it takes us forever to find her. Especially when she uses her ultimate technique of finding places adults simply can't fit into. We agreed to keep each game confined to a single floor, so my strategy is to wait for her in the bathrooms. To which Shimako responded with the ultimate tactic: diapers. One game of hide and seek took a whole week. The days keep passing by without anything changing... Then everything suddenly ends. [Kotarou]: "...arrested?" [Akane]: "Yes, several in one day." I look at Tsukuno-san, puzzled. [Tsukuno]: "Some of the children who've left our organization have been arrested." [Kotarou]: "What did they do?" [Tsukuno]: "The charges are clearly fabricated." [Tsukuno]: "For instance, this girl was visiting a friend's house, but as she approached the door she was arrested for trespassing." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Tsukuno]: "This one was arrested for having metal nails...which we gave to her because of an especially bad fingernail biting habit...but they claim this is a dangerous and illegal weapon." [Kotarou]: "What?" [Tsukuno]: "All former disciples have some sort of psychological problem, but this one was hospitalized on the grounds that her condition made her a threat to herself and others." [Tsukuno]: "But instead of providing any sort of treatment, they interrogated her." [Kotarou]: "Come on!" [Akane]: "How many did they take?" [Tsukuno]: "For now, eight. There will likely be more after this." [Akane]: "...probably." [Tsukuno]: "Investigating them won't turn up any evidence though." [Kotarou]: "...they've made their move." [Akane]: "They're trying to wrap this up." [Kotarou]: "Can we do anything about it?" [Akane]: "Send familiars on a suicide mission into their new HQ?" [Kotarou]: "Akane-saaaaaaan..." Why are you so calm about this? We're being picked apart piece by piece... [Akane]: "Try to make it echo in your heads more." [Akane]: "Ideally we want the sound to be spread around evenly. It doesn't have to be pretty as long as the volume's right." [Akane]: "Watch your part leader's instructions closely. Focus on synchronization. We've been over this." Akane shows no mercy when criticizing the singers. [Kotarou]: (...why the hell are we doing this?) [Akane]: "You seem displeased, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "...I'd be lying if I said I was happy about this." [Akane]: "I'm sorry the cafeteria had to switch to instant curry." [Kotarou]: "That doesn't matter." [Kotarou]: "My problem is I don't see why this is the only thing we're doing right now." [Akane]: "This?" [Kotarou]: "Singing lessons." [Akane]: "Ah...well, we're going to perform at the harvest festival." That doesn't make any sense. No one would let us participate in the festival now. And practicing this diligently with this many people goes way beyond a hobby. [Disciple]: "Tennouji-kun, you can take a break." Another bodyguard comes in to replace me. [Akane]: "...right, Kotarou, later could you..." I leave without saying goodbye. I check the time. It hasn't even been two hours yet. The sleepless nights continue for the next few days. Akane's sound asleep next to me. Only at times like these does she look cute and girly. I think she's been getting a lot calmer lately. Even though there's no reason for her to be optimistic. She's the exact opposite of me right now. I get out of bed and put my clothes on. I leave the room. I walk aimlessly through the hallways. The cold air helps me calm down. My neck is stiff.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> I'm not getting enough sleep. I am a bit fatigued, but that's not the only problem. [Male Disciple]: "Good morning." [Kotarou]: "Good morning." I pass by a coworker. Even at night, we have some guards assigned to patrol the building. There's no real need to do that. But they might go nuts if we don't give them something to do. Everyone's worried. Many people could simply leave the organization, but many others couldn't. They've been depending on Martel for every aspect of their daily lives. There isn't really any point in guarding this place... We're just waiting until everything ends for good. Remaining on standby until the final moments. That's what we're doing to alleviate our stress. [Kotarou]: (Should we all be preparing ourselves for the worst?) ...there's no way to know. If I were to summarize how I feel about all of this... It's like something has been slowly coming to a head without me being aware of it. They say idiots like tall places. So do I. But this building doesn't have roof access. I want some fresh air. I notice a door to some emergency stairs. I look outside. The staircase is wrapped in a metal fence. The wind blowing through it is so cold my skin hurts. [Kotarou]: "...hm?" I feel something strange from the roof. I lean out. Whatever it is, I can't see it from this angle. Where's the water tower in this building? Normally those things are on the roof. Is this tall building designed so that you can't get onto the roof? Maybe...I should find out for sure. No, never mind. I don't feel like it. ...stupid Kotarou... I hear a voice. [Kotarou]: "...hm?" Was I imagining that? A laughing voice. ...you can...hear it from above...? I stand perfectly still. Is that a real voice? Or am I just delusional? I can't say for sure. It combines with the wind noise. Is that voice echoing in my head? ...she can't take it any more, you know. A girl's voice? [Kotarou]: (...is this...Akane's voice...?) It sounds similar. In fact, it sounds identical... ...she's too weak to put up with it, so... [Kotarou]: "That is Akane-san!" But she was sleeping right next to me earlier. ...she wants to end it already! [Kotarou]: "What are you doing up there!? What do you mean "end it"!?" ...she...Akane... ...she wants to bring everything to an end! [Kotarou]: "So you're just going to stand there and watch her do it?" A shrill girlish laugh. [Kotarou]: "Are you just going to kill time singing until it's all over!?" ...would you prefer we attacked them? [Kotarou]: "That's not what I mean!" [Kotarou]: "That's not what I'm trying to say at all..." ...there's nothing else she can do anymore... ...after all, no matter what, this planet is... [Kotarou]: "...even if you're right..." [Kotarou]: "I don't want to just give up and do nothing..." ...that's because...you're strong...Kotarou... [Kotarou]: "I'm not asking everyone else to be strong!" [Kotarou]: "I'll do whatever it takes myself! Just give me the order! I'll do it!" What the hell am I talking to...? Am I just dreaming? ...no... ...no matter what you do, the flow won't change... ...there's no time... ...destruction is assured... ...all lives must eventually end... ...this is no different... ...even this life has to end... ...that's the will of the planet... [Kotarou]: "I'm willing to fight anyone to stop that!" ...even though there isn't a real enemy? [Kotarou]: "Whatever the problem is, I'll solve it!" ...even though there was never a problem to begin with? A young voice. But strong words. I don't feel capable of arguing back. I don't have any answers to her questions. I've been wondering about these things myself. Yesterday, and today, and probably tomorrow I'll still be puzzling over them. [Kotarou]: "I know I'm not that smart..." [Kotarou]: "And I've even killed people..." [Kotarou]: "But I'm on your side! Why won't you let me help you!? Why won't you make use of me!?" ...poor Kotarou... ...you don't even know... ...people suffer as long as they're alive... ...and not just humans... ...all lives...suffer...for as long as they live... ...lives must endure the suffering of all substance... ...the cries of all things... ...that's the answer... [Kotarou]: "...I see." [Kotarou]: "Humans have evolved so far...we thought we'd found solutions to all of that..." [Kotarou]: "But now humans are fighting each other..." [Kotarou]: "This situation was screwed up from the start..." [Kotarou]: "I get that...I understand that, but..." ...Kashima Sakura thought...everything would end...with her generation... ...she realized...the world wouldn't last... ...the life of the planet... ...it was hard to accept...that humanity was devouring that life... ...she wanted to give back to the planet...what little was left of its life... ...that was the only thing...Kashima Sakura wanted... [Kotarou]: "...I think...I understand...what kind of "salvation" the Key is meant to bring..." [Kotarou]: "Though I've been trying to tell myself that couldn't be it for a long time." [Kotarou]: "That "salvation"..." [Kotarou]: "Doesn't necessarily benefit humans." [Kotarou]: "So what Akane and the others have been working on..." [Kotarou]: "What I've been helping them with..." [Kotarou]: "What all those people died for...!" ...that's why I pity them... ...Sakura also worked hard at first... ...but the world didn't change... ...living was still suffering... ...and there was nothing she could do about that... [Kotarou]: "Then what's the point of us having intelligence!?" [Kotarou]: "If that just makes us suffer, why do we have it!?" I can't tell the difference between wisdom and stupidity anymore. ...there is...one way to save everything... ...the Key... ...the Key can bring salvation... [Kotarou]: "...that's not salvation at all." [Kotarou]: "To us...that's just..." ...Akane's no good anymore... ...she's the same as Sakura now... ...she's been possessed... ...by the holy woman... [Kotarou]: "If that's our only option..." [Kotarou]: "...then we might as well keep living like this until the planet dies." That's what Guardian wants―― I clutch my head. What the hell am I supposed to think now!? I hate how powerless I am. I can understand now that Guardian has a point. I can't agree with how they do things. They're arrogant and insufferable. I hate them. But they're better for the human race. The planet, or humanity. We can only choose one. [Kotarou]: "Why...wasn't I born sooner...?" [Kotarou]: "If I was here fifty...no, just ten years earlier..."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "But I'm already far too late...there was never anything I could do." [Kotarou]: "Do I...have to give up...like Akane...?" ...poor Kotarou... ...choose me... ...when that time comes...take me with you... ...because Akane won't let you... [Kotarou]: "Choose you?" ...me, not Akane... [Kotarou]: "Take you where?" ...you'll know...when the time comes... [Kotarou]: "Can you see the future now? What the hell..." ...it's not like that... ...I've just...chosen one of the things I want... ...if I can be with you, Kotarou...that's all I need... ...nothing else matters... ...I won't think about the rest of the world... ...there's nothing I can do to save it, so I'm better off not thinking about it... [Kotarou]: "Sorry, but I already have a girlfriend." ...choose me... ...and find happiness... ...that's the final...forbidden fruit...we can give to humanity... ...it's the last one... ...isn't that what you want too, Kotarou...? ...we get along so well! After that, the mysterious voice doesn't say anything. The harvest festival begins. The news shows fewer guests and fewer events than last year. It also shows the desolate landscape around our HQ. Since all the janitors are gone now, it looks like a slum. There's tons of graffiti on it. All the walls are covered in layers of spray paint scribbles. There are posters on it too. Much of it says stuff like this: "Get out of Kazamatsuri!" "Stop brainwashing children!" "Slave trader" [Kotarou]: "...there are so few people out there now." I watch the news on my laptop while biting into a frankfurter. I eat these every year during the festival, but they don't taste as good as usual this time. [Kotarou]: "The quality's gone down..." [Akane]: "The budget got cut." [Kotarou]: "Even little things like this get affected by that..." Several of our usual sponsors refused to support this year's festival, and far fewer companies have prepared displays. Suzaki's men are running this entirely on the city's money. So none of the usual attractions are here, and it feels more like a night vigil than a festival. Realistically, the festival should've been outright canceled. The fact that they had to put something together despite that is just sad. Not even a parade or fireworks. They're probably afraid angry mobs would ruin that. On top of all that, the food's bad. There's no way the guests are enjoying this. Still...I'm sure it'd be great if we could go out there, just the two of us. But we can't even have a little adventure like that anymore. Akane walks up to me and looks at my screen. [Kotarou]: "You've gotten much prettier lately." [Akane]: "Wh-what brought that on...?" [Kotarou]: "You look calm now, not as grim as before." [Kotarou]: "You're twenty percent prettier now." [Akane]: "...g-glad to hear it." [Kotarou]: "But I liked how you looked before." [Kotarou]: "...please don't give up so easily, boss." [Akane]: "Give up on what?" [Kotarou]: "Umm...life?" [Akane]: "I haven't given up on that." [Akane]: "Guardian and the Key and such don't matter anymore..." [Akane]: "There's nothing I can do about this situation." [Akane]: "Even you understand there's no point getting in a fight with the police now, right?" [Kotarou]: "I'd still do it if you said there was a point." [Akane]: "Hmm..." [Akane]: "So you'll do anything if there's a point to it?" [Kotarou]: "Well...if it makes sense." Akane goes silent, carefully choosing her words. [Akane]: "...what about a coup d'état?" [Kotarou]: "Sure, though I doubt we'd succeed." [Akane]: "In that case..." [Akane]: "What about lowering the population to save the planet?" [Akane]: "Extreme environmentalism." [Akane]: "Of course, we'd be making enemies of Guardian and the rest of humanity." [Kotarou]: "I'm fine with fighting them, but..." [Akane]: "Kotarou, making a big decision is more than just a choice. It also means throwing something away." [Akane]: "You have only one life, but two paths." [Akane]: "If you choose the right-hand path, you throw away all the possibilities on the left-hand one." [Akane]: "And vice versa." [Akane]: "That's the kind of choice you have to make." [Akane]: "Right or left. Gaia or Guardian. The many or the few." [Kotarou]: "The planet or the people?" Akane gulps. [Akane]: "...the planet's still going to die, even if you save humanity." [Kotarou]: "I know." [Kotarou]: "But almost no one else does." [Kotarou]: "Since we do know, there must be something we can do." [Akane]: "There was a time when I thought that way." [Akane]: "When someone tries to do something on a global scale, there's always a problem. Even if they try to do something good, it won't go the way they want it to." [Akane]: "History is made by people foolishly charging into the unknown." [Akane]: "Saving the planet and uniting all of humanity are about equally difficult." [Akane]: "Because the only way to save both is to have all humans act as one." [Akane]: "And it's already too late for humans to change their ways..." [Akane]: "That might be why Kashima Sakura despaired." [Akane]: "I felt the same way when we lost the Key. There was nothing left for us to do." [Akane]: "Then, I started to see a lot of things I'd been ignoring. Things that suddenly felt valuable now." [Akane]: "Like leisure time. I used to think nothing of it, but now I relish it." [Kotarou]: "...I guess I have nothing to say to that." [Kotarou]: "Do you not trust me?" [Akane]: "What makes you say that? I do trust you. I swear it." [Akane]: "I don't usually like saying this, but..." [Akane]: "I...l-love y―...nn..." She bites her tongue. [Akane]: "...I love you." She succeeds this time. [Kotarou]: "...I wasn't doubting that..." [Akane]: "Then what's the problem? Let's enjoy ourselves."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> On Akane's suggestion, we head up to the school roof. She stays silent for a long time, unable to say what she wants to tell me. I can't figure out what it could be. Eventually, she breaks the silence. [Akane]: "...a long time ago, there was a girl." She tells me an old story. A long, long time ago, so long that the borders of our country hadn't been determined yet... A story about the first girl like her. Her origins don't matter. She was an orphan, with no parents or siblings. But she had a supernatural power. A healing power. She could even heal people with broken hearts and minds. At the time, people with medical or psychological illnesses were normally abused or exiled. To them, the girl was none other than salvation. People gathered around her. Many of those she healed chose to serve her instead of returning to normal society. They were her followers. Eventually, there were enough of them to form an organization. The miracles became secret rituals, and the girl was called the holy woman. It was only natural for them to feel religious devotion. A child who had never spoken before suddenly started talking. Whenever she healed an old, nearly blind woman, the woman would stand up straight as if waking from a dream. The girl was happy. Now she wasn't lonely anymore. She had warm food. People were laughing. They took good care of her. The more she used her power, the more kind, gentle people there were. But eventually, they suffered oppression. They were declared heretics and persecuted. The group took the girl and fled. ...the authority figures of the day chased them. They were burned at the stake. Seeing the nice people burn to death was nightmarish for her. Even as she was burned herself, the girl continued trying to heal people. When the limbs fell off one of the charred corpses, it suddenly transformed. It became a monster of flesh and fire. It lunged forward and attacked the soldiers. The girl lamented. That wasn't what she'd wanted to do. Then, the girl's consciousness cuts off. Death. That girl spent her final moments in regret and despair. There was another girl living deep in the mountains. Her mother was one of the followers who'd managed to escape. But her mother passed away when she was very young, so the girl lived alone in the mountains. The girl knew she had once been the leader of this group. Technically, that wasn't true. She hadn't directly inherited the previous girl's memories, only her power. But some of her emotions and memories came along with that power. The girl's mind salvaged as many of them as she could. But she suffered. She feared her power. She was afraid that using it would cause people to be burned alive. And she was afraid of creating familiars. She spent the rest of her life living in that mountain village in fear. She died shaking. Then the third girl inherited her power. She lived in the same village as the second girl. She didn't fear her power at all. She willingly became a figure of worship. But she met the same end as the first girl. Her followers were massacred. In her final moments, the girl wondered if she might have a successor. The fourth girl was the daughter of a woman who'd served the third. She wasn't normal. People said her mind was empty. She was an easy target. By the time she was captured and sold as a prostitute, she already had her power. But she was a coward. She desperately tried to hide it... Then one day, she was killed by bandits. But she felt relief. She managed to die without getting anyone else hurt. The fifth girl. The daughter of one of the bandits' slave women. When she grew up, she killed all the bandits and moved to another town. The authorities of the time saw her power as dangerous, and called for her execution. The sixth girl. She was probably someone from that same town. This time she was no coward, but she was pure and noble. As she kept her power hidden, she never stopped asking herself what to do about it. Eventually, she decided to die at sea, where she wouldn't cause any turmoil. The girl threw herself into the ocean. But... The seventh girl woke up on land. What on Earth was going on? It wasn't reincarnation. They weren't inheriting the personalities of the previous girls. Some of them chose to gather followers, but others chose to live in solitude. Later on, one of the girls used her power to become a famous empress. One girl chose to do things none of their predecessors had done. Another oppressed others, incurring widespread hatred. Her body was torn into eight pieces and burned. But she too had a successor. Over time, the power began to carry with it a kind of madness. Each girl received a disorganized mix of memories and experiences from all of her predecessors. Including the memories of those who went mad from the power. [Kotarou]: "So...that's what the holy women are?" [Akane]: "It probably started as some kind of mutation among summoners." [Akane]: "Leaving a copy of yourself behind after death...we call that power "transcription"." [Akane]: "That self is then received by the nearest person who does not yet have a self of their own." [Kotarou]: "...doesn't have a "self"?" [Akane]: "The holy woman's power works subconsciously, by making a contract with any suitable girl nearby." [Kotarou]: "I thought contracts were only between summoners and familiars." [Akane]: "Kotarou, the girls all lacked a sense of self when it happened. Understand?" [Akane]: "...apparently every one of them had some brain cells that weren't functioning at birth." I tremble. Several things suddenly connect in my mind. What she just said answered so many questions. And...the answer is terrifying. [Kotarou]: "...the holy woman's power...turns those brain cells into a familiar...?" [Akane]: "Bingo! Full points." That's not like her. [Akane]: "The transcription is affected by both physical and psychological distance." [Akane]: "The closer someone is, the better the imprint...that's why us servants have to be near the holy woman." [Akane]: "That allows her successor to be as similar to her as possible." [Akane]: "Ideally, she should be able to transcribe the entire brain. The fewer impurities, the better." [Akane]: "...when I was in the orphanage, I was a hollow, broken girl." [Akane]: "Only when Kashima's transcription started did I suddenly gain a sense of self." [Akane]: "Then I felt close to her...but at the same time, I realized that loving her was no different to narcissism, so it disgusted me." [Akane]: "We share the same template for our souls, so even if our personalities were different, I'd still just be a copy of her." [Akane]: "I ended up hating her, just as children sometimes hate their parents." [Akane]: "But I also felt a bond." [Akane]: "...Kotarou, have you ever felt something between you and a familiar?" [Kotarou]: "...you mean how I can feel what it feels?" [Kotarou]: "That's not love. That's just shared information." [Akane]: "Familiars are an extension of the soul." [Akane]: "When a holy woman heals someone, she's doing an incomplete transcription." [Akane]: "That's why it only works on females who've lost much of their brain functionality." [Akane]: "Do you understand?" [Akane]: "Now that you know how pitiful the holy women are, does that tell you something?" ...I did notice they were all fairly similar.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> But I thought that was because they'd all gone through similar suffering. I was wrong. All their souls share the same template. They do have individual quirks, but... [Kotarou]: "...are they all like that...?" [Kotarou]: "How could that...?" Everything feels hopeless now. What I thought was noble. What I thought was valuable. What I thought was beautiful. I can't help but scorn them now. Love, friendship, everything... [Akane]: "The transcription power can only be passed down at death..." [Akane]: "So once Kashima died, I became a genuine holy woman." [Akane]: "Now I'm capable of reviving other broken people and making one of them the next holy woman." [Akane]: "Hey, Kotarou, am I acting strange?" [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Akane]: "Has my personality changed at all? Is it any different from before?" [Kotarou]: "...no..." She did suddenly get more assertive... [Kotarou]: "No, not at all." And she started acting unnaturally cheerful... [Kotarou]: "That's not true...you're still Akane-san." [Akane]: "...I can't tell if I am anymore." [Akane]: "The world feels meaningless right now...but I can't tell if I'm the one feeling that..." [Akane]: "I find humans disgusting..." [Akane]: "I might even start to see you that way..." [Kotarou]: "Stop it...Akane-san..." I grab her shoulders and pull her close. I put my arms around her head, and she presses against me. I can't let her talk about herself like this. [Akane]: "Kashima changed." [Akane]: "She was much nicer when she was young..." [Akane]: "But in her last years, she thought only about ending all life...her tenacity was inhuman." [Akane]: "And that tenacity is inside me now!" Akane cries. [Kotarou]: "It's all right. I'm here. I can stop you!" [Akane]: "...Suzaki couldn't take it." [Akane]: "If you abandon me too, Kotarou...I..." [Akane]: "I would've been better off alone from the start." [Akane]: "I should've stayed a broken, lonely child." Her shoulders are shaking weakly, and her voice trembles, but her words sting. I want to save her... I want to tell her I'm not like Suzaki. [Kotarou]: "There's only one way I can prove it to you." [Kotarou]: "...I have to stay with you until the end." Akane looks up at me. It's been a year since I dropped out of school. I've gotten a little taller, but Akane hasn't. [Akane]: "Kotarou..." She buries her face in my chest again. Her knees go limp, so I have to hold her up. No matter what memories Akane inherited, they have nothing to do with her. She's afraid of sins she never committed. There's only one thing I can do. Support her. Until the very end. I'll do everything I can to help her. [Akane]: "But Kotarou...I'm already...insane." Before noon, I get a call from Tsukuno-san. [Tsukuno]: "Have you seen Shimako?" [Kotarou]: "Not today. Did she disappear again?" [Kotarou]: "Should I go look for her?" [Kotarou]: "I'll call back if I find her." [Tsukuno]: "...yes...please do." She's pausing a lot for some reason. Fortunately, I still have my school uniform lying around. I can walk around the school whenever I want. Odds are Shimako's wandering around there. So that's my plan for now. [Kotarou]: (...not seeing her.) I try calling Tsukuno-san, but she doesn't pick up. I leave her a voicemail. [Female Employee]: "...Tennouji-san, do you know where Akane-sama is?" [Kotarou]: "I haven't seen her since this morning..." I try calling her, but Akane doesn't pick up either. Neither does Tsukuno-san. Come to think of it, I haven't seen any disciples today. [Kotarou]: "...hm?" I look around HQ, but I can't find any of them. It might just be bad timing, but... By evening, the other employees start to get worried. We even use the PA to ask if anyone's seen them. But there's no sign of them. Something's not right here. [Kotarou]: "Let's all split up and check their rooms." That doesn't work either. All major members of the disciples are confirmed missing. The other guards start freaking out. [Male Employee]: "Where would they go during all this?" [Female Employee]: "...did they run away?" [Male Employee]: "You can't be serious. Akane-sama's gone too, you know." [Male Employee]: "Wait, now that I think about it..." [Female Employee]: "Hang on, what are we supposed to do?" [Male Employee]: "Has no one been told about this?" [Female Employee]: "Tennouji-kun?" [Kotarou]: "...I haven't." I don't know anything about this. I just feel uncomfortable, as if some of my worst fears are coming true. [Kotarou]: (What are you doing...Akane-san?) Even if you've chosen to do that after all...why didn't you take me with you? [Male Employee]: "...should we notify the police?" [Male Employee]: "Probably not..." Most of the guards know nothing about Gaia's secrets. They're just normal employees. I ask them to check the security camera footage to see if anyone left the building. ...no luck. All those women just vanished without a trace. [Male Employee]: "What should we do then?" [Female Employee]: "It'd be bad if we got into trouble with the cops now...while no one's in charge." Everyone goes quiet. I can't blame them. We've been in an awkward situation for several days. One hour later. We meet up again. To compare numbers. [Female Employee]: "Almost all of the disciples are gone." Until today, there were two hundred and eighty of us living here. Almost a hundred and twenty people just went missing. We've checked all the rooms, hallways, even the bathrooms. It's unlikely they left the building. We're still surrounded by the media. So where are they? [Kotarou]: "...wait." There is one place we haven't checked. But it's... [Male Employee]: "So what do we do if the police decide to show up tonight!?" My train of thought gets interrupted. The other guards seem to be fighting. [Female Employee]: "Even if they do, it won't have anything to do with us!" [Male Employee]: "Of course it does. We're as involved in the whole Suzaki versus disciples thing as anyone." [Male Employee]: "It's not easy to just walk away from this..." [Female Employee]: "...so what's going to happen to us?" [Female Employee]: "Did they ever produce any evidence against the people they arrested?" [Male Employee]: "I'm not sure...they'd probably hide it even if they did find some. From their point of view, all they need is an excuse to search this building..."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Female Employee]: "It may only be a matter of time." [Male Employee]: "So we're all criminals now?" Everyone goes silent again. A dangerous silence, where everyone's on the verge of panicking. [Kotarou]: "Ah, guys." Everyone immediately looks at me, hopeful. [Kotarou]: "I'll take responsibility for anything that happens between now and when we find Senri Akane. I need you all to stay calm in an emergency like this. If the police do show up, do not resist them." [Male Employee]: "...are you sure? You're younger than any of us..." [Kotarou]: "This is about rank, not age." [Female Employee]: "You're right...you are her protector." [Male Employee]: "Yeah, Suzaki-san was in the same position...it carries a lot of responsibility." [Kotarou]: "You're all free to go home at any time." Everyone seems calm now. Just saying I'll take responsibility has a huge effect. Still...I can't help but sigh. It's such a pain running an organization. The people here are just ordinary Martel employees. They aren't on Suzaki's or Akane's side. They're just normal people who love nature. They don't deserve to get hurt because of this. I hear a song...from nowhere in particular. A soft, quiet song, as if it's coming from a radio or a TV in the background. It bugs me, so I open a window. It's definitely coming from outside. It's a strange song. As if the wind and the rustling trees are the ones singing it... But I recognize this melody. [Kotarou]: "...isn't this the hymn?" ...hymn. The song from Gaia that makes it seem as if the whole Earth is rumbling. There's only one place where they could be singing that. The roof―― There's no ladder or anything I can use to get up there, so I have to climb. [Kotarou]: "...scary..." Climbing up the side of a building this tall without a lifeline is intimidating, even for me. I make it up to the roof anyway, but unfortunately it's deserted. No sign of the disciples. [Kotarou]: "...so much for that." I do see a small shed up here. The door's been filled in with concrete. So no one can possibly use it. [Kotarou]: (Why go to that much trouble...?) I can still climb up here, but there's no way Akane and the others can. Still, I can hear the song much better from here. It feels like the singers are right next to me. [Kotarou]: (...did you really just leave me here, Akane-san?) Kashima Sakura hated life, and Akane inherited her anger... But that's not Akane's own anger. Those sins are none of her concern. She shouldn't have to worry about them. And yet, she disappeared. [Kotarou]: "Why? ...why did you leave without me...?" [Kotarou]: "I said I'd stay with you!" [Kotarou]: "What the hell!?" I shout at Akane, even though she's not here. [Kotarou]: "...you coward!" I'm going to find you. And...I'll bring you back. Even if there's no point to it. We're connected. It may not be a perfect connection, but it means a lot to me. I searched Akane's room thoroughly. We already know there's no one in there. But...I haven't checked her personal belongings yet. Her notebook is on the sideboard. Akane uses it constantly. I flip through it. At the end, she left a message for me. In her careful, deliberate handwriting. "To Kotarou" "I've decided I can't stray from this path." "This is what I want to do, it's the only way to save everyone, and it's my duty as the holy woman." "I cannot begin to apologize to you." "I tried to keep you away from this, but I still clung to you. I was weak." "I'm very sorry for doing that." "I can't let myself take anything else away from you." "So I'm leaving you." "Salvation will begin soon." "It will take place somewhere no one else can reach." "This notebook and the key I've left in it are the last things I can give to you." "May you, and whoever you choose to bring with you enjoy the remainder of your lives in peace." "I'm a broken woman, incapable of accepting other people." "So please don't forgive me." "Goodbye." I can't move. I read it over and over. I understand it, but it doesn't sink in at all. I try to force it into my mind, but it slips back out again. Akane's trying to cause salvation. ...she's trying to destroy humanity. A ceremony to return all life to the planet. But don't they need the Key to do that? I flick through the notebook. It's filled with narrow, hastily-written text. These aren't messages for me. These are Akane's personal notes. As I start reading them, someone throws the door open. [Male Employee]: "Tennouji-kun, there you are...someone's calling you." [Kotarou]: "Me?" [Male Employee]: "Well...he's demanding you bring Senri-san." [Kotarou]: "Who is it?" [Male Employee]: "Suzaki-san." [Kotarou]: "What?" I answer the phone. [Kotarou]: "...Senri's not here anymore, Suzaki-san." [Suzaki]: "Who are you...?" [Kotarou]: "Tennouji. Her protector." [Suzaki]: "Ah..." [Kotarou]: "There's no one else here who could talk to you." [Kotarou]: "Should we do this later?" [Suzaki]: "No, you'll do..." [Suzaki]: "You know what the disciples are trying to do, right?" [Kotarou]: "...yes." [Suzaki]: "Do you still support them?" [Suzaki]: "You seem to think you've gotten close to Senri...but you're wrong." [Suzaki]: "She can only trust her own followers. You know that now, don't you?" [Kotarou]: "...I don't want to admit it, but you might be right." [Suzaki]: "The disciples want only one thing. They will not listen to compromise." [Kotarou]: "Weren't you after the same thing when you tried to capture the Key?" [Suzaki]: "Only to control it." [Suzaki]: "We wanted to secure the Key and seal it away." [Kotarou]: "What do you mean?" [Suzaki]: "Ten years ago, we successfully captured the Key. It remained under our supervision after that." [Suzaki]: "But one day it escaped..." [Kotarou]: "...wait, did Akane-san know about that?" [Suzaki]: "Why would I tell her? She might have figured it out, though." So Suzaki never used the Key, even though he had the chance to. [Kotarou]: "Did you plan on using the Key later?" [Suzaki]: "They say if the Key decides to wipe out humanity, the life of the planet will be preserved..." [Suzaki]: "But I would never allow that." [Kotarou]: "But Akane-san said the planet's life is about to run out..." [Suzaki]: "That's true. I agree that humanity's future is not endless." [Suzaki]: "But how is wiping ourselves out an improvement?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Suzaki]: "Who cares if the planet can recover after all of us are dead?" [Kotarou]: "...so...you wanted the Key because..." [Suzaki]: "It's the ultimate deterrent. We could do anything if we had that superweapon under our control." [Kotarou]: "So you'd try to control the world?" [Suzaki]: "In this age of information, there is no such thing as total control. All we need is the power to bring about necessary changes. The Key is more than enough." [Suzaki]: "I was on the verge of changing this entire organization with that power..." [Suzaki]: "There are too many humans. And our lifespans are increasing. The Key appeared because that's too much for the planet." [Kotarou]: "So you wouldn't wipe out humanity?" [Suzaki]: "You know that familiars consume their summoners' life, right?" [Suzaki]: "If we told everyone on Earth how to use that "technology", what do you think would happen?" [Kotarou]: "...no one would accept the cost of using them." [Suzaki]: "They'd hesitate, yes, but what if the benefits outweighed that cost?" [Suzaki]: "Some would willingly choose to sacrifice a little of their life. Then they would consume fewer natural resources, and their lifespan would decrease. They'd spend fewer days in old age, but they'd have a higher standard of living during life." I never thought about that. He's talking about... [Kotarou]: "...you'd turn familiars into a global industry?" [Suzaki]: "Exactly. If everyone on Earth learns how to use them, they won't hurt the planet as much." [Suzaki]: "We could have extended the lifespan of the entire planet." It's a bit annoying, but what he's saying makes a lot more sense than I thought it would. I had no idea Suzaki was like this. I hated him...but his goals are perfectly admirable. Was Akane really opposed to these ideas? [Suzaki]: "If you're willing to listen, we can get to the point now. Our summoners are worried. They say they can hear a song. Do you know what it is?" [Kotarou]: "...it's probably the hymn." [Kotarou]: "A song that symbolizes sudden changes to the Earth...impending natural disasters...I think that's what it was." I tell Suzaki everything I remember about what Akane said. [Suzaki]: "...so that song is going to cause destruction." [Kotarou]: "But the Key's already dead." [Suzaki]: "That's what I thought too...but did you know Senri and the disciples have the Key's corpse?" [Kotarou]: "They what!?" [Suzaki]: "So she didn't tell you about this." Suzaki's voice has some sympathy in it. [Suzaki]: "The Key's probably still alive." [Suzaki]: "It may be in a coma, but..." [Kotarou]: "She never...said anything..." [Suzaki]: "Just like me." [Suzaki]: "Each individual may be different, but they're the same at the core." [Kotarou]: "But Akane-san never acted like that!" [Suzaki]: "It doesn't matter. She inherited the feelings of the holy woman..." [Suzaki]: "The "holy woman" is more than just a title. It's a disease that eats away at people's minds." [Suzaki]: "It was like that for Kashima too..." Suzaki's voice is hoarse, as if he's exhausted. I feel a little sympathy for him now. [Suzaki]: "If Senri's not there, then I'll have to negotiate with you." [Suzaki]: "Do you want to stop her?" [Kotarou]: ".........I..." [Suzaki]: "I want an honest answer. Do you know where she is?" [Kotarou]: "No, I don't. She doesn't seem to be in this building..." [Suzaki]: "Indeed. She wouldn't be somewhere so obvious." [Suzaki]: "Hopefully we'll be able to find her, but I think we need some insurance." [Kotarou]: "We have another option?" [Suzaki]: "There's an alternate dimension under Kazamatsuri City. We've built a city there." [Suzaki]: "That's our shelter. I want to get as many people in there as possible." [Kotarou]: "What do you mean, "alternate dimension"...?" [Suzaki]: "We call it a "duplicate space". I'll skip the technical details..." [Suzaki]: "But it has about the same area as Kazamatsuri City, including a forest around the perimeter with a fully-developed ecosystem. It doesn't have power or plumbing yet, but there's plenty of food and other supplies stored there." I flick through Akane's notebook again. I remember seeing the phrase "city of stone". There's a green keycard stuck between two of the pages like a bookmark. That phrase is on one of them. [Kotarou]: (This notebook...) [Suzaki]: "It was discovered in ancient times, and we've been slowly building it up ever since some of our ancestors started living there." [Kotarou]: "Is there a physical connection between there and Kazamatsuri?" [Suzaki]: "Yes. There's plenty of time to move the entire population of Kazamatsuri down there." [Suzaki]: "Once salvation starts, the people will panic. We should be able to direct them to the shelter then." [Kotarou]: "But only the people in this city will be saved, right?" [Suzaki]: "We can't ask for everything. This is the best choice we have available." [Kotarou]: "...that's true." [Suzaki]: "There are a few problems though." [Suzaki]: "First, the system controlling passage in and out of the city of stone has been broken by the disciples." [Suzaki]: "We can't open it anymore." [Kotarou]: "...we might be able to do something about that." [Suzaki]: "Are you sure?" [Kotarou]: "Not yet, but I have a key, and I think that might be what it's for." [Suzaki]: "Really!? We have to check that immediately." [Kotarou]: "I'd like to, but the police are watching us, so we can't really..." [Suzaki]: "I'll do something about that. We can stall them at least. Just hurry!" For now, we hang up, and I head to the basement while reading more of the notebook. Akane's notebook contains lots of top-secret information about the organization. One of the unfinished, abandoned subway stations has an enormous metal door blocking the tracks. [Kotarou]: "...there it is..." The control room for it is on one side of the tunnel. I head in, and can't believe my eyes. A strange tree is growing in here, even though there's no sunlight. Its roots extend in all four directions, covering much of the machinery. [Kotarou]: "Too bad no one else will be able to see this." Though I can see just fine. I follow the directions in the notebook, and give one of the machines the green keycard. After some electronic beeps, the system displays a login screen. [Kotarou]: "...now, to open the door..." After I finish typing in the commands, I feel a heavy rumbling through my feet. The door is opening. Behind it, darkness. The city of stone is connected to our world via darkness. On the other side is the shelter...what Suzaki called our "artificial future". According to Akane's notebook, it used to be a near-vacuum. Only Gaia and their familiars were capable of making it livable. Akane even says the city is like a giant familiar.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> Summoners can do just about anything. I head through the darkness. After about ten minutes... I knew it...it's this place. A slightly misshapen skyline, like a terracotta replica of our city. There's no sun, but the whole area is filled with a gentle light. An uninhabited world. Some familiars fly overhead. ...the only people who live here are the summoners keeping an eye on it. People in old-fashioned robes. [Kotarou]: "We've secured entry to the city of stone." [Kotarou]: "We can control all eighteen gates from here." [Suzaki]: "Then we need to start planning the evacuation immediately." [Kotarou]: "...how are we going to explain this?" [Suzaki]: "I'll spread the word." [Suzaki]: "I may not be the holy woman, but there are many important people who trust me." I accept that condition. When Suzaki starts talking through the speakers, everyone looks relieved. [Kotarou]: (...I guess they should be.) Suzaki said nothing about Gaia's secrets. He left out everything about salvation and familiars. He simply said there might be a natural disaster soon, and Martel needed to be ready to handle it. Of course everyone was a little skeptical, but they feel a lot better now. We split the remaining employees into teams. We assign each of them an area and a route to evacuate people through. Suzaki already had an evacuation plan prepared for this, so we simply used it as-is. I was worried he might have designed the plan in such a way as to benefit him, but there was no sign of that at all. [Kotarou]: "Why are you being so cooperative now?" [Suzaki]: "Because I don't want destruction any more than you." [Kotarou]: "I thought you only cared about seizing power." [Suzaki]: "...I needed power. Without it, I can't do anything." [Suzaki]: "But if Senri has inherited the holy woman's memories, there's nothing I can do to stop her." [Suzaki]: "I couldn't even stop her from locking our artificial future." [Kotarou]: "That was only possible because you guys left the HQ." I chuckle to myself. [Suzaki]: "Hmph, we were trying to get a fresh start...but perhaps the timing was off." [Suzaki]: "That aside, I simply cannot accept this." [Suzaki]: "Humans defeated all other animals, escaped their primal ways and gained enough intelligence to stand at the top of the food chain." [Suzaki]: "If we get wiped out this easily, we'd be a disgrace to all intelligent life." [Kotarou]: "...huh." [Suzaki]: "The time for politics is over. I'm trying to make this happen simply because extinction is unacceptable. If you don't believe me, you don't have to help." [Suzaki]: "You should focus on implementing the evacuation plan. We'll do everything we can to locate Senri." [Kotarou]: "No, I..." [Suzaki]: "We will tell you if we find her. I promise." [Suzaki]: "Can you not trust me?" [Kotarou]: "It's okay...I'll stay here for now." I wasn't moved by Suzaki's words. The real reason I chose to stay is... "May you, and whoever you choose to bring with you enjoy the remainder of your lives in peace." The evening news is all about the harvest festival. Including a live broadcast from in front of our HQ. It's not as bad as before, but the activists are still surrounding us. And right now the disciples are trying to do something that more than deserves their scorn. There will be plenty of trials and sentences to satisfy them when this is all over. If the world's still left... Strangely, I don't feel any fear. I'm as calm as a flat ocean. [Kotarou]: "Done..." I tried making my own leaf bird for reconnaissance. I just made a contract with it, but will it move... This is its first flight. The bird leaps up, but tilts to one side and crashes into the floor. ...almost none of it turns to dust, probably because it's only been a familiar for a few seconds. [Kotarou]: "...dammit, birds really are hard." You need some talent to make familiars work right. I consider asking Suzaki for a summoner. I need a familiar if I'm going to locate Akane. [Newscaster]: "Next, we have reports of a strange supernatural phenomena." I look at the TV. The story is about a group of people living away from civilization. They're living self-sufficiently in the American countryside, without using any electricity. They claim they've been hearing a strange song. And that they can hear it from all parts of the sky, so they can't get away from it. That story bugs me. The hymn is supposed to cause salvation. The hymn stirs all of nature, and eventually makes the Key move. If it's affecting things on the other side of the Pacific, then it's definitely having the intended effect. I need to find Akane. I can't waste any more time. If she's not in the HQ, I'll just have to look around town. When I put my coat on, the image on the TV starts shaking. The cameraman's looking for something. The reporter screams. The audio stops working. I can't hear them. [Kotarou]: "Their helicopter...fell...?" A news chopper just crashed into the ground near the HQ. People run and scream. No one knows what's going on. There's already black smoke coming from the crash site. Thankfully, it crashed between two buildings. It doesn't seem to have landed on any pedestrians either. Everyone on board is probably dead though. The people in the area start to panic. I see a black shadow in the corner of the screen. No one there notices it. A shadow flying in the sky. I wouldn't blame anyone for missing it if they weren't looking for it. Is it a bird? No. It's twelve meters across with its wings open. ...I know that thing. I've fought one before. [Kotarou]: "...a Leaf Dragon." A powerful, flying familiar. It only weighs twenty-five kilos. Because the inside of it is built like a blimp. Apparently its design is based on a pitcher plant. Its insides contain aerobic digestive fluids, allowing it to make lighter-than-air gas simply by inhaling air. It can't flap, but by shooting out that gas and catching gusts of wind it can maneuver itself, and even hover like a helicopter. Its main weapon is the sharp proboscis in its neck, which it can shoot at high speed using that same gas. The biggest benefits are that it can be folded up into a suitcase, and it consumes very little energy. Plant-based familiars are relatively slow, but they usually consume less of the summoner's life. ...even now, I'd be hard-pressed to kill one of those. Its chest is a weak point, but since its body is split into several segments, it takes a lot more than one hit to bring it down. [Kotarou]: (Who's controlling it...?) The phone rings. [Suzaki]: "It's me. Did you see that?" [Kotarou]: "Yes..." [Suzaki]: "Just so you know, that wasn't us." [Kotarou]: "...that's what I thought." [Suzaki]: "There must be a reason they needed to bring down the helicopter." [Kotarou]: "...I've already checked the roof." [Suzaki]: "The roof access has been filled with concrete so no one can get up there."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Suzaki]: "Kashima gave that order. She said it was dangerous...so how did you check it?" [Kotarou]: "I climbed up the building." [Suzaki]: "I see..." [Suzaki]: "Anyway, the media's going to have a field day with this. They're going to blame Martel first." [Suzaki]: "We're already being bombarded with questions." [Kotarou]: "At least no one seems to have noticed the familiar." [Suzaki]: "...it's only a matter of time." The more time passes, the worse this is going to get. [Kotarou]: (Are you telling me to hurry up, Akane-san...?) [Suzaki]: "We don't know what the police will do next. Their dignity is at stake too." [Kotarou]: "By the way, shouldn't you guys come back into Kazamatsuri soon?" [Suzaki]: "Us? I plan to stay in this world." [Kotarou]: "Shouldn't you go to the shelter so you can lead the refugees if the world ends?" [Suzaki]: "If that happens, someone will need to keep control of the evacuation until the very end." [Suzaki]: "You can lead them." [Kotarou]: "Don't joke about this..." [Suzaki]: "Besides, we still don't know if salvation will happen or not. You might be able to stop Senri." [Kotarou]: "I'm trying to..." [Kotarou]: "Are you sure?" [Suzaki]: "I cannot leave my position." [Kotarou]: "...all right. Tell me if you change your mind." [Kotarou]: "Good morning." [Male Employee]: "Morning." We're having a big meeting this morning to review the evacuation plan. [Kotarou]: "Anything new about the helicopter crash?" [Female Employee]: "...well..." She points to the TV. [Kotarou]: "Geh." I groan. The TV's already showing footage of our HQ. A riot squad has sealed off the entrance. [Male Employee]: "Apparently last night they got a tip that Martel is secretly in possession of handguns." ...the blood drains from my face. This couldn't get much worse. At least they don't look like they're going to do anything right away. They stand threateningly, with shields and full armor, forming a solid line in front of the doors. [Kotarou]: "Is it even legal for them to do that!?" I whine. [Male Employee]: "The public is on their side..." [Female Employee]: "I hope they don't start a picket line." [Male Employee]: "They're police, they're not just gonna barge in here. They've got investigators down there too." [Kotarou]: "Do you think they'd arrest us if we tried to go outside?" The room falls silent. It's safe to assume the other exits are sealed too. The public wants a conclusion to this. [Kotarou]: "We really...don't have any explanation for what happened..." Suzaki's responsible for making the situation this bad, but in the end they're all infuriated about things Akane-san really did do. [Kotarou]: (Sorry, Akane-san...) The image cuts out. When it comes back, we see the newscaster. She looks desperate. [Male Employee]: "What the hell?" Something's happening. Apparently that news story is being interrupted by an earthquake warning. It's a huge earthquake, with its epicenter in the middle of Ise Bay. She coldly informs us of the expected magnitude. The warning repeats. The building begins shaking. Gentle shaking. Kazamatsuri is pretty far from the epicenter. But we can still feel it. [Male Employee]: "Now an earthquake...?" [Female Employee]: "Aaah, what's going on here!?" [Female Employee]: "Hey, should we open a window? I'd like some fresh air." We start opening various windows as we continue watching the news about the earthquake. [Female Employee]: "...what's this song?" [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Female Employee]: "Can you hear it? It sounds kinda familiar..." [Male Employee]: "I don't hear anything. Are you sure it's not the wind?" [Female Employee]: "...really?" ...even some normal people can hear the hymn now. Nature is transmitting the song all around the world. The origin is a vocal chorus, but that's only the trigger. It works through all of nature, making the world tremble. The wind, the earth, the soil, all life. Everything is preparing itself for the end. Eventually, the Earth itself will tremble, spreading destruction across its entire surface. That isn't enough to destroy the world, but if they have the Key's voice too, it'll be much worse. The potted plants on my veranda are overflowing their pots. They're ferns. Angiosperms can't multiply without insects to exchange their pollen. They're overgrowing now as if they know that will be an issue later. Plants that reproduce with spores, mosses, lichens...they all grow larger and stronger as the end approaches. In certain places, wind-pollinated trees also multiply. Signs of the apocalypse. But this is nothing. It should be much worse than this. To my ears, the constant song sounds like rain. Our final meeting ends. We went over everyone's positions and tasks. There's nothing left for us to figure out. No doubt there's going to be a lot of confusion and panic. But we have to do what we can. That won't change the fact that we're all responsible for this. We all know that. But everyone here chose to remain because they care about this organization. Now...all that's left is waiting. Somehow I managed to finish this. And now I finally have some free time. I can do whatever I want now. And there's only one thing I want to do. [Kotarou]: "...go." I asked Suzaki to get one of his summoners in the city of stone to send me some familiars. I tried making contracts with several of them, but the only one I can still control is a leaf bird. I assume that's a consequence of rewriting myself so much. I release seven birds into the sky. I barely receive any information from them. Suzaki and his men have been searching everywhere they can think of, but they haven't found anything either. [Kotarou]: (There's no way I'll find her like this...but I know she's in the sky somewhere.) That dragon brought down a helicopter. So I get the feeling Akane's in the sky. [Kotarou]: "...she's not here." I can't find Shimako either. I checked the school, the HQ, downtown...everywhere I think she might go. I've been looking for her for a long time now. I considered the possibility that she might have died somewhere without anyone knowing. I can't talk to the police about this. Even if I asked them to look for her, I doubt they'd actually look. Tsukuno-san said she's nowhere to be found, but I'm sure she's with the other disciples. [Kotarou]: (I still can't find Akane either.) I quickly lose contact with the leaf birds. Either I've lost what little summoning skill I had, or that dragon took them out. This was so futile I almost feel like crying. I read Akane's notebook over and over. I can't give up. But the more time passes, the less likely it is I'll get a chance to do anything. [Kotarou]: (...maybe...I should help evacuate.) And whether I want it to or not, things keep happening.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Announcer]: "We apologize for interrupting your regular programming. This is an emergency bulletin." [Announcer]: "At 8:50 PM tonight, a large-scale earthquake occurred in the middle of――" [Announcer]: "Other countries have also felt――" We remain glued to the TV in the meeting room. The announcer's voice is shaking. Every announcement is another natural disaster. We change the channel. Every channel is reporting on the disasters. No one knows how many casualties there are. Several areas deep inland have been wiped out too. Many transportation networks have been completely broken. Railroads and other forms of public transit are frozen. The wounded count continues rising. The telephone network in one prefecture goes down. Other disasters periodically occur in other regions of Japan. [Announcer]: "This just in! The Southern bay of――!" She's almost screaming now. Everyone goes pale, and stares at the screen. [Kotarou]: (.........Akaneeeee...) [Kotarou]: (I know you're doing this...) [Kotarou]: ".........dammit...why are you...!?" She's starting to become just a villain in my mind. [Announcer]: "...please remain calm, but..." [Announcer]: "Today, at around 10 PM, a large volcanic eruption occurred at Mt. Fuji. I repeat, at 10 PM..." Someone faints and falls to the floor. [Male Employee]: "Team 1, get going! There's no way to know when something will happen here! Hurry!" The evacuation teams start mobilizing. Each one gets onto a small open-air freight car. [Male Employee]: "Teams 3, 4 and 6, you're next!" We're going to try to transport a hundred thousand people underground. It's an insane task. People are going to panic and riot. And even if we succeed, we'll only save one city. There's no point. That's how I feel about it now. Even if we can get a small percentage of humanity safely inside that miniature world, so what? It's so meaningless... The more I think, the less I can act. Logic drags me down. So that's why we're doing it now. 11 PM. There's no one in the HQ now. I'm the only one left. It almost feels colder now that the others are gone. The news reports are getting ridiculous. Another chopper got taken out. Two dragons are clearly visible on camera. The entire world has seen Leaf Dragons now. They signal the destruction of civilized society. The sight of monsters that could destroy helicopters starts a panic. Some policemen even pulled their guns and fired at the sky. It's a waste of time. The police also decide to break into the HQ. I have no idea if they filed the proper paperwork. Apparently the investigators assigned to the Martel case all have handguns. ...the city's a complete mess right now. The country's covered in natural disasters. Inland cities like Kazamatsuri haven't been directly hit yet. It's easy for people here to feel a need to do something about this situation. Every building in town closes any fireproof doors it has, and the locks are physically broken. People try to block roads with large, heavy objects. None of that will help much, but it's better than nothing. As I work, I get a phone call. It's not Suzaki this time. [Male Employee]: "Thank goodness, you're still here!" [Kotarou]: "I was thinking of moving soon. What's wrong?" [Male Employee]: "The evacuation gates have closed." [Kotarou]: "What?" [Male Employee]: "They seem to be locked. We can't get them open again, no matter how hard we pull." [Kotarou]: "...pulling won't help." [Kotarou]: "The earthquakes might have damaged the control room. I'll go take a look!" After I put down the phone... [?]: "Don't move." I'm surrounded. All the policemen are wearing suits, and holding automatic handguns. One of them shines a flashlight in my face. [Plainclothes Officer]: "...you're..." [Plainclothes Officer]: "Yes...Tennouji." [Plainclothes Officer]: "He's supposed to have superhuman strength. Don't let your guard down." They even know that...? The police have done their homework. One of them approaches me. [Plainclothes Officer]: "...don't move. We don't want to shoot you." I can't let them arrest me here. I slowly spread out my fingers. The three men fall to the ground. [Kotarou]: "...sorry." I walk through the darkness. There's almost no lighting down here at all, and nothing but bare concrete around me. I suddenly remember one of the Occult Club's expeditions. Here's the control room―― The tree connected to the machines is a familiar called an "observer". It's a partially mechanical tree. Since it can't move, it doesn't need a summoner to keep it going. It's an extremely bizarre creature. And these exist both in our world and in the city of stone at the same time. Apparently the existence of these things creates inherent, non-physical instability in objects by forcing them to exist in two places at once. ...I really didn't understand that part of Akane's notebook. Long story short, this familiar manages the gates. And it's stopped working. [Kotarou]: "...what the hell...is it broken?" How do we evacuate everyone now? [Kotarou]: "...dammit...what's going on!?" I hate Akane. I hate this, but even that feeling seems meaningless. I have to repair this familiar. But... [Kotarou]: "I don't have a clue...how to do something like that..." I can tell I'm on the verge of giving up. Is this the end...? Someone breathes on my ear. [Kotarou]: "...is that you...Shimako?" She silently touches the trunk. At her feet, the tree's severed roots start to glow. One of the earthquakes caused a piece of equipment to fall and cut through some of the roots. Shimako moves the roots back to where they belong. And...they reattach. She looks up at me. I leap up and stick my keycard into the panel. [Kotarou]: "It's working...!" I can hear the nearby gate opening already. [Kotarou]: "Haha! You did it!" [Kotarou]: "But...where have you been?" Tsukuno-san's been looking for you. She said you were gone. ...but when was that? How many days have you been gone? Where were you all that time? But Shimako can't speak, so there's no way to get the answers. There's only one thing I do know. [Kotarou]: "Will you help me?" She nods. [Kotarou]: "...thanks." [Kotarou]: "That'll be a big help." I ruffle her hair. Her hair flows through my fingers like silk. She smiles brightly. I've never seen this expression from her before. For some reason, it makes me laugh. [Kotarou]: "Hahaha." [Kotarou]: "Now we can evacuate everyone." Suddenly, I hear a metallic noise. The sound of destruction. Someone pries open a door and enters this underground area. Shimako looks at me, worried. [Kotarou]: "...the police? Guardian?" [Kotarou]: "No one should be able to get this far. I'll go check it out."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Don't worry, I'll be careful." [Kotarou]: "Wait for me here, and make sure it's locked." She gives me a thumbs up. [Kotarou]: "Okay." I head back down the tunnel. ...something feels wrong. I know someone's there. I feel danger just around the corner. ...they're here. They're right around this corner. I produce some aurora, and it forms branches as it extends into the air. It flows like mercury, slowly changing into a blade. I step around the corner. A man in detective's clothing holds up a hatchet. If he was a real cop, he wouldn't use that weapon. The man swings it. I can feel an incredible heat coming from the edge of the blade. I can't let it hit me. [Kotarou]: (...Guardian!) One of my aurora claws gets cut apart before I pull back. I kick the man's wrist. His hatchet flies into the ceiling. My aurora flies at him, using its own instincts. It can decide what to do faster than I can. The man tries to leap back, but his legs get cut off. The cut is far from clean, so chunks of his flesh litter the ground. Before the man can scream, my blades run through his throat. ...he's dead. I can't afford to be merciful with Guardian. If I give them a chance, they'll kill me. [Kotarou]: (So they've sent some agents into our HQ.) Guardian knows what's going on. They're coming down on us like vultures. I doubt they'll interfere with the evacuation, but... They might find the Key before I do. In which case, Akane... ...I can feel my soul screaming. I know I've strengthened myself more than my body should be able to handle. I don't even want to think about how short my lifespan must be. Still, strengthening my senses shouldn't be that big a deal. Hopefully this is the last time I need to rewrite myself... The resolution of the world increases, as if I just put on new glasses. I think I can feel the chemical makeup of the air. The world looks like a mass of slowly changing numbers. ...what would happen if I went even farther? I'd probably end up completely outside the human world. I focus my mind on the basement. It's an enclosed, sound-proof area, so I can easily detect anything within a few hundred meters of me. The slightest vibrations, smells, sounds, even changes in air currents. I move forward, with all of my senses acting like radar. My aurora chews through a superhuman's neck, and he falls to the ground. He also drops an axe. [Kotarou]: "...haa." I finish him. I locate one more intruder, and bring him down too. That's the last suspicious presence. [Kotarou]: "―!?" Before long, I sense a new presence. Someone heading straight for the control room. Shimako's defenseless. I head back to her. [Kotarou]: (...how does he know where to go?) Even Guardian shouldn't know the exact layout of this place. I leap from the tracks to the platform and rush into the control room. A tall, black shadow is trying to pry the door open with its bare hands. I instantly make a new blade. I attack. ...he doesn't dodge it. But... [Takasago]: "Hey, it's you!" Takasago turns around and smiles at me, blocking my aurora with his arm. [Kotarou]: ".........you." [Takasago]: "What's wrong? You look really scary today." [Takasago]: "Don't worry, I'm not here to fight. I'm lucky to be alive after all." [Kotarou]: "...that wound should've been fatal." [Takasago]: "Modern medicine is amazing, you know." [Kotarou]: "Not that amazing." [Takasago]: "Yes it is." Takasago doesn't stop smiling. He was covered in deep gashes the last time I saw him. Even if he could survive that, there's no way all his limbs and organs should still work. [Kotarou]: "...what are you doing here?" [Takasago]: "Hey, I'm here to help you. So what's going on here? Things are pretty bad outside." This still doesn't feel right. [Takasago]: "They're searching the whole building by force, but they haven't gotten permission or anything. They must be out of their minds." [Takasago]: "And now Guardian's showed up too." [Kotarou]: "...did they attack you?" [Takasago]: "I'm part of Gaia, you know. I've been here several times." [Takasago]: "So I used a path they don't know about." [Takasago]: "I'm weak after all. I had to stay hidden to make it all the way here." [Takasago]: "So what are you up to?" [Kotarou]: "You should know...we're trying to evacuate everyone before salvation kills them." [Takasago]: "Oooh, I see. If they break this stuff, we won't be able to get anyone to the other side." [Takasago]: "But Tennouji, no matter what humans do, salvation isn't going to happen unless the Key does something itself." [Takasago]: "It looks like there's only a ten or twenty percent chance of the Key actually waking up." [Kotarou]: "You're well-informed." [Takasago]: "I used to be a secretary. I have some connections." [Takasago]: "But I'm still an idiot, so I never got any good work." [Takasago]: "Nothing but guarding people or sorting documents. Suzaki-san never thought of me as anything but a meat shield." [Takasago]: "And once you showed up, even my role as a meat shield was in danger." [Kotarou]: "I'm Akane's bodyguard. My position has nothing to do with yours." His smile disappears. [Takasago]: "That may be true, but everyone was comparing us anyway." [Takasago]: "We're doing the same job, you're younger, and you beat me in a fight. How could they not?" [Takasago]: "Plus it turns out you're a superhuman...so I never had a chance to begin with!" Takasago forces his distorted face back into a smile. [Takasago]: "Anyway, I haven't fully recovered, but I can still do my job." That job doesn't matter anymore. [Takasago]: "You know it's going to take a while for the Key to wake up, right?" [Takasago]: "It'll take at least a few more days at this rate, though there will be tons of natural disasters before then." [Takasago]: "The more guards you have, the better. Right?" I can't honestly accept that offer. Takasago's part of Gaia. He should be an ally. But I just don't believe him. ...I can't trust him. My senses search for what lies behind his smile. Hatred. Envy. That's all that Takasago consists of right now. [Kotarou]: (...Takasago-san...) [Takasago]: "So where's the ritual going on? Shouldn't it be inside this building?" [Kotarou]: "I don't know either." [Takasago]: "...that's not good. Okay, let's do this. I'll protect this room. You go look for her."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Takasago]: "You're the holy woman's protector, after all." [Takasago]: "What's wrong? Get going. Don't worry, I still have some familiars. I swear on my life that I'll protect this room and the girl." [Kotarou]: "...sorry, but I can't trust you." The aurora beast growls. [Takasago]: "Why not? We're part of the same organization here." [Kotarou]: "I can't be sure. Sorry, but..." [Takasago]: "What am I supposed to do then?" [Kotarou]: "Sorry, but I have to ask you to leave. We're going to start evacuating people soon. You can go to the city of stone if you want." [Kotarou]: "You have no enemies there. You can live a normal life." [Takasago]: "Well that sounds all nice and peaceful." [Takasago]: "...fine, if you can't trust me there's nothing I can do about it." [Takasago]: "See you later then." Takasago swings his fist like a cannonball. I expected that. But it's a lot faster than I thought it'd be. I manage to avoid it, but it grazes my cheek. Takasago's fist shatters the wall behind me. [Kotarou]: "...the hell?" No human can do that. That's more like... [Takasago]: "Heheh...heheh...so close!" His ecstatic smile makes it obvious that he's gone mad with envy. [Takasago]: "I was so close to making scrambled eggs out of your pretty little face!" [Kotarou]: "...what are you?" His fist is unharmed. It's not broken or torn at all. I can sense the mysterious power flowing through him. A power that makes the impossible possible. Life force. I make more aurora. He throws bits of concrete at me. I can avoid one at a time, but not a whole cloud of them. I block with my arm. [Kotarou]: "～!" I feel pain reaching into my bones. I counterattack with a kick to his abdomen, strong enough to tear through any normal person. But Takasago's unaffected by it. [Takasago]: "...ha!" He puts his hands together and swings down. I try crossing my arms to block it. I have a solid foothold, but it still brings me to my knees. Takasago's almost invincible right now. This is bad. I'm pretty sure he's done judo. If he throws me into the concrete with this kind of force, I might die instantly. I shoot a needle out of my wrist. Like the Leaf Dragon's proboscis, it shoots rapidly toward Takasago's head. [Takasago]: "Nuu!" He quickly steps back. I make another blade, and charge forward. Takasago jumps back, farther than any human can. [Kotarou]: (So he can dodge me this easily...) My aurora has animal instincts of its own now. That's why I've been able to kill so many superhumans. But even that missed him, so I know Takasago's exceptionally dangerous. My aurora roars, sensing a worthy adversary. [Takasago]: "Hmph!" A small magic circle appears at Takasago's feet. A tiny familiar flies out. A beetle. Fifteen centimeters long. Its heavy wings buzz as it assaults me. The horn on its head crashes into my blade. It could easily cut off a normal person's wrist, but my aurora cuts through it instead. [Takasago]: "...hehe, that is scary...so that's what your power can do." [Takasago]: "You don't seem to hesitate with that thing at all. You've killed several people with it, haven't you?" [Takasago]: "A clueless brat like you became a mass murderer! Your parents must be proud!" [Kotarou]: "Don't talk about them!" I cut through the second beetle as it comes out of the darkness. But the third one hits my neck. Sharp pain runs through me. Since it's behind me, I quickly decide to back up and crush it against the wall. Now that it's pinned, I repeatedly hit it with my right elbow. Three, four, five... Finally it dies. Farther down the tunnel, I can hear Takasago laughing as he escapes. [Takasago]: "The world's gonna end soon! Enjoy it while it lasts!" A fourth and fifth beetle fly at me together. I let the aurora take care of them. Two separate blades fly out and cut through them. Takasago's long gone now. I put a hand to my neck. Thick, sticky blood covers my fingers. [Kotarou]: "...dammit." I check the control room. Shimako's fine. She's sitting down next to the observer, completely unconcerned. [Kotarou]: "That guy was scary." Shimako shakes her head. [Kotarou]: (What the hell happened to him?) Somehow he not only survived, but made himself far more powerful. He can even use more familiars now. But why was he so strong? Gaining that much strength as well as all those familiars just doesn't add up. That shouldn't be possible, but... Takasago aside... Akane. If there's still time left over after I'm done here... I'm going to find Akane. Though I'm sure I'll waste most of my time looking. Even if I find her, I'll barely have time to say anything to her. What could I say anyway? "Why did you do this?" "I love you"? Whatever I say, we'll probably spend our last moments clutching each other. [Kotarou]: "...whoa, don't scare me like that." She's standing behind me like a ghost in a horror movie. I didn't sense her at all. And I can tell what she has to say, just from her eyes. [Kotarou]: "Eh? You're done here? The observer's fixed? Really?" I reach out toward the tree. A sharp branch flies out of it. [Kotarou]: "Gah!" It almost skewered me. [Kotarou]: "It's poisonous!? Tell me that sooner!" [Kotarou]: "...though I guess it's good that it can defend itself. Okay, let's get going." I reach for Shimako's hand, but she moves away. [Kotarou]: "What's wrong?" [Kotarou]: "You want to stay here?" [Kotarou]: "...if you're not going, neither am I." Shimako goes quiet. [Kotarou]: "You're too young to do a heroic sacrifice like that." [Kotarou]: "Now let's go." We head to the nearest evacuation gate. One of the team leaders is waiting there. [Male Employee]: "Oh, Tennouji-kun. Is it working now?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah, we can start moving people at any time." [Male Employee]: "Good...that's good to hear. We're getting ready to send a PA telling the city to evacuate." The broadcast is going to be restricted to the city. We're going to use radios, the internet, people shouting on sidewalks, whatever it takes to get the word out. But we have to wait until the city has fallen into chaos before they'll listen. A woman walks up to me with a phone in her hand. [Female Employee]: "Tennouji-kun, Suzaki-san's been trying to reach you." [Kotarou]: "Ah...thanks."

<METADATA> Name: Shimako | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "I'm here." [Suzaki]: "There you are." [Kotarou]: "We had some technical difficulties, but it's working now." [Suzaki]: "Hearing that takes a weight off my shoulders." [Kotarou]: "How are things going on your end?" [Suzaki]: "Our familiars are in position all around Kazamatsuri. If Guardian tries to send reinforcements, they'll stop them." [Kotarou]: "What has Guardian been doing?" [Suzaki]: "They probably are sending a lot of reinforcements. There's quite a few of them running around the city." [Kotarou]: "...I see." [Kotarou]: "By the way, I ran into Takasago. He seems to have gone insane." [Suzaki]: "...should I send some more summoners?" [Kotarou]: "No, I can handle him." He could probably kill any ordinary summoner anyway. [Kotarou]: "More importantly, are you really sure you and your men don't want to evacuate?" [Suzaki]: "Yes, we're sure." [Suzaki]: "We'll return to the planet along with Senri." [Suzaki]: "The rest is up to you." [Kotarou]: "...okay." That was the last time I spoke to Suzaki. [Kotarou]: "I'll head back to the surface now, to do what I can." [Male Employee]: "Good luck. We probably won't be in contact again, so this may be farewell." [Kotarou]: "...yes, good luck to you too." We shake hands. All the other employees there also shake hands with me, one at a time. [Kotarou]: "...also, please take her with you." Shimako glares at me. I know what her eyes are saying. But I pretend I don't. I push the girl forward. [Kotarou]: "She's a handful, but please take care of her." [Male Employee]: "Understood. We'll keep her safe." [Male Employee]: "So what are you going to do up there?" [Kotarou]: "I want to oversee the rest of the evacuation." [Female Employee]: "What about Akane-sama?" [Kotarou]: "I have a feeling I won't be able to see her until the very last moment." I've never been able to outsmart her. So I have to make her want to talk to me again. [Male Employee]: "Are you going to stay up there?" [Kotarou]: "Probably...but I'll see how I feel when the time comes." [Kotarou]: "What about you guys?" [Male Employee]: "...we'll make sure as many people as possible make it into the shelter." Humans are so strange. Almost all of us want to stay here when the world ends. [Male Employee]: "But I think you should be one of the survivors. If you change your mind, come back down here anytime." [Kotarou]: "...thank you." I feel better now. I'm ready to go out there and do what I can. [Kotarou]: "See you later, Shimako." [Shimako]: "......!" The girl's face looks pained. But I can't take her with me. She shakes herself free and runs toward me. [Kotarou]: "...sorry." I run away, fast enough that no child should be able to catch me. I think I hear a scream from far behind me. [Kotarou]: "What the..." It hasn't even been half a day since I went underground. But it looks like this. This is salvation? Even the inland areas look like this now. All the people must have run away somewhere. I can't see anyone here. Everything's covered with a layer of green. [Kotarou]: (...is the whole world going to be devoured by forests...?) I walk by a shop window. One of the TVs they use for advertising still works. I can see a news program on it. The announcer is screaming. The series of images they show almost looks like a cheap disaster flick. Earthquakes, tsunamis, forest fires, volcanic eruptions... All of it is happening at the same time, all around the world. The people are all running around like headless chickens. The streets are filled with refugees. The communication networks are down. Food and other essentials have all been bought up. Rioting has already started in some areas. What about the rest of Japan? Several volcanoes have erupted already. Mount Aso, Kunimi Peak, Sakura Island... All at the same time. And the earthquakes have been making several tsunamis. Twenty-meter high waves assault the coastal areas, causing tremendous casualties. Some regions already have tens of thousands dead or missing. There are news reports of some islands sinking back into the sea. No one can even estimate the total death toll for the country. This has all happened in less than half a day. My whole body shivers. Akane's been fighting against society. Her sins are undeniable, and unforgivable. The UN has started devising countermeasures for the "global superdisaster". ...there's nothing they can do about it. The only way to stop this from getting any worse is to destroy the Key. But...if I do that, then why have I been following Akane this whole time? Trying to do the "right" thing this late in the game just means I never thought things through when I should have. I know I thought hard when I chose this path. But I can't help but feel I made a mistake. I love Akane. But I hate the sins she's committed. [Announcer]: "This is the disaster relief agency. We have an urgent message." We're finally starting to tell people to evacuate. [Announcer]: "Please gather up all your necessary belongings. Leave any money or electronic devices behind. Bring clothes, medical supplies, and enough food and water to last for at least a few days." We won't need money or cell phones in the other dimension. We've already set up an independent government down there. It's as ready as it could possibly be. If we can get everyone inside, there's nothing else to worry about. I find the nearest building nearby and head inside. It's deserted. Hardly any plants have gotten in here yet. I break through all the doors in my way. The elevators aren't working, so I use the stairs. From the roof, I can see most of the city. The evacuation instructions are repeated over and over. Eventually, I start to see people come outside, carrying their belongings. They walk nervously down the main roads, cautiously avoiding the plants. Some of our robed employees are running around, shouting directions at the top of their lungs. [Kotarou]: "Mm..." One of them is being surrounded. They must be lashing out at him. They start punching and kicking him. ...this is where I come in. I jump off the building. I land on a lower roof, then jump across several more buildings. When I finally land, everyone looks at me in shock. ...the violence never ends. The people's anger knows no limit. Fear and confusion have made them all paranoid. Most of them have some connection to Martel, so they should be more understanding. But outbreaks of violence still happen one after the other. I run all over the place. Punch, kick, lecture. Night dawns, and we hit noon on the next day, but the evacuation still continues. Lines of people fill all the major roads. They follow our instructions, walking down into the old subway system and heading to the gates on foot. [Refugee]: "Hey, look at the sky!" Someone shouts. The area is soon filled with cries of terror. The sky's filled with red and blue light.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> The world's starting to crumble. Life is starting to erode physics. It hits me just how tiny I am in the grand scheme of things. The people climb over each other to get into the shelter. We do what we can to preserve some semblance of order. But the people outnumber us. There's no way to make this go any faster. Who knows how long until something snaps. I hear a TV news program. It describes things beyond human comprehension. The salvation continues, which is wonderful for the Earth, but cataclysmic for humanity. [Male Employee]: "People are going back to their homes in that district! Others are running in random directions...is anyone available to help?" [Female Employee]: "We've got our hands full already!" [Kotarou]: "I'll check it out." I run. I don't care if people see me anymore. Why would it matter now? I leap from a high wall up to a roof. I head toward the problem area as the crow flies. He's right, people are heading backwards. And many people are running aimlessly in terror. ...even though there's a perfectly good evacuation route in the other direction. Why are they going this way? Did something violent happen over here? Near the end of the pack, I see a man with a mohawk wearing nothing but a leather jacket, even though it's winter. He's drooling as he runs. He's clearly lost it. [Kotarou]: "Stop!" I hit him with a flying jumpkick. [Mohawk]: "Hiiiiiii!" [Mohawk]: "What the hell was that for!?" [Kotarou]: "How dare you chase and attack all these people when we're trying to evacuate them!" [Mohawk]: "I'm not doing any of that! You are!" [Mohawk]: "Don't judge me by my clothes. I'm a hardworking law student you know!" This guy's completely missing the point... [Kotarou]: "Then why's everyone running away from you!?" [Mohawk]: "I'm running too! I'm just slower than them!" [Kotarou]: "Why'd you run this way!? What's going on! Just spit it out!" [Mohawk]: "...there's a monster over there!" [Kotarou]: "...what?" A familiar? But none of our familiars should attack anyone. [Kotarou]: "...what did it do?" [Mohawk]: "It...ate someone!" [Kotarou]: "...really?" [Mohawk]: "It ate...Takao-kun...right in front of me..." He starts sobbing. [Mohawk]: "He was still in elementary school...I've been helping him study! But...why did he...have to die like that...!?" [Kotarou]: "No way..." There's a familiar attacking people? [Kotarou]: "Okay. Now, calm down. There's another evacuation route in that direction. You have nothing to worry about." [Mohawk]: "What the hell is happening to this world!?" He'd been carrying a compact version of the six codes of Japanese law, but now he throws it at the ground. [Mohawk]: "Laws don't mean a damn thing if we're all going to die!" I pick it up and brush off the dust. [Kotarou]: "That's not true. We're going to need laws in the new world." [Kotarou]: "Now go there, and make good use of what you know." I push him forward. He starts stumbling forward, sobbing. [Kotarou]: "Sorry for kicking you." I head in the opposite direction, toward the monster. Before me is an appalling sight. Everyone here is dead. No human could have done this. Some corpses have been crushed to death. Some pulled apart. Some which look like they've been melted with extreme heat. Several of them. And not just human lives. One of Martel's garages, with an entrance to the underground tunnels. It's been thoroughly and completely destroyed. There's no way we'll be able to use it anymore. ...whoever did this, did it for pleasure. The kind of lunatic who takes delight in ruining other people's lives. I use all my senses to analyze the area. My eyes, ears, nose, skin... I can feel the heat of a living thing. It's hiding in the darkness, keeping its breath quiet. I create a blade slowly, so it doesn't make any noise. There's something underneath that pile of rubble and metal. I carefully reach out with one hand, and quickly pull off a large piece of it. It's a civilian. I pull my aurora back in. ...he's dead. He must have been under here when the rubble fell, given how badly damaged the body is. He's still warm. He might have been alive just a minute ago. I can't bear to look at this. I can see how much pain he was in. I decide to at least turn him face-up. But when I reach around the body, I feel something squirming. ...a huge, spider-like bug. Its eight legs are stuck into the man's back, and it won't move. Its abdomen is slowly expanding. I can feel fire. My combat instincts flick on. This is an emergency. I suppress what I was feeling just a moment ago. I drop the body where it is and jump back. The next moment, the spider explodes, covering the area in fire and molten rock. [Kotarou]: "......!" ...it was a trap. To kill anyone checking for survivors. That's just evil. [Kotarou]: "...humans...deserve more dignity than that..." I clench my fist, and punch through a nearby street sign. [Kotarou]: "...I know they do!" How is this any different from what Akane's done? Voices inside me lash out with counterarguments. It's not different at all. I know that. I know that far too well. We have no right to be mad at this. So I just endure it. After calming down a little, I continue searching for survivors. I don't find any. Every last one was killed. Including the Martel employees here. After half an hour, I give up. Greenery is already starting to cover the bodies. ...it's starting to cover everything. I hope it makes all of this a mere layer of sediment. Just a fossil of the past. Make our sins just a fact of history... Evening. The wind starts blowing. The harsh winter breeze carries the smells of blood and devastation. Apparently a fire started somewhere. Like a signal fire, it gives off a tall column of smoke. The vast majority of the people here chose to evacuate. But a small minority chose to remain in their houses. They had various reasons. The disasters will end eventually. Their children won't come back. They don't want to leave their homes. Some of the elderly have simply not woken up. Normally, we should be doing whatever we can to try and help them. But that's no longer possible. They'll return to the planet soon. The tunnels to the shelter are too narrow for most of the refugees to go in right away, so many are forced to wait on the surface. ...we hadn't thought of that. [Male Employee]: "I asked anyone whose homes haven't been destroyed to go back for now, but no one's moving." I can't blame them. We're all worried. They aren't sure they'll be saved if they leave the lines now. They want to stay right here, where they can watch the evacuation progress. [Kotarou]: "At this rate...it's going to take another day." [Male Employee]: "...I just hope one more day is enough."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> Though I should be used to it by now, the responsibility of saving all these people is weighing on me. That night, most of the refugees sleep in the street. The people sit down on the cold, hard ground, and feed themselves with the provisions they brought. Some people tried to sleep, but most of them couldn't. It's too cold. The vast majority of them spent the whole night awake. The next morning. Reports of trouble. Another evacuation route has been attacked. Some of the survivors are shouting about what they saw. They're making others nervous. By the time I got there, it was all over. I don't want to compliment this asshole, but he did it perfectly. Though it's easy to imagine how. ...I know he can watch us with his familiars. There's no way I'll be able to stop him at this rate. If we still had a summoner here, then maybe I'd be able to do something. ...maybe sending Shimako through the gate was a bad call. [Female Employee]: "Tennouji-kun, you need to eat something." She hands me an onigiri and a paper bowl filled with pork miso soup. So these are the emergency rations. [Kotarou]: "Thank you. Do we have enough of this for everyone?" [Female Employee]: "We do. Many of the freezers in restaurants and other buildings are still working, for now." So we're making this up as we go. I take the bowl. ...it's good. I can feel my stomach filling up. Having hot food for once makes me feel sleepy. [Male Employee]: "Tennouji-kun, it's happening again!" As I sit down, napping, we get bad news. A third attack. Another thorough massacre. The people are starting to get shaken up by it. Will we be okay? Can we go down there yet? Every few minutes someone asks one of us to explain what's going on. With multiple evacuation points destroyed, the refugees are overflowing in other areas. It's making everything inefficient. [Kotarou]: (This is bad...we might not have time to save all of them...) 3 PM. The song of salvation gets louder again. It started as a single melody, but it's much more complicated now. There are no people playing the other parts. Grating of the earth, groaning of the atmosphere, shaking of the trees. ...a constant ringing noise, suddenly made louder by the supernatural energy filling the world. The sounds of destruction are in harmony. Everyone can hear it now. [Refugee]: "What the hell...is that sound...?" [Refugee]: "...what's happening...to the world..." [Refugee]: "It's ending..." There's even a radio talking about it. [Announcer]: "I hear...a song...what in the world...is this judgment day? ...it sounds...solemn..." The song is filling the world. Along with an unprecedented set of catastrophes. The announcer reports on the casualties with a shaking voice. Apparently metropolitan areas have completely collapsed after the earthquakes. All the streets are filled with groans of injured people who will probably die in a few hours. Every part of the country has its own refugees. Swarms of them converge on intact villages, fighting with the locals. Stealing food, setting fire to buildings, committing acts of violence. Kazamatsuri City is actually quite lucky. We're far from the epicenters, and we haven't been hit by a tsunami. We're surrounded by mountains and forests, so we're naturally defended. And most of all, we have a shelter. Though I am worried about how much these plants are growing... After looking around from the rooftops, it's obvious that a large area of the city has been completely engulfed by trees. Seeing nature rebel against us is like a nightmare for everyone living in this city. Some people start yelling at us when they hit their limit. [Refugee]: "What's going on!? When can we get into the shelter!?" [Refugee]: "My grandmother's ill...we need to let her rest soon or she'll die!" [Refugee]: "What about that monster? Have you stopped it yet!?" [Refugee]: "Why aren't the police helping us!? You people don't know what you're doing!" We try to tell them to calm down. Our voices grow hoarse. We know they can't stay calm. They're all at their limit. One of the refugees points at me and shouts. [Refugee]: "What about that guy!? He's jumping from roof to roof and climbing up the sides of buildings! How do we know he's not the monster!?" [Kotarou]: "Me?" One of the employees pulls me away. Into a temporary tent. [Female Employee]: "I think it's best you stay out of sight, Tennouji-kun..." [Kotarou]: "...no, it'd be like this no matter what I did..." [Kotarou]: "No one has infinite patience." [Female Employee]: "Isn't there something we can do about this?" [Kotarou]: "...hmmm." ...I'd really like to do something about that summoner, at least. That's the biggest thing I can do which doesn't involve me being a target for angry refugees. I leave the tent. I feel a familiar nearby. This place might get attacked while I'm gone. I shouldn't leave. But what if another tunnel entrance gets attacked? I can't just let that happen either. Suddenly, something synchronizes with my vision. This feels very similar to being connected to a familiar. Especially when I used leaf birds... I focus on that sensation...until I know where the familiars are. They're heading for one of the evacuation points right now. I run. It was sudden and unexpected, but I don't have time to question whether it's accurate. I run across the rooftops to get there as fast as possible. When I come out onto one of the main roads, I find it's blocked. The street is completely filled with unnaturally huge trees and tall weeds. A wall of dense vegetation. It must have grown thousands of times faster than normal plants. [Kotarou]: "...there's just no way...it could be this fast." At this rate the whole city could be covered in a couple days. There aren't any good detours nearby. Do I have to break through here...? I swing my aurora blade. I cut through the trees at the base. I feel a lot of resistance. As if I'm cutting diamonds. Given how wet they are, I doubt we could burn them down either. I feel my aurora bite into something other than a tree. [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" I pull it out. It's a human body. The top half still looks human. But the bottom is just a mass of mushrooms and other fungal growths. The natural disasters were just the beginning. ...at the end, civilization will be torn apart piece-by-piece by the forest itself. I start cutting down trees again. I give up quickly. I can see new grasses growing where trees used to be. If I go too deep into this, I'll be swallowed up the plants myself. It's hopeless. I turn back. Even heading back the way I came feels like pulling myself out of quicksand. Suddenly, it happens again. I receive an image of an alleyway between buildings. I don't know whose viewpoint this is, but that's exactly what I needed. I shake off the vines and run into an alley near here. I jump onto a wall, then a roof, then run across more roofs. It's a straight shot from here. I jump down from a four-story building, and land in an open area where multiple alleyways connect. The dull gray concrete makes this feel like a slum.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> Several refugees are sleeping here temporarily. There's even some tents, and also some cardboard boxes that homeless people are living in. I look around the area. I see one of our employees and talk to him. [Kotarou]: "Hello." [Male Employee]: "Hey, what brings you over here?" [Kotarou]: "Something was bugging me...has anything strange happened here?" [Male Employee]: "Nothing lately." [Male Employee]: "But one of the cops was asking who's in charge here." [Male Employee]: "I told him you were somewhere else." [Kotarou]: "The cops...?" [Kotarou]: "They're not gonna try arresting us in this situation, are they...?" [Kotarou]: "No wait, more importantly..." I tell him about the summoner attacking evacuation points. [Male Employee]: "This monster is attacking people?" [Kotarou]: "Yes, he is." [Male Employee]: "There were some young delinquents beating people up earlier, but..." [Kotarou]: "Eh? What happened to them?" [Male Employee]: "Well, some nice delinquents appeared and beat them up." [Kotarou]: "Nice delinquents...?" That term puzzles me. [Kotarou]: "...anyway, I'll be keeping an eye on this place for a while." [Kotarou]: "Tell me if anything happens." [Male Employee]: "O-okay, if I see the monster I'll come find you." I climb up a building and sit down cross-legged. No sign of familiars nearby. But I know they're coming. They might be hiding right under our noses. Nothing happens for half an hour, as if he's mocking my determination. Something feels off. ...I did believe that image without thinking. It might have been a trap. In which case this is bait...and he's attacking somewhere else? What do I do? Stay here? Go somewhere else? [Kotarou]: (What the hell do I do!?) As if to soothe my fear, my vision suddenly synchronizes again. I can see a young man crouching down on the roof of a building, watching the area carefully. ...wait, that's me. I look up. A golden bird flies overhead, like a butterfly. [Kotarou]: "That was you...?" So...that bird is a familiar? [Kotarou]: (...but whose?) I do know one thing. This bird is on my side. I'm sure about that. So I know for sure the other familiars are targeting this place. I can't let my guard down. The golden bird flies away, as if it just finished its job. Looking at that bird makes my chest feel tight for some reason. [Kotarou]: "...sorry." I don't know why I apologized. The tunnel's finally cleared up enough to restart evacuation. When the refugees hear that, they all look up, sick of waiting. [Male Employee]: "Please stay calm and walk slowly. There's plenty of space in the shelter for all of you. You will all be able to get in. Stay in line and don't fight." The line of people starts moving. They walk two abreast into what looks like someone's garage. [Kotarou]: "Is this the last round?" [Male Employee]: "Yes, we can get everyone down there this time." Given the numbers, it'll take about three hours for them all to walk through. I just hope nothing happens... I run back and forth between the front and end of the line to keep an eye on everyone. Right when I'm at the front, I see something again. [Kotarou]: (He's here!?) He's aiming for the end of the line. I turn around and run. As I get close, I hear people screaming. [Refugee]: "Monsteeeeeer!!" They're right, but I wish they wouldn't shout about it. They're just going to make more people panic. [Refugee]: "I heard those rumors too, but what the hell is it?" [Refugee]: "I don't know, it's just a monster! Look at those plants! They must be weird mutants too!" [Refugee]: "We saw dragon-like things on the TV too!" [Refugee]: "What the hell...am I dreaming?" I can tell the fear is spreading like a wave toward the front of the line. [Male Employee]: "Please calm down! Do not disturb the line!" A Martel employee moves in and tries to keep everyone organized. His head flies off. Everyone watches it in silence. No one knows what just happened... After a slight crunching noise, the people turn their heads. A hound's jaw is gnawing on the man. Fresh blood spills out, staining his robe. When the man's body falls to its knees, a chorus of screams fills the air. [Refugee]: "What the hell is that!?" [Refugee]: "He's dead! That thing ate him!" [Refugee]: "Run! Run! Uwaaaaaaaaaaa!" The hound wags its tail as it watches the people flee. Anger boils up inside me. The people are running around wildly, knocking each other over. A little girl gets thrown out of the line. In the wild, stragglers are always the first to be picked off. [Girl]: "Hyaa..." A voice so tense it can't even form a scream. *whoosh* The hound rushes toward the girl. I rush toward her as well, while making an aurora blade. The hound's head flies through the air, leaving its body behind. It turns to dust and vanishes before hitting the ground. [Girl]: ".........ah..." Her mother rushes out of line and grabs her. [Kotarou]: "......!" More familiars come out of the woodwork. They begin attacking people. I can't protect all of them at once. A surge of anger spreads through my body. A searing hot pulse numbs my fingertips. I shout from the bottom of my lungs. [Kotarou]: "...STOOOOOOOOP!" Three blades grow out of my wrist. They writhe individually, making sharp metallic noises. With their own instincts, they cut their way into the heart of the familiars. The living blades cut, stab, and carve to their heart's content. [Kotarou]: "You've got plenty of prey this time!" The people fall into complete panic. Shoving, kicking, trampling. The garage entrance gets clogged, slowing things down even more. Everyone fights to get inside. Which only makes it impossible for anyone to get in at all. Mothers reach over the crowd to try and get their children inside. That only heightens the confusion. Insane shrieks. People so terrified they lose bodily control and vomit. People swinging metal pipes around. People climbing on top of the garage. People tackling anyone near the front of the line. I feel completely powerless. I want to shout at them, to remind them they're supposed to be intelligent creatures. There aren't even that many familiars. Most of them will survive if they just stay calm. I'm trying to save you idiots. A sense of futility. I fight automatically, without thinking. Some people give up and sit down a short distance from the garage. Red and green. Poisonous colors in the sky. Spreading vegetation. The song of destruction never ends. Tiny earthquakes occur every so often. Everyone's forgetting their humanity. Are we all going to melt apart and return to the Earth? I hate the planet. The wave of charging people doesn't end. Familiars fly overhead, scaring them further.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> I continue destroying as many as I can. My ferocious blades undulate like three huge serpents. The familiars are diced so rapidly it looks like they're exploding. I'm fighting. I'm doing everything I can. But there are still people dying nearby. No matter how hard I try, people keep dying. ...my heart's on the verge of breaking. I force myself to continue. I want to see Akane when this is all over. And I want to go on one final date. There are a lot of familiars, and a lot of victims. It's just me against all of them. I resist the urge to scream and focus on being efficient. I fight mechanically. I treat it like a job. I continue killing familiars for a few minutes. It feels like hours. After a moment of deafening silence, I realize all the familiars are gone. I literally flattened all of them. But the people continue panicking. I head for the end of the line. ...there is no end. I just keep finding more and more people running to the evacuation point. Eventually, it feels like I'm trying to swim up a waterfall. There's more than before―― I understand. [Kotarou]: "Excuse me! Are you from this area?" I grab a young salaryman and ask him. [Refugee]: "There's a fucking huge dog!" He doesn't answer my question, but I know for sure now. They're attacking another area now! [Refugee]: "They broke the entrance to the shelter. We had to go somewhere else!" The man shakes off my hand, stumbles and starts running again. [Kotarou]: "...damn iiit!" If this keeps happening we'll never get everyone out of here. I have to find the leader and kill him. I can hear the ground shaking. Again, a huge number of people come running. At the front, two young siblings trip and fall. The adults behind them look desperate. They probably didn't even see the children fall. ...again... Again, people are screaming. I hate this. I run, pounding my feet into the ground. I quickly pick up the children and move them to one side before they get trampled. Before I can turn around to yell at the adults... My body is pushed straight up into the air. [Kotarou]: "......!" The sky and earth change places. My body doesn't do what I want it to. I can't even tell if I'm standing up or lying on the ground. I hear the sounds of enormous things colliding in various places. The road undulates, spitting up clouds of dust. It continues for maybe ten seconds. It feels like a few minutes to my body. That was the largest earthquake I've experienced thus far. Even Kazamatsuri is getting them now. Only when it starts to die down can I finally look around and grasp the situation. The first things I see are tall buildings in the distance. Shattered glass covers the roofs of smaller buildings, making them look like snow-capped mountains. Not as many buildings collapsed as I expected. The immediate area is mostly unharmed. They must have state-of-the-art earthquake resistance or something. I look around for more damage. Most structures are intact. I don't see any flattened houses. There aren't any skyscrapers in this area. There's little risk of anything falling down on us. The road is cracked, and parts of it are higher or lower than others, but that's it. Given how big that quake was, this is lucky. Then I realize why. ...tree roots. Underneath the cracked roads is a thick tangle of roots. These made the city able to withstand the shaking. The adults I was about to yell at earlier are all lying on the ground. People can die just from the ground shaking. ...if this is supposed to be karma, I don't like it as much as I thought I would. I put the kids down on the ground. [Kotarou]: "...are you two okay?" They start sniffling, so I grab their shoulders and smile. [Kotarou]: "Calm down. You'll be all right." I give them each a piece of candy. A large jawbreaker. [Kotarou]: "Walk down the middle of the road. Avoid walls and buildings, since they might fall. Everyone else is over that way." [Kotarou]: "Your parents look hurt, so I'll take them to the hospital." [Kotarou]: "You'll be safe once you're in the shelter. It's the safest place on the planet, you know." [Kotarou]: "So pull yourselves together and get going." I push them forward. They start walking, but turn around several times. Two children. This is all I can do. I look at the wounded and the stragglers. No one can help these people anymore. Even what's left of Martel is too busy keeping the refugees in line. I might be the last person to ever come through here trying to help people. I open the doors on every house I find and shout to see if anyone's inside. When I see someone in the garden or on the side of the road, I tell them to head for the shelter. When I find someone unhurt, I ask them to take care of some of the wounded in exchange for telling them the nearest tunnel to the shelter. Many people are already dead. Many others remain inside their creaking houses, lost and confused after their family was crushed by the furniture. Quite a few buildings have partially collapsed. I hear groaning from one of them, but I can't do anything. I'd need specialized equipment to save someone from that mess. People crawl out onto the street like zombies. They've been hiding in their homes, ignoring the evacuation instructions. The earthquake destroyed more than just the roads. It broke their absolute trust in civilization. They just realized the ground under their feet isn't an unshakable rock. [Kotarou]: "Please evacuate!" I shout as I walk down the road. [Kotarou]: "The shelter's that way!" I tell them where to go and help some of them get through the rubble. There's nothing else I can do. I found some survivors who probably can't make it to the shelter, but I still tried to get them somewhere a little safer. This feels like forcing animals to act like intelligent humans. I run across a mostly collapsed building. The first and second floors are diagonal now, and the metal door is warped like chewing gum. I can hear a voice inside. There's someone alive in there. I can tell from their voice that they have enough strength to survive this. I want to help him... [Kotarou]: "Hang in there! I'm coming!" Normally you'd need heavy machinery to get through this. But... [Kotarou]: "Oooooooooooooo!" If I use every muscle in my body... I tear down the door. My hands are torn and bloody, but I did it. The ceiling is touching the floor in several places. ...this is dangerous. [Kotarou]: "Is someone in there!?" Someone says: "Yes!" "There's two of us!" I have to crawl in to get to them. And now that I've torn down the door, I have no idea if this place might collapse on me or not. [Kotarou]: "I'm going to use some special tools. Don't be alarmed." After an "Okay", I release my aurora. [Kotarou]: "...go. This time we're helping someone." My blades slowly move through the tight spaces. ...there. A man holding a small boy. There's a piece of metal sticking into the man's ankle. Rescuing these two won't be easy. But I have to try. First, the child. I manage to pull him out by simply reaching in and grabbing his hands.

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> He's out cold, so I don't have to worry about him freaking out. He's not hurt either. Now the man. First, I try cutting the metal. I fix the angle of my blade and slowly push it to one side. After about a minute, I manage to cut all the way through it. The man's groaning in agony. Apparently there's been pressure on it for so long that the metal's warming up. ...he'll just have to bear with it. This is the safest way to do it. I cut the lower part next. After another minute, his ankle is finally free. Part of it is still inside him, but getting that out will require surgery. That'll have to wait. I grab his hand and pull him out... [Kotarou]: "...Yoshino...is that you?" [Yoshino]: "Tennouji...?" Yoshino's pale and thin. I expect him to insult me or something, but he just smiles. [Kotarou]: "Does it hurt?" [Yoshino]: "...no, I don't feel anything." That's a bad sign. He might lose that foot. [Yoshino]: "What about the kid?" [Kotarou]: "Ah...I think he ran off somewhere." [Yoshino]: "That's for the best." [Kotarou]: "Was he your brother?" [Yoshino]: "A complete stranger. He was crying under a desk in this house, so I tried to help. That's all." [Yoshino]: "But the second floor collapsed while I was in there...and we were stuck." [Kotarou]: "...you did a good job saving him though." [Kotarou]: "Well, unfortunately I don't have a stretcher. I can help you walk to a hospital though." [Yoshino]: "...we still have hospitals?" [Kotarou]: "Temporary ones. There's some doctors here and there trying to help anyone who needs it." [Kotarou]: "Are you going to evacuate?" [Yoshino]: "I was thinking of doing that..." I try to hold Yoshino up on my shoulder. [Yoshino]: "......!" [Kotarou]: "I know it hurts. Bear with it." [Yoshino]: "No problem...!" He seems to be enjoying it. Weirdo. [Yoshino]: "...that's some power you've got." [Kotarou]: "I've been training a lot recently." [Yoshino]: "No, not that." [Yoshino]: "There's no way you could do that just by training." ...so? [Yoshino]: "That glowing stuff definitely wasn't normal." [Kotarou]: "It's not that weird..." [Yoshino]: "...you're a hero, aren't you?" [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Yoshino]: "You're special, right? I have no idea how exactly, but..." [Yoshino]: "I always thought you were different." [Kotarou]: "...you're not panicking, are you?" I can't understand what he's saying. [Yoshino]: "Clark...whatever his last name was, he was a journalist by day after all." [Kotarou]: "That guy was an alien. I'm from Earth." [Yoshino]: "That doesn't matter, you idiot." Why is he enjoying this so much? [Yoshino]: "...you finally look like you're taking things seriously." [Kotarou]: "You're still not making sense." [Yoshino]: "I mean you look honest now." [Kotarou]: "I don't have the time or energy to hide anything now." [Yoshino]: "Huhu..." [Yoshino]: "But you still need to take me to a doctor. Don't forget that." [Kotarou]: "Yeah...don't worry. I plan on doing that." [Yoshino]: "Hey, Tennouji." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Yoshino]: "What the hell happened to the world?" [Kotarou]: "Humanity grew recklessly fast, to the point where the planet was running out of life." [Kotarou]: "So this is like its final safety measure, trying to return all remaining life energy to the planet." [Kotarou]: "Up to you if you believe it." [Yoshino]: "...so that's what it was." ...he believed me? [Yoshino]: "Hey, have you heard about the monster?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah. Did you see it?" [Yoshino]: "No, but the pack's been talking about it a lot." [Kotarou]: "Oh yeah, how has your gang been doing?" [Yoshino]: "I ordered them to stay with their families. I can't let them do anything stupid now." [Kotarou]: "...I see." [Yoshino]: "Hm? ...what's that?" A group of refugees is rushing towards us. They don't look like they're going to stop. I quickly drag Yoshino into a nearby house. I don't like this. They're running away from the nearest evacuation route. Which means... [Refugee]: "Monsteeeeeeeer!!" I squint. Far ahead of me, I can see someone attacking the crowd. I can even see blood flying into the air. [Yoshino]: "...go, Tennouji. I'll be fine here." [Kotarou]: "What?" [Yoshino]: "You fight those things, right?" [Kotarou]: "...no, I..." [Yoshino]: "Go already. Do your job." [Yoshino]: "I'll manage somehow." [Yoshino]: "But can you really beat that thing?" [Kotarou]: ".........yeah, I'll manage." [Yoshino]: "Then get going." [Kotarou]: "I will. Good luck getting yourself to a hospital. Try to get to a shelter within the next few days. There isn't much time left." [Yoshino]: "Okay." Yoshino looks at me, satisfied. I think I finally understand him. [Kotarou]: "...you're just like I used to be." Yoshino laughs. We have nothing else to say. I start running. [Kotarou]: (I'm not like that, Yoshino...) I'm no hero. Nothing that special. I'm on the bad guy's side. I'm one of the monsters. But I can't tell him that. I feel like I'd be shattering his hopes. The least I can do is―― I make new blades. The joints of my claws grate against each other in a metallic rhythm. The least I can do is kill that other monster! The distance to my enemy shrinks rapidly. [Refugee]: "H-help!" I leap over someone who's about to be killed next. I hold my arm out, so that momentum will help with my first attack. My claws slam right into the monster's head. Then it swings its own arm, shattering my blades. But―― [Kotarou]: "Takasago-san!" I quickly make new blades and slash at his face. [Takasago]: "...uuoooo!" His giant body leaps back with lightning-fast reflexes. I follow him. Takasago throws away the police baton he was using. The tip has some blood and flesh stuck to it. He's quick. His reflexes are almost as good as a superhuman's. [Takasago]: "Wait, don't rush this!" [Takasago]: "We're just getting...!" I charge. [Takasago]: "Heh!" With a shrill laugh, he grabs hold of my arm and pushes it to one side.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> He twists my joints and forces them in an unnatural direction. My arm's going to break! My blades switch direction and stick into his back. [Takasago]: "...hmph!" Takasago lets go of my arm and moves back. He takes an ampule out of his pocket and injects it into his neck. What? Was that morphine or something? Takasago looks at me and smirks. A glowing circle appears at his feet. Out of it comes a large wolf, with thick, elegant fur. The nearby refugees scream. ...it's just a wolf. Why'd he summon one of these? I sense danger. This familiar is more powerful than the hounds from before. I slash. The wolf nimbly evades it. Then it opens its jaw, in order to bite my blades. But their instincts kick in just before its teeth clamp down. The blades multiply and attack the dog mercilessly. No need to control them at this point. They tangle up and their fangs sink into it from every side. The wolf did break one blade with its jaws, but other blades run through his gut in exchange. I look back toward Takasago, in case he's about to summon more. But his face bugs me more than anything else. That's not a human face anymore. It's bright red all over, and drenched in sweat. His eyes are sticking out, his breathing is rough, and he's even drooling. What the hell did he do to himself...? The fight between familiars ends. My beasts disappear, leaving the wolf standing there. They ate every part of it they could. The wolf takes one step forward. It's as if I'm being told to finish it off myself. But I shouldn't do that. Something is connecting my wrist to the wolf's head, and it's telling me that. Suddenly, three blades come out of the wolf's waist in different directions. They start revolving like a propeller, cutting the wolf apart from the inside. The familiar turns to dust, and the aurora loses shape and comes back inside me. [Takasago]: "...that was the strongest familiar I had." [Takasago]: "You're wondering why I can control this many familiars all by myself, aren't you?" [Takasago]: "A long time ago, I wanted to impress people, so I made a point of making as many contracts as I possibly could." I can tell he's suppressing laughter as he speaks. [Takasago]: "Just making contracts is actually really easy. Summoning and using them is the hard part." [Takasago]: "I should've just stuck to a handful of really powerful familiars." Takasago's expression changes. Combined with everything else that's wrong with his face, he looks like a true demon now. [Takasago]: "I could've killed so many more if I did that!" [Takasago]: "So what do you think? Are you pissed that you couldn't stop me?" [Takasago]: "I killed all these people, wasting all your hard work. That makes your blood boil, doesn't it? Right?" He's right. But I'm not going to let him get any pleasure from that. [Kotarou]: "They'd have returned to the planet in a few days anyway." [Takasago]: "Oh? Then why are you guys evacuating them?" [Kotarou]: "...I agree, there's not much point to it." The one thing that does matter to me right now is... [Kotarou]: "And what you're doing is just as pointless." [Kotarou]: "If you want to run away just go into the shelter yourself. If you wanted revenge, you could've attacked me directly. All you're doing is dragging this out." [Takasago]: "I told you it's not all about you." [Takasago]: "I can do anything I want now, so I want to do something! That's all!" [Takasago]: "I'm being optimistic. I'm being active. I've never felt like this before. This is freedom." [Kotarou]: "...you're not making any sense." [Takasago]: "I don't have to. I'm just doing whatever the hell I feel like!" Takasago's still holding one of those ampules. [Kotarou]: "So you're on drugs now? That's just unfair." [Takasago]: "Can't help that. I need this source of energy now!" [Takasago]: "This stuff makes my body temperature rise, boosts my spirit and stamina, and gives me stronger and faster muscles." He injects another one. [Takasago]: "And the more I use the better it all gets!" [Takasago]: "My fists are as hard as steel. Even my bones and muscles are rock-hard!" [Takasago]: "And feeling so happyyyyyyyy!" [Kotarou]: "...you've lost it." [Takasago]: "Did you know? Oxygen's actually poisonous. But we evolved until we could make use of it, then we were able to move faster than other creatures." [Takasago]: "Poison has a lot of energy in it." [Kotarou]: "Did you...?" [Takasago]: "It was so cold in the forest." [Takasago]: "I was too hurt to move...I had to suck puddles of dirty water...my body rotted, my stomach was full of toxins...then I realized." [Takasago]: "What if I changed the dead parts of my body into familiars?" ...it's possible. Changing yourself into a familiar piece by piece as you die. It's a crazy idea, but it's theoretically possible. And the forest is sacred to Gaia... Especially around where the Key appeared, the land is filled with life energy. Takasago's body was decomposed by bacteria faster than most. And that's why he figured out how to do this. [Takasago]: "But if you're on the verge of death, there's no way you'd have the energy to use familiars, right?" [Takasago]: "But I had another idea." [Takasago]: "I tried converting other poisons into energy." [Takasago]: "And it worked! I can break down poisons and convert them to energy now!" He uses two more ampules. [Takasago]: "It's deliciouuuuus!!" [Kotarou]: "...so...the parts of you that aren't dead...are still getting poisoned." Takasago's face... That's what people look like when they've taken too many drugs. [Takasago]: "It's all going to end soon anyway. Who cares?" [Takasago]: "But it's such a shame that all this fun isn't going to last." [Takasago]: "Don't you think so, Tennouji-kun?" [Kotarou]: "You're not part of Gaia or anything anymore." [Kotarou]: "Especially now that Kashima Sakura's dead." [Takasago]: "I killed her." [Kotarou]: ".........what was that?" [Takasago]: "I'm the one who killed her, so of course I know about it." One of his familiarized parts must be itching, because he scratches his neck as he says it. So he turned himself into that, then killed Kashima Sakura... Maybe he used a familiar to do it, but the details don't matter. [Kotarou]: "Do you have any idea what you've done?" [Takasago]: "She always treated me like a meat sack anyway, so I got back at her." [Takasago]: "I made good use of Guardian's tricks. Gotta take my job seriously." [Takasago]: "I hope that caused lots of trouble for your girl too..."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> His face looks like that of a bride overjoyed to be getting married. ...he's completely beyond help. [Kotarou]: "...that's enough, gyoza ears." [Takasago]: "Oh no, don't be like that, Tennouji-kun. You can't call people names." [Takasago]: "...that'll make them want to kill you." I see cuts in his arm that look like gills. He swings his arm, making fluid fly out of it. I jump back, and little holes form in the ground everywhere the stuff lands. So he can use poison as a weapon too. I quickly counterattack with aurora. I swing my arm around, making my blades stretch out farther than usual as they approach him. The back of his fist easily breaks through them. Considering how much damage his fists did before, it's obvious that part of him is a familiar. [Takasago]: "Come on, pay attention while I'm showing you this. Don't die too quickly now." [Takasago]: "The battle wouldn't be any fun if you did." Cold sweat rolls down my back. Despite his personality, Takasago's fighting defensively. If I approach him, he blocks with his iron fists, and if I back off, he starts throwing poison. I can't land a blow on him, and he can't do any real damage to me either, so we effectively just glare at each other for a few minutes. The biggest problem is that I don't know where his weak points are. Takasago looks normal on the outside, but random parts of his body are familiars now. I think it's safe to assume most of his torso is a familiar. ...because that's what I cut to shreds in the forest. His neck and head are obviously normal, but he keeps defending it with his fists, so I won't be able to hit it easily. Most importantly, Takasago isn't doing anything rash. [Takasago]: "What's wrong? Try some other stuff. Give it your best shot. Challenge your limits. You've got god-given talent so make something of it!" I have nothing to say to him anymore. If he's only doing this for fun, he's not worth responding to. [Takasago]: "Ha! Do I need to make you even madder?" Takasago leaps back, farther than anyone his size should be able to, and grabs a refugee hiding behind a vending machine. Then, without hesitation or mercy, he... I tell myself to stay calm. I can't let him make me angry. [Takasago]: "That's still not sad enough for you?" He tears down a wall like a piece of paper, then throws poison through it. I can see several silhouettes through the gap. Someone who escaped the shower of poison runs away. I rush toward him. But he points his poison arm at me again, and I know I can't risk getting any closer. [Takasago]: "Did that do it?" He grabs the fleeing man with his fingertips, and throws the man behind him. The man flies dozens of meters, and lands in a pile of rubble. From that height, there's no way he... [Takasago]: "Huh, I don't see any more...should we head somewhere else?" He leaps over a house. [Kotarou]: "...dammit, stop this!" By the time I catch up, he's already surrounded by a pile of corpses. ...I can't hold back any more. [Kotarou]: "Youuuuuuuuuu!" I rush toward him, but he points his arm at me again. [Kotarou]: "Uu..." I try sidestepping in both directions, but he stays on me. By the time I finally get close, he just leaps back again. Then he pulls out another ampule and jams it into him. [Takasago]: "Any other fun things I can do?" [Takasago]: "I want the ultimate ecstasy." [Takasago]: "I see some nice victims over there." He points at a group of refugees. I recognize one of them. [Kotarou]: "...Sensei! Run...! Please, ruuuuuun!" [Takasago]: "Oh-ho! You know her? Excellent. Who is she?" [Takasago]: "Maybe if I pull off her limbs one at a time I'll be able to guess from your reactions." [Takasago]: "Okaaaay, let's find out what kind of "sensei" you are..." Takasago walks toward the group. I run toward him, aiming for his neck. Takasago effortlessly blocks with one arm. The strongest blade I could make digs into him. But I can't cut through. He twists his arm until his hardened flesh snaps off my blade. Then he hits me in the shoulder, knocking me backward. [Kotarou]: "...uuuuu." [Takasago]: "Hmph." He snorts at me, then continues walking toward the group. They all stare blankly at the huge man approaching them. My teacher steps forward. The group is made up largely of the wounded and elderly. [Teacher]: "Umm, if you want to hurt us, would you mind talking a little first? I used to be his teacher." I almost want to cry. [Takasago]: "Come oooon! Don't just give away the answer before we even get started!" He grabs Sensei's head with his poison-soaked fingers. I can only see the bottom half of her face now. She manages to get out a muffled scream. [Teacher]: "Please...let's talk about this?" [Takasago]: "I'll crush your head slowly, so talk all you want until you die." I hear her skull crack slightly. [Teacher]: ".........gaee..." A voice I've never heard before. I'm almost impressed by his destruction. Does this man have this power just to make people capable of emitting these noises? Everything's broken. My teacher's life is breaking. My sanity is breaking. Someone...please stop him. I hear a gunshot, and Takasago's hand lets go. [Plainclothes Officer]: "...d-don't move...!" One man is holding up a gun. Smoke comes out of the barrel, and a smashed piece of metal appears on Takasago's arm. He flicks it off. [Takasago]: "Oh, are you one of the detectives who was looking into Martel?" [Plainclothes Officer]: "What the hell are you!? What happened to your face!?" [Takasago]: "What about my face?" [Plainclothes Officer]: "Are you taking drugs?" [Takasago]: "What? Poison is delicious!" He suddenly steps forward and swings a fist toward the man. The officer falls to the ground, his limbs stiff. There's a massive dent in his head. [Plainclothes Officer]: "Iishimaaa! You bastard!" More officers come out of the woodwork. They start shooting. They all hit, but all the bullets can do is bruise his skin. Medium or high-level familiars can't be killed by conventional weapons. [Plainclothes Officer]: "We surrender!" [Takasago]: "Surrender is something the strong force on the weak. You don't get to choose it." Acid burns the policeman's face off like butter. A fist crushes another policeman's organs. A roundhouse kick breaks two more in half. Four new corpses in seconds. [Takasago]: "Sorry for the interruption, Sensei." [Teacher]: "...we can...talk about this..." She's pale and shaking, but not running away. Takasago picks her up again... After showing just how powerful he is――

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> I cut down a sign and smack him with it. The stop sign sticks to Takasago's face, speaking for me. [Takasago]: "Ooooh?" For the first time, one of my attacks makes him stagger and fall to one knee. [Kotarou]: (――That's it!) I know what to do now. Takasago's eyes fill with anger and he tries to stand up. I grab a speed limit sign and swing it down on him. [Takasago]: "Gaaaa!" Takasago almost falls to the ground. He's down on all fours now. I get a "bicycles only" sign. I swing it low like a golf club. The uppercut forces him to stand back up awkwardly. That's it for signs. I look for more blunt weapons. I hit him with a bench. [Takasago]: "...uu!" I throw some flowerpots. [Takasago]: "Dammit, you......" [Takasago]: "Cut it out already!" He throws poison at me from close range. I've been waiting for that. [Kotarou]: "Daaaaaaaaaaaaa!" I don't even care if my right hand melts off anymore. My blades slide into the slits in his arm. I barely feel any resistance. My blades get inside his body. [Takasago]: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?" He slaps me in the side of the head with his other hand. I crash into a wall, damaging my eardrums. [Kotarou]: "...dammit..." I'm deaf in one ear now. [Teacher]: "Tennouji-kun! Tennouji-kun!" Please, stay back, Sensei. If you stay here he'll just use you. [Takasago]: "I can heal that in no time!" He takes out more ampules. [Kotarou]: "Taaaaaakaaaaaasaaaaaaagooooooo!!" I jump kick him. I hit his wrist, knocking away the ampules. [Takasago]: "You!?" As his fist comes toward me, I hit him in the elbow and change its course. His fist digs into the ground. [Kotarou]: "Hiiiiiiya!" His face is defenseless. I hit it with the strongest roundhouse kick I can muster. Takasago stumbles. I grab his waist, trying to tackle him. I push against the ground. [Takasago]: "Whoa!? Oh!?" [Kotarou]: "Fall over already!" [Takasago]: "Shut up you brat!" His body tilts. His left hand slams into my face from point-blank range. Something tells me to ignore it. [Kotarou]: (...doesn't matter, I have to bring him down!) I push, and feel a sharp pain in my left shoulder. The next moment, aurora bursts out of my shoulder and skewers his fist. The blades change further inside his body, cutting apart everything they can find. Whatever was keeping those poisons from hurting him is broken now, and his entire arm suddenly becomes inflamed, giving off a powerful stench. [Takasago]: "～～～～～!!" He falls over, shaking the ground. I look down at the monster, and I'm filled with a burning desire to finish him. I get down on top of him. I shout as I pound my fists into his face. [Takasago]: "Uu...uuu...u...!" My hands tear, and blood comes out. I feel no pain. But no matter how hard I hit, I'm not killing him. This isn't enough! My fists aren't lethal enough! Even though he's weak to blunt weapons! [Yoshino]: "Use this, Tennouji!" Yoshino throws something toward me. A pair of brass knuckles! (actually stainless steel) [Kotarou]: (Perfect timing, Yoshino!) I put them on and beat the crap out of Takasago's face. No more strategy or tactics. Just keep hitting him until he stops moving. With every punch I try to break his skull. He punches me back. I still have the advantage, but his fists still have the power of a small explosion. I can feel the shocks ripple through my innards. But that doesn't change the fact that I can hit him a lot faster than he can hit me from this position. I can do damage faster than he can. I madly pound his face into the ground. Takasago's guard weakens. My blows are definitely hurting him now! [Kotarou]: "Diiiiiiiie!!!" The brass knuckles break, and parts of them fly away. I stand up. I put my hands together. I swing my arms up as high as possible. With all my body weight, muscle strength and soul, I bring my fists down on his face. Takasago's face shatters. [Takasago]: "Uu...gaaaaaaaaaa――!" Takasago swings an arm. It hits me in the side, throwing me off. [Takasago]: "You...fucking brat...!!" He picks himself up first. He holds his face with one hand, and I can see dark blood pouring out from between his fingers. [Takasago]: "Tennoujiii! ...I'm going to...tear that woman apart...!" Instead of attacking me, he heads toward my teacher. Sensei, run! I thought I screamed that, but no voice comes out. I've taken a lot of damage. I can't even stand up... I try to put a foot on the ground and push myself up...but my knees give out. But Takasago's legs still work, and he's heading straight for my teacher. She glares at Takasago. ...why won't you run? [Takasago]: "I commend you for not running..." [Teacher]: "I can't leave one of my students behind." [Takasago]: "That's nice. If I had a teacher like you..." [Takasago]: "I would've beaten the crap out of you!" He reaches out, but his arm stops before it reaches its target. [Takasago]: "...hm? ...oooh?" His body sinks. His arm begins convulsing. It doesn't stop. [Takasago]: "Wh-what? Why is my...arm...?" The shaking spreads through the rest of his body. [Kotarou]: "You've finally hit your limit." [Takasago]: "...not yet...I'm not done yet..." Takasago slowly turns, glaring at me over his shoulder. [Takasago]: "I just...need more energy..." [Takasago]: "Then I'll be happyyyyyy!" He uses more ampules. One after the other. Three. Four. I don't know what kind of drugs he's using. But there's too much for him to inject all at once. He throws the remaining ampules into his mouth. He crushes them with his teeth. The blend of toxins dribbles out of the corners of his mouth, forming a little rainbow waterfall. [Takasago]: "...heh...heheheh...this is good...yes..." Takasago's whole body begins to crumble into powder. Powder with absolutely bizarre colors formed by mixtures of poisons and bodily fluids. His familiarized body parts couldn't take it any more. His arms, abdomen, thighs...all turn to murky, reddish-black water. [Takasago]: "Much...better..." Most of his body is gone now. He stands with only bones, skin, and a head. Neither a human nor a familiar.

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> This is the death of a man loyal to neither Gaia nor Guardian. I can't bear to watch. I force myself to stand up. I make a single blade. I push it through Takasago's forehead. ...the strength rushes out of me after my hollow victory is complete. The last of Takasago's body turns to dust. [Kotarou]: (That was tiring...) [Refugee]: "You're amazing!" The survivors surround me. [Refugee]: "Thank you so much, you saved our lives." [Refugee]: "I have no idea how you did that...I still can't believe it." [Refugee]: "Thank you for saving us." They praise me. I search for a response. [Kotarou]: "No, I..." I'm not like that. I'm responsible for making the world end this way. What I helped bring about is worse than any genocide. But I can't say that. [Teacher]: "Tennouji-kun, you saved my life." [Yoshino]: "Hmph. Good job taking down that monster." [Kotarou]: "Sensei...Yoshino..." [Yoshino]: "...just so you know, I wasn't holding on to those for a future duel with you or anything." [Yoshino]: "They're not weapons. I just thought they were nice pieces of silver..." Ah, I'm no good at this... [Yoshino]: "Why the hell are you crying...?" Sensei says nothing, instead helping me up. [Kotarou]: "I'm not like that..." [Teacher]: "It's all right." [Kotarou]: "I'm no hero or anything..." [Teacher]: "Okay." [Yoshino]: "Hell yes you are. You gave that fight everything you had, didn't you?" [Yoshino]: "How is that not heroic!?" [Yoshino]: "Now stop grumbling about it." [Teacher]: "Yoshino-kun." [Yoshino]: "...fine." Praise. Respect. Thanks. Smiles. Kindness. It all hurts. The people begin to calm down. By the time evening turns to night, word spreads to the rest of the refugees. Apparently Takasago had been attacking several other places too. Just to terrorize the town and hinder the evacuation. They think I'm a hero. I can't stand it. Sensei stays with me the whole time and protects me from their words. But even that kindness weighs on me. We bring together as many of the surviving refugees as possible. Several of the evacuation routes are blocked now. We had no choice but to move them elsewhere. The problem now is fighting between refugees. There aren't enough Martel employees to watch them all. Some people waiting outside the tunnel entrances try to stop others from joining them. Similar problems occur in every area. And that's when the police choose to make a move. The chief investigator of the police department shows up with his subordinates and introduces himself. Apparently he was in charge of the Martel investigation. He says he wants to help with the evacuation, and we accept unconditionally. He explains that the special investigation headquarters ordered his unit dissolved. Because of all the new problems happening across Japan, the police had to reevaluate their priorities. Two hundred of his investigators are supposed to be recalled to Tokyo, but... There's no way for them to get there anymore. So they decided to take independent action, and help out here instead. ...that's what the chief tells us. I tell him about the shelter. The "artificial future". A perfectly safe place where everyone can live. Enough food, water, housing and medical facilities for everyone. The officers look relieved. They also realized that these events are beyond normal human comprehension, so they wanted something firm to cling to. Once we understand each other's situation, they promise to assist us in any way they can. ...there's not a lot they can do for us, but I'm still grateful. We ask them to guard tunnel entrances and help keep the refugees under control. And we agree that they'll go into the shelter themselves after all the civilians are in. Three days later. About seventy percent of the people have made it in. The natural disasters have stopped. But restoring civilized society after the damage they've done looks impossible. These disasters took place on a worldwide scale, so there won't be any aid or relief from anywhere. Everyone has to fight for themselves. The whole world is in ruins. No more power, gas or running water anywhere. There were trucks delivering water at one point, but those are gone now too. People are starving, dying of thirst, suffering. I talk to the government inside the shelter. I ask if they can spare any food or water. They refuse. The supplies they have down there are vital to ensure humanity's survival in the future. They cannot be sent back outside that closed world. But they do say that they'll offer them to anyone who makes it down there. The remaining people are losing energy. They look like zombies as they sit down and wait. Just about all of the TVs have stopped receiving broadcasts now. We still hear something from a radio every so often, but it's just news about a rescue operation here and there. The people they saved are outnumbered a thousand to one by those who died somewhere else in the world. Within the city, the monthly Terra magazine acts as our source of news. It claims to have reestablished itself inside the shelter after its staff evacuated. ...but I wish they hadn't written that "mysterious hero saves the people!" article. At the moment, the biggest threat is the vegetation. Ever since the song filled the world, the plants have been acting like familiars. We've been warning people not to approach the forest. If any of them go in, they'll never come back. The forest itself continues greedily devouring the city. Kazamatsuri was always surrounded by forests. It's impossible to get in or out anymore without aircraft. Will we be able to evacuate everyone before the forest engulfs us? We ask for volunteers to form a team to try and slow down the plants. But every single vine is like a thick rope now. I don't expect them to accomplish much. [Male Employee]: "Tennouji-kun, the forest is getting extremely close to us." [Kotarou]: "...I guess we'll have to move." We need to move a large crowd of people again. I look at the map, and feel despair. The vegetation covers 45% of the city now. None of us want to look at maps anymore. [Kotarou]: "These areas are cut off now...we won't be able to reach them." [Male Employee]: "Can we go underground? There should be a subway tunnel connecting them." [Female Employee]: "It's even more dangerous underground. The roots move just as fast." [Male Employee]: "And the people who've died down there start producing toxic gases." [Kotarou]: "Gas?" [Male Employee]: "Because they decompose so quickly. With all the changes to the environment even bacteria are working faster than usual...and those gases are flammable." [Female Employee]: "It's probably hydrogen sulfide. It's heavier than air, so it's not safe to try going underground in any of these areas." [Kotarou]: "...haa..." The more time passes, the fewer options we have. [Male Employee]: "Get some sleep, Tennouji-kun. I'll take your place." I head outside for some fresh air. One of the information networks that is still functioning is the internet. Anyone can produce a strong enough signal to connect to it now. There's a lot of blatantly false information too, but we can still get precious data on important regions. Over a billion people have died worldwide. That's insane.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> And we know that number's only going to increase, until we're extinct. I look up at the sky. Three helicopters pass over us. I feel tense. [Kotarou]: (Is that...Guardian?) They don't look like news choppers. They're military. They're heading for the Martel HQ. Something flies past them at high speed. One helicopter falls to the ground. Other airborne familiars attack the remaining two. The helicopters rapidly lose altitude, and all their passengers leap out. But the familiars don't let anyone escape. They converge on the superhumans like storm clouds before they even hit the ground. When the familiars disperse, nothing but a red mist remains. Even superhumans can't do much in midair. [Kotarou]: (...why are they sending troops here?) And why again? They should know about the familiars up there. Does this mean Akane's still near the HQ? But if she is, I should have found her ages ago. And everyone can hear the song now. But those familiars are still taking down helicopters. The sky―― There's a thick cloud over the HQ. That cloud...feels unnatural. There's one little piece of it that's thicker than the rest. Plus it's lower than most clouds. It didn't stand out much because of how bizarre the sky's been lately... But even at that height, we shouldn't be able to hear people singing from up there. I head inside the building. The plants haven't invaded this area yet. I find the stairs and head for the top floor. Then I go outside and climb up to the roof. ...nothing. Not even a hint. Even if they are singing from way up there... How the hell did they get there? On a flying familiar? A familiar capable of transporting several people through the air. I've never heard of one like that. But I can't say for sure there isn't one. [Kotarou]: "...I don't get it." I really want to see Akane. I just want to see her. And talk to her. Goof around for a little, then have a more serious conversation. ...she's so far away. I can't reach her from here. Two days later. The evacuation finishes. All the TVs and radios are long dead. We can't find any new posts on the internet either. The green has probably covered everything. Most of Kazamatsuri has disappeared already. It's a literal sea of vegetation now. All that remain are a couple dozen employees who helped with the last of the evacuation. [Male Employee]: "...we've decided to go to the shelter after all." [Kotarou]: "I see. I'm glad to hear that." [Female Employee]: "...it just feels wrong to throw away our lives now..." [Male Employee]: "Well, there's also the fact that I don't really want to die." Everyone laughs. It is still unnatural for humans to simply accept death. Maybe if your ideals brought you to some kind of enlightenment you could do it. But after helping to save so many lives, it's impossible to stay enlightened. Being in contact with other lives does that to you. [Male Employee]: "Tennouji-kun, come with us! I really do think you should survive this." There isn't much time left to look for Akane. The world might be completely covered in green tomorrow. Will I never see her again...? Will I never talk to her again...? My chest feels tight. I want to scream. My feelings swirl around uncontrollably, and my closed eyelids quiver as if they're not my own. I really can't accept this... If we could've just talked a little more... My reluctance remains stuck in my throat. [Kotarou]: "...okay." [Kotarou]: "...I'll go." Everyone around me looks relieved. [Male Employee]: "...we understand how you feel." It's nice being surrounded by other sinners. I'm so used to darkness that the light blinds me at first. I feel a little dizzy as my eyes adjust. Everyone's groaning. I can't hear the song. That proves we're not in the real world anymore. [Kotarou]: "...so this is the shelter." It looks very different from the last time I was here. It feels like a lower-resolution version of the real Kazamatsuri City. I don't see anyone living in the buildings. It has the bleakness of a ghost town. Tons of people are walking around the streets, but it doesn't feel the same as a bustling city. It feels like a foreign land. Groups of people in shabby clothing fill the roads. Each group is attended to by a robed man holding a list. They seem to be assigning everyone housing. There's plenty of room to go around. The city's designed to support five hundred thousand residents. That's more than enough for all the refugees. We can even handle some future population growth. Everyone's a bit confused, but no one's causing trouble. There's a reception area next to each tunnel exit. They're giving everyone new ID cards. Every single refugee is required to report to them. We thank each other for all the hard work. There's a long, winding line in front of the desk. I'm not exactly eager to stand in line, so I decide to walk around a bit. Clearings and parks are filled with wounded people. A small number of men and women in white coats are running around. There's no power or state-of-the-art medicine here. So for the most part they're just doing first aid. But not the same as usual. People who can't survive aren't being forced to live longer than they should. We'll probably have slightly different medical ethics in this world. I look for Yoshino, but I can't find him. He should be here somewhere... In other areas, rice is being distributed to everyone who needs it. A series of cooking pots makes enough stew for thousands of people. This world is a closed space, like a piece of the globe cut out and removed from the rest. I've been told we have the same ecosystem here as on the surface. There are vast fields of grain outside Kazamatsuri City. They're here too. Even the mountains and rivers beyond them are visible. Apparently it took the lives of tens of thousands of summoners to make all this. They stabilized this environment by filling it with invisible life energy. There's no Sun or Moon here. Instead, the clouds drifting overhead give off their own gentle light. When necessary they give off heat and wind to support the local environment. This place doesn't have much resistance to environmental destruction. We can't afford to let anyone dump toxins in the forest. Any large scale use of fire could also be catastrophic. Much of modern science can't be pursued without similar risks. We can only use just enough of the resources here to keep ourselves alive. We'll probably avoid cooking with fire in the future. In time it won't be a normal thing anymore. Eventually it'll be something we do only on special occasions. But it's not like that yet. One of the girls with an armband saying "Food Distributor" comes up to me, holding bread and a bowl of stew. Do I look that exhausted? [Kotarou]: "...ah, I'm fine." [Kotarou]: "Give it to someone who needs it." She runs off. I still have some candy in my pocket. As I walk around, I sometimes get dizzy from low blood sugar. I carry these around to help deal with that. I put the last one in my mouth. I look for somewhere to throw away the wrapper, then realize something. [Kotarou]: (I shouldn't have brought this in here...) There's no way for us to dispose of vinyl or cellophane anymore.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> We'll never be able to get mass-produced candies like this either. I stick the wrapper in my pocket. The road in front of the train station has a huge collection of supplies. Medical supplies, and other necessities. Things we won't be able to make ourselves anymore. There are more people in robes here. They must be acting as guards. Apparently they're all first-class summoners. Meaning they're part of Gaia. The kind of people who can't handle normal life. Now they can't even return to the planet, and have to help us survive down here. How do they feel about this? ...the least I can do is stay out of their way. I head somewhere else, before they start to wonder why I'm here. For some reason, I walk to school. There's almost no one around. If I'd lived a normal life, I would've graduated from here... It doesn't really feel nostalgic. Just a relic of the distant past. I see a familiar flying in the sky. Probably a messenger. We won't be able to use cell phones here. I bet a lot of people brought their phones out of habit... Cell phones have a lot of valuable metals in them. If we recycle them properly, we might be able to make something useful. ...but that's for later. I walk to Gaia's HQ. [Kotarou]: "What the...?" This is the other part of the "observer" tree. But in this world it's grown larger than Jack's beanstalk. It's shooting up to the heavens. Its trunk looks like it's flickering, but that's probably because it's trying to prevent me from recognizing it. I can still see it. It's over 800 meters tall. I think I can see structures being supported by its branches. Hallways... It hits me. [Kotarou]: "...she's in the sky." There. Akane's up there. Even if she isn't, I have to check. My feelings begin boiling again. I'm filled with the urge to rush madly forward. I still can't accept it. I'll never accept not seeing Akane again! There's so much we still haven't done. Robed men surround the facility. [Robed Man]: "This area is restricted..." They tell me I can't go through here. I don't want to fight them. I head for a nearby garage. There are lots of refugees in here. Everyone who's finished waiting in line for their ID is just sitting around with nothing to do. I slip by them and into one of the tunnels. If the layout's the same as in the real world... [Robed Man]: "Hey, what are you..." [Kotarou]: "Forgot something inside!" He scolds me. Hopefully that'll keep him from suspecting me... I find the tunnel that should connect to the HQ. [Kotarou]: (...wait right there.) My body feels light. As if I was never exhausted at all. Something's approaching me. I can hear their footsteps behind me. Two four-legged animals...so probably hounds. They're going to catch me sooner or later. I may as well get rid of them here. I stop, and listen to the two sets of footsteps approach me. Now... I step forward and swing my arm, like throwing a baseball. Blades of aurora cut the two dogs' heads into slivers. I run through the darkness, and approach the basement. I sense three hounds ahead of me. They're coming towards me, changing their positions as they run. I can beat them of course, but it's still nerve-wracking when they leap towards me. The last one turns to dust. [Kotarou]: "...huuu." That took a little too long... But I don't sense any other familiars up ahead. I grab a ladder heading up. [Kotarou]: "There we go." I slowly emerge into the first floor. There's no lighting. Much of the area is filled up by the tree. I take the emergency stairs up to the top floor. The roof access is filled in, just like in the other world. I head outside. [Kotarou]: "......!" Unlike in the other world, there's a way to get to the roof from here. This "observer" and the one in the other world's control room are one and the same. Which means... I climb up to the roof. [Kotarou]: (It really is like Jack's beanstalk...) There's plenty of gaps inside the tree. The inside is like a spiral staircase up to the clouds. It's certainly possible to make a tree familiar with this structure. The space inside is cramped. It's only just big enough for someone to walk up. I start climbing. There's nothing especially difficult about this. I run up at almost full speed. Suddenly, I find a hallway branching out from the spiral. It's just a simple suspension bridge with a paper-thin roof, but it extends between branches. I think I've reached the top. I head down that hallway, and find more stairs. I climb them, and reach another hallway. I end up in a large open area with pots containing food and other supplies. It seems like someone could live here temporarily. But I still haven't seen any people. I keep going. I reach a final flight of stairs. When I reach the top, I can't believe my eyes or ears. The song of destruction echoes through the sky. But this time I can hear people singing it too. [Kotarou]: (...this world again.) The floor here is transparent, but I can't see what's below us because of all the leaves and branches. However, I can see the distant horizon, and the forests covering it. So where the hell am I? There wasn't anything in the real world to support a structure this high in the air. Maybe this is some weird property of the observer I don't understand. Anyway, this is definitely an airborne structure over Gaia HQ. If the observer in the shelter is crossing dimensions to hold this thing up, then... That means it's impossible to get here without first going down into the shelter. From 800 meters in the air, Kazamatsuri looks more black than green. This is what a real forest looks like. The only beautiful green forests are ones we've tamed. Nature is filthy and ugly. The city is sinking into a sea of trees like dirty mud. ...I look toward them. Toward the group of singers standing atop the altar. They're standing in a circle, facing outward. But the circle has a lot of holes. There aren't many of them left. It should take over a hundred people to complete that circle. Now I only see thirty or forty. [Akane]: "...so you did come." I haven't heard her voice in such a long time it numbs my heart. I want to run up to her and hold her, but something stops me. Her grave expression. It feels like she'd reject me. [Akane]: "As you can see, we're still busy." [Kotarou]: "Looks like it." [Kotarou]: "You've killed a lot of people." Akane smiles bitterly. [Akane]: "Obviously." [Akane]: "Don't tell me you came all the way here just to say that?" [Akane]: "It's useless. The rest of the planet will sink into the forest in a few hours." [Akane]: "Go. I don't need your power anymore." [Kotarou]: "...I don't think I can accept that." Akane shrugs. [Akane]: "There are some humans who continue choosing to do stupid things no matter how hard they think about them...so you're one of them."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Akane]: "If you can't accept this, then what do you plan to do about it?" [Kotarou]: "...the Key's alive, right?" Akane gestures with her jaw. There's a tree growing in the center of the circle. [Akane]: "It doesn't look like a girl anymore, but it's there." [Kotarou]: "...so it did survive that." [Kotarou]: "What would happen if everyone stopped singing now?" [Akane]: "I don't know...the Key might stop singing, or it might not." [Akane]: "Even if it does stop, salvation might continue." [Kotarou]: "But it might not." [Akane]: "...true." [Akane]: "So, what do you want to do?" [Kotarou]: "...I've been thinking about this for a long time, but..." [Kotarou]: "Akane-san, have you been waiting for me to stop you?" [Akane]: "...what?" She looks at me, as if she can't understand what I said. [Kotarou]: "Akane-san, did you ever really care about the future of the planet?" [Akane]: "Why would I go to all this trouble if I didn't?" She spreads out her arms. [Akane]: "Once salvation resets all life, we can start evolving once again." [Akane]: "Then we can hope to be reborn as something better." [Kotarou]: "...I don't think that has any relevance to us humans." [Akane]: "Your perspective is too narrow." [Kotarou]: "I don't think it's good for any human to have the perspective of a god." [Kotarou]: "I still don't get how you can deny all of humanity's right to exist..." [Akane]: "But people are stupid. If they're left alone they'd just wipe themselves out eventually." [Kotarou]: "That's true." [Kotarou]: "We never plan for the long term, we like destroying things, and I'm sure from the planet's point of view we're nothing but trouble." [Kotarou]: "...but this is still cruel." [Kotarou]: "I'm not trying to say people can change or anything idealistic like that." [Akane]: "Salvation is something all summoners want deep down." [Akane]: "The desire to change the world is what creates familiars." [Akane]: "People who can produce familiars are ones who can't accept life the way it is." [Akane]: "Many people who can't accept reality at all make for excellent summoners." [Akane]: "So it's no surprise I wish for salvation as much as the rest of them." [Kotarou]: "I thought you were bad at controlling familiars." [Kotarou]: "You weren't good enough to wish for salvation, at least." [Akane]: "Salvation is the holy woman's duty." [Kotarou]: "That was forced on you by others." [Akane]: "It's my own desire now." [Akane]: "I hate humans, and this world." [Kotarou]: "But not enough to destroy it." [Akane]: "Yes I do!" [Kotarou]: "Do you hate me?" [Akane]: ".........why are you saying that?" [Kotarou]: "Your sadness has nothing to do with what you've experienced." [Kotarou]: "You know that as well as I do." [Kotarou]: "It was forced on you. And you were kept under control so you couldn't run away from it." [Kotarou]: "By the previous holy woman." Akane's expression is blank. But she's been suppressing her emotions for a long time, so she probably doesn't know what expression to make. [Kotarou]: "It's hard to stop." [Kotarou]: "You were never that cold-hearted." [Akane]: "What are you...?" [Kotarou]: "So you could've asked me to stop you..." [Kotarou]: "We didn't realize it until after you destroyed the world." [Akane]: "...yes." [Akane]: "I've already crossed the line. This can't be undone." [Akane]: "Debating it is pointless now." [Akane]: "So why did you come?" [Kotarou]: "Well..." I just wanted to―― [Akane]: "...I just wanted you to live the rest of your life in peace!" [Kotarou]: "Akane-san..." [Akane]: "Then I could have disappeared...happy..." [Akane]: "Why...after all this time...did you come here?" [Kotarou]: "Sorry, Akane-san..." [Kotarou]: "I..." Glowing fluid drips from my wrist. Gravity pulls it down until it forms a blade. [Kotarou]: "I came to pay you back for abandoning me." [Akane]: "I see. So you'll kill me." [Akane]: "That's fine...you have the right to do that." [Kotarou]: "Not quite." [Kotarou]: "I'll kill the Key." Akane's eyes open wide. [Akane]: "...then we run the risk of an incomplete salvation." [Kotarou]: "That's fine." [Akane]: "There's no guarantee that killing the Key now will stop it." [Kotarou]: "That's fine too." [Kotarou]: "This is just payback." She looks like she's about to cry. But she recovers in an instant. [Akane]: "...I understand." She snaps her fingers. Disciples gather behind her. Tsukuno-san is there. So is Tsuruhashi-san. I recognize all of them. I don't hate them at all. A huge circle glows between me and them. Space twists. So they are going to fight... An enormous silhouette rises out of the swirling darkness. An overbearing presence fills the area. The most powerful familiar the disciples have...the Earth Dragon. The creature Gaia has worshipped and relied on for centuries. Their strongest ally. [Earth Dragon]: "―――――――――!!" The dragon roars. Terror seizes control of me. My body stiffens and my knees shake. [Akane]: "Kotarou, you're the only one I wanted to live." [Akane]: "As an orphan I've never felt that way about anyone before." [Akane]: "Yet you came here...so now I have to hate you when I disappear..." I finally get sick of listening to her, so I shout. [Kotarou]: "Shut uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!!" [Kotarou]: "You're the one who left me, you coward!" [Kotarou]: "I was prepared to stay with you until the very end...!" [Kotarou]: "I'm the one who should hate you!" [Akane]: "But..." [Kotarou]: "No buts! I'm never forgiving you for that! I'll get you back for it!" [Kotarou]: "I'm going to force you to live the way you hate most!" [Kotarou]: "You're going to live the rest of your life as Senri Akane!" [Akane]: "What are you...?" [Kotarou]: "Same goes for the rest of you! You're not getting out of this! I'm not letting any of you take the easy way out!"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Live and suffer!" Their faces stiffen. Their lives have always been filled with suffering, so those words probably hit hard. Their hatred fills the dragon. I hold up my blades. Now, go. Save them. Passion spurs me onward. The time has come for me to burn through all the fuel I have. I'm challenging a monster. I'm not afraid, but I have no hope either. Every moment is a series of doubts. I can't understand why I'm still alive. I could die at any moment. The dragon is more than powerful enough to instantly kill me at any time. But I don't feel like I'm fighting a powerful foe at all. It just feels like I'm arguing with Akane. So I don't think about tactics or timing or anything. I just let my feelings control me. I move the way I want. Fangs approach. I swing my blades. Sparks fly as the dragon's mouth veers to one side. In terms of body mass, I'm a grain of sand fighting a boulder. Every time it approaches it could easily crush me into oblivion, but I force it back with sheer fury. ...I'm pushing all the way down on the accelerator. I rewrite myself every second. I chip away at my own life every second. In exchange, I live for another second. My blades shatter. I remake them. ...sharper this time. That's what I want. But won't they be easier to break? ...not a problem. Every time I attack, my blades bounce off, knocking me back. Its defense is overwhelming. ...simpler this time. But they won't be as flexible. ...ignore that. I continue rewriting. Over and over and over again. My blade changes shape. Its tail rushes toward me like a brick wall. Guardian's hunters were torn apart by this attack. I smack it with my sharp, simple blade. The blade shatters, and I'm thrown back. The tail passes just over my nose. ...it's still not cutting through. Will you ever need to cut anything else again? ...no! I continue searching for the right form. Superhumans are all like this. They become stronger by seeking out wider applications for the techniques they have. Eventually they make their powers so efficient they feel like magic. ...that's how you win wars. A different kind of evolution, taking place outside of genetics. But...it's not enough to kill this dragon. Humanity has no memories of hunting dragons. Because these creatures were already extinct when humanity was born. That's why this familiar remains invincible. ...so... That's what I want. You want what? My beasts will find the answer. I'll just use natural selection. ...numbers! That's what I want. My aurora beast shakes with ecstasy, splits into a thousand blades, then comes back into my hand. I'm not sure if it cut a thousand times, or just once with all one thousand blades. Anyway, I tried a thousand possible combinations. Each blade has its own unique traits. But they're primitive and unrefined. Nine hundred and ninety nine of the blades break without doing any damage. But just one of them manages to graze the dragon's skin. I use that one for the next generation. That one blade begets another thousand. Each with slight changes. This time two of my blades do very slight damage. I use them. Only the fittest have the right to survive and multiply. Until enough generations pass... ...an endless moment passes. One of my countless blades cuts through the dragon's fang. Let's keep going. This is only the first step. I keep refining it. I continue the endless process of simulated evolution. Evolution doesn't always produce superior individuals. It just lets those who happen to be born with the right genes live. A war with the Earth Dragon. Evolving specifically to win this one fight is going to make my power completely useless for anything else. A simple destructive force like this has no other use. Just like the ancient dragon itself. I consume my own life as if it's pouring out of a faucet. I use in three minutes what would normally last thirty years. Most of my blades are like bolts of lightning now. They can cut slightly into the dragon's skin, and they don't break easily. They're getting better at damaging this dragon. Just a little more. And they won't be able to cut anything other this dragon. Just a little more. And I'll reach Akane―― At the end of this lengthy journey, at the pinnacle of this irreversible evolutionary path...my blade resembles a piece of cloth. ...a little like the Key's ribbons. My blade flutters. As if it was hanging down from the sky, and I cut it... But there's nothing else I can produce anymore. I have to fight with this. The dragon's tail shoots forward. If I can't block this, I'll die. A miracle surges out from my wrist. Under a multi-colored sky, with the song of destruction in my ears, I swing a fluttering sword. As if the northern lights themselves came down from the sky. It's beautiful, but hard to say how tough it is. Will it work? Will I be alive in another second? ...let's find out. Let's learn from all the other lives. Something gigantic floats through the sky. [Akane]: "...h――" [Akane]: "How...did you...!?" Before I realize it, the Earth Dragon is lying on the ground. It slowly picks itself up and shakes its head. Apparently that cloth blade was able to deflect its attack. The dragon groans as it stands up. Now the fight really begins. I slice, deflect, parry. Even I don't know what I'm going to do next. I just move without thinking. I forget about how small and weak I am, and cut into the dragon. My aurora flutters, sometimes as a sword, sometimes as armor to protect me. We look like we're fighting on equal ground, but I definitely don't have the advantage. I'm just a single human. I had to take on incalculable risks to make this fight possible, and pay a tremendous price. And still some of its attacks are more powerful than mine. I take a blow to the head and fly to one side. I quickly pull myself up. I move back before it can attack me again. I'm not out of life yet. I can keep going. [Kotarou]: "Akane!" I shout as I fight. [Kotarou]: "Atone for your sins!" Human morals don't matter anymore. But she has to atone for this. In order to live as a human, among other humans. [Akane]: "...it's impossible to atone for this!" [Akane]: "There's no way to do it!" [Kotarou]: "Do it anyway!" [Akane]: "Don't mock me with childish demands!" [Kotarou]: "It's not childish!" Atonement is the only way to save them. [Akane]: "Then how...?" [Akane]: "How do you think we can atone for this!?" She wails, as if praying. The next attack shatters my aurora armor. [Akane]: "Just stop it..." [Akane]: "Let this end..." She's incapable of living on her own, yet she grew tired of living. Now she falls to her knees. That's partly my fault. So I decided to stay with her. [Kotarou]: "It doesn't matter if your atonement ever ends!" Akane looks up with a tear-soaked face.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> The dragon's body plows through my unprotected left hand, pulverizing it. It's not bleeding, but the joints are completely broken. My fingers are pointing in weird directions, like broken branches. I'll never be able to fully use this hand again. But... [Kotarou]: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!" Aurora gushes out without limit. It carves a deep gash in the dragon's shoulder. But that's not what I'm aiming for. It continues extending, until it cuts the Key in half. Cracks form all along the Key's body, and it splits apart like bamboo. ...then turns to dust. [Kotarou]: "...is that it?" I destroyed the Key, but not the dragon. I have no regrets. [Kotarou]: (Well...I did what I could...) The enemy's strong, and I'm weak. That's all there is to it. I wish I could've done more, but life is always like that. I fall to my knees. There's no time to evade anymore. I close my eyes. The dragon's jaw is right in front of me. This time it will crush my skull, and end everything―― [Kotarou]: "...hm?" When I open my eyes, the dragon's vanished without a trace. Akane lies on the floor, sobbing. I pull myself up to the altar. My body feels heavy with exhaustion. I try to walk toward Akane, then I notice. All the disciples have fallen. [Kotarou]: "Tsukuno-san...!" She's still breathing. I pick her up. [Tsukuno]: "...you win..." [Tsukuno]: "If Shimako was here...it would've been different..." [Tsukuno]: "But something tells me you'd still have won..." [Tsukuno]: "You must have had...a lot of misfortune in your life..." She smiles with her last breath. I look at Tsuruhashi-san. She's dead too. Her cheeks look charred and wasted away, as if she was diseased. ...controlling the Earth Dragon sucked the life out of them. I won the battle but lost the war. I... [Kotarou]: "...this is weird." [Kotarou]: "I won, but...I don't feel happy at all..." No joy. No sense of accomplishment. Instead, tears. [Kotarou]: "Dammit..." But there's still work to do. The hardest part of all. [Kotarou]: "...Akane-san." [Akane]: "...fine, you won...isn't that enough?" [Akane]: "Leave me alone...let me go." [Kotarou]: "I can't do that. You have to atone." [Akane]: "How...?" [Akane]: "Stop telling me to do the impossible..." [Kotarou]: "Akane-san..." [Kotarou]: "You atone for human sins by being with other humans." [Kotarou]: "And it doesn't matter if you can ever finish." [Kotarou]: "It's fine if you live out the rest of your life before you finish." Akane looks up at me. [Akane]: "You don't..." [Kotarou]: "Yes I do." [Kotarou]: "I'm going to take you to the other side." Then I'm going to explain what she did. I'm going to make her confess. They'll lash out at her for what she did. They'll probably throw stones and spit at her. They'll hate and drive her away. [Akane]: "...they'd just kill me. I'd rather be of some use to this planet." [Kotarou]: "I won't let them execute you." [Kotarou]: "They're not going to go that far." [Kotarou]: "You're going to have to endure being called a sinner until you die...but please live." [Kotarou]: "That's my payback." Her pupils quiver. [Akane]: "No...I can't...take that..." She's like a frightened child. [Akane]: "I killed people. Millions, billions of people. I've been killing them for generations." [Kotarou]: "And they've all returned to the planet now, so you won't get to do that again." [Kotarou]: "Sins only exist when you're in society, Akane-san." [Kotarou]: "I wanted to take all of you back to the shelter, but..." [Akane]: "No...I'm not going...what can I do there? I'm not that strong." [Kotarou]: "I'll drag you there by force." [Akane]: "Then I'll bite my tongue and――!" [Kotarou]: "Can you do that?" She goes limp in my arms. Of course atonement is hard. But it might save you. [Kotarou]: "Do it, if you can." Even if your sins are too big to ever make up for. You should still find relief in atoning. Because as long as you're alive, you'll never be able to feel happy from the bottom of your heart. [Akane]: ".........no..." [Akane]: "I'm scared...!" She clings to me madly. I hold her too, so her heart won't fall apart. [Kotarou]: "...I'll stay with you." As an observer. Maybe as an accomplice. I'll keep watch over her. [Kotarou]: "Let's go apologize to everyone." Akane nods slightly as she shakes in my arms. Then, we return to the shelter. At first, we live quietly. It takes a week for housing to be assigned to all the refugees. A proper democratic government has been set up already. For the first few days everything was being managed by a temporary government made up of Gaia employees, but they hand control over to the people without hesitation. After some discussion, it was decided that this place would be considered Kazamatsuri City, even though it's technically an independent nation. The one and only city left in the world. The mayor is the most powerful human in existence. We begin living a primitive life, without gas, power or running water. There's a lot of awkward fumbling about. It's hard to get rid of all our old habits and preconceptions. Especially the assumption that we can buy anything we run out of... We can't even get new clothes here. We have to value our possessions. It took us all a week to realize that. Fortunately we don't have to worry about water, food or oxygen. This is an enclosed space, but it has plenty of space, and the environment here can sustain itself. As long as we don't overuse its resources, there's no risk of us dying out. Week three. People start deciding what they should do. Once we finish learning the rules of our new world, the adults all want to work. There are no cheap sources of labor anymore. Everyone has to do sweaty, physical work. Week four. People begin to get used to their new life. It's not as nice as what we're used to. But it's still far better than I thought it'd be. The puzzlement and concern has disappeared from everyone's faces. They're starting to smile again. We've been freed from the nightmare. The monthly Terra magazine turns into Kazamatsuri City's official newspaper. This space may be limited, but there are over a hundred thousand refugees living here. We have no internet or magazines here. We'll need a newspaper a lot more than we used to.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> To conserve resources, the number of copies in circulation is being strictly limited, but everyone praised the first issue of the new weekly Terra newspaper for its passionate content. Potential summoners begin to be sought out. In this world it's often faster and easier to rely on familiars rather than science. Familiars lower their users' lifespans. It's not a nice subject, but in this world using them is better for everyone. Modern medical advancements made people live for a very long time in Japan. The use of summoners will probably help slow down a repeat of that process. Living longer isn't necessarily a good thing. Maybe our culture will change to accept that? At the very least, the people who give part of their lives to fulfill the roles of summoners should be looked up to and respected. Week five. Society starts to show signs of stability. Compulsory education is restarted. Soon after, a high school and university are opened, and they begin large-scale recruitment, focusing on people who were students before. Kazamatsuri Academy is refounded here. Yoshino and the others will probably be there. Many systems are recreated in new forms. The one that changed the most is food distribution. Mostly because we don't have access to nearly as many kinds of food anymore. There are no processed foods anymore. We mostly eat grains and vegetables. We do have some beef and pork, but it's considered a luxury. In exchange, a public corporation is formed to raise poultry for everyone. Because chickens and eggs are the most efficient sources of protein. They don't put much strain on the environment. Though for the time being we'll still have to distribute them sparingly. A licensing system is formed for fire usage. Since the environment is weaker than before, it's illegal to have private stoves now. But of course we can't just stop using fire entirely. The plan is to set up local cooking facilities all over the city. For now, many people are experimenting with ways to soak various grains in water. Some of the combinations will probably be edible. To avoid a potential baby boom, a law is passed restricting each person to one child. More people will require more resources. Having too few people would also be bad, but it seems like we'll be keeping strict limits on population increase. It doesn't matter to me or Akane. This world doesn't like people living alone. We're supposed to live with our family or other relatives. Because there's finite space to live in. There's enough space for five hundred thousand people, but if everyone starts demanding their own individual place we'd run out in no time. Many of us are used to having personal bedrooms, so it's tough to adapt to. Modern life was too easy on us. I think we'll all get used to it eventually. Especially when the next generation comes. But for now we're going to be dealing with a lot of stress. Having everything you want makes you weaker. There are discussions surrounding many other political questions which show no sign of ending. It still hasn't been decided whether to mint a currency or continue rationing all resources. The debate over whether to have a death penalty is especially heated. The major point of contention in all of these issues is how much do we want to limit human rights to make our lifestyle sustainable. Some people say we have certain undeniable human rights that apply no matter what environment we're in. I think they're overly attached to the old world. It's hard dealing with so many educated, opinionated people. Opposition, arguments, harsh criticism... Intelligence should be enough to solve these problems, but sometimes it doesn't help at all. Why not? The only answer I can come up with is "because we're human". The Key chose to destroy us. That's the answer to everything. Humans are only in the right from the point of view of humanity. The arguments take place all over the city. Even between people as they play shogi, go, or darts. Before long, there are lots of traditional taverns, salons, and other places where people play games like that. Kind of like the gentlemen's clubs from places like 18th-century England. With no internet or huge companies, and no industries built up around leisure, people's lives start to revolve around those places again. The government holds its first election. The person elected as mayor is a hard-headed old man. When asked about his policies, he always said he would do what Edo did. Surprisingly, people liked this. Apparently Edo's government was an extremely well-oiled system back in the day. So it's easy to argue that Kazamatsuri should redesign itself to operate more like Edo. There were a lot of highly qualified candidates in the election. Including former politicians, and intellectuals with flawless logical arguments. But the people chose the old Edo man. Maybe they wanted a strong leader. I could talk for ages about all the changes. People start to wear simpler clothing, without worrying about the gaps in it. People start gathering in bathhouses more often. People stop using makeup and hair care products. People start paying more attention to their health. For now, I'll leave it at that. Of course, some people also try to find out why the world ended. Some of them already know pieces of the truth, and many more have no idea what happened. Knowing why is important, so everyone was encouraged to come forward with what they knew. They're worried the same disaster might happen in this world too. Of course it won't. This closed world won't produce a Key. Akane is the only person who can fully explain that, but she doesn't talk anymore. She hasn't lost the ability to speak. But she hardly ever says a word. If I leave her alone she'll spend literally all day sitting in her chair, staring off into space. Sometimes tears flow down her face without a sound. I take Akane out on walks. She said she was afraid of seeing other people. So we walk at night. Night... The clouds which produce our light are being "turned off" at specific times every day by the "civil summoners" (they're part of the government now). So even this world is dark at night. There isn't a single streetlight, and most houses don't have any lights either. I lead Akane by the hand through near-perfect darkness. [Akane]: "There are no stars here." Akane whispers, without sadness or lament. She doesn't eat much anymore. She often can't get to sleep at night. She starts neglecting her daily routine. I don't want to leave her alone at home, but I have to work or we won't have any food. I head out to the fields. There's plenty of work to do. I find Yoshino there. [Kotarou]: "Are you going to school?" [Yoshino]: "Yeah. If I stay at home, my siblings just annoy me all day, and I have nothing else to do except work." I think he's supporting most of his family. He's that kind of guy. It's not something to make fun of or pry into. I'll just talk to him casually. Our conversations are much calmer than they used to be. We talk about our daily lives. I used to think conversations needed humor or energy. Most of my peers thought the same way. We saw being overly serious as a bad thing. We had to make talking fun and cheerful. Anyone who couldn't do that ended up isolated. ...that wasn't true at all. Sooner or later people have to start acting like their true selves. In retrospect, Yoshino was probably closer to being honest with himself than anyone else in my class. Nowadays I don't inject stupid gags into my conversations. There's no need to provoke him, much less actually fight him. We can talk about plenty of things without that.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> I wish I could tell my old self that. Though I don't know if my past self would listen to that advice. [Yoshino]: "I heard our old teacher started working in child care." [Kotarou]: "Did she quit teaching?" [Yoshino]: "Yeah. She said she wanted a job that was more needed down here." [Yoshino]: "Remember the group she was with when you saved her? Those were all orphans she'd been helping." [Kotarou]: "I see..." How could someone be that kind-hearted? For me, it hurts to hear about such things. [Yoshino]: "Did you hear about the cactus they bred in the eastern fields that tastes like beef?" [Kotarou]: "Wow..." [Yoshino]: "Those summoners are really something. It takes them no time at all to come up with stuff like that." [Kotarou]: "I'm pretty sure replicating taste always comes down to trial and error..." [Kotarou]: "There aren't many summoners who can do that." [Yoshino]: "Apparently they're going to try growing it soon. They're already taking requests for the first harvest." [Kotarou]: "But isn't everyone going to want some of that?" [Yoshino]: "Yeah. They'll probably prioritize people with families." [Kotarou]: "You gonna apply?" [Yoshino]: "It's worth a shot. What about you?" [Kotarou]: "...nah, I'm the only one at my place who eats meat." [Yoshino]: "Has senpai improved at all?" [Kotarou]: "No...nothing's changed." Akane grows weaker and weaker. She naturally eats badly and has a lot of headaches. That's always been the case. But she's been mentally exhausted ever since we came here. [Yoshino]: "Come to our place. We've been growing some herbs that might help. My siblings want to meet you anyway." [Kotarou]: "Thanks, but she just doesn't have enough stamina, so herbs won't help much. I appreciate the offer though." [Yoshino]: "All right. If there's anything we can do, ask." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, I will." Unfortunately, I never heard what happened to Shimako. A lot of children here have lost their parents. Countless orphanages are being built throughout the city. They aren't in the government's list of citizens. Shimako could be going by a different name too. I'd have to go to all those orphanages in person. But after checking a dozen or so, I still can't find her. ...in retrospect, I was kinda rude to her the last time I saw her. Shimako's like a part of Akane in a way. I didn't think much about that. Did I hurt her? ...sorry, Shimako. She must be doing okay somewhere. I choose to believe that and stop searching for her. [Kotarou]: "...I got some soup from the cooking hall." [Kotarou]: "Do you think you could handle eating this?" She looks at me with dull, weary eyes. [Kotarou]: "Come on." I hold the spoon up to her mouth, and she eats it. It's been heated up to the point where the potatoes are almost melting. This should be easy for her body to digest... It's not much, but at least she ate it. But before long she coughs it back up. Akane tries to get out of the chair and go to the bathroom, but she stumbles. [Kotarou]: "It's okay, I'll do it." I wipe her face, and help her into bed. I clean up the room. As I do that, I can't help but think... ...we might be at our limit. [Akane]: "...sorry for making you do all that." [Kotarou]: "Do you...want to confess?" Akane's eyes become so wet I feel bad for asking. [Akane]: "...I can't atone...for anything..." [Akane]: "I can't...take responsibility...for killing everyone..." [Akane]: "Adults and children...all of them..." [Akane]: "...I'm scared........." She's always afraid of it. It takes energy to endure being blamed by people. I thought confessing her sins might help Akane move on from this, but I was being naïve. The world's not that simple. If she has to go through the stress of that kind of scandal, she might actually die. Akane's already lost five kilograms after coming here. [Yoshino]: "...are you sick or something?" Yoshino suddenly asks that as we work. [Kotarou]: "...no, I think I'm healthy." [Kotarou]: "Do I look like I'm about to come down with something?" [Yoshino]: "Not that, it just feels like you've lost your power or something." [Kotarou]: "Wow...you can tell just by watching me?" [Yoshino]: "Yeah, somehow..." [Yoshino]: "Probably because that's been bugging me the whole time I've known you." He must have noticed how much trouble I'm having lifting these bushels. He's right. My superpowers have been weakening ever since I came here. Thankfully my left hand fully recovered, but I can't use aurora anymore and my muscles are no stronger than a normal person's now. I'm probably not a superhuman anymore. I guess I really did use it all up back then. [Kotarou]: "I am losing my powers, since I had to overuse them a while back. You're probably stronger than me now." [Yoshino]: "That's not true." [Yoshino]: "You're far scarier now than you've ever been." [Kotarou]: "...I'm scary?" [Yoshino]: "You're determined to do something. Guys like you are by far the most dangerous to pick fights with." [Yoshino]: "...I have no desire to fight anymore. I don't even know why I was so obsessed with strength back then." [Kotarou]: "I don't want to fight either." [Yoshino]: "And that's why work is so nice. I don't have to think about honor or saving face or anything. I just do what I'm told, and everything's fine." [Kotarou]: "Yeah." I couldn't agree more. [Kotarou]: "Working really is nice." Golden fields. We lean back against the pile of crops we've harvested and enjoy the satisfaction of a hard day's work. One day, a detective comes to my house. I recognize him. [Detective]: "You remember me, right?" [Kotarou]: "...yes, you were in charge of the Martel investigation." The detectives and other police members from that investigation are the law enforcement here now. I can guess why he's here. [Detective]: "Yes. Now I'm part of the Kazamatsuri police force." [Kotarou]: "Thank you for your help during the evacuation." [Detective]: "I should apologize for not saying goodbye back then." [Detective]: "I heard you were the hero who made all that happen." [Kotarou]: "No, I'm nothing like that..." I helped Gaia wipe out humanity in the first place. [Detective]: "Didn't you get rid of the evil summoner who was massacring refugees?" [Kotarou]: "I did, but..." [Kotarou]: "How did you know about that?" [Detective]: "Six of my subordinates were there."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Ah..." [Kotarou]: "But those policemen were the real heroes. I just took advantage of the chance they gave me." [Detective]: "Thank you for saying that. I'm sure they'd love to hear that." [Detective]: "You helped plan the evacuation too, right?" [Detective]: "Why haven't you told anyone who you are? Lots of people remember you. You could easily be a hero in this world." [Kotarou]: "No...not really..." [Kotarou]: "I just executed plans someone else set up for me." [Kotarou]: "I'm no hero." I don't like being complimented this much. I'm an accomplice to crimes against humanity. I'm not strong enough to act like a hero with that weighing on me. [Kotarou]: "That's not what you really want to talk about, is it?" [Detective]: "Ah, yes...this is rather messy, but do you have time?" [Kotarou]: "...umm..." Akane's sleeping in her room. I wouldn't want her to hear anything shocking. [Kotarou]: "Can we discuss it somewhere else?" [Detective]: "I know a good café. Though we'll have to bring our own drinks." The detective brings a thermos with him. [Detective]: "Now, where to begin..." This place is a public café now. If we bring our own drinks, we're allowed to use any of the silverware. They have some pricey antique tableware too. I used to know the owner of this place... [Kotarou]: "Well, I think I can guess what it is." I fill my body with hot tea for the first time in ages. [Kotarou]: "...Senri Akane, right?" [Detective]: "Yes...that's right." [Detective]: "We've been investigating what happened for a while now...and we have a decent idea what caused it now." [Detective]: "In fact, we were already aware that there was a group of people with weird powers operating worldwide." [Detective]: "But most of us simply couldn't believe it, and we were pressured not to investigate it." [Detective]: "After that, the official policy was to simply abandon any investigation that turned up evidence of something supernatural." I haven't forgotten any of the people I killed. I remember the detectives I had to kill. They definitely seemed to know about superhumans. [Kotarou]: "Umm, early in that investigation, some of your..." [Detective]: "Let's leave that aside for now." He stops me, as if he already knows what I was about to confess. [Detective]: "That's what happens when we stop taking human life seriously. History is full of moments where everyone started doing that. We're also responsible for not realizing that." [Detective]: "Anyway, so after looking into what caused the disaster...it looks like she might be responsible." He says exactly what I was expecting. I can only react with a dry laugh. [Kotarou]: "...I knew we'd have to deal with this sooner or later." [Detective]: "I'd like to talk to her about it in person, if possible..." [Kotarou]: "...that'd be hard." [Kotarou]: "She's very weak right now." [Detective]: "...I see. But we can't put this off forever." [Kotarou]: "...I know." [Kotarou]: "Umm, detective..." [Detective]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "If Akane confesses what she did, what do you think would happen?" [Kotarou]: "I don't think...I could allow her to be executed...if that's what people call for." [Detective]: "But she's killed so many already..." [Kotarou]: "I know that." [Kotarou]: "...it wouldn't help to talk about why the planet needed our life energy, would it?" [Detective]: "We've heard about that. But I don't think that will help much." [Detective]: "That would only make the judgment depend more on personal feelings." [Detective]: "And most of the people here have lost parents, spouses or children..." [Detective]: "I don't think they'll accept a justification like that." [Kotarou]: "...I do want her to atone. What kind of punishment might she get?" [Detective]: "That's going to take some more investigation." [Detective]: "But if it becomes clear what Senri Akane did, I think the people would quickly choose to legalize capital punishment." I was afraid of that... I can't say I'm surprised that there's no happy ending for Akane here. But it still feels wrong. Like there's a stone lodged in my throat, and I can't get it out. I know all too well that how I feel about her doesn't change the weight of her sins. The detective moves closer to me. [Detective]: "...now, this is my personal opinion." He lowers his voice. [Detective]: "I'm opposed to the death penalty." [Detective]: "I think we should try to make this new world not need capital punishment." [Kotarou]: "Eh...?" [Detective]: "This is exactly the kind of issue where humanity should prove they're capable of being civilized. Having a death penalty goes against what our species should strive for, I feel." [Detective]: "...I've sent many to the electric chair myself. I've never been able to convince myself it was the right thing to do." He's in exactly the opposite position of Akane, but his logic isn't that different. [Detective]: "I'm not trying to defend criminals. But I just don't think it's right for intelligent, civilized beings like us to resolve our problems by killing each other." [Detective]: "Again, this is my opinion after killing several people myself." [Detective]: "If Senri Akane's sins become public knowledge, the people will want to execute her." [Kotarou]: "......" Do we run away? In a closed world like this? I don't think that's possible. [Kotarou]: "We can't erase what happened...her sin will never go away." [Detective]: "But I can rewrite the script for her judgment." When I understand what he's suggesting, my fingertips begin shaking. [Kotarou]: "Thank you...!" [Detective]: "Take some time to think calmly about it." [Detective]: "She's...Senri Akane is registered under a different name, right?" When we got registered, I made sure Akane used a different name so we could stay hidden for a while. Though I didn't really change it that much. Officially, she's "Tennouji Akane", but with the kanji for "Akane" changed from "scarlet" and "sound" to "madder red". That's been her name for the past several weeks. She's supposed to be my wife. [Detective]: "Then we can claim the ringleader isn't here at all." He begins explaining his specific idea. Set up someone from Martel who died in the real world as the one responsible for all of this. He suggests Kashima Sakura and Suzaki as possible candidates. We could also say the disciples ran rampant without the rest of the company's control. [Kotarou]: "...I can't blame Akane's sins entirely on them." [Kotarou]: "They're already dead. We can't take anything more away from them." [Kotarou]: "And I don't think Akane herself would accept that." [Detective]: "I know it's not a perfect solution." [Detective]: "Please think about it. We have to come to a decision soon." From that day on, I spend all my time worrying about it. I brought Akane here so she could confess.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> Because the only way to lessen her guilt is to have her receive proper punishment from the rest of society. I thought this "artificial future" would be the perfect place to make that happen. But it's not working out that way. She's still terrified of the thought of confessing, and I'm focusing entirely on earning enough for us to live on. [Kotarou]: "I was thinking..." [Kotarou]: "Should we give up on this whole "atonement" thing and just leave the city?" Akane slowly turns toward me and gazes at me with hazy eyes. [Kotarou]: "...we could also try to forget all about it." [Kotarou]: "So, do you think we should run?" [Kotarou]: "They need a few people to guard the forest. We could try doing that so we'll be far away from everyone else." [Kotarou]: "We won't even have to go into town to get any food." [Kotarou]: "I know a guy who might be able to make that happen." [Kotarou]: "Then we can live the rest of our lives in peace." [Kotarou]: "You're punishing yourself enough as it is. That's the kind of person you are." [Kotarou]: "...hey..." Akane shakes her head. [Kotarou]: "But aren't you scared to confess...?" [Akane]: "...I am scared..." Her lips produce words for the first time in days. [Akane]: "...I feel like falling apart..." [Akane]: "...I just want to disappear..." [Akane]: "...Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "...yes?" [Akane]: "Could you please kill me?" [Kotarou]: "...no." I tried to be as calm as possible, but it's impossible to discuss this without getting emotional. [Kotarou]: "...don't ever say that again." [Akane]: "...sorry." [Akane]: "It takes a lot of energy to atone for something." [Akane]: "But...I just can't see myself...working hard to atone..." [Kotarou]: "...neither can I." ...now what? Do we just wait for her life to slowly burn out? Will she never be able to overcome the weakness she inherited? [Akane]: "Grandma..." Akane murmurs as she loses consciousness. ...she must mean Kashima Sakura. Since they're connected by transcription, they have a strange kind of attachment. The closer someone is, the more precise the transcription. If the "love" they feel is just a trick to improve their future transcription...I can understand why Akane is so conflicted about her feelings for Sakura. She wants to hate her, but she loves her. Akane started losing control after Kashima Sakura died. ...maybe she can't beat her. [Kotarou]: "...I'm not giving up." I'm not going to let you destroy yourself. I move her hair out of her face. There's sweat on her forehead. She must have a slight fever today. I dip a towel in cold water. I wipe the sweat off the back of her neck too. Her breathing quiets down. [Kotarou]: "You have to overcome those feelings." [Kotarou]: "You, no one else..." In addition to farm work, I start doing a few odd surveying jobs. Apparently there's more land surrounding the city than we thought. More than just the forests and mountains we can see from here. Even the people from Gaia who ran this place haven't checked it all out. Because approaching the edge of a world artificially created with supernatural powers is dangerous. The farther out you get, the more the laws of physics get untangled, and air and light vanish. So how far out can humans safely live? That's what they're trying to find out. Rumor has it these jobs give a lot of points, considering the danger. Speaking of which, we're using frog stamps for money now. Apparently someone brought a massive number of unused ones here. Over thirty thousand in fact...don't ask me why. By repurposing them as money, we won't have to waste any metals producing our own. Basically, we get paid in frog stamps, then exchange them at shops for the things we need. It's working pretty well so far. ...though I'm not going to get many points at first since I need to be trained. As I struggle to take accurate measurements of areas within the city, someone talks to me. [Ansai]: "Hey, Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: ".........Ansai-san?" The editor from Monthly (now Weekly) Terra magazine. [Ansai]: "Sorry to interrupt your work." [Kotarou]: "This is more like homework, so it's fine." We move to a nearby café. [Kotarou]: "I've been reading Terra." [Ansai]: "Thank you. We've been doing okay lately." [Kotarou]: "Looks like you've switched to being a traditional newspaper now." [Ansai]: "We thought everyone would prefer it that way." [Ansai]: "I'm actually the lead editor now." [Kotarou]: "Whoa, congratulations. You must've really impressed someone." [Ansai]: "...well, none of my superiors made it down here...so there wasn't much competition." [Kotarou]: "Oh..." [Kotarou]: "Sorry..." [Ansai]: "It's okay, it's not your fault." [Ansai]: "Anyway, Tennouji-kun, I wanted to talk to you about something today." [Kotarou]: "Are you scouting me?" He smirks. [Ansai]: "...that might be a good idea, but not today." [Ansai]: "We were wondering if you'd like to talk about your heroic actions on the surface." [Kotarou]: "Eh...?" I feel like I've had this conversation before. With the detective... [Ansai]: "I learned a lot about what happened back there." [Ansai]: "Including all the things you did." [Kotarou]: "...I see." [Ansai]: "Don't worry, I understand that you don't want to attract much attention. The fact that you haven't spoken about this already says it all." [Ansai]: "But Tennouji, everyone's still worried on the inside." [Ansai]: "They've all lost family and loved ones and have to adjust to this primitive life now." [Ansai]: "Many people still don't feel like this is their normal life yet." [Ansai]: "Quite a few of them even have PTSD, especially those who got hurt in the earthquake." [Kotarou]: "...I'm not surprised. None of us have ever had to go through that..." [Ansai]: "The people want a hero...though that's kind of a cliché thing to say." I can't even fake a smile. My heart aches. [Ansai]: "And quite a few people remember you." [Kotarou]: "Eh...?" [Ansai]: "You can't stop people from spreading the word about these things. You'll probably be worshipped sooner or later." [Kotarou]: "I-I'd prefer they didn't..." [Ansai]: "I think it might help a little to come out on your own before that happens." [Ansai]: "Then we can have more control over rumors and such." [Ansai]: "What do you think? It might turn out to be a good thing." I can probably deal with it if I have to... But that would be bad for Akane. [Kotarou]: "...I really can't...draw attention to myself..." [Ansai]: "Is there a special reason?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "...I'm part of Martel." [Ansai]: "I know." [Kotarou]: "...I'm partly responsible for what happened..." [Ansai]: "Many people in Kazamatsuri had connections to Martel. Terra magazine was essentially published by them." [Ansai]: "Honestly, the only people here who aren't connected to Martel are probably tourists." [Ansai]: "We all played a part in this." [Ansai]: "Of course some people are trying to criticize certain parts of the organization." [Ansai]: "...but all of us...feel some degree of guilt for this." Even so... My sins are far worse than theirs. The whole time I was right next to the person who personally orchestrated the end of the world. [Ansai]: "...sorry, you probably didn't want to talk about this." [Kotarou]: "No, it's fine..." [Ansai]: "If you change your mind, come talk to me." [Ansai]: "We're not worried about sales anymore. We just want to help. We want to make everyone feel at ease here." [Ansai]: "I don't think we could've made a paper like this in the old world, so I'm finding some enjoyment in it. Haha, maybe that's taking it too lightly." I can't stop thinking about our future. ...there's no way we can stay hidden. Lots of people know about me. Before long, lots of people will know about Akane too. But she's not ready to deal with this. Not in the slightest. Akane and I wander helplessly amidst sadness and regret. [Kotarou]: "...if you're tired, just say so. I can carry you." Per the people's request, some starlight has been added to the night sky. All they had to do was leave a few tiny bits of illumination on. Faint, gentle light on a pale blue night. I hold Akane's hand as we walk down the road, feeling like we're at the bottom of the sea. She can't walk very far anymore. She doesn't talk much either. Her rough breathing changes to a cough, signaling the end of our walk. [Kotarou]: "Okay, I'll carry you now." [Akane]: "Hey, Kotarou..." She says in a strangely upbeat voice. [Akane]: "I want to go that way tonight." She points to the forest. [Kotarou]: "We can't go in there. The forest is a valuable resource." [Akane]: "...I won't damage anything." [Akane]: "I just want to help." [Kotarou]: "Help?" Part of me wonders if she needs to go to the bathroom. I was completely off. [Akane]: "I want to start sleeping in the forest." [Akane]: "I want to die there..." Her knees are barely supporting her. Because of disappointment, and many other emotions. [Kotarou]: "...why do you..." I grab her shoulders. [Kotarou]: "Remember the last time you tried to get away from me?" [Kotarou]: "Don't do that again..." [Akane]: "...I really do feel sorry about that." [Akane]: "But...I have no right to make you do all this for me." [Kotarou]: "You're just being a coward!" [Akane]: "Just like every holy woman..." What can I do to make her depend on me? How can I... ...I have to admit it. I'm powerless. I can't save her by myself. I need someone's help. But whose? I go talk to the detective. We head to the park, since no one's using it anymore. [Kotarou]: "About your offer...I think we'll accept." [Detective]: "You will?" [Detective]: "So how would you like to write her ending?" [Detective]: "We need an outcome everyone will be happy with." [Kotarou]: "...I'd like to throw someone unexpected into the climax." [Detective]: "Do you have someone in mind?" [Kotarou]: "...one person." I tell him a name. His face stiffens. The first page of the Weekly Terra magazine has an article about the attacks during the evacuation. It's had that for four weeks in a row now. Obviously, it's about what Takasago did. It also talks about the "hero" who saved everyone from him. Clearly I have to give up on staying anonymous. For the first time in my life, I deliver a speech. I get thunderous applause even though I'm just reading a script in monotone. But I feel like it's just rubbing my powerlessness in my face. The people's looks of admiration affect me. I don't want to betray their expectations. I stand up tall, and my heart becomes as calm as still water. Being in front of everyone makes me a pure, noble being for a fleeting moment. I can't betray them...but that thought hurts. [Winter Fang]: "I read the article, bro. I can't believe you did all that. You rock!" [Kotarou]: "You're still alive? ...congratulations." [Yoshino]: "This guy wants to bring back the old slum." [Kotarou]: "Did you stop him?" [Yoshino]: "Of course...why would I want him to do that?" [Kotarou]: "By the way, you should stop calling yourself Winter Fang. Go back to being Obayashi Mataemon." [Winter Fang]: "That's not my name!" [Winter Fang]: "And forget about me, you're freaking amazing. Seeing you here has made me feel alive for the first time in ages." [Winter Fang]: "Let's start a band about legendary heroes!" [Yoshino]: "Hey, get back to work. Shut up and move those bricks." [Winter Fang]: "But this is boring..." [Kotarou]: "Please don't drop them. We can't use broken ones. It took valuable resources to make them." [Winter Fang]: "...why do you care? This is all just hard labor you know." [Kotarou]: "I don't want anyone slacking off in this world." [Winter Fang]: "Eeeeh? Don't be such a jerk about it..." [Kotarou]: "I'm saying I'm king of the world." [Winter Fang]: "That's more like it!" [Yoshino]: "Get moving already." [Winter Fang]: "D-don't kick me, boss...you'll give me hemorrhoids..." [Yoshino]: "My brother's crazy." As we work, Yoshino suddenly mentions that in a tired voice. [Kotarou]: "What?" [Yoshino]: "He just is...for some reason he wanted to make a new slum here." [Kotarou]: "Why would anyone want to live in a slum?" [Yoshino]: "...well...we all make mistakes when we're young. Don't hold it against him." For some reason Yoshino seems embarrassed. [Kotarou]: "If you stopped him, there's nothing to forgive anyway..." [Yoshino]: "I did stop him, but now he's trying to make a band, and he's writing a song about some hero called "Tennouji Kotarou."" [Kotarou]: "I don't think I can forgive that..." [Yoshino]: "He even made some terrible cosplay. I barely stopped him in time." [Kotarou]: "...well, he can do whatever he wants with the materials he has access to...but that's such a waste."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Actually, could you bring him to me? I'll knock some sense into him." [Yoshino]: "I don't think he'll be coming back home for a while." [Yoshino]: "As punishment, I sent an application with his name for a rather tough job, but they hired him without even an interview, so he's probably sleeping in the sewers now." [Kotarou]: "Well, someone has to do that job. He'll learn something from it." [Yoshino]: "Yeah, he will." [Kotarou]: "A wonderful youth. A valuable coming of age. A nice young man." [Yoshino]: "He should come to his senses soon enough." [Yoshino]: "...hey, Tennouji." [Kotarou]: "Yeah?" [Yoshino]: "...is something wrong?" [Kotarou]: "What makes you say that?" [Yoshino]: "Gut feeling." [Kotarou]: "...you're right again." [Kotarou]: "Though I wouldn't say something's "wrong"...the whole reason we came here was to deal with this." [Yoshino]: "It did feel like you realized something important before coming here." [Yoshino]: "So what should we do?" [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Yoshino]: "Do you need us to do anything? I can probably get ten people for you, if you count my brothers..." [Kotarou]: "Oh, that's what you mean. No thanks, this is something I have to do alone." [Kotarou]: "Still...it'd be nice if you guys kept an eye on us." [Yoshino]: "...sounds good. We'll keep watching, no matter what happens." [Kotarou]: "Okay...thanks." [Yoshino]: "Hmph, you don't need to say that." New facilities are constructed in the farming areas. Warehouses, threshing machines, barns and so on. We make them out of sun-dried bricks. Though the "sunlight" down here is pretty weak. We have to wait half a day for these bricks to get nice and hard. All the craftsmen we have are piling up bricks. I really like seeing these new brick buildings get built. [Kotarou]: "It's like rebuilding civilization." [Yoshino]: "Yeah, this is more like it." Why didn't humanity do better in the previous world? We can make such amazing things like this. [Winter Fang]: "This is nice, but...what about rock and roll?" Don't hold your breath. Yoshino and I tell him that in unison. I give a number of speeches. Terra interviews me several times. I tour all the local hangouts. I attend concerts and plays. I meet and greet various people. In a world without TV or internet, that's what being a celebrity consists of. Thankfully, I got a lot of stamps doing that. Combine this with everything I've earned over the past weeks... I think it might be time. It's finally coming. The day I decided we'd begin. The Weekly Terra magazine changes to the Daily Terra. Its first daily edition contains shocking revelations. I'm an important figure among the Martel disciples. It's very likely the world's destruction was deliberately caused by a small group of humans. Tennouji Kotarou himself was deeply involved with that exact group. That's the short version. I was a major figure among the disciples, young and capable, and one of the few Martel survivors. In this closed world I'm treated as a hero, and in fact I've personally benefited from that treatment. The first article merely indicates suspicion. Over time, more and more evidence comes to light. On day three, Terra publishes a statement from a former disciple. The people go crazy. This is the first big scandal since the evacuation. I check on our food supply in case an angry mob shows up, but I feel calm. [Akane]: "Kotarou...what's going on?" Akane becomes lively after she sees the article. ...okay, that's an overstatement. [Kotarou]: "...I guess they found out what we did." [Kotarou]: "It was kinda inevitable. I've been too public recently." [Akane]: "But my name's not mentioned...that's just weird." [Kotarou]: "...you're not that famous, Akane-san." [Akane]: "Anyone investigating this will have heard of me!" [Akane]: "...I'm going to ask the police why they―!" [Kotarou]: "Wait." I grab her arm. She might have actually gone. [Kotarou]: "There are a lot of onlookers around here...it's best not to go outside." [Kotarou]: "The cops will deal with them eventually, so let's just stay quiet for now." [Kotarou]: "We have plenty of food." [Akane]: "...how can you...be so calm?" [Kotarou]: "Being rash won't help anything." Akane looks into my eyes. [Akane]: "...you're lying." [Kotarou]: "Eh? What do you mean?" [Akane]: "You confessed, didn't you?" [Kotarou]: "No, I didn't." There isn't a single blatant lie in these articles. I worked for Martel. I supervised all the guards for the disciples, and did everything I could to secure the Key. I knew Suzaki well, but there was some friction between me and his right-hand man Takasago. We didn't have to do anything with those facts other than some slight rewording. That's all it takes for me to look suspicious. As if I'm the one who was controlling everything from the shadows. [Akane]: "You idiot...do you think I wanted you to do this?" [Kotarou]: "I'm glad you have the energy to get mad now." [Akane]: "This is important...!" [Kotarou]: "...we don't have to rush these things." [Akane]: "But you'll be ruined if they keep writing these things about you." [Kotarou]: "No, not really." [Kotarou]: "It's still true that I saved a huge number of people." [Kotarou]: "The public is split on how to react." [Akane]: "It's "true"? If the truth is what matters then these articles all need to be scrapped!" [Akane]: "You had nothing to do with this...!" [Kotarou]: "Yes, I did." [Akane]: "...but..." [Kotarou]: "I'm trying to atone too, Akane-san." [Akane]: "...you think your good deeds can cancel that out?" [Kotarou]: "Eventually." [Akane]: "You're naïve. My sins are far heavier than that." [Kotarou]: "I know." [Akane]: "At best, you'll be in jail for life. At worst..." [Kotarou]: "There's a group of people firmly opposed to capital punishment." [Kotarou]: "If things go well, they'll make sure it can't be done." [Akane]: "But still...you don't deserve any..." [Kotarou]: "Akane-san..." [Kotarou]: "I am an accomplice in what you did. That's a fact." [Kotarou]: "I'm just trying to clean up loose ends." [Kotarou]: "People were going to figure this out sooner or later." [Akane]: "But...what about me?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "...I don't think the cops will come after you." [Akane]: "Why not?" [Kotarou]: "A lot of them are opposed to the death penalty." Akane gasps. She's smart. She just filled in everything for herself. [Kotarou]: "...even if they know who really did it, they can't just tell everyone." [Kotarou]: "Because then the people would vote in favor of the death penalty." [Akane]: "...so...you're trying to be the hero again." [Akane]: "Someone's helping you. A cop, or a judge." [Kotarou]: "Correct." [Kotarou]: "I decided on this after talking to him. We're co-conspirators in a sense." [Akane]: "That's not atonement." [Kotarou]: "...we have to work through our guilt as best we can in this world." [Akane]: "What do I...?" [Kotarou]: "I'd like it if you stuck with me. I don't think you could survive alone." [Akane]: "Stuck with you...?" [Kotarou]: "I think the media and the police will take care of the rest." Akane falls back into her chair. [Kotarou]: "There's one other reason why I wanted to rewrite that sin." [Akane]: "...what is it?" [Akane]: "How much more are you going to justify this sacrilege?" [Kotarou]: "If having a holy woman around allows people's negative emotions to take root..." [Kotarou]: "...then we can't just let you die out. We'll lose a part of what makes us human." [Akane]: "That's not true. If I'm gone, you'll all go back to being who you're supposed to be." [Akane]: "...though as long as everyone has their own negativity they'll never completely realize their potential anyway." [Kotarou]: "No, my point is we don't want them to." [Kotarou]: "If people get superpowers again, and they start focusing on bettering themselves, and treat today as more important than tomorrow..." [Kotarou]: "Wouldn't that end with us devouring what little this closed world has?" [Kotarou]: "No matter how hard our resolve, we're not going to get out of here." A thousand or so years from now, we'll quietly die out. Until then, we need to live peacefully. We have to find what little pleasure we can in a nice, quiet life. We need a holy woman. We need someone like that to suppress our human instinct to consume the environment and aim for the stars without thinking about the consequences. [Akane]: "Aaah...how could this be..." Akane is tied down. By a responsibility she can't run away from again. [Kotarou]: "This is how you'll atone." [Kotarou]: "You'll take responsibility for what you did by making sure this world lasts as long as it should." [Kotarou]: "So...please..." [Kotarou]: "...live." [Akane]: "Kotarou......Kotarou...!" She presses her face against my chest and starts sobbing. From then on, we begin enduring. People throw rocks at our house, send threatening letters, yell at us from outside...stuff like that. But there are other letters trying to cheer us up. Some people have no idea how to feel about what we did. We've sinned. But they all owe us their lives. They don't know whether they should be vengeful or grateful for that. It didn't take long for public opinion to force the city to take action. And then―― The day of the trial. The defendant... Tennouji Kotarou, member of the disciples, a branch of the Japanese Martel Group. Tennouji Akane, also a member of the disciples. Since the police have limited means to investigate, and it's impossible to get any hard evidence from the scene of the crime, we're being tried together. The prosecutor reads the indictment, and we plead guilty on all charges. The prosecutor and I talk for a long time. Occasionally he asks Akane a question too. We follow our lawyer's instructions when we answer. Evidence is presented. Some of it I recognize, and some I don't. All of it gets admitted. Some witnesses are presented. They get questioned by the prosecution. They describe the tragic sorrow of thousands of people losing their families. In response, our court-appointed lawyer emphasizes that we did not cause those catastrophes out of ill will. He claims we were doing the only thing we could think of to save the planet... This is one hell of a trial. Then, as part of the evidence, the incident with Takasago gets described. The prosecution claims Takasago and I had personal grudges against each other. And concludes that I fought him not to help people, but merely to get revenge on him. My teacher is brought to the witness stand. She tells the judge that there's no doubt I did it to save people. The questioning continues... The air grows thick. Closing arguments. "No matter what the motivation, deliberately attempting to wipe out the entire human race is a deplorable crime." "The defendants cannot even be considered human after what they've done." "They're clearly opposed to the very idea of humanity's existence." "This is the greatest genocide in world history, and is more than deserving of the death sentence." The audience murmurs. Our lawyer says something too. But by now it doesn't even feel like I'm part of it. Being condemned for your sins is painful. Fragments of various words fly through the air. I hang my head and wait for it all to end. Next to me, Akane desperately tries to remain standing. The sharp sound of the gavel pulls me back to reality. The judge is looking at me. Then he looks at the audience. For just a moment, he exchanges a meaningful look with the detectives in the audience. The judge solemnly makes his decision. And a few days later, our punishment is carried out... [Teacher]: "Are you sure you haven't forgotten anything?" [Kotarou]: "I'm fine, Sensei. Thank you for the first-aid kit." I'm carrying a heavy backpack, with enough supplies for two people. This would've been nothing if I still had my powers, but now it's dragging me down. [Male Employee]: "Do you have enough food?" [Kotarou]: "Yes, we'll be fine." [Male Employee]: "The map I gave you has a little cabin in the forest marked on it. If you get desperate you can use anything you find there." [Kotarou]: "Thank you very much." [Kotarou]: "But we'll try to forage for ourselves." [Female Employee]: "...do you have your survival guide?" [Kotarou]: "Yes, it's in here." I pat my bag. It's a report we've been given about how to survive in the wilderness, and what plants we can eat or use for medicinal purposes. It even talks about how to handle childbirth, which might be really useful someday. Especially now that we're going to have to do everything by ourselves from now on. [Female Employee]: "...it's a shame it had to come to this, but take care." [Kotarou]: "I will." The detective was watching silently before, but now he speaks. [Detective]: "...sorry, this is the best we could do." [Detective]: "You gave us this safe haven, and now we're throwing you out of it..." [Kotarou]: "It's fine." Our sentence was eternal banishment.

<METADATA> Name: Shimako | Gender: Female Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male </METADATA> We've been granted a small unexplored region on the far side of the mountains. [Detective]: "Are you sure you won't need the cabin?" [Detective]: "It is inside the official borders so it's not illegal or anything." [Kotarou]: "We talked about it, and we decided not to use it. Right?" [Akane]: "Yes." Akane's face is beaming. [Akane]: "We'll explore that dangerous area." [Kotarou]: "And I'll send some survey information back from time to time." [Kotarou]: "You'll probably have to start going outside city limits for resources sooner or later." [Teacher]: "...thank you." Even in this world, there should be a little growth and development. [Detective]: "Do you have any plans for how you'll start your new life?" [Kotarou]: "Actually, I'm pretty used to this sort of thing." [Akane]: "You mean when we went on little one-day picnics for the club?" [Kotarou]: "We were going pretty deep into the forest, you know. That was serious outdoorsmanship." [Akane]: "If you say so." Everyone smiles as they watch us. Next, a woman I don't recognize comes forward. She says she's one of the people I saved from Takasago. [Woman]: "Everyone you saved helped make these clothes for you." [Kotarou]: "Ah, thank you...these are great..." [Woman]: "We made them very durable. For both of you." [Akane]: "Thank you. We'll make good use of this." I'm really grateful to have a change of clothes. This is far too much for sinners like us. I bow my head. [Woman]: "Take care of yourselves..." [Ansai]: "...sorry I wrote those articles about you." [Kotarou]: "Ansai-san..." [Kotarou]: "Don't worry about it. I asked you to write those after all." [Kotarou]: "It would've been harder on us if no one ever found out about it." [Ansai]: "Either way, your names will be in history textbooks before long." [Ansai]: "I'll do what I can to make sure you get fair treatment in them." [Ansai]: "That's all I can do as a journalist." [Kotarou]: "I wouldn't really mind being the supervillain of the century." [Yoshino]: "...that stupid title would be wasted on you." [Kotarou]: "You came too?" Yoshino comes up to us with a bunch of other boys behind him. [Kotarou]: "...is this your gang?" [Yoshino]: "No, it's not." [Yoshino]: "They just followed me here." [Yoshino]: "I was told we shouldn't bring too many people, but do you think this is okay, detective?" [Detective]: "...we can let it slide." [Winter Fang]: "...we couldn't stand the idea of you leaving without saying goodbye." [Kotarou]: "Okay. Take care, umm...Summer Nose?" [Winter Fang]: "It's Winter Fang." [Ex-Delinquent]: "Thank you for what you did for us, Tennouji-san!" [Ex-Delinquent]: "Take care of yourself, Tennouji-san!" [Ex-Delinquent]: "Don't let your teeth rot, Tennouji-san!" [Kotarou]: "...do I know these guys?" [Yoshino]: "Don't ask me. You must have done something with them..." [Kotarou]: "I think I might've but I can't remember it..." [Kotarou]: "...don't get so close. I'm not into that..." [Ex-Delinquents]: "We've learned so much from you, Tennouji-san!" [Kotarou]: "What's with you guys!?" [Winter Fang]: "They all really looked up to you." [Ex-Delinquents]: "We're all from the old slum, and we banded together out of respect for you!" [Kotarou]: "I still don't remember you guys..." [Akane]: "They probably didn't do much back when you knew them." [Yoshino]: "Senpai, I'm sorry we couldn't help." [Yoshino]: "I thought about testifying on your behalf, but Sensei was in a better position to say everything I wanted to say." [Yoshino]: "Putting me up there would've just given everyone a bad impression..." [Akane]: "It's all right. Thank you anyway." [Yoshino]: "Tennouji...I have nothing to say to you. I know you'll be fine." [Kotarou]: "Yeah." [Yoshino]: "But, you know..." [Kotarou]: "What?" [Yoshino]: "...hmph, I can't think of anything..." [Yoshino]: "Don't die like an idiot. That's all." Yoshino turns his back to me. He must be embarrassed. [Kotarou]: "...don't worry, I won't do that." [Kotarou]: "I'll remember those words." [Yoshino]: "Good..." [Yoshino]: "Ah, there was one girl who came with us...hey, you still there?" A little girl worms her way out of the group. [Kotarou]: "Ah, Shimako!" She leaps toward us, trying to get her arms around both of us. [Kotarou]: "Where the hell have you been?" [Kotarou]: "I'm glad you're okay...really glad..." Shimako looks up, her face wet with tears. [Akane]: "...you finally came back." She embraces Shimako with a soft smile. [Akane]: "But this is goodbye." [Akane]: "Unlike me, you're innocent..." [Akane]: "You had nothing to do with salvation." [Akane]: "So you need to stay here and watch over this city. Okay?" She shakes her head as if she can't accept that. She throws off Akane's arms. Then she turns around toward everyone else who's here to see us off. [Shimako]: "I'm the one who did it!" She speaks. [Detective]: "...hm?" [Shimako]: "I'm the one who destroyed the world! It was all my fault!" She screams and cries. [Shimako]: "I planned all of it! It was all my idea!" [Shimako]: "I can explain everything that happened!" [Shimako]: "I can tell you anything you want to know about salvation!" [Shimako]: "I did all of it...so...Kotarou...and Akane...they didn't do it..." [Shimako]: "They didn't...do anything..." [Akane]: "Shimako..." [Kotarou]: "You can talk..." [Akane]: "The transcription must be making progress." [Shimako]: "It was me! Please punish me! It's all my fault! Mine...!" [Shimako]: "Please...!" I put a hand on her shoulder. [Kotarou]: "It's okay, Shimako." [Shimako]: "Kotarouuu..." [Kotarou]: "You don't have to do this for us." [Shimako]: "...why did you say that...?" [Shimako]: "You should've stayed quiet...!" [Kotarou]: "There's nothing we can do to change this." Akane crouches down in front of her.

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Shimako | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Akane]: "You're starting to remember, aren't you? But those memories aren't your own." [Akane]: "You can tell, right?" [Shimako]: "...I don't know...I don't want to know!" [Akane]: "Those memories are flowing from me to you." [Akane]: "...Shimako, eventually you'll know everything I knew, and remember everything I did." [Akane]: "Including my sadness and pain." [Akane]: "But you still have to live." [Akane]: "You must not die, even if you give up on living." [Akane]: "No matter how hard it is, choose life." [Akane]: "And don't be afraid of being the holy woman. All right?" [Shimako]: "I can't do that...by myself..." [Akane]: "Your memories will keep us connected." [Akane]: "Please, become someone different from me." [Akane]: "Have different thoughts, different feelings, and take different actions." [Akane]: "I want you to live your own life, without being held back by the past." [Shimako]: "...I...can't." [Akane]: "Understand?" [Shimako]: "...okay." As Shimako sobs, Akane holds her lovingly. Because of the transcription between them, they feel something similar to love. After seeing Akane's smile and Shimako's tears, I think their feelings are real. Love is a delusion. Every kind of love. Maybe the way I feel about Akane is no different. Even if it is, I don't think I care. We ask Sensei to look after Shimako. Akane and I pick up our things. We look at everyone. [Kotarou]: "...take care, everyone." [Yoshino]: "Will do." [Teacher]: "You too." [Detective]: "Don't worry about us." [Ansai]: "Take care." A huge number of farewells come back at us. I start to tear up. [Kotarou]: "Let's go." [Akane]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "...should we sing a song?" [Akane]: "No, that's embarrassing." [Kotarou]: "Even if I'm the only one hearing it?" [Akane]: "...well..." [Akane]: "If you sing with me, I guess it's okay." [Kotarou]: "Perfect." [Akane]: "What should we sing?" [Kotarou]: "Whatever we want." [Kotarou]: "Let's sing a song we both like." [Akane]: "Yes...in that case..." We walk into the barren plains. To a land where we'll never cause trouble for anyone. To a world without society. There, we'll continue searching for hope.

<METADATA> Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female </METADATA> I wake up. My cell phone alarm is going off next to my pillow. I grab it, annoyed. [Kotarou]: "Ah." I hear a crunch. I just broke my phone. [Kotarou]: "Uwaa..." Was it that weak? [Kotarou]: "No..." I've gotten way too strong. Come to think of it, my body's kinda burning up. [Kotarou]: "...hmmm." I press against my chest. After what happened yesterday, things definitely won't be normal today. I wash my face to try and wake myself up. [Kotarou]: (That's right, I have to call them...) ...but I just broke my phone. And I can't remember anyone's number. [Kotarou]: "Aaah, dammit..." Is there any way I could look them up...? I wash my face, grab a quick snack from the fridge and go back to my room. [Kotarou]: (Should I go to school...) I get the feeling that going there doesn't make any real sense after what just happened. What should I do first? I decide to sort out my feelings a bit. Everyone in the Occult Club did something very strange yesterday. Maybe Shizuru lives in a world where such abnormal things are common. In which case, so does class rep. She probably has strange powers herself, and has known Shizuru for a long time. It would make sense if they were connected like that. ...the problem is Prez and Chihaya. For whatever reason, they seemed to be against Shizuru and Lucia. No, they were obviously enemies. And those monsters... [Kotarou]: (So Prez and Chihaya are connected to the people who control those monsters...) The rumors of mysterious deaths. They line up with those monsters. It all makes sense that way. They almost killed me after all. There's only one conclusion. [Kotarou]: "...they've been hiding this from me the whole time." I sigh heavily. I knew nothing. No, I at least knew a little about Shizuru... [Kotarou]: "Kotori must've been shocked..." As far as I know, Kotori knew nothing about any of this. First off, I need to learn more about what happened. ...I want to ask Shizuru about it. She has to know more about this. [Kotarou]: "Aaah, dammit." I regret crushing my cell phone. [Pani]: "Good morning～" [Kotarou]: "Hm?" Pani emerges from the closet. [Pani]: "Oh, Kotarou-san. You're up late today." Come to think of it, these two... [Kotarou]: "...hey." [Pani]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "I saw some strange creatures yesterday." [Pani]: "C-creatures?" [Kotarou]: "...some huge dogs, and something sorta like a flying dragon..." [Kotarou]: "Are you guys like those things?" [Pani]: "I see..." [Kotarou]: "I might have to leave you guys somewhere if you are..." [Pani]: "I thought that might happen..." [Pani]: "But, like I said before...we're not friends with them. They're looking for us." [Pani]: "I admit we are the same kind of being as them, but..." [??]: "What? What's the big deal? *yaaaaaaaaaaawn*..." [Kotarou]: "You..." ...ummm... [Kotarou]: "What was your name?" [??]: "Huh!? Gil! It's Gil! Guilty Gil!! How the hell did you forget that!?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, you're right, that's what it was." I don't really call him by name much. [Pani]: "Anyway...Kotarou-san, if you're worried about that, then we can't stay here any longer..." [Kotarou]: "Ah, no..." [Gil]: "Worried? Eh? About us?" [Pani]: "Yes, he is..." [Gil]: "Huh!? Seriously!? What the hell changed!?" [Kotarou]: "But..." [Gil]: "Dammit, I was an idiot for coming here! Fine, we'll leave!" [Pani]: "Gil-chan...you shouldn't get so mad." What changed...? I don't think we ever trusted each other that much to begin with. ...getting mad about it doesn't make sense. [Kotarou]: "...yeah, it's for the best." [Pani]: "You're...right..." [Pani]: "Umm, should I put away the PC...?" [Kotarou]: "No, that's okay." [Pani]: "Then I'll just do some quick clean-up..." [Gil]: "Dammit!! Dammit!! Screw youuuu!!!" [Kotarou]: "Whatever." ...I've decided. I'll go to school. [Kotarou]: "Anyway, you guys should get your stuff together." [Pani]: "Yes..." ...she sounds lonely. [Gil]: "Shut up, you idiot!!! Stop packing up your things and sounding sad!" [Pani]: "You're the idiot! We're the freeloaders here!!" *bop!* [Kotarou]: "...bye." I have no idea what they are, but they aren't bad people. Still, I don't feel comfortable with them around anymore. This is for the best. They never revealed anything anyway... [Kotarou]: "...it's cold." One layer isn't quite enough. It might be worth wearing a sweater in this weather. [Kotarou]: (Gonna be a cold winter this year...) If it's this bad already, it's gonna be horrible in winter... Why am I thinking about the weather? [Kotarou]: (Hmm...) It only happened yesterday, but it feels like something that happened to a total stranger in the distant past. My memories of it don't even feel all that clear... [Kotarou]: (I've heard about this before.) It's a self-defense instinct. Your brain naturally tries to forget things that were too shocking. That might be why I've been so absent-minded today. I wasted a lot of time this morning, so by now there are very few students heading through the school gates. [Kotarou]: "I'm actually gonna be late..." I hurry up the hill. [Kotarou]: "Hello!" I open the door and enter the classroom. Everyone looks at me...apparently I really am the last guy to arrive. [Kotarou]: "...hm?" They give me strange looks. [Student]: "T-Tennouji-kun!" Some of them rush toward me. [Kotarou]: "Eh? What?" [Student]: "We thought you transferred...!!" [Kotarou]: "...huh?" Transferred? Why would I do that? [Kotarou]: "Wait, what are you talking about?" [Yoshino]: "Tennouji, you...!!" [Kotarou]: "Ah, Yoshino..." [Yoshino]: "How dare you disappear without telling anyone...!!" [Yoshino]: "What happened to the rest of your club! Where'd they all go!?" [Kotarou]: "Eh? Wait, I don't live with them or anything, why..." Who disappeared? [Yoshino]: "Then where have you been for the past month...!?" It takes me a while to understand. [Kotarou]: "...month...?" [Yoshino]: "Come over here you bastard!!" He grabs me by the chest and drags me out into the hallway.

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> Then he takes me to the boys' bathroom. [Kotarou]: "...wait, what's going on?" [Yoshino]: "That's what I want to know...!" [Yoshino]: "Tell me! What happened!?" [Kotarou]: "S-seriously, I don't know anything..." [Yoshino]: "Huh?" [Kotarou]: "What month are you talking about!? I was here last Friday, wasn't I!?" [Kotarou]: "Why did they think I transferred!?" Yoshino calms down. [Yoshino]: "What does this mean...?" [Kotarou]: "That night...in the forest, we..." We...? ...me and who else? Who did I see in the forest? What did I...? I saw monsters. Wait, did I? What happened? I can't remember. [Yoshino]: "Are you okay?" [Kotarou]: "I-I'm not sure..." [Yoshino]: "Then think about it until you are sure. You disappeared in the middle of November..." [Yoshino]: "And now it's December." [Yoshino]: "Does that make sense?" He shows me the date and time on his cell phone. [Kotarou]: "Ah...o-okay..." I think about it. We went to the forest on Saturday. ...so why am I coming to school today? Today should be Sunday. [Yoshino]: "You've been missing this entire month." [Yoshino]: "Along with all the others who hung out in your club." [Kotarou]: "The others...?" [Yoshino]: "Kanbe, the transfer student Ohtori, class representative Konohana..." [Yoshino]: "I don't remember the others' names, but a strange third-year and a first-year kid!" He's right. That's everyone in the Occult Club. Kotori, Chihaya, class rep, Prez...I mean Akane, and Shizuru. That's weird. I can barely remember who they are. What happened to Shizuru...? [Yoshino]: "Don't tell me..." [Yoshino]: "You don't remember anything?" I push on my temple. My head doesn't hurt or anything. I just feel a need to do that...to help me focus or something. [Yoshino]: "Damn..." [Yoshino]: "Anyway, you shouldn't be wandering around here. It'll just freak everyone out..." [Yoshino]: "Besides, your desk has already been removed." I don't have a desk? Something that should be mine isn't there anymore. Somehow that feels cold and lonely... ...if someone did that to harass me, it would probably hurt a lot more. [Kotarou]: "So everyone who was hanging out with me..." [Yoshino]: "From what I could tell, it's definitely all of them...Kanbe and Ohtori are missing, class rep and the first-year girl both transferred, and no one ever sees the third-year anyway." All of them...? Come to think of it, Prez' secretary is usually in the club room. ...maybe I could ask her something. [Yoshino]: "Hey, where are you going?" [Kotarou]: "The club room..." [Yoshino]: "Hmph...fine." Yoshino follows me. The club room is silent. Everything we had in here has been taken away. [Kotarou]: "...hey, Yoshino." [Yoshino]: "What...?" [Kotarou]: "Am I dreaming?" That's how this feels. There's just one desk in the corner of the empty room. I walk up to it and touch the surface. I see a doodle in the corner. I remember it. This is my desk. Yoshino heads back to the classroom for now, and I decide to head home. Gil and Pani have already left. [Kotarou]: "A month..." ...what happened? I turn on my PC. It's true. It really has been that long. The Occult Club blog is full of spam posts. [Kotarou]: (What the hell happened...?) [Kotarou]: (I can't even contact Shizuru...) Shizuru. [Kotarou]: "That's it...!!" I remember. Shizuru had the ability to alter people's memories. She must have done that to me. [Kotarou]: "What the hell..." [Kotarou]: "What happened over the past month...!?" I look at the wall. I see something Gil scribbled in the corner. Did I have that same conversation with them a month ago...? If I let them stay here this long, I must have trusted them back then... [Kotarou]: "But..." I just threw them out today without thinking. ...if they were here, I might be able to figure out more of what happened. I regret that a little, but mostly... [Kotarou]: "I shouldn't have done that..." I want to see them again, explain myself and apologize. ...anyway, I need to find something I can do now. First, I went to a cell phone shop to ask if anything could be recovered. They said no, Apparently the memory was broken too. [Employee]: "By the way, is your hand all right?" [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Employee]: "I see a little blood here." He points at the edge of my phone. [Kotarou]: "Ah, you're right..." I don't see any injuries on my hand. When did that happen...? [Kotarou]: "Dammit..." I probably won't be able to get any information from this thing. Guess I'll try looking for something at home... I open up my PC again. ...no e-mails for the past month. All I see in my browsing history are some searches for hardware stores and white charcoal. There's also a search for "saury", so Shizuru was probably here... But that doesn't tell me anything useful. [Kotarou]: "I need something...anything, just something to work with..." I search the room. It's exactly the way I remember it. [Kotarou]: "...hm?" There's one thing I don't recognize on the corner of my desk. A hairband. [Kotarou]: "Whose is this...?" I remember the search history I just looked at. Shizuru. Shizuru came here... I think. What must have happened here to make her leave a hairband on my desk? ...it probably implies she slept over at least. She might have stayed even longer... I get an idea. I check the guest futons. They don't smell like the closet, but like some kind of perfume. They've definitely been used. ...Shizuru used them. I'm not sure what this means. I haven't been going to school, and instead Shizuru and I lived here together...? [Kotarou]: "Uwaaaaa..." What happened? Why did we do that? Did I do something to her? [Kotarou]: (No...believe in yourself.) There must have been a reason why we had to do that. Is there anything else... I've looked everywhere around my room, but I don't think I'm gonna find anything else. [Kotarou]: (I should've kept a secret diary on the internet or something...) Nothing's more irritating than not remembering what you've been doing for the past month. [Kotarou]: (That's right, what do I have on me...) I take out my wallet. I should have had this on me the entire time. The moment I open it, it feels very wrong. Multiple brown banknotes. Tens of thousands of yen. I do have a couple notes in here from time to time, but never that much money at once.

<METADATA> Name: Sougen Esaka | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> ...but there's multiple 10,000 yen notes in here now. No high school student would walk around with this kind of money, and there's no way I'd be able to earn that much. [Kotarou]: (What the hell...what have I been doing...?) The mystery deepens. Is there anything else... [Kotarou]: "Hm?" There is one business card. I remember this. It's Esaka-san's. [Kotarou]: "Have I just left it in here this whole time...?" I take it out. ...something's scribbled on the back. "Guardian: 040-XXXX-OOOO" [Kotarou]: "...what the hell...?" It's my handwriting. [Kotarou]: (Guardian...?) A word I don't understand, and what looks like a telephone number. But I've never heard of a 040 number. ...guess I'll try calling it. I find a phone box nearby and enter the number. A pause. [Voice]: "The number you have called is currently not in service. Please check the number..." It doesn't work. Then what is this number...? I try searching for 040 numbers on the internet. [Kotarou]: "040...there." ...basically, those are numbers that aren't being used right now. Why would I write down one of those...? Anyway, I wrote it on Esaka-san's business card. It might have been the only piece of paper handy, but it might also mean the number is connected to Esaka-san somehow. [Kotarou]: (...worth a shot.) I head for his antique shop, feeling like I'm grasping at straws. As usual, it's hard for a guy like me to approach a shop like this. Today I feel more tense here than usual. [Kotarou]: "Huh...?" The door has a sign saying "CLOSED". ...is he not there? I look through the windows. The lights are on. I turn the doorknob. It's not locked. [Kotarou]: "Might as well try going in..." There's no one inside. [Kotarou]: "Excuse me." No answer. [Kotarou]: "Excuse meeee!!!" I shout. [Voice]: "Is that you, Tennouji-kun?" I hear a heavy voice from further inside. [Kotarou]: "Yes." [Voice]: "Wait a moment." [Kotarou]: "Understood." [Esaka]: "What on Earth happened today?" [Kotarou]: "...I wanted to ask you something." [Esaka]: "Oh?" [Esaka]: "Unfortunately, I have to meet with someone about business soon. Can you make this quick?" He seems a lot less kind than before. In the past Esaka-san had no trouble making time for me... For now, I take out the business card. [Kotarou]: "I found this in my wallet." [Esaka]: "This is definitely my card...what about it?" I turn it around. [Esaka]: "Hmm." [Esaka]: "Guardian, and...is this a phone number?" [Kotarou]: "You know what it is, don't you?" I prompt him to stop playing dumb. [Esaka]: "...huhuhu." [Esaka]: "This sounds like something from a detective novel, but..." [Esaka]: "You've told me I know what it is." [Esaka]: "What do you plan to do if I say I don't?" That's a weird way of responding. Given his personality, he might do this even if he really does have no idea what it is. [Esaka]: "...very well, it doesn't matter either way." He sighs. [Esaka]: "Let me ask you something first. Do you remember?" Bingo. Esaka-san knows what happened to me over the past month. Since he's chosen to reveal that, I know he's on my side now. [Kotarou]: "...only a little bit." That's a lie. But I think answering that way will make things a bit easier. [Esaka]: "Only a little...I see. Perhaps we overestimated Shizuru-kun's power." [Kotarou]: "She can erase memories, right?" [Esaka]: "That is correct." [Esaka]: "Actually, perhaps it is your powers that made you capable of resisting it." He knows about me too...? [Esaka]: "Now then, unfortunately I wasn't lying about that meeting. I'll have to leave for a while." [Kotarou]: "...I see." [Esaka]: "My apologies, but would you mind waiting here for a while?" [Kotarou]: "I'll find somewhere nearby to kill time." [Esaka]: "A high school student wandering around town at this hour on a weekday?" [Kotarou]: "...good point." [Esaka]: "You can look around the shop while I'm out. There should be some magazines or something behind the counter." [Kotarou]: "Okay." [Esaka]: "Goodbye." [Kotarou]: "Ah, one last thing." [Esaka]: "What is it?" [Kotarou]: "Who are you meeting with? Any idea how long it might take...?" [Esaka]: "I'm going to buy more antiques." [Kotarou]: "Haa...I see." Sounds like a lot of money is about to change hands. [Esaka]: "In fact...I've been trying to acquire these particular ones for some time." [Kotarou]: "Wow..." [Esaka]: "Many of the antiques here I buy simply because I like to have them. Today's purchases I'll likely hang on to for a while before trying to sell them." What antiques are these...? [Esaka]: "You might like it too. If you want it, I may be willing to sell it to you at a discount in the future." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Really?" [Esaka]: "Yes. Possessions like these have value when owned by the right person. I believe it's best they end up in the hands of those who can appreciate them." [Esaka]: "The antiques I'm about to buy are no exception. I will only sell them to someone worthy." [Esaka]: "Based on my experience in a previous job, I'm confident in my ability to judge people." [Kotarou]: "I see." So apparently he sees me as worthy. [Kotarou]: "So what is this thing anyway?" [Esaka]: "A chibi frog figure." [Esaka]: "You've seen them in pharmacy windows, right? I discovered one of the originals in a warehouse. It's in good condition, and..." After watching Esaka-san speak passionately about it, I decide he has no taste. Thirty minutes later. [Esaka]: "Mmmm...wonderful." Esaka-san gazes at his antique frog. [Kotarou]: "...so, can we talk now?" [Esaka]: "Yes, though I'm not sure where to begin. First, could you tell me what you want to know?" [Kotarou]: "Where is Shizuru right now?" [Esaka]: "So that's your first question...I can't say I'm surprised. Shizuru-kun is in a Guardian facility now." [Kotarou]: "Guardian?" That's the word on the business card. A Guardian facility. That implies Guardian is the name of an organization. [Kotarou]: "I'd like to see her as soon as possible." [Esaka]: "...what would you talk to her about?" [Kotarou]: "A lot of things. Everything we've done over the past month." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru stayed at my house, right? I'd like to hear from her directly why that happened."

<METADATA> Name: Sougen Esaka | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Esaka]: "You might regret it." Why did she erase my memories? She must have had a very good reason for doing that. [Esaka]: "Do you still want to know?" [Kotarou]: "I do." Even I'm surprised at how quickly I answer. [Esaka]: "...I see." [Esaka]: "We spoke about this before, though you may not remember it..." [Esaka]: "There was a time when Shizuru-kun lived here." I don't remember hearing about this. [Esaka]: "Do you remember that?" [Kotarou]: "Not really..." [Esaka]: "...she was a child at the time. To be honest, I wasn't used to children...but I believe I did my best to befriend her." [Kotarou]: "Wow..." I can kind of imagine Esaka-san running around like a headless chicken because of something Shizuru said. That would be funny. [Esaka]: "I had no experience dealing with children. I wanted to do it right, and felt I had to start with her name." [Esaka]: "So I called her Shi-chan, as gently as I could." Without changing my expression, I imagine him saying that to her. Even I would run away if Esaka-san forced himself to call me Shi-chan in that voice. [Esaka]: "She was shy, though. I did my best to be kind to her, but she always hid from me." You scared her. This man is fundamentally incapable of understanding how others perceive him. [Esaka]: "But over time she eventually opened up." [Esaka]: "I understood what it feels like to have a grandchild." Which means he cared deeply about Shizuru. [Esaka]: "Even after losing your memory, you came here and asked about Shizuru-kun before anything else." [Esaka]: "Let me ask you again. Are you sure you want to know?" [Kotarou]: "Yes." [Esaka]: "You have deeply impressed me today." [Esaka]: "Very well. I shall assist you." [Kotarou]: "Th-thank you very much." I bow deeply. [Kotarou]: "Also, what's Guardian?" [Esaka]: "...Guardian is a certain secret organization." [Kotarou]: "Hmm..." I remember. The people who fought monsters that night. [Kotarou]: "Does Guardian fight familiars?" [Esaka]: "That's close, but the familiars themselves aren't our enemies. We're fighting Gaia, the organization that controls them." [Kotarou]: "Gaia..." [Esaka]: "It is an old war. These forces have probably existed and fought for most of human history. Shizuru-kun and I are simply two warriors among many." [Kotarou]: "Is Lucia with you too?" [Esaka]: "Lucia-kun is on our side as well." It's kinda coming back to me. Shizuru and class rep are in Guardian. And when those familiars appeared... ...Akane and Chihaya were on the other side. They're with Gaia. [Kotarou]: (...haha.) I laugh at myself on the inside. ...that's right. I get it. The Occult Club never even had a chance of lasting. [Esaka]: "What's wrong?" [Kotarou]: "Nothing..." [Kotarou]: "I was just wondering if I've experienced this feeling before." Hollow disappointment. Something I'd rather not experience again. I'd like to go back to October and tell myself... "You're a fool. This is what will happen if you keep doing this." [Kotarou]: "...I think my biggest questions have been answered." [Esaka]: "I see." [Kotarou]: "But why did Shizuru erase my memories?" [Esaka]: "Unfortunately, I don't know the details either. I was out of town at the time, so I wasn't in contact with Shizuru-kun." [Esaka]: "All I know is that you were deeply involved with Guardian before you lost your memories." [Kotarou]: "Was I part of the organization?" [Esaka]: "No, but you were helping us." [Kotarou]: "I see..." [Esaka]: "I am effectively retired. The truth is, I'm in no position to know any sensitive information." [Esaka]: "...but I still have some authority. I can take you to Shizuru-kun." [Kotarou]: "You're sure?" [Esaka]: "Wouldn't it be unfair of me to take sides when my granddaughter and her boyfriend disagree?" [Esaka]: "Hahaha, I am only joking." [Kotarou]: "...okay." It's still weirdly embarrassing. [Esaka]: "I've heard a fair amount from Nishikujou-kun." [Kotarou]: "I-I see." [Esaka]: "...now then, I should go call them." He gestures for me to wait and disappears into the back of the shop. I decide to use this time to get my thoughts in order. Guardian. Given what happened to Shizuru, they're an organization that gathers people with strange powers, raises them and does research on them. Their purpose is to fight the familiars. And Gaia controls those familiars... [Kotarou]: (Huh...?) Familiars? Why did I start calling them "familiars"? Esaka-san never said that word. I've been using this strange term without even realizing it. [Kotarou]: "Maybe...my memories are intact." Talking to Esaka-san might have helped. At this rate I'll probably remember all sorts of stuff. I have a slight hope now. So I got involved in that conflict, and I was helping Shizuru's side. And I know for sure that I do have a special power of my own. I was able to defeat some large familiars after all. Were we actually a superpowered couple...? But then...why would Shizuru erase my memories? I'll probably have to ask Shizuru that in person. After I reach that thought, Esaka-san returns. [Esaka]: "...sorry, but are you free right now?" [Esaka]: "Actually...if you have plans, please cancel them immediately." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Why?" [Esaka]: "Shizuru-kun seems to be seriously ill." He leads me to the passenger seat of a Prius and we head off somewhere I don't know. Esaka-san won't tell me anything. Other than "I don't know the situation myself, so I can't tell you anything". ...given how fast he's driving, Esaka-san must be on edge. He isn't choosing not to say anything. He can't say anything. We arrive at a strange building. On the outside it looks like a normal apartment complex. But it has an incredibly vast underground component. There are plenty of other homes built around it, but the underground areas probably reach under them. [Kotarou]: (So this is just camouflage...) It looks so normal on the outside it's hard to imagine such an advanced facility could be under it. But... [Kotarou]: (Guardian is a secret organization fighting Familiars...) Given that, I'd be surprised if it wasn't this well-hidden. [Esaka]: "It's Esaka." [Man]: "Yes, sir." They let Esaka-san in on sight. We pass by a lot of people on the way in... [Kotarou]: "Do all of these people have some kind of power?" [Esaka]: "No, not everyone in Guardian has superpowers. We employ many normal people too." [Kotarou]: "...I see." [Kotarou]: "What about you?" [Esaka]: "My power is quite useless." [Kotarou]: "R-really?"

<METADATA> Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Sougen Esaka | Gender: Male </METADATA> He said it kinda sharply. That must be a taboo subject. [Kotarou]: (...of course it is.) I'm an outsider. Esaka-san is a warrior fighting for Guardian. Why would he simply tell me what he can do? [Kotarou]: (It's like a manga...) Superpeople always do that. Even I've been hiding my power, though for a different reason. In a sense, we're all outcasts. We have to hide part of ourselves to live among normal people. [Esaka]: "Wait here a moment." He stops me at a corner. Esaka-san talks to one of the guards, then vanishes into a room. While he's in there, the guard searches me. [Kotarou]: "...I've got nothing." I worry he might check my underwear, but apparently they're not quite that strict. After he finishes, I stand around for a while longer. I can't see anything behind the door from here. After a long wait... A man walks out from behind the corner. [Man]: "...Esaka-san sent me to get you." [Kotarou]: "Ah, okay." I answer, the man points down the hall, and I start following him. ...why is this so imposing...? The man stops me in front of another door. [Man]: "In here. Esaka-san's talking to the commander right now, but you'll be able to talk to her soon." [Kotarou]: "Ah, thanks...is Shizuru in here?" [Man]: "Yes." [Man]: "...she's here." [Kotarou]: "......?" Something about that response bugs me. For now I open the door and head in. A dark room. The only illumination is the faint light coming through the curtains. ...I thought we were underground. Did we come back up at some point? Shizuru's here. She's asleep. ...I think. She doesn't react when I approach. Her face is pale, but is that just because the room's dark? ...I don't think so. All the medical devices surrounding her prevent me from being optimistic. [Kotarou]: "...Shizuru?" I talk to her. No response. I wait for a response. [Kotarou]: "...Shizuru." I try saying her name again. [Kotarou]: "...hey..." Is this a joke? Is she just asleep? That's what I want to think. But that's not it. [Nishikujou]: "Tennouji-kun." I hear a voice behind me. [Nishikujou]: "So you did come." [Kotarou]: "...umm..." [Nishikujou]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "What is this...?" [Kotarou]: "What happened to her...?" [Nishikujou]: "She won't wake up." Her voice is weak. I can't see her face, but I doubt Nishikujou-san is smiling as usual. [Nishikujou]: "...she hasn't woken up for a while." [Kotarou]: "What...the hell..." [Kotarou]: "Why did this happen to her...?" [Nishikujou]: "Actually, I was hoping you might help us answer that..." [Nishikujou]: "But...you don't know, do you...?" [Kotarou]: "I don't...remember anything..." [Nishikujou]: "Sorry, just give me a moment..." [Nishikujou]: "It hurts to have one's last hope be crushed so easily..." [Esaka]: "Tennouji-kun hasn't remembered everything." [Esaka]: "...he only seems to know bits and pieces." [Nishikujou]: "Yes, you're right..." [Kotarou]: "...is this..." [Kotarou]: "...my fault somehow?" She shakes her head. ...that was all she had to tell me. Nishikujou-san doesn't know anything. [Nishikujou]: "...we don't know." [Nishikujou]: "She's just been sleeping, and slowly weakening..." [Nishikujou]: "We can't find anything wrong with her body..." [Nishikujou]: "Tennouji-kun, can you remember anything?" What's going on? How did this happen? There must be some reason. Remember. Remember...!! Unsure what to do, I put a hand to my head. [Esaka]: "...Shizuru-kun told us not to tell you anything...but we didn't think this would happen..." Esaka-san sighs heavily. [Kotarou]: "...Shizuru..." We go back out into the hallway. [Nishikujou]: "...I thought you might be able to help somehow, Tennouji-kun..." [Kotarou]: "Sorry...I can't remember anything..." [Esaka]: "Still...we should do what we can. What have the doctors said?" [Nishikujou]: "...they're still researching her condition." [Esaka]: "Understood. I'll try calling in some favors." [Kotarou]: "Umm..." [Kotarou]: "Can I stay in there for a while?" [Esaka]: "Of course...you stay with Shizuru-kun." [Nishikujou]: "Yes...please do." [Esaka]: "...I would like to give you some kind of treatment as well, but..." [Kotarou]: "...treatment?" [Esaka]: "For your memory loss. Unfortunately, if Shizuru-kun used her power on you the odds are slim at best..." [Esaka]: "But you're a very special case. I think there's a chance." Shizuru's power. I've been told before that it's not easy to undo. ...that's why she stood outside her house so long that day. [Kotarou]: "So we're waiting for a miracle...?" [Esaka]: "A miracle? You mean praying for divine help?" [Esaka]: "...my life may not have been that spectacular, but I know miracles do not fall from the sky. It is always human effort that brings them about." [Esaka]: "...let's do everything we can." Esaka-san grabs my shoulder. A large, firm hand. [Esaka]: "Make sure you do everything you can." [Kotarou]: "...yes." I'm completely useless. There's nothing I can do here... For the next few days, I receive a bunch of tests. They drew blood, gave me MRI scans, and did psychological tests. I was hooked up to several machines I don't recognize. But my memories didn't come back. The only thing I can do... [Kotarou]: "...Shizuru." ...is keep talking to her. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru..." I find Shizuru's hand under the covers and hold it. I don't feel any strength in it... A cold, seemingly dead hand. I continue holding it, trying to warm her up. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru..." No reaction at all. At some point doctors come in to replace the IV. [Nishikujou]: "...Tennouji-kun, are you sure you don't need a break?" [Nishikujou]: "We can get food for you." [Kotarou]: "...no thank you." I'm really not in the mood for that. [Nishikujou]: "I see..." What is it? Why has this happened? It's so frustrating. I just... [Kotarou]: (What did Shizuru do to deserve this...?) As far as I know, Shizuru... She's been through some horrible things. Her life was filled with misfortune.

<METADATA> Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Gil | Gender: Male </METADATA> ...but, she never let it defeat her... She never lost to it... I remember that smile. Why does she have to endure even more suffering...? I want to curse something. Why is she the one getting all the bad luck? Why not me or... [Kotarou]: "Me..." [Kotarou]: "That's right..." I wanted to make her happy. ...even if I couldn't do much, I wanted to make her at least a little bit happier. Yeah. I wanted... ...to make her happy. I know I felt that at some point. Somewhere in the past, I felt that. I'm starting to get it back. My memories... I wake up. My cell phone alarm is going off next to my pillow. I grab it, annoyed. I hear a tiny crack. [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" [Kotarou]: "Ah!" I remember. I strengthened myself a ton yesterday. [Kotarou]: "Th-that was close..." I almost crushed it... After what happened yesterday, things definitely won't be normal today. I wash my face to try and wake myself up. [Kotarou]: (That's right, I have to call them...) Starting with Kotori, I try calling everyone. None of the calls connect. [Kotarou]: "It's Kotarou. I'm trying to call everyone, but..." [Kotarou]: "Anyway, please call back if you can." I leave messages for everyone. For some reason, I save Shizuru for last. ...am I afraid...? The truth is, my worst fears have become reality. ...I'm afraid this call won't connect either. And I might never see her again... Everyone in the Occult Club did something very strange yesterday. Maybe Shizuru lives in a world where such abnormal things are common. In which case, so does class rep. She probably has strange powers herself, and has known Shizuru for a long time. It would make sense if they were connected like that. ...the problem is Prez and Chihaya. For whatever reason, they seemed to be against Shizuru and Lucia. No, they were obviously enemies. And those monsters... [Kotarou]: (So Prez and Chihaya are connected to the people who control those monsters...) The rumors of mysterious deaths. They line up with those monsters. It all makes sense that way. They almost killed me after all. There's only one conclusion. [Kotarou]: "...they've been hiding this from me the whole time." I sigh heavily. I knew nothing. [Pani]: "Good morning～" [Kotarou]: "Hm?" Pani emerges from the closet. [Pani]: "Oh, Kotarou-san. You're up late today." Come to think of it, these two... [Kotarou]: "...hey." [Pani]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "I saw some strange creatures yesterday." [Pani]: "C-creatures?" [Kotarou]: "...some huge dogs, and something sorta like a flying dragon..." [Kotarou]: "Are you guys like those things?" [Pani]: "D-don't tell me...you...?" [Kotarou]: "I'm serious. Please give me an answer." [Pani]: "You're right...I can't blame you for suspecting us..." [Pani]: "I understand. If you know about all that already, then I should explain everything." [Kotarou]: "...okay." I'm relieved. [Pani]: "At this point it's probably more dangerous for you not to know." [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" [Pani]: "First of all, we are not friends or allies of those monsters." [Kotarou]: "Thought so..." None of them were harmlessly floating around like Gil and Pani do. They could do nothing but harm their chosen enemies. That's the feeling I got from them. [Pani]: "...if anything, they're our enemies..." [Pani]: "We ran away from a place where people were trying to make more of them..." [Pani]: "Do you know about an organization called Gaia?" [Kotarou]: "No...Gaia?" [Pani]: "...that's the organization that makes familiars." [Kotarou]: "Wait, that was too much of a leap for me." Gaia...? Familiars...? ...it's too unreal. [Kotarou]: (No...) I saw them with my own eyes. I saw absurd creatures that can't possibly be real. As soon as I know for sure one of them exists, then anything is plausible. "Familiars" is just what she's calling those monsters. "Gaia" is the group of people controlling them. Trying to explain this with common sense would be much harder. [Pani]: "Umm..." [Kotarou]: "No, it's okay...continue." I'll just have to believe it. In that case... [Kotarou]: "So Gaia has a ton of those monsters lying around...?" [Pani]: "Yes, something like that..." [Pani]: "Gaia is trying to destroy the world after all..." [Kotarou]: "The world?" [Pani]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "Why...?" [Pani]: "...I guess they think humanity has no future..." [Gil]: "For some reason they don't think humanity should be allowed to live." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" Gil also emerges from the closet. [Gil]: "...because humans have to consume so many things to stay alive." [Kotarou]: "Well, it's not our fault we're like that..." [Gil]: "Don't tell me that! Go ask them about it!" [Pani]: "Anyway, that's what they think." [Kotarou]: "They sound dangerous..." I remember yesterday. Akane and Chihaya are probably part of Gaia. In that case... [Kotarou]: "Hey." [Pani]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "Is there another organization fighting them?" ...like Shizuru's. [Pani]: "Yes...Guardian." [Kotarou]: "Guardian..." I try saying it out loud. People who protect something. An organization to fight those monsters. They sound like the heroes. [Kotarou]: "So..." [Kotarou]: "Do they all have strange powers?" [Pani]: "Yes, that's right. Guardian is an organization of superpeople..." Superpeople... So that's the term for people like me. [Kotarou]: "I see...guess I'm on their side then." Shizuru's side. Somehow that reassures me. [Pani]: "O-oh my! To us that organization is much more dangerous!!" [Kotarou]: "Ah...good point." These guys are the ones they're hunting. They did say they've been running away for a while. They're completely different from the dogs and the dragon I saw yesterday, but they're still "familiars" of some kind... I think I get the idea. What I saw... ...was a battle between the two organizations. And Shizuru, class rep, Akane and Chihaya are all on one or the other side. [Pani]: "Wh-what's wrong?" [Kotarou]: "Thanks for explaining." [Pani]: "Y-you're welcome..." [Pani]: "But, well..." [Kotarou]: "It's okay, I believe what you said. It lines up with what I saw." [Pani]: "I-I see." [Pani]: "...I was worried you'd be suspicious of us, even after how long we've been here..." [Pani]: "So thank you for believing me!" [Kotarou]: "No problem."

<METADATA> Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Gil | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Gil]: "...you." [Gil]: "You didn't trust us...?" [Kotarou]: "Hey..." [Kotarou]: "Were you even listening to our conversation? I said I trusted you at the end." [Gil]: "Ha! That's more like it! We're perfectly trustworthy and you know it!" [Pani]: "I'm glad you believed us." [Kotarou]: "If anything I'm glad you told me." They were honest about being familiars. I don't like being suspicious of people anyway, and these two have done nothing to deserve it... [Gil]: "Exactly! We're your friends! So be more gentle with us, dammit! Got it? I wanna eat meat! Go buy some for me!" [Kotarou]: "Pani, could you open the window?" [Pani]: "Okaaay." [Gil]: "Gyaaaaaaaaaaa!!" ...I'd like us to maintain this silly relationship. For now I decide to head out. I put on my uniform, so I can go to school. ...first, I go to Kotori's house. If I can't find anything there, school will be the only other place to check. The club room is still the number one place where we interacted. Prez might still be there... [Kotarou]: "I'll be going now." [Pani]: "Okay, see you later～" [Gil]: "Bring something back for us!" [Kotarou]: "Cleaning supplies, got it." I head out. [Kotarou]: "...nothing." Kotori's house is silent. That's strange. Rikako-san at least should be there... I look around, then start climbing over the wall. Actually, I don't even need to do that. [Kotarou]: "There." I jump over it. I land in the garden without any difficulty. [Kotarou]: "...wow..." I'm really not normal anymore... I look into the second floor window, but it looks like no one's in there. [Kotarou]: "Where'd Kotori go...?" Kotori should have nothing to do with any of this... [Kotarou]: "Hm?" A car parks in front of Kotori's house. Men in black suits immediately get out. [Kotarou]: (Who are they?) I wonder if I should hide...but they see me right away. One of them comes toward me. [Kotarou]: (Crap...) This uniform makes me stand out. [Man in Black Suit]: "Are you Tennouji Kotarou-kun?" This immediately feels dangerous. They know my name. I check my escape route. I can jump over the wall easily and run away down the alley. In that case, I should get as much information out of them as I can before running. I know far too little right now. [Kotarou]: "Yes...why do you ask?" [Man in Black Suit]: "You know Senri Akane, yes?" If they know Akane...they might be from Gaia. I look to one side, and see another man guarding the gate. The last man is behind me, on the far side of the garden. [Kotarou]: (...they're trying to capture me.) If they don't want me to escape, that probably means I'm an enemy. [Kotarou]: "What about her?" [Man in Black Suit]: "She wants you to come see her." [Kotarou]: "Why?" [Man in Black Suit]: "To talk about what happened in the forest. You know what I mean, right?" I can sense it. These men are ready to lunge toward me at any moment. I can tell how their muscles are moving. My vision is insanely precise now. ...given that, and what he just said, there's only one conclusion. [Kotarou]: (Nothing else to discuss.) Talking any more won't get me anywhere. [Kotarou]: "Sorry, but..." [Man in Black Suit]: "......!!" The man leaps forward as soon as I say that. [Kotarou]: "I'm not coming!!!" I immediately leap up, and clear over the wall. ...it's a tall wall. No normal person could escape this way. They probably thought I was a normal high school student. There's no one guarding this alley. [Kotarou]: (...escape!!) I ran away, fast enough to match a moped. I go back down to a normal human speed before I come out into a populated area. [Kotarou]: (...did I lose them?) I stop. [Kotarou]: (Now...) Those guys were clearly from Gaia. ...is Prez in direct command of them? If so, I probably wouldn't have been harmed. But if they're someone else's lackeys... [Kotarou]: "That could've been bad..." I'd prefer to join Guardian's side. I want to be with Shizuru. [Kotarou]: (Which means...) Prez and Chihaya will be my enemies. For now, I return home. [Kotarou]: "I wonder if they'll come here too..." I check the area. Nothing suspicious in sight, at least. [Kotarou]: (...my room's over there...) I check my window. If I wanted to, I could get onto the roof from there, and jump from roof to roof. [Kotarou]: (This is weird...) I've never analyzed my room like this. ...it should be the safest place I know, but... [Kotarou]: "...now what?" Might as well get changed. This uniform stands out too much, and I'd like something that's easier to move around in... The doorbell rings. My body becomes tense. ...who is it? I move to a downstairs room and look out the window. It's Shizuru. ...why? Anyway, I'd better go talk to her... [Kotarou]: "Shizuru!" I shout as I open the door. [Kotarou]: "Hey, what's going on!? No one's answering my calls, and some guys in black suits just..." She grabs my arm. [Kotarou]: "Huh?" She twists my arm. And... [Kotarou]: "Ah..." [Kotarou]: "OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!" My joints are at their limit. [Shizuru]: "Secured." [Kotarou]: "OWWW! That really hurts!! I'm sorry!! I surrender! Ow, owwww, OWWWWWWWWWW!!" [Shizuru]: "You won't resist?" [Kotarou]: "I never planned tooooooo!! But I will if you keep doing this!!" [Shizuru]: "Okay." She releases me. [Kotarou]: "Wh-what the hell was that!?" [Shizuru]: "...I should've gone first." The men in suits appear from behind her. [Kotarou]: "Ah...you guys." [Kotarou]: "What are you doing here?" [Shizuru]: "They're friends." [Kotarou]: "......oh." My calm logical reasoning was completely wrong. [Shizuru]: "We overdid it back there...let's go somewhere else." [Shizuru]: "Everyone, good work today." Shizuru says that, then grabs my hand and we walk off. [Kotarou]: "Umm, Shizuru-san...I'm not sure what's going on." [Shizuru]: "I'll explain." [Kotarou]: "Haa...if you say so." I follow her without complaining.

<METADATA> Name: Sougen Esaka | Gender: Male Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Esaka]: "Hmm...this is an odd combination." [Kotarou]: "Ah, hi. I haven't eaten anything yet today." Shizuru took me to Forest. I immediately dig into the sandwiches Esaka-san brings out. [Esaka]: "Since Shizuru-kun brought you here, I take it you two are seeing each other now?" [Shizuru]: "......!!" Her face turns red and she shakes her head. [Shizuru]: "Mmmm!!" [Esaka]: "Hahaha, just a little joke. Old men like me enjoy such things." Shizuru remains annoyed. [Shizuru]: "...I decided this would be the safest place for him." [Esaka]: "I see, safety." [Kotarou]: "Wait...how well do you guys know each other?" I've only seen them together at that ramen shop. [Esaka]: "There was a time when we lived under the same roof together." [Kotarou]: "Oooh..." Come to think of it, Shizuru did say something about living out in the country with an old man a long time ago. Apparently that was Esaka-san. [Shizuru]: "...anyway." [Shizuru]: "We need to protect Kotarou for a while." [Kotarou]: "...haa..." [Shizuru]: "You might not believe this, Kotarou, but...right now, you're in the middle of a war between two secret organizations." [Kotarou]: "...Gaia and Guardian?" [Shizuru]: "You knew?" [Kotarou]: "I heard about it in the forest." "Did I say that?" She thinks hard. [Kotarou]: "No...I think class rep told me." [Shizuru]: "Hmm..." "Oh well." She shrugs. [Shizuru]: "The point is, you're in danger, Kotarou." [Shizuru]: "You already know too much." [Kotarou]: "Well, there are men in black suits running around..." [Esaka]: "...so you told him he could stay here? It's not that simple. I'm not here twenty-four-seven." [Shizuru]: "Mmm." She thinks for a while. [Shizuru]: "I'll go check." [Kotarou]: "Check what?" [Esaka]: "Hmm...Shizuru-kun, are you going to defend Tennouji-kun yourself?" [Esaka]: "Huhu, very well. I will keep an eye on him here, so do what you need to do. If you need to contact me again, just call." [Shizuru]: "Okay." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, I'll be gone for a minute." [Kotarou]: "I still don't get it, but if you say so." Shizuru nods once, then quickly leaves. [Kotarou]: "What's she doing...?" [Kotarou]: "Also, Esaka-san, you're part of Guardian too?" [Esaka]: "I am, though I'm effectively retired at this point." The world can be quite small... Actually, considering how strange it is for Shizuru to know people like this in the first place, I shouldn't be surprised... [Esaka]: "You know the name of our organization. How deep into this are you?" [Esaka]: "We make the utmost effort to keep all our activities an absolute secret. Ordinarily no third party should ever be able to hear that name..." [Kotarou]: "Umm, I only know the name and what you guys do, it's not that big a deal." [Kotarou]: "And that Gaia controls familiars, and Guardian's full of superpeople. But that's it." [Esaka]: "I see. For my own information, can I ask if you have a superpower?" Should I tell him? [Esaka]: "If you do, you may be able to join us." [Esaka]: "...in our fight to protect what we hold dear." Join them... Well, if nothing else telling him now will make it a lot easier to gain their trust. Not much point making him suspect me... [Kotarou]: "...yes, I do." I decided it was best to admit it. [Esaka]: "I see. Would you mind telling me what it is? I am only curious, so you don't have to answer if you don't want to." I tell Esaka-san everything. What happened back in elementary school. How I've used my power recently. ...how I've been hiding it all my life. Esaka-san listened to it all without a word. [Esaka]: "I see." [Kotarou]: "There is one other thing...though it's very minor." [Esaka]: "Do you want to tell me?" [Kotarou]: "Umm...were you really just listening that whole time?" [Esaka]: "Like I said, I am only curious." [Kotarou]: "Oh..." [Esaka]: "But did it not make you feel better to talk to someone about it?" ...true. I've been hiding this my entire life... [Kotarou]: (It does feel better...) It was a burden. [Kotarou]: (I guess that's what it means to have a lot of life experience...) [Esaka]: "If you haven't told Shizuru-kun all this, you probably should soon." [Esaka]: "...keeping secrets is never good. Especially between a man and a woman." [Kotarou]: "I-I'll remember that..." I finish the rest of my sandwich, and Esaka-san's phone rings. [Esaka]: "Shizuru-kun?" [Kotarou]: (I guess he doesn't get many calls from other people...) I think something completely irrelevant. [Esaka]: "...and that won't be a problem? Yes, understood." He hangs up. [Esaka]: "She wants you to return to your house." [Kotarou]: "My house?" [Esaka]: "I thought about driving you there...but she seems to want you to come alone." [Kotarou]: "...well, that should be okay." If the men I saw this morning were from Guardian, I don't have to worry about them any more. [Esaka]: "Tennouji-kun." [Esaka]: "If there is ever anything else I can do for you, just come here and ask." [Esaka]: "Actually...I should give you my number." [Kotarou]: "Ah, okay." [Esaka]: "It's a special number that will only accept calls from specific devices." [Kotarou]: "Wow...sounds like a spy gadget." [Esaka]: "Guardian does need to do some espionage, though this is just something I wanted to have." I see, Shizuru called him on that just now. That's how he knew it'd be her. Calling Esaka-san directly is probably better than calling some part of Guardian... I enter it in my cell phone. [Esaka]: "I'll authorize your number later." [Kotarou]: "Thanks." [Esaka]: "Also...just in case, you should write it down somewhere." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Why? It's not going to work with any other phone anyway." [Esaka]: "Public pay phones will work too, just in case something bad happens." [Kotarou]: "I see..." If my cell phone runs out of battery power, I wouldn't even be able to check the number on it. I write it down on the back of the business card he gave me a while ago. I head home by myself, like Shizuru requested. [Kotarou]: "...is Shizuru even here?" I don't see anyone here. The house is silent. I decide to wait. [Kotarou]: "Come to think of it..." I open the closet. [Gil]: "Nngoo..."

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Pani]: "Suya!" They're sleeping. [Kotarou]: (Hopefully they stay like that...) It would be bad if Shizuru found these two. [Kotarou]: "Hey, wake up." [Pani]: "O-oh my, what is it!?" [Gil]: "Uhehe...iron nails and tomato juice..." He seems to be dreaming about blood-like fluids. [Kotarou]: "Wake up." I flick him on the head. [Gil]: "Ow!? Wh-what was that for!? Huh? Where's my research lab...?" [Kotarou]: "That aside, someone's going to be coming here soon." [Pani]: "Oh, then we should hide ourselves." [Kotarou]: "Yeah...try staying in my Dad's study for a while." [Pani]: "U-understood." Before long, I heard the doorbell ring. [Kotarou]: "Okay, coming..." I reach for the intercom, but... [Kotarou]: "Might as well be a bit paranoid..." I quietly approach the front door. I look through the peephole and see Shizuru's face. [Kotarou]: (Okay, should be fine...) There was nothing to worry about, but it can't hurt to check. Shizuru is carrying a massive backpack, as if she's about to climb a mountain. [Kotarou]: "...Shizuru-san?" She nods and heads for the garden. Unfortunately she failed to communicate her intent. She puts down her gear and gets to work. She instantly completes a tent. [Kotarou]: "Wait, Shizuru...that's no place for you to sleep." [Kotarou]: "Don't look for edible grasses! We have food in the fridge!!" [Shizuru]: "Rocambole...gently boil in water and it's delicious in miso soup." [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "You're the one being weird." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." She begins dismantling the tent. [Kotarou]: "So what are you doing?" [Shizuru]: "This is the safest and most practical way to protect Kotarou." I'm being protected now... [Kotarou]: "I'm fine with being guarded, but why do you have to do it?" [Shizuru]: "I'm a quick and effective deterrent." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru-san." [Shizuru]: "......?" [Kotarou]: "Don't do that." [Kotarou]: "I know it's weird saying this next, but would you like to come in?" [Shizuru]: "Okay." We both head back inside. [Kotarou]: "My parents are never around, so we have empty rooms...if you're gonna stay here at least use one of those." She seems unsatisfied. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Shizuru]: "You're relatively safe now." [Shizuru]: "...but we don't know if that will change." [Kotarou]: "...what do you mean?" [Shizuru]: "Inoue-san." [Kotarou]: "......!" [Shizuru]: "We know where she is." [Kotarou]: "Does that mean she's safe!?" [Shizuru]: "...we believe she was taken to one of Gaia's facilities, then moved out of Kazamatsuri along with her family." [Kotarou]: "So she's alive..." I'm relieved. [Shizuru]: "But...she has lost her memories..." [Shizuru]: "She doesn't remember much of anything about school, or what happened to her." Shizuru speaks heavily. She's remembering her own past. Is Inoue's memory loss a mental problem? Or... [Kotarou]: (Can someone in Gaia do the same thing...?) If so... [Kotarou]: "What about Kotori...?" [Kotarou]: "Please tell me what you know." [Kotarou]: "Where did Kotori go?" [Shizuru]: "We don't know where she is." [Kotarou]: "...is Guardian looking for her?" [Shizuru]: "Since she was present during that incident, yes." [Shizuru]: "We have no way of determining whether she's in Gaia or not." [Kotarou]: "She's not with them, I can guarantee that." [Shizuru]: "Then there's a chance she's a superhuman like us." [Kotarou]: "Umm..." That can't be it. ...but now that I think about it...there is a bit of evidence... She has done some amazing things with gardening that can't be easily explained. [Kotarou]: "Okay, please keep looking." [Shizuru]: "There isn't much we can do to find someone who's vanished." [Shizuru]: "And we can't do a large-scale search." [Shizuru]: "If we do find her, we'll be sure to protect her, but..." [Kotarou]: "What...?" So you guys don't have any free personnel to spare on Kotori? [Shizuru]: "I don't have the authority to change that..." [Kotarou]: "Then I'll look for her." [Shizuru]: "You can't do that." [Kotarou]: "Why not?" [Shizuru]: "It's dangerous." [Kotarou]: "Isn't Kotori in danger too?" No... [Kotarou]: "...sorry, I shouldn't have said that." Blaming Shizuru won't change anything. [Shizuru]: "If we find any clues, of course we'll look for her..." Shizuru's bothered by this too. But since she's in Guardian, she can't act on it just because she wants to... And I'm in danger too. [Kotarou]: "I see." That's why Shizuru had to think so hard to decide what she thought was the best course of action. It's possible those dogs and other familiars are looking for me. And if they attacked, she'd be able to react faster if she was on the outside. But still... [Kotarou]: (There's no way I can let her live in a tent outside...) I offer Shizuru one of the spare rooms normally used for storage. [Kotarou]: "You can get blankets and such from this closet." [Shizuru]: "I brought my own." [Kotarou]: "You don't need to use a sleeping bag." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Kotarou]: "If you need anything else just ask. We probably have it somewhere." "I am most grateful." She bows her head. [Kotarou]: "Okay, I'll go back to my room now." [Shizuru]: "Okay." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru-san." [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Why are you bringing your stuff into my room?" [Shizuru]: "From here I can respond to threats immediately, though I can't deter them, which makes this the second most practical location." [Kotarou]: "Wait." [Shizuru]: ".........?" [Kotarou]: "Sit over there for a moment." She sits down. [Kotarou]: "Listen. An unmarried girl like yourself shouldn't sleep in the same room as a guy." [Kotarou]: "Sleeping in a guy's house is bad enough, but the same room just..."

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "I'm not saying I'm bothered by you being here, Shizuru, but it just doesn't feel right for us to eat and sleep together." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "What?" [Shizuru]: "Why are you smiling so much during a serious lecture?" [Kotarou]: ".........huh?" My facial muscles are too honest. [Shizuru]: "Unfortunately I won't be going that far." [Kotarou]: "Gah!" [Kotarou]: "So you do think it's a bit much?" [Shizuru]: "Did you want me to or not?" My mouth is becoming honest too. In the end I gave in. Shizuru stares at me. She just keeps looking at me, doing nothing else. For the first ten minutes I felt embarrassed and happy, but over time I realized she really is just keeping an eye on me. For Shizuru this is part of her mission. She's not here to have fun. With nothing better to do, I start reading some manga. Still... [Kotarou]: "Shizuru..." [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Are you getting bored?" [Shizuru]: "I'm fine for now." [Kotarou]: "If you say so." For now I'll just let her watch... I finish a volume. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru-san, are you bored yet?" [Shizuru]: "I don't get bored watching you, Kotarou." That was embarrassing. [Kotarou]: "But if you do that every day..." [Shizuru]: "Maybe a little..." [Kotarou]: "Obviously..." [Shizuru]: "But it's my mission." [Kotarou]: "Does your mission require you to just sit there silently staring at me for days on end?" [Shizuru]: "That's how I was taught to do surveillance..." [Kotarou]: "Doing things by the book isn't always the best choice." [Shizuru]: "Hmm." [Kotarou]: "So at least do some stuff with me." [Shizuru]: "Okay..." [Kotarou]: "I know...do you play any games?" [Kotarou]: "So much for that..." The only two-player games I have are all fighting games. [Kotarou]: "Ummm, do I have anything else..." [Kotarou]: "Video games." [Kotarou]: "Any other..." [Kotarou]: "Games?" [Kotarou]: "...do you want to play something?" She nods vigorously. [Kotarou]: "Do you like them?" [Shizuru]: "I played a lot at the old man's house." [Kotarou]: "Oooh." Esaka-san, hmm... [Shizuru]: "Once we played until morning..." [Shizuru]: "We felt bad that time." So he's always been like that... [Shizuru]: "I liked watching him play RPGs." [Kotarou]: "Oh...?" [Shizuru]: "I liked fighting games too." [Shizuru]: "You probably can't beat me at those, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "That sounds fun. Let's see if my training at the arcade can match up to what he taught you." [Shizuru]: "I'm not familiar with recent ones though..." [Kotarou]: "I have some old ones." I pull a few CD cases off the shelf. [Shizuru]: "...this one." [Kotarou]: "Okay." A Gundam VS, huh? [Shizuru]: "Acguy, Acguy～" Didn't expect her to know that... She beat me so easily it isn't even funny. ...with those reflexes, Shizuru could probably dodge energy beams in real life. [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Kotarou]: "...Shizuru-san." [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Let's play something else..." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." She then proceeds to kick my ass at every single game we play. In retrospect, I never had much chance against someone who can flawlessly combine Shoryukens with Middle Kicks. [Kotarou]: "Okay!" [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Let's try an RPG this time..." She seems happy about that. [Kotarou]: "For now we'll play for one hour a day." [Shizuru]: "Mmm." [Kotarou]: "You'll need more gaming experience before you can play more than one hour at a time." [Kotarou]: "Anyway, when you start talking to your friends about how many frames each fighting game move takes and consistently play an RPG for that fixed time every single day, then you can move up to limitless play." [Shizuru]: "So much work to be a limitless gamer..." Indeed. [Kotarou]: "Actually, if you liked games that much why didn't you have any at your place?" [Kotarou]: "?" Ah. [Kotarou]: (That's right, she was saving her money...) Does she really need to be that frugal though? [Kotarou]: "...okay, let's watch some TV." [Shizuru]: "Oooh!" [Kotarou]: "What would you like?" [Shizuru]: "...I don't know." Oh yeah, there was no TV at her place either... [Kotarou]: "Then let's surf some channels." I hit the button every few seconds. [Kotarou]: "Nothing that good..." I switch to cable. [Shizuru]: "......!?" [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Kotarou]: "Mm..." I switch back. [Shizuru]: "......!!" I change it again. [Kotarou]: "You like this one?" A documentary about animals on the South Pole. Seals are crawling around on the ice. Yeah...this is nice and relaxing... Shizuru gives the screen her undivided attention. She seems to like it. [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's watch this." Shizuru gradually starts leaning toward it. ...she must really like these animals. [Kotarou]: "Those penguins are amazing...they look like they're flying when they're underwater." [Shizuru]: "Yes...such sharp movements..." We're impressed by the footage from a camera strapped to a penguin's back. [Kotarou]: "Ah!" [Shizuru]: ".........!" When it comes out of the water, a seal immediately grabs the penguin in its jaws. ......... [Kotarou]: "...so seals are carnivores..." [Shizuru]: "Mother nature can be so cruel..." The next moment, the seal is eaten by an orca. [Shizuru]: ".........!" She reaches out for the screen, horrified at the injustice. [Kotarou]: "That's how the food chain works..." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Shizuru]: "But the orca is cute too..." [Kotarou]: "If you say so..." Shizuru makes dinner for me. As expected, most of it is saury-based. Saury pasta for the main dish, with saury salad and saury soup on the side. The saury soup smelled a little odd, but it was surprisingly good. [Kotarou]: "Haa, that was nice." I return to my room. I thought about doing some laundry, but Shizuru's doing that for me. [Kotarou]: "Is this what it's like living with a girlfriend...?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female </METADATA> I start smirking again. No, no, no. [Kotarou]: "I'm getting way too comfortable with this." I remember the situation. [Kotarou]: "Not good...I'm letting myself enjoy this." Shizuru and I aren't even going out yet. She's just here to help me out for a while. Help me out...? Does that mean... She's my private maid? Wow, that would look great on her. [Shizuru]: "Welcome home, Master☆" Though it doesn't match her character. [Shizuru]: "Then I'll talk normally." Yeah, that's more like Shizuru. But since this is a delusion, might as well have her smile. [Shizuru]: "Master☆" Yes! Absolutely yeees!! [Shizuru]: "Tonight's dinner is saury rice, saury steak, saury soup and for dessert, saury ice cream☆" Yeees! I don't even care how much DHA is going to be in all that!! [Kotarou]: "Damn iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!! Why do we have no maid clothes in this houuuuuuuuse!!?" I descend into joyous suffering. I can be surprisingly easy to please sometimes... [Kotarou]: "No...I need to stop this..." I should go back downstairs. If Shizuru hasn't finished yet, maybe I could help her with the chores. Should I stand up now... *bam!* The door flies open. [Kotarou]: "Whoa!" [Gil]: "Huhahahaha, you can't catch me!" Gil flies in. [Shizuru]: ".........!" Shizuru follows. [Kotarou]: "Wh-what the hell!?" They both fly around the room in all directions. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou! A familiar!!" [Kotarou]: "H-huh?" Ah, crap. I forgot to tell Shizuru about them. [Gil]: "You're persistent...no choice! I'll show you my ultimate technique!!" [Gil]: "Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" Gil flies around at high speed. [Shizuru]: "It's...!" [Gil]: "I'm varying my speed to create afterimages and confuse my pursuer! But this is not all! I can go even faster!" [Gil]: "Can you keep uuuuuuup!?" [Kotarou]: "S-so fast...! (though he's not making afterimages...)" [Shizuru]: "Fast... (though he's not making afterimages)" [Gil]: "Give up, Guardian girl! You will never be able to...!" [Kotarou]: "Hey." I reach out into his flight path. [Gil]: "Hebu!!" He collides with my palm and falls to the ground. [Kotarou]: "What the hell are you doing...?" [Gil]: "Hello! She's from Guardian!" [Shizuru]: "Kotarou! Keep him pinned down!" [Kotarou]: "Ah..." Crap, those knives mean... [Gil]: "Gyaaaaaaaaaaa!!" [Kotarou]: "W-wait, Shizuru! Stooooop!!" *freeze* [Shizuru]: "Why did you stop me...?" [Kotarou]: "Calm down and listen." [Gil]: "Uwaaaaa! Let gooo! She's a familiar hunter!" [Kotarou]: "She's fine, so calm down already." [Pani]: "Gil-chan! I'm here to save you!" [Pani]: "As your other half, I cannot bear to...!" [Pani]: "......oh?" [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, are these your familiars...!? Are you a summoner!?" [Pani]: "K-Kotarou-san, is your friend from Guardian!?" [Gil]: "What the hell!? Why did you bring someone from Guardian in here!?" Everything collides in this single moment. [Kotarou]: "Calm down..." I'm gonna have to explain everything from the top. First I tell Shizuru how I met Gil and Pani. Then I tell them about Shizuru. [Shizuru]: "...so they're good?" [Kotarou]: "So far they haven't harmed anyone." [Gil]: "Yeah, we're best friends!" [Shizuru]: "Best friends..." [Pani]: "I'm glad you understand." [Kotarou]: "So please stop fighting, all of you." She doesn't seem to completely believe it. [Kotarou]: "For now...if these guys really were bad, they probably would've killed me ages ago." [Kotarou]: "Is my word good enough for you not to kill them?" She thinks for a while. [Gil]: "Geh!" Shizuru reaches out and grabs Gil. [Gil]: "Wh-wh-what?" *squeeze* She presses on his stomach with her thumb. [Gil]: "A-aaaah?" *squeeze* *squeeze* *squeeze* *squeeze* [Gil]: "Fuoo! Ha-hahyuuu! That tickle―hahahahaha, stoooop!!" [Shizuru]: "...mmm..." [Gil]: "Haa, haa..." [Gil]: "What are you doing you poker-faced bitch!!" [Shizuru]: "Poker-faced...?" [Kotarou]: "That's probably wrong." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Shizuru]: "...is this a familiar?" [Gil]: "If you're not sure then why did you just attack me...?" [Pani]: "We're definitely familiars of some kind." [Shizuru]: "I've never seen familiars that could talk." [Shizuru]: "...or familiars that were so weak." [Kotarou]: "By "familiars", you mean monsters like those dogs and the dragon we saw the other day, right?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." Gil and Pani are definitely different from those guys. [Kotarou]: "Though I have seen another human-shaped one..." [Shizuru]: "A human-shaped familiar?" [Kotarou]: "I think that's what it was." The ribbon girl I saw in the forest. I felt utter terror when I saw her. I tell Shizuru about her. She starts thinking again. [Shizuru]: "I'll have to report this to Guardian." [Kotarou]: "Including these two?" [Gil]: "Hey, hey...they'll want to do weird experiments on us if you tell them..." [Pani]: "W-w-we'll be dissecteeeed!!" [Shizuru]: "I'll keep quiet about you two." [Pani]: "Oh my..." [Shizuru]: "But I can't promise you'll be safe if anyone else finds you." [Shizuru]: "And I won't be able to protect you if they do..." [Gil]: "Wh-what the hell? ...so you are a bad guy after all...?" [Pani]: "But this might be safer than before." [Pani]: "If we're hiding right next to a Guardian agent, they're not going to bother sending another one here to look for us." [Pani]: "Gaia wouldn't try to look here either. No one will suspect a thing!" [Gil]: "No one will detect a thing!" [Kotarou]: "She already did." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Hm?"

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Gil | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Shizuru]: "I want to hear more about that ribbon familiar." [Kotarou]: "Hm? ...okay." [Shizuru]: "Is there anything else you remember?" [Shizuru]: "Has anything strange happened to you before that night?" [Kotarou]: "...anything strange..." I think back. ...I've experienced a lot of fantastic events over the past few months. [Kotarou]: "Yeah, quite a few things." If anything it's bizarre how many. I tell Shizuru about my other weird experiences. What happened in the forest. The ghost that haunted me during October. The strange infinite hallway at school. The time I saw a giant creature's dead body in the forest. [Kotarou]: "Also...when I ate menra at Gen-san's place, I think I saw a dog-like one..." [Kotarou]: "I saw a girl's shadow next to it..." [Kotarou]: "That might have been the ribbon girl." Shizuru listens to my stories with an odd expression. [Kotarou]: "I think that's about it." [Shizuru]: "I'll head out for a minute." [Kotarou]: "Hm? At this hour?" [Shizuru]: "If something happens, call me." [Shizuru]: "Keep your phone on hand at all times." [Kotarou]: "Got it." [Kotarou]: "Hm? What?" [Shizuru]: "I wasn't expecting you to obey that Kotarou." [Shizuru]: "I thought you'd try to make me tell you where I'm going." [Kotarou]: "Even I can tell when I need to sit still and wait." [Shizuru]: "Okay." [Shizuru]: "Please stay put here." [Shizuru]: "It's especially dangerous at night..." [Kotarou]: "I'll be fine." [Kotarou]: "You can go now." She looks worried. [Kotarou]: "Come on, get going." Shizuru opens a window. She waves goodbye, then jumps out the window. [Kotarou]: "I guess that's one way to get out..." [Pani]: "This is all happening so suddenly..." [Gil]: "I don't like her..." [Kotarou]: "Why not? She's nice." [Gil]: "She's scary!" [Gil]: "She's a well-trained combat-hardened warrior." [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" I didn't get that feeling from her at all... [Kotarou]: "Oh well." I stand up, grab a backpack and put it over my shoulder. [Kotarou]: "...guess I should bring a flashlight." [Gil]: "What? Are you going somewhere?" [Pani]: "What happened to staying put?" [Kotarou]: "That was a lie." [Kotarou]: "If I told her I wanted to go somewhere, she probably would've stopped me." I haven't done much about this yet, but it's something I need to do. [Kotarou]: "...I need to look for Kotori." We're childhood friends, and we've been going to school together for ages. She should be just an ordinary person mixed up in this by accident, like me. But she won't have anyone protecting her like I do. And she doesn't have any special power. ...I can't just leave her. If Guardian won't do anything, I'll have to look for her myself. [Gil]: "Do you have any idea where she might be?" [Kotarou]: "I have a few ideas." It'd be nice if I could find her right away and make sure she's safe. This is a pretty serious situation. I head out. [Kotarou]: "Now then..." First I head for the part of the forest where Kotori and I used to play together. She might have tried to hide there if someone came after her. [Gil]: "Okay, here we go!" [Pani]: "Let's go～!" They grab onto my shoulders. [Kotarou]: "Eh? You're coming?" [Pani]: "It feels safer sticking with you, Kotarou-san..." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru's fine. Trust me." [Gil]: "What if someone else from Guardian shows up?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, good point." [Kotarou]: "...hmm." Come to think of it, it's not easy to find people in the forest, so the fact that they can fly might help. [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's go." [Gil]: "Yeees! We haven't had a ride in ages!" [Kotarou]: "Stay in my bag until we reach the forest." I shove him in. [Gil]: "Owwwwwwwwww!!" [Pani]: "Don't struggle! You'll tear it open!" He sticks his head out and makes a ruckus. [Kotarou]: "...pipe down." There aren't many people around so it's probably fine, but... [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" There's a line of cop cars on the side of the road. [Kotarou]: "Is this a checkpoint...?" I see red strobe lights and black and white patrol cars. I don't get why this is here... [Kotarou]: "It'd be a pain if they asked me why I was out this late..." I go through an alley to avoid them. [Gil]: "Hey...it just got a lot darker..." [Kotarou]: "I bet..." I walk a bit faster. *clank* [Kotarou]: "Hm?" I turn around at the noise. [Kotarou]: "......?" *bang* *bang* *bang* Rough, metallic noises. [Kotarou]: "What is that?" I take out my flashlight. The manhole cover is moving. [Gil]: "Hey." Gil sticks his head out of the bag. [Kotarou]: "It's nothing, the manhole just..." [Gil]: "Something smells wrong. If you're gonna keep looking around, be careful." [Kotarou]: "What do you mean?" [Gil]: "I smell familiars." I remember horror movies. This is a very typical situation. If I look into the manhole, it'll suddenly fly up and a monster will come out. Gyaaa! The side character dies. A chill goes down my spine. [Kotarou]: (Wait...) I have a superpower on my side. [Kotarou]: "Is there one down there..." Seaweed beams...no, my aurora blade. I remember the image I had in my head the last time I made one. My arm starts to itch. In the flesh between my skin and bones, my capillaries begin to writhe. Something hot rushes through my right arm. This is it. To put it simply, it's kinda like when you use your arms as a pillow and they get all numb and tingly. Imagine if that sensation was much stronger, and somehow faster. [Kotarou]: "...there we go." The aurora starts to form a blade. [Kotarou]: "...so tiny." Not as big as last time. Only the size of a fruit knife. [Gil]: "Geh! What's that!?" [Kotarou]: "Umm...my power?" [Pani]: "I didn't know you had a power, Kotarou-san..." [Kotarou]: "I only realized it the other day myself..." I hold it up and approach the manhole. *clank*

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Gen-san | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Whoa!" It scares me so I step back. [Gil]: "Why are you freaking out!? If you have something that cool just go fight it!" [Kotarou]: "It's not really..." I'm still not that different from before. I approach it again. [Kotarou]: (That's not a human...right...?) I prepare to attack anything that might pop out. *clank*... The cover moves. [Pani]: "It's coming out!" [Kotarou]: ".........!" It pushes the cover farther to one side. Then...... A giant worm crawls out. [Kotarou]: "Uwaaa! I saw a dead one of these in the forest!!" The worm shakes its body, twisting around as if to get a feel for the area. It's disgusting, to say the least. [Gil]: "Idiot! What are you doing!? Get it already!" [Kotarou]: "I-I know, but..." As I hesitate, the worm crawls the rest of the way out. ...it's long. Definitely longer than the remains I saw before. [Gil]: "It's coming!" [Kotarou]: "Eh?" By the time he says that, it's too late. The worm coils up its body like a spring and leaps toward me. [Kotarou]: "Hii...!" I stick out my right hand instinctively. ...a gross sound. My aurora penetrates the worm, making a sticky, fluid noise. It feels disgusting. [Kotarou]: "Uwaaaa!" I swing my hand around. Cutting right through it... ...the worm's head is split in half. [Kotarou]: "Uuoooo, that was horrible...!" [Gil]: "You did it!" [Kotarou]: "Aaah..." [Kotarou]: "...uu!" It smells of blood. A red fluid...blood pours out of the worm. [Kotarou]: "Why...?" [Gil]: "This thing sucks blood." [Kotarou]: "...that much?" [Pani]: "It produces a strong anti-coagulant. If it wounds you, your blood will never clot and the wound won't heal." [Kotarou]: "That would've been bad..." [Gil]: "Normal snakes can do stuff like that too." [Pani]: "Vipers inject a poison that disrupts blood clotting, causing tiny clots to occur within the blood, but never enough to stop bleeding." [Pani]: "I think it's called disintegrin..." [Kotarou]: "Wow..." I didn't know that. [Gil]: "If it latches onto you it'll suck out every drop of your blood." [Kotarou]: "It was that dangerous!?" I touched one of these things in the forest! It finally makes sense. That's why the cut I got back then didn't stop bleeding. [Kotarou]: "...these things...are inside the city now...?" [Pani]: "If it has this much blood, it must have caught a few people already." [Gil]: "And they're mummies now." [Kotarou]: "Ah!" [Gil]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "There was a rumor about mummified corpses in my neighborhood..." Those mysterious deaths were caused by these guys? If so... [Kotarou]: "If I'd killed it back in the forest...no one would've died..." [Pani]: "You can't blame yourself...if you fought these recklessly you'd just get yourself killed." [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." Aaaah... [Kotarou]: (Why didn't I...) I can't hold back the regret. [Gil]: "Hey." [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" [Gil]: "There's more coming." [Pani]: "Hounds this time..." I see a shadow moving at the other end of the alley. [Kotarou]: "That's..." One of the black dogs I've seen before. [Gil]: "You should probably run..." [Kotarou]: "But if I just let him be..." Someone else will die. [Pani]: "How could they be in the city...?" [Kotarou]: "Actually, I've seen these dogs in the city before." [Pani]: "Oh..." [Gil]: "Did the city look weird when you saw them?" [Kotarou]: "Actually...it felt kinda like a cheap replica of the city." [Gil]: "Then that was inside the compressed space." [Kotarou]: "The what?" [Pani]: "An alternate dimension that's connected to this city in several places." [Pani]: "That's where Gaia keeps most of their familiars." [Kotarou]: "...you guys know a lot..." [Gil]: "He's running away! Phew, we're safe!" [Kotarou]: "―!!" I start running. [Gil]: "Hey! Why are you running towards him!?" [Kotarou]: "If I don't kill it now, then someone..." [Gil]: "But you'll die!" [Kotarou]: "No, I can do this...!" I hold out my right hand. Aurora swells up, forming a new wristblade. [Kotarou]: (I can do this...) I'll chase it at full speed...! [Gil]: "...it's long gone." I stop near a park. [Kotarou]: "Dammit..." [Gil]: "I told you not to do that! What happened to looking for Kotori!?" [Kotarou]: "But I can't just let it run off and kill someone!" [Gil]: "If you let things like that bother you every time you see one, you'll never be able to do anything useful. Remember that." [Kotarou]: "Uu..." The fact that he's right couldn't be more irritating... [Kotarou]: "But she should be around here somewhere..." [Gil]: "Well, I guess so." [Kotarou]: "I wonder if Gen-san and the others are okay..." If something like that shows up while they're all drinking and partying... [Kotarou]: "I'd better go check." If he hasn't set up shop here, then there's nothing to worry about. [Kotarou]: "You guys stay hidden for a while. It'd be bad if anyone saw you." [Gil]: "Then we'll recon the area for a bit." [Pani]: "With this many trees, we should have no trouble staying hidden at night." [Kotarou]: "Okay, sounds good." They both disappear into the trees. ...now I need to get moving. [Kotarou]: "...there he is." I see some red paper lanterns. I rush over, and see Gen-san busily doing something. [Gen-san]: "Hm? Oooh, it's you again." [Kotarou]: "Good evening." [Gen-san]: "What gives? I told you to bring the girl next time you came! Huh? Or are you here to ask for advice or something?" [Gen-san]: "Gahahahaha! Go ahead, I'm willing to talk about anything!" [Kotarou]: "No, not that..." [Gen-san]: "Shizuru's always been the quiet type so you'll have to push her pretty hard to get anywhere." [Kotarou]: "I'll definitely remember that, but..." [Kotarou]: "More importantly, have you seen any dogs around here?" [Gen-san]: "What? Are you a detective now? You've got a lot going on."

<METADATA> Name: Gen-san | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "No, I mean a huge black dog, about this size..." [Gen-san]: "A black dog...?" [Kotarou]: "Y-yes..." [Gen-san]: "Nothing like that." [Kotarou]: "Okay." [Gen-san]: "Is that one behind you?" [Kotarou]: "...huh?" I turn around. Red eyes between the trees. It walks out onto the path, keeping its eyes on me. Crap... It's definitely after me. [Gen-san]: "Good for you, you already found it." [Kotarou]: "I didn't want to find it..." [Gen-san]: "Is it rabid or something?" [Gen-san]: "...whoa!?" The stand shakes violently. Another dog just charged into it. [Gen-san]: "There's one over here too! Dammit!" [Kotarou]: "Gen-san, run!" [Gen-san]: "Huh?" [Gen-san]: "You can't be serious. I'll turn these stupid doggies into soup!" [Kotarou]: "No, these guys are seriously dangerous!" As I say that... It's approaching me. If I take my eyes off it, it can leap on me immediately. So... [Kotarou]: "You―!" I face it and rush forward. The dog leaps toward me at the same moment...! [Kotarou]: (Come on...!) I make a new aurora blade. Okay... I'm getting used to this thing now. I can bring it out whenever I want. But it takes time to form a hard blade. So for now I wrap it around my fist... [Kotarou]: "Sit down!!" I punch the dog in the side of the face. ...yes! The black dog flies back two or three meters and writhes around on the ground. [Kotarou]: "...Gen-san!" I need to go help him...! [Gen-san]: "Eat this! Chivalrous knuckleeeeeeeeeees!!" *crack!* [Gen-san]: "And after that, a spirited uppercuuuuuuuuuut!!!" Gen-san beats up the other dog. [Gen-san]: "Don't worry, this one's finished!" [Kotarou]: "No it's not! Run, now!" [Gen-san]: "...oh?" The dog gets back up. [Kotarou]: "You can't beat these things just by punching them! They're not normal!" [Kotarou]: "―!?" The dog I just hit also gets back up and heads for me again. [Kotarou]: "Dammit...!" [Kotarou]: "Gen-san, I mean it! You need to start running!!!" I shout without looking at him. ...I can't afford to take my eyes off the one coming at me...! [Kotarou]: (What do I do...?) Just hitting it won't help. Before it can bite into my arm... [Kotarou]: "I need a blade!!" My aurora quivers. ...the moment my three blades take shape, the dog's face is already right in front of them. [Kotarou]: "......!!" I swing my arm. The aurora slices through the dog's face, cutting in cleanly into three parts. [Kotarou]: (...yes!) Okay, is Gen-san still...!? [Gen-san]: "Uoryaryaryaryarya unbreakable combo fiiist!!!" [Kotarou]: "I told you to run damn iiiiiiit!!!" [Gen-san]: "Come on! These guys are nothing compared to my..." [Gen-san]: "―!?" The dog seems unfazed by the attacks, and continues attacking Gen-san... [Kotarou]: (Not good...!!) I reach out. My aurora rushes forward, and produces a bright flash... [Black Dog]: "Uu...gyaaaaaaaaaaa..." ...as it slices the dog's head off. [Gen-san]: "...that was close..." [Kotarou]: "I told you to run..." I try to catch my breath. My vision goes black and I feel dizzy. ...evidently I can't use it like that too much. [Gen-san]: "I see, so you're one too." [Kotarou]: "Huh...?" [Gen-san]: "Was that your power?" [Kotarou]: "...eh?" [Gen-san]: "Not bad! Let's kick the crap out of these guys!" [Kotarou]: "Wait, what are you..." Gen-san opens a drawer in his stand and pulls out a pair of hatchets. [Gen-san]: "Stay focused! There's more coming!" [Kotarou]: ".........!" I suddenly realize I'm surrounded by more dogs. Five...no, ten...!? Why are there so many here...!? [Gen-san]: "Let's gooooooooooooo!!" He roars loud enough to split the air, and throws a hatchet toward a dog. It carves through a dog's body... The dog splits into four parts with a tremendous noise. [Kotarou]: "...ah?" Did it explode...? The hatchet flies back into Gen-san's hand... [Kotarou]: "...wow." [Gen-san]: "Get it now?" [Kotarou]: "You're a superhuman too...!" [Gen-san]: "Exactly!" The other dogs start running away. They must have decided they can't win this. [Gen-san]: "...there they go." [Kotarou]: "Wait, Gen-san!? Really?" [Gen-san]: "Gahahahaha! Surprised, boy?" [Gen-san]: "Selling menra is my day job! But at night..." [???]: "Gennadiy Eduardovich Kawachieev. Former second-in-command of the Bayern Knights of Guardian." A woman's voice comes from behind me. [Gen-san]: "...pretty much." [Gen-san]: "At least let me introduce myself, Touka-ojou-chan." [Nishikujou]: "My apologies." [Kotarou]: "...eh?" It's Nishikujou-sensei. [Nishikujou]: "Good evening, Tennouji-kun. The Moon's beautiful tonight." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Eeeeeeeh?" [Nishikujou]: "Is this confusing you?" [Kotarou]: "Well...are all of you guys in Guardian?" [Gen-san]: "We are." [Nishikujou]: "Don't be so cavalier about this, Gennady-san." [Nishikujou]: "I told you this area was dangerous." [Gen-san]: "Well...sorry..." [Gen-san]: "But since it was dangerous, I figured I should keep an eye out." [Nishikujou]: "Well, at least nothing bad happened this time." [Gen-san]: "Oh? Oh? You're letting me off, Touka?" [Nishikujou]: "I'll be mad next time." [Gen-san]: "Fiiine...you need to respect your elders more..." [Nishikujou]: "...so, Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: "Ah, yes...?" [Nishikujou]: "Is there anything you want to ask?" [Kotarou]: "...no." There's tons, but... [Kotarou]: "Well, I knew you were with them, Nishikujou-san, but Gen-san too...?" [Nishikujou]: "It's a small world～"

<METADATA> Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Gen-san | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Ah, of course! He was always with Esaka-san, so...!" [Gen-san]: "Yeah, our whole group used to be a special unit in Guardian." The world is extremely small. [Nishikujou]: "...so, now that you're up to speed..." [Nishikujou]: "Actually, we should go somewhere else first." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" At that moment, a ray of light flies into the bushes. [Black Dog]: "Guoooooooooo!!!" I hear something die. [Nishikujou]: "It's too dangerous." What did she just do? I couldn't even see it... [Nishikujou]: "Gennady-san, please fall back too." [Gen-san]: "If you say so...I'll call the other idiots too..." [Nishikujou]: "Please move your stand before messing with your phone." [Gen-san]: "You're so picky." [Gen-san]: "Bye, boy. See you later." [Kotarou]: "Ah, bye...and thanks." [Nishikujou]: "Let's go." [Kotarou]: "Haa..." Gen-san starts putting stuff away so he can move his stand, and we leave the park. [Kotarou]: "Also, what's with you guys...?" [Nishikujou]: "What's "with us"...?" [Kotarou]: "Look at what you just did! You killed those things without even trying!" [Nishikujou]: "Ah...well..." [Nishikujou]: "They're only hounds, after all." They're not easy for me at all, you know. [Nishikujou]: "Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: "Yes...?" [Nishikujou]: "I assume you've heard most of this from Shizuru-chan already, but..." [Nishikujou]: "You know the situation you're in, right? It's not safe to walk around at night alone." [Kotarou]: "...yes." [Nishikujou]: "Hm?" [Kotarou]: "Why are you, Shizuru and Lucia all in that school?" [Nishikujou]: "Just a bit of undercover work." [Nishikujou]: "There's a huge compressed space under that school, right?" [Nishikujou]: "Oh, compressed space is..." [Kotarou]: "We know about it." [Nishikujou]: "We've heard some major figures in Gaia use it." [Nishikujou]: "I had no idea it was Senri-san, though she did seem suspicious..." [Kotarou]: "I see..." So Gaia and Guardian were fighting even there... [Nishikujou]: "Can I ask you something this time?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, sure." [Nishikujou]: "How long have you been able to use your power, Tennouji-kun?" [Kotarou]: "I've had it...since elementary school." [Nishikujou]: "...including that light?" [Kotarou]: "That part I only learned recently...this is the first time I've really used it." [Nishikujou]: "I see...so you've had to hide it." [Kotarou]: "Yes." [Nishikujou]: "So, are you a high school student?" [Kotarou]: "Huh?" I don't understand the question at all. [Kotarou]: "Well, obviously...you've seen me at school plenty of times." [Nishikujou]: "If you say so." [Kotarou]: "Haa..." [Nishikujou]: "You probably shouldn't go to school anymore." [Kotarou]: "...well, yeah." [Nishikujou]: "Don't worry. When things quiet down we can get you into a new school somewhere else." [Nishikujou]: "Be sure to keep up your studies. Shizuru-chan should be able to help you, since she's further ahead." [Nishikujou]: "It's wonderful to spend some time together just studying." Nishikujou-san really does sound like a teacher when talking about this. [Kotarou]: "...sensei." [Nishikujou]: "Hm?" [Kotarou]: "Sensei, you're scary with your eyes open." [Nishikujou]: "Oh～?" She takes out a pocket mirror. [Nishikujou]: "...am I?" [Kotarou]: "No, your eyes aren't open right now." [Nishikujou]: "Oh～" I meant that moment when she attacked the dog. Sharp, cold eyes. Like a hunter. [Kotarou]: "...Sensei, am I weak?" [Kotarou]: "Never mind, I know I suck..." [Kotarou]: "Gen-san could keep those dogs at bay without even using his power, and I have to risk my life to kill just one of them..." [Nishikujou]: "True, you haven't been trained, Tennouji-kun..." That's right. My combat skills and power are both weak. I'm a blatant novice. [Nishikujou]: "Tennouji-kun." [Nishikujou]: "...what do you want to do?" [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Nishikujou]: "Do you want to go through training so you can fight better?" [Nishikujou]: "Or..." [Nishikujou]: "Do you want to get your old life back?" [Nishikujou]: "If you start training, that means you'll be a member of Guardian." [Nishikujou]: "You won't be able to go back." I could join Guardian, and spend the rest of my life hunting familiars. That's the sort of thing boys dream of doing. But reality isn't that simple. Unlike a hero, I could easily fall to weaklings like those dogs, and if I die there's no way for me to come back. ...I'm even weaker than the dogs right now. But... [Nishikujou]: "...it's not an easy decision, is it?" [Kotarou]: "Nishikujou-san." [Nishikujou]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "If I just want to stay with Shizuru, which should I choose?" [Nishikujou]: "Are you serious?" [Kotarou]: "I want to help Shizuru." [Kotarou]: "I've thought about it a lot." [Kotarou]: "...there's no way for me to simply be with her, without getting in the way, is there?" [Nishikujou]: "You're amazing, Tennouji-kun..." [Kotarou]: "I'm serious." [Kotarou]: "I always thought I'd like to live for someone else." [Kotarou]: "And I know I can't run away from this anymore." [Kotarou]: "I know all about it now." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru told me everything." [Kotarou]: "I'm completely serious." [Nishikujou]: "Then you shouldn't become a warrior." [Nishikujou]: "There are many sections of Guardian that don't have to fight on the front lines. You should try to join one of them." [Kotarou]: "I see..." [Nishikujou]: "You'll need to do a lot of studying though." [Kotarou]: "I-I'll do my best." [Nishikujou]: "...okay then." [Nishikujou]: "I won't be able to do much, but I'll try to help you make that happen."

<METADATA> Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Nishikujou]: "Anyway, we'll figure that out once the problems in this city are dealt with." [Kotarou]: "Okay." [Nishikujou]: "...I just hope we can deal with them." Nishikujou-sensei drives me back home in her Mini Cooper. [Nishikujou]: "That's right, we'll do what we can about Kanbe-san too." [Nishikujou]: "You don't need to do anything reckless to find her, Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: "...ah, okay." [Kotarou]: "In that case, I can tell you where Kotori usually..." [Nishikujou]: "Would you mind telling Shizuru-chan that? We don't have a map here right now." [Kotarou]: "I do have Mappie." [Nishikujou]: "Oh." I turn it on and show her the place. [Nishikujou]: "...got it. Thanks, Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: "You're welcome." [Nishikujou]: "So, for now stay put and do what Shizuru-chan says." [Kotarou]: "Well, if that's all then I can do, then..." [Nishikujou]: "We're the ones who raised Shizuru-chan after all." [Nishikujou]: "Especially me..." [Nishikujou]: "I wanted to let her go to school and lead a normal life." [Nishikujou]: "...I wanted to let her fall in love like any other girl." [Nishikujou]: "You know, I think it's an adult's duty to make those things possible." [Nishikujou]: "I'm probably working for Guardian in order to make it possible throughout the world." [Nishikujou]: "...since there are lots of children who never get these chances..." [Kotarou]: "...I see." [Nishikujou]: "The same applies to you, Tennouji-kun." [Nishikujou]: "I'll try to make sure you can go back to school soon..." [Nishikujou]: "It probably won't be the same as before, but you'll be with Shizuru-chan." [Kotarou]: "Nishikujou-sensei." [Nishikujou]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "Have you considered actually working as a teacher?" [Nishikujou]: "Oh." [Nishikujou]: "...was I a good one?" [Kotarou]: "Anyone who thinks like you would probably be a very good teacher." [Nishikujou]: "I hope so." [Nishikujou]: "Ah, that's right." [Nishikujou]: "Shizuru-chan's still a child, so..." [Nishikujou]: "You'll have to give her some support too." [Kotarou]: "R-right..." Still a child...? What does she think I'll do to her? [Kotarou]: (Is she trying to tell me not to...!?) Well, I wasn't planning to anyway... [Nishikujou]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, no, never mind! If anything I'm still a child too!" [Nishikujou]: "...I guess so..." [Nishikujou]: "But I'm sure you have lots of challenges ahead." [Nishikujou]: "Shizuru-chan is kind of unstable..." [Nishikujou]: "Be sure to support her, like you said you would." [Kotarou]: "...yes." She's being serious. I feel ashamed for misunderstanding her. [Nishikujou]: "Bye. Good luck with all that." [Kotarou]: "Thanks for the help..." [Nishikujou]: "Huhu, goodnight." [Kotarou]: "...bye." I watch her drive away. [Kotarou]: "Support her..." Yeah. I don't need to be the main character. Heroes aren't the only ones who can protect something precious to them. I look at the lights from downtown. Every single dot of light is a place where people are living. Everyone's protecting something. [Kotarou]: "Fathers working hard to put food on the table..." [Kotarou]: "Mothers trying to keep the house in order..." Families living. They all support each other. It's an ordinary fact, but... For some reason, I think that's a very noble thing. ...I remember Gaia. Destroy the world? [Kotarou]: (Idiots...) I can't see it any other way. But there are people out there fighting against them. And they literally slay monsters to do that. No one would go this far over a joke. So maybe these ordinary things really are at risk of going away. ...I don't want that to happen. [Kotarou]: (...I'll just have to do my best.) The city I'm looking at right now. It's starting to look different now. I'm not normal anymore. But I want to be one of those little lights someday. That's how I feel. One of the many people living a normal life in the city. When I go inside, I immediately... *phweeet* ...have a whistle blown in my face. [Kotarou]: "I'm really sorry." [Gil]: "I had no idea the city would be that dangerous either..." [Pani]: "We know what we did wrong～" Shizuru forces us all to sit down seiza-style. [Shizuru]: "You won't do it again?" [Kotarou]: "I won't." [Shizuru]: "Okay." She pats me on the shoulder. [Shizuru]: "...but, I figured you might do that, Kotarou." [Shizuru]: "...that's why I asked Touka to come." [Kotarou]: "Really...?" [Shizuru]: "Are you worried about Kotori?" [Kotarou]: "Well..." [Shizuru]: "...you were like that in the club too." [Shizuru]: "No matter how much we said something was dangerous, you wouldn't listen." She saw right through me. [Kotarou]: "Come to think of it, this happened back when we first met." That day I'd agreed to go to the student council meeting in someone else's place, since he was sick. Then I found a first-year who needed help. I asked, and she said she was heading to the same meeting. But Kazamatsuri Academy was huge, and she was new to it, so she kept getting lost. I showed her where to go. After doing all that, I decided that was enough and tried to walk away without attending the meeting myself. [Kotarou]: "...then you guessed I was about to do that, and made me participate anyway." [Shizuru]: "I really thought you were a class representative back then..." I've known Shizuru ever since. It seems like a long time...but it seems kinda short too. ...then it suddenly hits me. [Kotarou]: "Actually, why did you ask me for help back then?" [Shizuru]: "Because you looked easygoing, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "...as in I didn't take anything seriously, or I was an optimistic person?" [Shizuru]: "Hmm...didn't take anything seriously." Harsh words. [Shizuru]: "But you also don't mind being asked to help people." [Kotarou]: "Mm..." [Shizuru]: "Shortly after that, you gave me a meal ticket in the cafeteria." [Kotarou]: "...ah."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Gil | Gender: Male </METADATA> There was a lot of confusion that day because certain things hadn't arrived at the shop on time. Everyone who was used to buying bread there had to go to the cafeteria instead. I saw Shizuru being swept around in the crowd, and felt sorry for her... [Kotarou]: "Then it took me almost all of lunch break to get anything, and I had to eat it in under five minutes..." That takes me back. It's been half a year since then. [Kotarou]: "That's right...it has been a while." Even what happened yesterday feels like it was ages ago. [Shizuru]: "I wish we were the same year." [Kotarou]: "...yeah." Half a year. It feels both long and short. And I spent a very small fraction of it with Shizuru. ...so little time... Huh... All the days I was hoping to spend with the Occult Club...are gone now. Everyone's gone their separate ways, splitting into Gaia and Guardian...and fighting each other... We'll never get them all together again, much less have fun in the club room or go on silly adventures... [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Nothing..." [Kotarou]: "...was the Occult Club fun for you?" [Shizuru]: "...it was fun." [Shizuru]: "I think...that's how all normal people live." [Shizuru]: "I envied it a bit." So I wasn't the only one who thought that. But... [Kotarou]: "I shouldn't have gone to so much trouble." I was impatient. [Kotarou]: "Even with Inoue...I could've gone by myself." [Kotarou]: "If you thought it was fun, then maybe...we could've made a new club together..." ...even after being told to stop club activities, we could have restarted after it blew over. Or started a brand new club. Or just hung out together. There were plenty of options. At the time, I was just afraid of letting everyone split up, because I thought we'd never come back together. But that happened anyway... [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Shizuru]: "People can't see into the future." [Shizuru]: "...you couldn't have known this would happen. No one could've." [Shizuru]: "Besides, we did have fun back then, so what's there to regret?" She smiles at me. I feel myself starting to smile back. She's right. I went straight to regret. But Shizuru's trying to be positive... I'm just whining. Shizuru's the one trying so hard to move forward here. Which is why... ...I'm a little afraid that might change. Nishikujou-sensei said she was unstable. A perfectly healthy night ends. [Kotarou]: "That was a good sleep..." Sleeping in the same room as someone else...it's kinda... [Kotarou]: (Incredibly reassuring...) After all the supernatural things I've been through, I haven't been getting much sleep lately. [Shizuru]: "Uuu..." She's still asleep, but... I stare at her for a while. Aaah... I'm living with Shizuru... This must be true happiness! I experience refreshing joy. [Kotarou]: (Okay, enough of that...) Shizuru probably did some important stuff yesterday. I can imagine she's tired. I leave the room without waking her. ...one hour later. [Shizuru]: "Guu..." No sign of her waking up... [Kotarou]: "If we had school we'd be late by now..." Another hour later. [Shizuru]: "Guu..." She's still not up! Then the doorbell rings. [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" What is it? I carefully look through the peephole. A familiar face waves to me on the other side. [Nishikujou]: "Morning, Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: "Ah, hello." [Nishikujou]: "Is Shizuru-chan still sleeping?" [Kotarou]: "Probably." [Nishikujou]: "She has been very busy lately." [Kotarou]: "Is it always like this?" [Nishikujou]: "Shizuru-chan needs more sleep than normal people." [Kotarou]: "You're sure she doesn't just oversleep?" [Nishikujou]: "That might be part of it too..." [Nishikujou]: "But the fact that her body isn't normal may be too." [Kotarou]: "Haa..." Come to think of it, she did nap a lot during lunch breaks at school. [Nishikujou]: "Anyway, I don't have that much time to talk. I'm going to be very busy soon." [Nishikujou]: "Here you go." She hands me a plastic bag full of stuff. It's really heavy. Nothing but saury. [Nishikujou]: "I think you'll need it～" [Kotarou]: "Well, Shizuru will probably like this..." [Nishikujou]: "Also, you know about Gennady-san's shop, right?" [Kotarou]: "Yes." [Nishikujou]: "We've talked about last night. He should be in the park again today, so at night go there with Shizuru please." [Kotarou]: "Huh? Why there again?" [Nishikujou]: "There's someone I want you to meet." [Kotarou]: "Haa...who might this be?" [Nishikujou]: "It's a secret." [Kotarou]: "Eeeh?" [Nishikujou]: "Now, I need to get going." [Kotarou]: "If you say so...any particular time we should go?" [Nishikujou]: "Whenever you want～" She says goodbye, gets in the Mini Cooper parked nearby and drives off. [Kotarou]: "...geez." By the time the sun's directly overhead...Shizuru's still asleep. [Pani]: "She must be really tired～" Pani mutters as she gazes at the TV. [Kotarou]: "Guess I should get lunch out at least..." [Gil]: "Is it meat!? It's meat, isn't it!?" [Kotarou]: "Unfortunately we'll be having fish every day for a while." Especially saury. [Gil]: "...that's no fun at all." [Kotarou]: "You don't even need to eat, so don't complain about it." I look in the fridge, and it has far more ingredients than it used to. This must be all the stuff Shizuru brought. So we can eat all our meals in here, and avoid going outside. [Kotarou]: "...but we're getting 80% of our protein from saury..." I decide to open one of the saury cans and cook it. I'll use these to lure her down... [Kotarou]: "Good morning." The plan worked flawlessly. [Shizuru]: "The morning air smells so magnificent..." [Kotarou]: "It's past noon." I eat as I watch Shizuru's happy face. [Kotarou]: "Is it good...?" [Shizuru]: "Very good." [Shizuru]: "So's the rice." [Kotarou]: "So why are we eating in here?" [Shizuru]: "Because you brought it up, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "I guess so..."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Shizuru]: "...this room is the safest place in the house. Ideally I would like us to spend as much time in here as possible." [Kotarou]: "Why?" [Shizuru]: "Traps." I start looking around. Did she put anything dangerous in here...? [Shizuru]: "I don't think you can see them." [Kotarou]: "What kind of traps...?" [Shizuru]: "Onji's custom-made anti-familiar devices." [Shizuru]: "They shouldn't affect you, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "......it's still unsettling." [Shizuru]: "Onji is good. You don't need to worry." [Kotarou]: "By the way, who's "Onji"? Is that one of the old men I saw at the ramen stand?" "I didn't introduce you?" She seems to be thinking. [Kotarou]: "No, you didn't introduce us." "Oh no, how could I!?" She puts a hand to her forehead. [Shizuru]: "...are you coming tonight?" [Kotarou]: "To Gen-san's stand?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "Nishikujou-sensei told me to." [Shizuru]: "...I see." [Shizuru]: "I'll reintroduce you then." [Kotarou]: "Please do." [Shizuru]: "They'll help us out more in the future. You're always safe in this city if you're with them." [Kotarou]: "Ah..." Gen-san was insanely powerful... [Shizuru]: "I see..." [Kotarou]: "What? I didn't say anything." [Shizuru]: "Nothing..." [Shizuru]: "Th-the saury have bones." [Kotarou]: "......ah, I see." Shizuru's eyes tell me, "I wanted to say something but changed my mind so I brought up bones (even though it doesn't matter) in order to keep you from noticing." She's bad at hiding things. [Kotarou]: (But I'll leave it alone for now.) Then something hits me. [Kotarou]: "If you like, I can debone them." [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Just gimme your plate." [Kotarou]: "And while I'm at it I'll eat the rest." [Shizuru]: ".........!" [Shizuru]: "N-no...it's okay...I don't mind bones..." [Kotarou]: "You're the one who brought them up a minute ago." She is extremely puzzled. So I steal her plate. [Shizuru]: "...it's fine." [Kotarou]: "No really, don't worry about it." I pull the bones clean out. [Kotarou]: "Okay, now say 'aaah'." I hold the fish out toward Shizuru. This was my goal all along. "What do I do...what do I do!? Nothing makes sense anymore!" She looks back and forth between me and the saury. [Kotarou]: "Hmm..." It's cute. I am quite satisfied. She finally bites into it. She always makes that face when enjoying food. Maybe she'd find this rude...but this is kinda what it feels like to feed a small animal. [Kotarou]: "Is it good?" [Shizuru]: "Yes..." [Kotarou]: "Are you happy?" [Shizuru]: "Yes..." [Shizuru]: "There is a part of the brain which enjoys ecstasy beyond space and time when saury is eaten..." She starts talking like Esaka-san. [Kotarou]: "Want more?" After the first one, she's not embarrassed anymore. So I offer her more. [Kotarou]: (Aaah, this is so relaxing...) My brain is also capable of feeling ecstasy beyond space and time. This time Shizuru picks up something with her chopsticks and holds it out to me. [Kotarou]: "Hm? Me?" [Kotarou]: "...aaah." *munch* [Kotarou]: "Yep, it's good." Shizuru feels peaceful seeing me do that. We both experience total bliss. [Shizuru]: "That was a good meal." [Kotarou]: "It was." Nothing but saury bones remain. [Kotarou]: "Hm? What's wrong?" [Shizuru]: "It was very delicious." [Kotarou]: "Okay." Though all I did was cook saury. [Shizuru]: "It always tastes good when I eat with you, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Cooking is all about love. Food made with feeling cannot be beaten." I gather up the plates. [Shizuru]: "I see..." Shizuru mutters as I stand up. ...did I say something bad? [Kotarou]: "What? ...did it need more love?" [Shizuru]: "Not that." [Shizuru]: "It just made sense." [Kotarou]: "What do you mean?" [Shizuru]: "Saury was always the most delicious when Dad cooked it for me." [Kotarou]: "What was your dad like?" I sit back down. [Shizuru]: "...have you ever cooked saury outside, Kotarou?" [Kotarou]: "No, not really." [Shizuru]: "Dad always used a small shichirin grill." [Kotarou]: "Wow, nice." Shizuru's memories. The Nakatsu family, before they had anything to do with Guardian or familiars. [Shizuru]: "Saury make a lot of noises when grilled." [Shizuru]: "Especially crackling." [Shizuru]: "But also bubbling." [Shizuru]: "When I was little, I would sit next to Dad and have fun listening to it." [Shizuru]: "There was lots of smoke too..." [Shizuru]: "If our laundry was drying outside, sometimes the smell would get on our clothes." [Shizuru]: "...but I asked him to keep doing it anyway." [Kotarou]: "Did he really like grilling?" [Shizuru]: "...I think it started because we couldn't use the gas stove anymore." [Kotarou]: "Did you guys not have gas?" [Shizuru]: "No...we weren't that poor." [Shizuru]: "The stove just broke." [Shizuru]: "...at the time, we'd just come back from buying saury." [Shizuru]: "Since it would go bad quickly, we wondered what to do." [Kotarou]: "I see..." So Shizuru liked saury even before that. [Shizuru]: "I think Dad said something like..." [Shizuru]: ""When things go wrong, we can make dinner with this instead."" [Kotarou]: "He must've been a fun dad." I'm a little jealous. I can't remember doing anything fun like that with my dad. There's a good reason why Shizuru's still thinking about her family. [Shizuru]: "...they were always more delicious that way." [Shizuru]: "You might be right, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." They're delicious to begin with, but he made them with love too. And she has all these memories attached to saury now. [Kotarou]: (That's gonna be hard to beat...) Shizuru's love for saury goes beyond taste. Her love for her family is part of it. ...but still... [Kotarou]: (That's kinda annoying...) ...there's no way for me to match something like that.

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Gen-san | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Shizuru]: "I'll clean up." [Kotarou]: "Eh? No, it's okay." She shakes her head. [Kotarou]: "...okay, if you want." [Shizuru]: "Will do." She walks off with some of the plates. Mmm... Shizuru's dad grilled saury on a shichirin. She'd love it if that happened again...but I can't even grant that small wish. There's nothing I can do. ...just having her father cook saury now wouldn't work. That's not the important part... [Kotarou]: "...haa." I roll over in bed. [Kotarou]: (If I could do it...I wouldn't want to do these ordinary things so badly...) ...is there really nothing? Nothing I can do...? After the sun sets, I prepare to go out. I'm still not sure why we're going... [Kotarou]: "Hopefully nothing bad happens..." Someone she wants me to meet. ...who? I have a slight hope it's Kotori. [Kotarou]: (She probably wouldn't bother with this if it was though...) Anyway, I'll just have to go. [Kotarou]: "Why the uniform?" Though I chose my uniform too... [Shizuru]: "This is all I have." [Kotarou]: "I see..." Shizuru never had many clothes. [Shizuru]: "And this is the most convenient." [Kotarou]: "If you say so, Shizuru..." Doesn't it make you stand out...? We walk through the silent park. After what happened yesterday, I'm more nervous than I should be. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru, how many familiars are there in Kazamatsuri?" [Shizuru]: "We don't know the numbers." [Shizuru]: "But we know there are a lot of summoners here at the moment." [Kotarou]: "...will we be okay?" [Shizuru]: "Don't worry." [Shizuru]: "The summoners can't do anything that huge, and they know better than to attack us." [Shizuru]: "...they should know that Guardian is active in this city as well." [Kotarou]: "Hmm..." [Kotarou]: "How many people does Guardian have here?" Given all those guys in black suits, they must have quite a presence. [Shizuru]: "If we count everyone, probably a few hundred." [Kotarou]: "...that many?" [Shizuru]: "Gaia is operating in the guise of an environmental group." [Shizuru]: "...they have enough people to fight back against us." [Kotarou]: "Guardian's pretty huge already..." [Shizuru]: "We do operate worldwide..." I don't know anything about how large organizations like this would operate. For now at least... [Kotarou]: (...Shizuru's confident she can handle the summoners here.) She's probably far stronger than me... I can see several people already gathered at the ramen stand. [Gen-san]: "Oh, there you are." She waves hello. [Kotarou]: "Good evening." [Man with Glasses]: "Hey there. Are you the guy?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, umm..." [Man with Glasses]: "My name's Sekime." [Kotarou]: "Hi. I'm Tennouji Kotarou." [Sekime]: "And this ordinary-looking guy is Moriguchi." [Moriguchi]: "I'm so ordinary it actually makes me easier to recognize..." [Kotarou]: "Moriguchi-san and Sekime-san...okay." Two of the younger guys in the group. [Gen-san]: "They have the most free time out of all of us." [Moriguchi]: "That's just mean...I work hard at my job too." [Sekime]: "That's right, we have to pretend to be unemployed so we can be ready to act at any moment..." [Kotarou]: "...what are they talking about?" [Shizuru]: "All the Ex-Bayern Knights do espionage work in the city." [Kotarou]: "Ah, so they have to pretend to be normal people with day jobs." Having an inconspicuous job title is required to stay in a city without raising suspicion. Esaka-san runs an antique shop, and Gen-san has his ramen stand. Actually... [Kotarou]: "...isn't it more unnatural to be unemployed these days...?" [Moriguchi]: "Yeah...after living this way I know the disparity between social classes far too well." [Moriguchi]: "If we want to bring about world peace, we might have to start by reevaluating our economies." [Sekime]: "Yeah, you're right about that." Two unemployed men start blaming the world for not giving them a place to utilize their skills. Something's wrong with modern society. [Kotarou]: (These two might be actual deadbeats...) [Gen-san]: "Okay, then you two come help me!" [Shizuru]: "Oooh!" [Kotarou]: "Umm, Nishikujou-sensei told me to come here so I could meet someone." ...I'm not here just to talk to these old guys, am I? [Gen-san]: "Don't worry about that! He'll be here soon enough!" [Kotarou]: "Haa..." I still don't understand, but I guess I have to help him... We make tables out of beer boxes and plywood. [Kotarou]: "Okay, there we go." [Gen-san]: "Perfect! Now, could you fill these with water?" [Kotarou]: "Got it." He hands me two large plastic containers, and I head to the nearest water fountain. I hold each container in place as it fills up. [Kotarou]: "This almost feels like a camp-out..." It's kinda nice, actually. [Kotarou]: "...haa." I sigh. This is probably the kind of thing I wanted to do with the Occult Club. I'm not sure why, but this is fun. I wanted to get everyone together and do fun things. Is that all I was really missing from my youth? ...I envy these old men. No matter how old they are, they can still get together and have fun acting like idiots... [Kotarou]: (...which I can't do anymore...) [Kotarou]: "...oh." The container's overflowing. I quickly turn off the water. I screw on the cap and start picking it up. [Kotarou]: "There we go..." [Voice]: "Should I help?" [Kotarou]: "Hm?" I turn around. [Lucia]: "I can carry the other one." [Kotarou]: "Huh? Class rep...why are you here?" [Lucia]: "I'm not sure. Nishikujou-san told me to come." [Kotarou]: "Aaah." So class rep's the one she wanted me to meet. [Lucia]: "...why are you so quiet?" [Kotarou]: "I am?" [Lucia]: "I would have expected you to start shouting about the fact that I came." [Kotarou]: "Why?" [Lucia]: "...because of what happened when you last saw me." [Kotarou]: "Doesn't matter." [Kotarou]: "I've been thinking about it a lot, but..." [Kotarou]: "That just doesn't bug me anymore." [Lucia]: "I see..." [Lucia]: "I thought you might be mad at us."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Sougen Esaka | Gender: Male Name: Gen-san | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Lucia]: "...if I wasn't involved, the Occult Club might not have ended that way." [Kotarou]: "...I guess that's one way to look at it." [Lucia]: "Isn't that the truth?" [Kotarou]: "If you weren't around I wouldn't have gotten this close to Shizuru." [Kotarou]: "For me it's much worse if you guys just disappear without telling me anything." [Kotarou]: "Since you're all in a secret organization, there was always the possibility you guys would do that." [Lucia]: "Just disappear without telling you anything..." [Lucia]: "Yes, you're right." [Kotarou]: "Now come on, everyone's over there." [Lucia]: "Everyone? Actually, what are you doing here?" [Lucia]: "...this is..." All the old men have arrived now. [Gen-san]: "Is everyone ready to partyyyyyy!?" [Old Men]: "Yeeeeeeeeeees!!!" [Man With Bandana]: "Time for Noe to start singing!" [Sekime]: "Yahoooooooo!!" [Kotarou]: "These are good." [Shizuru]: "So are these." [Lucia]: "Why are you two acting so friendly?" [Kotarou]: "Because this food is good." [Shizuru]: "It is." [Gen-san]: "Gahahaha! Everyone understands food!! Young, old, men, women, everyone loves it!" [Noe]: "I'm French though!" [Esaka]: "Lucia-kun, if you wish to continue helping Guardian, you should learn to feel more comfortable in places like this." [Lucia]: "It's not that, I don't like the smell of alcohol..." [Esaka]: "When the time comes you will begin to understand the taste of sake." [Lucia]: "My point is I don't understand it right now." [Kotarou]: "Don't worry about that. Just come over here and eat. This stuff's great." [Shizuru]: "Eat. Eat." [Lucia]: "...I-I will eat..." [Gen-san]: "Okaaay, just for today, let's open one of these!" [Gen-san]: "Special daiginju sake! Less than 50% rice! This has some kick to it!" [Old Men]: "Uuoooooooooooooooo!!" [Gen-san]: "So, miss, how about a drink?" [Lucia]: "She's a minor! It's illegal to offer her alcohol!" [Gen-san]: "Hmph, fine. What about you, boy?" [Kotarou]: "Thanks!" [Lucia]: "You're a minor tooooo!!" [Shizuru]: "Ginger ale. Ginger ale." [Lucia]: "...this is fine, but..." After drinking for a while, the old men are completely wasted. [Gen-san]: "So, how are you doin' at school, young Lucia?" [Moriguchi]: "Have you had any boyfriends yet?" [Lucia]: "Uu...!" I'm not sure why, but drunk people always talk about this. [Lucia]: "N-not in the slightest!" [Kotarou]: "It's true. Whenever she tried to get one, she just ended up in fights with her other friends." [Shizuru]: "They're both stubborn, so it was inevitable." [Lucia]: "S-stop talking about such embarrassing things..." [Esaka]: "Yes, that sounds like Lucia-kun." [Kotarou]: "Class rep, are you drunk? You look red." [Lucia]: "Uuu～ That's why I said I didn't like this stuff～" [Sekime]: "We just like teasing you because you're cute, young Lucia." [Lucia]: "I-I said not to do that～" [Shizuru]: "Yes...Lucia is cute." [Kotarou]: "Indeed." [Lucia]: "S-s-s-stop it!" [Moriguchi]: "So it's only natural to start talking about what type of guy you like." [Lucia]: "That's not natural at all." [Kotarou]: "I think she said feelings first, personality second, looks third." [Lucia]: "T-Tennouji Kotarouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!" [Esaka]: "Those are good values. You'll never find a good man if you let their looks mislead you." [Lucia]: "I'm not planning to find one!" [Lucia]: "...in any event, I have no interest in older men who do nothing but drink." [Kotarou]: "Then what about me?" [Lucia]: "You have Shizuru...!!" [Lucia]: "Wait..." [Lucia]: "A-anyway! I do not like frivolous men like you!" [Gen-san]: "Gahahaha! Youth is wonderful, isn't it!?" [Lucia]: "Besides, what about the rest of you! Wasting your time like this at your age..." [Gen-san]: "What's the big deal? I've still got scars from the old days..." [Kotarou]: "How'd you get 'em?" [Gen-san]: "Wanna hear the story?" [Lucia]: "Waaaa! Don't tell it!" [Shizuru]: "How many times have I heard Gennady's story..." [Sekime]: "This is gonna take over an hour..." [Esaka]: "Gennady's romance stories are practically a disease." [Kotarou]: "I know what you mean. Those stories always end with the main guy losing the girl somehow no matter how hard he tried." [Gen-san]: "Exactly. You must've had a lot of bad luck at your age to understand that already!" [Gen-san]: "Oh, do you want to hear about your man's love stories?" [Kotarou]: "We're not going out yet." [Gen-san]: "What!?" [Shizuru]: "We're just living together." [Gen-san]: "Kaaa! You're doing that and you're still not dating!?" [Moriguchi]: "Actually, I can understand that." [Sekime]: "It is Shizuru after all..." [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Good point." [Lucia]: "What are you talking about!?" ...the laid-back, confusing banquet continues until late. [Lucia]: "Unbelievable...this is why I don't like this." [Shizuru]: "Lucia, you should really loosen up a bit more." [Kotarou]: "True." [Lucia]: "You two are far too loose." [Kotarou]: "So what? We had fun doing similar stuff in the Occult Club." [Lucia]: "...the club..." [Lucia]: "You're right, that was fun." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" Class rep suddenly got quieter. [Lucia]: "...could we go on a short walk? The three of us, I mean." We walk up to the school. [Kotarou]: "...we've been here a lot at night." Normally we'd never even see the school at night. But the Occult Club did lots of stuff here... [Lucia]: "Yes. Somehow it feels like it all happened a long time ago." Come to think of it, none of us will ever walk through these gates again. ...is this what it feels like to revisit one's alma mater? [Lucia]: "...actually, have you heard, Tennouji?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Lucia]: "I'm going to be leaving this city." [Kotarou]: "...eh?" [Lucia]: "Unfortunately, we probably won't meet again. If we do, it could be many years from now..." [Kotarou]: "Really...?" [Lucia]: "Shizuru, did you know?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Shizuru]: "...it's a shame." [Kotarou]: "So Nishikujou-sensei meant that as a going-away party?" [Lucia]: "I believe so." [Kotarou]: "What the hell...we could've thrown something better than that." [Lucia]: "No...I don't like making a big deal out of these things..." [Lucia]: "The Ex-Bayern Knights probably knew that, and that's why they pretended this was just a normal party." [Shizuru]: "I think so too." [Kotarou]: "...still, I..." [Lucia]: "It's okay." [Lucia]: "I wonder why...until now I've never felt this way." [Lucia]: "Tennouji. I'm actually glad I was able to talk to you on my last night here." [Lucia]: "It definitely...would have been worse to disappear without telling you." [Kotarou]: "...yeah." [Shizuru]: "Lucia always talked about you, Kotarou, when we ate together." [Lucia]: "That was because Tennouji kept bothering us." [Kotarou]: "True..." I should've kept count of how many times class rep beat me up. I never wanted class rep to hate me or hit me, but somehow that always happened. It was never that positive a relationship. [Lucia]: "...but there were a lot of misunderstandings." [Kotarou]: "With me?" [Lucia]: "Yes. I always thought you were a useless, frivolous man." ...she really didn't like me. [Kotarou]: "Has your opinion improved at all?" [Lucia]: "Yes, now that you're friends with Shizuru." [Kotarou]: "And now I have the sister-in-law's approval." [Lucia]: "N-no. I'm about to go very far away, so...I have to trust you two to handle things by yourself." [Shizuru]: "We'll be fine." [Lucia]: "I see...maybe I should have tried falling in love at some point." [Kotarou]: "You've still got a long life ahead of you. And you're cute, so I'm sure you'll find a nice guy somewhere." [Lucia]: "You say it so lightly...that makes it sound like sarcasm." [Lucia]: "So why didn't you fall for me if I'm so cute?" [Kotarou]: "Well, because Shizuru was here." [Lucia]: "...it's stupefying how casual you can be about this." [Kotarou]: "I see it as a good thing." [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Lucia]: "I'm glad you two met, Shizuru, Tennouji." [Lucia]: "You're far cuter than you were before, Shizuru." "Stop it..." She gets embarrassed. [Kotarou]: "That's right, do you think Prez would be in there if we went in now?" [Lucia]: "Of course not. Senri Akane isn't in this school anymore." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, that would make sense." [Shizuru]: "We don't know where Chi is either." [Lucia]: "Ohtori-san too..." [Lucia]: "In retrospect, I should have talked to her more." [Lucia]: "There's a lot I want to apologize for." [Shizuru]: "Chi's a good person." [Lucia]: "You're right. She may be with Gaia, but I can't bring myself to hate her." [Kotarou]: "She is like that." I'll probably never meet her again. Or Prez. As long as I'm with Guardian, I won't be seeing anyone from Gaia. [Kotarou]: (They're my enemies now...) I don't like the sound of that. ...our conversation stops. Maybe they just had the same thought I did. [Kotarou]: "Ah, right, class rep." [Lucia]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "Will you go to another school after this?" [Lucia]: "No...I probably won't be going to a normal school again." [Kotarou]: "I see..." [Shizuru]: "It was a rare exception to begin with." [Lucia]: "Yes. I never thought I'd go to a normal school at all." [Lucia]: "In that sense, we might be very lucky." [Kotarou]: "So I guess we're graduating today." [Lucia]: "...don't you mean we've been expelled?" [Kotarou]: "Call it graduation. That sounds better." [Shizuru]: "Yes, graduation." [Lucia]: "...if you say so." [Lucia]: "I still haven't properly graduated from any school." [Kotarou]: "Really?" [Lucia]: "Yes...not even elementary school." [Shizuru]: "...me neither." [Lucia]: "I've only heard about what it's like." [Kotarou]: "I see..." [Lucia]: "...I wonder if this is how normal people feel when they graduate." [Shizuru]: "How do you feel?" [Lucia]: "I'm not sure how to describe it...it just feels like I'll never be coming back here..." [Lucia]: "The place I used to spend most of my time is gone now." [Lucia]: "...even though the school itself is still here, I can never go back to it." [Lucia]: "This is strange. I'm getting too sentimental." [Lucia]: ""Graduation" is such a strange word." [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." [Kotarou]: "I know, this isn't a graduation ceremony or anything, but..." I take out my cell phone. [Shizuru]: "What is it?" [Kotarou]: "You know Aogeba Tōtoshi?" [Lucia]: "...is that a song?" [Shizuru]: "Sorry, I haven't heard of it." [Kotarou]: "...that's what I thought you'd say, so I just downloaded it." [Lucia]: "What is this?" [Kotarou]: "Aogeba Tōtoshi." [Kotarou]: "Look, the lyrics are here too." [Kotarou]: "They play this at graduation ceremonies all the time." [Lucia]: "...I see, I think I have heard this before." My cell phone plays the rest of the song. We all stand there, quietly listening to it. ...a boring little ceremony with no budget of any description. Much less singers... Or speeches... Or tears... Just a song coming out of cheap cell phone speakers. I probably could have come up with a better way to celebrate this. I'm the only one here who's actually experienced a graduation ceremony. It seems a bit sad. But... ...listening to this song makes me remember when I was in elementary school. I wanted both of them to know a little about what was "normal" back then. [Lucia]: "...I see." [Lucia]: "So this is how people feel..." [Lucia]: "...when that time of year comes." [Shizuru]: "...it's a weird feeling, like my chest is full of something, but also like there's a hole in it." [Kotarou]: "That's called being sentimental." [Shizuru]: "Sentimental..."

<METADATA> Name: Arata Imamiya | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Pani | Gender: Female </METADATA> A place we can never come back to. The three of us will probably never be able to go back to the peaceful lives we once had here. These two will just go back to the lives they're used to. But I... [Kotarou]: (...maybe I am graduating.) The moment of silence passes. ...I'm starting to head down a new path, toward the life I was meant to live as a superhuman. It still doesn't feel real...but I know it's not "normal" like the places I've been before. [Kotarou]: (Guardian...) Every time I think about it...the anxiety spreads. I'm not prepared for this at all yet. Then, a car's headlights shine on us. [Lucia]: "There they are." [Lucia]: "I would like to spend more time here, but it looks like I need to go now." [Kotarou]: "Okay..." We stand next to the car as a man gets out of the passenger seat. [Contemporary Man]: "Hey. Is the farewell party over?" [Kotarou]: "Huh? You..." [Contemporary Man]: "It's been a while." [Lucia]: "What? You know Imamiya-san?" [Kotarou]: "I don't really know him..." He's just a guy who gave me advice on buying cameras in a back alley. [Imamiya]: "Well, we do remember each other." [Kotarou]: "So you're in Guardian too?" [Imamiya]: "Yep, we're all over the place." [Imamiya]: "That's how dangerous this city is right now." [Imamiya]: "...but if you're with the invincible Nakatsu-sama, you should be fine no matter what comes at you." [Lucia]: "I'll be going now." [Imamiya]: "Yeah. Hey, I'll be hanging out around here for a while, so take her without me." He talks to the driver through the window. Imamiya-san opens the back door, and class rep gets in. ...no, she's not class rep anymore. She's our friend, Lucia. [Lucia]: "Tennouji, Shizuru." [Lucia]: "This may be a cliché...but I hope we meet again." [Kotarou]: "Yeah." [Shizuru]: "Me too." [Lucia]: "It's strange. Now that I'm actually in this position, I really can't think of anything else to say." [Lucia]: "...well, goodbye." [Kotarou]: "Take care." [Shizuru]: "...goodbye." The door closes. Shizuru waves. Lucia waves back through the window... ...and the car goes back down the hill. [Imamiya]: "This again..." [Shizuru]: "?" [Imamiya]: "Well, what should we do now?" [Kotarou]: "...what do you mean?" [Imamiya]: "Your peaceful life in this city is over now." [Imamiya]: "Nakatsu Shizuru, your unit's been ordered to move." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Shizuru's leaving too!?" [Imamiya]: "Not that. She's a valuable asset. We're just going to have her do some more work." [Shizuru]: "...understood." [Imamiya]: "Ah, and you can keep guarding the cadet." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Me?" Cadet? [Imamiya]: "Yep. We can't keep treating you like a special guest forever." [Imamiya]: "You're under Esaka-san's command. He does a lot of training." [Imamiya]: "Make sure you think about your future." My future... [Imamiya]: "That's pretty much it." [Imamiya]: "I'm gonna take a walk around here, so you guys can go whenever." [Shizuru]: "......understood." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, let's go home." [Kotarou]: "Sure." Shizuru pulls my sleeve and we start walking. [Imamiya]: "Ah, that's right, Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "What is it?" [Imamiya]: "You really shouldn't try to become a warrior." [Imamiya]: "I don't think it's for you." [Kotarou]: "...I'm aware of that." [Imamiya]: "Oh, you are? Good call." [Imamiya]: "You probably couldn't catch up to us in time anyway." [Kotarou]: "...sorry." [Imamiya]: "Don't worry about it. It's better for you that way." [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." I had the same thought already. I walk away. [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, you really aren't meant for combat." [Kotarou]: "Yeah." [Kotarou]: "...I've been normal for far too long." I'm not a hero. If anything, the hero here is... Her. [Imamiya]: "Hey there." [Imamiya]: "......oh, were you crying?" [Nishikujou]: "So what if I was? This was important." [Nishikujou]: "We just split up Shizuru-chan and Lucia-chan." [Nishikujou]: "...which is more cruel? Not having something to begin with, or having it taken away from you later?" [Nishikujou]: "...did I do too much?" [Imamiya]: "Oh no, don't talk to me about feelings like that." [Imamiya]: "I'm not pure enough to understand this stuff." [Imamiya]: "And I decided I'd have nothing to do with that for the rest of my life." [Imamiya]: "We got a hit on the Key. Resonance is close." [Imamiya]: "The others are already moving to capture it before the harvest festival." [Imamiya]: "So..." [Imamiya]: "Let's finish this, then think about that stuff." [Nishikujou]: "...you're right." [Nishikujou]: "Now I have something to do afterward." [Imamiya]: "Yeah..." [Nishikujou]: "I'm going to become a real teacher." [Imamiya]: "...good luck with that." [Nishikujou]: "Thanks." [Nishikujou]: "I'm sure there's a way for me to make that happen." [Shizuru]: "See you later." [Kotarou]: "Bye-bye." I watch Shizuru leave. Yet again. [Pani]: "You'll be such a good husband, Kotarou-san～" [Kotarou]: "Yeah...maybe I'm good at doing housework." As we talk, Shizuru runs back. [Shizuru]: ".........!" [Kotarou]: "What? Did you forget something?" "Oh no! How could I have done this!?" She rushes into the house. [Kotarou]: "......what is it?" [Pani]: "Dunno～" She comes back out. [Shizuru]: "I can't believe I forgot this..." The iPod. [Kotarou]: "Aaah, you left it on the charger." [Kotarou]: "You're still using that thing?" [Shizuru]: "Yes..." [Shizuru]: "There's a lot of boring walking and waiting..."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Sougen Esaka | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Gil | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Shizuru]: "So I can't go without this thing anymore." [Kotarou]: "That makes sense." I have a feeling she liked music a lot to begin with. The iPod has been purified of my past emo-ness. [Kotarou]: "...it's nice when someone actually uses the presents you give them." [Shizuru]: "Yes, it's a very nice present." It's even been promoted to a holy item binding us together. [Shizuru]: "Okay, see you later." [Kotarou]: "Bye." We wave goodbye and she runs off. [Kotarou]: "Guess I should start up the washing machine." I need to do something while I'm here at home. [Pani]: "Good luck～" I toss all the clothes in the washroom into the washing machine. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru's clothes are all the same..." She could at least get different versions of something. Though my wardrobe is no different. [Kotarou]: "...hmm." From what I hear, new brides in this situation normally smell their husband's clothes and go "Kyaa☆!" That would be cute. But I don't want to fall into stupid delusions, so I won't be doing that. [Kotarou]: "Not that it would be that interesting anyway..." I'm not that big a fan of smells. [Kotarou]: "Her socks..." They're really small. Shizuru's so short she might be able to use clothes meant for elementary schoolers. [Kotarou]: "...mm!" Her...bra... I guess I expected this. I mean it couldn't be anything else, but if I told her that she'd be sad, though this is still the only choice for her. Namely, a sports bra. [Kotarou]: "...don't worry, you'll get bigger someday..." ...why exactly am I thinking so hard about each piece of Shizuru's clothing? That's weird enough already. I feel like the main character in a (slightly pervy) shōnen manga involving cohabitation. And now... [Kotarou]: "......!" I gasp. This is...in a different dimension entirely. Pa-... [Kotarou]: "Pa-pa-pa-pa-...panties..." Unfortunately, most Japanese boys have been trained to overreact to panties... [Kotarou]: "Still..." How to describe this... ...it looks cheap? None of her panties look the slightest bit extravagant... [Kotarou]: "They probably sell three-packs of these at Shimamura for 980 yen..." It is a bit disillusioning, but... [Kotarou]: "Just like Shizuru..." Shizuru's... Panties. The demon of lust begins to overrun my soul. Stop...don't do this to me...! Are you telling me to sniff them!? [Kotarou]: "Muoooooooooooooooooooo!!" I wrap up the panties among all the other clothes, throw them into the washing machine and immediately turn it on. [Kotarou]: "Dowaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" I run up the stairs. [Gil]: "What? You're so loud..." [Kotarou]: "Hiyaaaaa!!!" I spin kick at least three times in the air. [Gil]: "Muoooo!? What was that for!?" He blocks the last one. [Gil]: "You wanna train!? Okaaay, let's do this!" [Kotarou]: "Lust be goooone!!" We begin an early-morning old-fashioned kung fu fight. However... [Kotarou]: "Hiyaaaaa!!!" After putting the laundry in the dryer, we resume sparring. It's probably going to take a while for me to get used to this. [Kotarou]: "...good day." [Employee]: "Tennouji-kun, you're early." [Kotarou]: "You too." I start visiting Esaka-san's shop every day. It's kinda like a part-time job. I help them carry things around, and do random tasks for Esaka-san. Mostly I just watch the place and tidy it up every so often, but once in a while I get to help evaluate antiques. Of course I have no expertise, but... Because I strengthened my eyes, I can see things most people can't. But I still failed at it. I just don't have any experience at this. No matter how good my powers are, I can't do anything with them if I don't know what I'm looking for. That kind of knowledge is what society really demands. ...I feel completely clueless about how the world works. Instead they teach me how to do lots of random tasks, including accounting. I was always good with numbers, and I know how to use PCs. Of course I wasn't great right off the bat...but at least this kind of work I feel like I can learn. Esaka-san even said "I started this business on a whim, but maybe someday I could let you inherit it." Those words made me extremely motivated (though I don't really want the business). ...also, I've started to work on becoming a member of Guardian. Apparently Guardian is lacking in personnel for behind-the-scenes jobs. There are a lot of jobs for superpeople that don't require being on the front lines. So many it's rare for them to need normal people to help. Of course, anyone with a combat-focused power never goes for those jobs. [Kotarou]: (...there might actually be a nice spot for me there.) I'll probably have to leave this city someday too, so I need to distance myself from my old life. I'm only 17, but I already have a lot of hard choices to make... [Kotarou]: "Esaka-san..." During break, as we drink tea and Esaka-san skims over an English newspaper, I ask him. [Kotarou]: "Esaka-san, why did you join Guardian?" [Esaka]: "Why? ...do you think there's a reason why iron turns into a gear or a sword?" [Esaka]: "I joined because I was meant to. That is all. Do you ever worry about what you are and why you are that way?" [Kotarou]: "No..." I just wanted a bit of advice. I'm still being protected by these guys. I just don't know what will happen, or what I can do...I'm not prepared to make these choices yet. I wanted to hear what he thought, because he's been through this. [Esaka]: "I became what I am because I was supposed to. No one can decide which iron turns into a firm sword, a rusty broken one, or a small nail thrown away in the corner." [Esaka]: "If a sword chooses to never go in its proper scabbard, it will only gather rust outside...so what do you want to be?" [Esaka]: "...first of all, you should not belittle yourself by comparing yourself to other people." [Esaka]: "Shizuru-kun is a genius. She has a firm, powerful will behind everything she does." [Kotarou]: "I know that." I shouldn't evaluate myself based on what she can do. That's not going to get me anywhere. [Kotarou]: "...but I just don't have any idea what I can do, or what will happen if I make certain choices." [Esaka]: "Then you should probably put those questions on the back burner." [Esaka]: "None of it will change, even if you wait a while." [Kotarou]: "...okay." People don't always choose the best possible path. Slight frustrations can break their resolve.