"Even if you were here, in that situation, with your personality, you wouldn't have been able to do anything."
Faced with the girl's warning, Shu Ouma felt a surge of unwillingness. He still didn't even understand what had happened. Why would GHQ arrest Miss Inori? Questions flooded his mind.
"So...leave. If you don't want to be dragged into this."
Inori repeated herself. As she spoke, her crimson eyes flickered slightly. She had always felt that the boy in front of her seemed strangely familiar. Not because she had met him before, but because of something deeper. A dream? Or...somewhere else?
"Um...no matter what, your injury looks serious. Let me bandage it first, okay?"
Shu instinctively pushed her words aside and stepped forward, gesturing toward the wound on her arm—the one she had cut herself. As for why he was recklessly approaching her like this, it was simply because she was too dazzling. The moment he saw her, he had fallen completely, unable to pull himself back. Even if he was useless, he still wanted to do something for her.
"That video...did you make it?"
"...Huh? Video?"
Instead of answering him, Inori shifted her gaze to the monitor downstairs, where the short clip was playing. A flock of pigeons soared into the sky beneath a pure blue heaven—back before the Apocalypse Virus had infected the world. It was true nature, a sight that could no longer be seen.
"Ah, yes...though it isn't finished yet. It's just a prototype for now. Um—"
Shu scratched his head as he watched the screen.
"...It's beautiful."
Inori stared at the scenery, murmuring softly.
"///!"
The boy who had just been praised by the girl he admired instantly flushed bright red.
"Th-Thank you... When it's finished, I'll...invite you to watch it together. If you'd like..."
His voice grew softer toward the end.
"There probably won't be that chance..."
Still gazing blankly at the screen, Inori spoke quietly. It was unclear whether she was answering him or simply talking to herself, but there was an unmistakable loneliness and desolation surrounding her.
"Why...why would Miss Inori—"
Whoosh!
Before he could finish, Inori lightly vaulted over the railing in front of her and landed gracefully on the first floor. She rose slowly.
"Miss Inori—!"
"Hide."
Without turning around, she gave him a cool instruction.
"Huh?"
He froze, not yet processing her words...
Bang!!
The next second, the warehouse doors were kicked open with a violent crash that made him flinch.
"Ah!!"
He let out an undignified yelp.
A fully armed GHQ special forces squad stormed into view, moving quickly and decisively. Their purposeful steps made it obvious—they had come for one thing.
"Finally caught you, little mouse~"
The one speaking was the dark-skinned officer who entered last. He wore a white uniform coat, was bald, and had reddish-brown goggles over his eyes. His build was massive—at least one and a half times her size.
Clack clack! ×N
The surrounding soldiers rushed toward her at once.
"!!"
Inori knew she couldn't escape. She hadn't planned to. She would be captured today no matter what. But she still had to resist a little—otherwise they might grow suspicious.
As they closed in, she drew a pistol from behind her waist in a swift motion and aimed it single-handedly at the officer in front of her, finger tightening on the trigger—
Bang!
A soldier behind her, already aiming, fired first. The bullet struck her gun, knocking it from her grasp with overwhelming force and throwing her upper body off balance.
A sharp pain shot through her wrist, making her frown instinctively. Just as she tried to lift her head and step forward, someone grabbed her wrist and slammed a heavy punch into her abdomen.
Thud!
"Ugh! Cough...cough!"
Her stomach churned violently, nearly making her vomit. She coughed hard as her legs gave out beneath her. She collapsed to her knees, clutching her abdomen, her face pale and her entire body trembling.
"Oh? Did that hurt?"
The officer stepped forward and grabbed her chin, forcing her to lift her head.
"You're quite pretty... It's not good to become a criminal at such a young age. Rebelling against justice—don't you think that's a little foolish, little girl?"
He sneered.
"...At your age, still playing the game of justice isn't very becoming—"
Smack!
Before she could finish her cold retort, a burning pain exploded across her cheek. A soldier beside her had struck her with the butt of his rifle. Blood immediately trickled from the corner of her mouth and dripped onto the ground. Bruises darkened her face. Her body sagged, but with soldiers holding her on both sides, she could only remain in a staggered kneel.
Spit...
She lowered her head weakly and spat out the blood in her mouth.
"Miss Inori!!"
From the second floor, Shu shouted instinctively at the sight of her miserable state.
"...?" ×N
Everyone turned to look at him, making him stumble back.
"A student?!"
The officer barked.
"Uh...y-yes! That girl is injured. If possible—"
"That woman is a criminal. If you side with her, you're an accomplice. We'll purge you as well. Think carefully, brat."
Click! ×N
Multiple gun barrels swung toward him.
"Ah!!"
He instinctively backed up and dropped to the ground. The next moment, guilt over his cowardice welled up inside him. He clenched his teeth unwillingly, staring at the girl being restrained, his heart trembling.
"Heh... How's the comparison result?"
The officer snorted and glanced at the soldier scanning Inori's face.
"Confirmed. She's a member of Funeral Parlor operating out of Roppongi."
The soldier looked at the photo on the display, then at Inori's face, clicking his tongue mockingly.
"You terrorist!"
Smack!!
He delivered a vicious slap that echoed through the warehouse.
"..."
Inori made no sound. Even though the pain contorted her face, she did not utter a single cry.
"Hmph... Take her away!"
The officer cast her a disdainful look and ordered his men to withdraw with their captive.
"Move!" ×N
Two soldiers roughly hauled her up by the arms. She stumbled forward. A soldier behind her kicked her hard in the back, sending her crashing to her knees again before dragging her up once more. Like this, over and over, she was forced away and shoved into the transport vehicle parked in the distance.
"Inori... Miss... I..."
Gripping the railing, Shu lowered his head as if sobbing. His trembling body revealed his fear.
That was the military... Why...why would Miss Inori—the Miss Inori he liked most—
Nearby, the lunchbox lay quietly on the floor, long since cold—just like his heart.
...
"Mm~ Inori..."
When Raiden Mio finally began to stir, dusk had already fallen. She squinted her hazy eyes and instinctively called out like a kitten for the person who should have been beside her. This time, however, there was no response.
"..."
She cutely felt around beside her, only to find the space empty. The blanket covering her was warm though. Hadn't she gone to sleep without one last night? Where had this blanket come from? Did Inori cover her?
Thinking that, she glanced toward the window and saw the golden glow of sunset. The light filtered through the gently swaying curtains and fell warmly across her face, prompting her to raise a hand to shield her eyes before slowly sitting up. She looked around the room but saw no one else.
"...Inori?"
She called out.
"..."
Only silence answered her.
"Inori?"
She called again, a little louder. Still no reply.
"...Where did she run off to again? That child..."
She smoothed the soft hair over her shoulder and muttered a cute complaint. Then she flopped back onto the bed like a toppled radish, closing her eyes in an attempt to nap a little longer. Unfortunately, someone clearly didn't intend to let her continue.
Bzzz~!
The small robot that had been dormant in the corner—Inori's pet, Fyu-Neru—lit up immediately upon hearing her voice and resumed operation. Its round head turned from side to side, large eyes locking onto her figure as she lay back down. It quickly hopped onto the bed and tugged at her sleeve with its mechanical claws, urging her to get up.
"...?"
Feeling her wrist being tugged, Raiden Mio opened her eyes in confusion and looked at the small robot on the bed, now extremely agitated. She deliberately sat up a little and pulled it closer.
"...Why are you dragging me?"
She asked in a muffled voice, sounding like a sulky little girl.
"Chii chii~!"
Fyu-Neru pointed toward the entrance with its claw, then resumed tugging at her sleeve.
"...Where did she go?"
Mio asked instinctively.
"...!!!"
The little robot's movements grew even more frantic.
"...Haa."
With a helpless sigh, she got out of bed and picked it up. Still wearing her home pajamas, she opened the door and stepped outside in a pair of light purple canvas shoes she had been using temporarily. She went down the stairs and reached the street—only to see a trail of blood. And not just a drop or two, but a long, extended trail.
"...What happened to her? What happened?!"
Her pupils shrank instantly. She looked down at the robot in her arms and asked anxiously.
"Chii!"
Fyu-Neru jumped down from her arms and began pulling her in the opposite direction.
"...You're telling me to go that way?"
She crouched down and asked.
"!!"
It nodded.
"But the blood trail goes the other way..."
She countered.
"Chii chii~!"
It shook its head and pointed insistently toward the other direction again.
"She's over there?"
She asked.
"!!"
It shook its head.
"Haa... Since she's not there, I'll follow the blood trail instead."
She turned to head back inside to change clothes—but Fyu-Neru grabbed her again.
"Do not hinder me..."
Her voice turned cold for once, startling the robot so badly it physically jumped.
Click!!
The next second, right before her eyes, Fyu-Neru opened the top of its head, revealing the slot inside where the gene serum was stored.
"...?"
She paused and stepped closer, reaching out toward the vial.
Click!
The robot immediately closed its head again, then pointed to where the serum was stored before projecting a small display screen in front of her.
Beep—beep!
A dynamic map appeared on the screen, showing a district in Roppongi. A flashing point marked the destination.
"You want me to deliver this there?"
She asked.
"!!"
It nodded.
"Then what about Inori—"
"!"
It shook its head again and pounded the ground, urging her to hurry. The gestures were so vivid it was almost as if it were speaking.
"Haa... I'll trust you for now."
She sighed and finally compromised. She didn't believe it would deceive her. After all, it was Inori's pet. It wouldn't harm her.
"(nod)"
Fyu-Neru nodded vigorously, then even made an exaggerated wiping-sweat gesture, as if relieved.
Was this really just a robot?
Several minutes later...
After changing clothes, she carried Fyu-Neru in her arms and followed the route it indicated.
She wore the same black casual dress she had before—the one Ayaka had given her. Her long hair was tied back into a low braid once more. She found this outfit lighter and more convenient than a kimono, and it helped her blend in with this world's fashion.
By the time she reached the marked destination on the electronic map, night had fully fallen.
The area no longer had towering skyscrapers like before. Instead, old buildings stood in ruin. Inori had once mentioned this place—the Roppongi quarantine zone.
This country had once been ravaged by something called the Apocalypse Virus, leaving permanent scars. The devastation here made that painfully clear. Rubble lay everywhere. Even the buildings still standing were in severe disrepair, overgrown with vines and creeping greenery reclaiming the land.
"You're certain it's here?"
She lowered her gaze to the small machine in her arms.
"Chii chii~"
It nodded.
"If you've deceived me, you'll regret it."
She warned lightly.
"!!"
Its limbs trembled instinctively before going limp in exaggerated fear.
She was standing in a relatively open plaza. It had probably once been part of a shopping complex.
"Hey... you!"
The next second, an impolite shout rang out from a distance.
She looked over calmly.
A burly bald man, nearly half a head taller than her, was walking toward her with his hands in his pockets in a lazy, swaggering manner. Several lackeys followed behind, quickly surrounding her.
"...Is there something you need?"
Her eyes didn't bother to look at anyone else. She simply raised her head and asked the burly man without a ripple of emotion.
"Heh~ little miss... can that thing cook something?"
He bent down close to her, glancing at Fyu-Neru in her arms with a leering tone.
"...Can't you tell for yourself?"
She replied coldly instead of answering.
"Can't tell? Heh... yeah, I can't tell!!!!"
He suddenly shouted at her dramatically.
"..."
She remained expressionless and unmoving.
"Pfft..." ×N
The men behind him burst into laughter.
"Move aside."
She said coldly.
"Huh~?"
The man leaned his ear toward her in a mocking gesture.
"...You're in the way."
She repeated.
"In the way? Fine. Leave that thing with us and you can go."
"Wait, boss... this chick's a top-tier catch. If she doesn't give the brothers a little something, that wouldn't be right, would it?"
The men behind stared at her figure from head to toe, front to back. They had never seen such a beautiful and alluring woman. Desire swelled uncontrollably in their chests.
"Heh... you bastards. Well, you're right. Then you go ahead."
The burly man gestured casually. He wasn't particularly interested—his lackeys could have their fun.
"..."
Mio ignored them completely and instead glanced around, casually surveying the surroundings.
"Alright~ hehehe~ don't be scared, little miss. Come on over, let's have some fun!"
Click...
Several men moved behind her, hands already reaching toward their belts as if preparing to undo them.
"Hey!!! Didn't you hear me?! You filthy bitch!!"
Frustrated by her silence, one of them cursed and reached out to grab the braid at the back of her head—
In the next instant, her braid shimmered with violet light.
She snapped her head to the side.
Her braid lashed out like a whip toward the man's face!
Whoosh! Smack!!!
His neck twisted at an unnatural angle as his body was sent flying.
Boom!
He crashed violently into a nearby wall.
"Wh—what the hell—!!"
The others recoiled in shock.
The burly man, however, threw a punch straight at her.
She merely tilted her head lightly, and his fist passed by, brushing her hair.
A streak of lightning flickered from her hair to his arm—then surged through his entire body.
Crack!
With a thunderous blast, the burly man collapsed, his body charred black. The stench of burnt flesh filled the air.
"Eek—!!!" ×N
The remaining men stumbled backward in terror.
Suddenly, bright lights flared on around the plaza, illuminating the center like a stage and revealing several figures.
"...?"
She looked over curiously.
At the front stood a blond man striking a dramatic pose. Under the lights, he was little more than a silhouette.
"Yo~ you dead men. In a situation like this, survival isn't permitted for you."
Whoosh!
The man leapt down in front of the terrified thugs.
"H-Hey... could that guy be..."
"...Gai?!"
The delinquents recognized him.
Was he famous?
...Gai?
The name stirred something in her memory.
Wasn't that the man Inori mentioned yesterday?
Her eyes gained a trace of scrutiny.
This was the man...
Is he the one who makes her risk everything?