I had quite a few friends back in high school, or rather back when I was still alive as a human.
But I was especially close with two of them.
They were my childhood friend and also the student council president of our Minami High School, Kurena Hinata.
The other one was the only one of my friends who I could truly consider as a friend, who was also the leader of the soccer team of our school, Ayato Kurogane.
"Hinata" was written by the characters "light" and "warmth". Just like the name, she was a kind and beautiful girl who could do anything.
Many people used to say that her warmth and kindness motivated others to work harder.
She used to manage her academics and student council work so perfectly, it was as if she was dazzling. Even the teachers used to rely on her a lot.
It truly fit her name perfectly.
Just as you might have guessed, her given name "Kurena", came from her beautiful, long crimson hair. When her hair fluttered in the wind, it was as if you could see crimson flames dancing.
With her looks and abilities, it wouldn't take a person more than one week to judge her as an ideal human being.
She was so amazing that it almost made me doubt we were the same age.
Ayato, on the other hand, even if not to the level of Hinata, was amazing in his own way.
He was exceptionally talented at soccer.
If I remember correctly, he once represented our school in a soccer tournament on a National Level and even won.
He had short, shoulder length black hair with subtle shades of grey.
He was a good-looking guy and also the leader of the soccer team, so he was, without a doubt, popular.
In comparison to these two excellent people, Ayato and Hinata, I had nothing.
Though I had a considerable presence in the classroom, it's not like I was too popular.
Hinata, Ayato and I were all in the same classroom in the third year.
Since I had nothing special about me, I had joined the Kendo Club of our school in hopes of finding that "something special".
Gradually I came to like practising kendo and soon it became an indispensable part of my life.
My kendo teacher always used to tell me, "Simply flailing around your sword isn't called swordplay. A truly refined swordplay is one which utilises the correct stances and techniques in the correct place".
After about 6 months of joining the Kendo Club, I climbed up to the position of the President of the Kendo Club.
It was a truly happy achievement for me.
Well that's about the only thing I excelled in.
But those two, they cared for me without caring whether I excelled in anything or not.
At first I thought they were hiding their true personality and tried to find it out.
But I found nothing.
Pretty pathetic, right?
I had doubted the only people who truly cared for me.
My parents passed away even before I could remember so they were the only people precious to me.
I wonder what they are doing now...
◇◆◇◆◇◆
The day Shiro died on Earth in an accident.
The school had no way of knowing this.
「Hey, I don't see Shiro today. Ayato, do you perhaps know something?」(Random classmate A)
「Ah, no. I didn't hear anything from him about being absent today. Or rather its pretty unusual for him of all people to be absent. Something must've happened.」(Ayato)
「That's true」(Random classmate B)
「Well I'll go check up on him after school so don't worry」(Ayato)
「Well fine then」(Random classmate A)
Ayato had decided to visit Shiro after school so he called Hinata after school.
「Hey, Hinata. I'm going to Shiro's place to check up on him now, wanna come?」(Ayato)
「Huh? Why, all of a sudden?」(Hinata)
「Well he didn't come to school today so I kinda wanted to confirm with him if everything is fine. How about it, wanna come along?」(Ayato)
「Huh? He didn't come today? Are you completely sure everything is fine?! Hey, tell me, tell me!」(Hinata)
「Like I said, that's why I'm going to his house.」(Ayato)
「I'd go! I'd definitely go!」(Hinata)
They went to Shiro's house directly after school was over.
But when they arrived at the door....
「It's still locked?」(Hinata)
「Maybe, he went out to buy something. Well if he can go out to buy something, he should be fine.」(Ayato)
「...」(Hinata)
「Come on, you're worrying too much」(Ayato)
「.....you're right」(Hinata)
After a long silence, Hinata calmed down.
They both believed him to be fine. After all they could never imagine Shiro meeting such an unfortunate death.
However, they will hear the cruel truth the next day.
They went back to their own houses after that.
The next day.
The school principal asked the students as well as the teachers to stay back for a few minutes after the morning Assembly.
「Everyone, I have to make an announcement」(Principal)
As the principal said those words with a grim expression on his face which was rarely seen, all the students and teachers started getting confused.
「Yesterday we had lost one of our precious students. He fell victim to a traffic accident and lost his life. I apologise for not being able to pass this information immediately since I received it from one of them witnesses quite late at night. They said that the accident took place in the morning, probably around the time he was coming to school」
The principal looked like he was having a hard time to say those words.
After all, the loss of a student was no joke.
「His name is... Shiro Aizawa」
With those words, Hinata and Ayato were immediately frozen stiff, unable to think anything anymore.
For them those words from the principal hurt their heart more than anything in the world.
Of course, teachers and students alike, everyone was shocked.
「Who is that guy?」(Random person 1)
「Who knows? Never heard of him」(Random person 2)
「Isn't he the President of the Kendo Club?」(Random person 3)
「Ah, the one who became the President after just 6 months of joining the club?」(Random person 4)
「Yeah yeah, that guy」(Random person 5)
「I don't believe it..... How could this happen to Aizawa-kun....」(Random person 6)
While such conversations were being exchanged between everyone, Hinata and Ayato, unable to accept the harsh reality were still frozen stiff.
「May we have a short prayer so that Shiro Aizawa-kun's soul rests in peace.」(Principal)
The principal then dismissed everyone after the prayer finished.
Hinata and Ayato were the last ones to leave.
Somehow putting force in their feet, they left with trembling feet without speaking a word.
It was more like, they weren't able to speak anything.
They were completely different than ever.
The cheerful atmosphere around them turned into a depressing one and for most people, this was the first time they were seen in this state.
The reason for that was obvious.
They had lost the person who they had cared for the most after their parents.
Ayato, after somewhat recovering from the shock, decided to meet with Hinata so he went to the student council room after school hoping to find her there.
「I knew you'd be here」(Ayato)
「!!...What do you want...Ayato?」(Hinata)
「I thought I should talk to you」(Ayato)
「About what?」(Hinata)
「You know already right? It's about him.」(Ayato)
「.....」(Hinata)
「I know I shouldn't be talking to you about it when you're just as hurt as me. No, rather you're a lot more hurt than me. I understand that you know?」(Ayato)
「If you already understand that much then why are you here!!」(Hinata)
「Please calm down, Hinata. I understand ho-」(Ayato)
「You don't understand a thing! Not a single thing!!」(Hinata)
「That....might be true. You were his childhood friend after all. It completely makes sense for you to be sad at his death」(Ayato)
「Then-」(Hinata)
「But you know, Hinata, he was an important existence, even for me. Not just any friend, I considered him as my true friend you know?」(Ayato)
「T-That's...」(Hinata)
「It's not like I'm not sad. It's not like I'm not hurt. You're not the only one who feels sad at his death!!」(Ayato)
「.....Sorry」(Hinata)
「I know it's painful. I know it's difficult to accept. I know it's not something you can forget just like that. That's why I won't tell you to forget this feeling. You need to accept this feeling and keep moving forward.」(Ayato)
「....」(Hinata)
「I'm sure that's what he would've wanted as well, right?」(Ayato)
Hinata opened her eyes wide in surprise for a moment and then showed the usual cheerful smile and said.
「You're right. I'm no more going to brood over the past and properly move forward. For the sake of Shiro as well.」(Hinata)
「Come to think of it, in the end, you never confessed to him right?」(Ayato)
「Wha-?! D-Don't be stupid. I-I-It's just that I never got the right chance. It's definitely not because I hesitated everytime, you understand!!」(Hinata)
「Ah, so you hesitated huh」(Ayato)
「Wha-?! Haa.... It's no use making excuses at this point anyways. That's right I hesitated to confess to him, got a problem with that?!!」(Hinata)
「As I thought. Well I don't want to dig any deeper than that. Ah right, want to go to "that place" one last time?」(Ayato)
「!! Yeah, let's go!」(Hinata)
Hinata opened her eyes wide upon hearing the words "that place", but as if she herself wanted to go there, she smiled and agreed to go with Ayato.
「Then is it alright to leave right now?」(Ayato)
「Yeah I'm done with the student council work so it's fine to leave right now」(Hinata)
Saying so, they left the school grounds and went to "that place".
◇◆◇◆◇◆
「We've arrived」(Ayato)
「Wow, this brings back memories」(Hinata)
The place where they arrived at was a clearing on top of a hill.
After going through a small forest, the place was found.
The clearing itself was a huge and beautiful area but that wasn't why they came here.
「Oh, it's still as beautiful as ever huh」(Hinata)
「That's right」(Ayato)
When one looked above, they could see an unnatural large number of stars shining beautifully in the night sky.
The view of the stars from there was so beautiful, it felt like someone had sprinkled glittering dust over jet-black pages.
It was a place discovered by Shiro.
「Hey, do you remember how he often used to say that this was his favorite place?」(Ayato)
「Of course I do. How could I ever forget?」(Hinata)
「Hahaha...still the view is as beautiful as the first time I saw it」(Ayato)
「Yeah. He....even promised.....that we'll be coming here to see the fireworks festival....all three of us」(Hinata)
「....」(Ayato)
「And now he leaves us on our own. That's.....just....too....unfair」(Hinata)
「Hinata...」(Ayato)
Ayato noticed that tears were flowing down Hinata's cheeks.
「Hm? Ah, it's fine. I'm already over it. I already told you didn't I? I'll keep moving forward no matter what」(Hinata)
「Hinata....you really are amazing. I haven't been able to overcome it yet. There's still a painful sensation in my heart even as I speak」(Ayato)
「Don't worry. I know it's difficult but it's not impossible.」(Hinata)
「....I see. Well then shall we go back?」(Ayato)
「Yeah, let's go」(Hinata)
They came down the hill and were walking.
And then, when both of them came at the place where they would go separate ways, it happened.
「Well then I'm going this way. See you tomorrow」(Ayato)
「Yeah, see you tomorrow」(Hinata)
At that moment, the ground below them suddenly shone with a bright light and small particles of light started to revolving around them.
「Wha?!」(Ayato)
「What is happening?!」(Hinata)
After a few moments, they found themselves suddenly floating inside a pitch-black space.
「What in the world is happening? Weren't we standing on the road just a few minutes?!」(Hinata)
「Don't ask me. Like hell I have any idea of what's going on here!!」(Ayato)
『Oh, you've arrived huh』(Mysterious Voice)
「「?!!」」(Both Ayato and Hinata)
Suddenly they could hear a mysterious voice.
The voice felt like it belonged to a man. A rather young man.
『Come on, you don't have to be so tense. Rest assured I'm not going to harm you』(Mysterious Voice)
Ayato after regaining his composure a little, opened his mouth.
「Who do you think you are? You suddenly drag us here without our permission and tell us to rest assured? More importantly, you haven't even introduced yourself you know?」(Ayato)
『Ahaha...that's right. I'm what you people refer to as ⟨⟨God⟩⟩』(Mysterious Voice)
『A ⟨⟨God⟩⟩ he says? Does he really expect us to believe that?』(Ayato)
『Of course I knew you wouldn't believe me』(Mysterious Voice)
「!! You can read my mind?」(Ayato)
『Hmm? I did say I am a ⟨⟨God⟩⟩ though. Is reading humans' minds supposed to be too difficult a feat for Gods?』(God)
「Then....you really are a God huh」(Ayato)
『That's exactly right~!』(God)
「So, would you please explain the situation?」(Hinata)
『Ah that's right. Well, in short, you two are about to be transferred to another world as ⟨⟨Heroes⟩⟩』(God)
「You've got to be kidding me right?」(Hinata)
『Well I am the ⟨⟨God⟩⟩ of the world you are going to be transferred to. Two kingdoms of that world have performed the ⟨⟨Hero Summoning Ritual⟩⟩. That's why you two are going to that world. Just so you know, I had no hand in this entire thing』(God)
「So you're saying you'll simply drag us out of our world and tell us to become a ⟨⟨Hero⟩⟩ or whatever in that world? Don't you think that's too selfish of a request?」(Ayato)
『Hey, listen to me till the end, I never said you definitely have to go to that world』(God)
「「!」」(Both Ayato and Hinata)
『Whether you want to go to that world or not is completely up to you. So what will you two do?』(God)
「「...」」(Both Ayato and Hinata)
「Before that can we ask you a few questions?」(Hinata)
『It's fine but there are a few things I can't answer you know?』(God)
「....Fine. What happens if we refuse to go to that world?」(Hinata)
『In that case the people who are summoning you, will not be able to summon you and the ritual will end without anything happening. Of course that means you'll be sent back to your own world』(God)
「I see. Also can you tell us how is that world different from ours?」(Hinata)
『It is a world of swords and magic. Monsters and demons are also there you know? So basically you can say it's your typical fantasy anime/manga/light novel setting』(God)
「I-I see. Wait, how do you know about anime, manga and light novels from our world?」(Hinata)
『That I cannot answer』(God)
「Tch! So if we accept to go to that world, we'll be sent there and if we decline then we'll be returned back right?」(Ayato)
『Exactly~! It really helps that you two are quick at understanding! So let me ask this once again: What will you two do? Will you go to that world or will you return back?』(God)
「「......」」(Both Ayato and Hinata)
After discussing amongst themselves about what to do, Ayato and Hinata reached the same conclusion.
「「I accept!」」(Both Ayato and Hinata)
『Hoh? You accepted it pretty easily. I thought you would decline. May I ask about the reason behind your decision?』(God)
「I had always been popular in my school days. People used to say that I could do anything. To be honest, I didn't like it. That's why when I'm given the choice to do something like being a ⟨⟨Hero⟩⟩, which is something not everyone can do, there's no way I'd decline that option. I've finally found something which is going to be extremely tough to pull off. That's why I'm going to accept the role given to me and do my best. Also I once had a precious friend, who said that I should always help people in need. The ones summoning us must have some sort of reason. That's why I'm willing to help them.」(Hinata)
「Well it goes the same for me. I was so popular that it started sickening me. Every single one of them judged me as super talented and never bothered to interact with me as a fellow classmate. But there was one guy who interacted with me not as a super talented soccer player but as a fellow classmate and friend. The people who are summoning me must be doing so expecting things I can do not as a talented genius but rather as a ⟨⟨Hero⟩⟩. That's why I want to live up to their expectations.」(Ayato)
『Hahaha~!』(God)
「Hey, why are you laughing? Are you making fun of our reason?」(Ayato)
『Ah, no no. Hah....I apologise for my behaviour. It's just that I never expected Shiro-kun to be this important to you. As I thought, he really is an interesting one』(God)
「?!! Do you perhaps know....Shiro?」(Hinata)
『No no no~. I wouldn't say I know him personally. How do I put this? Maybe saying "I'm watching him" would be correct?』
「?!! Hey, what do you mean by that?! How are you watching him?! Isn't he dead?」(Ayato)
『It is just as you say. He is dead. That's for sure.』(God)
「Then ho-」(Ayato)
『On Earth, that is』(God)
「「?!!」」(Both Ayato and Hinata)
『Ah looks like it's time for me to go. Well it's been a long time since we started talking. Oh, I forgot to tell you one more thing. When you reach that world, everyone there would be wishing for the extermination of the demon race and the ⟨⟨Demon Lord⟩⟩. But keep in mind that the ⟨⟨Demon Lord⟩⟩ is neither responsible for the destruction and unrest among humans nor does he wish for a war between humans and the demon race. That's why, no matter what, do not point your weapons at the demon race. The ⟨⟨Demon Lord⟩⟩ a friend of mine after all. The real mastermind behind the destruction and chaos in that world is the one who is wishing for and instigating a war between humans and the demon race. If you do as the humans request you to do and exterminate the demon race, then you would be dancing in the palms of the mastermind. As for the reason behind their plan, it's something which threatens the entire existence of this world. That's why, no matter what, don't let yourself get caught in his pace. If the demon race and ⟨⟨Demon Lord⟩⟩ are exterminated, this world will fall to ruin. Well then I'll be taking my leave now and you two will be sent to two different kingdoms. Those are the kingdoms which had summoned you two. I'm sure we'll meet once again sometime in the future. Farewell』(God)
As soon as those words were finished, Ayato and Hinata felt something dragging them downwards.
「Say Hinata, what do you think about the last words he said?」(Ayato)
「To be honest, I don't know for sure. But if this "mastermind" he was talking about, truly exists, then exterminating the demon race will be an incredibly bad move from our part」(Hinata)
「That's true. I definitely don't want to face something which is considered as a world threatening existence even by a ⟨⟨God⟩⟩」(Ayato)
Thinking such things, Ayato and Hinata get a cold sweat because of an incredibly unpleasant feeling.
「Well we just have to prevent picking a fight with the demon race and ⟨⟨Demon Lord⟩⟩ right?」(Ayato)
「Did it sound like it'll be very easy? The way that ⟨⟨God⟩⟩ was talking at the last part was completely different from when he was talking to us. It was as if he was dead serious about that part.」(Hinata)
「Yeah now that I mention it, it's true」(Ayato)
「Well looks like we'll be summoned soon.」(Hinata)
「So this is where we part huh」(Ayato)
「We are going to the same world so we'd still be able to meet each other right?」(Hinata)
「Well I guess you're right」(Ayato)
「Well then, see you sometime in the future, Ayato」(Hinata)
「Yeah, see you later」(Ayato)
As soon as they finished their parting words, numerous particles of light enveloped their body and they disappeared.
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