Ria was in her office, as usual. Since it was night, the window behind her offered a beautiful city view.
Ria, I have something important to say.
Unizard? Is this your doing?
Yeah, I'm telepathing you. The thing is: Yuto'll be in great danger these next days.
Your magic said so?
Yes. I know what will probably happen, but it's a 82% chance that he survives.
So you don't know what will happen. Was it expensive? The spell.
That's exactly why I need your help. I imposed a condition on myself: I'll not interfere directly in any way.
Damn, that info is surely important. So you want me to do your job?
Before that, I want you to make your decision.
We both have tons of things to do. What is his enemy? Do I stand a chance against them?
I'm afraid not. His power is: whatever he firmly believes will happen, will happen.
So he's invincible. Why bother? And how the hell does that brat have a chance of surviving?
There is a limitation to his power. Every time he becomes aware of his power, he instantly forgets it and unbalances it.
That's his weak point? Why would I risk everything if he has more than 80% chance of success?
He won't win in any circumstances, simply survive.
How?
That's what worries me... An ethereal event will take place and the astronaut who teleported with him will... transform.
Ethereal transformation?
It's something very uncommon in that world, but when it happens, millions or even billions die.
That's how his enemy will die?
Yes. But Yuto can be included in that killstreak.
...
If this makes you feel any better, I can update you as the battle approaches. Since it leaves no time for preparations, the mana cost is much lower. Also, the chance of success will be more accurate.
Do that. I won't risk my life... yet. Neither should you. We're too important to die for that idiot.
Oh, is that what I hear? Are you considering... risking your life for him? Are you, perhaps-
Fuck you, Unizard.
In a futuristic shopping mall.
— Huh? Gomi's funeral?
Yuna was half lying on the couch, seemingly unbothered. When she heard about Gomi, she stayed silent for some seconds, then replied in a nonchalant tone. She looked at Mitone, who mentioned their friend's funeral. Then, Yuna looked at the ceiling again.
— Why bother about the dead? They won't come back, trust me.
— I know, but we should show her some respect. She was our friend.
— Was. We knew her for what, one day?
— She's still our friend, okay? Weren't you two having fun at the event?
Yuna thought about the cosplays. They were Gomi's passion. They were indeed having fun. Although, Yuna didn't break a tear.
— She's not the only one I've seen die in a gruesome way. And no soul has come to take revenge on me so far. Gomi is not watching us.
— Even if that's the case, she would care!
Yuna got up from the couch and approached Mitone, grabbing him by the collar and staring into his eyes.
— Listen here. We're classmates, not friends. Stop trying to force your culture into others. Not everyone praises the dead like they're some kind of divinity.
— Yuna... I thought you were reasonable.
Eraser and Kiseki appeared, holding ice creams. Kiseki was scared, as always. Seeing her friends fighting among themselves was not good for her. Eraser simply watched. Yuna noticed them.
— No, I am not reasonable like you. We live in different worlds. So keep your mouth shut, asshole.
She released him.
What happened: Kiseki eventually learned of Gomi's death and forced herself to stay close to them in case something bad happened. She could never forgive herself for not being there when they needed her help. They didn't really know her, but she insisted everything was her fault.
— I'm so sorry... if I was there, nobody would have died...
Eraser patted her shoulder.
— None of that was your fault, I promise. After all, I was the one who suggested we go to the cosplay event.
— But... if I knew there were troublemakers in that event...
Mitone approached Kiseki and bent down to her, holding her shoulders reassuringly.
— There was no way to know that. It was a normal event, who would suspect that someone would die that day?
Yuna noticed something strange.
— Wait, someone said something like that! That idol, in the elevator!
Eraser replied:
— I'm searching about him now. Looks like the internet has nothing unusual to say about him. He's just a normal idol, it seems.
Mitone added:
— He was certainly suspicious. He surely knew what would happen.
Yuna:
— I'll notify Ria about this.
Kiseki said:
— Y-Yuna, about that... can I... talk to Ria about it?
— Why? I have her number.
— W-We are close friends and...
— Seriously? Who exactly are you?
Eraser answered:
— Didn't you know? She's a level 7 and one of the survivors of the apocalypse.
— Apocalypse? Wait, of course I didn't know! Why didn't you tell us?!
— I said she could be trusted.
— You're omitting extremely important facts!
Kiseki was even more nervous now. Mitone patted her head and said:
— Calm down, guys. Look at her. Do any of you think she could cause us any harm? The point is: she's on our side. She even knows Ria!
Yuna looked disappointed.
— But you clearly don't know Ria. She's a demon.
— T-That's not important. You trust both of them, right, Yuna?
She remembered about that damn train and that Ria was supposed to save her.
— No.
Kiseki was devastated. Not being trusted by one of her friends was entirely her fault, for some twisted reason. She proposed a solution:
— W-What can I do to gain your trust? I'll do anything, I promise!
— Anything...?
Yuna approached her. Their faces were nearly touching. Kiseki avoided eye contact, scared.
— Y-Yes...
Yuna pinched her cheek.
— Go get us some 7-Up. I don't need it, but the other two idiots could die at any moment.
— O-Okay! I'll ask Ria to give you as many as you want!
— No, I've already asked her. She declined, for some reason.
— Uh? Then I can get them another way... what about the official tournaments?
Eraser complemented:
— There's one happening tonight. The rewards are a bit underwhelming, though.
— T-That's right! I can use my rank to recommend the three of you to participate. I can also adjust the rewards!
Yuna was impressed:
— All that just for being a level 7?
— W-We can change many things in the association, especially now that the Boss is not here...
— Alright, do that. I trust you, but I can't say the same for Ria.
Suddenly, a male voice came from a few meters away.
— My son! I can't believe I found you after so many years! You look... different.
Kiseki froze. She knew that voice from somewhere. The middle-aged man was fat and wore a sweaty shirt. He was holding a suitcase, his eyes were closed and he had blond hair slicked back. Yuna was confused:
— Son...? Who are you talking to, exactly?
— My precious son over there!
He pointed his chubby finger at Kiseki, who shivered in fear. Mitone walked forward to cover Kiseki with his body from that man's prying closed eyes.
— Sorry, sir, but I think this is a misunderstanding. She's a girl, so she can't be your son.
— That's intriguing, I must say. But I wouldn't confuse my child's eyes, even if his gender isn't the same. Right, Kiseki?
She shivered more desperately.
How does he know her name? He must be a scammer...
— Is something wrong, my son? Come with me, you can finally be home after all these years!
— Sir, stop right there. We know you are simply taking advantage of her kindness. You know her name because she's a level 7.
— Why would I lie about my own family? Kiseki, why don't you tell them I am your father?
Kiseki quickly stood up, looking down.
— He's my father...
Mitone assessed the situation. Perhaps the creepy man was telling the truth, but Kiseki was clearly distressed. Kiseki began walking towards the man, trembling. Mitone suddenly changed his serious expression to a smile.
— Alright, old man, seems like you were right.
He patted the creep on the shoulder reassuringly. He closed his eyes, smiling like a friend.
— You know, you can never be too careful nowadays. That's why I suspected you. I hope you understand.
— Oh, it's okay, really-
A punch knocked the man out for a second or two. Mitone was a normal human, yet he managed to make the creep trip and fall to the ground, at least two meters away. Yuna and Erased were truly impressed. Kiseki was more nervous than ever, but this time for a good reason. Mitone had never shown so much pent-up anger before. His expression became serious again.
— Even if you're her father, you don't deserve her. Go away before we call the cops.
He stood up until he was crouched down, trying not to stumble again.
— Who the hell do you think you are?! I'll put you in your place, you damn kid!
The fat man opened his suitcase, which was on the floor, and took out a knife and a pistol. Before he could close it, Mitone quickly approached him and kicked it out of his hand, launching it a few meters away. The man swung his knife aiming for Mitone's neck. He quickly dodged, but the man used his pistol before his enemy could recover from his action.
A small red axe appeared in the bullet's path, erasing it completely. Mitone held it with one hand, while punching the gun with the other. Before the man could even do anything else, Mitone sliced off his other arm with the axe, dropping the knife.
The axe had a holographic texture, like an energy weapon. It went through his arm like it was made of nothing. Basically Tatsuya's energy sword. Except that the axe appeared out of nowhere.
The man fell to the ground again, bleeding a lot and desperate.
— Look, I gave you a chance to go back to your pathetic life.
— Damn brat... this isn't over yet.
— Oh, really? You're persistent, aren't you?
The man turned around and began to run away. Without giving him time to escape, Mitone followed him. In the way, he made the red axe disappear and materialized an orange double-headed war axe. Since he was pretty athetic, it was easy to catch him.
When he was close enough, he swung the big axe towards the man's legs, to immobilize him. Kiseki could heal him at any time, anyway. The man suddenly turned around and pulled a taser from his back. Before Mitone could finish his move, the man managed to hit his heart with a paralyzing current. The axe didn't disappear immediately, so it scratched his legs, but he quickly dodged most of it
He continued electrifying Mitone, who fell down, paralyzed. The man dropped the taser and took another gun from his back. He smirked victoriously.
— Kids should respect the adults, you know.
Without waiting for a reply, he pulled the trigger. However, a plasma orb erased his only hand and the gun. Yuna quickly grabbed him by the neck and flung his body to the ground, knocking him out. Kiseki quickly healed Mitone. Yuna reached out her hand to Mitone.
— I'm sorry.
She apologized, without looking him in the eye. She masked her feelings with a neutral expression, as usual. He giggled and took her hand to get up.
— For what? You all saved me.
— For... underestimating you.
— And I'm sorry for thinking common sense would apply for everyone.
They shaked their hands. Kiseki was trembling nervously.
— G-Guys, I'm really sorry for everything...
Mitone patted her head, with a huge smile on his face.
— Do you think we did the right thing? Because we don't know anything about your family.
— I-I don't know...
She looked at the man without both hands. He clearly didn't remind her of good times. She closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down.
— H-He... he adopted me, years ago... before I came to Tokyo and became a hero...
So he's not her real father... I knew it. They are complete opposites.
The three of them listened attentively to her speech.
— He k-killed my... mom... I-I mean, his wife... and my friend from school and...
Mitone leaned towards her, patting her shoulder.
— That's enough, Kiseki. Now we know he was a bad guy.
She opened her watery eyes, comforted by her new friends. They smiled at her. Yuna added:
— I knew I could trust you, Kiseki. Why can't Ria be like you?
— I-I am not any better than Ria, really! I just do the bare minimum, and...
Eraser said:
— No need to push yourself that hard, Kiseki. I am an android, but I live my life by myself and for myself. You don't have to live for someone else.
— B-But my power...
Eraser giggled, feeling cornered.
— Your power is certainly to help others. You choose what you believe is the best choice. I guess we can't change you, after all. Nor we have to.
Kiseki thought about their words for some seconds, then smiled.
— Thank you, guys.
Yuna turned around, still worried about something.
— What about that freak? Should we call the police or...
Kiseki suggested:
— W-Wait, I feel like Ria may want to talk to him... I will call her!
She nervously picked up the phone and called Ria, who answered immediately.
— What a coincidence, I wanted to talk to you.
Someone placed their hand on her shoulder. She quickly turned around, startled. It was Ria.
— R-Ria?! What are you doing here?
— What would I not be doing here? Watching you all, as always.
Yuna frowned, a bit annoyed.
— You were there all this time? Why didn't you do anything?
— Maybe, you never know. What if I told you something like: "I trusted you enough to let you do your thing"? Does that sound good enough for you?
— You were testing us. Did you send that guy to torment us?!
— Sometimes I don't have to do things myself. The pieces fall into place by themselves.
— You are right, you do nothing yourself, except send others to do your work. I wonder if you're really that strong to rule this city. What if someone stronger appears? Will you hide behind your desk and call the other level 7's?
— I don't need to. Soon enough, something big will happen. I will take care of the matter myself.
Ria turned around.
— Come, Kiseki. We have a lot to discuss.
— Y-Yes, Ria!