After the battle with the Sixth Rank that attacked the school, the cleanup crew arrived almost immediately. Initially, only five people came, but as they realized that nearly every student at the elementary school had been affected, the number of responders increased rapidly.
Police officers, paramedics, and other people in the know—including memory manipulation specialists—all gathered, filling the school grounds. Skilled handlers, undoubtedly experienced with various types of monster aftermath, struggled as they transported the students to the hospital. I watched it all, silently, as Nina held onto my hand.
The two of us sat on a small ledge at the edge of the schoolyard, observing the scene before us as if we were watching a film. The whole time, I stayed quiet.
I had no idea what to say to Nina after she had told me, "All I need is you, Itsuki."
