Ayame Yomogawa was indeed busy.
The Kotetsujyo had just arrived, barely docking.
The Industrial Revolution had swept across the world, bringing great change.
But when the transition from the early modern period to the industrial age occurred, an unexpected disaster struck—undead monsters suddenly appeared.
Covered in an iron-like membrane and unable to be killed unless their hearts were destroyed, these creatures were relentless. Those bitten would die and then resurrect, attacking other humans.
These creatures, later known as "Kabane," multiplied explosively and spread across the entire world.
In the Far Eastern islands, to protect themselves from the Kabane threat, people built fortified settlements known as "stations" across the land.
They were forced to live within these stations, doing everything they could to survive.
The only connection between these stations was the armored steam trains (commonly known as Hayajiro). The stations relied on these trains to exchange goods and maintain a semblance of life.
In the station of Iwato, which specialized in iron production and heavy steam machinery, a long track stretched out.
On it rested a massive black train, as dark as a fortress.
People bustled around the train, making repairs and preparations.
As the daughter of the Yomogawa family, the station's rulers, Ayame Yomogawa was responsible for overseeing the maintenance.
Even after seeing the miraculous phenomenon of the chat group, she had to finish her duties before investigating it further.
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere:
"???"
Hiratsuka Shizuka scratched her head.
Kato Megumi… who's that?
And why is she calling in for someone else to take a day off?
Not thinking too much of it, she approved the request.
…
"Kato, what are you doing here?"
Rei Ao stood at the entrance of the mall, staring at Kato Megumi, who looked pure and cute in her outfit, lost in thought.
Kato Megumi greeted him with her usual calm expression and tone. "Rei Ao-kun, what a coincidence."
Coincidence?
Sakurajima Mai, who was standing next to Rei Ao, couldn't help but twitch at the corners of her mouth.
It was Wednesday, after all.
Why wasn't she at school this early in the morning? And how coincidental was it that she showed up at the mall right after joining the chat group and asking Rei Ao what he was doing?
What a "coincidence," indeed.
Sakurajima Mai eyed Kato Megumi's pure and cute appearance, noting how unusually "proactive" she seemed. A sudden sense of urgency rose within her.
Kato Megumi also focused her attention on Sakurajima Mai.
"Rei Ao-kun, this is Sakurajima Mai, the same person from that strange chat group you mentioned, right?"
"Oh?"
Rei Ao was a bit surprised. "Yes, it's her. But… Kato, you can see her?"
Kato Megumi nodded. "I don't know why, but I can."
"Maybe it's because you both share a unique bond," Rei Ao mused as he analyzed both of their conditions.
"This kind of strange presence really exists?"
Sakurajima Mai was astonished.
The two seemed to have something in common, but in fact, they were different.
To Rei Ao, Kato Megumi looked like this:
[Name]: Kato Megumi
[Level]: 0
[Ability]: "Mysterious Presence"
Her ability was called "Mysterious Presence."
While it was also a passive ability, it wasn't as extreme as Sakurajima Mai's.
As for why they could see each other, Rei Ao had two theories:
First, it could be due to the effects of the chat group.
Second, it could be that their abilities resonated with one another.
Either way, it was a good thing.
"Since Kato is here, how about you help Sakurajima Mai? It's a bit inappropriate for me, as a guy, to help her buy personal things like underwear."
Rei Ao had certainly noticed that Kato's "coincidence" was too convenient, but he didn't expose it.
After all, with the chat group, she had likely seen some of his more questionable trades.
Rei Ao wanted to see if Kato's opinion of him had changed.
To his proposal:
"Sure."
Kato Megumi agreed with a smile.
But then…
She turned to Sakurajima Mai and asked, "Sakurajima Mai, it doesn't seem proper to stay at a guy's house. If you need a place, you can stay at my house."
Although the words were polite and friendly, Sakurajima Mai sensed a certain... tension.
She responded with a perfect smile.
"Thank you for your concern, Kato Megumi. But it's just a temporary arrangement, and there's no problem."
"I trust Rei Ao-kun wouldn't harm me. Besides, it's a… trade."
"A trade…"
Kato Megumi mulled over the word.
She didn't say anything further.
…
With Kato Megumi's help, buying clothes and other daily necessities for Sakurajima Mai became much easier.
Rei Ao was more than happy to take it easy.
While Sakurajima Mai was trying on clothes, the two of them waited outside the fitting room.
For the first time, Kato Megumi asked Rei Ao a question she had been wondering about.
"Rei Ao-kun, do you… really have superpowers?"
"Why don't I let you experience it yourself?"
Rei Ao smiled as he gently placed his hand on Kato Megumi's cheek.
"!!!"
In an instant, she felt the coldness.
"Impressive."
Kato Megumi didn't show much surprise. After a simple compliment, she suddenly changed the subject.
"So, does that mean everything in the chat group is true? Did you really… with Saeko Busujima?"
"..."
Rei Ao sucked in a sharp breath.
He hadn't expected Kato to ask so directly.
But he quickly regained his composure, shrugged, and replied, "Yes, it was just a trade."
He then teased, "Did your opinion of me drop because of that?"
"..."
Kato Megumi stared into Rei Ao's sapphire-like eyes for a long time before responding.
"Yes."
She was honest.
It was unrealistic for her opinion not to change even a little.
"I understand it was just a trade, so I don't dislike you for it, Rei Ao-kun. But I…"
Before Kato could finish, Sakurajima Mai walked out of the fitting room.
"Alright, I'm done."
Rei Ao was in a good mood after hearing that Kato wouldn't dislike him because of the trade.
"Let's go pay, then."
"Mm."
"..."
Staring at Rei Ao's back, Kato Megumi murmured to herself, "But… I'm still jealous of them."