"Who are you? Why are you here?" a soldier demanded, eyeing the boy in the long coat suspiciously as he made his way through the chaos. "This place is extremely dangerous. A gas tank just blew up and there are already countless casualties. Get out of here, kid."
"Oh?" The boy's voice was calm, almost indifferent, as he turned to face the soldier. The man stiffened, feeling an inexplicable chill creep down his spine when he looked into the boy's eyes. They were an unsettling feeling from those icy green irises piercing through him like a blade.
"I'm just a boy passing through," the boy replied smoothly, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "But you're the one who should be going home."
Before the soldier could react, the boy raised a hand and tapped him lightly on the forehead. The soldier's eyes glazed over, and with no more than a shallow breath, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
The boy stepped over the fallen soldier, barely sparing him a glance as he continued down the ruined street. The remnants of the explosion still smoldered, casting eerie shadows over the ground littered with debris. He walked through the wreckage, his gaze sweeping over the scene with casual detachment, until he spotted a figure struggling to crawl out of the crumpled remains of the gas tank. It was a slender girl, her light pink hair tangled, and her striking red leotard marred by dust and ash.
He approached her with calm, deliberate steps, crouching down just out of her reach as she pulled herself free from the rubble.
"You've managed quite the kill count, Yuzuriha Inori," he remarked, his tone as smooth as his unsettling smile. "At least about one hundred people lost their lives in this explosion alone." His eyes glinted with a hint of amusement. "It's impressive. You possess such a powerful set of Stigmata, yet you choose to live as a singer." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "Or perhaps the singing is just a side gig?"
Inori, still gasping for breath and visibly weakened, glared up at him. Blood trickled down her chin, staining her lips, yet there was no fear in her expression. "Who are you?" she spat, forcing her voice steady despite the pain. "If you're here to capture me or kill me, then quit wasting time and do it."
"Oh, my dear Inori," the boy chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm the furthest thing from an enemy. In fact, I'd say I'm a big fan of yours. Capturing or killing you would be such a… waste."
With a smile that was both kind and unsettling, he extended his hand. "So, would you like to escape? I assume you don't want to be dragged back into captivity after everything that's happened here."
Without hesitation, Inori took his hand, her own trembling as she gripped it. The captors who had taken her earlier had injected her with a serum that rendered her nearly powerless, and though she had managed to escape, she was drained of her power. But the moment her hand touched his hand, a jolt of energy surged through her, reviving her strength, her senses coming back into sharp focus as power filled her veins once more. Inori rose to her feet, regaining her balance, her mind racing with questions.
She glanced at the strange boy, a mixture of gratitude and suspicion in her eyes. "Who are you, really?" she asked, curiosity and caution sharpening her tone. She had crossed paths with many powerful and influential people, but this boy… he was something else entirely.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by her curiosity. "Still want to know who I am?" he mused, a playful edge in his voice. "We all have secrets, Inori. You can call me Yuu, if that helps."
"All right… Yuu," she replied, uncertain but willing to go along for now. As she looked around, taking in the full scope of the destruction around her, her gaze froze on a familiar figure lying among the debris. She felt her heart stop for a moment, shock and disbelief flooding her mind.
"No…" she whispered, her voice tight as she moved swiftly to the fallen figure. She knelt down and gently turned him over, and her breath caught when she saw his face. It was the boy she had met only once, the boy who had somehow left a lasting impression on her, despite their brief encounter. She had never expected him to be drawn into her dangerous world, much less in a scene like this.
Yuu watched her with mild curiosity, his gaze cool but attentive. "Ah, so you know him?"
Inori nodded faintly, pressing her ear to the boy's chest and straining to hear the faintest heartbeat. Relief washed over her when she detected it, though it was weak. She looked up at Yuu, her voice barely above a whisper. "Shu is still alive. Please… help him."
Yuu regarded her thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. "It won't be easy, Inori. He's infected heavily with Honkai corruption already. You're a Stigmata Awakened, which is why I could help you. But if I attempt the same with him, there's a strong chance he'll die instantly. His body isn't equipped to handle such high levels of Honkai energy."
Inori's eyes burned with determination. "If I don't try, he'll die anyway, won't he?" Her gaze softened as she looked down at the unconscious boy, cradling his head gently in her lap. "Even if it's only a small chance, please… do whatever you can."
Yuu sighed, crouching beside her. "Very well, Inori. This makes two favors you owe me now," he said, his tone tinged with a hint of amusement. "I hope you'll be ready to pay up when the time comes."
"If you can save him, I'll give you whatever you want," she answered without hesitation, her voice steady and resolute.
He said nothing in response, simply extended his hand over the boy's body. Slowly, a red apple began to manifest in his palm, its surface gleaming as silver threads of energy unraveled from it, weaving around the boy's body like delicate tendrils. The silver threads shimmered as they bound themselves around him, glowing as they worked to counter the Honkai infection ravaging his system. For several tense minutes, the energy pulsed around him, seeping into his skin as it pushed back against the corruption. Then, as if satisfied with its work, the silver energy withdrew, retreating back into the apple in Yuu's hand.
Yuu lowered his arm, watching the boy closely. "All you can do now is hoping he makes it through," he said finally. "This wasn't a simple task, and there's no telling what the result will be."
Inori looked at Yuu, gratitude evident in her eyes. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice sincere as she met his gaze.
Yuu smirked, clearly amused by her gratitude. "Don't thank me just yet. I'll find you again in the future to collect on those favors," he said, a hint of warning in his voice. "But for now, if you don't want to be captured again, I'd suggest leaving this area immediately. And maybe consider a change of clothes. That outfit stands out more than you think."
Without waiting for her response, Yuu turned and stepped away. A faint shimmer appeared before him, and he disappeared into a portal, leaving Inori alone with the unconscious Ouma Shu and the silent ruins surrounding them.
As the portal closed behind him, Inori glanced down at the boy resting in her lap, gently brushing the dust from his face. Her heart felt heavy, but a new resolve burned within her. Whatever dangers lay ahead, she was determined to protect him from being drawn further into her dangerous world.
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I stepped forward into the hellish street, moving carefully as I scanned the ruins around me, searching for any sign of Shu, or at least his body. The devastation stretched as far as I could see, a chaotic landscape littered with the remnants of lives now lost.
I didn't know Shu well; we were not friends. Still, something weighed on me, a sense of responsibility to find him and pull him out of this nightmare, even if only to bring his dead body back to his family and friends. His childhood friend, Menjou Hare, and his mother, Ouma Haruka, at the very least deserved to know what had happened to him.
I was so focused on searching the debris that I nearly missed Rin's voice crackling through my earpiece. "Watch out from above," she warned, her tone sharp and urgent. I barely had time to register the danger before I felt the shift in the air. Someone, or something, was lunging down from the upper floor of the abandoned shop beside me. I twisted instinctively, narrowly dodging the creature as it hurtled past, its breathless growl echoing in my ears.
My heart pounded, but my hand moved with practiced ease as I swung the Jizo Mitama blade in a clean motion. The zombie, likely a woman from judging by what little remained of her features, fell at my feet then splited in half by the blade's strike. Her body hit the ground with a sickening thud, and within moments, she began to disintegrate, leaving nothing but faint dust.
I let out a sigh, pity and dread mingling within me. This woman, like so many others, had once been human, perhaps even someone's loved one. Now, she was reduced to this, a soulless husk, cursed to wander the ruins until someone like me put her to rest or she is dead for good.
Also I had a question. How in the world did a mini Honkai eruption occur on this street?
The possibility gnawed at my thoughts. Catastrophic eruptions, the kind that birthed Herrschers and spelled disaster, were said to be rare. Yet, here I was, standing amidst the eerie aftermath of something clearly unnatural. Perhaps smaller eruptions, ones that lacked the sheer destructive force of their larger counterparts, happened more often than I realized? It made sense, though the thought offered little comfort.
I sighed, trying to shake the unease settling in my chest. "Kazuto, something's stirring in that house," Rin's voice interrupted, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. She manifested as Higokumaru, which was similar to a plushie, floating beside me. Her blue eyes gleamed as she pointed toward a dilapidated pharmacy further down the street.
"I think someone's inside," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I noticed the energy grid from that house is still being used constantly, even though this small-scale Honkai Eruption has wiped out most of the population, or turned them into zombies."
"Someone's still alive?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. Hope flickered for a brief moment, but then my mind caught up, and a chill ran down my spine.
If someone survived in the heart of this chaos, it wasn't by accident. There was a chance the entity responsible for driving away Rin's virus, the same mysterious being whose power rivaled that of a Herrscher, was nearby.
Before I could voice my suspicions, a voice I didn't recognize whispered directly into my ear.
"I didn't expect the Herrscher of Corruption to be here."
The words were soft but carried a weight that froze me in place. It wasn't Rin speaking.
My eyes widened as adrenaline surged through my veins. Without thinking, I swung my blade at the unseen source of the voice. The strike was swift, slicing through the air with precision, but my target was faster. A shadow leapt back, evading the attack effortlessly. As the figure landed on the cracked pavement, I got my first good look at him.
He was unnervingly composed, his movements deliberate and graceful, almost inhumanly so. I glanced at Rin, who hovered beside me. Her expression reflected my own shock. Her eyes were wide and mouth slightly agape.
"You... Who are you, really?" Rin's voice cut through the silence, trembling ever so slightly. That crack in her usually steady demeanor made my stomach churn. Whatever this person was, he had unsettled her, a Herrscher was shaken by his mere presence.
I turned back to the boy, this time scrutinizing him more closely. He appeared young, perhaps my age, yet there was something timeless in the piercing depth of his green eyes, framed by a cascade of light platinum hair. His attire was striking: a pristine white coat draped over a black shirt and pants. He looked very formal, almost aristocratic, and entirely out of place amidst the crumbling ruins of Nagazora street. A strange, unshakable sense of familiarity stirred within me as I studied him.
Otto. The resemblance was undeniable. His face, his posture, even the faint air of command he exuded mirrored the Overseer of Schicksal. But Otto didn't appear here, at least not in this time period. My mind raced with questions. Why was he here? And, more importantly, how did he know Rin was the Herrscher of Corruption?
Tension coiled thick in the air as my grip tightened on the hilt of my blade, waiting for answers that didn't come. The boy remained silent, his expression calm and unreadable as his gaze rested on me, seemingly unbothered by the chaos around us. My thoughts spiraled, searching for an explanation, yet none accounted for the storm of fear and fascination brewing inside me.
This boy was no ordinary stranger. His presence wasn't mere coincidence. Could he really be Otto?
The thought was absurd, but his resemblance was undeniable. There was only one way to know for certain.
"Are you the Overseer of Schicksal?" I demanded, my voice cutting through the heavy silence, sharper than I intended. "You look just like him."
For the first time, his composure wavered. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly masked by a soft chuckle. Instead of responding, he raised his hand. A delicate, crystal-pink flower unfurled in his palm, its translucent petals gleaming like sunlight captured in ice. Before I could react, the flower shifted, glowing faintly as its form twisted and stretched. Moments later, it solidified into a pastel-toned bow, its colors blending in mesmerizing swirls of pink and lavender like the fading hues of twilight. With practiced precision, the boy nocked an arrow, drawing the bowstring taut.
And then he aimed it directly at me.
The world seemed to slow as my breath hitched, my hands trembling. Recognition struck me like a hammer. That bow, that crystal flower, I knew them.
"Lie down, kid. And stay out of my way, Herrscher of Corruption," he commanded, his tone icy and authoritative, leaving no room for defiance.
Without hesitation, I dropped to the ground, my heart pounding. Beside me, Rin dissolved into a misty form, her presence became a fleeting shadow. A glowing arrow materialized on the boy's bow as it was pulsing with energy. With a sharp release, the arrow flew past me, leaving a shimmering trail in its wake.
I twisted around just in time to see the arrow struck its target which was a lurking Honkai beast. The impact erupted in a brilliant burst of light and obliterating the creature in an instant.
The boy approached me, his steps deliberate and calm. When he extended a hand, I hesitated but ultimately accepted it. His grip was firm, steady, as he pulled me to my feet.
"Herrscher of Corruption," he said, his eyes shifting toward the swirling mist. His voice softened, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Or should I say... RIN?"
Rin reappeared, her plushie form hovering beside me, her expression as inscrutable as ever. "Kazuto," she murmured, landing on my shoulder. Her voice was low, brimming with unease. "He's the one who repelled my virus. Be cautious around him." Her ocean-blue eyes never left the boy, mistrust radiating from her every word.
Her wariness was justified. The bow, the flower, his demeanor—everything pointed to a singular, unsettling truth. When I had mentioned Schicksal, he hadn't denied it. His silence and that weapon in his hand might have been confirmation enough.
"That bow," I said, narrowing my eyes as realization dawned. "That bow is her bow, isn't it? You must have met Miss Pink Elf, right?"
My words hung in the air, a mix of accusation and awe. The bow was unmistakable, that was Whisper of the Past, Elysia's signature weapon.
The boy smirked, his expression tinged with amusement. "You're perceptive," he said smoothly, his tone carrying a hint of approval.
So, it was true. He wasn't just anyone. If he truly was Otto, the implications were staggering. Perhaps this encounter could be the opportunity I needed, a chance to shift the odds in my favor.
My thoughts briefly drifted to ME Corp. My father's position had been under constant threat from Cocolia's relentless machinations. If Otto's presence here could be leveraged, it might accelerate my efforts to safeguard my family.
But for now, there were more pressing questions.
"When you're here, have you seen a boy named Ouma Shu?" I asked, recalling my original mission in this hellish place.
"Ouma Shu, hmm?" The boy placed a hand on his chin thoughtfully. "I don't know where he is now, but he's still alive. If I have to guess, you'll find him there." He gestured toward the pharmacy Rin had mentioned earlier.
"Thank you," I said, nodding. A moment of hesitation followed before I added, "If you really are the Overseer, may I request a favor?"
"Nothing comes free," he replied, his tone laced with amusement. "What can you offer in return?"
Of course. I should have known. Expecting charity from Otto or any strangers was naive.
"I'm not sure," I admitted, steeling myself. "But I would welcome your support in the coming storm at ME Corp. It would benefit both of us in the long run, I'm certain our objectives align."
As I spoke, a crystal flower materialized in my hand, identical to the one that had appeared in his. Its intricate design shimmered faintly, refracting light into a kaleidoscope of colors that seemed out of place amidst the grim circumstances.
"Oh, how intriguing," Otto remarked smoothly, his piercing gaze fixed on the flower. A sly smile curved his lips, but there was a predatory edge to it that set my nerves on edge. "I think I understand your motives now, kid. I know both of your parents." His tone, light and conversational at first, abruptly shifted, carrying a weight that sent an involuntary chill down my spine. "But first, get your friend and his companion singer out of here. We'll talk later, Watanabe Kazuto."
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed me a USB drive. The small device spun through the air, glinting faintly, before I caught it. Then, without another word, he turned and stepped into a swirling portal, the edges of reality warping and folding around him until he vanished entirely.
"Overseer of Schicksal?" Rin's voice trembled with disbelief as she stepped up beside me, her wide eyes searching my face. "Isn't he... the most authoritative figure of this era?"
"You're damn right," I replied grimly, tightening my grip on the USB before handing it to her. "I can safely say he's even worse than Dr. Mei and Mobius combined from your era. But whether we like it or not, we'll have to cooperate with him."
"I doubt he's that bad," Rin said with a scoff, though her voice lacked conviction. She studied my expression, searching for a hint of reassurance, but whatever she saw made her face pale. Her confident smirk melted into unease. "You're kidding, right?"
"I wish I were," I replied with a weary sigh. "He might be willing to negotiate now, but we need to be prepared for the moment he turns on us. People like Otto always have their own agenda. First, though, we need to find Shu."
Rin nodded, the lighthearted defiance from earlier replaced by quiet determination. She followed me silently as I led the way toward the pharmacy. The faint glow of moonlight illuminated the building's modest exterior, a stark contrast to the chaos outside.
At the door, I hesitated. The handle felt cold under my palm as I steeled myself, then slowly turned the knob.
Inside, the pharmacy was eerily pristine. Shelves lined with neatly arranged medicines and medical supplies stood untouched, their orderliness defying the destruction wreaked by the Honkai eruption beyond these walls. The air was heavy with the sterile scent of antiseptics, mingled with a faint metallic tang. Scattered across the floor were a few open boxes of medicine, their contents spilled as if someone had rummaged through them in a hurry.
"That room..." Rin's voice broke the silence, her finger pointing toward a darkened doorway at the back.
The shadows beyond the threshold seemed to press against the faint moonlight filtering in through a window. I moved cautiously, each step measured and deliberate. On the bed, I could spot the faint outline of a figure.
Reaching for the light switch, I hesitated, a sense of foreboding curling in my gut. Then, with a flick, the room was bathed in harsh white light.
Rin's cry rang out beside me, urgent and sharp. "There is another person—"
"...here," she finished, her voice faltering as my eyes focused on the scene before us.
Standing near the bed, blending seamlessly into the shadows, was a woman. Her pink hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face that was both beautiful and deadly. She wore a revealing leotard in matching shades of pink, her figure striking and almost surreal. What held my attention, however, was the pistol in her hands, its barrel aimed directly at my head.
My gaze flicked to the bed, where the figure's face was now fully visible. Ouma Shu lay there, his expression unnervingly peaceful as he slept—or rather, as he remained unconscious.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't blow your head off right now," the woman demanded. Her voice was low and calm, carrying an unnerving monotone that chilled me to the bone.
Damn it. She had blended into the shadows so perfectly that I hadn't noticed her presence until I turned on the light. And how Rin couldn't detect her when we entered the room? Wasn't she the Herrscher of Corruption?
I raised my hands slowly, signaling surrender as my mind raced. Recognition dawned as I took in her features, her outfit, and her stance. It all clicked into place.
"Because I want Ouma Shu to live," I said evenly, keeping my voice calm and measured. "Is he still alive, Yuzuriha Inori?"
Her eyes widened slightly at the mention of her name, but the pistol in her hand didn't waver.
"If you've come to drag me back into captivity," she replied icily, "I'll put a bullet through your skull without hesitation." She paused, her gaze shifting briefly toward the bed. "And yes, Shu is alive. But he's in a coma."
"Is that so?" I muttered before turning to Rin. "Rin, can you check on him?" Then I shifted my attention back to the pink-haired singer, softening my tone. "She's the medic here. Please let her do her job. Also lower your gun, I mean no harm."
Inori's grip on the pistol tightened for a moment, her eyes darting between Rin and me and giving a light nod. Finally, as Rin approached the bed cautiously, Inori's expression softened, and her hand lowered the weapon.
Rin placed her tiny hand on Shu's forehead, her movements deliberate and professional. I took a step closer to the unconscious boy, my eyes drawn to something unusual on his palm.
A mark.
It was faint but unmistakable, a symbol eerily similar to the Void Genome mark from Guilty Crown. A chill ran through me as I stared at it.
How could this be possible? I'd never seen any sign of this on him before, not even when I approached him in class for the first time. What could it mean in this world? This wasn't supposed to be the world of Guilty Crown, this was the Honkai universe. So, how did he obtain this?
"He's just sleeping," Rin said, breaking my train of thought. "His brain and organs are completely normal and functional. If you don't mind, I'd like to forcibly wake him up." Her eyes flicked toward Inori, silently requesting permission.
Inori hesitated, her eyes lingering on Shu's face before she gave a slow, reluctant nod.
Rin held up a finger, a faint spark of lightning dancing across its tip. She pressed it gently against Shu's chest, right above his heart.
Shu's body jolted in response, convulsing briefly before his eyes flew open, wide with shock and confusion. Rin withdrew her hand, stepping back to give him space.
"Waking process successful," Rin declared with a hint of satisfaction in her voice.
Before Shu could fully grasp his surroundings, Inori surged forward, her slender arms wrapping tightly around him in a desperate embrace.
"You're finally awake, Shu," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of relief and lingering fear. Tears cascaded silently down her cheeks as she buried her face into the curve of his shoulder, holding on as if he might vanish again. Shu, his senses still hazy, flushed a deep shade of pink as the realization of who was embracing him finally sank in.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Ouma Shu," I said, breaking the tender silence with a casual tone. I picked up a cup of water from the table nearby, extending it toward him. "You're going to need this."
His hand, still unsteady, reached for the cup. Inori reluctantly loosened her grip, though her gaze never wavered from him, as though she needed constant reassurance that he was truly there. Shu took a slow, trembling gulp, the water soothing his parched throat as he struggled to gather his thoughts.
"What… what happened?" His voice cracked with disorientation, a mixture of confusion and anxiety dancing in his wide eyes. "And why are you two here? What's going on?"
"Oh, nothing much," I replied, feigning nonchalance with a shrug. "Just a Honkai Eruption that wiped out everyone on this street. Lucky for you, you're still breathing."
"WHAT?" Shu's voice rose sharply, his expression morphing into one of pure horror. "Everyone on this street… gone? Because of a Honkai Eruption?" His gaze darted around the room in panic before landing on Rin. His eyes narrowed. "And what's with this… moving plushie? Did it just talk?"
Rin crossed her tiny arms with an air of indignation. "Excuse you, I may look small like a plushie," she huffed, "but I am fully capable of intelligent conversation. The name's Rin. Try to keep up."
Before Shu could form a response, Inori stepped forward, her voice soft yet heavy with urgency. "Do you know about Honkai?" she asked, her violet eyes locking onto his.
"I… do," Shu admitted hesitantly, his brows furrowing in thought. "It's an urban legend, right? Something about whole cities disappearing without a trace…" His words trailed off as realization dawned on him. His breath hitched. "Wait, has the Honkai made everyone in Nagazora disappear? What about our parents?" His voice cracked with desperation as he turned to me, seeking answers.
I placed a steady hand on his shoulder, grounding him. "Calm down," I said firmly. "It's not the whole city, just this street." My eyes flicked toward Rin for confirmation. "That's right, isn't it?"
Rin nodded solemnly. "Correct. The rest of the area is under strict surveillance. Robots and soldiers have cordoned off the street, and Valkyries are actively hunting zombies and Honkai beasts nearby. But we need to leave now." Her tone grew sharp, and her gaze shifted toward Inori. "We've also got a… terrorist in our midst."
Shu's head snapped toward her, his face pale with disbelief. "A terrorist? What are you talking about?" His bewildered eyes sought me again. "Watanabe-senpai, what's going on?"
I didn't answer right away. Instead, I turned my attention toward the pink-haired girl standing silently beside us. Shu followed my gaze.
Inori averted her eyes, her shoulders sinking under the weight of unspoken guilt. Shu's expression transformed from confusion to shock as the pieces began to fall into place.
"What have you done, Yuzuriha-san?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief and hurt. "And why are you here with Watanabe-senpai… and his talking plushie?"
"I've told you, call me Rin," the Herrscher muttered, her irritation apparent. But Shu didn't seem to hear her, his focus unwavering as he awaited Inori's answer.
"I… I'm not just a normal singer or idol," Inori began hesitantly, her voice barely audible. But before the moment could deepen, I cut in.
"Save the heart-to-heart for later," I said briskly. "Right now, we need to get out of this nightmare street." I turned to Rin. "Can you chart an escape route for us? Maybe find some abandoned buildings to hide in along the way?"
Rin nodded, immediately calculating. "To completely avoid the surveillance cameras and Valkyrie patrols, we'll need to travel at least two kilometers," she began. "I suggest we head back to Senba High School. Most people have already left by now, and the city's forces are concentrated on this street. It's our safest bet."
I frowned. "Yuzuriha-san was captured at Senba High. The ME Corp will probably send another team there soon. Something tells me our 'terrorist singer' won't be thrilled about returning to the scene of her capture." I smirked as Inori shot me a glare.
"Another option is Ouma Shu's house," Rin offered. "It's about three kilometers away, but the route will be heavily monitored and patrolled."
"My house? How am I supposed to explain this to my parents?" Shu exclaimed, his voice rising in panic.
"Your parents are on vacation," Rin replied coolly, holding up my phone. A photo of Haruka and Kurosu Ouma lounging on a sunlit beach filled the screen.
Shu groaned, running a hand through his messy hair. "Damn it. When did they go on vacation? At least they're safe and out of this mess." He sighed, relief softening his voice.
I turned to Inori. "Do you have any electronic devices with a monitor? Rin can create a map for you." My gaze swept over her revealing leotard clothes. "Also, I suggest a change of clothes. There's a clothing store just across the street."
Inori hesitated before gesturing toward a small robot resting near the bed. "I have Funell," she said softly.
I picked up the frog-like robot and handed it to Rin. A wave of recognition hit me. So this is Funell, the robot that's always with Inori in Guilty Crown.
Rin touched Funell gently, her tiny fingers brushing over its head. The robot's eyes lit up with a crimson glow, and a small monitor unfolded from its back.
"Are you okay now, Shu?" I asked, my voice laced with concern as I studied his pale, still-recovering features. I wasn't entirely sure about his condition—Rin may have been able to wake him, but I had no idea what had put him into a coma in the first place. Whatever had happened to him clearly wasn't something trivial.
Shu rubbed the back of his neck, the exhaustion evident in his eyes, but he managed to give me a faint smile. "Even if I'm not in the best condition, we need to move, right? Sitting here won't solve anything."
His smile grew, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You know more than you're letting on, Watanabe-senpai. Just promise me you'll explain everything once we're out of this mess."
"We need to leave soon. There are a lot of unmanned mechs converging on this area," Rin cut in sharply, her voice tight with urgency.
I gave her a curt nod before turning to Shu. "We need to split up," I began, my tone firm. "If we're caught as a group, it'll be a nightmare to deal with. Shu, it'll be better if you come with me." I paused, glancing briefly at Inori before adding, "Yuzuriha-san is branded as a terrorist now. If we're captured with her, there's no way to explain it."
"Wait, you're saying we're leaving Inori to fend for herself?" Shu's eyes widened in shock, and his voice carried a sharp edge of disbelief. "What happens if she's captured again? Don't tell me… don't even suggest that you want her to be caught!"
I shook my head immediately. "No, of course not," I said firmly, meeting his panicked gaze.
"But I need you to understand something. Right now, you're not at full strength. I hate to say this, but in this situation, you're a liability, Shu. If you come with her, you'll slow her down, and that will only increase the chances of her being captured." My voice softened slightly. "She'll have a better chance of escaping on her own. Besides, if it's just the two of us, it's easier to explain why we're here."
Shu's mouth opened to protest, but before he could argue further, Inori stepped forward and placed a gentle finger on his lips. "Watanabe-san is right," she said softly, her voice carrying an almost ethereal calm. "Please trust me, Shu. I promise, we'll meet again." Her violet eyes lingered on his, full of unspoken emotions, before she turned and picked up Funell, the frog-like robot that had been lying quietly nearby.
"Inori…" Shu's voice faltered, his emotions swirling into silence.
Inori turned back to me. "Please… please make sure Shu gets to safety," she pleaded, her words weighed down by sincerity and desperation.
I gave her a light nod, my own voice low but resolute. "I will." Then, turning to Rin, I asked, "Rin, can you go with her? I want her to make it out of this mess safely too."
The tiny Herrscher crossed her arms, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, with a nod, she agreed. "Okay." Without another word, Rin's form shimmered before dissolving into a pink mist. The mist swirled through the air before slipping into Funell, whose red eyes flickered in acknowledgment.
"Did… did she just turn into mist?" Shu asked, his voice filled with awe as he stared at the robot.
"Yeah," I replied, sliding my phone into my pocket. "But it doesn't matter right now. The target is your house. We need to keep moving."
Inori gave Shu one last lingering look before stepping out into the street. Her silhouette, small but determined, vanished into the shadows as she disappeared into the distance. I watched her go, my mind racing with the weight of everything at stake. Then, turning back to Shu, I moved to his side, carefully slipping my left arm under his to support him as we stepped out of the house.
"Are you okay now, Shu?" I asked, my voice laced with concern as I studied his pale, still-recovering features. I wasn't entirely sure about his condition—Rin may have been able to wake him, but I had no idea what had put him into a coma in the first place. Whatever had happened to him clearly wasn't something trivial.
Shu rubbed the back of his neck, the exhaustion evident in his eyes, but he managed to give me a faint smile. "Even if I'm not in the best condition, we need to move, right? Sitting here won't solve anything." His smile grew, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You know more than you're letting on, Watanabe-senpai. Just promise me you'll explain everything once we're out of this mess."
"Yeah, I will. But right now, we don't have the luxury of time," I said grimly. Rin had already confirmed the presence of multiple unmanned mechs heading in our direction, and every second we lingered here increased our chances of being caught. "We need to leave soon. There are a lot of unmanned mechs converging on this area," Rin cut in sharply, her voice tight with urgency.
I gave her a curt nod before turning to Shu. "We need to split up," I began, my tone firm. "If we're caught as a group, it'll be a nightmare to deal with. Shu, it'll be better if you come with me." I paused, glancing briefly at Inori before adding, "Yuzuriha-san is branded as a terrorist now. If we're captured with her, there's no way to explain it."
"Wait, you're saying we're leaving Inori to fend for herself?" Shu's eyes widened in shock, and his voice carried a sharp edge of disbelief. "What happens if she's captured again? Don't tell me… don't even suggest that you want her to be caught!"
I shook my head immediately. "No, of course not," I said firmly, meeting his panicked gaze. "But I need you to understand something. Right now, you're not at full strength. I hate to say this, but in this situation, you're a liability, Shu. If you come with her, you'll slow her down, and that will only increase the chances of her being captured." My voice softened slightly. "She'll have a better chance of escaping on her own. Besides, if it's just the two of us, it's easier to explain why we're here."
Shu's mouth opened to protest, but before he could argue further, Inori stepped forward and placed a gentle finger on his lips. "Watanabe-san is right," she said softly, her voice carrying an almost ethereal calm. "Please trust me, Shu. I promise, we'll meet again." Her violet eyes lingered on his, full of unspoken emotions, before she turned and picked up Funell, the frog-like robot that had been lying quietly nearby.
"Inori…" Shu's voice faltered, his emotions swirling into silence.
Inori turned back to me. "Please… please make sure Shu gets to safety," she pleaded, her words weighed down by sincerity and desperation.
I gave her a light nod, my own voice low but resolute. "I will." Then, turning to Rin, I asked, "Rin, can you go with her? I want her to make it out of this mess safely too."
The tiny Herrscher crossed her arms, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, with a nod, she agreed. "Okay." Without another word, Rin's form shimmered before dissolving into a pink mist. The mist swirled through the air before slipping into Funell, whose red eyes flickered in acknowledgment.
"Did… did she just turn into mist?" Shu asked, his voice filled with awe as he stared at the robot.
"Yeah," I replied, sliding my hand into my pocket to take out my phone. "But it doesn't matter right now. The target is your house. We need to keep moving."
Inori gave Shu one last lingering look before stepping out into the street. Her silhouette, small but determined, vanished into the shadows as she disappeared into the distance. I watched her go, my mind racing with the weight of everything at stake. Then, turning back to Shu, I moved to his side, carefully slipping my left arm under his to support him as we stepped out of the house.
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"Remind me again, Otto," a sharp voice broke the silence in the car. "Why are you suddenly so interested in this city?"
Fu Hua, her navy hair tied neatly back, kept her focus on the road, her hands steady on the steering wheel. Though her tone was even, a hint of suspicion lingered beneath her words.
Sitting in the passenger seat beside her, a teenage boy leaned lazily against the car door, gazing out of the window as the world blurred past. "Haven't you been paying attention, Fu Hua?" he replied in a drawl, his green eyes glinting with amusement. "There's been a Honkai Eruption here."
Fu Hua arched a brow, though her expression remained calm. "Small-scale Honkai Eruptions like this one happen dozens of times a year. So, why the sudden interest in this specific city?" Her tone was measured, but there was a sharp edge to her words, as if she already suspected the answer.
Otto's lips curved into a faint, almost self-satisfied smile. "Oh, Fu Hua," he said with a chuckle. "You know me better than that. This isn't just a Honkai Eruption. There's something… different about this one."
Fu Hua frowned, her knuckles tightening on the wheel. "Different how?"
Otto didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on the view outside, as if the chaos of the city streets held some hidden meaning only he could see. Finally, he spoke, his voice calm yet cryptic. "Let's just say… I have a feeling something very special is brewing in this city. Something worth investigating."
Fu Hua's eyes narrowed slightly, but she kept her focus on the road as Otto's smile widened.