Battlefield Dream
"Hey, Akihiro, don't die in this damn place. A vengeful person like you should be stronger than this, right? If you die, who will carry out the stupid, unreasonable orders from the higher-ups?" Kisaragi Ren said, his voice full of tension, while carrying Akihiro out of the battlefield.
I could feel the sharp pain tearing through my flesh, but I still forced a smile. "Hey, Ren... I'm pretty fed up with those higher-ups. How about you replace me later, hahahaha..."
Kisaragi Ren snapped, his voice still showing worry: "Shut up! Don't say such stupid things. I'll get us out of here, out of this damn hell on earth. If you say anything bad again, I'll beat you up before we both die. Once we get out of here, you can curse those guys from the JCP all you want!"
The sound of artillery shells tore through the night. Rocks flew everywhere. I fell, my body aching.
"Akihiro! Get up!" Ren shouted, pulling me up.
All around, gunfire continued. Fujimura, despite his injuries, clenched his teeth and held on to his gun. Morita trembled, clinging to his AK-74, his face pale.
"Damn it, move!" I gritted my teeth, dragging myself past the corpses of my comrades.
The piercing sounds of artillery shells, the screams of soldiers echoed through the smoky battlefield. I could smell the strong smell of gunpowder mixed with the stench of blood. All around me, bodies were scattered, comrades who had fallen while trying to protect the defense line. I felt my body being dragged, diving into an artillery pit to hide. In my ears, screams, the sound of bullets whistling through the air, and Kisaragi's heavy breathing echoed.
At this moment, I looked at Kisaragi, his eyes filled with anxiety. Beside us, several other soldiers were also trying to hold on. Fujimura, the battalion's most talented sniper, was wounded in the shoulder but still gritted his teeth and held on to his SDV rifle, his eyes filled with determination. Right next to him, Morita—a young soldier, tremblingly clung to his Ak-74, his face showing panic but still not running away. His body was covered in dust from dodging bullets, his clothes were stained with mud and my dried blood. Shirogane Akihiro, who seemed to have just passed through death's door, was unusually alert. He suddenly spoke to Kisaragi Ren: "Hey, Ren... do you think the sacrifices we've made up until now were worth it?"
"What do you mean?" Kisaragi Ren asked suspiciously.
"Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, things have gotten worse, supplies have started to run low, many of our friends have started to lose their way and turn their backs on us. My faith is wavering, all we can do now is try to hold this damn Sendai line, where I don't see any hope."
"Well... maybe you're right. I'm sick of eating shells and bombs instead of rice every day like this." Kisaragi Ren replied sarcastically.
I looked up at the smoky sky, wondering if all these sacrifices were really worth it. We fought for an ideal, but would that ideal still have meaning when we fell one by one?
Kisaragi paused, pondered for a moment, then continued, "But, I still really want to see the day we drive the Americans out. After all, what could be worse? If we get caught, we'll all be executed anyway, hahahaha!"
"Yeah, right... hahahaha..."
In my dream, memories from my previous world came back to me as clearly as if they had just happened yesterday.
The sound of heavy artillery shelling woke me up from my dream—but then, the shrill sound of the alarm clock brought me back to reality. I woke up with a start, breathing heavily. A slight pain spread through my head, and I realized that my palms were tightly gripping the bedsheets. It took me a few seconds to realize that this was no longer a battlefield, but just the quiet dormitory of Koudo Ikusei Academy.
"That dream again..." I muttered, wiping my forehead with my hand. The nightmare of the old days still hasn't left me.
The ceiling is pure white, the soft, warm light from the window signals the arrival of morning. I blink a few times, trying to calm down from the dream of those terrifying memories. ... they still haven't faded. Even though I've been reborn, I still can't forget my past.
I remember those days clearly, the days when I was Shirogane Akihiro, an officer in the Japanese People's Revolutionary Forces (JPRP). The days when we believed we were fighting for a great ideal, for a bright future. But then, when the Soviet Union collapsed, everything changed. We were abandoned, forced to fight on our own in a hopeless war.
With the support of the Soviet Union, the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) successfully launched an uprising in 1980 and marched south with the goal of unifying the country. A fierce war broke out between the JCP-led revolutionaries and the Japanese government, with the United States as its ally. At that time, I was an idealistic and ambitious young man who joined the revolutionaries along with many others. At first, our war went smoothly, but things gradually fell into a stalemate when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Support and aid to the revolutionaries were cut off, forcing them to fend for themselves.
In 1998, Ren and I were 25 years old, Ren was my deputy. Fighting with us were brothers who had fought for many years. Ishikawa, a veteran warrior with gray hair, always reassured the soldiers in the most tense moments. Or Takeda, the technician who always made sure our weapons never jammed. Each of them was an important part of this war, and each of their sacrifices is engraved in my memory.
I commanded the defense of Shiroishi City, it was the last defense mission I received. It was part of the western defense line of the Sendai Line. The days of defending the city were a routine, repeated over and over again, shells, bombs, gunfire, blood and smoke became daily occurrences. My force fought until the very end and I was hit. When the city fell, Ren found me and carried me away from the battlefield, from that moment on our friendship deepened. "Well, if I think about it, we don't owe each other anything, do we, you bastard Ren?"
I quietly cleared my mind, trying to dispel the images of the battlefield. The dead faces, the screams of pain still haunted my mind. I sat up, looking around the small but well-furnished room. The room was clean and tidy, but it was also too quiet—a quietness unfamiliar to the days I had lived.
I reached for the clock on the bedside table—it showed the date April 2, 2015. Today was my second day at Koudo Ikusei Academy. The warm morning light filtering through the curtains made me reluctant to get out of bed. Taking a deep breath, I stood up, starting to prepare for another day of classes, but before that, I recalled what had happened yesterday.
Yesterday, right after the entrance ceremony ended, I integrate student card and magnetic key at the academy dormitory and moved to my apartment, which will be my residence for the three years of studying at Koudo Ikusei Academy. My apartment is located on the second floor, number 207, and is one of the high-class apartments for students, with full modern facilities like a luxury apartment. When I entered, I immediately noticed the luxury hidden in the minimalism. This apartment is designed in a modern style with high-class furniture, everything is refined to create a comfortable living space but still maintains solemnity. A spacious single bed with high-class bedding, a large study table made of high-quality wood placed next to the window to make the most of natural light. A spacious built-in wardrobe, a private bathroom with not only a shower but also a modern Japanese-style bathtub, clearly shows the luxurious living standards of this school. Everything is clean, sophisticated but has a sense of distance, as if this school wants its students to gradually get used to luxury, but does not encourage them to create too strong a personal mark in their living space. An apartment standardized to the point of being emotionless.
I put down my bag, took out my student ID card and scanned it through the electronic lock on the door. Koudo Ikusei Academy has a dual locking system for each apartment: one is a magnetic card integrated into the student ID card, the other is a physical key kept at the reception desk, issued only in cases of emergency. When I passed it through the reader, a small sound rang out signaling that the door was open, proving that the system was working smoothly. The student ID card not only serves as a means of identification and payment, but also serves as each student's personal key. Losing the card meant losing access to the apartment, and as the teacher had announced yesterday, if a student lost their school-issued card or phone, they would have to spend a significant amount of personal points to get a new one, along with a lengthy and cumbersome identity verification process.
I then spent a few minutes quickly checking every corner of the room, making sure nothing was left out. After confirming that all the systems were working properly and feeling satisfied, I left the room and headed to the convenience store on campus. The store was located right next to the dormitory, with a modern design and spacious space. As I entered, I observed neatly arranged shelves filled with everything from food, personal items to electronic devices. In one corner of the store, I noticed a small counter with a sign that said "Free stuff". Some students stopped there, taking items like towels, toothbrushes, toilet paper, soap, and other basic necessities without using personal points.
I wondered why the school provided a freebie like this when everything else relied on the personal points system? The answer was pretty obvious. Koudo Ikusei Academy not only simulated a miniature society, but also completely controlled the students' spending behavior. These basic necessities kept those who had lost all their points alive, but if students wanted something more luxurious or beyond the bare minimum, they would have to spend their personal points. Indirectly, the school still controlled each student's independence and financial management through these seemingly simple choices.
I grabbed a basket and started grabbing the things I needed: toothpaste (150 points), basic body wash (200 points), a razor (300 points), a full set of toiletries. When I saw the free items, I didn't miss the opportunity to grab some essentials like towels and toilet paper—even if they were of inferior quality to the ones I paid for, I had no reason to waste free resources.
In addition, I bought a notebook (200 points), a pen (100 points), and some canned food, including a box of cookies (250 points) and a cup of noodles (300 points). The total amount of points I spent was 1,500 points, not a large number but enough to make me think about how to manage my expenses in the future.
While I was busy choosing the free items, a familiar voice rang out beside me:
"You too?"
I turned around, meeting Horikita Suzune's eyes. She stood there, holding a few essential items, observing me with an indifferent but appraising expression.
"It's surprising to see someone like you taking advantage of the free items," she said, her tone slightly mocking.
I shrugged, not seeming to mind. "Isn't it a reasonable decision to take advantage of what's available without losing points? Or do you think that just because it's free, it's not worth it?"
Horikita glanced at me for a moment, then quietly took another item. "That's reasonable. But I don't think many people have that mindset from the start."
I sensed an underlying judgment in her words. Perhaps Horikita wasn't as simple as her cold exterior seemed. But I had no intention of prying into this conversation. There was no need.
I glanced at the free stuff counter, observing how some other students were also quietly taking things. Horikita Suzune, standing not far away, also looked at me with a probing gaze. She seemed to be trying to gauge whether I had noticed the abnormality here. I slightly raised my lips, as if to confirm her suspicions.
Koudo Ikusei Academy was not a place of mercy, Chabashira had made that clear during the introduction. So why did this free item stand exist? It was clear that it wasn't meant to help the students, but rather as a tool of control. These items were just the bare minimum to sustain life, ensuring that even those who had lost all their points could continue to exist, but not live comfortably. If someone abused or relied on them, they would quickly be left behind in the school's cruel system.
"Let's just say we're both realistic," I replied, and continued to take out some more necessary items.
I glanced at Horikita, catching her watching me too. I casually picked up another item and turned away, as if to confirm that I understood the true nature of this stand.
When I swiped my card, the screen showed my balance: 98,500 points. I curled my lips slightly. First-year students are given 100,000 points every month, but few realize that this amount is not stable. Those who spend lavishly will soon face the consequences.
After paying, I left the store with two bags in hand, slowly returning to my room. However, on the way, I came across a group of students gathered near the sports area, where the sounds of a tense argument were coming from.
I stopped and watched from afar. At the center of the argument was Sudou Ken, his face scowling and his eyes filled with anger. He was confronting three second-year students, his tone provocative and somewhat aggressive.
"You think just because you're a senior, you can do whatever you want? Don't be so bossy with me!" Sudou growled, his fists clenched, as if ready to strike at any moment.
One of the second-year students sneered. "Brat, don't you know who you're talking to? How dare someone like you raise your voice to your senior?"
The situation seemed to be escalating. I noticed that Ayanokoji and Horikita were also nearby, seemingly observing the developments. Horikita crossed her arms, her gaze cold, while Ayanokoji remained indifferent.
"Sudou, stop it." Horikita spoke up, her voice not too loud but full of authority. "You're getting yourself into trouble."
"They started the fight first!" Sudou snapped, but remained still when he saw Horikita staring at him.
A teacher appeared just in time, stopping the conflict before it turned into a brawl. "Everyone disperse. If there's any problem, report it to the school instead of trying to solve it yourself with violence."
I squinted to see Sudou's reaction. He was annoyed but still backed away, clearly not wanting to cause more trouble. The second-year group didn't want to drag things out any further, and quickly left.
Ayanokoji watched them, then glanced at Sudou, saying nothing.
I shrugged and continued walking. A simple conflict between seniors and juniors—nothing too special. But the way Ayanokoji and Horikita handled the situation... it seemed like they weren't simple.
However, another thought flashed through my mind. If I could set up a similar situation in a hidden corner, with no teachers around, I could easily record evidence to blackmail these seniors and earn some personal points for myself. If I had evidence that this student used violence against another student, I could force them to the risk of being expelled. No one wanted to ruin their future just because of a moment of anger, and I could take advantage of that to make them submit. As long as I chose the right time, everything would go according to plan.
But this plan could not be implemented immediately. I did not fully understand the locations of the surveillance cameras in the school, nor was I sure which areas were really out of the teachers' view. If I acted carelessly, it was very likely that I would be the one exposed instead of forcing others. I needed more time to survey the area and find suitable blind spots. Everything had to be perfect before I made my move.
I curled my lips slightly, a wry smile flickering across my face—the idea seemed quite interesting.
After returning to my room and putting away my things, I decided to stop by the furniture store on campus. Although the standard apartment at Koudo Ikusei Academy was fully furnished with modern amenities such as a bed, desk, wardrobe, and chair, the space still felt soulless, lacking any personal touch. If I had to stay here for three years, I might as well make it a place that suited my style.
Entering the furniture store, my eyes were quickly drawn to the section displaying items that were deeply ingrained in Japanese tradition—ink paintings, paper lanterns, wall scrolls, and delicate noren curtains. These were things that I had always felt close to, an invisible connection to ancient values.
I am not the type to reminisce about the past, but I have a certain respect for history. Modern style may be convenient, but it lacks the balance and calmness that traditional spaces bring. A Japanese-style room is not just a place to live, but also a space that helps me maintain control and focus. In a chaotic world, these traditional elements are the foundation that helps me maintain stability in my mind.
While searching for wall art, I accidentally saw a long horizontal painting depicting the entire history of Japan through each period—from the primitive period, through the turbulent feudal dynasties, to the Meiji Restoration and entering modern times. Each stroke exudes sophistication, like a quiet yet powerful flow of history. I feel a strange connection to this painting, as if it reflects not only the history of the nation but also the transformation within myself. One thing I am sure about this painting is that it is a recent painting and I wonder which artist created such a wonderful work.
Curious, I approached the counter and asked the salesman about the painting. The middle-aged man behind the counter seemed surprised as he followed my gaze. "Oh, that painting? It's not actually listed here. A shipping error caused it to be sent to this academy instead of an art gallery. I'm not selling it."
A precious item sent by mistake? This only added to the painting's appeal to me. I looked at him for a moment, then said calmly, "If it's not listed for sale, then why not let me have it? I'm willing to pay more."
The salesman seemed hesitant, but money (or more accurately, personal points) always had a persuasive power. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded slightly, offering a higher price than usual. I didn't hesitate, immediately agreeing. An item that can create a strong personal mark like this, to me, is worth much more than a few thousand points.
While paying, I glanced at my shopping list. In total, I spent about 4,000 points on common decorative items. However, the Japanese historical painting was an exception. The salesperson offered 25,000 points, which was not a small amount, but I still decided to accept it. A unique work like this might never appear again. With a total spending of 29,000 points, I knew I had spent a lot of money, but the spiritual value and personal mark it brought were completely worth it.
When the transaction was completed, I took out my phone to check my balance. The screen showed: 71,000 points remaining. I pondered for a moment. These points will last a long time if I spend wisely, but I will definitely be more careful with my next purchases. Still, I have no regrets—it was a worthy investment.
When I returned to my room, I set about organizing everything. The feeling of seeing the room gradually take on the breath of a traditional space pleased me. It was not just a place to live, but also an extension of who I was—discipline, control, and determination.
I went to the kitchen, took out a traditional Japanese teapot, and opened the lid of the green tea box I had bought. I carefully took a small pinch, put it in the pot, and poured hot water at the right temperature. The gentle aroma of the tea leaves spread as the water slowly soaked into each leaf. The steam rose, carrying a refreshing scent, creating a pleasant feeling of relaxation. I waited about a minute for the tea to fully infuse, as is the traditional way of brewing.
Picking up my teacup, I stepped out onto the balcony, where the sunset was slowly setting in. The last rays of the sun painted the sky a brilliant orange-red, reflecting off the academy buildings. I slowly sipped my tea, feeling the slight bitterness spread across my tongue before leaving a sweet aftertaste. The cool late afternoon air carried a gentle breeze, swaying the curtains behind me. The moment was peaceful, but I knew that in this environment, the tranquility was just a fleeting illusion before the next storm came.
After enjoying the last drop of tea, I returned to my room and decided to end my first dinner at the academy with a simple meal. I took out a pack of instant noodles from the food I had bought earlier, poured hot water into the cup of noodles, and waited a few minutes. I sat down at the table, quietly enjoying my dinner, while continuing to think about the days ahead.
After finishing eating, I quickly cleaned up, then entered the bathroom. The warm water washed away the fatigue of a long day, allowing me to relax a bit. When I returned to my room, I checked my plan—Tomorrow, after school, I would start scouting the academy. The surveillance camera area, the library, the cafeteria, and the common area. An ideal place to gather information from other students. If there was any data about this academy that I could exploit, it would be in those places.
I needed to understand the system of this school before I made a move.
Before going to bed, I checked my phone for notifications and noticed that there were some unread friend requests from my classmates that morning. I looked at the list of friend requests: Kushida Kikyo, Hirata Yousuke.
I accepted the request from Hirata. Immediately, a new notification popped up: You have been added to the D class group chat. I glanced at the group message, but didn't rush to join the conversation. I planned to investigate further tomorrow, so for now, I'd better go to sleep, that's enough for today. I slowly fell asleep and that's when my nightmares about the battlefield began.