“And from that day, I swore I’d get revenge on that country.”

“Such a thing…”

Kenya had no idea.

He knew she was part of the resistance, but not why.

He didn’t know what kind of past she had or how she’d lived her life.

The tragedy was too heartbreaking.

It was like something out of a story, leaving him speechless.

But it had really happened, and even in his old world, not long ago, tales like this were all too common.

“So, Kaguya, you’re…”

“Yeah. I’m with the resistance. Japan’s biggest resistance group—Amaterasu. I’m just infiltrating the military.”

“…”

“Surprised? Sorry. I wasn’t planning to tell you… but you feel different somehow…”

Then Kaguya stood up.

“The curry was delicious. Forget what happened today! From tomorrow on, things might not be normal anymore, but let’s get along, okay?”

With a slightly sad voice, she forced a smile and turned to leave.

But Kenya grabbed her hand as she headed for the door—gripped it tight.

And he said it clearly.

“Let me join too. The resistance.”

“Huh?”

“I want to protect you. Let me join the resistance. Let’s fight together.”

“Huh?… Are you… serious…?”

“Of course.”

(That’s why I came to this world. It’s easier to protect you if I’m by your side.)

Kaguya stared at him in shock.

She’d wanted him as a comrade if possible.

But that meant an endless future, a war against an empire where defeat was all but certain.

She couldn’t just invite him into that so easily.

It would be like asking him to die with her.

Yet Kenya said it of his own will.

He wanted to protect her. He wanted to join the resistance.

“You might die, you know?”

“Better than letting you die.”

“Hehe, you really are weird. But if you have your reasons too…”

And Kaguya smiled at him—not a forced one this time.

“All right. Welcome aboard, Kenya.”

“You can count on me.”

Kenya smiled back.

One of his goals achieved.

He’d joined the resistance.

Then Kenya stood up.

“Well, shall we go?”

“Go?”

“You’re heading back to Amaterasu’s base, right? I’m coming too.”

Kaguya didn’t live in the dorms.

She had one place to return to: Amaterasu’s headquarters.

A slum about two hours away by car.

…

“You can drive, Kaguya.”

“It’s easy. Compared to KOG, anyway.”

Kenya climbed into Kaguya’s car with her, heading for Amaterasu’s base.

The surroundings were well-maintained roads and empty scenery.

In five years, the rubble had been cleared, but nothing new had been built.

The beat-up little car wasn’t comfortable, but it faithfully carried the two of them along.

“You have regular cars like this, huh.”

“You’re not gonna say you didn’t know about cars, are you?”

“No, not that. But with KOG around, a little car like this.”

“You don’t see them much in the cities, but outside Tokyo, they’re pretty common.”

“Hmm.”

Feeling the wind, Kenya gazed outside.

The temperature was just right, hinting at spring, but there were no cherry blossoms anywhere.

Just cleared, leveled roads stretching into nothingness.

Then Kaguya, staring straight ahead, asked Kenya.

“Hey, can I ask about your past?”

“You interested?”

“It’d be weirder not to be. You handle KOG like it’s nothing, but you barely know the world.”

“Yeah. I’ll tell you someday. Just… give me time for now?”

“…Okay. Got it.”

Kaguya didn’t press further.

Kenya planned to tell her eventually.

But not yet.

He couldn’t fully believe it himself, and he doubted she’d believe him.

Seeing Kenya’s demeanor, Kaguya sensed he wasn’t normal and dropped the subject.

She had no intention of forcing him.

He’d said he’d tell her someday.

…

“We’re here.”

A slum sprawled before them.

A place teeming with people—third-class Japanese citizens banding together, struggling to survive.

The emotion Kenya felt at the sight was simple.

(What a awful place…)

Kenya, a man of civilization.

In his previous world, though orphaned, he’d lived without want.

Want a bath? Heat the water. Thirsty? Drink some. Hungry? Walk to the convenience store.

Those basics didn’t exist here.

Kaguya led him straight into the slum, and people gathered one after another.

“Ah! Kaguya-chan, welcome back!”

“I’m home~”

“Kaguya-neechan, welcome home! Play later!”

“I’m home~ Sorry, I have stuff to do today.”

“Kaguya-chan, is that your boyfriend?”

“N-No, it’s not!”

Just walking through the slum, Kaguya was greeted by person after person.

This was the resistance’s heart—Amaterasu’s base, hidden in the slums.

Everyone loved Kaguya, and she loved them all.

They lived like one big family, hand in hand.

“You’re popular.”

“…Yeah. They’re all good people.”

“So, where to?”

Kenya asked Kaguya, who headed straight for their destination.

“Someone I want to introduce you to.”

“You mean…”

…

“I’m Kaguya’s father. Isshin Kurokami, leader of Amaterasu. So you’re the guy who’s got Kaguya interested.”

“Interested in me? Does that mean you like me…?”

“N-No! Don’t get the wrong idea!”

In a tatami room, Isshin and Kenya faced each other across a low table.

This was Amaterasu’s headquarters.

“Hm? Kaguya! Why are you sitting next to him? It looks like you’re introducing your husband!”

“Today, Kaguya-san said she wanted to introduce me to her father.”

“W-What!? Kaguya!”

“N-Nooo!! He wants to join Amaterasu!”

“But I’ve sworn to protect your daughter for life.”

“Hey, what are you even saying!?”

“Do you have the resolve?”

“I’ll stake my life on it.”

“Stop it, both of you! No more weird vibes!”

The exchange between father and Kenya was deadly serious.

Kaguya, off to the side, was mortified, her face burning.

“Good eyes. You want to join Amaterasu?”

“Yes.”

“Kaguya, you trust this man?”

“Yeah… I think it’s okay to trust him. At least, he couldn’t be a spy.”

Isshin stared straight at Kenya.

Those were the eyes of a warrior who’d survived countless battlefields.

Isshin, confident in reading people, sized him up.

“All right. We’ll test your aptitude during tomorrow’s operation.”

“Ah, tomorrow’s operation!? Already!? And I’ve never done an aptitude test!”

“Not for Amaterasu. To see if you’re worthy as my son-in-law.”

“I’ll give it everything I’ve got, Father.”

“I never said you could call me Father!”

“Ugh, just do whatever…”

Kaguya clutched her head.

Still, Kenya’s entry into Amaterasu was approved.

His background was unknown, but Kaguya had vouched for him—and more importantly, Isshin saw real resolve in those eyes.

“Right. I’m off to the strategy meeting. It’s late—stay the night. Kaguya, show him around.”

“Got it.”

And so Kenya and Kaguya headed for a sleepover.

He’d half-expected something naughty, but nothing of the sort happened.

“Here?”

“Yeah. You’re staying here tonight.”

The room she showed him to was filled with…

“Big bro, who’re you?”

“Play with us!”

“Sleeepy~”

“Kaguya-neechan’s boyfriend?”

Lots of children.

“You weren’t picturing a fancy hotel or something, were you? We don’t have that luxury. We’ll all crash here together.”

“Haha, looks like a big kid showed up. I’m the auntie at this orphanage—Yoshie. Call me that.”

Then in came a cafeteria lady who looked perfect with a giant rice paddle—aproned, very mom-like.

That night, he drifted off amid the kids clambering all over him.

“Sorry, is it uncomfortable?”

“Nah, but someone’s butt is on my hand… guh!”

“It’s mine!”

“Ow… Kaguya, you sleep here every day?”

“Not every day, but… these kids all lost their families in the war. As much as I can…”

Even in the dark room, her face looked almost like the Virgin Mary.

She played with them until bedtime, then tucked them in gently.

She even looked like a mother.

Next to her, she patted a young child to sleep.

“I see… Good night, then.”

“Yeah, good night.”

(My back hurts…)

Kenya woke up in a room that wasn’t easy to sleep in, surrounded by a crowd.

(Feels just like a school trip…)

Around the awakened Kenya, kids slept in rows of futons.

“Even this little girl… Azusa, right?”

He stroked the hair of the girl sleeping beside him.

She couldn’t be more than six. So young, and already without parents.

Kenya understood the pain all too well.

He’d lost his own parents at an age when he wanted to be spoiled.

He got these kids’ feelings completely.

“Daddy…”

The girl grabbed his hand and clung to him.

“Heh, I’m still in high school, you know.”

Called “Daddy” by her, Kenya chuckled a bit.

Maybe she mistook him for a parent in her sleep.

But her next words made the meaning sink in.

“Daddy… don’t go… don’t leave Azusa behind…”

Her small hand gripped tight, trembling.

Tears flowed as she squeezed his hand harder.

Kenya’s smile vanished.

He remembered.

This was an orphanage. Her father was already dead.

Probably in the war. Realizing that, he hated his own shallow laughter.

“Nnh… Morning… Kenya, what’s up? Not getting up?”

“Sorry, I want to stay like this a little longer.”

Kenya held the girl’s hand and gently stroked her head.

He could see her expression soften, but this was all he could do for now.

Bit by bit, Kenya was coming to realize it.

This world.

Until now, it had felt like a game, all floaty and unreal—but everyone had their own story, and it was all too real.

“This world… it’s awful. Truly.”

At first, he’d thought he’d come to the best world ever.

But now, the only emotion he felt toward it was one.

This world.

A world where war had claimed countless lives.

Was hell.