The boy let out a deep sigh.

Had he misjudged the situation?

He never imagined that the two girls—his parents’ killers and his family’s enemies—would join forces.

“Reina… and Kaguya. That the two of you would team up, join hands… But more than that…”

What he truly hadn’t foreseen was the knight lying defeated before him.

He had single-handedly held off an army of ten thousand to buy the boy time to escape.

The boy had figured that Odin’s knight wouldn’t become his ally.

But he hadn’t expected him to turn into an enemy, either.

What must have swayed him was…

“Osiris… Did he get to him? With his passion…”

The knight who had once stood at the pinnacle of swordsmanship had become the enemy.

No—more precisely, he had become an ally.

Just as his own heart had been moved, by the unclouded eyes of that boy who pursued his ideals so single-mindedly.

“Kenya… It seems fate has decreed that we fight. No matter how we struggle.”

The boy watched the back of the white knight as he soared away.

He hadn’t wanted to fight him.

That was why he’d tricked and imprisoned him.

Once the world changed, he’d planned to release him—even if it meant no forgiveness after giving it his all to apologize.

If he could be forgiven, he’d wanted his own end to come at that man’s hands.

If it would ease his resentment even a little, he was prepared to bear the world’s hatred and die.

“I’ll make up my mind. Me too. To fight you with resolve.”

Why hadn’t he wanted to fight?

He didn’t really know the reason, but if he had to pin one down, it was probably because he liked him.

He liked that boy so much he didn’t want to hurt him or be hated by him.

There were parts of him that mirrored himself, yet he spoke to the emperor he was as if they were old friends.

He had liked that boy.

Being with him was fun; it made him forget he was emperor and let him just be a boy.

But he was the emperor.

The ruler of the world. Without that title weighing him down, he could have surely joined hands with Kenya and changed the world.

“With you… we could have made any world…”

But that was just an if.

Road quickly discarded the thought.

“Kenya, it’s too late in this era, but if… if we could be born in the next era and meet there, in a world at peace…”

His eyes gazed tenderly at his friend’s retreating back.

Not as an enemy, but with the resolve to cut him down—the boy steeled himself.

“One more time… with you…”

To kill his best friend.

…

“First, let’s head to Japan. And resupply. It’s not over yet.”

“Yeah.”

Kenya sounded listless.

Both Reina and Kaguya could tell there was no energy in his voice.

“Can you fight, Kenya? Against Lord Road?”

“…”

“You’re friends, right? You and Road. Can you kill him?”

“…”

Kenya’s thoughts were a jumble.

He’d only just learned he’d declared war on the world.

He hadn’t even fully realized Road was the enemy.

Even so, hearing from Kaguya and Reina about the tragedies unfolding across the globe, he slowly came to understand.

Kill Road.

If that was the way to save the world, if it was for the world Kenya sought…

He had to resolve himself.

Road was an enemy who had to be defeated.

“It’s fine. I’m fine.”

But putting it into clear words was still hard.

…

Kenya and the others reached Japan without incident and finished resupplying.

Then it was time to rendezvous with the World Alliance.

It was night; the sun had begun to set.

“Welcome back, Kenya.”

“Tanaka… Glad you’re safe.”

“Takemikazuchi’s taken quite a beating. Must’ve been one hell of a fight.”

“No, Reina suddenly— ‘Tanaka, please repair it. It was an intense battle!’”

“Uh, y-yeah! Of course!”

Tanaka started fiddling with Takemikazuchi for maintenance.

Then Isshin clapped Kenya on the shoulder as he stepped down from it.

“Kenya, we’ve got a lot to catch up on, but… mind if I introduce you to the World Alliance? They’re comrades we’ll be fighting with from here on.”

“Sure, but… is that okay? I turned my blade on the World Alliance here in Japan.”

“Yeah, I heard.”

He recalled after the Empire Sword Martial Festival.

In the battle where Zeke died, Kenya had inflicted massive losses on the World Alliance.

He’d stalled 50,000 troops and ended up aiding Earthguard.

From the World Alliance’s perspective, that made him an enemy.

“Even with that in mind, we’ll accept you. No—we have to. We’re in that dire straits.”

The war between the World Alliance and Earthguard raged across the entire world.

Every front was a devastating defeat.

So if they could bring Kenya on board, Isshin figured they had to.

“Got it. Should we do it now?”

“Nah, I’ll contact Xuanwu and set a time. Need some prep anyway. You, Reina, Kaguya—you’re all worn out. Rest up. It’s night already, and you haven’t eaten. Should be ready by morning.”

“Understood.”

And so Kenya, Reina, and Kaguya parted ways for the day.

“Kenya, where are you staying?”

“Uh… hadn’t thought about it.”

“Then come to my place! Right? Kenya. Oh, today I’ll give you a massage. You must be exhausted!”

Reina grabbed Kenya’s arm.

She’d been deliberately cheerful to cheer up the gloomy Kenya.

“Alright, let’s do that. Zeke’s house—no one’ll mind, and I’ve been there before. See you, Kaguya. Tomorrow—? What’s wrong?”

Kenya and Reina started heading home.

But Kaguya grabbed the arm Reina wasn’t holding.

“No.”

“Huh?”

“Today… I-I’m the one! Who’s gonna cheer Kenya up! So w-we’re staying together!”

“Kaguya…”

Reina looked at Kaguya.

Normally she’d snap back, but not today.

Her face flushed, but she’d mustered her courage, pressing close to Kenya.

Reina felt the same as Kaguya right now.

She wanted to cheer Kenya up.

“Got it. Sure, Kaguya.”

“What, you’re accepting just like that today?”

“It’s fine for today. Dinner—what should we do? I can cook if you want.”

“I’ll help! So… Kenya. Let’s do curry. You like it, right?”

Kaguya remembered.

The first time she’d gone to Kenya’s house, the curry he’d made for her.

A dish full of memories, one he’d said he liked.

She suggested it hoping to lift his spirits even a little.

“Yeah, let’s.”

Seeing their desperate faces, Kenya couldn’t help but crack a small smile.

The two beamed happily at his smile.

In reclaimed Japan, the military was distributing rations.

Kaguya got some ingredients from them and headed to Reina’s house.

There were stockpiled goods and full seasonings, so cooking was no issue.

The three arrived at the Silfield residence.

“Good thing the stove still works.”

“Infrastructure’s intact, so we’re just using it as is. Sit there.”

Kaguya and Reina got right to cooking efficiently.

When Kenya offered to help, they made him sit today.

“Kaguya, who’re you planning to stab with that knife grip?”

“Huh?”

“Hold it like this, cut like this.”

“I-I know that! As long as it cuts!”

Kenya watched the two girls bickering and making curry from behind.

“Kinda reminds me of elementary school field trips.”

He found himself smiling a little.

Reina and Kaguya had wondered how that day would end.

Before they knew it, the rift between them seemed filled.

Teaming up to save Kenya had brought them even closer.

“Zeke… Reina and Kaguya seem fine. Don’t worry.”

“Something up?”

“Nah, nothing.”

The curry came together briskly; ingredients went into the pot.

Rice on, then just wait.

“Alright, now just simmer and it’s done!”

“How’s someone like you good at cooking? Doesn’t make sense.”

“You’re the same as ever, huh.”

“I-I’ll learn from now on!”

As they started arguing, cheerful music chimed through the room.

Pipipi♪ Pipipi♪ The bath is ready.

“Hm? You had the bath heating?”

“Yes. So, Kenya.”

Reina took off her apron and grabbed his arm.

“Wha—w-what?”

“We’re bathing together today. The tub too.”

Even the down Kenya blushed at the suggestion.

That day, it had just been washing his back.

But today, Reina proposed sharing the tub—meaning fully naked.

“Huh? Wait—?”

“Hah? What’re you even saying?!”

“If it’ll cheer you up with what I can do, I’ll do anything. Right, Kenya? Let’s go!”

(No, that’d perk me up physically, but…)

Kaguya heard Reina’s words.

She’d meant to stop her at first, but then she closed her eyes, deep in thought.

“Fine. I’ll do my best too.”

“Huh?”

“I’m cheering Kenya up too. I decided no more regrets that day we parted. No more regrets. So…”

Kaguya grabbed Kenya’s other arm, both girls holding his hands.

Arms full of flowers, they pulled him to his feet.

Her face beet red, Kaguya pressed against Kenya; Reina did the same.

Breasts mashed against his arms, they tugged hard.

“W-We’re going! You’re a guy, right?! M-Make up your mind!”

“Please cheer up, Kenya.”