“Mr. Isshin! I’ll force it open somehow!”

Kenya, riding in his KOG, called out to Isshin.

Before Kenya and the others, who had attempted a single-point breakthrough, nearly thirty KOGs lay in wait.

This was Point E on Road’s map.

Thirty KOGs represented a massive force capable of turning the tide of battle—one strong enough to capture an entire city.

…

“Should I head out as well?”

“No, you stay here. You’re exhausted from the previous battle.”

Zeke and Reina watched the battlefield through their screens.

Reina suggested deploying to Road, but Zeke shot it down.

Even from the side, it was clear she could barely stand from sheer fatigue.

It had been a battle of that magnitude.

“Indeed, our forces are more than sufficient. The only concern is that pilot—the one who took down Jilian and nearly got you too…”

Road sat upon his throne in the command room.

That single factor lingered in his mind as the sole uncertain element.

Yet no matter how strong someone was, no one could triumph over nearly a hundred KOGs.

It was beyond the power of any individual.

And yet.

(Why can’t I feel certain of victory? What am I overlooking? Why does a single ace pilot make me this uneasy?)

Road sensed some inexplicable dread.

He had always been confident of victory on the battlefield before.

This time too—the resistance had appeared exactly where he predicted, attempted their predicted single-point breakthrough just as expected.

And now they were targeting the predicted location, where the vast disparity in forces should have them in despair.

Yet for some reason, he felt uneasy.

Deeply so.

(Why is my heart so restless? What’s about to happen…?)

…

“I’ll force it open with everything I’ve got. Abandon me and escape.”

Kenya proposed.

But that meant a suicidal charge.

A declaration to hurl himself alone at the massive enemy force of nearly thirty KOGs, prepared to die.

“No! Kenya! You can’t!”

Kaguya cried out from the ground.

To Kenya, who had made a declaration tantamount to suicide.

“Sorry, Kaguya. But that’s the only way I can think of to ensure you survive…”

“But… that’s… I don’t want that…”

Tears welled up in Kaguya’s eyes at Kenya’s response.

She knew there was no other way.

If it was him—with his breakthrough power—he could shatter the encirclement.

But that would mean Kenya’s death.

Without a rearguard to hold the enemy, they couldn’t escape.

Yet Kaguya knew no other path.

How could they break free from this desperate situation?

She didn’t know—couldn’t think—and all that came were tears.

(Why don’t I have any power…? If only I were as strong as Kenya… maybe everyone could have escaped.)

She regretted not training harder.

She could have done more, even with deadly resolve—her KOG was still here.

If only she were stronger, as strong as Kenya.

Together, they might have escaped this pinch.

“Understood, Kenya. I won’t let your resolve go to waste. I’ll definitely save Kaguya.”

Isshin accepted Kenya’s proposal.

Every minute, every second counted now. A decision was needed.

A life-or-death call.

Who to sacrifice, who to save.

“Dad! No! I’ll fight too!”

Isshin slapped Kaguya across the cheek.

“Foolish girl! Don’t trample on a man’s resolve like that!”

He immediately pulled her into an embrace, leveling his gaze with hers.

“I know it’s painful. But you have to live. He staked his life to protect you—so live. That’s your duty.”

Deep down, Kaguya knew there was no other way. His earnest plea broke her, and she sobbed uncontrollably.

“Ugh… sniffl… Sorry, Dad. Sorry, Kenya. I’m so sorry…”

She recalled her brother’s final moments, when he had saved her long ago.

She had vowed to grow stronger since then, training every day.

Yet again, her weakness meant someone precious would die.

Someone dear sacrificing themselves to protect her once more.

Overwhelmed by that truth, all Kaguya could do was weep.

The sixteen-year-old girl could only blame her powerless self and cry.

Then Kenya descended from his KOG.

Seeking just a little more time at the end.

“Kaguya… sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing…? I’m always the one being protected… I decided to get stronger… but again, I can’t do anything… ugh, sniffl…”

Kenya embraced Kaguya.

In his arms, the tiny girl sobbed her heart out.

He could feel it now—her body was so slender.

This fierce, spirited girl who was truly kind at heart was, after all, just a girl.

Just an ordinary, adorable girl pretending to be tough.

“I wanted to protect you in a cooler way…”

“You’re cool, Kenya. So cool.”

“Then… as a reward for staking my life…!?”

Kenya tried to joke, to lift her spirits even a little.

But suddenly, his lips were sealed—by the girl on her tiptoes, pressing in fiercely.

Kaguya’s kiss.

When their lips parted, the tear-swollen-faced girl spoke.

“I love you, Kenya… I love you.”

“Kaguya!?”

“Was that a good reward?”

Blushing deeply, embarrassed, Kaguya smiled through tear-filled eyes.

This might be the last time—so she had to say it, or she’d regret it forever.

Now she could be honest.

No—she had to be, or she’d regret it for life.

She had to tell him.

At first, she thought he was weird.

Why was he so strong, so kind, and… why did he say he loved her, out of nowhere?

Kaguya had fallen for Kenya.

For this straightforward, earnest, devoted boy who cared for her so purely.

They’d spent less than a month together, but in Kaguya’s heart, Kenya had grown enormous—she thought of him every day.

He had become such an existence.

“I see. Thank you, Kaguya. I love you too.”

Kenya hugged her once more.

This might be the last time, so he held her as tightly as he could.

Tears welled in Kenya’s eyes too.

Death didn’t scare him—not entirely.

It terrified him; his legs were shaking, unable to fully grasp that he was about to die.

A boy who had lived cushy in modern Japan, now fighting on a battlefield.

Would dying hurt? What would it feel like?

Such fears nearly crushed him.

But those feelings were gone now.

Dispersed by Kaguya’s confession.

A burning resolve surged from his chest: he had to protect this girl.

Slowly, he released her, signaling the end of their final moments.

“…Thank you. You’ve given me courage. Time’s almost up… See you, Kaguya.”

“Yeah… no, goodbye, Kenya. I love you.”

Kaguya steeled herself too.

Any more would just hold him back—she knew that.

Forcing back her tears, she smiled and saw him off.

Kenya nodded at her smile and turned away.

Isshin approached.

“Kenya. Take this… You know how to use it… and when.”

Isshin handed him a single pistol.

Understanding its meaning, Kenya nodded slowly.

Then he boarded his KOG.

Behind him, the resistance members—including Kaguya—clustered together for evacuation.

Several KOGs stood by as escorts.

Kenya glanced back, confirming preparations were complete.

Then he powered up his KOG.

“A battle to protect… Dying to save the girl I love. The old me from that other world never could’ve imagined it.”

He never thought he’d experience something straight out of a game.

But coming to this game world, seeing people living desperately, sharing life with them.

He felt he’d grown as a person.

His growth since arriving wasn’t just in piloting KOGs.

His spirit had grown the most.

He’d learned what it meant to live life-or-death.

Watching the Japanese people strive in this harsh world where mere survival was grueling—he had grown.

For Kenya, who had drifted vaguely through days before, every moment here was intense, alive, his life valuable to others.

Becoming a man of worth to Kaguya filled his heart with joy.

And then Kenya launched toward the enemy center.

As if convincing himself, he declared loudly.

His eyes, fixed on the massive force ahead, held not a shred of fear.

“Then, literally—”

He grinned fiercely, burning hot.

“I’ll protect you with deadly resolve!”