— — — — — —
Kira narrowed his eyes.
Something had gone wrong. And not just a small issue—this was big.
When the Highschool of the Dead world's storyline first started breaking apart, he'd already suspected something might be off.
But he hadn't expected it to be this serious—serious enough for Eirin Yagokoro to lose her composure.
Eirin. The ever-calm genius of the Moon. If she was unsettled, it wasn't just a minor disruption.
She even sent a message: {You shouldn't go back to that world for now}
That alone said everything.
"Kira-kun…"
Saeko's expression was tense, her beautiful face drawn in quiet worry. She could tell something major had happened in her world.
She wasn't really worried about herself; she could stay in this world with her husband. What truly weighed on her heart was Shizuka-sensei.
"Don't panic. I know what you're worried about."
Kira gently hugged Saeko and said, "Kaguya, Eirin told me not to go there, sure—but it felt more like advice than an actual warning. So the least I can do is let Saeko go and bring her friend back."
Kaguya thought for a moment, then nodded. "That's reasonable. Father, if Saeko is to travel between worlds, I can stabilize her time and existence with my 'Eternal and Moment' ability. I also brought several divine weapons from the Lunar Capital. Since she's skilled with swords, I'll grant her a yokai sword."
"..."
"Saeko," Kira said, turning to her, "if it's not urgent, it would be better to leave tomorrow after Eirin arrives tonight."
"Kira-kun. I'm sorry."
But Saeko shook her head firmly, her smile soft yet resolute. "She's my friend. I can't just sit here while she's in danger."
Her blue eyes gleamed with a blood-red glint.
Saeko wasn't just a delicate Yamato Nadeshiko. Beneath that calm exterior was a blade of her own—a woman who could kill without flinching when needed.
"…Alright," Kira said with a small nod.
Next, Kaguya raised her hand. A shimmer of light fell over Saeko, sinking into her body.
In an instant, Saeko felt her strength surge back to its peak—no fatigue, no pain. Her energy flowed endlessly, like an infinite tide.
A Moon Rabbit stepped forward, holding a long wooden case in both hands.
Kaguya explained, "Saeko, this sword's origin is unclear. During the Age of Gods, countless blades were forged. Eirin collected many before returning to the Moon. I don't know this one's history, but it should serve you well."
"I've sealed its will, so it won't interfere with your mind."
"Kaguya-hime, thank you," Saeko said respectfully, rising to take the case.
She opened it slowly.
A purple blade gleamed within, radiating a strange, enchanting light. With a sharp metallic shing, the sword slid free.
Saeko could feel it immediately—a terrifying power surging through her veins, wild and unrestrained.
"Normally, this sword drains the wielder's life force," Kaguya said calmly. "But I've locked your vitality in place and sealed the sword's hunger. You can wield it safely."
That was the true might of her "Eternal and moment" ability—fixing something in time, untouchable by change.
Otherwise, a normal human like Saeko would have been reduced to mummy the moment she drew the blade.
"Kira... no," Saeko corrected herself. "City Lord, I'm ready."
She knew when to act like a lover and when to speak like a soldier.
Kira gave a nod. A red gate opened silently behind her, rippling like a mirror of liquid glass.
"Saeko, when you are ready to return or in danger, just call my name and the gate will appear again."
"...ok!"
Saeko stood tall, stepped through the gate, and vanished.
"..."
Kaguya watched quietly, analyzing the Anime Gate. "It's really like you said. Once someone from one world travels with someone from another, their timelines start to synchronize. Father, your power is truly frightening."
It was, in fact, the kind of ability that could traverse all worlds—an actual multiversal bridge.
Kaguya didn't show it outwardly, but she was deeply shaken.
At the same time, a thrill coursed through her.
If her father truly possessed such a transcendent ability… then the future battles—especially the Lunar War—would be nothing to fear.
She could almost picture it now: her "Father of the Moon Capital" being dragged down by her earthly father, bound and humiliated in the basement after losing.
Just imagining it made her legs press together under her junihitoe kimono. Her breath trembled with excitement.
"I'm curious," Kira said suddenly, breaking her train of thought. "What exactly happened in that world… What could've happened for Eirin to come in person—and to advise me not to go myself?"
"That, I don't know," Kaguya admitted, shaking her head gently. "But I could hear the weight in her voice. Something must have gone very wrong. Otherwise, she'd never use 'monitoring me' as an excuse to descend to Earth."
She trusted Eirin completely, which made this even more alarming.
Eirin wasn't supposed to be here this soon. Her urgency meant something serious had surfaced in that world.
"For now, there's no point speculating," Kira said finally, waving it off. "We'll know everything tonight."
"At least, she didn't point out the world as dangerous, just me not going there."
He leaned back in his chair, calm again.
.
.
.