Eat when it's time to eat, drink when it's time to drink.
Worst case?
I shut the gate and stay home.
What, you're going to cross worlds to pick a fight with me?
Because I can.
Give me a little time to bulk up. When I come back, we'll see whose cheek gets slapped.
If—
by some chance—
you really can cross worlds to cause trouble, then fine, I'll take the L. Who could've guessed that the very first "starter town" my [Gate of Myriad Worlds] opened would be such a mess?
"Oba-san, don't worry."
Ren spoke gently, trying to reassure her.
"Yu." Machiyoi smiled, warm as ever. "I trust you. Growing up is never smooth. Before you came of age, Oba-san could shield and shelter you.
"Now,
"you're grown. So long as I live, I won't let anyone harm you.
"But the road ahead is yours to walk."
Contradictory words,
clear intent.
She doted, but she didn't coddle. When he was small she'd arranged and taught so much—didn't her heart ache?
Of course it did.
But this was a world of the strong; you couldn't let up.
Now that Ren was an adult,
Machiyoi would stand before him and die in his place if needed… and also stand behind him, watching quietly as he forged ahead.
"Oba-san."
"Rest easy."
No long speech—just that.
"Mhm."
She trusted him.
Kaguya-hime was thinking, too.
Truth be told,
so was Ren.
Their minds aligned.
Danger?
Sure.
But danger often means great returns.
Father and daughter were of one mind.
…
Apocalypse world.
Saeko stepped out of the seam; her deep-violet, close-fitted kimono snapped in the rushing wind.
"Back where I left."
"Then…"
She chose a direction and moved.
Purple blade in hand, her sword rose and fell. Bloodlit gleam swam in her violet eyes; flecks of red mottled her lovely face.
She didn't mind. The crooked smile at her lips only grew.
Killing—
was intoxicating.
But
though her heart thrilled, it never ruled her. She knew how to leash it.
Violet light flashed; zombies dropped like cut grass.
"No."
"Too many. Staying here is pointless."
"I need a car."
She frowned. She had to find Shizuka-sensei fast. Even if she was dead, Saeko would at least try to recover the body.
One of the very few friends she might still have.
Her luck held; she found a modified off-road vehicle in near-perfect condition.
She yanked the door, decapitated the zombified driver, climbed in, and swung the nose toward the distance.
Could she drive?
She hadn't gotten a license yet, but she could—driving was a basic skill in an old house like the Busujima family.
And in an apocalypse, who cared about licenses?
She gunned it, heading for the spot she remembered. Zombies caromed off the bumper; a rare evolved "triple-door fridge" went down to a single lazy cut.
Forty minutes of full tilt later, a standalone villa rose into view.
"Lights?"
A spark lit Saeko's eyes; she smiled. "Lights on. Better odds Shizuka-sensei's alive."
Inside—
a woman in full tactical gear—one hand holding a beer bottle, the other a compact SMG—narrowed her eyes.
Tall, purple-haired, healthy and sun-browned: a black pearl gleam on her skin.
"Zombies don't drive."
"So…"
"Someone's coming."
She tightened her grip and raised the muzzle, jewel-red eyes turning razor-sharp.
In a world like this, she knew the score: zombies were dangerous, but people could be worse.
"Shizuka said her student's got purple hair and purple eyes."
"If not…"
Rika's finger eased toward the trigger. If whoever stepped out of that car didn't match, she wouldn't hesitate.
In the apocalypse, you don't play saint.
"Saints" are the first to die—that's never been a joke.
The off-roader drifted to a stop, having rolled who-knew-how-many walkers. The door swung open; Saeko stepped down, violet hair lifting on the wind.
"Eh?"
"Saeko!"
"Saeko!"
A tipsy, golden-haired "nurse" came wobbling out, delight bubbling over.
"Shizuka, is that the student you told me about—Saeko?" Rika asked her best friend, Shizuka.
"Mm!"
"Mm-hmm!"
Shizuka bobbed her head so hard the two enormous "suns" on her chest bounced in sync.
(End of Chapter)
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