I

Transfer

『Summon Day -39』

『Maluhia Academy』

“Onii-chan?”

I looked at the girl who said that wondering who she was. The class as well turned their heads with curiosity as to what she had said. Realizing what she had said the girl became flustered.

“Oh, do you two know each other?” The homeroom teacher said in an amused tone. The girl looked at me with a hopeful glimmer in her eyes, but I remained silent. I have no idea who she is.

“N-no.” She turned her head and said with a disappointed voice. The class returned their gaze onto me. Some with curiosity and others with ire or mild annoyance. I guess she was the school's idol judging from the reactions I saw. She must be favored by a lot of students.

“Well, now you do. Naoki, there's an empty seat next to Alicia go ahead and take it.” The homeroom teacher directed me to the seat next to the girl. I began to move towards the seat before I was stopped by one of the students voice.

“Isn't that Chad's seat?”

This will be troublesome. I couldn't help but sigh. This was the kind of cliché I had wanted to avoid. At least that girl didn't tackle me into a hug. Yay…

“It's fine, I was planning on moving his seat anyway since he's been disruptive to those seated around him. Also the face he makes when he comes back will be great.”

Uwa~. He's not serious is he?

I took my seat and homeroom resumed with little issues. The girl, Alicia, greeted me then remained quiet for the remaining period. Although I did catch her giving side glances every so often I simply ignored it and focused on other things. Throughout the remainder of homeroom I felt eyes on me from behind. It felt less welcoming than with Alicia, but nothing came of it and homeroom ended.

The day ended with me repeating introductions for other classes. I didn't have the same problem as I did in homeroom as most of the students were pleasant enough. It looks like I have Alicia in three of my classes. Having to walk to each class was exhausting, I much prefer the old style of sitting in one class, but it can't be helped. There is no reason for me to squander this opportunity since I wouldn't be staying here for too long.

The following morning I head into an empty classroom along with my bag containing my kendo gear. I had received permission to use this classroom for practice from the principal since I was unable to participate in normal physical education activities. The classroom resided within the same wing of the building as my homeroom towards the back end. Many of the classrooms in this wing had remained unused for some years as this was the extra wing built intended for an overflow or influx of students. The use of the homeroom class and four others are the result of such recent influx.

As I arrived in the classroom and checked my phone, it was 7:18 am. five minutes to change into my kendogi and hakama, fifteen minutes to perform my practice exercises and ten minutes to change back into my school uniform and clean up any mess I made. I entered homeroom and stored my gear bag in the back of the class. I chose to bring my gear with me to and from school rather than leaving it in the empty classroom as I did not want to have to replace it if it were stolen. When I moved to my seat and then I felt it, the tension in the air I had expected yesterday.

Ah, here it comes.

“What the hell? Hey, who the hell are you? That's my seat.” The person saying that approached my desk glaring at me with hostile eyes. He took an intimidating stance before me and continued staring me down. I looked at him analyzing the way he carried himself, the way he stood and his body shape. Thick arms, thick neck, thick legs. Is this one of those American jocks? He's definitely stronger than me.

This is troublesome.

“Kuroba Naoki desu, yoroshiku.” I decided to introduce myself the same way I did yesterday and try to ignore this person's hostility.

“Hah?! Can't you fucking speak english?!” This person was getting even more aggravating.

Annoying…

“Obviously I can since I'm from California. I lived in Japan for some years then moved here. Anyways, Donovan-sensei gave me this seat as my assigned sea-”

“You trying to be a smart-ass?!” This guy is getting even more angry.

“Chad, shut up. Mr. Donovan changed your seat and assigned this one to oni- Naoki when he transferred in. Your seat is over there somewhere, go away, you're annoying me.” Alicia had spoken up after getting irritated by Chad's rudeness. Although I am pretty sure that won't pacify him at all. That's just going to antagonize him even more.

Oh, he has an anger vein on his forehead. Go ahead and hit me, I won't feel it and it won't end well for you.

I can see him seething, but before he could say any more Donovan-sensei came in and reigned in control of the classroom before a fight could break out.

“Alright everyone, calm down. Chad, your new seat is over there, I did give you fair warning that I was moving you last week. Now, everyone to your seats, I have some announcements about the upcoming camping trip next month. Zach, could you pass this out? Ah, that's right. Naoki, will you be okay for the trip? It's not compulsory so don't feel you're forced to join.”

I nodded my ascent, there was nothing stopping me from going on this trip.

“Alright, good to hear. Now, let's go over the items you'll be required to bring and what the academy will be providing.”

As the announcement was going on I looked over towards Alicia and thanked her. She nodded with a smile and returned her attention back to the teacher. The rest of the day continued and it was unfortunate, but I shared a class with Chad. His glare is really getting on my nerves.

☘ ☘ ☘

I woke up at my usual time, 4:30am. My phone confirmed it even though I didn't need to see it, it was just habit. I dropped my phone. The pain, which woke me, surged again causing me to wince and drop my phone. I felt each surge starting from my upper spine moving to my shoulders then my neck and finally my head. It became more and more unbearable, I had to stop it. In between waves of pain I reached for my bag of painkillers and chew a small handful.

“Calm. Comfort. Tranquility.” I repeated these words to soothe my mind.

The pain eventually subsided and it was twenty minutes before I could tolerate the pain enough to get up from bed. My body was still stiff, but with the pill taking effect I am able to move about albeit slowly. I booted up my laptop, started the coffee maker, relieved myself on the toilet, showered, changed into my uniform, poured my coffee, made cereal for breakfast, took my medication, then started my video game to kill time.

It was 6:30 am, I saved my game after capturing three provinces and queuing replacement units to replace the ones lost and to fortify security of my captured territories. After closing the game I checked my go to website for any interesting news, seeing nothing interesting I shut down my laptop and prepared my bags to leave for school.

The apartment I reside in is not my own, it belongs to my middle school headmaster, my current guardian. He purchased it when he was working for this academy some years ago, but since becoming headmaster he himself no longer used it. Why did he not sell it I did not know, but him not doing so was lucky for me. Unlike the academy in Japan which was more isolated, this academy was closer to the town which lets me walk from my apartment to the campus in only fifteen minutes. Forty-five minutes from my apartment is the beach, I simply tested how long it took to walk there, I did not like the idea of being near the water. Never again.

I left the apartment at 6:58am and arrived at the campus at 7:13am, another five minutes to walk across campus into the classroom to do my exercises. As I entered the main building I noticed I was being followed. They were not hiding, making it obvious they were following me. 7:18am I walked into the empty classroom and began to change into my kendogi and hakama ignoring the three people that entered after me. It had been a few days since meeting Chad and I knew he had been keeping an eye on me while in school. He really does want to be a bully, how annoying.

“So this is what you do when you hide yourself in here, wear pretty dresses like a fa-”

“I don't care if you want to watch while I practice, but just stay quiet so I can concentrate.”

Knowing his temperament I interrupted his insult. I took a stance and began my practice swings.

“Motherfucker, you think just because you have a wooden sword you can take us on?!”

Annoying… I ignored him and continued my swings.

Seeing that I was not responding to him he approached me. I stopped my swinging since I did not want to hit him and kept my bokken at my side.

Annoying!

“Whatever problem you have with me, get over it.”

“There's three of us and only one of you. You won't be able to do shit even with that weak-ass sword. And we'll come over here everyday to teach you this lesson.”

I don't want to deal with this. I was not interested having a bully, but at the same time I did not want to placate him and his minions. Whatever, I just wanted to be left alone.

“Don't threaten me, go speak with Donovan-sensei if you have a problem with… whatever problem it is you have. Go now, I'm busy and you three ruined my mood.”

“You're my problem and it'd be better for you to fuck off back to Japan where we can all forget about your little punk ass.”

He moved to strike me, but I stepped backwards and avoided his jab. As I did so I swung my bokken and struck his jaw causing him to collapse to the ground. Before he could recover I swung down on his head.

*Thwack*

He staggered, falling back on the ground. I approached and continued my attacks, all aimed at his skull avoiding his mouth, his eyes and his nose.

“Hum~, I wonder… if I could make you forget all of this.”

*Thwack*

Anger flared in his eyes as I continued my assault.

*Thwack*

He tried to fight back, but I managed the right hits to keep him unfocused.

*Thwack*

I only hit him hard enough to not break my bokken. His minions did nothing but watch as I wailed on their leader lying on the ground. He was already unconscious. When I saw that I stopped my attack and turned to his minions. Pointed my bokken at the closest one and touched his throat.

“Go ahead, go ahead and tell everyone what happened. No one will believe you. Now leave, I need to get changed. I don't want to be late for class.”

I flicked my bokken upwards scraping his chin then pointed them out the door. As the minions took Chad away I cleaned myself up and went to class nearly missing the bell. Before the day ended I listened to the gossip around me and learned the minions took Chad to the nurse's office claiming he had tripped whilst horse-playing on the stairs. I took my gear bag and went home hoping that this would end that problem.

Maybe I took it too far… No, fuck him.

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day -4』

It was the Wednesday before our week long school camping trip, after going through my early morning routine I spent extra time playing my game on my laptop since I was skipping school today. Though, I was wearing my school uniform in case I decided to come in late. I had an appointment at the hospital where I had my surgery so I took the bus for the hour long ride. While on the bus I checked my medication for what I needed to have refilled or changed. The painkiller, the medication to correct the hormone imbalance caused by the painkiller and the experimental suppressant therapy needed to be increased.

The drug was designed to be a replacement for chemo- and radio-therapy minus the severe side effects. So far the only side effects I have noticed were my inability to taste a few hours after taking the medication, my abnormal appetite and metabolism and my altered brain chemistry affecting my personality, although a few doctors had mentioned that was simply due to my age.

The bus' announcement system announced the arrival of my destination. Gathering my belongings I stepped off the bus feeling a breath of warm air contrasting the cool air conditioning of the bus. The sun rose high in the sky burning away the last of the morning chill. I pulled out my phone to check the time, 10:04am. Seeing that I decided that there would be no point in coming in late for school. Thinking of the upcoming camping trip and necessary items to bring as well as the coupons I had found I decided to go shopping after my doctor's appointment.

Walking up to the double sliding door I was bathed in the cold air of the hospital interior. I walked in and looked for my destination double-checking the map on the wall. My destination, the second floor clinic, was devoid of patients. It seemed I was the only patient for the morning. I walked up to the reception desk and was greeted by the receptionist.

“Good morning, are you here for an appointment?” I nodded and gave her my name.

“Okay, Naoki Kuroba for 10:15am, go ahead and have a seat and we'll call you when the doctor is ready to see you.”

“Thank you.”

“By the way, that uniform, isn't it from 「Maluhia Academy」? My friend's younger sister attends that school, do you know Alicia Tachibana? The Tachibanas are quite well known at a few of the hospitals in this state.”

Tachibana? Is that Alicia's last name?

“Cute, slender girl with a ponytail?” I described the only Alicia I've met.

“Yes, That's her! She always wears her hair in a ponytail. She used to have it in pigtails until a couple years ago then it became only ponytails. You know, I don't think I've seen her with her hair down.”

“Pigtails?”

“You know, like this.” She grabbed two handfuls of hair and put it up in a twin-tail style.

“Oh, where I'm from it's called twin-tails.”

“Twin-tails?! That is so much cuter than pigtails!”

“Kuroba? Naoki Kuroba? The doctor will see you now.” We were interrupted by one of the nurses calling for me.

“Oh, you're up. Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

“Mr. Kuroba, have a seat. I won't mince words, it isn't good news.” He pulled out an x-ray showing my spine and head. “While the original intention of the surgery was successful in removing malignant tissue around your spinal column, it was unfortunately too late. It had already spread into your cerebral spinal fluid and is threatening to breach the blood-brain barrier. The only reason you're still alive is due to the suppressant drug suppressing any further growth and spread. You've already heard this before, but at best you have six months to one year left. Maybe longer if you remain on the drug.”

We discussed various things, mostly about what I am to do now. Since the company in charge of the clinical study saw my results in a (relatively) favorable outcome it was decided I would remain as a patient and given an increase in medication. The dosages were slightly changed to increase the suppression aspect while keeping my bodily functions as close to normal as possible. After two hours I left the clinic and bid farewell to the receptionist whom I had gotten along well with.

“Take care.”

“Un, yeah, you as well, take care.”

When I left the clinic I headed straight to the pharmacy to get my new prescriptions filled. After that, I headed out the hospital and continued my other errands of the day. There was a nearby megastore that I had been shopping at which is where I am heading to. Since I could not drive and I did not own a bike I had to purchase the items I needed for the camping trip in small increments. Much of the needed materials needed I already owned so now it is just the last few items as well as food for the rest of the week. When the bus arrived at the stop I headed into the store.

Oh, a sale week? How lucky.

It seems the academy's camping trip is a well known event and had been discounting items related to camping.

I wish I was told about this so I could have saved more money. Oh well.

I took a shopping cart and started browsing the aisles. LED glow-sticks, fire-starter, filter water bottle, survival straws, some toiletries and some extra clothes, especially socks. I ended up buying more than I intended. My backpack was filled and my arms carried multiple bags. It was quite heavy. I managed to make it to the bus stop and by the time I got home it was late afternoon. My dinner was fancier than usual so as to try and perk up my mood. Hearing my inevitable death sentence again and again is annoyingly demoralizing so I wanted to pick myself up. An extravagant meal to put a smile to my face. Finishing off my night was a marathon gaming session with some queued up shows I needed to finish running in the background.

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day -3』

Ji~

*Twitch*

Ji~~

It was the next day and I sat in homeroom staring at Alicia next to me. She winced at my staring, but I ignored it and continued to analyze her. Her long hair tied in a high ponytail with loose long bangs, the shape of her ear, the shape and size of her eyes when she would take glances at me, the shape of her nose, the shape of her thin pouty lips. She is quite cute.

“W-what is it, Naoki?” She could no longer take my staring and broke her silence.

“… twin-tail.”

“What?”

“I met someone yesterday who said she knew you. She mentioned that you used to wear your hair in twin-tails until a few years ago. I was just picturing what you would look like with it.”

“But what are twin-tails?”

“Hm? What did she call it? Hm, um, uh, oh, ah. She called it pigtails.”

“Oh.” She thought for a moment then undid her ponytail shaking and loosening her hair with her fingers. Taking a bundle of hair she tied it up to the side, then reaching into her pencil case she took out another hair tie and mirrored tying up her hair on the opposite side of her head. After fussing with her pocket mirror and evening out her tails she gave a satisfied sound and looked towards me.

“How is it?”

Super cute.

“Un, yeah, cute.”

“Really?!” She beamed with an ecstatic look. Then quickly asked, “Which do you think looks better, ponytail or t-twin-tail?”

“Hmm, a twin-tail is cute, but Alicia looks prettier with a ponytail.”

“!!”

Whoa, her face went red.

“A critical hit! Naoki, good job!” The girl behind me said so and gave me a thumbs up. I looked at her trying to remember her name then gave up and responded with a thumbs up.

“Alicia, aren't you glad? He called you pretty!”

“Sh-shut up...”

Soon after Donovan-sensei walked in and we ended our talks of cuteness and hair.

“Alright everyone seats, seats. Naoki, good morning. Everything went okay yesterday?”

“Un, yeah, no change.”

“I see, I see. You're still good for the camping trip? There's no pressure if you want to change your mind.”

“It's fine, I can go. No problem.”

“Good to hear. By the way, here's your homework for yesterday. You can turn it in either today or tomorrow.”

“Thanks.”

After that Alicia became more open towards me and even greeted me anytime we passed each other in the halls. When we would walk to our shared classes, we walked together.

New friend, huh? That was what I was trying to avoid. Oh well, can't be helped. At least she's cute.

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day -1』

Saturday morning I headed to the megastore to buy some last minute items for the camping trip as well as food for the weekend. I was overexcited on Wednesday with my shopping spree I only managed to buy a bit of food for the rest of the week. I also remembered seeing Alicia's mirror and seeing a video about how mirrors can be used in rescue operations. Since I had been using my phone as a mirror I didn't actually own one. Also, I needed sunscreen. Even though it is no longer summer, the sun was still bright and giving me mild sunburn.

After finding the items I needed I headed over to the grocery department. On my way there I ran into a familiar face. She was probably doing some last minute shopping herself. It was also probable that she was with friends since it was Saturday. When she had noticed me she called out to me.

“Naoki, good morning.”

“Un, yeah, you as well Alicia, good morning.”

“What're you shopping for?”

“A small mirror and sunscreen, I keep getting sunburns since I moved here. I'm almost out so I wanted to get another bottle before the trip, ah and also shampoo and body wash. Now I'm heading to the grocery department for food for tonight and tomorrow. You?”

“I'm here shopping for bathing suits wi-”

“Alicia, they didn't have it in my size so let's go check over at… Naoki! Oh, um, uh.” Alicia's friend that sat behind me in homeroom came out of the surf shop style clothing area empty handed. When she noticed me she fumbled her words trying to think of what to do. Quickly she came up with an idea, a bit obvious even for me, she pulled out her phone and pretended to take a call.

“Yes, hello? Hi mom. No, just got to the store. What? You need me to come home right now? But then I'll be leaving Alicia alone with Naoki. What? That's fine, you say? Okay, I’m heading home.

“So that was my mom, she said I needed to go home for something or whatever. So laters! Alicia, good luck!” She whispered that last part a little too loudly. It was definitely made obvious on purpose, crafty.

Turning to Alicia and seeing the slight panic set in I decided to throw her a line. “Your friend just ditched you, do you want to do some shopping with me?”

“Yes.” She said with a surprised gasp.

I have some free time today so it's fine. It had been months since I spent time with friends so this is a nice change of pace.

Or so I thought. What I had expected to be a couple hours of walking around shopping ended up taking six hours and two bus rides to different shopping areas. It was lucky that the groceries I bought didn’t spoil easily so there was no problem sticking it in my backpack. We visited different shops and Alicia had tried out a myriad of clothes from bikinis to sundresses and even formal evening gowns. She bought quite a few outfits that, obviously, I had to carry around. I think my favorite was the thigh sock and miniskirt combo. It suited her very well since it is a classic.

We had only eaten a light lunch today so I was anxious to return home and prepare dinner. When Alicia was finally satisfied with shopping we sat waiting at the bus stop talking about our plans for the evening. I had thought our conversation would end when I saw my bus turn the corner, but it turned out that she was taking the same one and that she lived in the campus dormitory. The topic then turned to where I lived.

“Naoki, where do you live? I've never seen you in the dorms.”

“I'm staying in an apartment a fifteen minute walk from campus.”

“Why aren't you staying in the dorms? Well, not like you're the only one staying in nearby apartments, but a fifteen minute walk is kind of far.”

“I can't do much physical activity so walking is most of my exercise.”

“Can't do-, is there something wrong?”

“Nothing to worry about.”

“I see.”

The conversation dulled after that. Alicia continued to sit beside me quietly. I could see she wanted to ask me something, but hesitated to do so. I remained quiet and rested waiting for my bus stop. This continued until the campus came into view and we neared the bus stop. When that happened Alicia spoke.

“Naoki.”

“Hm?”

“Can I come over?”

“I don’t mind, but there isn’t much to do.”

Hm, there goes gaming night.

“It's fine. Just dinner is fine.”

The academy bus stop came and went without a stop. It was only 4pm so it was still early for any students to return from their Saturday outing making the bus sparsely filled. Two stops later my apartment came into view. The both of us stepped off the bus and headed up to the second floor that I reside in. As we reached my apartment we were met with a courier with a long rectangular package.

“Afternoon, can I help you?”

“Ah yes, I have a package for, let's see here, Kuroba Naoki?”

“That's me, but I'm not expecting a package.” I looked at the return sender and saw it was someone I knew. “Oh, it's from my guardian, I’ll take it.”

“Sign here, please. Thank you and have a good day.”

After retrieving the package I invited Alicia in to my apartment. She looked around with curiosity while I took the package to the table and opened it.

“What is it?” Alicia asked.

“It's my family's katana, my grandfather gave it to me before he passed away. I had my guardian hold on to it. I guess he thought it would be better to send it to me here.”

The letter that accompanied the katana confirmed it saying it was a reminder of my family and my family's history. Thinking about it, my grandparents only had one child, my mother, and she only had one child, me. I might be the last Kuroba left. I shake off such heavy feelings and placed the katana in front of a picture of my grandparents and said a small prayer.

“Naoki...” Alicia saying so hugged me from behind.

“Un, yeah. So, let's get started on dinner. I’m starving.”

“Yeah.”

I took the ingredients I bought today and set it on the counter. Took a pot, filled it with water and set it on the stove to boil. Looking into my refrigerator I pulled out the remaining ingredients that I had prepared this morning. An hour later we sat down to enjoy dinner.

“Is that a bottle of wine?”

“Do you want some? There should be enough for both of us if we pour half a glass each.”

“I'm not really a drinker, but yeah, I'd like to try.”

I poured our glasses and we began to eat. As dinner progressed, I noticed that Alicia was becoming more and more tipsy. Her words were becoming slurred and her eyes unfocused.

Hmm, that isn't good.

“Alicia, are you alright? Sorry, I didn't expect it would affect you this much. Do you want me to call someone to take you back to the dorms?”

“I'm fine, ish fine, erything'sh fine onii-chan. I can shtay tonight right onii-chan? I can shleep on the bed with onii-chan."

“You've called me onii-chan before. Why?”

“It'sh becaushe you're my onii-chan~.”

Ehh… I’m not getting the logic.

She stood up and stumbled towards me pursing her lips in an attempt to kiss me. I grabbed her as she fell and we both landed on the floor.

*chu*

She managed to kiss me. I looked her in the eyes and saw she was fast becoming unfocused.

*zzz*

“I hope that wasn't your first kiss.”

I managed, barely, to carry her to my bedroom and lay her down. Since she was drunk I felt uncomfortable removing any clothing and left her fully clothed. Leaving the bedroom I went to clean up the dishes. Seeing the time I figured I could sneak a couple of hours of gaming in before heading to bed. I felt satisfied after taking over four provinces with a single army stack and setting up production queues throughout my empire. I just needed to prepare for my Egyptian conquest.

Turning off my laptop and remaining lights, I head to the bathroom to prepare for bed. I went straight to my bed completely forgetting there was a drunk girl already sleeping. I froze when I heard her slight snoring. The noise I made when I came in the room woke her slightly.

“Onii-chan? Is late, come to bed.”

From the moonlight peeking from the window I saw her reaching out her hand to me. Feeling tired I didn't argue and took her hand and joined her in bed. I had wanted to lay on my side facing away from her to give her privacy, but I was pulled onto my back and she laid her head onto my shoulder with her arm around my chest.

“Onii-chan, why don't you remember me?” She whispered before falling back to sleep. I took in her words and thought about who she is, but nothing came to mind. I simply had no memory of her.

This reminds me of sleepovers with Honoka. I wonder whatever happened to her… I miss her.

Then I slept.

☘ ☘ ☘

『Day of Summoning』

Sunday morning, I awoke at 4:30am with my usual pain surging throughout my spine and head. I attempted to reach over to my painkillers, but it was out of reach. The only reason I could think of why it was out of reach was because I wasn't in my typical sleeping position. I usually slept closer to the right center of the bed, but I was closer to left center. My medication was merely a few centimeters out of reach.

It seemed during the night Alicia and I shifted sleeping position as I found we were in a spooning position. My right arm numbed from the lack of blood circulation as her head lay atop it. My left arm wrapped around her and my hand grasping something soft yet firm. It took me a few seconds to realize that my hand had snaked beneath her shirt and bra and that I was groping her bare breast while we slept. I quickly released my hand and desperately reached for my medication, each second passing made the pain more and more unbearable.

My panicked struggling had woken Alicia from her sleep and she tried to comprehend what was happening. Since it was still early for sunrise and late enough that the moon was no longer in a place to shine through the window the room was considerably dark.

“Onii-chan, what's wrong?!” She said with deep concern then felt around looking for a source of light.

“My phone, I found my phone, I’ll call you an ambulance!” The screen of her phone illuminated her panic stricken face. I immediately stopped her by grasping her wrist.

“No… bag… table…” I struggled to say pointing at the nightstand beside my bed. Seeing the direction I had pointed to, Alicia found a small bag of pills and handed it to me. Taking three pills in my mouth, I quickly chewed and dry swallowed it. During the twenty minute wait Alicia returned to her spot resting on me waiting, I’m assuming as it was still dark, with a worried face to speak.

Twenty minutes passed and as usual I was able to move. I sat up and told Alicia that this was normal and not to worry and to go back to sleep. Even in the dark I was familiar with this bedroom layout to not need a light. I found my bottles of medication and took the first course.

“I'll make you breakfast when you wake up, so go back to sleep. I have a routine I stick to so don't mind me.”

I did my normal routine for weekends which was nothing more than a later weekday version. Extra gaming time or reading time was typical. When I heard the bedroom door open I went to make breakfast for the both of us. When it was done Alicia joined me at the table.

“How come I have bacon and eggs while you only have cold cereal?”

“It's good for hangovers, drink some coffee too, the caffeine will help.”

“I know about hangover cures, but what I mean is why are you eating only cereal?”

“I can't really taste anything in the morning and early afternoons, so I don’t bother. Just whatever is nutritious and filling enough.”

“Is it because of that medicine you take? I've never heard of the name on the label and searching it online didn’t show anything.”

“Clinical trials, it's not public yet.”

“Trials for what?”

“Don't worry about it.”

“Naoki.”

“It's fine.”

I stopped her from prying any further. I don’t want something like this to spread and told her so. When breakfast was done I helped her gather her things. She was still having a little difficulties walking so I offered to walk her back to campus or the bus stop, but she declined saying the walk will do her some good. At the door she turned around and hugged me thanking me for yesterday.

After seeing her off I closed the door and began cleaning up. I didn't want to keep anything in my fridge that would be spoiled when I returned from the camping trip so I looked up recipes to use up what I had left. When I finished writing down the recipe I started to do my packing.

The military rucksack I was to use was given to me by the same person that sold me the 9mm handgun. I know I shouldn't bring it along and that it was highly illegal, but I was compelled to bring it. It was placed in a thin case along with a box of ammunition and packed into a secret compartment in the bottom of my rucksack. No one would find it unless it was torn apart.

First aid kit, camping supplies, survival supplies, toiletries and my clothing all fit snugly. There was still room for my electronics so no problem there. I took some of the first aid supplies and placed it in pockets outside the rucksack as well as food rations, nothing more than high calorie energy bars. Since I stopped making my own soap I had leftover scented oils which I placed in my rucksack as well. I had learned from camping years ago that old clothes smell lingered in a bag.

Packing was done and so was the cleaning. The apartment looked immaculate, as if no one had lived here. There was no reason to leave a mess. I looked over at my grandparents shrine and looked at the katana. Unsheathing the sword I saw a beautiful blade sixty centimeters long with a smooth, wavy hamon. On the scabbard was the Kuroba family crest, three three-leaf clovers pointing towards the center. I sheathe the katana and pack it in my rucksack.

“Just in case.”

☘ ☘ ☘

Because of the weight of the rucksack I had to take the bus to campus. When I arrived at campus I saw Alicia waiting for me, she had texted me this morning and wanted to walk to homeroom together. We exchanged greetings and started walking, as we walked she took my hand in hers, fingers interlaced and held tightly. Arriving in the classroom we were met with different responses, I mostly ignored it until I saw Chad seething. I pulled Alicia close to me and kissed her. Then we took our seat.

Suck it.

The last few stragglers came into class and Donovan-sensei took roll call and read off a checklist. Seeing everything in order we lined up and head for the bus that we will be boarding. Students were separated with boys sitting on the left and girls on the right with each persons baggage in front between their legs, no doubt to avoid certain situations. Beneath the bus was the baggage storage which held all our tents, food, utensil and entertainments. A final check list was done and an announcement was made that the bus ride would take longer than anticipated due to the road on our route suffering a mudslide the night before. We would arrive by night.

Then we left.

☘ ☘ ☘

A convoy of buses moved through the narrowing roads, I watched through the window as the day fades to dusk. Half a dozen buses filled with students of our grade drive in a single line. Hours had passed, routes had been plotted and replotted. The mudslide had been cleared, but too many hours had passed.

The atmosphere within the bus was much different from this morning. The cheery talks turned to frustrated silence. Even with air conditioning there was an air of annoyance that was difficult to shake. Most students had fallen asleep, I spent the day reading from my tablet and occasionally conversed with Alicia, but like the others, the mood had become soured and our talks stilled. There was still two or three hours before we reached our target destination and tiredness reached me. I nodded off to sleep leaning against the window.

“Champion.”

I heard a voice.

“...world.”

A voice filled with static.

“Choose.”

I concentrated until the jumbled mess of words became clear.

“I have found you my Champion. Your pain has called out to me. I invite you to my world. A world once had been connected to your own. Choose, my Champion, travel to my world and I shall take away your torment or remain in yours.”

I wasn't interested.

“Hm, no.”

“I see. I am saddened by your rejection. Then, my Champion, farewell and live well.”

“-from another world… ordered...”

“What?! What fool dares to interfere?! This one has made his choice, do not dare sully the judgment of a goddess! My Champion, this is not of my doing, resist this fool who takes your peace-”

“Beings from another world, by my right, you are ordered to our world. Come forth!”

I awoke from my dream to hear screams of terror. The darkness illuminated with bright colors of white, gold, blue and green. Then it was dark.

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day +0』

『Location Unknown』

My face burned from the hot sun causing me to become aware of my surroundings. The dry, crisp grass my body was laying on, the warm air that brushed against my skin and the sounds of screaming. When I opened my eyes I saw that there was daylight in the sky. The sun still showing a late afternoon yellow glow.

It should be night, how long was I unconscious for?

Confused I remembered it was night, it was dark, there was screaming and the flashes which burned into my mind. Then the dream, the words from the unseen characters. Their voices too real to be a simply dream. I looked around, at the nearby shouting and confirmed this was real. Four people in armor were on the ground unmoving and another four surrounding a…

“Is that a turtle?”