The story we started

Will Hayato and I also appear in this video that predicts the future? If so, what will our future look like and what will our relationship be like? Will we be able to achieve a happy ending?

"I, Zaimokuza-san, and Yui-san, so three of the Servant Club members have already appeared, leaving only Hikigaya-san."

Yukinoshita Yukino bent her left thumb and then raised four fingers, bending a finger every time she said a name, until she got to Hikigaya Hachiman, when only the third finger from the left was left.

"...Yukinoshita, I'm grateful that you didn't pronounce my name wrong this time, but did you do that to my finger on purpose?"

Hikigaya Hachiman looked at the finger that Yukinoshita Yukino deliberately raised as an international friendly gesture, his dead fish eyes twitched a few times, and asked weakly.

"It's your illusion, Mr. Penguin."

The quiet girl with long black hair gently placed her phone on the book on her knees and responded nonchalantly.

"..."

Faced with Yukinoshita Yukino's words that she obviously called the wrong name on purpose to imply "Yes, I did it on purpose", Hikigaya Hachiman felt inexplicably tired and was too exhausted to complain.

"But... my future self?"

Thinking that he might be able to see his future self through video, Hikigaya Hachiman felt a little nervous in his anticipation.

This is not surprising. If one day you could know what your future would be like, I guess everyone would feel as conflicted as he does, wondering whether they are living the life they expected, or whether they have become a stranger under the pressure of reality.

What kind of person will I be in the future? Will I realize my dream of being a househusband? Or will I live a life of ease and comfort after hooking up with a rich woman? Or will I eventually become a social animal under the pressure of reality?

Every time he thought of these things that he had never thought of before, Hikigaya Hachiman felt uneasy and his heart beat faster and faster.

What kind of person will I be in the future?

After all, there was such an outrageous example as Zaimokuza in front of him, so Hikigaya Hachiman unconsciously began to look forward to it.

[“To be honest, I didn’t expect that you would come back from abroad now. I was really shocked when Xiaoxue called me three days ago to tell me.”]

[Yuigahama Yui looked at the young man in front of her who had almost no resemblance to the young man in her memory except for the familiar smile, and she said with some sighs as she was lost in her memories.]

[“And you’ve really changed a lot. You were a little fat when I came last time, but now you’re completely unrecognizable.”]

[“Well, after all, you’ve been out adventuring a lot, so it’s normal for you to change a little. How about it! Have you become more manly?!”]

[Zaimokuza proudly showed off his biceps, and the skin exposed under his short-sleeved shirt seemed to reflect white light.]

[“…Well, I think you’ve had plastic surgery.”]

[Yuigahama Yui subconsciously glanced at her arms and found that her skin was not as white as a man's. She lowered her head in frustration and buried her chin in her chest, which could not be covered by the apron. ]

[“Hey, hey, hey, why are you all saying this? I was just a little fat before. Does General Ashikaga Yoshiteru really not look like a handsome guy?!”]

[Hearing what she said, Zaimokuza's face suddenly fell into a cat-like state, and his dead fish eyes stared at Yuigahama Yui with dissatisfaction. ]

[“Puff!”]

[Hearing this familiar self-proclaimed name that she often heard in high school, Yuigahama Yui finally couldn't help but cover her mouth with one hand and laughed quietly. ]

[“As expected, this is more like you, Zaimokuza-san. I remember you called yourself this when we first met.”]

[“At that time, Xiao, Xiaoxue and I were scared by you. We thought you were some suspicious person who had invaded the Service Department. We almost asked the security to drag you away.”]

[Thinking of the misunderstanding that happened when she first met Zaimokuza, her eyes curved into a pair of bright crescents, and she smiled very happily and gently, but for some reason there was a hint of loneliness hidden in her smile.]

[Shaking her head to dispel the gloom in her heart, Yuigahama Yui brought up another topic to divert her attention. 】

[“Are you still pursuing your dream of becoming a writer? Zaimokuza?”]

[“Of course! This general has been pursuing his own dream relentlessly. I will never die before I achieve my dream! Don’t worry!”]

【Zaimokuza patted his chest proudly, speaking with confidence.】

[But he regretted the words as soon as they came out of his mouth, and wanted to slap himself in the face for being so complacent a second ago.]

【"……die?"】

[As expected, one of the words in his words directly touched Yuigahama Yui's nerves. The smile on her face gradually faded, and she looked suspiciously at Zaimokuza, whose smile froze on his face after he spoke.]

[“What are you talking about? What do you mean by not dying?”]

[“Uh… that…”]

【It's over! Zaimokuza, with a stiff expression, finally realized that the person in front of him was also his good friend, but she was not Yukinoshita Yukino who knew all his secrets, but Yuigahama Yui who knew nothing.】

[“No, it’s nothing, I just made a slip of the tongue! Please don’t mind it!”]

【Zaimokuza smiled awkwardly and immediately tried to make amends. He subconsciously wanted to turn around and walk away, but a hand was placed directly on his shoulder, and the five delicate fingers clasped one by one, grabbing Zaimokuza like a trap grabbing prey.】

[Yuigahama Yui, who was familiar with him, saw through his intentions clearly. With her face gradually becoming serious, she reached out and grabbed Zaimokuza's shoulder as he tried to turn around. Although the hand was white and soft without bones, Zaimokuza felt that the hand was as hard as Yukinoshita Yukino, who had attained the ninth degree of Aikido. She pinched his strengthened shoulder so hard that it hurt.]

【“Zaimokuzu.”】

[Yuigahama Yui's expression at the moment was very calm, almost expressionless, but it inexplicably made Zaimokuza feel a chill down his spine. He subconsciously turned his head in panic, not daring to look directly at the pair of eyes in front of him that were clear at the moment but seemed to have no bottom.]

[“In fact, I have felt something is wrong for a long time, because Xiaoxue called me and told me that you would probably stay in Tokyo for a long time. But in the past, after you ventured back to China, you usually stayed for less than a week, and then immediately set off to travel around the world with great enthusiasm. This time, you suddenly stayed for such a long time, which made me feel a little abnormal.”]

[“And I could tell when I asked Xiaoxue the reason. She was very evasive in her words. She was either trying to cover up or change the subject. She never directly answered the reason for your detention. After all, we are all adults, and it is normal to have some privacy, so I didn’t ask any more questions…”]

[“But I don’t want to remain silent this time. You must be hiding something very important from me. And this thing is very big, so big that it can even be associated with the word “death”. And your first reaction is to change the subject. This means that this thing is very dangerous, right?”]

[“I hope you can be honest and tell me what happened?”]

[“This, this…”]

【Zaimokuza was still a little hesitant, his eyes wandering, not knowing whether he should tell Yuigahama Yui about those Gurongi. After all, these things were too dangerous, and as an ordinary kindergarten teacher, Yuigahama Yui couldn't do anything about it. It was useless except making her worry in vain.】

[Especially what happened to him was unbelievable. The unconfirmed life form No. 4 that was rumored to be so miraculous turned out to be his good friend. If the person was Zaimokuza, even he himself might not believe it.]

[At this moment, Zaimokuza felt the hand holding him tightening its grip, and the nails were about to pierce through his skin, including his clothes.]

[“Zaimokuza-san, look at me.”]

[Yuigahama Yui said the name she used when they first met again, but unlike the flirtatious tone she used back then, this time it was full of solemnity and unquestionable.]

【“…”】

【Zaimokuza opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't utter a word, so he could only sigh and raise his head, looking directly into Yuigahama Yui's pink eyes, which were the same color as his hair. The emotions hidden in them were like the turbulent sea surface, and the waves below were even more magnificent and made people retreat.】

[Yuigahama Yui's lips opened and closed, and every word she said was filled with countless emotions. Because these emotions were too complicated, even she herself might not be able to understand them.]

[“…I don’t want you and Koyuki to lie to me again, Zaimokuza.”]

[“In order to give Yui some time to accept this fact, don’t tell her about this for now.”——This kind of thing, once is enough. ”]

[Her last words completely shattered Zaimokuza's hesitation and confusion, and he fell silent.]

[All my excuses and reasons were completely suppressed by this sentence, and I couldn't say anything.]

【Zaimokuza's memory seemed to be brought back to that dark rainy day. It was raining heavily outside the window that day. He and Yukinoshita Yukino were arguing with each other in the room. The door was suddenly opened after he said something that shouldn't have been said. Yuigahama Yui was standing outside the door, soaking wet, holding a cake she had just bought.】

[Yuigahama Yui stood outside the door, raindrops dripping from her wet hair onto the ground. Her eyes looked at the two people who were stunned and panicked by her arrival with an expression she had never seen before. It was unclear whether it was rain or tears that flowed down her face from her eye sockets, and finally dripped down her pointed chin, mixing with the water marks on the ground.]

【"What are you talking about...?"】

[Zaimokuza still remembers the scene at that time and the tone of her voice when she said this. Even after many years, the color has not faded at all. The memory is like being covered with a layer of bright red curtain, dripping like blood.]

【“…”】

[Zaimokuza understood that Yuigahama Yui just didn't want to be deceived again, because the last deception left her with too deep a wound, and the wound has not healed yet, so she is so sensitive to his concealment now. ]

【Knowing that he couldn't keep it a secret any longer, and not wanting to hide it any longer, Zaimokuza raised his head and took a deep breath, then took the initiative and put his hand on her shoulder, his expression extremely serious.】

[“Yuigahama, I want to tell you something next, don’t be afraid!”]

[“Uh, ah, tell me what it is. I’m not afraid.”]

[Yuigahama Yui, who had originally had a calm expression, was caught off guard by his sudden and unprecedented solemn expression, but from Zaimokuza's eyes and expression, she could tell that he was serious, so she quickly adjusted her attitude and asked in a serious tone.]

[“Promise me, please believe me, and don’t be afraid!”]

【Zaimokuza repeated it once more, his expression still solemn. This time even Yuigahama Yui became solemn and nodded solemnly.】

[“Go ahead. I promise. I will believe you and will not be afraid, Zaimokuza.”]

[“That is——”]

[After receiving Yuigahama Yui's assurance, Zaimokuza took another deep breath and spoke in a very serious voice, just like when he was facing the teacher during his graduation defense.]

[“That is, I am Kuagaka!”]

[His voice was serious and solemn, echoing in the courtyard that was empty because the children had gone to class. The breeze blew, carrying these words up into the blue sky.]

[And Yuigahama Yui’s reaction to Zaimokuza’s words was—]

【"……ha?"】

[Her serious face, which was no longer as chubby as it was in high school, became blank, and she made a puzzled sound.]

【Thirty minutes later.】

["The unidentified life form No. 4 reported in the news... turned out to be you, Zaimokuza???"]

[Looking at the arm covered with a layer of red armor in front of her, Yuigahama Yui originally thought that Zaimokuza was just perfunctory and was so angry that she didn't listen to his explanation and planned to go back to the classroom directly. After Zaimokuza, who had no choice but to summon the belt to transform in front of her, Yuigahama Yui believed it with a face full of disbelief. ]

[In order to verify whether she was dreaming or not, she reached out and touched the arm covered with armor. The hard and warm touch from the palm of her hand finally forced Yuigahama Yui to admit that this was reality.]

[“Right, that’s why I told you that I hope you can believe me…”]

【Buzz.】

[With a look of resentment on his face, Zaimokuza stretched out the arm that was partially transformed, and the hand and the belt around his waist returned to their original state with a faint buzzing sound.]

[“No, it’s not that I don’t believe you! But——um, this is just too…!?”]

[Yuigahama Yui hurriedly tried to explain, but the scene that was beyond ordinary people's imagination really shattered her worldview, and she didn't know how to continue. ]

[After a while, she finally recovered and asked Zaimokuza with worry in her tone and eyes.]

[“So, this is why you’re staying in Tokyo for a long time, Zaimokuza? Could it be that you’ve been fighting those unidentified life forms alone for the past few months?”]

[Yuigahama Yui is more attentive to her surroundings and doesn't care much about national affairs, but even so, it's impossible for her not to know about the unidentified life event that has been making a lot of noise in recent months. ]

【Because this series of events was so big, basically everyone in Japan who watched the news knew that a monster that was killing people everywhere appeared in Tokyo, not to mention Yuigahama Yui who was working in Tokyo. She even passed by the area where the unidentified lifeforms committed crimes several times. Many people living in Tokyo also lived in fear because of these unidentified lifeforms, fearing that one day they would be eating hot pot and singing songs on the street, and suddenly be killed by the unidentified lifeforms.】

[Among the nearly twenty unconfirmed life forms that have appeared, which one is the most famous is undoubtedly the unconfirmed life form No. 4. ]

[As an unidentified life form, he not only did not kill humans like his own kind, but also repeatedly stopped his own kind from committing crimes. He also possessed various forms and weapons that other unidentified life forms did not have. Even journalists broke the news that the motorcycle ridden by No. 4 was the police's latest scientific research experimental motorcycle. This report also caused all citizens to speculate about the relationship between No. 4 and the police.]

[Not only that, among all the unconfirmed life forms, only No. 4 has many eyewitness records and evidence of saving people. All these actions that violate common sense have made this unconfirmed life form the topic of everyone. Even she herself is sometimes asked by kindergarten children whether No. 4 is a hero who saves people. While smiling and answering the children, she secretly wonders in her heart what kind of existence No. 4 is and why he does these things? ]

[But today Yuigahama Yui learned that the truth was far beyond her imagination. The mysterious unconfirmed life form No. 4 was not only a real human, but also an old friend of hers! ]

[Let’s not talk about the fact that No. 4 is a human, which is absolutely enough to shock all the media. Who would believe that their friend is No. 4? If you tell others, they will probably think you have lost your mind. ]

[“Well, I’m not fighting alone. There are people like Kousaka-san helping me.”]

【Zaimokuza smiled and said, comforting the worried Yuigahama Yui.】

[“But! I remember the news saying that you were injured in the battle with No. 6 and No. 14—”]

[Yuigahama Yui was a little excited and wanted to continue speaking, but Zaimokuza patted her shoulder and interrupted what Yuigahama Yui was about to say.]

[“What a man! Am I not standing in front of you now? Although I did suffer some minor injuries, it’s not as exaggerated as what the news said.”]

[“Just like the Minister, please continue to trust me. I’m fine!”]

[“After all, I am General Ashikaga Yoshiteru, a man with two thousand skills!”]

[Faced with Zaimokuza's hearty smile and thumbs-up, Yuigahama Yui opened her lips but didn't know what to say, and in the end she could only sigh helplessly. ]

[“Zaimokuza, you really are…”]

[Beep, beep, beep—]

[Zaimokuza's cell phone in his pants pocket suddenly rang, interrupting what Yuigahama Yui was about to say. Zaimokuza smiled at her and reached out to take out his cell phone from his pocket. He answered the call without even looking at the operator and put it to his ear, then opened his mouth and asked.]

[“Hello! Excuse me, is this… Mr. Kosaka?”]

【"How------"】

[Yuigahama Yui, who was standing in front of Zaimokuza, clearly saw the smile on his face disappear in an instant, just like snow exposed to the scorching sun, it disappeared in an instant.]

[In her pink irises, Zaimokuza's dark pupils slowly shrank, his palms clenched into fists, and the blue meridians stretched and bulged from his skin. At the moment of exerting force, the tension of his movements and expressions was enough to rival the masterpiece "David" by Michelangelo, one of the three great masters of the Italian Renaissance.]

[Because their expressions were so solemn and cold, as if they were about to go to a battlefield with thousands of soldiers to fight a life-and-death battle from which there would be no return.]

[Tokyo City, Sumida River Basin. 】

【Ten minutes ago.】

[“Aa ...

[A terrified scream came from under the bridge, and two high school girls in school uniforms ran out from under the bridge hand in hand, running forward with panicked expressions.]