My youth story cannot be a knight war

[Looking down from above, it looks like a dark blue meteor flying low along the highway, and the afterimage is the trail left by the meteor. ]

[Soon——]

[Kousaka Kyosuke, who was driving the Graham Charger, first glanced at Ginoga, who was lying in front of the car and was locked by the horns and unable to move, and then looked at the map route displayed on the screen in the lower left corner of his vision. A blue light dot representing himself was moving towards a red light dot, and the distance between them was constantly shortening.]

[That red light spot is the location of the planned annihilation. Once we reach there, even if it is not confirmed that Life Form No. 25 can fly, it will be unable to escape. The heavy firepower weapons deployed are enough to blast the opponent to pieces without leaving even a single cell! ]

[According to computer calculations, at the current speed, it will only take another three minutes to arrive! ]

[Even Kousaka Kyosuke couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, but knowing that relaxing before the task was completed would most likely lead to failure, he remained vigilant and continued to move towards his destination without slowing down.]

【But Kousaka Kyosuke still missed one thing. 】

[That is, no matter how perfect their plan is, even if they eliminate all the expected errors and unexpected factors, there is one thing they can never accurately prevent. ]

[That is the target of this battle plan, the ability that Ginoga himself possesses. ]

[Their plan was indeed very complete. According to the computer's calculations, those few nerve-breaking bombs were indeed enough to destroy nearly half of the enhanced nerves in half of the Gurongi's body. Even the enhanced body would lose its ability to move for at least half a day.]

[But Ginoga is different. It is a complete accident. Not only is it a rare enhanced body, but it is also the only mutant among enhanced bodies. The police's previous intelligence and understanding of the Gurongi cannot be applied to it at all. ]

[As a rare non-animal but plant-type Gurongi among the Gurongi clan, Ginoga's abilities are more bizarre and unpredictable than those of normal Gurongi. Even if we exclude those special abilities that are born with, its recovery ability far exceeds that of animal-type Gurongi.]

[Plants are recognized as having the strongest vitality among all creatures in nature. Injuries such as being cut in half or burned, which would surely kill ordinary animals, are not the case for plants.]

[Some plants, even after being burned to charcoal by fire, can still give birth to new life on the original remains when the next spring comes. Their tenacity is amazing.]

[Not to mention the Gurongi, whose existence is beyond the common sense and laws of nature. Due to the lack of intelligence, the police, who faced this type of plant-type unconfirmed life form for the first time, completely underestimated their terrifying extent. This is an extremely fatal loophole.]

[So when Ebina Himena's urgent voice sounded in the communication system, Kousaka Kyousuke's expression changed drastically in an instant. ]

[“Kousaka-kun! The system detects a huge amount of heat erupting from No. 25’s body. Be careful!”]

【“!!!?”】

[As soon as she finished speaking, a red light flashed from Ginoga, who was locked in the front of the car. The flames mixed with high temperatures spread from the front of the car. Even though the armor had a built-in air conditioning system, Kousaka Kyosuke still felt that the temperature around him rose to an unbearable heat in an instant.]

[“——Damn it!!!”]

【Kousaka Kyosuke clenched his teeth tightly, realizing that it was too late, and stepped on the brakes quickly, and Graham's horns that were clamped around Ginoga's waist loosened at the same time.】

[The locomotive suddenly stopped, converting its high speed into huge inertia and transmitting it to Ginoga, who was at the front of the locomotive. His body flew far away in an instant.]

【boom--! ! ! 】

[But when it was in mid-air and had not yet fallen, a red light far exceeding the previous one burst out from its body, so dazzling that it was like a second sun appeared on the highway in an instant. The blazing light made Kousaka Kyosuke subconsciously reach out to cover his helmet.]

[A high-temperature hurricane blew through his body, but in contrast to the heat his skin felt through the armor, Kousaka Kyousuke's heart felt as if it had sunk to the bottom of a lake full of ice, and a bone-chilling chill surged from deep within his bones.]

[This is terrible…]

[When the heat wave and strong light stopped blowing, Kousaka Kyosuke slowly lowered his arms and looked up at the huge black shadow in front of him that blocked the sun above his head. His expression under the helmet was as gloomy as water.]

[The pitch-black tentacles were dancing everywhere, and a pitch-black mushroom-like alien plant was entrenched on the highway ahead. Its huge body not only blocked the sunlight, but also completely blocked the police's road to a victorious future.]

[Me-Ginoga-De·Enhanced·Evolved·Elemental Awakening (Flame·Mutation).]

[“G——0!!!”]

[Ginoga, who activated his enhanced body, was also affected by this power. His personality became more wanton and extremely violent. His huge roar echoed throughout the highway, turning into transparent sound waves that swept across all the dust on the concrete road surface.]

[Its roar was filled with incomparable anger. It was obvious that Ginoga hated him completely because of what happened to him before.]

【“…”】

[Kousaka Kyosuke was in the midst of the other party's roar, silently watching the distance and time displayed in the lower left corner of his vision.]

[Two minutes, just two more minutes of driving, and this battle will end with humanity's victory.]

【But this short two-minute journey, which is less than the time of a song, has become a fantasy that will never come true.】

【Two minutes, the results are very different. 】

[Kousaka Kyosuke looked back and saw the tall buildings whose outlines were still clearly visible in his field of vision. He knew that this plan had completely failed.]

[Under this circumstance, unless the Self-Defense Forces dispatch bombers directly, there is no way to deal with No. 25. ]

[Kousaka Kyosuke, who is well aware of the impressive efficiency of Japanese politicians, said that he has never entertained the illusion that the probability of success of the gun ban is even smaller than that of the lighthouse. He estimated that it would take about a week just to hold meetings and shirk responsibility.]

[If those guys had this kind of courage and determination, my father wouldn't have died in the line of duty.]

[But he was not depressed. Kousaka Kyosuke was never the kind of man who would bow his head in defeat. Facing this situation, he would not feel despair or fear. He would only calmly draw his weapon and fight regardless of life or death.]

[The pitch-black tentacles waved vigorously to clear the smoke and dust in the air, and a large piece of phosphorus powder fell from the body of the plant, ignited by the high temperature in the air and turned into a continuous curtain of fire.]

[One after another, vague shapes gradually took shape in the flames. When the flames dissipated, dozens of different pairs of feet stepped on the ground, and one after another, identical heads were raised, silently like a well-trained army.]

[It was the same split body as the last time we fought, but based on visual observation alone, we roughly estimated that the total number was about double that of the last time.]

[“…Get ready, Ms. Ebina.”]

[Kousaka Kyosuke gripped the handlebars tightly, staring intently at the army of split bodies marching in an orderly manner towards him on the road ahead. However, the number of dozens of bodies gave off a momentum like a mighty army.]

[“Please transfer the authority to activate full load mode to me now. The battle ahead will not allow for any hesitation or carelessness. Also, please notify your superiors to evacuate all citizens in the nearby area as much as possible.”]

[“…It seems you have made up your mind, Kousaka-kun.”]

[There was a short silence on the communication line, and then Ebina's sigh was heard again. ]

[“Actually, it’s okay for you to run away now, you know? After all, no one would ask you to fight a battle you can’t win. If there is a chance, let him go first… I want to say this, but I don’t think you’ll listen, right?”]

[“I can’t win. Sorry, I don’t understand.”]

[“It seems… you are really ready to face death.”]

[“Please don’t say that. I am not completely hopeless…our trump card hasn’t arrived yet. I will not die before he arrives.”]

[Kousaka Kyosuke said softly, turning the handlebar vigorously with his right hand.]

【boom--】

[The blue-gold tail flame erupted from the motorcycle's exhaust pipe, and the whole motorcycle let out a deep roar. The rear wheel kept rubbing against the ground, but the motorcycle remained firmly in place under the control of the left hand holding the handlebar, like a beast ready to attack.]

[At the same time, the GO armor on Kousaka Kyosuke's body began to flash blue electric light, and each nozzle began to bloom with blue flames, even passing through the handlebars to Graham, who was integrated with the motorcycle, and ignited blue static fires with jumping electric light on the horns.]

[He actually activated the largest chassis right from the start. It was obvious that he was ready to fight to the death.]

[“Are you so confident that Yihui can make it here? You know, he is still lying in the hospital due to serious injuries.”]

"I believe him."

[Faced with Ebina's question, Kousaka Kyosuke answered without hesitation, with a firm and decisive tone. ]

[“So far, he has accomplished so many things that ordinary people think are impossible, and now he is just surpassing his limits and standing up again. Why can't I have faith in Zaimokuza?”]

[“You know, he’s Zaimokuza Yoshiki, a big fool who wants to protect everyone’s smiles at all costs.”]

[“I really can’t refute what you said.”]

["——Kosaka-kun."]

[After saying this, Kousaka Kyosuke let go of the handlebars without hesitation and drove the motorcycle towards the huge monster surrounded by dozens of figures. The huge difference in the number of people and size between the two sides made him look like a mouse charging towards an elephant.]

[I believe in you. I believe you will be able to cross the boundary of life and death and come to my side again to fight side by side with me.]

【so……】

[Kousaka Kyosuke reached out and pulled out the pistol fixed on his waist, aimed at the split body in front that had taken out the weapon, and decisively pulled the trigger. ]

[——You must come back, Zaimokuza! ]

【boom--】

[With the sound of a gunshot, the battle between one and dozens began. ]

23. The Door of Memory: The Truth Hidden in the Dark (5k)

[His white researcher's coat fluttered as he walked, and Hikigaya Hachiman walked into the strange research room with a blank expression.]

[His hair is no longer randomly sticking out in all directions like it was in high school, but has been neatly pinned into a 2:8 split style with hair wax. He wears a pair of frameless glasses, getting rid of those dead eyes and bookish air. His whole body is full of bookish air, and at first sight, one would think he is an excellent and intelligent person of social talent.]

[But the emotions that once existed in those eyes and were familiar to Zaimokuza have completely disappeared.]

[Empty, dead silence, darkness... all the light and positive things have left his eyes and can no longer be seen.]

[The black leather shoe heels and the reflection of the glass floor merged into one, and Hikigaya walked through Zaimokuza's body, like the waves of the beach rolling over his feet.]

【"Why……"】

【Zaimokuza turned his head and stared at the familiar figure, murmuring like a dream.】

[The person in front of him is undoubtedly his best friend...Hikiko Hachiman who passed away many years ago.]

[But why? Why did such a scene appear in his memory? ]

[Zaimokuza is not stupid. Through everything that happened before, he had already figured out that he was actually dreaming, and the scenes in these dreams were all made up of his own memories.]

[Including the "Hikigaya Hachiman" who appeared before him before, in essence, it was just an illusion formed through Zaimokuza's inner desire, not the real person. 】

[When Zaimokuza guessed this fact, he felt empty inside for a moment, but also felt relieved as if a heavy burden had been lifted.]

[Because this is correct, the dead can never be resurrected, this is the rule of this world. It may feel inhumane and painful at first, but after a long time, people's inner pain will be healed and they can move on to the future.]

[Zaimokuza did miss his deceased best friend, but he had never thought of such an outrageous thing as resurrection, so he was so excited when he saw that "Hikigaya Hachiman" before, and kept chasing after him. ]

[But in the process of chasing and shuttling through past memories, he gradually saw the truth and slowly stopped his steps.]

[…That’s right. Only dreams can explain all this and why he saw the dead again.]

[This is not real after all. It is just the unwillingness hidden deep in my heart, the remnant of past obsessions, and my own revolving lantern.]

[That’s what he originally thought.]

[But everything I saw now completely shattered the cognition that Zaimokuza had built up. ]

[Because he can guarantee that the last time he saw his best friend was at the funeral, and the two of them had no contact for nearly a year. Or in other words, all his unilateral contact was rejected by Hikigaya, so he couldn't even meet him.]

[And there is one most suspicious thing, that is, Zaimokuza has never known what kind of research Hikigaya has been doing at MIT. He doesn't even know where his laboratory is, let alone where he has entered... But why does such a scene appear in his memory? ]

[So what exactly am I seeing now? ]

【Isn’t all this just a dream? 】

……

[While Zaimokuza was filled with shock and disbelief, Hikigaya had already walked over to the table with several computers.]

[In such an anti-human abnormal space, his sense of direction did not deviate at all, and he arrived at his destination as if walking on flat ground. The mirrors on all sides reflected countless images, as if countless Hikigaya Hachiman were constantly extending in this space at the same time.]

[Hikigaya walked to the table and reached out his hand, gently picking up a photo frame placed in front of the computer, and brushed his fingers across the photo framed in it.]

【“…”】

[The lens of the glasses reflects the contents of the framed photo——]

[In the somewhat yellowed photo, a girl in home clothes is quietly sleeping on the sofa, holding an upside-down orange cat in her hands, and the expression between her eyebrows appears peaceful and tranquil as she falls asleep.]

[As his rough fingers stroked the girl's sleeping face, Hikigaya's eyes, as deep and terrifying as black holes, changed in an instant.]

[At that moment, his eyes regained their emotions, and the feeling of being human once again filled the depths of his eyes, with a color of tenderness and attachment.]

[“Soon…soon it will be done.”]

[He whispered the girl's name, and the sound echoed in the silent research room.]

【“——Komachi.”】

"Ugh?"

In reality, when Hikigaya Komachi heard the call of "Hikigaya Hachiman" from the light curtain, her expression suddenly froze.

"This voice..."

Hikigaya Komachi recalled that she had heard this voice before, before she left the classroom.

Even though she was in a dangerous situation where she was about to fall, when that voice rang out, Hikigaya Komachi could feel a genuine sense of security rising from her heart, dispelling all her uneasiness.

That voice was obviously very different from that of her brother. Whether it was the tone or the emotions contained in it, there was almost no similarity that could connect the two. But when she heard this voice, Hikigaya Komachi still subconsciously called out the familiar name.

"elder brother?"

[“Hachiman, you…”]

【Looking at Hikigaya's back, Zaimokuza, who was half-kneeling on the spot, fell silent after hearing the name he said, and his fists slowly clenched.】