My youth story cannot be a knight war

[The next moment, this premonition became reality.]

"Oh no! Zaimokuza-san!"

"Miss Wu Geng?"

[After the communication was connected, the anxious voice of the policewoman sounded from the other end, and the news she revealed made Zaimokuza's face change in an instant.]

"Number Three has appeared again! He's appeared in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, and this time he's killing everyone he sees! Over fifty people have been killed so far!"

"Its appearance this time is vastly different from the previous information, and its strength is astonishing. The police's conventional heavy firepower can do almost no harm to Number Three. Now it's killing as it advances, and many officers have already died trying to stop it!"

"Two more of them appearing together? And at this very moment... Wait!"

Upon hearing this news, Zaimokuza clenched his teeth for a moment, then suddenly realized that something was wrong.

"Wait, Miss Wugeng, where exactly is Number Three now?"

It is now located in Kawaguchi City. Previously, the first place where the number three appeared in Saitama Prefecture was Kawaguchi City, then Miyoshi Town, and Kawagoe City was the third city to appear.

[“Kawaguchi City, Miyoshi Town, Kawagoe City—could it be!?”]

Zaimokuza mentally recalled the route map Gooma had appeared on. The three cities formed a curved line on the map in his mind, and the direction it pointed to made his eyes widen suddenly.

"—Nagano Prefecture! Number Three's target is Nagano Prefecture!"

Zaimokuza immediately deduced the direction Gooma was heading. This was not difficult at all, because there was a ruin at Kurodake in Nagano Prefecture. This ruin was the place where all the Gurongi were first revived.

Although it's unclear why Gooma went there, its target is clearly the ruins. Since there are still many mysteries there that remain unsolved, there must be a reason for it to go there—but this doesn't matter to Zaimokuza at all!

The real reason why he broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this news was because the ruins investigation team was currently stationed at the ruins, and at that moment, Yukinoshita Yukino and Totsuka Ayaka, old friends of Zaimokuza High School, were also there!

“Damn it! That guy’s real target is the ruins on Jiulangyue! That’s where it’s headed!”

["Huh? Jiulang Yue!"]

[At Gokou Ruri's surprised cry, Zaimokuza suddenly stopped the motorcycle, and a fierce struggle began in his heart.]

What should we do? Should we immediately change course and head towards Nagano Prefecture to stop Number Three? But then, what about Number Thirty-Four?

If I leave No. 34 alone, more people will surely be killed by it, but...

[Totsuka-san, the captain—]

The faces of his two friends flashed through his mind. Zaimokuza, having removed his helmet, clutched his hair in agony, his eyes grim and struggling as he stared at the communicator on the front of the car.

["...Mr. Zaimokuza?"]

"Miss Gogen, the most urgent matter now is—"

Perhaps it was a long time later, or perhaps it was only a short while later, when Gokou Ruri's voice rang out again, Zaimokuza had already made his decision. He raised his head after a moment of silence, and spoke with a determined gaze.

"Let's deal with number 34 first."

【""well?""】

[Two overlapping voices rang out from the communicator in front of Gokou Ruri, and then both Zaimokuza and Gokou were stunned.]

“This voice? Could it be—”

["——Mr. Kosaka!?"]

[Just as Gokou Ruri was feeling unbelievable, Zaimokuza's surprised voice sounded in the communicator, and then Kousaka Kyousuke's calm and rational voice replaced it.]

"Prioritize handling Case 34 now. Five minutes later, immediately notify the investigation team in Nagano Prefecture and have them evacuate. Do not go to the nearby police station. Find a nearby residence and hide with the residents."

"Then notify all police stations along the route and have them mobilize their forces. Try to lure Number Three away from his original direction, then launch an all-out sniper attack! If victory is impossible, retreat and try to buy us time."

"After dealing with number 34, mobilize all forces to deal with number 3!"

[…Yes! I understand!]

A familiar sense of security welled up in her heart. Grasping her chest, Gokou Ruri felt her panicked heart instantly calm down. She sighed deeply and spoke firmly.

Some people are like this. Even if they don't show up, when you hear their voice, you always feel that all dangers become vulnerable. They always bring you an infinite sense of security.

……

【not long ago. 】

Kanto Medical University Hospital, Intensive Care Unit, Tokyo.

【00:57 PM】

It was a long time before Makishima Saori calmed down. She raised her head from Kousaka Kyosuke's arms and sat silently beside the bed, her eyes still red.

She had been crying very loudly before, so to avoid attracting attention, Kousaka Kyosuke turned on the TV with the remote control and turned it up to full volume, then used the news broadcast to drown out her crying. After she calmed down, he turned the volume back down to its original level.

"Does anyone else know about this besides you?"

[“…Gone.”]

[Lying on the hospital bed, Kousaka Kyosuke looked at her and asked softly, while the female doctor was silent for a moment and then shook her head slightly.]

"Don't tell anyone."

[Kousaka Kyosuke said this softly, and Makishima Saori couldn't help but clench her slender fingers and asked hesitantly.]

"You...really not going to tell me? What will you do then? How are you going to explain this to Kirino and Auntie? You can't keep it a secret forever!"

[…By then, Kirino will only know that her brother died in battle against an unidentified life form. Like many other police officers who sacrificed their lives in this battle, Kousaka Kyousuke will be buried in the same cemetery as those officers… Other than that, she won’t need to know so many things that make her feel powerless.]

“She has grown up, and I believe my sister will be stronger than I thought.”

"What about Auntie? Do you think she can handle the loss of her son? And after losing her husband, she has to attend her son's funeral again?"

【“…”】

【Only when faced with this question did Kousaka Kyosuke not answer immediately, or rather, he was unable to answer.】

[“…And Kirino, stay by Mom’s side.”]

Under Makishima Saori's gaze, Kousaka Kyosuke spoke hesitantly. Although he chose to avoid a direct answer, his attitude was clearly expressed.

"—Stupid son!"

After hearing the words "Kousaka Kyosuke", although Kousaka Yoshino outside the light curtain had barely calmed down from the news that her "son" was dying, she still couldn't help but speak in a voice with a slight cry.

"..."

Kosaka Daisuke beside her remained silent, as he knew that it was useless to persuade her at this time.

Because in this respect, the father and son of the Kosaka family are exactly the same. When he was a child, Kosaka Daisuke was just like Kosaka Kyosuke now. He didn't understand why his father was always busy with work and neglected his family, and he also had complaints in his heart. At that time, no matter how his mother persuaded him, he would not listen.

It was not until he grew up and followed in his father's footsteps to become a policeman that he understood the difficulties his father had faced, and in the end he became the same person as his father.

And now, his son is embarking on the same path as himself in the future...even the ending may be so similar.

To some extent, this really seems like a continuation of fate. The men of the Kosaka family always have conflicts with their fathers when they are young, but when they grow up, they all become people like the fathers they once hated.

As someone who has walked the same path before, even though he did not express it explicitly, Kousaka Daisuke still affirmed Kousaka Kyosuke's choice in his heart.

——Just go for it, Kyousuke.

[The atmosphere between the two of them fell silent because of this sentence, and the already quiet ward seemed even more silent.]

"...So, what about Zaimokuza?"

Makishima Saori was silent for a moment, then asked again.

"Don't you plan to tell him about this?"

“Let him forget it.”

After hearing this name, Kousaka Kyosuke's expression suddenly changed, his eyes rolled upwards, and he spoke with a tone filled with extreme disgust.

"I'm finally getting rid of that idiot. I don't want him to cry at my own funeral. If that happens, I'll have nightmares even in heaven."

"Pfft~ What's that? So you, Kousaka-kun, hate Zaimokuza so much?"

[Although she felt heavy-hearted, Makishima Saori couldn't help but burst out laughing when she heard Kousaka Kyosuke's complaints.]

"I don't hate it."

Kousaka Kyousuke glanced to the left at another bed in the ward. It was Zaimokuza's. After their third hospitalization, Zaimokuza, sensing a prolonged stay, had simply drawn a chibi smiley face on the railing next to the bed. This was like a rabbit rubbing its chin against everything around it, imbuing it with scent and declaring it its exclusive territory.

Looking at the cute smiley face on the railing not far away, Kousaka Kyosuke narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke with a pair of dead fish eyes.

[…I just think that idiot should just smile like before. After all, crying really doesn’t suit him.]

"And I also promised him that I would see him off when he continued on his adventure. I really don't want to see him crying like a little girl at that time. And to be honest..."

【Speaking of this, Kousaka Kyosuke couldn't help but sigh. 】

"I hope that the day Zaimokuza and I part ways will come as soon as possible. He was never meant to be involved in these bloody affairs, but to protect everyone's smiles, he had to wield the violence he hated most. I hope he can return to his life as soon as possible."

"Really? I see you guys have such an agreement. I'm really jealous~"

Makishima Saori held her chin with both hands, the smile on her face looking particularly gentle at this moment, although the color in her eyes was still a little dim.

"When you part ways, will you cry? Or will you smile and wish him well as he begins his journey?"

“Of course I would bless him with a smile…if he still had a smile on his face at that time.”

[“Eh? What do you mean—”]

【"Urgent news interrupt."】

Makishima Saori was taken aback by Kousaka Kyosuke's words. Just as she was about to ask more questions, the news channel that was originally playing on the built-in TV in the hospital room suddenly rang out.

[The two people, attracted by this sentence, turned their attention to the TV in front of them. On the screen, the slightly balding news anchor announced the latest news with a serious expression.]

"Unidentified Lifeform No. 34 committed another crime in Setagaya Ward ten minutes ago, killing a taxi driver and passenger. For safety reasons, please refrain from using public transportation..."

"...Looks like our break is almost over, Makishima."

["Wait! Kosaka-kun!"]

Upon hearing this news, Makishima Saori immediately felt something was wrong. Turning back, she saw Kousaka Kyosuke slowly sitting up from the hospital bed, reaching out to take off his hospital gown.

She quickly reached out to stop Kousaka Kyosuke's movements. She tried to push him back onto the bed, but found she couldn't move him even a little bit. She spoke urgently.

"You can't go over there now! You've just recovered from your injuries! Going out now would be reckless!"

"I'm a police officer, and I'm also the commander-in-chief of the Unidentified Lifeform Investigation Headquarters. I'm indispensable for dispatching there."

[Kousaka Kyosuke tried to persuade her, but Makishima Saori retorted even louder.]

"Then you can stay here. I'll bring your phone and other communication tools over, and you can just give orders remotely from here!"

【"But--"】

"I'm a doctor, Kosaka-kun! Your current physical condition requires rest. This is my bottom line!"

Makishima Saori and Kousaka Kyosuke stared at each other without giving in. The two of them stared at each other for a long time, neither willing to give in.

【"……All right."】

[Finally, under the female doctor's glare, Kousaka Kyosuke chose to give in and whispered while looking away.]

[“Okay, wait, I’ll do it now—”]

Seeing the man's willingness to compromise, Makishima Saori breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she turned to grab something, she felt a sudden impact on her neck.

When Makishima Saori turned her back to him, Kousaka Kyosuke raised his palms without hesitation and struck her on the neck. With his skilled strength and technique, Makishima Saori fainted before she could even react.

"I'm sorry, Makishima."

[Reaching out to catch the fallen female doctor, he laid her flat on his bed, and began to grope around her body.]

[Don't get me wrong, he wasn't aroused by the alluring figure of the unconscious female doctor and wanted to take advantage of her. He was just looking for something.]

"You hid it, after all."

After searching the other person's body but not finding what he was looking for, Kousaka Kyousuke, who had already searched the entire ward upon waking up but still found nothing, sighed and closed his eyes.

He stretched out his left palm toward the air in front of him, concentrating deeply on calling out from within his heart.

【——Come here.】

The next moment, he stretched out his clawed hand and suddenly felt something push his five clenched fingers apart from the palm of his hand. Kousaka Kyosuke immediately opened his eyes.

The jet-black belt was quietly held in his palm, as if it had been there from the beginning.

【“…”】

[Pulling his hand back, Kousaka Kyosuke looked at his face, which was still pale from excessive blood loss, reflected on the belt display screen and silently clenched his right palm.]

[Until I completely collapse, lend me your strength. ]