My youth story cannot be a knight war

12. Belief, Heritage, and Change (5K)

[As his finger pressed the "trigger" on the left side of the phone, bullets formed from blazing white light shot out from the muzzle, and three shots were fired in succession.]

The laser beam exploded, sending white currents through the air. Three beam bullets struck the white iron table in quick succession, instantly shattering it. The remaining parts ignited in flames.

"Indeed, this phone can be used for calls and as a pistol. I'm very satisfied with it."

Under Ebina Himena's dazed gaze, Kousaka Kyosuke calmly retracted the "pistol" that had just fired the bullet, folded it back into its original position on the phone, and gently closed the cover. The sound of the cover clashing also woke Ebina from her daydreaming state.

“——Aa ...

Ebina suddenly clutched her head in her hands, a high-pitched, piercing wail unique to women echoing throughout the laboratory for a long time. She stared at the shattered iron table lying on the ground in the distance, her expression a perfect example of wanting to cry but having no tears.

"Kousaka-kun! What the hell are you doing? The weapons testing ground is right next door, right?!"

Ebina squatted down and, with trembling fingers, picked up a few pieces of the iron table that had splashed down at her feet. After recalling the price of the iron table, which was made of a special alloy steel, she felt an overwhelming pain that made her eyes go dark.

Funding has always been a perpetual enemy for researchers. To squeeze out even the smallest bit of extra funding, all researchers are practically pathologically frugal, making them all typical misers. Even a genius scientist like Ebina is no exception, or perhaps even more so.

She immediately turned around and looked at Kousaka, who was putting his phone back into the box as if nothing had happened, and accused him with tears in her eyes:

"This is all money! It's all my money! And it's the money you sold your body to me, Kosaka-kun! How could you be so cruel as to do such a thing?"

"Besides, due to the development of Sleipnir and the neurolytic missiles used against Unit 35, the institute's budget is already completely in deficit this month! Do you know how much this table cost?! Ugh~ I need instant noodles again!"

"Kousaka-kun, you have to pay me back!!!"

"...Ms. Ebina, this is Japan, not America. No matter how expensive a table is, it won't cost $40,000 like buying a wheelbarrow there."

[After hearing Ebina's words, Kousaka's eyes twitched violently, and he spoke in a slightly speechless voice.]

"But you didn't lie this time like you did before. The development of Sleipnir and the previous batch of missiles has indeed almost completely exhausted the funding allocated by the Metropolitan Police Department. You even secretly used the remaining money to buy high-end cosmetics. I had Gogen find a way to make up for this."

【"Well……"】

【"--but."】

Ebina's tearful expression froze, and Kousaka's tone suddenly changed. His calm tone now revealed a sharp edge.

"Even though the Metropolitan Police Department's funding has run out... that doesn't mean the other funding has run out too, right?"

After hearing these words, the expression on Ebina's face slowly faded, and his glasses were covered in a strange white reflection.

“Hey~ That’s really interesting, Kousaka-kun. Are you really saying—?”

"I'm not kidding, Miss Ebina."

[Kousaka interrupted Ebina, staring at her intently, his voice low.]

"I only need one promise from you. I can't control anything else. But after my death, you must completely destroy the G1 itself and all related research materials. Absolutely no trace of it can remain in this world. This is something that modern humans cannot touch."

"I'm a police officer whose duty is to protect citizens, and a warrior who guards humanity... But I've never trusted human nature. This lesson and this mistake, once, is enough."

“Human nature is full of weaknesses, especially when it comes to the pursuit of power and strength. People often resort to any means necessary, without even considering whether they possess the necessary capabilities.”

Kosaka tapped the box in front of him that contained the phone, his index finger repeatedly tapping the logo printed on the box, his eyes glancing pointedly at Ebina.

"Excessively powerful forces can arouse people's greed. The G1 system possesses this value. However, they have never considered that when they obtain the treasure chest of G1, what they release upon opening it may not be power and might, but a demon capable of destroying the entire world."

“And I want to make sure that after I die, this Pandora’s Box that seals the devil will be buried with me and will never appear in this world again… This is the last thing I can do for this world.”

"...Kousaka-kun, your words are truly profound~"

Ebina was silent for a moment, then he reached up and pushed his glasses up, his usual half-smile returning to his face.

"Are you saying that I would allow anyone other than you to use the G1 system even though I know how dangerous it is?"

"I believe you wouldn't do that, Miss Ebina, but—I don't trust the forces behind you."

Staring at the box on the table in front of him, Kousaka's voice was calm, with a wisdom and calmness that could not be described as human.

"Ms. Ebina, I'm no longer the child who dreamed of becoming a hero of justice. Now I know that the world isn't simply black and white. Everyone has their own secrets and reasons. So, while we're all united in our fight against the Gurongi, there are some things I'll never get involved in."

"But this doesn't mean I'm unconditionally tolerant."

He raised his head and looked at the woman not far away. He silently stretched out his right hand and pulled off the black glove on his right hand, revealing his palm and five fingers.

The next second, this human hand twisted rapidly, its bronze skin replaced by black. Its five fingers were covered in three layers of sharp, curved armor, corresponding to the three joints of the fingers. A sharp, sickle-shaped bone blade pierced through the windbreaker on the side of the arm, revealing its ferocious appearance.

【“!”】

Witnessing such a change in the human body for the first time with his own eyes, even someone as calm as Ebina couldn't help but change his expression slightly. The irises of his eyes behind his lenses shrank dramatically like the focus of a magnifying glass.

"Grongi, this race has been causing bloodshed and suffering since their awakening. They are humanity's undeniable enemies. There is no place for these monsters in this world."

Kosaka raised his transformed arm to cover half of his face. His unobstructed left eye looked at Ebina through the blade of his arm, but his eyes flashed with a sharpness far colder than the blade itself.

"We have paid such heavy sacrifices and are finally on the verge of exterminating these monsters. The proof of this race's existence should be buried in darkness along with Zero's future death. I will never allow anyone to peek at anything they may have left behind."

“As long as anyone harbors this thought, no matter who they are, even if they are human, I will not hesitate to point my gun at their heart and pull the trigger, burying that ambition with a bullet—regardless of who they are, I will show no mercy.”

"Even if it means bearing the sin of killing a human, I will definitely take his life... That is my resolve."

【“…”】

He spoke these last words with absolute certainty, leaving no room for doubt. Feeling the determination in Kousaka's words, which was far stronger than words could convey, Ebina could only remain silent.

"Ms. Ebina, I'm not sure if we're actually friends, but we've been acquaintances for several years now, so I don't want to be polite. I'll just be blunt and say what I want to say."

[As they talked, his palm returned to its original shape. Kousaka put the glove back on, silently looking at Ebina as he did so, his eyes dancing with complex colors.]

"Actually, I've known for a while that you, Ms. Ebina, were no ordinary person. Especially after you developed the G0, a weapon specifically designed to counter Gurongi, I knew you must be hiding many secrets. Although I know nothing about science, I'm no fool."

"This equipment is a weapon that's simply impossible to develop in Japan today. The chip that powers it alone surpasses even Japan's most advanced semiconductor technology... Yet, with such technological prowess, Miss Ebina, you're willing to condescend to serve as a mere scientific advisor and R&D director at the Metropolitan Police Department? I don't believe you're simply doing this because of your father's connections."

"While this may seem like a discredit to my government job, I'm well aware that the funding issue alone would keep over 99% of aspiring researchers away from this place. After all the layers of funding, only about half of the approved funding would reach you. Therefore, aside from seasoned veterans looking to get by, no scientist would want to come here. I don't think you, Miss Ebina, are that kind of person."

"A top scientist like you shouldn't be working at a research institute affiliated with the Metropolitan Police Department, but rather at an internationally renowned tech giant. For talented individuals, funding is never a problem in such places... and that's certainly the case."

[Kousaka's hand caressed the box in front of him, his palm stroking the logo on the box back and forth.]

“Smart Brain.”

He whispered the name of the company the logo represented.

"I know this company. It's a cutting-edge tech company that's made a name for itself internationally in recent years. Despite its status as a newcomer, its scientific achievements are enough to make even established tech giants hesitate to underestimate it. They possess vast, unspecified funding, with offices around the globe. Their focus extends beyond technological research and development, encompassing a wide range of sectors, including aerospace, energy, healthcare, education, finance, real estate... practically every lucrative and reputable sector has its finger on the pulse."

[“Similarly… these aspects also include the field of ‘military’.”]

His palms slowly clenched, gripping the sides of the box tightly. The terrifying force made the box creak. A dark, cloud-like color passed through his eyes.

"This company is particularly well-known in the arms industry, nicknamed the 'Arms Merchants of Death.' The weapons they invent have frequently appeared in many war-torn regions around the world in recent years. Their quality is exceptional, and they've even become the official supplier of weapons to many regimes, stealing revenue from many established arms dealers. This has led to numerous lawsuits and even assassination attempts against the company, but they've all ultimately been resolved."

"Not only that, but afterward, all the families or factions that had previously filed lawsuits against Smart Brain suffered various mishaps. The sudden and unexplained deaths of those in power were commonplace, and some even saw entire families vanish from the face of the earth, leaving not a trace of them anywhere... While similar incidents have occurred with many rising tech giants and chaebols throughout history, none have come close to the scale of this company's actions. Even Interpol has launched numerous operations targeting this company, but despite significant losses, they've achieved nothing. Their public relations and evidence destruction were flawless, completely clearing them of all suspicion and responsibility."

"This company is now so large that it's practically a nation in name only. Even many international governments are afraid to antagonize it, as it controls the military spheres of many nations. Even small countries require their consent and support for leadership changes, as otherwise, a well-equipped rebel army would suddenly appear the day after the leader takes office."

"In short, this company has become a bona fide military-industrial complex, and even within that complex, it's definitely at the forefront. Their weapons research capabilities are definitely at the forefront of human civilization."

"Although I don't know the specific details or reasons behind this, I do know one thing: weapons need to be tested, especially weapons like exoskeleton armor. They require a large amount of actual combat data... And what better place in the world to use as a testing ground than a city full of monsters? There's no need to hide it."

[At this point, Kousaka's eyes met Ebina's, and the implication was clear.]

“…I didn’t intend to keep this a secret until the end, but I never expected you, Kousaka-kun, to start suspecting me so early on.”

Ebina pushes up his glasses, speaking calmly. Kousaka shakes his head, points to the logo, and speaks softly.

“I only suspected it before, but it’s only now that I’ve completely confirmed this suspicion.”

"So, what are you going to do, Kousaka-kun? Arrest the evil scientist who developed the weapons and put him in jail? Or just shoot him on the spot for espionage?"

"...We're still friends now, right, Ms. Ebina?"

[“Hmm~”]

Ebina snorted softly, but Kousaka had already understood what she meant. A faint smile flickered at the corner of his mouth, and then he grasped the handle of the box, lifted it up, and turned to leave.

[Watching Kousaka's departing back, Ebina was somewhat surprised at his choice and asked curiously.]

"You've figured it all out, but you're just trying to get a promise from me? You know what might happen if you let me go, but you're still planning on just leaving it alone?"

"Or is it because I'm your friend, Kousaka-kun?"

[Her question made Kousaka stop in his tracks. He raised his head, looked at the ceiling above him and spoke softly.]

"Perhaps that's a factor... But I don't know if it's because I know my own death is approaching, but I have a different perspective on many things now."

"For example, each generation has its own mission. My generation's mission is to bury the Gurongi that endanger humanity in darkness. This is what I must do, and it must be accomplished by me. I cannot leave it to the next generation."

"The previous generation completed their duties and left no problems for the next generation. The next generation, in turn, has its own mission to fulfill. Therefore, I only need to complete my own duties... I believe the next generation will also be able to complete their own mission."

[“This is probably what is called inheritance.”]

Kosaka raised his right hand. Time and space rapidly regressed at this moment. The blood that once covered his hand reappeared in his eyes. He gently closed his eyes.

[Now I seem to understand your original thoughts...]

【Dad.】

"Of course—there's another major reason besides this."

【Kousaka put down his hand, turned to look at Ebina, and suddenly laughed. 】

“I trust that idiot, so I’m willing to trust the person he trusts—a person he trusts absolutely cannot possibly bring disaster to humanity.”

"That's my reason, Ms. Ebina."

[Kousaka Kyosuke left, as peacefully as he had arrived, leaving Ebina alone in the laboratory.]

She sat back in her chair, staring quietly at the table in front of her. Her mind kept replaying what Kousaka had said just before she left. Her eyes behind her glasses seemed hazy and dreamy.

"The person he trusts definitely won't bring disaster to humanity... right?"

[“Heh~”]

Ebina suddenly laughed, her hands tightly gripping the handles of her chair, her body trembling slightly. After she finished laughing, she raised her head and turned to look at her desk behind her.

"You're right, but you forgot one thing, Kousaka-kun—people change over time."

On the table, besides a photo of Zaimokuza and Ebina taken during their high school "dating," there's another framed photo of students from the same department at MIT.

[Looking at the photo, Ebina lowered his eyes slightly and sighed silently, his eyes now filled with inexplicable worry and gloom.]

[In the end, only a few people in this world can remain unchanged forever, because time is the most powerful force in the world. Its erosion can change most people in our memory beyond recognition, until they are no longer recognizable.]

Kosaka was right. Ebina does have many secrets hidden within her heart, but even what he just revealed is only a fraction of the secrets buried deep within her. Like the tip of an iceberg rising above the sea, beneath lies a darker and more unbearable truth and past that should never be known.

“Not everyone remains unchanged… A good person can become a villain, committing all manner of evil, or even become a demon that has completely lost its humanity.”

[Even if that person was once your closest lover or best friend.]

[Ebina covered the upper half of his face, the curve of his face slowly disappearing, becoming complicated and bitter.]

"People always change... Do you understand this?"

【“Yihui.”】

13. Confused Cause and Effect (6K)

Chiba Prefecture, Chiba Benbun High School, health room.

"..."

Looking at "Kousaka Kyosuke" who left after leaving these words on the light screen, Kousaka Kyosuke's expression was very complicated.

He had always thought that the main theme of this "story" was the war between humans and the Gurongi. To explain it in professional terms, it was a classic heroic story. The protagonists at the center of the story fought to the death with the villains, the Gurongi, and in the end defeated Zero, who now seemed to be the final boss, and regained the peace and happiness of the past.

But now Takasaka suddenly woke up. No matter how much the presentation looked like a "story", the scene played on the screen was undoubtedly reality, a certain future, and something that happened in the real world.

Reality isn't fiction or television drama, and this extreme binary of good and evil is ultimately only an ideal. In the real world, everyone has their own secrets and pasts. Purely good people like Kousaka Kyousuke and Zaimokuza Yoshiki, who seek to benefit others without seeking personal gain, possess a sense of transcendence and unreality compared to others, more like the kind of heroes found only in books and paintings.

Once thought to be merely a supporting role, providing assistance to the protagonists, Ebina Hina is revealed to be a scientist working for the military-industrial complex. The weapons she develops are real, potentially deployed on a battlefield in the future. Even her assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department is merely to gather experimental data. This revelation shatters Kousaka's previous impression of her character, further deepening his understanding that this isn't just a fabricated story showcasing "truth, goodness, and beauty," but rather a reality encompassing the often-shunned "falsehood, ugliness, and evil."

It turns out that under the backdrop of the future struggle between humans and Gurongi, there are actually many undercurrents hidden within humanity. Interests, human nature, and even positions are intertwined, making the direction of things seem more and more confusing. No one can predict what the future will be like.

But... looking at the thin figure gradually disappearing in the dark passage, Kousaka Kyosuke sighed heavily, with mixed feelings in his heart.

"What's that 'I'm no longer the child who admired heroes of justice'... I never thought you could deceive yourself, future me."