My youth story cannot be a knight war

Some people have noticed that the atmosphere is not right, and panic begins to spread among the crowd. Kousaka and Zaimokuza, noticing the movement below, begin to step farther apart, preparing for any response.

Baruba didn't react at all. She simply quietly turned her gaze away, finally glancing towards Kousaka. A cold sound escaped her delicate lips.

"Whether you like it or not, this cannot be stopped. This is not only Daguba's decision, but also the inevitable fate of this world—just like you."

[“The ‘ultimate darkness’ will eventually descend upon this world.”]

The wind blew up Baruba's skirt once again, lifting the white hem. From the edge of the hem, vibrant red petals fluttered. These petals reflected in their eyes, causing Kousaka and Zaimokuza's expressions to change simultaneously.

After leaving behind these disturbing words and messages, Baruba vanished. Surrounded by countless people, under the gaze of the two of them, his figure vanished into thin air along with the floating red petals, as if he had never existed.

【“…”】

A red rose petal floated past his eyes. Kousaka silently reached out two fingers and pinched it, rubbing his fingertips against the petal. His expression was darker than ever today.

["Mr. Kosaka..."]

[Clear footsteps were heard from afar, and Kousaka silently looked up, only to see Zaimokuza's expression, as if he was about to speak but couldn't.]

“What should I do next?”

Zaimokuza looked downstairs and saw some sharp-eyed people who had sensed something was wrong running quickly towards the school exit. The people running attracted even more people, and if this continued, it was only a matter of time before a stampede and someone died.

Kosaka didn't answer his question, but simply lowered the hand holding the rose petals and raised the hand holding the mobile gun.

【Bang bang bang——】

He pointed his gun at the sky above, his finger repeatedly pulling the trigger on his phone. In single-shot mode, three long laser beams shot into the sky. The three beams rising into the sky attracted the attention of the entire school, and the helicopters also responded.

All the snipers leaning out of the hatches retracted their bodies at this moment. The hatches closed tightly, and the helicopters rose together and then separated. After reaching a certain height, the helicopter pilots simultaneously pressed a button on their left hand side. A crisp click echoed from under the fuselage, and the connection between the ammunition belt and the gun body was disconnected.

The machine guns under all the helicopters began to spin, but what they fired out were not bullets, but fireworks that shone with a variety of colors.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple—a seven-colored fireworks exploded over the campus. The loud noise spread in all directions, causing those running toward the school exit to stop in their tracks. They stared blankly at the dazzling fireworks exploding overhead. The flames even temporarily obscured the sunlight, and the emotions in their eyes were no longer fear and anxiety, but joy.

Someone's voice erupted in exclamations and shouts, followed by one after another from the crowd, each one watching in amazement as the helicopters launched a continuous stream of fireworks from the sky. Many simply felt that today was the right time to celebrate Kitauji's anniversary; the sheer spectacle of hiring a fleet of helicopters to launch the fireworks was worth the price of admission.

Kousaka Kyousuke, always meticulous in his work, had already considered what to do if a fight didn't occur but the massive display caused panic. This was his Plan B: using massive fireworks and the crowd's cheers to disguise the spectacle as just part of the event, making it legitimate enough to leave no room for suspicion.

[And yet, on the rooftop, closest to the fireworks display, there wasn't a trace of laughter. Instead, there was a solemn and silent atmosphere, just like the moods of the two people there at the moment.]

"According to what B1 said, this should all be over."

[Kousaka raised his head and watched the fireworks explode in the sky. The various colored lights flashed one after another, but they could not illuminate the colors deep in his eyes.]

"B1... she's not just here to deliver a message; this is a true declaration of war."

"This is a declaration of war from the ancient race, the Gurongi, against us modern humans, for the final decisive battle!"

18. The Footsteps of the Final Battle (6K)

Chiba Prefecture, Chiba Benbun High School, health room.

"Declaration of war..."

After hearing the "Kousaka Kyosuke" in the light curtain say these words, Kousaka Kyosuke outside the light curtain couldn't help but clutch the collar on his left chest with his hand. He felt that his heart was beating uncontrollably at this moment, and the beating sound like a drum could be clearly heard even in his ears.

This war between humans and Gurongi...is it finally coming to an end?

Not only the people in the light curtain, but also many people outside the light curtain felt a little dazed at this time. In the vast world, the only sound they could hear was the sound of their own blood flowing.

Although many people hadn't noticed the passage of time since the advent of those two magical devices, video and light screens, even if they only counted the time spent watching, they had begun to sense the meaning of the word "long." From its beginning to its impending conclusion, this future war had left an indelible memory in the hearts of people on both sides of time and space.

Crying, smiling, tears, sadness, blood, vivid characters appear one after another, terrifying monsters are defeated one after another, and this story is finally about to usher in the same destined outcome as its peers. This final battle between two races, spanning tens of thousands of years, has finally sounded the bell in everyone's ears, and everything is about to come to an end.

Although many mysteries still remain, this battle will definitely determine the direction of this world in the more distant future. Will the hero defeat the devil and save the world, or will he be defeated by the devil and the world will be swallowed by darkness? All will be revealed soon.

“…It really feels like a dream.”

With his palms falling on the bed sheets, Kousaka looked up at the dark ceiling above his head and suddenly smiled.

"Even though I always dreamed of becoming a hero who could defeat evil and save the world when I was little...but when that wish actually came true and I saw myself becoming the person I had once dreamed of in the future, I couldn't feel happy at all."

"My future self, we actually shoulder the responsibility of whether this world can continue."

Kousaka looked at his hands, which were shaking slightly uncontrollably at the moment. It was not fear, but enormous pressure.

Even though he knew that the person who would shoulder this responsibility would be himself in the distant future, Kousaka still felt a terrifying pressure like a mountain falling down, causing waves of fierceness in the lake of his heart. It was hard to imagine what kind of pressure he would feel when he really took on this responsibility in the future that he knew would also come.

At this moment, he suddenly remembered a dream he had once had. In the dream, the peaceful world was destroyed. Countless thugs rushed into the ordinary campus, smashing, looting and burning. People fled crying. He was in the classroom, looking at the scene outside, thinking that perhaps now was the time for a hero to appear, and that hero was usually himself - a typical fantasy unique to adolescent boys, a standard example of the article "Dreams of Male Adolescence" in psychology.

But in that dream, when I walked out of that door countless times wanting to be a hero, I would always suddenly open my eyes in my original seat, looking out the window in shock at the "Kousaka Kyosuke" who had the same appearance as me, walking and laughing among the thugs, knocking those villains to the ground with one punch and one kick, saving the precarious campus, and being admired by countless classmates and teachers. This standard "God of War on Campus" or "The Return of the Dragon King" plot development is so cliché that even the purest 2D otaku is too lazy to complain.

But for some reason, every time he looked at himself like that, Kousaka always felt a sense of unreality. The face that once belonged to him blurred in the sunlight and the praise, and finally became a faceless figure with his own body. He would often realize at that moment that he was dreaming. Because even in his dreams, he knew that the dragon-proud self was simply a delusion, not the real "Kousaka Kyousuke" at all. It was just a delusion filled with various factors such as puberty and hormones.

He had no idea what a true hero looked like, much like a teenage boy waking up from an unspeakable dream with a woman nearing the final stage. The key was the lack of rendering of the most crucial module, so he could only rely on his imagination to construct and fill in the gaps, and then the dream would completely collapse like a computer program forced to fix a bug.

But now, Kousaka felt that he seemed to have found the key module. If he were to have that dream again, the face he saw outside the window this time would definitely be extremely clear, because that must be the face of "Kousaka Kyosuke".

There were no flowers and applause, no admiration, and his clothes had nothing to do with being glamorous. He only had a black windbreaker covered with scars, a revolver in his right hand, and a black belt around his waist. The real "Kyosuke Kosaka" walked past the window with a heavy and indifferent face, and the self inside the window could only stare at him blankly, watching him walk towards the final battlefield covered with blood and fire. He had even anticipated the ending.

Kousaka finally understood what a true hero was like, but from the moment he understood, he began to envy his childhood self immensely.

Because at least back then, I could choose to fearlessly uphold justice, but now I have begun to learn fear. At an age when he hasn't even fully grasped the word "responsibility", Kousaka has begun to understand the meaning of "price".

There is a price to pay for upholding justice, and so does being a hero.

"It's really annoying, this feeling."

Looking at his hands shaking uncontrollably, Kousaka slumped down on the hospital bed, the light in his eyes flickering.

"...Are you feeling the same way now, Zaimokuza?"

"..."

Zaimokuza also stared at the light screen silently, his eyes a little dazed at this time. Is it going to end?

This is a "story" centered around "myself" and written by myself.

[Kyoto Prefecture, Kitauji High School, Light Music Department. 】

【01:25 PM】

By this point, the event had entered its lunch break. The morning's spectacular spectacle had left all the visitors incredibly satisfied. Taking photos and screenshots and posting them on social media drew envious responses from their friends, who lamented not being there. Who could have imagined that my alma mater, often considered stingy, would be so generous this time, even hiring a Metropolitan Police Department helicopter to liven up the atmosphere with fireworks?

No one knew that not long ago, everyone here had been caught up in a horrific battle. If anything had gone wrong, Kitauji and the surrounding area would have been transformed from the peaceful and prosperous world they are today into a battlefield strewn with blood and ruin.

Kitauji even prepared a luxurious lunch in the cafeteria for the anniversary. Many visitors were bustling towards the cafeteria, with graduates reminiscing about their school days and strangers taking the opportunity to inspect the cafeteria's atmosphere and consider whether to invest or send their children to school there.

[The tables in the light music department were currently filled with food that the school had specially sent from the cafeteria. However, the food had gone from steaming hot to ice cold, and no one had touched a single bite.]

After what happened that morning, unlike the ignorant visitors downstairs, none of the insiders had any appetite for food.

A heavy and solemn atmosphere permeated the light music club. The principal, once second only to the school's leader, now stood at the door like a waiter in a restaurant, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, his eyes nervously glancing across the room, awaiting the outcome of the discussion.

[…After searching, it seems B1 has indeed left. No trace of him can be found on the surveillance cameras inside or around the school.]

Looking through the gap in the blinds at the crowd pouring into the cafeteria entrance, Kousaka Kyousuke silently lowered the fan he was holding. With a heavy expression, he turned to look at the people behind him.

"Now, we can discuss how to handle this matter... But no matter what, there is one thing that is certain."

【“…”】

Mio Akiyama, who was sitting opposite him with her head bowed, shuddered when she heard this. Her hands, resting flat on her knees, tightly gripped her over-the-knee stockings, like a prisoner awaiting the judge's verdict.

Looking at the girl trembling slightly, Kousaka sighed silently in his heart. His hard expression softened for a moment, but then became as hard as steel again.

"The Light Music Club, or rather, Akiyama... You can't stay in Kitauji right now."

【“!”】

Upon hearing these words, Akiyama Mio suddenly raised her head, her red eyes filled with tears that were about to fall, and her pale lips parted.

[“——Why? Kyousuke-nii!”]

The one who spoke up wasn't Akiyama Mio, but rather Ritsu Tainaka, who was sitting next to her. This tomboy, who had been silent until then, was ignited by Kousaka's words. She stood up, looked at him, and let out an angry shout.

【“That’s right! I don’t understand either!”

Hirasawa Yui also stood up. The two of them looked at the silent Kousaka. Although their voices were filled with anger, tears also filled their eyes. Whether emotionally or rationally, they could not accept the decision made by the other party.

"Mio-chan didn't do anything wrong! Why can't she stay here? Why can't she stay with everyone?!"

In the silence, Hirasawa Yui waved her hands, but contrary to her intense reaction, her voice trembled uncontrollably.

“Why? Why did we all come to Kitauji? We did this because we didn’t want to be separated! Why do we still have to do this—”

【"Because she's being targeted by Gurongi."】

[“——Ugh.”]

Before she could finish her words, Kousaka killed her with just one sentence. Hirasawa Yui dropped her hands helplessly and began to sob softly.

"So why is that?!"

【"Xiaolu!"】

"Cousin! Tian Jingzhong, stop now!"

The remaining Tianzhong Ritsu refused to accept this fact. Furious, she leaped over the table in front of her and, amid Kotobuki's exclamation, grabbed Kousaka's collar and shoved him against the wall. She raised her tearful eyes to meet his, and demanded a raspy question. Kousaka Reina, standing nearby, tried to separate the two, but Kousaka's silent right hand stopped her in her tracks.

"Why! Kyosuke-nii! Tell me why!!!"

The tomboy's roar and sobs echoed throughout the club room. Kousaka looked at the tear-stained face before him and silently lowered his gaze.

“We’ve all come here, why is it still like this… Why can’t these damn monsters let us go? We don’t want to be separated…”

"We agreed to keep working hard together until we get to the martial arts hall. We won't separate... woo."

[Tai Nakagura sobbed and rested her forehead on Kosaka's chest, tears dripping onto the floor. Everyone was silent as they listened to her heartfelt words.]

This girl was just venting her emotions, but she knew that the decision proposed by Kousaka was the best solution for Akiyama Mio.

Although the reason is unclear, there's no doubt that Akiyama Mio has been targeted by Unidentified Lifeform B1. It's clear they have some plans for her. If Zaimokuza hadn't arrived just now, no one dares to imagine what would have happened. The tomboy is well aware of this—but she simply can't accept it.

The scars left by the tragedy at her alma mater have yet to fade. But even if she's forced to move away from her roots, as long as she has her friends by her side, Ritsu Tainaka feels she can overcome this pain. The people in the light music club are her pillars of support.

But now, the pillar that had stood by her the longest was about to leave her, and it was because of the monsters that had taken everything from them. Even if she knew, what could she do? As just an ordinary girl, she couldn't protect Akiyama Mio from those monsters. And if she lost even this childhood sweetheart, she knew she would go completely mad.

[But the truth is, there's nothing they can do. If they want to protect Akiyama Mio, the best way is to let her leave first and come back after everything calms down.]

[…But how long will that take? No one knows. She’s afraid that if they separate this time, they might never see each other again.]

【"law……"】

Feeling a warm touch on his arm, Ritsu Tainaka turned his head and saw the face of his childhood sweetheart.

Although Akiyama Mio's face was also pale, she still forced herself to maintain a strong expression, shook her head towards Tianzhong Ritsu, and spoke softly.

“It’s not your fault, nor is it anyone else’s fault… but this is the best solution.”

"I don't want to be separated from everyone, but... I don't want anyone to get hurt because of this."

Tears fell from her eyes, and Akiyama Mio's voice also became choked. She suppressed her sadness and spoke with a smile.

"And I'm not never coming back. I'm just leaving here temporarily. Just like you said, we agreed to go to the martial arts hall together."

[“Before we fulfill our promise, I will definitely, definitely—”]

"Mio-senpai..."

She couldn't continue, lowering her head and beginning to sob. Nakano Azusa, who had already broken down in tears, hugged her from the side and buried her face in Akiyama Mio's back.

["Mio...oooooooooooooo!!!!!!"]

Releasing her grip on Kousaka's collar, Taichu Ritsu embraced her childhood sweetheart, followed by Kotobuki and Hirasawa Yui. These five girls, who had been inseparable for so long, now cried bitterly over parting. Their arms clutched each other's clothing, expressing their deep reluctance to part.

["...Mr. Kosaka."]

Zaimokuza, who had been standing silently by, stepped forward. He glanced at the girls with a heavy gaze, then looked at Kousaka, who was adjusting his collar. After a few moments of hesitation, he spoke.

"Is there really no other way? Does Xiao Mio have to leave here? Can you please—"

"I know what you want to say, but... no."

【Kousaka put down his hand and shook his head slightly.】

"I don't know why Akiyama was targeted, but she must leave. This is not only to protect her, but also to protect the others here. B1's words are not to be trusted."

After a pause, he turned to look at Zaimokuza and spoke in a quiet voice.

[“…Or do you want what happened on the 33rd to happen again?”]