The next day, GHQ Headquarters—
"How is it? Major Segai."
Standing in the main control room, Shuichiro Keido gazed solemnly at the screen before him, where Segai stood on the other side in a reporting posture. His low voice carried an unquestionable authority.
"Just as the intelligence said, OAU (Organization of African Union) has already established contact with Funeral Parlor."
Segai brushed back his slicked hair, his tone carrying a faint trace of amusement.
"The specifics?"
The other party pressed further.
"At 1:20 PM today, OAU will deliver a large shipment of supplies to Funeral Parlor. Their soldiers will also be involved. It's obvious the rats are trying to steal the cheese."
Segai replied.
"...Is the information reliable?"
Keido frowned as he asked.
"All of this intelligence was pried out of captured OAU soldiers. Its credibility is quite high."
"...Where are they now?"
"They were useless pieces that would only drag us down. We've already executed them."
Segai said with a smile.
"...I see. Since the information is accurate, then you know what to do, Major Segai."
"Of course. I'll give them a proper welcome. After all... it's time for our 'Leukocyte' to test its power."
As the saying goes—when the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. GHQ would simply sit back and reap the rewards, crushing both of these rats at once.
At this moment, Segai cast a chilling smile toward the adjacent screen, where a map location marked 'Δ (Delta)' was displayed, covered by a red cross.
"The show is about to begin, Gai!"
...
On the other side...
At an abandoned air force base at a Delta point in Roppongi Fort, Gai stepped down from a truck and checked the time on his terminal. Estimating the schedule, he walked toward the location where OAU would soon land. The weather was fairly good—rare sunshine, blue skies, and white clouds—which even lifted his mood.
"Gai!"
The girl who had been waiting—Kyo—waved happily when she saw him, calling him over.
"..."
He walked over.
"How is it?"
He asked.
"There's a squadron approaching this area."
Kyo obediently expanded her terminal and showed him the screen.
"Yeah, just as expected."
Seeing the girl's cheerful expression, he even showed a rare smile and commented.
Click...
He took out binoculars from his coat pocket and raised them to his eyes, looking into the sky. As the distance closed, several military transport aircraft became clearly visible, drawing closer in the distance—carrying the supplies they needed, mechs, and armed soldiers.
Moreover, these soldiers were disciplined... there was no need to worry about betrayal, since everything had already been negotiated beforehand.
Now all that remained was to receive them... and then proceed with the plan smoothly.
"Gai."
"What is it, Kyo?"
He looked at the girl beside him.
"No matter what difficulties you encounter, don't lose heart. Everyone will follow you, so don't always look so down."
The girl smiled at him warmly.
"...Haa, yeah."
He froze for a moment upon seeing her, then chuckled lightly and nodded.
At this very moment, high above the clouds—above the Earth itself... a uniquely shaped technological satellite slowly moved into its designated orbital position.
"Lock onto the target."
Shuichiro Keido issued the command in the control room.
Buzz~
Targeting reticles appeared on the operators' screens. At the center of the crosshair was the location where OAU would land—the abandoned coastal military base.
"Target locked!"
An operator reported.
"Shall we fire, Director Keido?"
"No... wait a little longer. A hunter must be patient when waiting for prey. That is a hunter's basic quality."
Half a minute passed.
"Report! OAU has reached the target area and is landing!"
Watching the points of light on the screen enter firing range, subordinates reported one after another.
"Wait."
He remained calm, his hands casually clasped behind his back.
"But—"
"I said... wait."
He cast a cold glance at them.
"Y-Yes!"
The subordinate wiped cold sweat from his brow.
"The aircraft have landed. Heat signatures increasing. Infantry disembarking."
Another report followed.
"Do it."
At last, Keido gave the order.
Click...
Segai's finger paused on the button as he looked at the word "Clear" displayed on his phone screen, smiling with excitement.
"Understood! Beginning charge!"
Click...
The "Leukocyte" in space began its dazzling transformation. Its tail fins unfolded, reshaping the tip into something resembling a railgun barrel. The central plasma rail gradually emitted electric currents and blinding light, producing a sound like electronic resonance.
"70%, 80%, 90%, 100%! Charge complete! Awaiting fire command!"
A subordinate shouted.
"Fire."
Keido spoke.
"Bang~!"
Segai, still on the call, made a finger-gun gesture.
Click!
"Leukocyte—FIRE!!"
The launch button was pressed.
Buzz—!
A massive azure plasma beam burst from the tip of the Leukocyte, like an arrow piercing through nebulae. It tore through the atmosphere and clouds, striking precisely toward the target—the coastal military base!
BOOM!!
Even through the screen, the overwhelming shockwave and blinding white light were palpable. From the satellite's perspective, the clouds over that region of Earth spread outward violently.
A towering mushroom cloud rose from the ground, evaporating the surrounding seawater!!
"Power input: 3%. Firing complete."
"Target destruction rate: 110%. Margin of error: 0.7 meters."
Operators reported to Keido.
"Through me, the way into the suffering city. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."
He recited the famous line from Dante's Divine Comedy in a low voice, like an arrogant god.
...
"This is bad!! Everyone!!"
Tsugumi, her face pale, rushed forward and shouted loudly to grab everyone's attention.
"...?" ×N
The people training below all looked up toward the girl on the second floor in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
Argo was the first to stand and ask.
"What happened?"
Ookubo also stood up.
"Here... Inori... water."
Hare handed a bottle of water to Inori, who had just finished training and was covered in sweat, after she sat down.
"...Mm... thank you... Hare."
Inori accepted it softly and took a drink.
"..."
The Shogun paid no attention to the two beside her, instead looking toward Tsugumi, waiting for her to speak.
"Leukocyte just fired at the Delta point!!"
Tsugumi said, her voice trembling.
"!!" ×N
Everyone's faces instantly turned pale.
"...The Delta point... is where Gai is, right?!"
Ayase asked, more terrified than anyone, her voice shaking.
"...Mm..."
Tsugumi nodded heavily.
What filled their view on the monitor was raging fire and hell-like ruins. There was almost no sign of life—only devastation everywhere...
Even through the screen, one could feel the intense heat... and the stench of blood.
"How could this be..."
"This is bad!"
"Where's Gai?!"
Everyone began to panic.
"Gai..."
Ayase's eyes turned red as she covered her mouth, looking as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
"—!"
Hare instinctively grabbed the Shogun's arm, her face equally pale as she stared at the scene. Inori was the same, biting her lip without saying a word.
"Can we contact him?"
The Shogun remained calm and asked Tsugumi in a steady voice.
"I'll try..."
Hearing this, Tsugumi turned and began typing rapidly on the keyboard. Everyone waited silently for the result.
Crackle—!
Static noise intermittently came from the receiver. The communication equipment was likely malfunctioning, producing a piercing sound, but no one paid it any mind. They continued staring at the flames on the screen.
As the noise grew more frequent, everyone's hearts sank further.
"Damn it... answer me... you idiot."
Tsugumi muttered anxiously as she typed faster.
"Gai—! Can you hear me?!"
She shouted into the communicator.
Crackle—!
Still only that harsh static.
"—!"
Inori subconsciously clenched her trembling hands, her heart filled with unease.
The Shogun seemed to notice and gently took her hand, offering silent reassurance.
"...It'll be fine."
She knew the words wouldn't help much, but she said them anyway.
"...Mm."
Inori understood it was comfort, so she nodded lightly and relaxed her grip.
"This is bad... I didn't expect them to deploy Leukocyte."
Sextant adjusted his glasses and spoke gravely.
"I meant to ask earlier—what exactly is Leukocyte?"
Hearing him, and noticing Inori had calmed slightly, the Shogun released her hand and crossed her arms, looking at the gray-haired man.
"...'Leukocyte' is a satellite constellation composed of quasi-zenith satellites. Once completed, it can carry out all-weather, blind-spot-free strikes on any target from above Japan. Its power... is exactly what you see."
He gestured toward the devastation on the screen.
"Eh? W-Why would they build something like that..."
Hare instinctively clung tighter to the Shogun's arm, her voice trembling.
Crackle—
"To wipe us out. Everyone in this country."
At last, Gai's voice came through the communicator, though distorted and unclear due to interference.
"Gai!! Are you okay? Are you hurt?!"
Ayase immediately wheeled closer and asked.
"Just a few scratches. Nothing serious."
Gai replied.
"What about Kyo and the others?!"
Argo asked anxiously.
Kyo?
The Shogun paused in thought. Was that... the ponytailed girl they met yesterday? She had said she would participate in a mission... so it was this one. But...
Her brows furrowed slightly, as if realizing something.
Beside her, Hare tightened her grip on her hand as well, as if they had reached the same conclusion.
"..."
But Gai fell silent for a moment.
"They weren't as lucky as I was."
He finally answered.
"—!" ×N
"The reinforcement unit has been wiped out. The supplies can't be recovered either."
Kneeling amid the ruins, clutching his arm, Gai lowered himself beside the dying girl before him. Her face was half-hidden by a hood, her lips slightly parted. Half her body was already mangled beyond recognition.
"Will the plan be delayed?"
Sextant's voice came through the earpiece.
"No. There's no time left. We move ahead of schedule."
Looking at the girl struggling even to breathe, he silently drew his handgun and aimed it at her forehead.
"Gai... sir..."
The girl lying in a pool of blood still managed to call out to him in broken whispers.
"...Thank you... very much."
His hand froze. His pupils shrank as he clenched his teeth.
"You once said... my voice... sounded... nice..."
"I... will never... forget... never..."
His finger slowly tightened on the trigger.
"Gai... sir... goodbye..."
A tear slid down her face.
"!"
Just as he was about to pull the trigger, no one expected that from the other end of the communicator... a girl's voice would suddenly cry out.
"Wait—!!!"
"!" ×N
Everyone present—including Gai himself—froze.
That voice... was it that girl?
"Please wait... the one speaking... is that... Miss Kyo?"
Hearing the weak voice through the communicator, Hare gathered her courage and asked loudly.
"That's right. And what about it?"
Gai asked coldly. He didn't fire, but the gun remained pointed.
"She... she's injured, right? H-How... how bad is it?"
Hare asked.
The Shogun and Inori both looked at her, puzzled.
"...That's not something you—"
"Answer me!"
For once, Hare shouted loudly. Even the Shogun was startled—it was the first time she had heard the gentle girl speak like this.
"...Wait, Miss Hare—"
Tsugumi tried to stop her, but unexpectedly, Gai answered honestly.
"Lung damage... suspected severe perforation. Half her body is paralyzed from the impact... likely with multiple fractures. She can't move anymore."
"...Um... I know this might sound presumptuous, but... could you bring her back?"
Hare pressed a hand to her chest, as if feeling a resonance within her heart—like something was beating in response. That sensation gave her a certain conviction as she spoke.
"Hey—! Don't make impossible demands!"
Argo protested.
"What if I told you she might be able to save that girl?"
The Shogun spoke on Hare's behalf, drawing everyone's attention.
"Eh?" ×N
Everyone was shocked.
"!"
Hare trembled slightly upon hearing this, glancing at her. Their eyes met, and they both understood each other's thoughts.
"Mio..."
Inori looked at her and immediately understood—Hare's Void...
That's right... Hare's Void was a 'bandage.' Gai had never mentioned its purpose before. In that case, why not try it... what if it worked?
"Gai... bring her back. She might still be saved."
Inori decisively stepped to their side.
"...I see... understood. I'll mark the rendezvous coordinates on the map shortly."
After hearing this, Gai let out a breath, lowered his handgun, and lifted the nearly lifeless girl into his arms as he spoke.
"Argo, move out for rescue!"
Ayase turned and gave an order to Argo behind her.
"Ah... right!"
Argo was momentarily dazed, but quickly snapped back to his senses. He left with Ookubo, started the vehicle, and hurriedly drove out of the base.
"I'm cutting the communication. See you at base."
Crackle—!
The communication cut off in the next second, returning to static.
Everyone instinctively turned to look at the three led by the Shogun—though most of the attention was focused on Hare.
"..."
Hare shrank back into her earlier timid state, quietly hiding behind the Shogun to avoid everyone's gaze.
Although no one understood what the three were planning, as long as the outcome was good, that was enough. They would see when Gai returned, so no one pressed further.
"I'm sorry... Mio... Inori... for making you speak up for me..."
Sitting with her knees hugged to her chest by the wall, Hare softly apologized to the Shogun—who was kneeling beside her—and to Inori, who was sipping a drink.
"...You said it yourself. Of course I would stand by your side. There's no need to apologize."
The Shogun brushed her long hair and smiled at her.
"Hare... is my friend. So... I agree."
Inori also smiled gently.
"Why did you do that?"
The Shogun asked, looking at her.
"Um... I'm not really sure either, but... here... it's been surging all this time."
Hare lightly pressed her hand against her chest.
"Your heart?"
The Shogun asked.
"...Probably..."
Hare replied softly.
"...Why?"
She still didn't understand.
"Do you remember what I told you about Void? The manifestation of one's heart."
Inori said.
"Mm, I remember. So you mean it's Hare's Void that's reacting?"
"That's possible... a bandage—that's Hare's Void. Since it's something used for healing, it would naturally resonate with the wounded. That's how I understand it."
Inori leaned against Hare's other side, looking at the can in her hand.
"B-But... what if I can't do anything? What if I'm just causing trouble—mmh!"
Before she could finish, the Shogun suddenly poked her cheek with a finger, making her let out a soft, surprised cry as her body tilted, leaning against Inori's shoulder.
"Believe in yourself. Must you always be so lacking in confidence? I don't like seeing you like this."
The Shogun withdrew her hand and shot her a slightly annoyed glance.
"Saying that... is kind of unfair... Mio."
Hare covered her face, leaning against her with a faintly playful tone.
"Mio is right. In my view, nothing happens without a reason. There is always a cause. We believe in you, Hare."
Inori encouraged her as well.
"Inori..."
Hare looked at her in surprise, then pressed her lips together and nodded softly.
"I understand... I'll do my best."
Although she didn't know whether her ability would actually help—after all, using a Void seemed to make her lose consciousness—she didn't want to disappoint them. Not at all.
She wanted to help them too.