Chapter 311 - Meridian Festival
(1)
"Toya-kun, good morning, it's morning~"
I wake up to Airi shaking my body.When I open my eyes, Airi is smiling and looking into my face as if peering in.
"Good morning, Airi."
I get up and get out of bed, and Airi also starts changing clothes.
"Hey, Toya-kun?"
"What is it?"
"Is it okay to do my daily routine?"
She says, "There's no chance we'll be attacked in the morning, right?"
"I think it'll probably be fine."
"Why?"
"If they were going to target the morning, they'd have done it by now."
"You think so~?"
"If I worried about it, I wouldn't be able to sleep for 24 hours, you know?"
"That's true too!"
Airi seems convinced.I go out for my daily routine.After finishing my routine, I take a shower and eat breakfast.The morning news is full of yesterday's simultaneous bombing terror attacks and the mass kidnapping of nursery school children.The culprit is Unity.The media is reporting as if they've already decided that.I wonder if there'll be another interview soon?I was nibbling on bread while thinking about such things.
"Are you two okay?"
Father asks.
"I'm fine, it's their usual MO. It's a lot more malicious than usual, though."
"Well, that's good... but don't get too worked up."
"I know."
"Good."
After finishing breakfast and talking with Father, Airi returns from her shower.Then I pour some coffee and go back to the room.Airi is watching TV while drying her hair.The program name changes, but what they're doing doesn't.Sometimes I don't watch it, but I occasionally watch the morning drama.When the morning drama ends, it goes back to the morning news.Commentators saying whatever they want.I can just let them say what they want to say.If I let them do as they please, our movements are harder to read.While I was thinking about that, Airi finished changing clothes and is drinking coffee next to me.Lately, watching Airi, I've come to understand a little of what Makoto says.The way Airi drinks from a mug with both hands, only her fingers peeking out from her sleeves, is very cute.Because she's bundled up in winter clothes, I can't tell her figure, but for me, who knows that figure inside and out, the parts I can't see are irresistible.Come to think of it, we haven't done it lately.I wrap my arm around Airi's waist as she looks at me curiously and pull her close.
"Ah... you can't, Toya-kun. I'm wearing layers, so it's a hassle~"
But when I casually let go, she makes a sound like "Ugh..."She really is a troublesome bride.Once that kind of mood sets in, Airi has a hard time getting back to normal.A clings to me from her side.
"Toya-kun is fluffy too."
"Well, it is winter."
"Just being like this makes me happy."
"Don't you want to be even happier?"
"Eh?"
Airi thinks for a moment.
"If tonight is okay..."
"Tonight might be difficult, don't you think?"
"Why?"
"I'm sure it'll get busy."
"Ugh... then, I'll hold out until the case is resolved."
I wonder if she's considered that I might not be able to hold out?
"Even while we're like this, there are children and parents who are grieving..."
Airi is getting down.This time, unlike usual, I can't afford a war of attrition.If there's no way, I have to force one. I told everyone that last night.Everyone was surprised when they heard the method.Well, I can't blame them.But there are also people who get excited.
"I've been pissed off always being on the receiving end! This time, let's go wild and raise hell!"
Mika-san says that.
"Right. Maybe it's okay to take the initiative for once."
Akira-san also says.
"The preparations are done."
Emi-san sent a message.We're ready too.
"Should we get going soon?"
"Yeah."
I headed to the university with Airi.After attending classes and the second period ended, we gathered at the cafeteria.I was asking Kanna about Makoto's situation.
"He says he'll tell everyone tonight."
That means Makoto's work seems to be done too.
"So, shall we hear the Commander-sama's strategy?"
Watanabe-kun says.First, I divide the units into Sakai-kun's group and Ishihara-kun's group.Sakai-kun's group will carry out a diversion.That diversion is also just a diversion.The main force heads to the facility in the mountains that Emi-san identified.The nursery school children are being held captive there.The objective is to rescue them safely.Rescuing all the children is the top priority.The unit will be about 100 people, including the shuttle bus driver.Considering the number of children, that's on the small side.I will decide the timing of the operation's start.We'll also go with a small, elite team.Sakai-kun's team includes the Sakai couple, Shiratori-san, Haruto, Hiyama-senpai, and Sakura-san.Ishihara-kun's team includes me, Airi, Kanna, the Watanabe couple, the Ishihara couple, the Kiritani couple, Kosei, and Naru.The others, Akira-san and Emi-san, will form several units with their soldiers.Makoto will handle information transmission and instructions for everyone.The others will evacuate to Akira-san's family home.If anything else changes, I'll decide and give orders as needed.
"How many places are you planning to attack in total?"
"23 places."
When I answer Akira-san's question, everyone is surprised.
"Is there some meaning to that number?"
Watanabe-kun says.
"Nothing in particular, I just matched it to the number of simultaneous terror attacks."
"I see."
"How many people do we need per unit?"
"Since it's just charging in, causing chaos, and blowing things up, about 4 or 5 people should be enough."
"Akira, can you prepare that?"
"I can manage up to a military unit..."
"Then, it should be fine to increase the numbers a bit more."
Emi-san says she can also organize up to a military unit.With these two, they really could destroy Japan.
"Probably, if the Nine-Tailed Fox is anywhere, it's at the base with the children..."
"Or...?"
Emi-san asks back.
"It's hard to say since it depends on Makoto's information."
"You mean you think Toya-kun still has another target in mind?"
Airi asks.
"Yeah, this kidnapping itself might be a trap. That's what I'm thinking."
And there's still a mystery. The reason for releasing Takahashi Sora along with that person Allen.Why did they kidnap the children?I tried asking Emi-san for something unreasonable.
"I guess asking for a single ship is too much, right?"
"Sorry, my unit is stationed in Sasebo. It'll take a bit of time."
It exists!
"Then mine will be faster. It's stationed in Kure. Should I send a destroyer? A cruiser? Or an aircraft carrier or Aegis ship? A nuclear missile submarine is fine too."
"Can you prepare a destroyer?"
"Where should I send it?"
"Just blockade the Bungo Channel."
"Got it, I won't let a single sardine through."
"Then I'll blockade the Kanmon Straits. I'll arrange it right away."
In the end, Akira-san prepared one Aegis ship and one destroyer for the Bungo Channel. Emi-san prepared an additional combat unit for Hibiki-nada.Is it really okay to prepare stuff like that?
"It's fine, I've taken care of things properly."
Am I the only one who thinks the allies are far more terrifying than the enemy?
(2)
When everyone gathered at the family restaurant at night, Makoto's explanation began.
"To give the conclusion first. For now, all members of the Nine-Tailed Fox are at the facility Emi-san mentioned."
Everyone murmurs. I feel relieved. Because I had anticipated a separate unit.Because I had assumed this kidnapping incident itself might be a decoy.
"The ships are deployed as Katagiri-kun said."
Akira-san and Emi-san say.
"But why the sea?"
They ask.
"It's insurance."
"Insurance?"
"Land and air are as good as sealed off. So if there's a hole left, it's the sea."
"That's why you also targeted the prefectural central airport, right?"
When Airi says that, I nod.
"Alright, everyone, let's confirm the operation!"
I say that and explain the operation.
"Got it, I just need to control the information, right."
Makoto says.
"There's one more thing I want to ask you, Makoto. Emi-san."
When I say it to Emi-san, she hands a tablet to Makoto.
"With that, you can designate the bombing coordinates for the Predator. You can also control it."
"No way, Toya! Are you telling me to do the bombing?"
"I'll instruct the timing and location. I think Emi-san will probably be mixed up in the fighting."
"Got it."
"Alright, everyone, synchronize watches. 3, 2, 1..."
The time became exactly 20:00.
"We'll launch the first action one hour from now. I'll give instructions for subsequent actions. This time, children's lives are at stake. Failure is not permitted."
"Excellent!"
"Tonight, no holding back! Let's raise hell!"
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone shouts "Ooh!"And so, our operation began.
(3)
A TV drama is playing.One day has passed since the children disappeared.The news just repeats the same thing, and the situation hasn't progressed at all.According to my husband, there seems to be a problem with the on-site command.He has a difference of opinion with my husband, who is a field-oriented person, and he was removed from the front line?Thanks to the advice of his superior, Superintendent Tosaka, he can stay at the scene, but it seems he's not even allowed to conduct interviews, being told not to act on his own.Don't move until the culprit makes a demand.That's all he said, and there's been no instruction since.My husband can't hide his frustration either.We were given the same explanation.
"Not even conducting interviews! Do they have any intention of catching the culprit!?"
I appealed like that.But they insisted, "The children's lives come first."The night is cold.My younger child is only 3 years old.I hope she doesn't catch a cold...I can't calm down watching TV, so I look at the night sky from the balcony.The children admired space.
"When I grow up, I'll become an astronaut."
That was Hikari's dream.Thinking about the children makes my heart feel like it's going to burst.
God, please save the two of them. I don't care what happens to me.
Then I hear the sound of a jet.An airplane at this hour?My younger child, Akari, used to say she wanted to be an airplane pilot.No matter what I see, I can't get the children out of my head.I saw something falling from the plane.Is that God's lost property?I look at where it fell.It flashes brightly.Then, a booming sound is heard afterwards.The place where it fell is burning red.What happened?I startle and look at the TV.A breaking news ticker is running.
"...There has been an explosion at a facility. The number of casualties is unknown, and firefighting efforts are currently underway."
I pray that the children are not at that facility.That was all I could do.The drama ends, and it's time for the news.There was the explosion accident from earlier and another news story.It said that several black vans and an armored vehicle were surrounding a certain facility.There seems to be no police movement.On the TV broadcast, a young man in a tank top was giving a peace sign in the cold air.I don't know why, but God intends to save the children.I'm an atheist, but at this moment, I prayed to God.Please, let everyone be safe.
"We have breaking news. A demand has been made by the culprit of the kidnapping case. They demand a passenger plane be prepared at the prefectural central airport within 24 hours."
A passenger plane?What exactly is the culprit's goal?
(4)
We were surrounding a certain facility.Haruto is handling the media that came to cover the story.30 minutes have passed since the operation started.The first strike was decided.Our target still hasn't appeared.Was it a miss after coming this far?
"The enemy isn't coming out~"
Sakura says.In the first place, are the enemies really here?
"The enemy has moved!"
Akira shouts.
I look at the TV installed in the car.The culprit of the kidnapping case demands a passenger plane be prepared at the prefectural central airport.At the same time, my smartphone rings.
"Assault unit, move in."
After confirming that, I get out of the car.
"...Let's go."
At the same time Sakura says that, the armored vehicle smashes through the main gate and charges in.The wagon cars follow behind it.The enemy comes out.They're all real professionals.They vary widely, from those wearing a haori over their clothes in the cold and brandishing Japanese swords, to those showing off upper body tattoos and aiming guns.We are fewer in number, but the presence of the armored vehicle is huge.The machine gun mercilessly fires into the swarming enemies.
"Take out every last one of them!!"
Akira is in high spirits.She stands on top of the armored vehicle and commands boldly.But there is one person exuding an eerie atmosphere.A large object slowly approaching, unconcerned even while being showered with concentrated machine gun fire.Sakai jumps out. The object attacks him when it sees him.
"Senpai, that's dangerous!!"
While I'm mesmerized by that object, a man attacks from above.His physique is better than Haruto's.I instinctively shield Sakura.
"Toryaa!"
Haruto kicks the attacking man's chin, spins once in the air, and lands.The man whose chin was kicked also spins once, lands on his hands, and does a backflip.
"Hoh, you're pretty good. My name is Kamui! What's your name!?"
"Kusunoki Haruto! First year at the local university!"
Haruto answers honestly, like an idiot.
"It seems we're both good at hand-to-hand combat! How about it!? Let's settle this with bare-handed brawling!?"
"You're on!!"
Kamui, whose physique is clearly larger than Haruto's, throws a punch.In response, Haruto dodges the punch and counters.The weighty punch digs beautifully into Kamui's cheek.Kamui falls.Haruto watches intently as he gets up, spitting blood.Behind him, a slender silhouette stands.It catches a thrown knife aimed at Haruto's back with its hand.
"Coward... come out."
When Haruna says that, a slender man appears.Haruna and the man face off.The next moment, the two of them disappear into the darkness from the spot.When I lose sight of them, I return my gaze to Haruto.Five minutes of fighting, hitting and being hit, kicking and being kicked, throwing and being thrown.
"This is fun, I'm getting fired up!"
"I'm getting pumped too!"
But for a moment, Kamui's knee buckles.Haruto doesn't miss that moment.
"Oraa!"
He charges with a shout and grapples with Kamui's waist.Kamui tries knee strikes and hits to his back, but Haruto doesn't care.Haruto lifts Kamui up and performs a backdrop.Kamui hits the asphalt ground squarely on the top of his head and loses consciousness.
"Is that all you've got!? Get up, come on!!"
Haruto shouts at the unconscious Kamui.
"That's enough, it's over."
I say that and restrain Kamui.
"Haruki! Above!!"
Sakura shouts.Haruto and I look up. Someone floating in the air and a falling object.
Seriously!?
We drag Kamui between the two of us and flee in a panic. From this position, Sakura is also in danger.Realizing they won't make it in time to escape, Haruto takes a reckless action.He approaches the falling dynamite and stomps out the fuse's fire with his foot.That man... probably Birdman, drops dynamite, rides the blast wind from the explosion, and soars back into the air.If that was dropped on the vehicles, it would be a disaster.
"There's no choice! I can't lose to Toya-senpai!!"
Haruto shouts, jumps onto the roof of a vehicle, and leaps up from there.He kicks off hard enough to dent the roof of the wagon car and reaches a point above the man.Haruto falls, landing on the man's back.The man crashes to the ground and loses consciousness.We restrain the two and put them in the wagon car.Looking around, most of the fighting seems to be over, and we are about to suppress the area.But Akira is still staring at one point.That fight between the two wasn't over.
"Where's Haruna!?"
Haruto looks for Haruna.Haruna was also still fighting.
(5)
"We really seem to have a connection, maybe it's fate!"
"Unfortunately, I'm already married."
Please don't shout things like that, Akira-chan's gaze, which is even more terrifying than you, is piercing me.
"But that ends today too."
She shouts and swings up her chainsaw.I really want it to end today.I dodge the chainsaw's slash and cut her exposed face with the knife in my hand.
"Cutting a maiden's face twice. You really are a death god."
It's a pain to point it out at this point, but I know you won't die from just a knife cut, but I pinned my hopes on a slim chance.It's impossible to incapacitate this woman. I have to kill her.This isn't a human; it's a different life form wearing a human skin.I decided to think of it that way.The knife was coated with a lethal dose of poison that could kill an elephant.Having something like that, I really have become a death god.But I let my guard down.It's not "kill an elephant," I should have said it could kill something like an elephant.I can't sense any change in her condition, even though it's a fast-acting poison.Can I not even kill her?The only option seems to be to dig a hole in the ground, bury her, and if I had concrete or hardened bakelite, solidify it and preserve her.
"Zen-kun, get down!!"
Reacting to Akira-chan's voice, I crouch down, and the machine gun from the armored vehicle mercilessly fires into her face.Anyone would notice the head is a weak point, but isn't that a bit too much?Her head was shattered, and I imagined her turning into a Dullahan.I imagined her moving around as if to say, "It's just the main camera that got taken out!" but it was too scary, so I shook it off.When the gunpowder smoke was about to clear, she was unharmed, her already monster-like face looking at me with a demonic expression.
"Not twice, but three times, a maiden's face..."
You don't have a single scratch, do you?Don't you need that armor of yours?It just looks like it's in the way.
"Zen-kun, dodge!!"
"RPG!!"
I hurriedly take evasive action.She stands firm.It's not something as weak as a grenade, you know?It's an anti-tank weapon.I remembered a movie I saw a long time ago where a person hit by an RPG became a gruesome sight.And that one was a dud.But this one exploded properly.I tried to imagine a miserable state, not just faceless but bodiless, but for some reason, my head refused it.She's fine.Yes, she was fine.She just ended up falling on her bottom from the shock.Well, thinking about it, she's the one who took a direct bombing hit and chased after us energetically.But it seemed shocking for Akira-chan and the others.Akira-chan, who was so brave, was at a loss for words.Before she got up, I shouted.
"Akira-chan, get a grip!!"
When Akira-chan came to her senses, she signaled for me to fall back.She seems intent on running her over with the armored vehicle.She's completely in the mood now.Is that what they call "killing intent"?But I'm seeing the very strange reality of her stopping the armored vehicle's charge all by herself.I see, I'm dreaming.But I can't be spacing out.She performs the incredible feat of stopping the armored vehicle with one hand and swinging up her chainsaw with the other.This is bad!I instinctively pick up an assault rifle with a grenade launcher that was lying around and aim the grenade launcher.My target isn't her head, it's the chainsaw.The chainsaw turned out to be surprisingly normal and broke easily.Still, the grenade seemed to have normal power, as it put a crack in the windshield.
"De~ath~"
Fortunately or unfortunately, her anger turned towards me.She charges at me with bullet-like speed.Yes, she charges in a straight line like a bullet.I dodge and trip her.I think my leg, which doesn't break from tripping an object charging with that much momentum, is also messed up.Her body performs a head slide, metal scraping against asphalt, scattering sparks, and crashes into a wall.She's buried in the rubble of the wall she crashed into and can't move.
"W-We withdraw now! The area will be bombed soon!"
This is Japan, right? I had that doubt, but the timing for withdrawal wasn't bad. It seemed the fighting was mostly over.The soldiers get into the vehicles.I also get into a vehicle, and the armored vehicle starts moving.
"Wait~ Settle this with me."
I think it'll be settled in a few dozen seconds.One minute after we leave the facility grounds, the bombing by the Predator begins.I want to think that's goodbye to her.Flames of the explosion rise.The facility is engulfed in flames.What emerged from the explosion was her, freed as the rubble restraining her was pulverized.Her hair is disheveled. Her face is a Hannya mask red with anger. That thing approaches with bullet-like speed.She crashes into us with a boom.A hole opens in the rear of the armored vehicle. She hooks her arm into the hole and tears off the armor with a ripping sound.We flee at full speed, watching her roll away with the torn-off armor.She was hit by the car and receded into the distance.The soldiers in the armored vehicle were all astonished.If you got sued for a traffic accident hitting something like that, you'd want to countersue.
"What was that?"
Akira-chan mutters.
"What indeed..."
I mutter.Will we fight again someday?Probably, right?The only option is to tie weights to her and sink her in the sea.She probably won't die, so it wouldn't be murder.Where are we heading?
(6)
Killing intent.
I will protect Haruto's back.I transformed instantly and caught the thrown knife.The emaciated man grins and jumps sideways.I jump in response.
First strike wins.
I leap at him the moment I land.He throws two knives.Even in the darkness, I dodge the knives and close in on him.I kick him hard in his thin lower abdomen.His thin body is blown away.I felt the impact.But he rises unsteadily and, as if nothing happened, holds knives in both hands.I can't defeat him with bare hands.I quickly pick up the knives he threw and charge again.He throws six knives.They don't draw any strange trajectories, so I can dodge them all.
Reading ahead.
I close in on him and stab a knife into his shoulder.But he pulls it out and tries to stab me with it.I leap back to avoid it.
No pain.
Does he not feel pain?
Madness.
He's deriving pleasure.I kick him in a vital spot with enough force to crush a concrete block.No effect at all.I can't beat him with normal methods anymore.And there's no time.After dodging all the knives he throws, I pounce on him.I grab his jaw and slam him to the ground.I inflicted damage that would shatter a normal person's jaw, cause a concussion, and in a bad case, kill them.But that won't kill him.Then...I leap up and throw six knives.They pierce both shoulders, both hands, and both feet of the fallen man, sticking into the ground.
Ruthlessness.
You must not show mercy to this kind of person.I land beside him and crush his head with my foot.I've seen this kind of movie.If you destroy the head, it stops functioning.He is not human.But an unexpected event occurred.
Regeneration.
His body is regenerating.At that moment, the order to retreat comes.I have no choice but to fall back.I immediately go to Haruto.Haruto puts me in the car and drives off.
Fear.
I was trembling.But what Haruto brought me.It was relief.Exhausted, I fell asleep.
(7)
Around the time Sakai's team started their withdrawal, we moved to the next phase.We were attacking the prefectural central airport with an AC-130.We don't need to destroy it completely. Just making holes in the runway is enough.It's an airport that doesn't have a very long runway to begin with, so that's sufficient.That way, planes can't fly.Sakai's team is put on standby along the coast.It's insurance in case we can't pursue them.We were watching for an opportunity from a higher place than the facility.Then a helicopter arrives at the parking lot.
"Ah, people are getting on... Takahashi Sora is getting on too!"
Airi confirms with binoculars.
"Ishihara-kun? Is that person Allen among them?"
"Yes. Viper is with him too."
Just as I thought.They seem to be treated as VIPs.A message arrives from Makoto.It seems all 23 locations have been suppressed.All that's left is to rescue the children.
"Katagiri-kun, what should we do? If you say to shoot down the helicopter, I'll do it."
Emi-san asks.
"Let's not. The children are still hostages."
"But we'll let Allen and the others escape."
"Don't forget the objective. Rescuing the children is the priority."
They start loading the children onto the bus.Jackal is in the driver's seat of the lead vehicle. X is next to him.When the children are about to board the bus, I send a signal.
Begin action.
The hidden soldiers start protecting the children.Just as we are about to go too.
"Airi, watch out!"
I push Airi away while also dodging from the spot myself.If I had stayed there, Airi's body would have been slashed.The man glares at me, a sharp blade glinting in his hand.It seems he wants to fight me.
"Airi, you go on ahead!"
I tell Airi and the others to go ahead.
"Toya-kun, be careful!"
Saying that, Airi and the others go ahead.I'll hold this guy up... no, am I the one being held up?The bus carrying Jackal in the lead starts moving.
"You're not unarmed, are you?"
The footing is bad.Are the conditions the same for him?The difference in combat experience is sadly probably huge.He leaps up and thrusts his blade tip down to stab me.I dodge by jumping sideways.He swings his blade up in a sweeping motion.I jump back... a tree is in the way.I dodge by rolling sideways.What is his blade made of?It maintains its sharpness even while cutting down trees.
"Are you just running away!?"
I use the terrain advantage to avoid his slashes and lure him to a position favorable to me.Eventually, the surrounding trees disappear.There's no place to hide.He attacks head-on.I close my eyes.Feel it, the presence, the killing intent... now!I open my eyes and swiftly raise my leg from the sheath.The speed is truly godlike.My foot hits the sword before the man can swing it down.I deflect the sword, and the man drops it.I approach the man as he tries to pick up the sword.
"The match is over, right?"
But the man looks at me and laughs.
"I didn't expect you to actually face me unarmed."
"How about telling me your name at least?"
"...I'll call myself Jack the Ripper for now."
Jack the Ripper, huh... not funny.
"So, what are you going to do, boy?"
"That depends on you."
"Can you kill a person, boy?"
"What?"
The man suddenly kicks the ground. Dirt and leaves fly up, distracting me.In that opening, the man picks up his sword and slashes at me.I dodge by a hair's breadth.
"The moment you can't finish someone off when you have the chance, you're not a 'warrior,' just a 'child.'"
The man flees.
"Chase him!"
"Perfect timing. I'll let you off today. Have a proper tool ready by the next time we meet!"
The man uses a smoke screen and disappears.When the smoke screen clears, there's no trace of him.I think as I chase.Prepare a sword that cuts people?Come back with the resolve to kill?I'm not a murderer.But with such half-baked resolve, I definitely can't defeat him.Should I ask Ishihara-kun and the others when I meet them?Whether they fight with the resolve to kill.For now, I prioritize rescuing the children.By the time I reached the facility, the fighting was over.
"Katagiri-kun, we have to chase them! There are still a few left!"
"Got it. Ishihara couple and Airi, get in my car."
"Understood."
"What about Makoto?"
"It seems he's figured out their destination using the N-system. Also, he seems to have hijacked a satellite and is tracking them with that."
That's just like Makoto.
"Well then, let's hurry and chase them."
As I say that and get in the car, Airi speaks.
"Toya-kun, did something happen with that person?"
"Eh?"
"You seem kind of troubled..."
I stroke Airi's hair and say.
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"...Okay."
After that, we began the pursuit.We chase them, corner them, and then what?Maybe we are being tested right now.