The quiet clatter of porcelain and running water filled the kitchen. The house smelled faintly of soap and simmered broth from dinner, the lingering warmth still hanging in the air. Sakurajima Mai stood at the sink, sleeves rolled up, hands submerged in warm suds as she scrubbed the last dish. The faint glow from the ceiling light caught in her hair, giving her a soft, almost domestic radiance—though the sharp crease of her brow betrayed her irritation.
She could feel his eyes on her. Turning her head, she caught Haruto Amakawa leaning lazily against the counter, lips curved into a faint, almost mischievous smile.
Her cheeks heated before she snapped, "You're really that eager to… you know—mess around with Saeko Busujima?"
Her tone was sharp, but the tremor in her voice betrayed a fluster she couldn't quite smother.
Haruto didn't flinch. If anything, his grin widened. "Why wouldn't I be? I'm a man." His voice was calm, matter-of-fact, but there was a playful undertone, the kind of tone that made it impossible to tell whether he was teasing or serious. "Besides… this time, there might be something new."
As he spoke, a faint ripple of energy pulsed in the back of his mind—
[Ding!]
Since you've completed five trades, the new feature 'Carry Along' has been unlocked!
[Carry Along]:
When making a trade, you can now bring another chat group member with you.
Note: The other party must consent to traversal. Duration depends on the time limit of the trade.
Haruto's eyes gleamed with delight. "So now I can bring someone along…?" he murmured, his mind already racing. The first face he thought of was Ayame Yomogawa. A trip for two had a certain appeal.
He licked his lips, then typed into the chat.
Haruto Amakawa: Ayame, when you see the prompt, just say yes.
Ayame: Yes, Haruto-sama.
Satisfied, he slid his phone back into his pocket. "Well, Mai-chan," he said casually, his voice carrying that same careless warmth. "Finish up and get some rest. I'll be back later."
"Mm, okay," Mai replied automatically, too distracted by the dishes to register what she had just agreed to.
It wasn't until a few moments later that it hit her. She froze, staring at her soapy hands.
"Wait—what the hell?! Why did I just answer him like that?" Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she muttered under her breath, "I'm not his girlfriend! And he's running off to another woman right in front of me…"
Her lips pursed, frustration bubbling over. "Tch. Pervert."
Still, the tiniest, most unwilling smile tugged at her lips, though she quickly hid it behind the sound of running water.
---
Meanwhile, aboard the Iron Fortress, Ayame Yomogawa gathered with Kajika, Yukina, and Mumei in the lantern-lit carriage. The rhythmic clatter of wheels against rails echoed through the steel beast, a constant reminder that they were alive—still moving, still fighting.
Ayame's calm voice explained the impossible truth of the chat group, of Haruto Amakawa, and of the power she had bartered her body to summon. Kajika and Yukina listened in awe, reverence softening their expressions as they watched Ayame cradle her icy-blue bow—an unearthly gift from her pact.
Kajika bowed her head. "Ayame-sama… to think you sacrificed yourself for all of us…"
"More like entrusted herself to him," Yukina corrected softly, her eyes flickering with respect. "And in return, she gained the strength to protect us."
The two women nodded in quiet understanding. To them, Ayame's devotion made sense—how else could you stand beside a god?
Only Mumei seemed unsettled. Her golden eyes, sharp and restless, stared down at her hands. She had always been her brother's weapon, a blade forged to slay Kabane. But tonight, the weight of expectation pressed on her differently.
At that moment, the system prompt bloomed before Ayame's eyes—
[Ding!]
Do you agree to travel with Haruto Amakawa to another world?
Without hesitation, Ayame pressed Yes.
[Ding!]
Traversal commencing in 3… 2… 1…
"Please hold the fort while I'm gone!" she called, her figure dissolving into shimmering motes of light before their stunned gazes.
"Ayame-sama!" Kajika cried.
"Calm yourself," Yukina said, though her voice trembled. "It's Haruto-sama who summoned her. She'll be safe. Our duty is to keep this fortress standing until she returns."
Her gaze slid to Mumei. "Which means… we'll need your help."
Mumei froze. She wasn't used to being needed. But seeing Kajika's pleading look, and Yukina's trust, she gave a small, reluctant nod.
"…Fine."
---
Elsewhere, in a dim safehouse on the edge of the city, the atmosphere was far heavier. A single candle flickered on a crate, casting long, shifting shadows against the peeling walls. Saeko Busujima sat with her companions—Saya Takagi, Rei Miyamoto, and Shizuka Marikawa. The air reeked faintly of blood and rot from the streets outside.
Shizuka sighed, propping her chin on her hand. "With zombies everywhere… how much longer can we keep this up?"
Saya's sharp voice cut through the gloom. "We can't just sit here. My parents have a stronghold—a real survivor camp. They sent word. If we can get there, we'll be safe."
"Really?!" Shizuka and Rei's voices overlapped in desperate hope.
Saya nodded firmly. "Yes. But it's far, and every step will be dangerous."
"Weapons," Rei muttered. "We'll need more weapons."
Shizuka perked up. "Actually, I know a place. A storehouse nearby. If we can reach it, we'll be armed."
Hope flickered in their eyes. Saya turned to Saeko, her tone softer. "What about you, Saeko-senpai? What do you think?"
Saeko opened her mouth, but another voice—smooth, unhurried, familiar—answered instead.
"I think your plan is fine," the man said, stepping from the shadows. "But Saeko will be staying with me."
The candlelight wavered, revealing Haruto Amakawa, his eyes glinting with that easy, dangerous smile.
Saya froze. "Y-you… it's you!"
Haruto gave a lazy wave. "Yo. Been a while." His tone was casual, but his presence filled the room with warmth. "Now, the rest of you—mind stepping outside? I need a word with Saeko."
Before they could even protest, he moved. His hands were steady, his strength effortless as he lifted all three of them—Saya's squirming form, Rei's protests, Shizuka's startled yelp—and carried them to the door.
The door slammed shut behind them.
Silence.
Outside, Saya, Rei, and Shizuka exchanged wide-eyed looks, a sense of foreboding crawling over their skin.
"What… what is he planning in there?" Saya whispered.