"A-at that time, that woman suddenly came in through the window. She entered, then threw some strange bomb. My friends were blown away… b-blood spilled—fresh, everywhere."
Alisa continued, "I carried that kid up to the third floor, trying to get away… but she chased me, until a bullet hit me right in the solar plexus. That's when you two showed up…"
A shiver crawled up Aiko and Krisna's spine hearing that.
Meanwhile, Alisa's body trembled.
"A-are my friends alive?" Alisa asked, her eyes shifting from Aiko to Krisna.
Krisna looked away, then said, "No… they were all killed."
"W-what!?" Tears poured again.
Aiko shot Krisna a sharp glare.
Then she hugged Alisa tightly.
The bedroom door opened. Qia walked out, rubbing her eyes.
"Hmm… onee-chan? onii-chan?"
Qia saw Alisa crying in Aiko's arms.
Her small feet walked over, and she gently wrapped her arms around Alisa's head — the girl finally letting every burden crash out as tears.
An hour passed — Alisa finally calmed down, though her eyes were swollen and her body drained.
Aiko was in the kitchen cooking something, with Qia helping her.
"I'm sorry… for trying to kill you…"
Alisa looked at Krisna, who was typing on his laptop.
Hearing that, Krisna smiled, "It's fine~ especially since it was my fault."
"Oh, right. The girl whose helmet I removed — how is she? Was she okay?" he asked.
"You mean Lana? She… I don't know. Maybe… she was killed too," Alisa answered.
Krisna's mouth fell open, eyes blinking rapidly. "Killed?"
Alisa's small nod crushed his chest.
His left hand pressed against his rapidly beating heart — guilt almost swallowing him whole, until Aiko's hand touched his shoulder.
Krisna turned. "Aiko?" Sweat dampened his forehead.
"I don't know what's going on… but it wasn't your fault. Got it?"
Their eyes met — Aiko's gentle smile making Krisna's chest beat even faster, but this time not from guilt.
Qia walked over with a bowl of warm food, its aroma making Alisa practically drool.
Aiko gathered everyone to eat — at that moment, Krisna remembered something.
He grabbed his laptop and angled the screen so all three of them could see it.
"What's this, Krisna?" Aiko asked.
"Let's become mercenary soldiers!"
"Hah!?" Aiko was stunned, while Alisa and Qia were already eating.
"Yeah — mercenary soldiers. Doing missions."
Aiko fell silent. "You do know that's dangerous. We don't even have proper equipment."
Krisna grinned wide, pointing at himself. "We have this guy, though."
"Still, it'll attract trouble," Aiko insisted.
"But the pay is good. Imagine how much we could buy," Krisna argued.
Aiko shook her head firmly. "No, no. Too dangerous. If you want to go, fine — I'll only help from behind."
Still smiling, Krisna stood.
He looked at Alisa, who was busy eating.
"Inoue-san, don't you want to avenge your friends? While doing missions, we can also search for information about that woman.
So… are you in?"
Alisa froze mid-bite.
Her heart burning, she answered, "Yes!" crumbs falling from her lips.
"Inoue-san!" Qia scolded gently — even though their ages were far apart, Alisa still obeyed her.
Now Krisna had a teammate, and Aiko to support them — the only thing missing was equipment.
With his spear left behind, he needed to return there again.
---
The Next Day
Krisna and Alisa went to the building where Qia had been kidnapped.
It was now surrounded by police lines: robots guarding the perimeter, and a blue-haired girl assisting the investigation.
Civilians crowded the area, whispering and discussing what happened.
Aiko didn't come — she was busy taking care of Qia and her part-time job.
Krisna and Alisa wore masks to hide their identities.
With empty hands, they pushed through the crowd.
At the front line, they saw three Helmet Gang members tied up, unconscious — and the blue-haired girl in a Millenium school uniform, her halo a black ring.
"W-why are we h-here? K-Krisna-kun?" Alisa asked nervously.
Krisna looked at her. "But… seeing your friends' condition…"
Hearing that, Alisa's cheeks grew red.
Before she could turn away, Krisna pulled her hand and crossed the police line.
The police robots immediately moved to block them, ready to stun them with crackling batons.
Krisna took a defensive stance.
Alisa crouched behind him, peeking out nervously.
As the robots closed in—
"Stop!" someone shouted.
The robots halted and moved aside to give way to a white-haired girl in a white uniform, a small book in her hand.
Her halo glowed white with soft blue patterns — like justice given form.
Krisna recognized her: Ushio Noa.
Wearing a troubled expression, Krisna said, "Officer, may I check on my friends?"
Her eyes scanned Krisna and Alisa from head to toe.
"Please remove your masks," Noa said with a gentle smile.
Krisna obeyed, and motioned for Alisa to do the same.
"Alright~ just for a moment. Follow me."
Noa turned and led them toward the three Helmet Gang members, removing their helmets.
All three immediately screamed and covered their faces—
"Are these your friends?" Noa asked softly, eyes closed.
Krisna studied them carefully.
Then looked at Alisa — who shook her head.
"They're not the ones, officer," Krisna said.
Noa nodded. "Very well. Follow me."
She guided them to an ambulance not far from the scene.
Robots and medics carried stretchers covered with cloth.
Noa signaled a medic to stop, then slowly lifted the cloth.
As the fabric peeled back—
Krisna froze, his face turning pale.
Alisa covered her mouth, trembling violently.
The metallic scent of fresh blood seeped from beneath the cloth.
---
To be continued...
---