Americano (4)

It was a day like any other. I arrived at the Association building with a light step and naturally headed to the top floor.

I carefully opened the office door. Even though I’d be an uninvited guest to them, I planned to sneak in, pretend I wasn’t there, and just meet Erica before leaving.

The reason? Well, nothing special.

I wanted to eat shaved ice with Erica.

Though I was used to being alone, my desire to be with Erica for everything I did had grown too strong.

We had visited cafes and the Association together before, but it was mostly for work. We never had personal time to get to know each other.

Lately, I feel like I’m acting on instinct alone.

I’m desperately trying to see her eyes even one more time.

Surely this can’t be love.

I came to that conclusion as I gently closed the door I had opened.

I’ll have to think about it seriously later.

Whether love is allowed in my wretched life.

Looking around, I carefully sat down on one of the chairs lined up quietly to the side.

Now if I stay still, Erica will discover me and come to greet me with a frown.

I look forward to the scolding she’ll unleash on me.

I let out a breath.

The office was noisier than usual. The director visible ahead had a serious expression… ah, Erica is there too.

“Gates appearing at all hours, really.”

“It seems to be a high-tier one this time too?”

The director held his forehead.

“Yes. The Union Department observed it, so they say it’s certain.”

“What about the rift progression?”

“It’s not at a serious level yet.”

An employee approached the director and handed him a sheet of paper. He quickly skimmed through it before tossing it onto the desk with practiced ease.

“And…”

Ah, our eyes met.

I responded with a small smile, and this time Erica frowned and held her forehead.

Since I’ve already been discovered, I might as well act boldly.

“Hello.”

Though I disliked noisy environments, it felt good that I wasn’t drawing attention from those around me right now.

“I came because I wanted to see you.”

Erica still had that ‘I can’t stand the sight of you’ look on her face, but surprisingly, the director remained calm.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve only shown non-threatening behavior at the Association so far, but he seems to adapt quickly.

“Suddenly, I was really craving shaved ice.”

“And?”

“So I came to you! Can I come to the top floor from now on?”

“…”

The hostage situation disguised as training is coming soon. But before that, I wanted to use this brief respite for my own selfish desires.

Sitting together comfortably, facing each other while eating shaved ice.

It would be so sweet.

Probably just for me though.

“Why should I…”

“Hmm?”

“Hah, fine. Do as you please.”

What came back was reluctant acquiescence after refusal. I just smiled silently, but I was overjoyed that she was going along with my words so well.

Her face was frowning, but I didn’t mind.

She seems to be always busy with work, doesn’t she need a break?

“The place in front of the station, right?”

“You know it?”

“Go wait there first.”

After this brief exchange, Erica turned her attention back to the papers.

I left the office with a gentle smile.

Outside the Association, the weather was pleasant. The temperature was just right, neither hot nor cold. I should watch the weather news before leaving home next time.

Since meeting Erica, I’ve been gradually increasing my everyday behaviors. Sleeping in late sometimes, reading books.

This is an extension of that. Cafes, walks, desserts. And small talk to go with it.

I’m not sure what I’m looking for in this mixed-up life.

But I keep walking.

Maybe things have gotten a little better.

In the desolate streets heading towards ruin, there weren’t many bright spots.

It was surprisingly difficult to find shops operating normally.

I’m glad I found this place at least.

Shaved ice.

A white snowy landscape adorned with blooming flowers of various colors.

Yeah.

It’s going to be delicious.

Thinking such thoughts, I walked the remaining distance.

I opened the cold entrance door and stepped inside.

Huh?

This is strange.

Why is there no one here?

All I felt was a cool sensation.

In a place devoid of the presences that should have been there.

I blinked for a moment in the calm and quiet shop interior.

But even that moment was brutally shattered by the uproar that assaulted my ears.

“Open fire!!”

Gunshots.

The extraordinary invading the ordinary.

A surge.

Along with the pain striking my body, a red sea gushes out.

Amidst the cacophony that feels like it’s splitting my head, I grab my ears and collapse.

Countless foreign objects pierce through my worn and tattered clothes, embedding in my body.

It hurts.

Harsh static and noise fill the area, and hazy smoke inhibits breathing.

Swept up in the barrage of attacks, I’m slammed into the back wall.

Savior.

The savior of the human realm, they say.

I almost killed Seran.

I stagger to my feet.

Large swords are repeatedly stabbed into my abdomen, forcibly bringing me to my knees.

I’m being pierced through.

Well.

No matter how I think about it, that title doesn’t fit.

On that day of the great massacre.

I abandoned my true self.

I forgot the guilt and depression of killing people.

I felt exhilaration as I trampled hundreds of people.

Justifying myself by saying it was to sweep away the spear-wielding spirit troops, under the pretext of saving the human realm.

I swung my sword.

As the slaughter unfolded, I laughed.

As the blood festival enveloped the area, I collapsed again.

I wailed. I mocked myself. I oppressed myself and self-harmed.

If the bloody footprints left by such a twisted being are salvation.

Then your disgusting invasion of deliberately releasing spirit troops into the human realm.

Could also be described as reforming humans whose sanity was rotting away due to magical power.

“Stop!!”

My body was shattered countless times and pieced back together.

My heart burst and regenerated over and over.

The floor and shop interior engulfed in flames.

When the acrid smoke filling the area and the gunfire and sword strikes being poured onto me finally stopped.

I lower my head and reach out my hand.

Cold and hard.

A single red flower falls onto my palm.

Its petals scatter, spreading through the space.

Waves intertwine and currents shake. A massive thorn-like sea spreads out like lightning. It awakens the earth and pierces the air.

Screams can be heard. Death throes and wails mix together. Noise blends and becomes an uproar.

What am I?

What am I, all mixed up like this?

I’ve agonized over it since long ago.

I still didn’t know.

Again.

Shaved ice.

A counteroffensive like a snow-capped mountain, an avalanche rolling down.

The dark colors decorated by corpses of lives crushed under snowballs and massive boulders.

As I scoop up a spoonful, screams ring out.

I put it in my mouth.

The ice crunches between my teeth.

It tastes bad.

“Haa… Haa…!”

You’re late.

“Welcome.”

“…Aureli.”

Erica.

My goal, my daily life, my salvation.

“I killed people again.”

A white sword is raised and pointed at me.

Those pure white eyes are directed not at me, but at them – those whose bodies are torn apart, no longer in human form.

“What am I?”

If it’s you, could you define me?

“What are you, what. Just what kind of…”

Her bewildered face meets my eyes, and I close my mouth.

Right.

That’s right.

I don’t even have the right to lament.

All I’m allowed is to carry out the plan for your sake.

“Shall we do a rehearsal?”

“…”

I spread my arms.

“Kill me.”

Please.

Cut me off. Crush me. Trample and destroy me mercilessly.

Kiing.

The sword strike is always sharp. The curve slashed through the air is as splendid as ink splattered on a pure white canvas.

But it’s slow. So leisurely and unhurried that I can see the blade, material, and even the momentary glint of light.

I spun around once in place. Droplets of blood disturbed the air and coalesced into a single scythe. I swung it, shattering the long sword strike. I dove inside and thrust my foot into her abdomen, sending Erica flying back.

I shattered the scythe and transformed it into a greatsword. As I charged forward swinging, Erica opened her eyes and raised her sword to meet mine. Two points on her shoulder glowed yellow. Sparks flew where the red sword and white sword collided.

With an explosion, the air currents shook and surged. Tables and chairs were swept up by the wind, crashing into each other. The windows shattered and cracks began to form in the building.

I exhaled as I watched Erica slam into the wall.

Let’s start slowly and carefully. We’re cultivating a small spark for the brilliantly shining sun to come. It may be difficult now, but I believe the end will surely be beautiful.

Because you are the world I long for.

I don’t want to cause you pain, but I want to – I hope you can forgive such a twisted me.

Thinking about it again.

Isn’t it too much that they only send Erica alone in response to the commotion I caused?

Or perhaps it’s a strategy targeting me, who is strangely favorable towards her.

In any case.

The lump of ice in my mouth tastes terrible.

So bad I want to spit it out.

But since I’ve come this far, I suppose I should force myself to eat it all.

[ Aureli. ]

No matter how much you look at me like that, you won’t give it to me.

[ How about taking a break for a while? ]

You’re quite a bad spirit too.

Telling me to rest in a place like this?

Where corpses are strewn about?

With a hollow laugh, I searched the fallen Erica’s pockets.

A small, cute phone.

I pressed the emergency call button and a dial tone rang out.

The voice of the person who answered immediately was tinged with urgency.

I put a spoonful of shaved ice in my mouth and tidied Erica’s hair as I spoke.

“Multiple Union Department casualties, one Association Ranker severely injured.”

It’s strawberry flavor. No, maybe chocolate?

“Shaved ice shop. Come quickly.”