The streets were in chaos.

People were shouting at each other from all directions, some were getting hit, others were doing the hitting.

Every part of Yuka's body ached. Honestly, she thought she'd done well to hold out this far.

Of course, she had no intention of giving up just because she'd made it this far.

Not until Kotone opened her eyes again.

She heard the sound of something cutting through the air beside her, and a beanbag that had been flying toward her split in midair.

When she turned to look, Koko was right next to her.

It was a subtle distance. Koko was using just her hair to provide minimal protection for Yuka.

Almost as if she were sulking, saying she hadn't been forgiven yet.

"......"

This was the situation.

There was still no certainty that Kotone would return, and honestly, she wasn't even sure if what they were doing was really the right thing.

But even so, Yuka found herself smiling faintly.

At least, she felt hopeful that her relationship with Koko—the good Koko—could continue properly.

"Pak!"

She knocked away a beanbag that was flying toward Koko, making it fall. It might have been an unnecessary action for Koko. After all, she was someone who could fight much better than anyone else once she regained her strength.

But still.

Koko glanced at Yuka for just a moment.

That's enough.

Yuka turned her gaze away again—

"Yuka!"

—and then, she heard that voice.

"...Grandfather."

She heard her grandfather's voice from beyond the crowd.

"Yuka, stop this!"

How did he get here? Well, this was in the middle of a residential area, so there were many ways to arrive. Any one of the many intertwining alleys would have been sufficient.

His loud voice was clearly audible even from a distance. It was indeed a voice befitting her grandfather.

"As if I could stop now."

Yuka muttered. She knew these words wouldn't reach her grandfather. The area wasn't quiet enough for her softly muttered words to travel that far.

"......"

And then Koko stepped slightly in front of Yuka.

She wasn't looking at Yuka, nor did she say anything to her.

But the intention behind this action was clear.

Koko was going to block her grandfather's way.

Yuka didn't bother thanking Koko either.

After all, right now they were just fighting together for a single goal.

Yuka turned and ran.

Away from where her grandfather's voice could be heard.

Her heart had been racing madly, and her head was spinning. Perhaps the effects of not eating or sleeping properly for the past few days were finally showing.

But still.

It was fine. Yuka didn't have the slightest desire to give up.

She was just afraid that if she saw her grandfather's face, her resolve might weaken even a little. Afraid that she might end up giving in, that's what scared her.

*

"Sota, what are you doing there...!"

"......"

Despite Hagiwara's words, Sota stood blocking her way without saying a word.

In truth, he wasn't much of a threat.

Sota was just an ordinary high school student. Whether by coincidence, divine arrangement, or perhaps because everyone had forgotten over time that such qualities existed, there seemed to be something different working in his blood, but that was all—his fighting ability wasn't particularly outstanding compared to other high school students his age.

Shii, who stood beside him blocking the way, was even less so. Though she took care of her body through diet management and exercise, she was still a child several years younger than Hagiwara.

And—

"...Nanami."

Hagiwara called the name of Nanami, who was also standing firm beside Sota.

"Hana-senpai."

How did these two end up calling each other by name?

It was probably after last Christmas. While competing for positions on either side of Sota during that special day, they found common ground for the first time when Sota left to look for his sister.

They were too young to drink alcohol, so they couldn't go to a bar and get drunk like adults do, but they could get intoxicated by the atmosphere.

Left alone in the karaoke room after Sota left, the two of them relieved their frustrations by singing loudly together. That was probably when they started calling each other by name.

It hadn't been long, but—

"What are you doing in a place like this?"

"......"

Nanami looked confused for a moment when asked.

But she showed no intention of moving or running away.

"I... went looking for Shii because I was worried."

"......"

Hagiwara closed her eyes tightly. She could guess how things had unfolded.

"You're not the kind of child who should be in a place like this—"

"Really? Then what about you, senpai?"

"I'm involved—"

"Because you're involved, you treated Shii like a stranger? Even though you knew how close she was with that girl."

"I..."

Hagiwara opened her mouth to refute somehow, but she couldn't find the words.

"You said you liked Sota, but it seems you only liked his appearance? Even though you knew who was most important to him."

"Nanami."

Sota called her name after hearing Nanami's provocation, but Nanami kept looking straight at Hagiwara.

"You knew that if Shii found out the truth, she would obviously try to stop it. So why are you standing on that side?"

There are more important things in the world than that.

...But those words got stuck in her throat and wouldn't come out.

"Above all, that girl. She already saved our lives once."

No, perhaps more than that.

When they went looking for the Satori based on information obtained elsewhere.

If it hadn't been for Kotone's sacrifice then, probably none of those present would have survived.

Not only that, but all the ordinary people living nearby might have died too.

"Senpai."

Sota addressed Hagiwara.

"...I've heard roughly what this is about. I'm sure you have your own circumstances."

Unlike Nanami, who was glaring, Sota continued speaking in a calm tone.

"But... still, she's a friend too."

Sota said.

"And I owe her."

Sota's gaze fell on Shii.

"......"

I see.

For Sota right now, his most precious family was Shii. And that relationship was completely separate from his romantic feelings.

If there was someone who had taken the most care of Shii throughout this year, it would probably be Kotone, who was lying there.

In a different way from her brother Sota.

She looked at Shii.

Her face was pale. Even though she was so frightened, Shii was holding her ground.

"......"

But.

Still, this can't be helped—

"...Senpai."

Sota made one last plea, but Hagiwara didn't put down her knife.

"Sister."

"Yes, that's right."

She heard someone urging Hagiwara from behind.

Hagiwara shot forward.

"Senpai!"

Nanami quickly turned toward Sota. But her movements were much slower than Hagiwara's. That was natural. She was just an ordinary high school girl with no special training.

Shii was almost the same.

Hagiwara rushed at Sota and knocked him down.

And then.

Pak!

Something collided with the bayonet Hagiwara swung and burst in midair.

Woosh, small bean-like grains scattered in all directions.

"...Alright, I understand."

Hagiwara said, looking down at Sota.

"Indeed, persecuting someone who saved your life isn't what a Christian should do."

"Senpai!"

A smile returned to Sota's face.

In a way, this might be betraying her faith.

Anyone who has read the scriptures would know what "resurrection" means.

But—

"...Do not be among those who give pledges, among those who become guarantors for debts."

If that's the case, isn't it already written in the scriptures?

"Why should your bed be taken from under you when you cannot pay?"

If all the sins of the world were to be placed on one girl, how would that debt be repaid? If someone were to demand that debt be forgiven, how would one measure the value of the world to repay it?

Some might call it a misreading.

Someone might say she's twisting the words to hear what she wants.

But she already knew well the story from the scriptures about the one who took on humanity's original sin and was sacrificed for the forgiveness of others' sins.

"...That's not something you can force on someone else."

"Senpai?"

Only when Sota, pinned beneath Hagiwara, asked that did Hagiwara smile at the corner of her mouth and tousle Sota's hair with the hand not holding the knife.

"Ah—!?"

Nanami, who belatedly understood the situation, tried to forcibly push Hagiwara away.

"What are you doing!? My goodness, taking advantage at a time like this!?"

Nanami shouted at Hagiwara, who had risen from her position with a triumphant expression.

"Well, we'll continue the aftermath later."

"There is no aftermath!?"

"......"

Hagiwara looked toward Shii.

Shii's face was still pale, her eyes wide as if surprised.

How frightened she must have been.

"...I'm sorry. We're busy now, so I'll apologize properly later."

"Huh? Oh, no, I—"

Hagiwara turned around.

"Come to think of it, it did seem a bit strange."

Hagiwara said, slowly looking around at the others who had come with her.

"If everything in this world was created according to God's will, there's no reason to persecute a child who's just struggling to live. What did she do?"

Perhaps it's just a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Humanity has been doing the same thing for 2000 years.

"...You all stay back."

"What are you saying?"

Nanami said incredulously.

"Trying to score points alone again? I don't think that's going to work?"

"No, you guys can't even fight—"

"That's why it's important."

Nanami pointed at Hagiwara and said.

"Even an illegal violent organization, if they have any sense, wouldn't touch an innocent citizen like me, right? Surely those people aren't going to cut me down too?"

No, you'd probably be subdued in an instant.

Besides, illegal violent organization?

It's true, but still.

"...Fine, do as you please."

Hagiwara said with a deep sigh.

"I can't take responsibility if you get hurt."

"How can I back down when Sota is standing so proudly?"

Nanami stuck out her tongue.

Hagiwara shrugged her shoulders.

"...I'll try to be helpful."

"Don't get hurt. You too, Shii."

"Hey. The temperature difference in how you treat people is too much."

Nanami said that while pulling something out of her pocket.

...It was a self-defense spray.

Seeing this, Hagiwara couldn't hold back her laughter, which only made Nanami's mood worse.

*

It wasn't "either side" that ended the fight.

"No!"

A desperate scream from inside the house.

At first, not many people heard that scream.

Only those who were close to the house, people who were friends with Kotone.

Something had gone seriously wrong.

With that thought, they turned their heads, and Shii collapsed first.

Nanami rushed toward Shii, whose arm was being twisted after being forcibly caught, but she too was subdued. She screamed as her arm was twisted a bit harder, perhaps because she had sprayed the self-defense spray in someone's eyes.

Hagiwara and Sota tried to help the two, but in the end, it was impossible to overcome the violence of numbers.

Fukuda and Yohei were also subdued.

With all the bullets in the gun used up as threats, and Fukuda swinging the metal pipe only at parts that wouldn't cause "permanent disability," being subdued was inevitable. Given that the two were facing a well-trained counter-terrorism unit, it could be said they held out remarkably long.

The last ones remaining were Koko and Yuka.

And Yuka thought it was entirely thanks to Koko.

"No, no, no!"

...It was Kagami's voice.

Koko's head turned.

With wide eyes—looking as if she might burst into tears at any moment, she stared in the direction where Kotone, Kagami, and Yuu were.

The moment Yuka heard that sound, she was already running.

Throwing away the sword she was holding, she kicked open the door that she had been told never to open until the ritual was complete, and what Yuka saw was—

"...Ah."

She fell to her knees on the floor.

Kotone was lying there. Just as when Yuka had last seen her, with a face peacefully asleep.

The wound on her chest hadn't healed. Kotone just lay there as if she would never open her eyes again.

If there was one thing different from before she left, it was the "meat mass" beside her.

That "meat mass," which had looked very similar to Kotone, now looked like something that could almost be called a person.

Human limbs protruding awkwardly from various places.

As if it had been writhing in pain, trying to escape to the outside, that kind of appearance.

"Ugh."

Was that Kotone?

Because of Yuka's greed, did she meet a miserable end struggling in a body that didn't match her soul?

She wasn't sure.

One thing was certain: the hope Kagami had spoken of was over.

"Ah, aaaah!!"

Kagami was lying face down on the floor, screaming in anguish.

Yuu had a dumbfounded expression. Her face was randomly smeared with oil and pieces of meat.

The face of someone who had just witnessed a horrific scene.

Someone grabbed Yuka's shoulder and dragged her outside.

"Wait!"

When the dazed Yuka was roughly pushed face down on the ground, her arms twisted behind her back and handcuffed, someone shouted that. Soon the lead weight on top of Yuka was removed, and someone carefully helped her up.

"...Grandfather."

"Yuka."

"I..."

"It's alright."

Her grandfather said that and embraced Yuka.

She felt someone place a hand on her back from behind.

"It's okay, Yuka. It's all over."

What do you mean it's over...?

Yuka muttered, but there was no answer.

Her father kept telling Yuka that everything was alright.

People rushed into the open doorway.

After a bit of commotion inside, people dressed in black came out carrying something white.

It was Kotone, her body still not stiff anywhere.

"No!"

"Yuka!"

"No, no! Not yet...!"

Yuka shouted, but Kotone's body was moved away too easily.

"...I hope you understand that this matter is not yet concluded."

One of the men in black suits said.

"For now, we'll leave because securing the specimen is important, but people will be coming soon. Please don't leave this building until then. If you're not in sight when new personnel arrive—"

"...You'll consider it fleeing and track us down. I understand."

Her grandfather said.

"...Yuka? Kotone?"

Koko asked blankly.

As if she didn't understand the situation itself, Koko just kept looking back and forth between the departing Kotone and Yuka.

"Woo?"

Koko tilted her head.

It seemed an atmosphere had formed that Koko shouldn't be touched carelessly.

"Please retrieve the sword and follow us. We will protect your granddaughter. If others join the conversation we're about to have—"

The man in the black suit paused briefly when he saw her grandfather looking up.

"...I believe you understand."

Then he turned and quickly left the place.

"Yuka. You need to pull yourself together."

Her grandfather said.

"Don't worry too much."

"...What if I don't worry?"

Yuka muttered blankly.

"...Kotone..."

"That child has departed."

Her grandfather said.

"......"

Her father just gripped Yuka's shoulder tightly.

*

"Sister Hagiwara."

A white-haired man in priest's vestments addressed Hagiwara.

"...Are you planning to be excommunicated?"

"If I'm excommunicated for following my faith, well, there's nothing I can do."

In fact, if she wanted to marry someone, she would have to either be excommunicated or return to secular life. And both options wouldn't be very welcome from the church's perspective.

Well, Hagiwara wasn't in that position simply because she believed in the religion anyway.

"Please follow us—"

"No."

Hagiwara said, looking at Sota, Shii, and Nanami who were gathering in one corner of the apartment while still handcuffed.

"I'll stay here. I think there's more for me to do here."

"......"

The man looked at Hagiwara silently.

"What did you gain by working with the government? Did you agree to receive some of Kotone's limbs?"

"...I cannot say."

"Yes, well, I suppose you wouldn't."

This change in attitude was somewhat shocking, considering that Hagiwara had behaved rather modestly at least while wearing her nun's habit.

Hagiwara turned and walked with determined steps.

Her hands were still handcuffed.

Handcuffs and a slightly torn nun's habit. It couldn't be called a neat appearance. So perhaps no one would complain if she behaved a little less neatly to match her attire.

She approached where the children had gathered.

...There was a smell of blood from inside the open door.

So in the end, it... failed?

Hagiwara thought her mind felt a little more at ease.

*

"...Excuse me."

Yuu said quietly.

"...How long do we have to keep acting?"

"Until people definitely leave."

Very quietly, very softly, Kagami whispered.

There was a slight heat in her voice.

"After people have gone far enough away that Kotone can come out."

Kagami's shoulders trembled slightly as she said this.

Yuu found that sight... somehow chilling.