Rei Ao was leisurely chatting in the group chat, but unfortunately, Inori, the new mber, hadn't said a word from start to finish.
So of the group mbers had @-ntioned her a few tis, yet there was still no response at all. Even Rei Ao began to wonder if she'd actually seen the group chat. Logically, all the chat info should have been transmitted to her mind imdiately.
Still, he didn't think too much of it; he decided to just let things follow their natural course.
…
anwhile, in another world…
On top of a tall building, the wind roared harshly, not the least bit gentle. But there on the edge, a pink-haired girl sat calmly, letting the wind blow through her hair as she quietly gazed forward. She wasn't watching the sunset's afterglow—rather, she was curiously reading every ssage in the group chat.
Her na was Inori.
A girl with a soft pink hairstyle, deep crimson eyes, a divinely gifted singing voice, and astonishing beauty—just as Rei Ao had guessed. She'd already been aware of the group chat's existence but hadn't said anything because she didn't know if it was real or if it might be an enemy set on targeting her organization.
Inori's identity was unusual.
On one hand, she was an internet idol singer under egoist; on the other, she was a mber of the resistance group called "Funeral Parlor."
Funeral Parlor's enemy was GHQ.
The relationship between these two factions traces back to an incident known as "Lost Christmas" in December 2029. In the area of Roppongi Fort, a new infectious disease called the "Apocalypse Virus" broke out. It was terrifying, with a bizarre onset mode, and had extrely high infectivity and lethality rates.
The virus was categorized into at least four infection levels.
Under a Level-4 Infection, the patient's body would be largely covered by purplish crystal-like formations, impossible to forcibly remove.
At Level 1, the patient might test negative or have just a tiny area of crystallization.
As the virus spread, the patient would gradually lose their mind, eventually slipping into unconsciousness at Level 4.
After dying, the patient's body would fully crystallize, and under physical impact, the crystals would break and vanish.
The virus itself keeps crystallizing within the body, eventually rupturing through the skin.
This dreadful virus caused massive turmoil in the Roppongi Fort area.
Local authorities were completely out of their depth, so a multinational security force was brought in. The Japan governnt relinquished its authority, and GHQ began a provisional rule over the country. Though local organizations and municipal bodies still operated, national administration and policy decisions ca under GHQ's control.
anwhile, Funeral Parlor erged in the Roppongi region.
After the Lost Christmas incident, Roppongi essentially beca a zone outside any country's jurisdiction. Its residents weren't allowed to leave nor receive vaccinations. Funeral Parlor was born as an underground resistance group, hidden under Roppongi Fort, fighting GHQ in hopes of freeing Japan. They fought alone, risking their lives under the motto: "Offer a requiem for the ones cast aside."
Inori was one of them.
GHQ possessed advanced technology, so Inori acted prudently by not responding to the greetings in the group chat, a choice befitting her situation.
"Inori, Gai is looking for you—says there's an important mission for you."
Suddenly a female voice ca from behind.
"Why do you always co to places like this? If your identity's exposed, it'll be dangerous."
That was a second female voice. Inori turned around to see a black-haired girl wearing cat-ear accessories pushing a wheelchair, and seated in the wheelchair was an orange-haired young woman.
"Tsugumi, Ayase…"
Inori called out their nas—both were Funeral Parlor mbers.
Shinomiya Ayase: One of Funeral Parlor's main combatants, lively and competitive, a wheelchair user, and pilot of the humanoid cha "Endlave."
Tsugumi: Ayase's younger sister, in charge of intel operations for Funeral Parlor, an outstanding controller. During combat, she wore tight-fitting clothes with electrode sensors all over, enabling her dance-like actions to provide highly efficient support to the front-line fighters. She also often worked as a hacker, breaching enemy systems—vital to their missions.
As for "Gai," that referred to Gai Tsutsugami, the young leader of the Funeral Parlor, who was also Inori's savior.
Inori stepped away from the building's edge and abruptly asked, "Tsugumi, Ayase, do you think it's possible there are other worlds beyond ours?"
It was an oddly scientific yet sci-fi, almost philosophical question. The two were montarily at a loss. Exchanging glances, Tsugumi spoke first, sounding slightly annoyed:
"Who knows. Anyway, whatever's out there has nothing to do with us."
Ayase casually added, "Maybe. But even if there is so better world, it won't change our reality."
"Alright, let's head back."
"…Mm."
Inori followed them back to Funeral Parlor's base, her gaze lingering on the group chat, a question stirring in her heart:
Can't we really change our circumstances…?
…
"Ding-dong!"
The doorbell rang at Rei Ao's house.
"You are…?"
The one who opened the door was Tohru, who looked uncertainly at the three people standing there. Of the three, she recognized Mafuyu Kirisu—but not the two nervous-looking girls, Furuhashi Fumino and Ogata Rizu.
"They're my students. We arranged with Rei Ao about 2.5 hours ago to et," Mafuyu Kirisu explained. Despite the anxiousness stemming from her last incident—sothing that clashed with her professional standards—she had no choice: this was the first ti her students had co, and she had to be responsible for them, offering them a sense of security. Even if it ant avoiding seeing Rei Ao or even speaking to him if possible.
Just then, Rei Ao walked over.
"Tohru, they're here by appointnt with ."
"Ohh, alright."
Tohru opened the door. "Please co in."
~~~
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