Chương 81: Chapter 22 The Road to the Prologue (Still Far Away) (Part 2)

"Tsukasa, wake up. We're here."

"Hm...? I fell asleep... Was this the command headquarters?"

"Yes. Everyone is waiting for you." We had arrived at what was probably a command center created by requisitioning some existing building. From the rooftop helipad, I looked down at Akihabara. The buildings were gone. The emptiness made the devastation all the more painful. All that remained was for an official declaration that the incident was over. Once that happened, I should finally be able to go home. Or at least, that was the plan.

"Welcome, Chloe. I know you're tired, but we're going to begin the final preparations."

"Final preparations?" Chiyoda had come out to greet us. Instead of his usual neatly parted hair, he was wearing it slicked back. He normally had a gentle expression, but perhaps after getting punched and finally letting something loose, his wild side had become even more pronounced. But what did he mean by preparations? The sweep was over. Once the government issued the declaration that the incident was over, wouldn't that be the end of it? Certainly, there would still be plenty of trouble left behind.

This incident had crossed national borders and sent shockwaves throughout the world. It had only been about ten days since the gate appeared, yet in that short time, the world had been turned upside down. After seeing that battle, there were probably plenty of people who had begun thinking about the end of the world. And the stronger that fear was for those who had taken a Class. In fact, perhaps it was even stronger for those who hadn't.

"Yes. The sweep is complete. The surviving soldiers, including the wounded, are all returning to their respective destinations. The question is who will make the final call.

"And that is your role.

"If this had been a war between people, the government could simply make the decision.

"But this time, it is monsters against humanity.

"A statement from politicians who never went into battle themselves would be far too weak.

"You went into the final battle and came back alive.

"Your appearance here will give people a sense of security."

"You want me to become a symbol of hope?" Chiyoda nodded silently. The others who had come to greet us nodded as well. Only Rina and Mochida looked worried. But it was true. If anyone was going to draw the curtain on this incident, it was probably my job. Fortunately, the fact that I had not suffered even a single injury would help me fulfill that role. Someone had survived that fierce battle without a scratch. That meant the people who had become the foundation of this victory... had not died in vain.

"Understood. I'll do it. Do you have a script?"

"No. The Prime Minister wants you to speak in your own words.

"Your own words, as the person who defeated the final monster."

"I'm not good at speaking in front of people, but I understand. Leave the arrangements to me." I didn't like it, but there was no avoiding it. I'd think about what to say before the declaration. They would prepare the venue. The words that came out would be mine. Words of sincerity. Words of reassurance. And words of farewell to those who had died.

"Yes. Mochida, take them to the waiting room.... And that dog?"

"Oh, apparently we're partners now. Don't worry about it." Mochida led us to what appeared to be a conference room. Everyone we passed along the way was busy working, but whenever they saw me, each person sent a quiet "Thank you." After seeing us inside, Mochida said she had preparations to make and left. That left just Rina and me. It was over, but something had begun. The gate was still there. And no one knew when it might overflow again.

"Come to think of it, how were you able to get there so quickly? That place was a battlefield. You didn't even know whether it was safe. Why did you come?"

"The smoke cleared." She answered without hesitation.

"Whenever you fight, Tsukasa, you always produce huge clouds of smoke. So when the smoke cleared, I figured that meant the fight had been decided somehow. That's when I scrambled over there." In other words, someone had been watching. A satellite. A drone. Or perhaps cameras belonging to volunteers or soldiers. Hmm. Even if they discovered that I was immortal, it probably wouldn't be a major problem. I'd already mentioned during my streams that there was medicine inside the gate.

Still, I really didn't want anyone experimenting on me. Especially since I hadn't seen any rewind potion in the Resource Ledger.

"Did you see me fighting?"

"No. I could barely see anything through the smoke. That's why everyone panicked.

"If you lost, we wondered if there was anyone who could actually beat it.

"I think you said it was a mid-tier monster, right? Anything below that wouldn't even stand a chance, would it?

"Anyway, when we arrived, you were completely naked, and there were media helicopters flying around too.

"Your chastity was in danger." This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. So they didn't know. They didn't know what Class I had. They didn't know what I had done. They didn't even know whether I had won. If I had lost, they would have needed information. The dog had appeared immediately after the announcement, and the soldiers stationed at the front of the gate had probably been swallowed along with the surrounding space.

By the time they arrived, I had already produced a tremendous amount of smoke. I had also been fighting while surrounded by it. A smoke screen that didn't distinguish between friend and foe. Normally, it was no more than the smoke from a cigarette. But if I increased the amount enough, even my own figure would disappear.

"... If I'd lost, that would have been dangerous. I don't want you doing anything dangerous, either." I took out the cigarette Hyodo had given me and lit it. Fortunately, someone had thoughtfully placed an ashtray there.

"I have no intention of giving up.

"But that doesn't mean I can never lose.

"I don't die. I don't know whether monsters can die naturally, but if I can't die, then the question of when a battle ends becomes an entirely different matter.

"This time, the battle was decided there, whether or not you could call it a clear victory.

"But if I had lost there, I wouldn't know when the next battle would take place.

"Magic is determined by imagination.

"How long would it take me to solidify the image of defeating someone who had already defeated me once?"

"It's the same for me." Rina placed her left hand over mine.

"We made a vow, remember? In sickness and in health.

"I have the children, so I can't go immediately.

"But if Tsukasa dies, I'll die too.

"I don't accept that 'until death do us part' nonsense." She turned around, gave me a playful wink, and lightly kissed me. This time, somehow, we had made it through. But what about next time? A great deal of data had been gathered from this incident. My conversations with Tachibana and Chiyoda would not have been meaningless either. So all that remained was to invite each other to keep walking. My wife wrapped her arms around me. I held her hand. And gathered the strength to take another step forward.

"Ah... Am I interrupting?" Mochida entered carrying a trunk, averting her eyes. Whether she was actually interrupting us was another matter, but she probably hadn't known how to react after walking in on a married couple being affectionate. The fact that she had arrived probably meant the preparations were finished.

"No, it's fine. Are the preparations finished?"

"Yes. It's sudden, but the press conference will begin now. The government wants to resolve the public's anxiety as quickly as possible." I looked at the clock. It was around nine at night. A night when people could sleep was better than a night when they couldn't. If people were alive, tomorrow would come. The sun would rise. People would eat. People would work.

"Daily life." It was a simple phrase, but it was a good one. And daily life never waited.

"Understood. Let's go.... Is that trunk the usual one?"

"The request was for you to wear this outfit." The contents of the trunk Mochida handed me were the familiar gothic lolita clothes. Ever since I'd worn them during my stream, they had somehow become my unofficial uniform. Tachibana... I held a small grudge against him. I couldn't resist anymore, but what kind of thing did you make an old man wear? Although, right now, I looked like a girl.

"Rina, can you do my hair and the zipper?"

"Of course. I'll make you cute... and then someone might steal you?"

"Who exactly would steal me? You're my wife. Have some confidence." My wife happily zipped me up and fixed my hair. A red ribbon tie. Twin tails tied with matching red ribbons. The finished result looked like a recreation of my appearance from the stream.

"Then let's go. Rina, please wait here."

"Prime Minister, do we know the circumstances behind this monster outbreak? Is there a possibility of another incident like this occurring?"

"This incident was part of the series of events caused by the appearance of the gate. As for the future, we cannot say."

"Prime Minister, there were civilian casualties and extensive damage to buildings inside the inner area. What about compensation?"

"Buildings will be covered. However, deaths inside the inner area are considered the result of personal responsibility. This decision will not be overturned."

"Prime Minister, what about First? It is said that she participated in the final battle. Can you tell us more?"

"She is safe. She will also be appearing at this press conference."

"Prime Minister, regarding this monster panic, commonly referred to as a stampede..." I was brought to the side of Takasago, where the Prime Minister was holding his press conference. The police protected me so thoroughly that nobody noticed me. My short height helped too. I was practically hidden behind a wall of people. The Prime Minister was speaking to the reporters, so I wasn't supposed to appear yet... (Please come out.) (Huh? Isn't there supposed to be some kind of signal?) (The Prime Minister said you should appear once you're ready.) The Prime Minister calmly answered questions while holding several documents in his hands. There were probably cue cards in there too. He tells me to speak in my own words, yet he uses cue cards himself... Well, standing here wouldn't accomplish anything. The questions would probably be ignored anyway.... Let's go.

"Prime Minister, regarding the other countries—First? Mr. First has appeared!" I walked onto the stage. The camera flashes were blinding, and the reporters' commotion showed no sign of stopping. Everyone wanted to speak up so they wouldn't be crushed by their anxiety. They wanted confirmation that they were finally safe.

"Please be quiet." The room fell silent.

"This monster incident has been brought under control through the efforts of those who fought bravely and gave their lives, the cooperation of volunteers, and the efforts of everyone involved in this incident.

"To those who accepted their noble mission and became the foundation of this victory...

"Goodbye.

"Here, I declare this incident concluded.

"And I declare this area safe." The moment I made the declaration, the silent room erupted into applause. Someone had started it. Then another person joined. Soon, the entire venue was filled with applause and joy. The road to reconstruction would be long. The dead would not return. There were ways. There were possibilities. The strongest recovery potions existed, and there was always the question of time... No. Not now. What was gone was gone. After making the declaration, I quickly left the stage.

When I glanced behind me, I saw the Prime Minister's hand reaching toward me. Unfortunately, I had no intention of staying in front of people any longer. Deal with it using the thick skin politicians are famous for.

"Good work."

"Good work. I can finally get this weight off my shoulders." Mochida and the police escorted me back to the conference room. A lot had happened. But from here, the country could handle things. As for me, I wanted to quietly... At least until the name "First" became less prominent, I wanted to take it easy. It felt like my entire life had turned 360 degrees in less than half a month. A full circle, someone might say. But there was a twist. A twist. I had a wife. I had gained new friends. That was an ordinary life.

But I was the one who had changed. And since I had accepted that change myself... that was enough.

"Ah, welcome back. Are you okay? Did you stumble over your words?"

"Welcome home. I'm fine." I'd finished what I needed to do. After returning to the hotel, I could go home tomorrow. My old life should gradually return. Not completely. But little by little. Come to think of it, was the hotel okay? All my belongings were inside the ring, so there was no real problem.

"Kaori, do I have somewhere to return to? A hotel or something? If not, I'll just stay here tonight."

"Ah..." She hesitated.

"I'll ask Chiyoda." Her response was strangely hesitant, but that was understandable after everything that had happened. I didn't need any special treatment. If there was nowhere to stay, a blanket would be enough. I could sleep anywhere.

"Did you watch any of the coverage on TV, Rina? Do you know what they showed?"

"I was taken straight to headquarters after I got there, so I don't know either. I think it was Chiyoda who said that it wouldn't be good if anything happened to his wife." I'd once had an argument with Chiyoda over my family, so perhaps he had taken that into consideration. The police in Oita weren't strangers to us, either. I'd thought I wouldn't be able to see them again until I returned to the country, so I was honestly happy.

"By the way, are Haruka and the others at the hotel over there?"

"Yes. I mean, taking the children into something like this would be..." We continued having aimless conversations. About the children. About life at the hotel. About what we would do from here. There was plenty to talk about, and we had time.

"Tsukasa, they have a hotel reserved for you, so please rest there tonight. Tomorrow, we'll discuss what happens from here."

"Understood. Let's go." We arrived at a hotel somewhere in Tokyo. Mochida left us there, and my wife and the dog entered the room with me. It was a single room, and for some reason an SP was standing at the entrance. I suppose they weren't ready to lift my VIP status yet. And my wife's arrival had been unexpected, too. Apparently, if I asked the SPs, they could arrange food and anything else I needed. For now, I asked for a meal and some underwear before Mochida left.

I filled the bathtub with hot water and got in with my wife. She insisted, and since we also used family baths together, there was no problem. Thanks to my smaller body, the tub didn't feel particularly cramped. Before, I had held my wife from behind. Now, the positions were reversed.

"Good work. Even though you've gotten this small, you worked yourself far too hard."

"I couldn't help it. This is what happened to me." My wife's chest pressed against my back as she wrapped her arms around me. She wasn't particularly strong, but it felt as though she was telling me not to go anywhere. As I listened to the sound of dripping water and felt the warmth of my wife, I finally felt that it was truly over. This feeling would probably stay with me for several days, whenever some ordinary moment reminded me of what had happened.

"What do you want to do when we get home, Tsukasa?"

"Let's see... Summer's coming, so I'd like to go to the beach. I like swimming."

"That sounds nice. We could invite Haruka, Nayuta, Yuuki, and Chihiro."

"Yeah. And I want to watch Nyan-ta. I want to cuddle with him."

"You've always loved cats. Oh, right. You're going to keep that dog, aren't you? What are you going to name him?"

"Hmm..." The dog that had followed us here. What should I name it? Wan-ta? Pochi? No. Maybe I should just cut its head off. The damage it had caused wasn't zero. If I wanted to eliminate any future problems...

"How about Aki? You found him in Akihabara, didn't you?"

"Aki..." I considered it.

"Let's put that on hold for now."

"Okay. Well, never mind. It's been a while, so let me wash your back." My wife stood up and carefully washed me from head to toe. Hey. The front is fine. You don't have to... I can wash myself. What do you mean I'm washing it wrong? If it gets clean, that's enough... She thoroughly washed every inch of me, and afterward we lay together on the only bed in the room, holding each other as we fell asleep. Wife... There's an SP standing outside the door. Have some restraint.

"Well, well. Did you two have fun last night?"

"You don't have to go through the standard routine." I thought we'd gone to sleep fairly early, but before I knew it, morning had arrived. My wife had already gotten up and changed clothes, but perhaps out of consideration for me, she'd only just woken me. I'd slept in a yukata, and it had opened quite a bit. I didn't think I was a restless sleeper...

"I'll get ready. Are we going straight to the command center?"

"Yes. Chiyoda and the others are waiting."