-SAPPORO CITY OUTSKIRTS-
-2:42 PM, MARCH 10, 2017-
The snow was falling harder now.
Heavier.
Rikuu and Ichika ran through it without stopping.
Breaths visible.
Steps quick.
Focused.
-ON THE WAY BACK-
-2:45 PM-
Rikuu's voice was low.
"…We're late."
Ichika didn't deny it.
"…But not too late."
A pause.
"…We can still interfere."
-NEAR THE CITY-
-2:50 PM-
As they approached—
Something felt different.
The city—
Wasn't quiet anymore.
-CITY EDGE-
-2:52 PM-
Lights flickered.
Distant sirens echoed.
People gathered outside buildings.
Confusion.
Uncertainty.
-CITY STREET-
-2:55 PM-
Rikuu slowed slightly.
"…It's already started."
Ichika looked ahead.
"…Then we're right on time."
A traffic light malfunctioned.
Changing unexpectedly.
Cars hesitated.
A ripple of disruption.
Rikuu's eyes narrowed.
"…This is just the beginning."
Ichika looked at him.
"…Where do we go first?"
Rikuu didn't hesitate.
"…The central control pathways."
A pause.
"…If we interrupt them…"
"…we slow everything down."
They turned direction.
Moving with purpose.
No hesitation.
-UNKNOWN LOCATION-
-3:02 PM-
The man observed the system.
"…They've returned."
Another voice spoke.
"Proceed with escalation?"
The man nodded.
"…Yes."
-CITY STREET-
-3:05 PM-
The system reacted again.
Stronger.
More widespread.
Rikuu stopped briefly.
"…It's spreading faster."
Ichika's expression tightened.
"…Then we need to move faster."
Rikuu looked forward.
Determined.
"…Let's end this."
Together—
They ran deeper into the city.
Toward the center.
Toward the system.
Toward the final confrontation.
