The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the clouds with fiery hues like a sprawling masterpiece.
The Koutetsujo had come to a halt near a water tower. To repair the breached tank as quickly as possible, laborers were working overtime in a frantic rush. If the tank wasn't fixed and the leaking water wasn't replenished before they continued their journey, the Koutetsujo would undoubtedly break down halfway to its destination.
Armed bushi patrolled the perimeter of the train, keeping a sharp lookout. On the nearby open ground, people had set up several bonfires. Many sat huddled around the same flames where large pots were balanced; fish soup boiled within, sending an appetizing aroma drifting in all directions.
On the outermost edge, protected by the "sliding dogeza duo", Kajika had set up a separate stove. She carefully double-checked every single seasoning before daring to add it to the pot.
Watching this, some onlookers couldn't help but gossip with those beside them.
"See that girl? I heard Kajika was personally appointed by Lady Mika as her private chef. She's in charge of all three meals."
"Lucky brat," a middle-aged man with stubble remarked with a look of disdain. "Just like those two opportunistic bushi, she just happened to be chosen."
"You aren't jealous, are you?"
"...Impossible," the man snapped back, his voice firm as he turned away.
"Why do you all keep calling her 'Lady Mika'?" An older woman sitting near the man spoke up, her face twisted in terror and a simmering resentment. "She destroyed Aragane Station! She left the remains of our loved ones to rot! She even claimed that if anyone dares to poison her food, she'll call down another meteor to kill us all!"
She glared with eyes full of hate. "She's a witch! Perhaps the fall of Aragane Station was her conspiracy all along!"
Those nearby jerked their heads up, staring at her in horror.
"Keep your damn voice down, you crazy woman! If you want to die, don't drag us with you!"
One man nearly jumped out of his skin. After checking to ensure the bushi hadn't noticed, he let out a sigh of relief and glared at the woman.
"Aside from you, your entire family died at the station," he hissed. "I know you're bitter, but that's no reason to go around slandering people! My whole family was saved by Lady Mika. If you dare say that again, I won't be so patient with you!"
"You—?!"
The woman's face paled. Seeing the man's sturdy build, she was forced to lower her head and fall silent, though the resentment in her eyes only deepened.
'Why is it only me? Why am I the only one who ended up like this?'
Human joys and sorrows are rarely in sync.
Some admired Misono Mika's strength; some longed for her perceived holiness; others remembered her grace. But there were also those who harbored resentment because she hadn't saved their families, those who feared her irrational power, and those who chafed under her forceful attitude.
The old woman's perspective wasn't hard to understand; history is full of such examples. For instance, if someone survives a plane crash because they missed the flight due to a last-minute errand, the families of the victims often lash out at the survivor, questioning why they alone lived and wishing death upon them.
Reality is not a game where items can make every NPC understand one another or support each other unconditionally. A four-person dormitory can have over ten different group chats; it seems absurd, but that is the reality of human friction.
"To be honest, I don't think anyone would dare poison Lady Mika. No one would be brave enough to try it in broad daylight."
Suddenly, someone looked toward Kajika with a flicker of unease. "But... what if that girl suddenly goes crazy? What if she decides to take us all down with her by poisoning the food herself?"
The air around the fire stiffened. Someone quickly tried to laugh it off: "That's impossible! Don't scare yourself. She's the one Lady Mika chose!"
"...Wait, there's something I've been wondering. How do you actually know Kajika was chosen by Lady Mika?"
"..."
The area fell silent again. They had heard it through the grapevine—rumors. No one could confirm if the information was truly reliable. The group exchanged glances and tactfully changed the subject.
When a malicious thought is forcibly suppressed by violence, a different seed of evil—planted by suspicion—suddenly finds the nutrients it needs to grow. On the day it fully sprouts, someone will inevitably suffer.
They certainly couldn't do anything to Misono Mika, but they could strike at Kajika, who had no means of self-defense.
Just as Misono Mika had anticipated, Kajika appeared to be shoulder the burden for everyone's sake. However, the people would not thank her; they would treat her with malice. Because their lives were essentially in Kajika's hands, and no one likes having their fate decided by someone else.
They might not dare to rebel against the powerful, but if the target is someone from their own social class, the odds of them turning their blades on one another are very high.
"..."
In the crowd, a pregnant woman sat with her head bowed in silence. She stroked her bulging belly, biting her lip as a flash of grim determination crossed her eyes.
★ ★ ★
Meanwhile, inside the carriage where Misono Mika was resting.
Mumei sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through a book she had brought. She glanced at Misono Mika beside her before turning the page.
Ikoma sat on the floor, unbothered by the dirt. He held the design blueprints for the Piercing Gun and a pen, gesturing constantly to Takumi as they discussed potential improvements.
Suddenly, a pink, galaxy-like halo flickered to life. Misono Mika's beautiful eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her clear eyes.
"Mm... it looks like I slept for quite a while. It's almost dark..."
Seeing the sky darkening outside, Mika stood up from the bed and stretched vigorously. The perfect curves of her body caused Mumei, Ikoma, and Takumi to look over.
Ikoma and Takumi flushed and quickly looked away, staring at the floor for fear that their disrespectful gaze might trigger Mika's wrath. Mumei, however, looked at Mika's chest without any reservation, then looked down at her own.
'Mine isn't too bad either,' she muttered to herself.
Mika's body had already returned to its peak state, and she paid no mind to their stares. She smoothed out her messy hair, reflecting privately.
'I can't be that reckless again. Dropping meteors feels great, but the stamina drain is just too much. Summoning that many at once is a classic "kill a thousand enemies at the cost of eight hundred of your own" move.'
Gurgle~
"What was that sound?" Mumei asked, looking around like a curious kitten.
'Is... is she an idiot?' Takumi thought, staring at Mumei.
'Don't just say whatever comes to your mind!' Ikoma thought, keeping his eyes forward and pretending to be both deaf and blind to the situation.
"..."
Misono Mika rubbed her stomach. Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since she had eaten a proper meal.