Whenever the Koutetsujou passed through a pitch-black tunnel, dozens of Kabane fell onto the roof of the carriages.
The dull sounds of impact struck like giant hammers against the hearts of the people, inevitably causing a stir of panic.
Some children hid fearfully in the arms of adults, not daring to look outside.
Bang! Bang! Bang!—
As the distinctive gunshots rang out continuously, many inside the carriages wore expressions of relief.
Gunshots that could be identified by sound alone meant Misono Mika was on the roof clearing away the Kabane above.
In their impression, no matter how many Kabane there were, they posed no threat to Mika.
It was only a matter of time before the Kabane ambushing the tunnel entrances were wiped out.
Thus, they only needed to ensure their own safety and wait patiently.
★ ★ ★
On the roof.
"Six Roots Purified!"
Mumei swung her right hand with force, driving the bayonet on her gun deep into a Kabane's heart while simultaneously raising her right foot to kick the corpse off the roof.
"Phew... my body has reached its limit..."
Mumei panted heavily, using her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
Physical fatigue and mental exhaustion made Mumei feel drowsy. Combined with the hunger from not 'feeding' on time, her current state was worse than usual.
'Dammit... I clearly came to help... yet now I am just dragging her down...'
Mumei looked back at the silhouette of Mika's back. Though her heart felt unwilling, she had to admit one fact.
Mika did not need her help; the power of a Kabaneri seemed negligible to her.
Even so, Mika still trustingly left her rear to Mumei, fighting side-by-side with her.
Mumei could not yet understand the reason Mika did this. Perhaps once she understood Mika a bit more, she would be able to figure it out.
"The most dangerous stretch of road has finally passed. The Kabane on the roof are cleared... it is finally over."
After retying the restrictive ribbon around her neck, Mumei sat down on the roof as if her strength had completely evaporated.
Before long, as if she had not slept for days, her eyelids began to fight. Her small head started nodding up and down like a chick pecking at grain.
Suddenly, a dark shadow crawled up the side of the carriage and stood upon the roof.
A Kabane standing nearly one hundred ninety centimeters tall appeared behind Mumei. It stared at the defenseless girl and drew two notched tachi from its waist.
It swung them rapidly toward Mumei's head.
This was a special Kabane known as a Wazatori. This type of Kabane, after a certain amount of combat, gradually learns to master weapons and martial arts, making them far more troublesome than average Kabane.
'I actually... missed the most difficult one...?!'
Mumei sensed the movement behind her and felt a sudden jolt of alarm. Her scalp tingled, and the hair on her body stood on end.
She wanted to get up and dodge, but her weakened body, which could not squeeze out a single drop of strength, refused to allow any effective evasive maneuvers.
"Is there still a fish that slipped through the net?"
Mika keenly sensed the movement behind her. The moment she turned around, several sparks erupted from the gun in her hand.
Clang! Clang!
Bright sparks burst from the blades of the two tachi, which snapped upon impact.
The bullets, their power undiminished, instantly pierced the Wazatori's body, tearing out bits of flesh and blood.
Next, several blood holes exploded across its body in succession. The Wazatori was driven back by the bullets until it finally fell off the Koutetsujou, motionless.
Though this Kabane was a special variant, it was still a one-shot matter for Mika.
The reason she fired so many shots was merely out of caution.
Since it was so close to Mumei, it would be bad if it wasn't completely dead and managed to hurt her.
"..."
Mumei, having escaped death, tried to calm her heartbeat while secretly reflecting on her mistake.
When did she become so careless? Was it because she placed too much of her attention on Mika?
But regardless, she nearly lost her life due to this lapse in focus.
Mika made a final check to ensure no living Kabane remained on the Koutetsujou before walking over to Mumei. "I have been watching. Since I spoke with Miss Ayame, you have been secretly observing me, Mumei—even during the battle just now."
"I..."
Mumei opened her mouth, then finally lowered her head with a red face. "I was just a little concerned about... you leaving in the future..."
"Is it that you are reluctant to let me go? Or is it—"
Mika reached out to tilt Mumei's chin up, looking directly into her eyes. "Do you want to obtain the method to become human again from me before I leave?"
The moment she said this, she clearly saw panic and confusion in Mumei's eyes.
It seemed even Mumei herself did not know how to answer this question.
"I... I don't know..."
Mumei did not dare look Mika in the eye. She leaned back to break the hold, lowered her head again, and answered in a low voice.
At the very beginning, her purpose for approaching Mika was clear: it was only to find a way to become human again.
But she didn't know when it started... she had become... excessively dependent on Mika.
Just when exactly did she start acting like this?
Was it when Mika stood up to protect her and Ikoma against all objections during their most helpless moment?
Or did it change when she began trying to understand Mika?
Mumei was not sure about such things.
But when she learned that Mika might leave, her heart suddenly felt empty and painful.
Mumei did not know how to describe this feeling.
She only knew that as long as she stayed by Mika's side, she felt very safe and relaxed.
It was like finding a safe harbor.
The early sun rose slowly, and a cool breeze blew, making Mika and Mumei's clothes rustle.
Mika was surprised by Mumei's reaction. She had only meant to test her standing in Mumei's heart.
She never expected that she had unknowingly occupied such a large place there.
It truly was a surprise; she thought she would have to spend a much longer time with Mumei to achieve such an effect.
How should she put it now?
Perhaps Mumei simply didn't have that many schemes. She liked what she liked and hated what she hated; she possessed a simple and straightforward personality.
After all, Mumei was still just a twelve-year-old girl.
"Then I will change the question. Do you remember the question I asked you when we first met?"
Mika saw the timing was ripe and prepared to drop a heavy bombshell. "How have you considered it? Do you want to become human again? If so, I will make you human right now, so you never have to fear accidentally turning into a mindless Kabane again."