Heroes to Hunted

Knowing there was nowhere to run, I chose the back-most carriage. Between all of them, planning an escape would be the easiest in the back. Soon after I approached it, Agawa and Takagi followed me.

I stepped inside to see a luxurious spread. The seating was lined with red velvet cushioning with golden thread. A single silver hook dangled from the roof, presumably for a lantern.

I checked the glass within the windows. Depending on their toughness, I'd either be able to relax or be stuck in a constant state of anxiety.

'Well, so long as it isn't too brittle, I can make do,' is what I thought as I reached a hand to the windowsills. But, my hand phased straight through. Confused, I tried another window, then another…then another.

The realization hit hard like a bombshell. 'There isn't a shard of glass in this deathtrap!' Again, my mind ran wild with all the possibilities of an ambush. The thought of being sniped through an open window turned my heart into a jackhammer as it pounded against my chest.

I sat down and tried to hide my emotions but still broke into a nervous sweat.

'What about IEDs?' At this point, I'd seen enough of them to put a national-level fireworks display to shame. So riding in an unarmored and glassless stagecoach set me on edge.

Then my dread was interrupted by a warm sensation on the back of my hand.

"Are you okay?" Agawa asked with a concerned expression.

"Yeah," I calmed myself, "I'm fine, thanks."

Though her look of concern was still there, she gently removed her hand from mine and gave a subtle smile. "That's good."

I tried to smile back, but the best I managed was a pitifully bent grin that reeked of insecurity.

Our final riding companion hadn't made a name for himself, even though he was dressed flamboyantly. As he stepped in, I sensed an overwhelming aura of "shrewdness" from his very being.

He was immaculately suited, with his entire outfit clear of any visible wrinkles, tears, or blemishes. Considering his attire, you'd think he walked straight out of a men's clothing catalog. In addition to his suit, his eyes were concealed behind a pair of razor-thin, grey-rimmed sunglasses, and his hair ran slick with dried gel.

He remained quiet but broke the silence as the carts pulled forward, almost as if waiting for our escape to be sealed. "How do you do, you three? I'm afraid I know of all your names from earlier, yet you're still unaware of mine," he paused and gave a sharp smile. "My name is Kamida Gin, and I'm in the business of lending funds to those who need them...unofficially."

"So, you're a loan shark," Agawa asserted.

Kamida sighed to himself and ran a hand through his hair. "I find that term to be so biased, Miss Agawa. If you don't mind, I'd prefer to be called an 'unofficial financier.'"

Agawa tilted her head. "Do you admit to being a loan shark, then?"

"I'll admit to being an unofficial financier," he replied with a sly grin.

Agawa responded with a roll of her eyes and turned away to watch the passing outdoors. She cradled her head above her hands over the windowless sill.

My unease about the lack of glass flickered out like an expended lightbulb when I watched too. Rather than anxiety, I felt awe while I gaped at the beauty of nature.

What stretched before me wasn't a polluted and death-ridden wasteland. There weren't hopelessly decayed towns or gruesome mass burial sites. Instead, I was greeted by a verdant green that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Spreading across the open fields of overgrowth were snaking, crystal-blue rivers that reflected pillars of light back into the sky. Over them was a cohort of uncorrupted, snow-capped mountain ranges.

Seeing such a beautiful display of nature that hadn't been corrupted by the grips of humanity, I was in awe.

More than that. I was...humbled.

"This 'other world' business," Kamida shattered my trance, "It's pretty strange, isn't it? I must confess... I don't believe it myself. Though, after that display, it's hard to argue. I mean," he grabbed his forehead and laughed, "who knew that MAGIC could exist?!"

"Are you idiotic?" Takagi insulted. "Haven't you ever heard of special effects? That stuff was obviously fake."

"Not that I'm convinced," Agawa interrupted, "but it's amazing you, of all people, can say that. Considering what you did to that door, I thought you'd be the first to believe it."

Takagi looked at Agawa blankly. "That? That was just my natural strength," he immaturely flexed.

"Huh?!" Agawa exclaimed. "How can you think that?! Even ignoring the kick, how would you explain the light that spiraled into your leg?!"

'She makes a fair point,' I thought. I knew better than anyone the door was too bulky to be broken by a kick. Even a breaching tool would take more than a few swings, yet this guy tossed it through the air with a single strike? There was strong, then there was impossible. What he did was the latter.

"I'm just superhuman," Takagi taunted, "you don't need to get jealous."

Agawa wasn't amused. She pointed at Takagi and sneered, "You aren't superhuman; you're super-egotistic! Get over yourself!"

"Huh, so you wanna fight, is that it? I'll knock your head in," Takagi leaned forward and cracked his knuckles.

'Such pointless fighting,' I scowled. It was tedious, but I'd have to break up the petty squabbles between them. I couldn't allow them to fight, mainly because they could draw unnecessary attention to our carriage if it escalated.

I began to speak in protest when Kamida beat me to the punch. "Why the hostility between you two? We should be exchanging pleasantries, not violence. After all, that's what friends do!"

Kamida's interjection was not well received, at least by Takagi. Akin to a malfunctioning missile, he instantly changed course. "Ohhh…and when exactly did I say I'd be your friend, Con-mida?"

Say what you will; the pun was impressive. Even more so considering the creator. Takagi may have looked like a run-of-the-mill delinquent and acted like one, but he even had a sharp tongue to boot.

'The guy must have a lot of enemies,' I chuckled inwardly.

"Aww, please don't say that, Mr. Takagi. You know it never hurts to have more friends. Even for the strong few that can handle themselves," Kamida gestured to Takagi's legs, "it's always wise to have a few people to rely on."

"Sure, sure. Friends might not hurt, but a sketchy dude in a suit definitely could!" Takagi scoffed back.

Kamida's lips curved to form a wry smile. "I suppose you may be right, Mr. Takagi," Kamida clasped his hands and grinned, "I look forward to earning your trust in the future!"

Amazingly, Kamida's confidence was as impeccable as his suit. I witnessed him dousing Takagi's turbulent fire of hostility with a flood of overwhelming friendliness. With that level of charisma, if he ever tried selling me something, I'd have to tactically retreat before I ended up bankrupt.

Takagi scowled and retreated from the conversation. Then, like Agawa, his gaze became fixated on the untamed wilderness.

Not pushing his victory, Kamida then turned to me. "And? How about you, Mr. Sato?"

I took a breath and exhaled in preparation. I'd need to be careful to not get swept up by his words.

"What can I do for you, Sir?" I hoped he wouldn't try any mind tricks on me.

He reciprocated my question with his best salesman grin. "Would you be pleased if you and I were to share a friendship, Mr. Sato?"

I didn't detect malice behind his words, though I knew this type of person tended to be troublesome. 'Should I really let myself be involved?' On the other hand, he could become more of an issue if I refused him.

I weighed my options, and, in the end, the route of least resistance would also be the route of the least headache. Seeing his charisma and aggressive friendliness in action, I don't think I could've refused anyway.

"That's fine, Sir, so long as we survive."

He became luminous with joy and smiled. "Splendid! I'd expect no less from a man who has served; you're very practical! So," he leaned toward me, "how long have you been enlisted? If you don't mind my asking, that is."

Instant regret followed my decision to accept. Now that we were "friends," would he start grilling me for personal information? The guy was a loan…unofficial financier, after all. Attempts at extracting that stuff must've come naturally to him.

About to answer a flat "no," I felt two extra pairs of eyes beaming at me.

It wasn't just Kamida's attention on me, but also Agawa's and Takagi's. I never knew being in the military was such a fascinating topic. It was hard to refuse when I'd been burdened by so much social pressure.

"Since the Japanese military was reformed," I replied.

"I see." Kamida interlocked his hands. "Four years, huh? You must have quite a bit of battle experience under your belt, then."

Years of brutality haunted my mind. There were bodies piled as high as mountains, weeping families that could fill a river with tears, and towns flattened by artillery barrages, never to be rebuilt again. But above all, the screams were what affected me most.

"Yeah, I suppose I do…" I wasn't giddy with this conversation topic. Even my false grin twitched with genuine irritation. More than irritation, I was furious with myself that I didn't refuse his questions in the first place.

Kamida must've caught my unease because his retreat was swift and efficient. "Oh, pardon my manners. I realize this must be a sensitive topic for you. We can leave it at that if you wish."

"If you wouldn't mind," I replied in relief. "War isn't exactly one of my ideal conversation pieces." I was thankful this guy knew when he'd pushed his luck.

"Of course, and again, please pardon my curiosity." Kamida apologized and fell back into his seat.

The following minutes were bound to a conversational standstill, allowing me to enjoy the natural scenery outside. It was then I noticed an alarming sight.

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