Three of them remained in the room—Takumi still seated on the bed, Mira beside him, and Ayato standing in front of him.
After Ayato's explanation, silence filled the air. Takumi's eyes widened, and a slow smile crept onto his face.
Ayato chuckled. "That face… the look of someone who's just woken up from their illusion."
His gaze sharpened as he took a step closer.
"But now, Takumi, it's time to choose a side. You know the government wants you—they'll give you wealth, power, anything you desire. You can live in comfort, close your eyes, and go back to sleep in your sweet little dream."
He paused, his voice turning firm.
"Or… you fight with us. Wake up for real. But make no mistake—it won't be easy."
Ayato crossed his arms. "If you reject us, we'll return you to your apartment. You'll never see us again. You'll go back to your normal college life… until the government finally comes knocking. And when that happens, everything you've learned today will feel like nothing more than a passing dream."
His piercing gaze locked onto Takumi's.
"So, what's your choice, Takumi Asahiro?"
"Anything I want?" Takumi murmured, his empty eyes staring ahead, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
For a brief moment, reality blurred. A vision played out in his mind—a fleeting glimpse of a life he had never lived.
He saw himself stepping out of a sleek car, arriving at a grand house after a long day working for the government. As he pushed open the door, a warm voice greeted him.
"Takumi-chan, welcome home," Yuki—his wife—smiled at him, her eyes filled with love.
"Papa's home! Yay! Did you bring me something?" A small, excited voice echoed through the house—his daughter, running toward him with bright, eager eyes.
Takumi chuckled, kneeling down to ruffle her hair. "Ahaha, of course. Here, here—something special for my most precious girl."
Yuki pouted playfully. "So I'm not the most, Takumi-chan?"
He laughed. "Of course, both of you are my most precious treasures."
The vision shattered.
A gentle touch pulled him back to reality. Mira's hand brushed against his cheek, wiping away something warm.
Takumi blinked. Tears? He hadn't even realized they had started falling. His eyes widened in shock, his lips curled into a hollow smile—yet the tears continued to flow.
Mira's gaze softened, her voice barely a whisper. "What did the world do to you?"
Ayato stood silently, his usual playful demeanor replaced by something somber.
Takumi's breath hitched. That happiness... it wasn't real. It never had been.
His fingers wrapped around Mira's hand, pressing it harder against his cheek. His grip trembled.
He whispered to himself, "I'm sorry, Yuki-chan... Who am I to even dream of happiness with you?"
Closing his eyes for a moment, with a deep, shaky breath.
Takumi slowly turned to Ayato, his expression no longer lost in fantasy, but filled with something resolute.
"Kurasaki-san," his voice steadied, "Until now, my life has felt... meaningless. But for the first time, I feel wanted. If you say I have value—if I can do something for others with this life—then I want it. This useless life of mine… I want to make it matter."
Mira's breath caught. Before she could stop herself, she pulled him into an embrace.
And for the first time in years, Takumi allowed himself to be held.
Sacrificing his only chance
Mira held onto Takumi a little longer, as if trying to offer him comfort he didn't know he needed. He had made his choice—to join Edenfall—but she could feel the weight of it pressing down on him.
Ayato smirked, slipping his hands into his coat pockets. "Then it's time for you to meet him."
He turned toward the door but paused before stepping out. "Mira, once you're done, meet me in Takamura-dono's room."
At his words, Mira flinched slightly. She didn't respond right away, only exhaling softly as she rested her forehead against Takumi's shoulder for a brief moment before finally pulling away.
Her gaze lingered on him, sadness flickering in her eyes. He chose this… but did he ever really have a choice?
She turned to Ayato with a quiet nod, her voice barely above a whisper. "...We'll be there."
Ayato left the room, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Mira turned back to Takumi, her voice soft yet firm.
"You're not alone anymore."
As Mira and Takumi walked through Edenfall HQ, the air was thick with urgency. It looked like an ordinary office at first glance, but beneath the surface, it was a war machine in motion. People were busy at their stations—some training in combat, others deep in technological research and development. Every face bore the weight of the storm approaching.
The world was on the brink.
Inside Takamura's office, Ayato was already waiting. As Mira and Takumi stepped in, a deep voice greeted them.
"Welcome."
Raizen Takamura stood tall—an imposing old man with white hair, a well-groomed mustache, and a beard. His suit was immaculate, but there was something in his sharp eyes that spoke of battles fought in the shadows. He extended a hand toward Takumi.
"Ayato has already told you, hasn't he? We are at war. Not yet… but soon. The countdown has begun."
His grip was firm—unshaking, like the foundation of the resistance itself.
"We won't always be there to protect you. You need to learn how to defend yourself. Mira will train you."
He leaned forward slightly, his presence looming.
"When the time comes, we'll contact you again. But until you finish your training, I suggest you don't leave."
Takumi's gaze sharpened. "I understand, but I have to ask—how does Edenfall plan to take down the elite government?"
Raizen's expression darkened.
"They are strong… but they are few. When the masses awaken, their reign will collapse under its own weight."
His voice was low, steady, like a storm whispering before it roared.
"That's why we need to wake the people—just like we did with the Antarctic expedition."
Takumi's eyes narrowed. "The one who went missing… he's still alive?"
Raizen nodded. "Yes. The only survivor. He is a geophysicist."
Takumi clinched his fists. "I've seen the news. The world is in turmoil because of it. They silenced the media, covered up everything… and then days later, every key member of that expedition was found dead."
Raizen's gaze was unreadable. "They gave their lives for the truth. But their sacrifice was not in vain. People are beginning to ask questions. Some are waking up."
Takumi exhaled sharply. He knew what came next.
"But mass awakening will lead to…"
Raizen met his gaze, and together, they spoke the inevitable words.
"Worldwide chaos."
"Mira Kurasaki." Raizen called her name, his tone firm yet composed.
She straightened instinctively.
"Asahiro's training needs to begin immediately. He will be under your supervision—teach him close combat and weapons handling."
"Understood, sir." Mira nodded.
Takumi hesitated for a moment before asking, "What about my college?"
Raizen barely missed a beat. "Mira will take care of it."
She glanced at Takumi. "The students have campus leave. I'll handle your absence. For now, you need to disappear."
Raizen's gaze darkened slightly. "Ever since that night—the attack—it's clear those men were from the government."
Takumi exhaled. "Ah… those guys."
He frowned. "Takamura-dono, what could they possibly want from me? I have nothing."
"We don't know either. But given their recent movements, it can't be anything good. We assume it's because you're a genius—yet still naïve. A blank canvas they want to carve."
Takumi's expression hardened. "If that's the case, there are plenty of geniuses at my university."
Mira crossed her arms. "The gap is too wide. You're leagues ahead of the second-best student."
Raizen leaned back slightly, his eyes unreadable. "Whatever their true intentions, I have a bad feeling about it. That's why I ordered Mira to watch over you. Your curiosity about the Antarctic case also made you a target. Your actions have drawn their attention. So, for now—stay here, Asahiro."
Mira took a step forward. "If we're done here, I'll begin his training, Takamura-dono."
Raizen nodded. "Go ahead."
Ayato smirked, sliding his hands into his coat pockets. "Hmm… so impatient to be alone with him, Mira?"
Mira shot him a glare, clearly annoyed. "Shut up. Let's go, Asahiro."
As Mira and Takumi left, Ayato remained behind, his usual smirk fading into something more serious.
"Master, why didn't you tell him?" he asked.
Raizen exhaled, eyes narrowing slightly. "It would be too much for him right now. But as you pointed out before—his name, that face, and that sharp mind..."
Ayato's expression darkened. "There's no doubt, sir. Can we assume the government wants him because of that?"
Raizen's fingers tapped lightly against the desk. "Anything is possible. We don't know for sure... yet." He glanced at Ayato. "For now, focus on your task."
"Understood, Master." Ayato bowed slightly before turning to leave.