"Loving and caring. These are the usual feelings one has toward those close to them—whether it's your family, friends, pets, or even someone in need. You show them love. You care for them."
The hero was teaching a class. She slowly paced left and right in front of the giant chalkboard.
"But what happens when they all vanish? When they are all taken away from you? And to make things worse, you know who is at fault. You either discovered what they did through your investigations, or they did it right in front of your eyes."
"Imagine something even more painful. They burned you, tortured you—in more ways than one. And finally, they killed you. What do you feel toward them?"
"Resentment. Anger. Frustration at your own weakness. In this kind of situation, you're thinking about two major things."
"You either wish you had been stronger to stop it back then, or you wish you were strong enough now to do to them what they did to you. Which thought do you think is more realistic?"
"When you were younger, teachers would always say: The path of revenge is an evil one. Once taken, your life will be clouded by regret. Your mind will change. You will never be the same again."
"What did they think caused you to follow that path, I mean—come on." The students burst into laughter.
"We're not living in the same world some of you came from, where righteousness lurks in every corner of your life, and everyone you meet is kind. This isn't that world."
"Remember when teachers said: If someone slaps you on the cheek, give them the other one to hit as well—what would you say in this world? If someone kills your child, give them the other to kill as well?" Silence fell across the class.
"When you were a kid, your parents always said: Enjoy your life while you're still young, because the world beyond is tough and full of suffering."
"Self-proclaimed 'logical' parents would say: You're young. That doesn't give you the freedom to do whatever you want for the sake of enjoyment. If you want a happy life, learn to obey others. Respect them. Listen to them. They'll explain how tough the world is, and how to cope with it."
"This isn't that world. Here, you're not told how rough it is. You're shown. And now, look at where you all are. Everyone is depending on you—not just your family, but everyone on the entire continent. Maybe even the whole world."
"The younger generation looks up to your great achievements in the upcoming battle. Your parents, if they're still alive, want to be proud of you. You are the last line of defense."
"Imagine—the entire world is at stake, and you still want to offer the other cheek to the person who slapped you?"
"Do you think strong people live by that slogan? Do you think an army wins a battle by giving themselves over to be killed instead of fighting back? Do you think our enemy is that weak-minded?"
"If someone slaps you in the face, cut off their arm. If someone stabs you in the back, take them down with you. If your enemy kills your ally, avenge them."
"War is coming. Not your regular war, where pride is on the line, or where you fight to make your name great, or because of some leader's personal interests."
"This is a war that will go down in history—a history that either all of humanity will remember, or all of the monsters will."
...
The sun had gone down. Temperatures dropped with it. It was heavily snowing.
There were minimal people outside. Most had gathered in different houses and institution having parties. They were celebrating the signing of the peace contract with the monsters. You could practically hear the relief in their voices while they spoke to each other and drank themselves away.
The noise from the celebrations could be heard from the outskirts of the city. More specifically, the south east corner. Where all the refugees lived.
It was dark. Little to no lights were on. The cold weather had taken a toll on those living in abandoned houses, tents, and the streets.
In the attic of one of those houses, there was a fire lit next to an old couch. There was a girl on it, cuddling her legs and covered in an dirty blanket.
It was the girl with the red hair from earlier. The one that tried to attack the convoy from the nation of monsters.
She looked sad and lost in thought. Her eyes were locked on the fire, as if studying it. Then she flinched when she heard someone's voice.
"It sure is chilly-huh." A boy approached her. Judging by his physic, he didn't look more than five years old.
"That's an understatement... But it's not the reason why I'm so focused on the fire."
The boy silently listened.
"The cracking from the burning firewood. It's, fulfilling to listen to. It gives me a sense of safeness."
"From monsters?"
"More than just that."
The boy didn't respond, but he definitely understood what she meant. After all, he's been there too.
"Who are you?" The girl asked. "The way your acting is too friendly."
"At least thank me for preventing you from starting a war. What made you think to do that?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Is it because I'm young? Your young too."
"That's not it."
"Then what is it? Because I look poor? Because I'm a boy?"
"Forget it."
"...Because you're not from this world?"
The girl was shocked. Her eyes widened as she leaped away from him. A spear appeared in her hand out of nowhere. It was long and looked really heavy. So heavy in fact, that when she span it, a gust of wind was generated.
"Who are you?"
"Was I right?"
Her grip on the spear tightened. She was more intimidating.
"Who are you?"
The boy was silent at first then decided to answer.
"I'm Hagiwara. Daichi Hagiwara."
Her face softened.
"There's no way."
"I'm guessing your like me as well. Though I'm not sure."
"What makes you think that I'm like you?"
He lowered the scarf that covered his head and neck, then pointed at his ear. More specifically...
"I haven't seen many people with this earring. There's something written on it, but I don't know what it means."
"That's your only evidence?"
"Well, aside from the fact that it suddenly appeared on my ear, and that it seems to be permanently stuck on it, the reaction I've seen from others proves it."
"Let me guess, they seemed shocked for some reason? Like they saw a ghost?"
At that point, she was calm and seemed to believe him.
"Long time no see, Hagiwara."
"So you do know me."
Her smirk said it all.
"I'm Akari Minami."
"Ha. And they say coincidences don't happen in real life."
They both laughed it off at first, not trying to think through the situation they were in. At first, it looked like two kids laughing together joyfully. It was a happy reunion after all, right?
But behind those seemingly innocent laughs you could clearly see it.
Their laughs seemed to hide other things. Among them was pain. Not just from the fact that two kids are staying at the attic of an abandoned house when its snowing. Not just from the fact that they're both alone with no one to take care of them. Not just from the fact that they're not from that world.
There seemed to be something else. And it seemed to hurt. Badly.
When they finished, they fell quiet for a long time. Like memories were flooding in. An awkward moment.
"Now what?" Akari asked.
"I, don't know. Do you have any plans for..."
When he looked at her, he stopped talking. Then he smiled softly.
"I'm gonna go look for some more blankets. Though I won't promise that I'll find any."
"O...Okay." Her cheeks were covered with tears. But she didn't look sad. In fact she was relieved. "Please. Take your time."
"I sure will."
She fell on the floor, and released a huge weight she must've carried around for long.
Hagiwara was listening from outside. He thought of how much she must've suffered and was glad for her. But then the smile on his face disappeared.
'No matter what she's been through, whether mentally or physically,' He thought. 'I'm willing to bet, that mine is dozens of times worse.'