The clock was approaching six.
The high-rise buildings in front of Tenguu Station were dyed orange-red by the setting sun.
It had probably been around six months after the Eurasian Air Disaster.
As if erased by a giant rubber, a massive crater had been left behind.
Time passed, vegetation regrew, and people rebuilt the city from the ground up… This was Tenguu City.
Even after reconstruction, that enormous crater never disappeared.
The gigantic depression that encircled the urban area had even become a unique tourist attraction.
After all, it was the largest spacequake crater besides the Eurasian one—though that didn’t exactly sound pleasant.
Decades had passed since that event.
Only now, with spacequakes occurring frequently again, did people remember it.
By foot, the destination wasn’t close, but with the boy keeping her company—and as the chosen target of the date—Tohka didn’t feel bored at all.
Or rather, now that she wasn’t being hunted, she was filled with immense curiosity and wonder toward everything.
Kyoumi, on the other hand, was more concerned with Kotori’s mental state than the scenery along the way.
…And the result surprised the girl.
From everything she had observed so far, as long as the topic of “kiss” wasn’t brought up, the girl responded with something called “strength”—perfectly normal reactions—whether the boy spoke to her or gave small explanations about their surroundings.
It was as if her feelings toward the boy hadn’t changed at all.
“We’re here—this is it—”
The boy stopped walking, spread his arms, and smiled gently, his expression carrying both affection and pride for his city as he showed the outsiders its beauty.
It was a beautiful park located on high ground.
If one were to rank the sights of Tenguu City, Shidou Itsuka would gladly act as a guide and enthusiastically introduce every detail of the city he had lived in all his life.
But time was limited.
He could only choose one place to serve as the decisive spot for this date.
Aside from the occasional caw of crows in the distance, the surroundings were completely silent.
It wasn’t as lively as usual, but that couldn’t be helped.
Until the “all clear” notice was issued, residents who had already evacuated underground wouldn’t come back to the surface on their own.
So the place felt a little desolate.
Perhaps because it had once been the center of a spacequake, the citizens of Tenguu City were extremely sensitive to spacequakes and had excellent evacuation awareness.
Warnings issued five minutes in advance, orderly and rapid assembly, multiple convenient underground shelters.
Things might be different in other cities, but in Tenguu City, almost no one ever lost their life to a spacequake.
This was what the boy wanted to show them.
At the same time, this was one of Shidou Itsuka’s favorite spots—a secret place he and Kotori had chosen together long ago, perfect for walks and relaxation.
From here, from this elevated platform, one could take in nearly half of Tenguu City bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
It was beautiful enough that a single photo could serve as promotional material for a tourist destination.
“Wow, what a beautiful view!”
Leaning over the railing installed to prevent falls, Tohka stretched her body outward, gazing at the scenery the boy was so proud of.
“Not bad, Shidou. You picked a good spot.”
Kotori gave the boy a small compliment, then turned to the girl beside her.
“So, what do you think of the city from up here?”
“It really feels like a tourist spot. Have you ever promoted it?”
Kyoumi nodded in approval, but her gaze lingered on the outskirts—the traces of that enormous crater.
“Well, no, not really.”
“Ah, Shidou, does that thing transform too?”
“Hm? Transform?”
Following the girl’s finger, Shidou Itsuka’s eyes landed on the train still stopped on the tracks.
Well, there was no way they could lay tracks that led straight into a shelter, so it must have stopped and evacuated quickly, leaving only the train behind.
“Yeah, like a robot!”
“Unfortunately, that one doesn’t transform.”
“Eh? Then is it the type that combines?”
“Uh… maybe?”
“Wow! Humans are amazing!”
Satisfied with the answer, Tohka spun around, hugging her life-sized kinako bread pillow to her chest, a carefree smile on her face.
“Dates are really nice~ How should I put it… It’s been such a happy experience, Shidou.”
Standing against the backdrop of the sunset, the moment that beautiful smile appeared, the boy’s heart beat faster.
“What’s wrong, Shidou? Your face is so red.”
“…It’s the sunset…”
He didn’t really want to admit it and lowered his head slightly.
“Is that so?”
“Definitely.”
“That’s really mysterious, Shidou.”
“Hm?”
Lifting his head again, the boy realized Tohka’s face was now very close.
Close enough to feel each other’s breath… Shidou Itsuka could see her beautiful eyelashes, her sparkling eyes, and… naturally, his gaze fell to those soft-looking lips the moment the word came to mind…
“It really is mysterious… I haven’t met many humans, but everyone is so kind. It almost makes me unable to believe it…”
“No one has lied to me, and no one has attacked me directly… If it were that A… A-something?”
“AST?”
“Yeah, that. If they had paid you to trick me together, that would make more sense.”
“…Something like that…”
“But I want to believe you, Shidou…”
Feeling she had shown weakness, Tohka adjusted her expression slightly.
“After seeing Kyoumi, after seeing Kotori… after going on this date with you until now…”
“I finally realized… this world is actually so beautiful…”
“…Tohka?”
“You brought me here to show me that, right…”
“Eh?”
“That thing outside the city, the pit that surrounds it… the destruction caused every time something called a spacequake appears…”
“…I kind of understand the AST now. If every time I appear, I destroy this beautiful world… maybe it would be better if I just disappeared…”
“—!”
Shidou Itsuka held his breath, desperately stringing words together. He had to stop the girl’s self-destructive words from going any further…
“But I want to live… I want to stay in this world… I don’t want to be a spirit anymore. I want to become a human like Kotori… but…”
“That won’t happen! You’ll be fine, Tohka!”
“I can teach you common sense! We’ll figure out a place to live and how to get by!”
“…Thank you, Shidou… but…” A trace of sadness crossed that beautiful face…
“But I’ve already destroyed so many things! I’ve hurt so many people!”
“When Shidou was taken by Kyoumi earlier, I destroyed so many buildings! I hurt so many AST members! Someone like me should just disappear!”
“Tohka…”