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Mortal Combat on the 6th Floor, and the Meaning of Strength – Part 01

The Doyama residence, where the new otherworlders had stirred up a commotion, had drawn quite a crowd, but on the other side of town, across from the JR station, all was quiet.

Hazuki strolled through the quaint provincial town.

“This must be it.”

The words Café Penguin Float on the signboard looked weathered. Bells tinkled as she slid the door open.

The gentle lighting cast a glow over the old couches and tables, giving the place a classic café ambiance. Two elderly regulars sat chatting on stools at the counter.

“Welcome. Ah, meeting someone today?”

Upon noticing Hazuki, the elderly proprietor guided her to the booth furthest back. There was already someone there, drinking an ice cream soda—or rather, relishing the ice cream part. They were scooping up the penguin face drawn using chocolate.

Hazuki found it odd to indulge in something so cold in the middle of winter, but as the café’s heater warmed up her chilled bones, she considered ordering the same.

“Ah. hello.”

Her black hair must have been a wig. It had been a stunning silver the last time Hazuki saw her. A hair color not found in this world.

“Hello, Lavia.”

The sight of the exquisitely beautiful girl pulling off a predominantly black attire with frills and ribbons—a style called jirai-kei—filled Hazuki with not only surprise but deep awe. She felt compelled to tell fashion influencers about Lavia and share her existence worldwide.

Shedding her scarf and coat, Hazuki settled across from Lavia.

“I’m sorry for reaching out to you so suddenly yesterday.”

“It’s fine. I—”

As Hazuki began to speak, the proprietor arrived with water and a wet towel.

“I’d like what she’s having.”

Hazuki found herself ordering an ice cream soda without a second thought. The proprietor smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

Feeling parched, Hazuki took a sip of water, and her mind cleared. “I apologize for wanting to come here on such short notice.”

Hazuki had received a perplexing call from Serika’s smartphone. Her friend should have returned to the other world. When she answered it, it turned out to be Lavia.

Lavia expressed her desire to meet Hazuki right away and explained that Hikaru had vanished suddenly. Amidst the chaos surrounding the new otherworlders, it was too risky for Lavia to venture out alone. So, Hazuki took it upon herself to travel to Fujinota.

In reality, Hazuki had also garnered attention from various media outlets due to the commotion caused by Serika’s return. However, because she wasn’t actually an otherworlder and was a minor, the media refrained from exposing her. Instead, Serika and the Four Eastern Stars took the spotlight, and Hazuki slipped into obscurity.

Given the circumstances, measures had to be taken. Lavia came from another world, and Hikaru served as her guardian of sorts, yet he was nowhere to be found.

Then there was Ayano Sasakura of Nitto Shimbun. Lavia couldn’t make heads or tails of the woman, and if she found her puzzling, then Hazuki was utterly lost.

After racking their brains trying to figure out what to talk about, or what they could do, they came up with nothing. They merely sat in silence.

“Here you go.”

The proprietor served the order. Melon-flavored soda topped with vanilla ice cream bearing the face of a penguin drawn in chocolate. It was almost too adorable to eat.

“It’s delicious,” Lavia said.

Hazuki scooped up a taste with her spoon, savoring the chilly sweetness on her tongue.

“Thank you for making the journey,” Lavia said. “I apologize for the inconvenience, but could you stay with me for a while?”

“I… don’t mind, but stay with you? For a while?”

“How much do you know about the spell for crossing worlds?”

“Absolutely nothing. Serika told me it was better that way. All I know is that the rift appears near me.”

Lavia nodded. “That’s plenty. I believe that when Hikaru casts the spell in the other world, the rift will appear near me or you.”

“What do you mean?”

“The spell for crossing worlds harnesses the connection between souls. As such, the rift opens up near those closely tied to Hikaru.”

“Hmm? Wouldn’t that be his parents, then?”

“Is that what you really think?”

Hazuki’s breath seized under Lavia’s stare.

This was their first time having a conversation, and with her black wig and fluent Japanese, it was easy to forget that Lavia was not from this world. The place Serika hesitated to talk about must have been more brutal than Hazuki had imagined.

Lavia regarded Hazuki with an uneasy, probing look.

“Well… Hikaru wasn’t on good terms with his parents. Still, why would it be me? I consider Serika and I to be close friends, though.”

“Hikaru mentioned that the first time he used the spell for crossing worlds, the rift appeared outside your residence.”

“What?”

This was news to Hazuki. She had assumed that because she was Serika’s friend, Serika’s rift would appear in her vicinity. But she didn’t know that the same applied to Hikaru.

“B-But why? Maybe there’s something different about me too.”

“Hikaru understands the foundation of the spell, so there’s no doubt about it. You mean a lot more to Hikaru than you realize.”

Hazuki couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

It had been almost two years since she last saw Hikaru, but she hadn’t forgotten him. She thought about him occasionally, wondering what that bright yet somewhat reckless boy might be up to.

But they were merely upperclassman and underclassman in middle school. There was a notable age gap during those years, and they maintained a certain distance from each other. Neither too close, nor too far.

Had they been the same age, their encounter and subsequent relationship might have unfolded differently. They could’ve been friends, enemies, or perhaps even lovers.

But such speculations were pointless. Hikaru lived his own life, and so did Hazuki. They just happened to cross paths during middle school. In fact, Hazuki didn’t even know about Hikaru’s death in a traffic accident until Serika informed her. Upon learning that his soul lived on and acquired a new body, she didn’t know how to feel about it.

“I…”

Hazuki felt a mix of embarrassment and bewilderment. But it wasn’t that deep a sentiment. What she felt was more reminiscent of a warm feeling of nostalgia.

Hazuki studied the girl before her. Lavia, unable to hide her concern as she observed Hazuki.

“In that case, I believe the rift will appear near you now.” The words flowed naturally from Hazuki’s lips. “I’m glad to know that someone like you is by his side.”

“Glad?”

“Yes.” A smile as natural as her words graced her features. “I’m glad you’re with Hikaru.”

In all honesty, Lavia was scared.

Hikaru had spoken to her about Hazuki, albeit in the context of why the rift would appear near her when casting the spell for crossing worlds. He had emotionally distanced himself from his parents and didn’t seem to have any other friends.

Lavia suspected that Hikaru held unforgettable memories of Hazuki, like an enduring flame. Perhaps it was a faint hint of affection. When Lavia naturally interpreted it as Hikaru’s first love, she grew afraid of Hazuki. When she saw her briefly the first time, she found her so stunning as to be worthy of standing beside Hikaru.

And yet, Lavia reached out to her anyway, simply because she didn’t know where the rift between the worlds would appear, around Hazuki or her.

This was their first time having a conversation, and Lavia had no inkling of what Hazuki might say. She never anticipated hearing such words from her.

“I’m glad you’re with Hikaru.”

Observing Hazuki’s radiant smile, Lavia couldn’t help but find her beautiful. Carrying a hint of darkness, she was similar to Hikaru, preferring to fade in the shadows than be in the limelight. Despite this, her inherent kindness shone through.

“What… What do you mean by that?” Lavia asked curiously.

“I may not understand much about magic,” Hazuki said, “but you have unwavering faith that Hikaru will cast the spell for crossing worlds, correct?”

“Yes.”

“I find that remarkable. Your steadfast belief in Hikaru transcends worlds.”

“Is that… so?”

“It is.”

Lavia found herself at a loss for words.

“So, we just need to stick together, right?” Hazuki asked.

“Yes.”

“In that case, we’ll have plenty of time.”

“Oh, but I think we should stay away from Fujinota.”

“I agree. Shall we go, then?” Hazuki rose from her seat. “Tell me about your world. And about the side of Hikaru that I never knew.”

In that instant, Lavia had a revelation. Hazuki, perceiving Lavia’s inner turmoil, was offering her support.

I see now. The rift appeared near her because of the kind of person she is.

Despite this being their first proper conversation, Lavia found Hazuki surprisingly dependable. She wanted to learn more about her and hoped to share more about herself as well. Lavia believed that it was Hazuki’s character that provided solace not only to Hikaru but also Serika.

“I would love to!”

Thus, the pair agreed to stay together.