The Night Before X-Day

When I opened the living room door, an almost violent "normalcy" awaited me.

The savory smell of freshly fried chicken. Steam rising from miso soup. The BGM of a weather forecast playing on TV.

"Oh, welcome home. It's just ready."

Mom set a large platter of fried chicken on the table, still wearing her apron.

Golden-brown pieces of chicken gleamed under the light.

For someone who'd eaten nothing but boiled chicken breast and liver for weeks, it looked more precious than jewels.

"… Looks good."

"Right? You've been on some weird diet lately, Jin. Eat lots today."

"Yeah, I will."

I sat down and put my hands together.

Across from me, my sister Chika was already digging in.

"Mmm! Mom's fried chicken really is the best… Hurry up and eat, bro. It'll get cold."

"I know."

I reached out with my chopsticks and brought a piece to my mouth.

The crispy texture of the batter. The overflowing meat juices. The rich flavor of garlic and soy sauce.

The umami was so intense it numbed my tongue, shooting straight to my brain.

(… Really hits the spot.)

I chewed slowly, engraving the taste into my memory.

The taste of peace.

If the world flipped tomorrow, I might never have a warm meal like this again.

Gas would stop, electricity would die, distribution would collapse.

When that happened, days of gnawing on rations in the mud would begin.

"Hey, did you hear? Yamamoto-san from the class next door went home early today."

Chika spoke casually while reaching for more chicken.

"Apparently her ears start ringing whenever she's in the classroom. Everyone's been acting weird lately. Mass hysteria, was it?"

"… Yeah. Probably just the change of seasons."

I gave a vague reply.

I didn't miss how Chika's hand holding the chopsticks stiffened slightly.

She too was sensing it instinctively.

That outside this warm dinner table, the world was creaking and warping.

"Is Dad working late again?"

"Yeah. Seems like he's been in emergency meetings constantly. Something about infrastructure inspections."

Mom sighed as she spoke.

Dad worked for an electric company. He was probably swamped responding to the mysterious voltage drops nationwide, on the government's secret orders. The drops were caused by maso interference.

He might not make it home, I thought.

"… Jin, don't push yourself too hard either. Your expression has been intense lately."

"Really? Probably just exam stress."

"I hope that's all…"

Mom and Chika laughed together.

Watching their smiles, something clicked into place inside me.

In my past life, I fought as the Sword Emperor to protect humanity.

Defeated the Demon King. Saved the world.

But had I ever pictured someone I actually wanted to protect?

Hadn't I just been swinging my sword out of duty and to prove my own strength?

(This time is different.)

I drained my miso soup and quietly steeled my resolve.

I didn't care about the world.

I didn't care how many strangers died.

But this space within a few meters — this warm dinner table, the taste of fried chicken, my family's smiles — I would protect.

That's why I brought back memories from hell.

That's why I honed that iron mass.

I didn't need to be a hero.

Being just a "dependable big brother" was enough.

"Thanks for the meal."

I set down my chopsticks and stood up.

I pressed my hands together deeper and longer than usual.

"Huh, leaving already? There's peaches for dessert."

"I need to do some final prep in my room… Tomorrow's important."

I left the living room and climbed the stairs.

In front of my room, I ran into Chika coming out of the bathroom.

"Oh, bro. Wake me up tomorrow morning? My alarm's broken."

"Chika."

I stopped her and placed my hand on her head.

"… Be careful tomorrow."

"Huh? What's that about? I'm just going to school."

"Don't make any detours. If you hear a strange sound, hide inside a building right away."

Chika's eyes went wide, then she burst out laughing.

"What's with that character?! Way too overprotective, that's creepy."

"… Shut up. It's a brother's dignity."

"Yeah yeah, got it. You don't go crazy from exam studying either, 'kay?"

Chika waved her hand dismissively and disappeared into her room.

The door clicked shut.

That light sound felt like the final note of peaceful everyday life.

I entered my room and threw the window wide open.

Night air flowed in.

Lukewarm, with a faint smell of rust mixed in.

I looked up at the sky.

The night sky was bright with city lights, but I could see it clearly.

Red-black vein-like cracks pulsing across the entire sky, centered on the zenith.

"… Kept you waiting."

I murmured to no one.

Beyond those cracks, I sensed the presence of starving beasts sharpening their claws.

What a coincidence. Me too.

No more fear.

My stomach was full. My resolve was set.

All that remained was waiting for the curtain to rise.

I gripped the window frame and glared at the world on the verge of collapse.

The long, quiet night deepened.