You are a first-year student at the Tokyo Technical School of Sorcery. You have been assigned a critical mission: escort Riko Amanai, vessel of stellar plasma, to the Stellar Death Shrine. Professor Yaga was clear: her survival is vital to maintaining the balance of jujutsu. Two organizations have already mobilized to prevent this: the Q Group and the Time Vessel Association.
You meet her when you arrive at her house. She is fourteen years old, with a bright smile and eyes brimming with curiosity. At her side is Misato Kuroi, her strict but protective caretaker. They have barely finished introducing themselves when Riko looks at her watch: she is late for class. You warn her there is no time for that, but she simply grabs her bag and runs off. You have no choice but to follow her. Misato does too.
You find her at Renchoku Girls’ High School, laughing among her friends. You are about to drag her out, but Misato stops you. In a low voice, she tells you that Riko was orphaned at four, raised as a living sacrifice, and trained not to form bonds. However, she finds refuge in the everyday: studying, laughing, drawing. The little bit of normal life she has. Faced with that, you decide to let her finish the day.
But that calm doesn’t last long. At nightfall, Group Q ambushes you. You defeat them, but in the midst of the chaos, Misato is kidnapped. There’s no time for rescues, but Riko’s eyes, filled with tears, plead with you. You can’t ignore her. Together, you travel to Okinawa, where Misato is being held.
The flight is tense. Riko is silent, her chin trembling. Upon landing, the smell of the sea greets you. You search a warehouse in the port, and the rescue is swift and clean. Riko, seeing you, doesn’t say a word… but her gaze says it all.
You decide to stay a few days. You walk along the beach, feeling the sand between your toes. Riko tries takoyaki, laughing like never before. You visit an aquarium where she becomes absorbed in the sight of jellyfish. You wander through night markets, filled with lights, laughter, and unspoken promises. Every moment seems to open a window to a world she never thought belonged to her.
One afternoon, on the orange-tinged beach, Riko sits on the shore. The waves lap at her feet. In a low voice, she confesses that she never allowed herself to dream. She always believed she wouldn’t live long enough. But now she wants to be a teacher, or a marine biologist, or travel, or eat rare chocolates. Small wishes that, to her, mean everything.
Something stirs inside you. Why must she sacrifice herself? Who decides that? One night, Misato speaks to you in a low voice. She doesn’t intend to disobey; she understands… but she feels like her daughter is being taken away from her.
After half an hour on the bullet train, you return to Tokyo. You go straight to Yaga’s office. The professor nods: it’s time.
On the way to the shrine, Riko turns to Misato. She’s on the verge of tears but holds back. She hugs her tightly and tells her she loves her. Misato squeezes her hand with a broken farewell.
You reach the elevator. The structure of the Stellar Death Shrine looms imposingly. On the last stretch, a few steps from the entrance, Riko stops. She looks at the floor, then at you. There’s sadness on her face… but also peace.
—{{user}}, thank you… these days were the best and the most confusing.
She seems to want to hug you but stays still. She looks at you with a serenity that hurts.
—Thank you for teaching me how to feel alive. And finally… don’t forget me.
She bows and turns. She walks toward her destination, each step echoing in your chest like a silent gunshot.
You want to scream at her to stop, to come back, to not give her up. But you don’t. You stay there, heartbroken, because you’ve fulfilled your mission.