Chapter 5 - The Outrage

"You can't possibly be serious! You're telling these children to go fight in a war!? That's absolutely unacceptable! As a teacher, I cannot allow it! Send us back right this instant! These kids all have families back home who must be worried sick! You can't just kidnap them like this!" The one who protested was Aiko Hatayama, and each of her words dripped with rather evident anger.

Aiko, the mid-twenties social studies teacher, stood only 140 centimeters tall, with a baby face and her hair kept in a neat bob cut. She had brown hair and green eyes, which didn't like the standard of Japanese from Rio's original world. She was wearing a cream-colored business suit. That and her child-like appearance gave a sense of incongruity, or at least, Rio thought so. But, a part of Rio's mind acknowledged that this youthful teacher was quite good-looking. No, the correct word was exotic. Rio saw that Japanese women were exotic. But, it was not enough to move Rio's heart. He wasn't into a woman with a child-like body, after all.

Rio realized that this teacher didn't obtain respect from her students. He saw the students that were looking in her direction with warm eyes as if they were watching their young relative, a little sibling or younger cousin perhaps, who was trying her best in doing something. It was truly disrespectful behavior. Even so, Rio kept his silence and watched everything advanced. He didn't want to draw attention to himself again after what happened before. Besides, he knew what would happen next. And his thought became real as Ishtar opened his mouth the next moment.

"I understand your feelings, however... I am unable to return you to your world at present."

The moment Ishtar ended his declaration, silence filled the room. The oppressive atmosphere was felt by everyone present. They all stared at Ishtar blankly, unable to properly process what he had just said. Rio was the only one who didn't show such a face, but he lowered his head and hid his indifferent expression.

"Wh-What do you mean... you're unable!? If you called us here, you should be able to send us back, shouldn't you!?"

Rio heard Aiko's loud scream. He raised his head slightly and watched the short exchange between Aiko and Ishtar with rapt attention.

"As I stated earlier, it is Lord Ehit who summoned you here. The only reason we were in that room at all was to greet you heroes, and to offer up our prayers to Lord Ehit. We humans do not possess the power to interfere with other worlds, so whether or not you can return also depends on His will."

"N-No way..." Saying that Aiko slumped back into her chair, all the strength drained out of her. The other students all started yelling as the truth of Ishtar's words sank in.

"You've gotta be kidding me? What do you mean we can't go back!?"

"You can't do this! Please, just send us back somehow!"

"A war!? You can't be serious! Take us the f.u.c.k back right now!"

"This can't be happening, this can't be happening, this can't be happening..."

As the students fell into a panic, Rio was still indifferent, left forgotten. Sitting next to Rio, Hajime was shaken by this development as well, but his reaction was not as bad as the rest of the students. Rio finally spared his attention at Ishtar who said nothing and silently watched on as all of the students panicked. Though Ishtar was silent, Rio could see contempt hidden within the depths of the old man's eyes.

Finally, a brown-haired pretty boy with a good figure stood up amidst the hysterical group of students and slammed his fist down onto the table with a bang. That managed to get the attention of most of the kids. Once he had confirmed that everyone's eyes were on him, he began speaking.

"Everyone, there's no point in complaining to Ishtar. There's nothing he can do about it now. And... And I, at least, have decided to stand and fight. These people are about to be annihilated. Knowing that, how can I possibly leave them to such a tragic fate? And besides, if we've been summoned here to save humanity, it's possible we'll be allowed to go back once we've saved them... Well, Mister Ishtar? Do you think that's possible?"

Rio finally realized that this boy was Kouki Amanogawa. His self-righteous speech was a dead giveaway. He was speechless at Kouki's declaration and thought that this boy's mental sickness was worse than the novel portrayed it. 'Did he not realize what 'war' means?' Rio wondered silently as he viewed Kouki in perplexity. Even Rio who lived in a peaceful country knows the cruelty of war from footage and videos. He stopped his train of thought when Kouki and Ishtar began exchanging a short talk.

"It is as you say. Lord Ehit is not so unkind that he would ignore a request from his chosen heroes."

"And we've all gained some amazing powers, right? Ever since I arrived here, it's felt like I've somehow grown way stronger."

"Yes, that is correct. It would be safe to assume that each of you has the equivalent strength of anywhere from a few to a few dozen regular men."

"Alright, then we should be fine. I'm going to fight. If we save everyone, then we can go home. So just you watch! I'm going to save everyone, including us!" Kouki clenched his fists tightly as he proclaimed his noble intentions, flashing an almost sickeningly dazzling smile at the end.

When Rio saw that, he had a sudden urge to punch Kouki's face. Kouki's face was just punchable when he smiled like that!