Chapter 67: Cultural Festival

Chapter 67: Cultural Festival

May 15th, 2089

Its less than a week until Project Redemption is slated to start and the tense build-up is wearing on me. If it werent for the blissful nights I have been spending together with Hikari, Veronica and Kira up until this point I might have already snapped. I have gone over and over all the equipment and weapons I have prepared in anticipation while frantically thinking if I have forgotten something. This is too big of a situation to fail. But I have done my best to put on a brave face so the girls dont notice my troubles.

I havent told them about the end of the world because they couldnt do anything about it. Its better if they spend their time carefree rather than worrying like me. After todays cultural festival I plan to take the rest of the week off by playing sick. My parents are both leaving town after today so it shouldnt be hard to do. Ill use that time to scout out the magic circle location in the Empty Quarter and to try and make preliminary preparations there. I have always relied on foresight, guile and ruthlessness to win and there is no reason to change that now.

Hey, Minato. Its time for the show! Hikari brought me back to reality. I had been spacing out while waiting for my turn to go on in the show. Our class had divided up into several groups, which each group preparing to do one or two big tricks during the show. I was sent in last and only with Hikari as my assistant, since I already had experience doing magic. She was dressed for the part, with one of those classic glittery outfits that magicians assistants always wear. Although technically I am a wizard. There are no magicians in the other world. *Sigh* Hikari was rather excited about this, but I of course was more preoccupied with the upcoming end of the world.

Immediately I could see his face scrunch up in pain as he rushed to the nearest restroom.

Hmph, serves you right for distracting me from my date. I returned to Hikari and spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying her company. That was the theme for my last few days before the final showdown. Spending time with the few people I care about.

It was the night of May 20th, the night of the showdown. I was spending what could possibly be my last evening alive with the three most important people in my life. The stress and anticipation for the upcoming battle made me far more unrestrained than usual, causing Hikari, Kira and Veronica to collapse from excess exhaustion and pleasure. Hikari was particularly spent, since she determinedly tried to keep up with Kira and Veronica in spite of her physical disadvantage.

Its time for me to go, but I cant help but linger for a little while longer. I applied a simple sleeping charm to the three of them. Just in case the world does end, I dont want their final moments to be ones of fear. They will stay asleep for the next 15 hours or so. I planted a kiss on each of their foreheads as I left.

I also left a journal on the coffee table in the living room just in case I manage to stop the ritual but die in the process. It contains my memories regarding Project Redemption and a good-bye message for everyone I care about. Its time for my desperate attempt to save the two worlds. No, I should be more specific. Its time for my desperate attempt to save my parents, Reiji, Hikari, Kira and Veronica. The two worlds and everyone else can go fend for themselves.