Freedom

“Congratulations, Keitaro.”

“Nulla…”

The strange child-like entity appeared before him once again.

“Honestly, I didn’t think you’d win. But…” Nulla gave the slightest smile. “I suppose I don’t mind…”

“Nulla… What happens now?”

“Well, you recreate the world as you see fit.” Nulla gestured towards the throne of Kosma. “Once you sit there, you become the king of Kosma, the god of whatever world you choose to create.”

“Really?” Keitaro limped towards it. It was massive and imposing. He looked at Nulla. “What happens to Kosma?”

“Well, it’ll cease to exist physically, but the people, the cities, they’ll survive in spirit as long as you allow them.”

“All right…” Keitaro glanced at the throne and then back to Nulla. “What about you?”

“Well… I’m only here for the Genesis Tournament…” Nulla’s gaze fell. “Once Kosma’s gone, I won’t be around either…” Nulla had always been cheeky, but they seemed saddened by this.

“I see…” Keitaro stared at the throne. He pulled out Toko’s Core.

What world would he create? As he traveled across Kosma, he started finding the answer. It was simple, but he truly believed it to be the correct choice.

“I think I’m ready,” he said.

“Then go ahead.” Nulla gave their blessing.

Slowly but with confidence, Keitaro sat down on the throne of Kosma…

***

“We got lucky, this was the last copy!” Toko held up the latest issue of Shonen Jam containing the newest chapter of First Peace.

“I’m glad someone’s happy.” The new game Keitaro had been looking for had been out of stock.

The two siblings walked through the familiar streets of Akihabara. The stores filled with otaku goods, the massive anime advertisements, the cosplayers, even the trendy food stalls, everything was just as they remembered.

“Y-you know, I’m a bit surprised… It’s almost like nothing changed… Like Kosma never even existed…” Toko looked down, thinking back.

“Yeah… Remaking the world, becoming a god… That’s a bit beyond my station, don’t you think?” Keitaro looked over at a maid cafe. “Still, I wish I made some bigger changes. I could’ve added in cat girls or something!”

“Oh, I think you changed MORE than enough!” Nulla, who had been following from several feet away, stomped along.

“Hm? What’s wrong?” Keitaro asked.

“What do you mean ‘What’s wrong?’!? I was like a deity in Kosma! But then you drag me here and make me just an ordinary kid!” Nulla squealed, very upset.

“Come on, I felt bad just letting you die…” Keitaro rubbed the back of his neck.

“It wasn’t any of YOUR business!”

“Just be quiet and eat the crepe I bought for you.”

Nulla scoffed. It was a very fancy crepe, filled with whipped cream and ice cream and loaded with various fruits. They begrudgingly took a bite, and as the treat made contact with their tastebuds, a wave of delicious sweetness unlike anything that they ever experienced, anything they could’ve experienced before, overtook them.

As Nulla was mesmerized by the flavor, Keitaro and Toko both leaned in, smirking.

Nulla blushed and stammered, “W-what!?”

“Nothing…” Toko said.

“Nothing at all…” Keitaro followed.

Nulla wanted to keep yelling, but the crepe was keeping them pacified.

As they passed by a group of schoolkids, Keitaro was reminded of something. “Hey, don’t you need to get back home to study?”

“Ugh…” Toko slumped over. She thought it was finally time to get her high school diploma, even if it was almost a decade late. But studying was like pulling teeth for her. She was already starting to wonder if it was really worth it.

“Come on, lighten up,” Keitaro encouraged her. “It’s really not that hard, and if you need some help I’ll do what I can.”

“T-thanks, Keitaro…” Even if it was a small push, it helped keep her on her path.

The trio kept walking, and as they passed a cafe, Keitaro’s ears perked up as he overheard a specific conversation.

“Did you hear about what’s happening with Nami Company?” a young man asked his friend.

“You mean all those wrongful termination stories?”

“Yeah, it’s insane!”

“Not really. Those guys have been scummy for years.” The friend stirred some sugar into his coffee. “I’m just glad people are starting to wake up.”

Keitaro smirked. This was one of the biggest gaming scandals of the year. Dozens of former employees had come forward with their testimonies, and Nami Company had already purged several top employees including Gentaro Soejima and his nephew.

Toko smiled. She had heard it too. “So… You think you could get another job now?”

Keitaro shrugged. “Maybe. Working for one of those companies isn’t the end all, be all, you know. The indie scene is pretty promising these days.”

Toko chuckled. “Well, whatever you make, I’ll be there for it…”

***

Keitaro and Toko with Nulla in tow rode the train back to where it all started. Tokyo Tower.

Keitaro had made sure it remained as it was before except for one change…

At the base of Tokyo Tower, right outside the entrance, there was now a memorial. Most probably thought it was some kind of war memorial, assuming they even noticed it at all, but Keitaro, Toko, and Nulla knew what it was really for.

There weren’t any names, but carved into stone were these words: “In memory of all those who fought and died for a better world.”

Standing before it, Keitaro, Toko, and even Nulla all gave a prayer.

The sacrifices made in Kosma would not be forgotten.