The Hero

And just as the punch is about to land, Linda’s shield slides in between us. I shout:

Kiyoshi: “GOOD JOB, LINDA!”

With the shield backing me, I take back momentum—keep carving with the katana. The core flickers into view, but Linda’s barrier can’t hold any longer and shatters. I’m forced to step back. The antennaed alien surges again, fists pouring down; I brace with the blade—still won’t stop. Linda throws her shield up again; this time the alien notices her, abandons me, and rockets straight at her.

Kiyoshi: “LINDA, RUN!!!”

She retracts the shield around herself, but it’s not enough; the alien is already splintering it.

…I’m going to fail someone again. The same scene, all over. Every time I think I’m stronger, my weakness smacks me in the face.
No. I won’t allow it. I WON’T.

Kiyoshi: “AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

— LINDA’S POV —

The shield won’t last; I need to move. I try to get away, but the alien is on me again.

…Damn it, I have to get distance somehow…

The shield breaks. The alien’s hand closes on my throat; my breath cuts; consciousness slips. In that moment, the Captain reaches me and severs the alien’s arm.

Linda: “Thank you… Captain, are you okay?”

He doesn’t answer. His eyes are blood-red; I’m not sure he’s even thinking straight.

The alien turns on the Captain and hammers at him—but it’s useless. The Captain doesn’t budge. After a few blows he grabs the alien’s left hand and blackens it. The alien tries to wrench free—pointless. He’s glued there.

The Captain headbutts the alien; its head comes off. It starts to regenerate, but this time the Captain doesn’t allow it. Every punch opens holes in the alien; no window to heal. The core is visible now. The Captain rips it out, crushes it in his fist—crack—and the alien melts away.

He won, but he can’t stay on his feet; he collapses.

I have no strength left to heal him, so I drag him to the ambulances. We strap him in and hand him over.

— BACK TO KIYOSHI —

When I open my eyes, I’m in a hospital bed. Even moving hurts. Chief Commander Ellie sits beside me.

Ellie: “Morning, hero.”
Kiyoshi: “Commander, ‘hero’…? I was just doing my job. I almost got Linda killed. I don’t remember much of the fight, but I remember a punch going straight for her chest.”

Ellie: “I heard about it. According to Linda, your mind wasn’t there and your eyes were blood-red.”
Kiyoshi: “The last thing I remember is… I was about to lose someone again, and I couldn’t control my nerves.”

Ellie: “I don’t know what happened to you either. But it didn’t just happen here; it happened at every base, and the casualties are heavy. Thanks to you, ours weren’t.”

Kiyoshi: “Ma’am… by the way, Matteo turned out to be with the cultists.”
Ellie: “Yeah, I heard. A big loss for us. When I find him, I’m going to beat him senseless. Anyway, for now—enjoy the moment.”

Kiyoshi: “If there’s a moment to enjoy… why not.”

Ellie: “Come on, don’t say it like that. The public already sees you as a hero. Look out the window if you want.”

I look, and there are banners with my name everywhere. Everyone is shouting “HERO KIYOSHI!” I don’t get it; I just stare. I try to stand on my bandaged legs; I can’t keep my balance. Ellie slips under my arm to steady me. I lean on her shoulder. As we near the hospital doors, the noise swells—like they’d been waiting just for me.

Ellie: “Your turn to speak to the people, hero.”

The word makes me flush with embarrassment. When I step outside, the atmosphere swallows me—the sound of my name rolling through the crowd. Keiji comes up, offers a mic, and whispers in my ear:

Keiji: “Thank you for saving my fiancée’s life, Captain.”

I just smile back. I raise the mic.

Kiyoshi: “EVERYONE, I WAS ONLY DOING MY DUTY. IF ANYONE DESERVES CONGRATULATIONS, THEN SO DO MY TEAMMATES. PLEASE CELEBRATE THE ENTIRE TEAM, NOT JUST ME. I COULD NEVER HAVE DONE THIS ALONE!”

The cheers get even louder. Ellie throws me a look that reads like well done. I return to my room and rest.

Two weeks later, I’m fully healed. On discharge day, Ayame visits.

Ayame: “I’m really happy you recovered. We’re throwing a party at the base to celebrate—please come.”
Kiyoshi: “I’m not much of a party person. I’ll show up, but don’t expect too much; I’m not exactly social.”
Ayame: “It’s enough that you’re there.”

Toward evening I head to class. The door opens—confetti explodes; paper showers over me. Everyone shouts, “Congrats on getting discharged!” Drinks get shoved into my hands and the music starts. I slip to a bench to steady myself; this much social energy isn’t my thing. Kelvin strolls over.

Kelvin: “So, hero—what did it feel like to take on that alien?”
Kiyoshi: “Trust me, it wasn’t nearly as fun as it sounds.”
Kelvin: “Figures.”
Kiyoshi: “Hard to explain if you weren’t there.”

He takes that a bit personally, but… If I hadn’t been there, our base could’ve been wrecked. In that moment, I realized I was their only hope.

I grin, half-joking:
Kiyoshi: “Don’t take it too hard. One day you’ll be like me.”
Kelvin: “Ahaha, don’t make me laugh! I’m going to surpass you.”

The party rolls on; everything looks fine, but one thing keeps nagging me: Why can’t I remember the fight? It’s weird. I need to experience that state again. After the party I head to the training hall; I trigger Blackout. I replay the moment in my head—and a chill runs through me. Something clicks; my heart starts to race.

Inside me, something forgotten sits without a name. I don’t know what it is—
…but I will, soon.