ABYSS┇Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 1

Masterlist | >> Chapter 2

Season: Winter (in the past)
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters (in order of appearance): Souma, Kanata, Madara

(13 years prior to the first year of the establishment of ES. At a funeral hall somewhere in Tokyo.)
 
 

Souma: I am freeee~!

(Now, what to do! Think, Souma! I only have half an hour left of the free time I was given! In other words, um, it’s approximately 30 minutes!)

(I must make the most of my time and do… do something! Otherwise it’d be a waste!)

…But, I’m hungry.

I have a feeling Father forgot about my meal.

(What should I do? I can’t go into battle with an empty stomach.)

(Mother is usually the one who prepares my meals but…Mother will be giving birth to my cute little brother soon.)

(She can’t move from something called pregnancy, so there’s nothing to be done about that. We can’t have her walk such a long way with her heavy body. )

(Even if this is a funeral…. A funeral of a personage so important to our clan that it cannot be ignored.)

(Yes, it seems like someone has passed away.)

(An esteemed person who seemed to be of great importance to us.)

(No, I’ll get in trouble if I call them a “person”.)

(Since that person was a “god” apparently.)

(……A funeral for a god? Do gods die too? Hmm~?)

(Oh well, when it’s time to die, you die! Mother and father would never say something wrong!)

(Ugh… Thinking makes me hungry. I’m starving…Not even Otaiko-sama¹ would think he’d have to starve to death in today’s affluent modern-day Japan.)

(Maybe I should ask Father to make me something~... But he seems busy, and he’s always saying something about how men don’t belong in the kitchen.)

Hm. In that case, I guess I have no choice but to find food myself.

(If I look hard enough, there should be something with enough nutrition out there, like bugs or beasts.)

(No, now that I look closely, there’s food lined up here and there.)

(Is what I’m seeing just an illusion?)

(I don’t really get it, but this must be a gift from God! In other words, umm, God has come to save me!)

(I shall gratefully accept this.)

(…Is this something I can just eat without asking? Will I get in trouble? There’s nobody around, so I can’t get permission even if I wanted to…)

(Besides, ugh~ I’m famished!)

Thank you for the food.

*chew chew* ……Ugh, the flavor is so strong. The food Mother makes is a lot more refined.

(I-I must hide…… The bottom of the desk over there has a curtain attached to it, I shall conceal myself there.)

(Quickly, Souma! There we go!)

 

 

 

Kanata: …wah, oh?


Souma: ………!?


Kanata: hm~? hm~? hm~?


Souma: ……? ……?

(What? Who? A suspicious person~!)

(Who is this fellow? He’s dressed funny…?)


Kanata: is someone there? mikejima, is that you?


Souma: (What? Huh? What did he say?)

(What a strange-sounding voice…I couldn’t catch that.)


Kanata: ……mikejima.

…or, not. scent is different.

*lick*......mm, taste is also different.


Souma: Hyaaah!? What are you doing, out of nowhere!? Are you a youkai!?


Kanata: who are you?


Souma: W-Who are you? What are you doing in a place like this?


Kanata: kanata is not doing anything.

in a way, kanata is doing nothing.


Souma: ???


Kanata: do you not understand, child of humans?

is it difficult to understand what kanata is saying?


Souma: K-Katana? No, you said “kanata”? Is that…?

 

 

 

Madara: —And here comes Mikejima when you least expect it!


Souma: Gyaa—oof!?


Madara: Whoa there, I hit him pretty hard, but just who is this? You know him, God?


Kanata: kanata is not yet a god, so he does not know anything.

also, you took a long time to get back, mikejima.


Madara: Sorry, I was a bit caught up trying to find an infiltration route, y’see—


Souma: (W-who are they? These people? They appear to be children around my age and yet…?)

(Ahh—oh no. I was already feeling faint from my empty stomach, but now I’m feeling dizzy from the shock of being punched…)

(I-I feel faint…losing…consciousness…)


(…………)


✁┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

1. Taikō is the title for a regent and is often used to refer Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who was a samurai and daimyō of the late Sengoku period. He’s regarded as the second “Great Unifier” of Japan.

ABYSS┇Masterlist

Scout! The Heartbeat of the Sea – Look back –

Season: Winter
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters: Souma, Kanata, Madara, Kaoru

Please read my terms and guidelines here before proceeding.

Content Warning: This story discusses major topics that may be disturbing for some readers. Topics include cults, child neglect, child abuse, violence. Proceed at your own discretion. 

𓈒 𓏸 𓐍 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓂃◌𓈒𓐍 𓈒

Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 1
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 2
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 3
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 4
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 5
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 6
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 7
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 8
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 9
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 10
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 11
Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 12
Epilogue 1
Epilogue 2
Epilogue 3
Epilogue 4

ABYSS┇Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 2

Chapter 1 << | Masterlist | >> Chapter 3

Season: Winter
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters (in order of appearance): Kaoru, Souma, Kanata, Madara


(Present day. The first year of the establishment of ES, Early February. Yumenosaki High School, Marine Biology Clubroom.)

Kaoru: Man, that sure was a disaster, Souma-kun!


Souma: …………


Kaoru: That really freaked me out, you know. I show up to the clubroom for the first time in a while, and there you were, on the floor covered in blood.

I thought it was a homicide and even called the police.


Souma: …You’re needlessly noisy as usual, Hakaze-dono. What do I have to do to shut that mouth of yours?


Kaoru: You don’t look so good, Souma-kun. You okay? Is it anemia?


Souma: I am ashamed. For I was seen in such an unsightly state by you, Hakaze-dono, of all people.


Kaoru: Nah, there’s nothing to be ashamed about. It was an accident, right?

What was it, again? Just as you were cleaning the clubroom, a vase or something fell and hit you straight on the head?


Souma: Mhmm……It was, as you say, a disaster indeed.

Even though, unlike you, the way I conduct myself daily is good.


Kaoru: I’ve also been doing things properly recently, you know? For real, for real. I’ve been so earnest that even my older fans have been passing along a theory on whether or not I’m the same person.


Souma: Hmph. You are the same person. Although you have always been frivolous, you’ve also always been a person of virtue.

Those passing along such rumors must not know who you are at all as a person.


Kaoru: Souma-kun, you get it? You get me?


Souma: …I don't know. Both back then, and now.
For a blockhead like me, understanding others is beyond my reach, like a dream.


Kaoru: What’s wrong~? That’s pretty dark. It seems like the Marine Biology Club is still as unpopular as usual, is it lonely being all alone? Want me to come visit you more often?


Souma: An unnecessary deed. How annoying.


Kaoru: I’m just worried about you!


Souma: I am not so far gone as to have you worry about me.

Anyways, it must be some sort of fate for you to show up like this.

You can help clean up the clubroom. I was knocked unconscious by such an unnecessary accident, so everything is still a mess.


Kaoru: Eh~ what a pain in the……

Ah, right, yeah, okay, okay, I’ll help out.

Scary, don’t glare at me like that. People will misunderstand.


Souma: I’m not glaring at you. It’s just, the vase that hit me earlier—I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before, so I couldn’t help but look upon it closely.

Ahh, that’s right. It’s from the funeral hall that day.

This vase looks just like the one from that funeral—no, I feel that they are the same one.


Kaoru: Uhh, hold on. A funeral hall? Vase? Wait, then isn’t that……?


Souma: Yes. This could possibly be an urn.


Kaoru: Ueeeehhhh…… W-why is something like that in our clubroom!?


Souma: Perhaps the previous president, in other words, Shinkai-dono, forgot and left it behind.

No, no matter how much common sense he may lack, there’s no way he would casually take an item of such great importance out of the house like that.

Hmm, how mysterious.

No, it’s exactly that—then and now, he has always been an enigma to me.

Kanata: zzz, zzz…….♪


Madara: God~, God~, wake up.


Kanata: ough..

as kanata has said before, mikejima, he is not yet a god.


Madara: Right, then not God, but a liiiittle baby. Why were you sleeping?


Kanata: kanata doesn’t know why, either. before he knew it, he was asleep.

kanata is easily influenced by other people. like water, easily dyed.

which is why, when he is next to this sleeping child, he falls asleep too…probably.


Souma: …………


Madara: I wonder who this kid is. He looked like he was about to touch your hair, so I just knocked him out.

Oh well. More importantly, we’re all set and ready to go!

Just like we planned, the old geezers are beginning to talk to one another during the reception, trying to decide on future plans.

Now might be our best chance to sneak up to where the body is.


Kanata: will kanata be able to meet mother?

ah, no. kanata isn’t allowed to call her mother. kanata will get in trouble.


Madara: It’s weirder to get in trouble. What’s wrong with calling your mother, “mother”?


Kanata: but, mother is a god, so.

……even though she was a god. why did mother die?

do you know why, mikejima?

kanata doesn’t understand.


Madara: I don’t get it, either. ‘Cause I’m an idiot.

Unlike my sister, I'm always doing everything wrong. That’s what they always say whenever they get mad at me.


Kanata: people are only ever angry at both kanata and mikejima.


Madara: Mhm, that’s why we were able to become friends in the first place!

Souma: Ugh…..uh… Hm?


Madara: Ah, oh no. This guy’s gonna wake up.

Should I knock him out again? Have fun going to the world of dreams~♪


Kanata: l-let’s not do anything scary. i get scared when i see you hit someone.

this child hasn’t done anything wrong, either. you musn’t hit him.


Madara: Okay, okay, as per God’s will~♪

Souma: ……W-who are you people? Just what kind of people are you?


Madara: Oh, crap. See, he’s woken up!


Souma: Y-you scoundrel……I’m going to call for an adult!


Madara: Thaaat would be a problem.

Fuhaha, I have no choice then! I’ll have to kill you in order to silence you ♪


Souma: Y-you’re going to kill me? H-how dare you, you barbarian!


Madara: What’s up with this guy? He’s got a funny way of speaking.

God’s also weird. Am I the only normal person here?

Well, I knew that already. This is really crazy, all of this.

ABYSS┇Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 3

Chapter 2 << | Masterlist | >> Chapter 4

Season: Winter (in the past)
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters (in order of appearance): Madara, Kanata, Souma


(10 minutes later. At the residence built at the far end of the funeral hall.)

Madara: Well then, let the mission begin!

Listen well, God. Starting now, we’re undercover spies. We’re going to sneak in without anyone noticing and destroy the secret weapon hidden by the adults!

I’ve watched a movie just like that before.


Kanata: movie……kanata doesn’t quite understand, but mikejima looks like he’s having fun, so that’s all that matters.

kanata’s also having fun. is this what it means to have fun?

it feels light and fluffy.


Madara: That’s ‘cause you’re usually holed up in that dimly lit cave, God. I’m sure just moving your body around makes you feel good.


Kanata: it gets tiring, though. kanata’s feet are getting heavy.


Madara: I’ll carry you on my back, then.


Kanata: that’d be helpful. mikejima is a goooood boy.


Madara: I’d hate to come all the way here just to be held back and fail the mission. It’d be especially bad if my parents were to find us. They’d probably get super mad.


Kanata: sorry for asking you to do something so troublesome, mikejima.


Madara: I don’t mind! I get how you feel, plus, I’m having loads of fun!

(—The other day, “Kanata-kun”’s mother, who had been worshipped as a living god in our religion up until then, passed away.)

And today’s the funeral. I’m trying to let Kanata-kun, who couldn’t even see his parent in her moment of death, at least see his mother’s corpse.

Yeah, I’m not wrong right? This is what justice is, right?

I’m saving a poor child as an ally of justice.

I’m different from my parents.


Kanata: ……mikejima?

What’s wrong? Is Kanata heavy?


Madara: No, you’re light! Actually, are you even eating properly?


Kanata: it’s not like kanata has not eaten, but he is undergoing religious purification by abstaining from eating meat.


Madara: Religious purifi— what?


Kanata: religious purification by abstaining from eating meat.


Madara: Yep, I don’t get it at all! I won’t think about what I dont get!

I’ll look it up on the internet later. More importantly, the body should be in the room at the very end.

Since it is technically the body of a god, there might be security guarding the body to make sure no one messes with it.

I’ll act as a decoy and draw their attention away if there is.

Which is why, in the meantime, Kanata-san, you should quietly sneak in and meet your mother.


Kanata: yeah. that’d be a great help, mikejima.

thank you for always being so kind.

kanata would like to do something as a form of gratitude. however, kanata is not yet a god, so he cannot do anything. a good-for-nothing.


Madara: There’s no need for that, I’m just doing what I should be doing as a person, you see! Heheh ♪


Kanata: i see. is that a natural course of action for people?

being kind to others…

if that’s so, then kanata likes people.

 

Souma: (...What are they doing? They managed to slip away earlier, but this time for sure, I’ll have them explain everything!)

(Sneaking around in the corner of such a residence……Are they thieves? In that case, I will punish them for that, along with the rude behavior they displayed earlier!)

(But still, now that I got another look, they really are weird people.)

(Especially that blue-haired child……What’s with that elaborate outfit?)

(It’s hard to imagine they’re ordinary humans.)

(Similar to the onmyouji, nymphs, or gods that show up in picture books—)

(...God? Come to think of it, didn’t that child refer to himself as “God”...?)


Kanata: child of humans…


Souma: ……? Huh!? S-Since when have you been behind me?

I’ve been defeated again! I couldn’t pick up on your presence!


Kanata: shh~…! quiet. kanata doesn’t really understand, but it seems like it’ll be a problem if we’re found right now.

it’s that thing called hide-and-seek. do you know of it?


Souma: Hide-and-seek……?


Kanata: mhm. you hide so you are not found. look, a place like this is perfect.


Souma: I-I have to hide behind this dresser? Me? Why?

(Actually, is this child simply just from around the neighborhood? He’s playing hide-and-seek and all—)

(Come to think of it, they were sneaking out of sight earlier too, weren’t they?)

(Then, it should be fine.)

(No, no no, no ordinary child would walk around wearing such a strange outfit!)

There’s just something about this kid… that’s out of the ordinary.


Kanata: ah, mikejima is calling. kanata will be going now.


Souma: Ah… W-Wai—!


Kanata: there, there ♪


Souma: …………? W-why are you petting me!?


Kanata: does it not hurt anymore? our mikejima did something rather rude earlier, didn’t he?

but, please, may you find it in your heart to forgive him.

because mikejima is always doing the right thing.

ABYSS┇Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 4

Chapter 3 << | Masterlist | >> Chapter 5

Season: Winter
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters (in order of appearance): Souma, Kaoru


(Present day. Marine Biology Clubroom)

Souma: —and that was as far as I got to witness.


Kaoru: Yeah, I don’t know if it’s that my ability to understand is low, or if your explanation was just that bad, but yeah, I don't get it at all.

In short, just what was it all about? A looong time ago, you met strange kids at someone’s funeral?


Souma: Ahh…no, I forgot to mention their names. I’m pretty sure the children I encountered were Shinkai-dono and Mikejima-dono.


Kaoru: Ahh, right, those two were childhood friends or something.

Kanata-kun used to happily go on about how “Mikejima did this, Mikejima did that,” so there was a time where I used to get a bit jealous.

There’s nothing I can do even if I’m jealous, though. It’s not like I can win against the time they spent together.


Souma: Mhm……There was a possibility I could have also been in a similar position, but we kept missing one another.

Our family isn’t usually the one dealing with matters regarding Shinkai-dono’s household to begin with. If Mikejima-dono is full-time, we, Kanzaki, are part-time.


Kaoru: I don’t really get it. I was right, your explanations are pretty bad, Souma-kun.


Souma: No, you’re just dumb.

Enough of that, it doesn’t matter right now…… What’s important is this urn (temporary name) that hit my head just a moment ago.


Kaoru: Ahh, right. Is that really an urn?


Souma: I’m unsure. Earlier, I gathered up my courage and opened the lid to check the contents.

Surprisingly, it was empty inside. The ashes and remains of the Buddha were not contained there.


Kaoru: Oh, I see. Thank god. Not that I found it gross or anything—

—but I don’t even want to begin to think about how I could’ve spent three years in the same clubroom with the bones of someone I don’t even know.

Though…well, yeah I still don’t get it. So then what’s up with this vase?


Souma: It’s still unknown, but I think it’s connected to Shinkai-dono’s family.

Look here, it’s his family crest—or, I’m unsure if you can call it that, but there’s a symbol engraved that indicates that they are who they are.

Having this engraved makes it disrespectful for those of another family, or rather, humans, to use it.


Kaoru: You say that as if Kanata-kun isn’t human.


Souma: I don’t know how much you know about this, but Shinkai-dono’s household is different from what you would consider an ordinary household.

Us Kanzakis and Mikejimma-dono are subordinates to that same unusual Shinkai clan.

I would like you to understand that relationship first.

Shinkai-dono is like the lord, and we are like his vassals.

Kaoru: Right. Our place is also quite old-fashioned, so I know such anachronistic relationships still exist today.

Although, ‘cause we’re modern-day kids, we end up thinking it’s absurd. For some people, that kinda stuff is just too much.

And that’s the part where, well, we have to respect at the very least, even if we don’t understand it.


Souma: That’s the correct way of approaching it. You say good things sometimes, Hakaze-dono.


Kaoru: Oh, Souma-kun praised me. Is it gonna rain tomorrow?


Souma: Stop fooling around. ……Anyhow, this is quite a peculiar coincidence.


Kaoru: What is? Can you please not speak so archaically all the time?


Souma: At the time, there was a similar controversy.

A controversy where ashes and remains, what was left of the deceased, should have been stored inside, however—when the lid was opened, it was empty.

It may merely be a coincidence, but it oddly overlaps.


Kaoru: Hmm? Just when I thought it was a locked-room mystery, was it actually a corpse vanishing trick?


Souma: What are you talking about?


Kaoru: I’m in a mystery drama, you see.


Souma: Fufu. You end up drawn to the role you’re playing for work whether you like it or not. When you work as an actor, you end up becoming emotionally attached to your role and it ends up becoming a part of you.

I’ve also had a familiar experience. Just the other day as well—upon returning home, a coarse line from one of the roles I played in a movie just came out of my mouth.

My mother and younger brother exclaimed in fear, “Our oldest has become a delinquent!”


Kaoru: That’s cool and all, but we’ve gone pretty far off topic?


Souma: You’re right, excuse me.

As I was saying earlier, it seems as if Shinkai-dono’s goal at the time was to meet the body of the deceased.


Kaoru: But that same body ended up vanishing? Something like that?


Souma: Yes, so it seems. It appeared when Shinkai-dono and the others opened the coffin and took a peek, they found that no corpse had been laid there to rest.

Naturally, those around made a huge uproar.

And not only did they suspect Shinkai-dono who secretly went to see the body, but even I, who was close by at the time, was suspected as the culprit.

On top of being severely chastised and interrogated, I was also forbidden from roaming outside for a while.

Of course, because of that, I lost contact with Shinkai-dono and the others, whom I didn’t get to interact with much in the first place.


Kaoru: No way, no matter how you look at it, isn’t that way too harsh? I’m sure you guys weren’t the culprits, and even if you were, it would've just been something done by children.

Chastisement? That’s terrible—way too old-fashioned.

Man~ The older the household, the more frightening the fathers. ‘Cause they’re from a time when the patriarchy was still up and strong. I get it, I get it– my place’s the same.


Souma: Fufu. Perhaps we have more in common than we thought, surprisingly.

Had I realized this sooner, we could’ve had quite the things to talk about.


Kaoru: Right? Maybe I could’ve spent more of my time like a regular, ordinary high school student, having fun bad-mouthing parents and teachers.


Souma: I can’t believe you’d speak ill of your parents! I knew it, I can’t get along with you……!


Kaoru: You’re so difficult…


Souma: Anyways, enough of that. I’m simply going to defend my father for a minute. There was a good reason as to why my father was so angry with me.

At the time, the body that disappeared was that of a person revered as a living god by a certain religion.


Kaoru: A religion, huh…… I’ve vaguely heard that Kanata-kun’s family is more or less something like that.


Souma: So you only know of it vaguely. Well, it’s probably not that interesting a story to hear in depth.

Regardless, keep that point in mind, since it saves me the trouble of explaining. Bluntly put, this wasn’t simply a matter of a body disappearing.

A god had disappeared. Our pillar of strength.

So it was only natural that it caused such an uproar.

To make matters worse, an even more unusual incident arose shortly after—

ABYSS┇Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 5

Chapter 4 << | Masterlist | >> Chapter 6

Season: Winter (in the past)
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters: Souma


(Reminiscence. Right after the funeral of Kanata Shinkai’s mother. Souma Kanzaki’s residence.)

Souma:【Written Apology】

【I, Souma Kanzaki, went against the teachings of my parents. At the end of my disolu–】

Dis…dis, dis-suh-loot…

Oh, here it is, here it is ♪

Dissolute.

(Mm, the dictionary sure has everything written in it.)

(If I don’t use the correct and proper words, I will not be able to convey my feelings properly.)

(It might be a good idea to walk around with a dictionary from now on.)

(A dictionary in my right hand, a sword in my left!)

(Yes, that’d make me the strongest ♪)

(Although, I am still rather small, and both are too heavy for my stature.)

(One day, I too will inherit that sword, the family heirloom. Though I am not allowed to touch it, and even during rituals, I am only given permission to look at it from a far distance…)

(Someday, I want to become a fitting person worthy of those things.)

(I want to become a warrior that’s a cut above the rest—one who rightfully carries a sword at his waist with pride!)

(And for that reason, too, I shall earnestly devote myself to learn from my failure and make every effort so that the same mistakes will not happen again.)

Umm, let’s see.

【At the end of my dissolute conduct, I committed a grave taboo, and brought disgrace to our family name.】

【I vow that hereafter, similar occurrences shall never happen again, and I will strongly reflect on my actions in order to prevent a second occurrence.】

And there, complete. Delicate brushwork, content of the highest quality, it’s a perfect finish!

Now all that’s left is to deliver this to Father—

(Hm? There’s a visitor? Father is talking to someone?)

(I mustn't interrupt. Let’s wait a little bit. I wouldn’t want to suffer Father’s wrath again.)

…Oh, there’s a cat in the yard.

A cute, cute little calico kitty!

Hey, there’s no fish here! If you want to fish, do it elsewhere.

If you mess with what belongs to humans, you’ll get scolded severely. Bad kitty!

(Mm… It's not like I want to eavesdrop, but, Father, your voice is so loud that I can hear everything from here!)

(…I-I keep hearing my name here and there. How embarrassing. Are you complaining about your son’s incompetence to your guests?)

(Father~! I’m properly reflecting on my actions! I shall never repeat the same mistakes again!)

(So please, won’t you please forgive me already—hm?)

(God? Did Father just say “God”?)

(—The mysterious child I met at the funeral hall that day turned out to be a god, apparently.)

(Now that you mention it, indeed, that child had a certain aura about him.)

(And although our household is not a shrine but of samurai, it seems that our family has been involved in these rituals for generations and generations!)

(I’ve also had the opportunity to observe these rituals, time and time again. The reason I underwent various types of training is also for this very purpose—)

(To ensure that one day, these rituals devoted to the gods go smoothly without fail!)

(Father has yet to explicitly say this, but it seems like that’s what it is.)

(That day, I unknowingly met a great individual, of whom I shall be serving one day.)

(Normally, it is unforgivable to speak to such an individual of such high status.)

(With that being said, it was only right that I was scolded. If it were the old days, even a beheading would have been insufficient for such an unforgivable act.)

(I’m properly reflecting…I swear to never defile God’s eyes ever again!)

(No, that god had some kind of cover over his eyes, so there’s a possibility he hadn’t seen me at all.)

(Though, that does sound rather lonely…)

(The fingertips of God that touched my head that day were gentle, soft and warm.)

(Even when I wasn’t aware of his status as God, I felt a sense of respect for him.)

(Is that what God is supposed to be like?)

(In that case, isn’t it a wonderful thing to serve and worship God?)

……Hm?

(Hmm~? What has Father been talking about since earlier?)

(“Abisu”? What is “abisu”?)

(Father and the guest keep saying that word.)

(It has an extraordinary feel to it… just like a general on the front lines of a big, decisive battle.

(Although, I do wonder what “abisu” is. A word I have yet to learn.)

(But, hehehe, I just so happen to have a dictionary in my hands.)

(If I don’t know the word, I can search it up immediately. And, what’s important is to understand all the incomprehensible things around me.)

(A… A, abisu. Abisu…Oh! Found it.)

(Now, what does it mean?)

(Umm, in English, it has the meaning of “hell”.)

(Or, it can mean a deep—how do you read this again? Umm, I recall seeing this previously in some kind of book and had a hard time finding it in the dictionary.)

(Oh right, abyss! So “Abisu” means abyss!)

(Of the sea, an extremely deep, pitch-black ravine.)

(And, it can also mean the depths of the sea¹. Uh-huh. That was informative.)


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1. In Japanese, the depths of the sea is called and written as "shinkai," Kanata’s surname. The first character「深」 pronounced "shin" in this case, means deep. The second character「海」pronounced "kai" in this case, means sea. Put them together and you have Kanata's surname, meaning the depths of the sea (or deep sea). 

ABYSS┇Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 6

Chapter 5 << | Masterlist | >> Chapter 7

Season: Winter (in the past)
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters (in order of appearance): Kanata, Madara


(At the same time. At a certain religious group’s facility known by the name “The Abode of God”)

Kanata: bored~ bored, bored~ bored~

so bored, kanata feels he will melt.

……what are you doing, mikejima?

god is bored, you know?

 

Madara: —Did you perhaps call for my humble self, oh sacred God we revere.


Kanata: wha…!?


Madara: Juuuust kidding, haha! Hey, hey, you sure look bored, God!


Kanata: mikejima.

mikejima~...... ♪

—wah, oof?


Madara: You okay!? You sure fall a lot, God. What are you, a little kid?


Kanata: ugh…it’s because kanata’s not yet used to this place.

he doesn’t know where anything is, so he ended up tripping and falling.

ow……kanata hit his forehead. it stings…


Madara: If you’re a god, then bear with it.


Kanata: mm……it is as you say, mikejima. i will bear with it.

hic, hic… but it hurts… it might be impossible to bear.


Madara: Ahh~ look, you’re starting to bleed. Don’t move, ‘kay? I’ll disinfect it.

I also fight with my parents—no, bad guys—and get hurt, so I always make sure to carry some sort of ointment to at least treat simple wounds.


Kanata: wounds? are you okay?

the one who fell was kanata, yet you look like you’re the one who’s hurting, mikejima.

did your mother and father get mad at you again?


Madara: Ah~ Wellll, they still nag at me about what happened the other day.

Stuff like, “What were you thinking—of all things, taking the being you’re supposed to protect, hand-in-hand into the outside world,” or something.

And apparently my parents were berated by the other believers, too. The bottom line is, it’s because their reputations were tarnished that they’re full of complaints.

That’s probably what they really mean when they tell me not to cause trouble for others.


Kanata: there, there.


Madara: Are you listening to what I’m saying, God?

Don’t pet me. The antiseptic on God’s hands is dripping down and stinging my eyes.


Kanata: sorry. but you looked like you were in pain, so.

don’t cry…you didn’t do anything wrong, mikejima.

the one in the wrong here is all kanata. it’s all because kanata wanted to meet mother.


Madara: I’m not crying, and you ended up not being able to meet your mom so that was a mess.

Nothing went well. The mission was a total failure.

But I wonder why the body disappeared……?


Kanata: kanata doesn’t know. the chief priest, in other words, father, said it was the abyss’ doing.


Madara: I don’t know if it’s ABYSS or Ebisu¹ or what, but does something like that really exist in this world?


Kanata: that—kanata also doesn’t know. kanata is not yet a god, so he doesn’t know anything.


Madara: Hmph. Whatever, you say that I’m not in the wrong, but I obviously am?

I mean, that’s why I got reprimanded. ‘Cause I broke what’s called the taboo.


Kanata: taboo…… why is it that kanata mustn’t go outside?

because he fell and got hurt? is that why everyone is worried about kanata?


Madara: Isn’t it ‘cause the mystique would start to fade? God is a faraway being, always behind a screen or something to hide them.

And it’s because you can’t see them, your imagination begins to broaden, and you wind up thinking of them as a very sacred being.

The believers need to be misguided in order to preserve this religion.

That’s why you, who will one day become a god, must stay hidden away from the world.

Otherwise if people were to meet you in person, they’d find out that you’re a blockhead and an idiot of a child just like me.


Kanata: blockhead? idiot? what does that mean?


Madara: It means cute and pretty.


Kanata: i see… then that’s good, eheheh ♪


Madara: Mhm~ God is reeeeally an idiot, isn’t he! A funny idiot!


Kanata: praise kanata more, revere him! eheheh ♪


Madara: Haha. …Alllllright, done with your treatment. It was hard to treat—your long and flowy hair was in the way as usual, God.


Kanata: mm, kanata also thinks it’s in the way.

kanata ends up eating his own hair while sleeping, and there are times where he can no longer breathe. troublesome. kanata will end up dying if he can’t breathe.


Madara: I’ll secretly cut your hair for you one of these days.


Kanata: no. no haircuts. also no taking off the eye cover.

it’s forbidden. if you go against what’s forbidden, you will get in trouble again.

kanata doesn’t want mikejima to get in trouble, to feel hurt or sad.


Madara: I see. Thanks.

But, yeah, as I thought, I just can’t leave you here like this.


Kanata: kanata is satisfied. bored, but mikejima comes when kanata is bored.

but it’s because of that that kanata was so scared he would never be able to see mikejima again.


Madara: For a god, you suuure are a spoiled child. You’ll be lonely if I’m gone?


Kanata: of course.


Madara: I see… But the reality is, it’s forbidden for people to normally meet a god like this. I snuck out of cram school today, too.

I mean, I already understand everything perfectly, so to have to study lower elementary school material is extremely boring. So that’s why I came here to play.


Kanata: w-will everything be alright? you broke another taboo?

you’ll get in trouble, you know?


Madara: It’s fine as long as they don’t find out. Hahaha.


Kanata: once kanata becomes a god, he will change many regulations.

kanata will make it so that even if mikejima and kanata get along, no one will get mad.

so, wait for kanata. it’ll be fine.

just hold on for a little bit longer.


Madara: Okay, then I’ll be waiting without much expectation.


Kanata: mhm, believe in me.

it will all be alright, okay? because god doesn’t lie.


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1. Ebisu is a Japanese god of luck and commerce, particularly concerning the sea. He is also the patron god of fishermen.

ABYSS┇Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 7

Chapter 6 << | Masterlist | >> Chapter 8

Season: Winter (in the past)
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters (in order of appearance): Kanata, Madara

Kanata: *chew chew, chew chew chew chew* …… ♪


Madara: There, there. Does it taste good? They’re the newly released snacks!


Kanata: yummy. the things you bring me are always yummy, so I like it.


Madara: They’re snacks.

Normally, God doesn’t get to eat good food because of the strict diet for religious purification……

Ah, I looked up what that was, so I know what it means now!

Kanata: mm. kanata is to become a god, so religious purification is a necessity.


Madara: If you become a god, you may not be allowed to eat these sweets anymore, right?

In reality, if it weren’t for me sneaking in all this past surveillance, you’d probably never get to have stuff like sweets or entertainment in your life, would you?


Kanata: mhm……well, nothing can be done about it.

that’s what it means to be god.


Madara: You’ve been completely brainwashed, haven’t you…


Kanata: ……ah, kanata already ate everything.

there’s no more yummy things. what a shame.

mikejima. even when kanata becomes a god, will you come and secretly bring me snacks like this?


Madara: Hm~ Well, I might not be able to promise that? When that happens, there may be more surveillance and security may get tighter. It maaay become harder to get close to God, too.


Kanata: it’ll be fine. because mikejima can do anything.


Madara: Well I can’t do eeeverything. ‘Cause I’m not a God, see?


Kanata: even if you can’t do everything, you can do a lot of things kanata likes, mikejima.

mikejima~ do that thing again. the thing you like.

the one called the ally of justice. the fun one with singing and dancing!


Madara: And as soon as you’ve had your fill, you want a show, huh. What a man of high standing. You sure are a god in that way!

Come to think of it, you really like watching me play ally of justice, don’t you?


Kanata: mhmm. it’s fun so kanata likes it.


Madara: But God, you probably don’t fully understand what an ally of justice is, right?

An ally of justice is different from idols. They’re not beings that are supposed to be singing and dancing, you know?


Kanata: but still, they say funny things and make funny moves.


Madara: Hmm, I guess it’s true that the ones in Tokusatsu shows have that type of spectacular entertainment.

It’s a type of business that shows you charming things and makes you want goods related to it, after all.

But, the ones I admire aren’t entertainers or performers like that. It’s the ally of justice that helps the weak and crush the strong, fighting evil.

(Unlike my father, who puts on a face of justice while cozying up evil.)


Kanata: then, it’s the same as kanata.

it is also kanata’s duty to get rid of bad guys.

kanata is a so-called ally of justice, too.


Madara: Ha, you, an ally of justice? Even though you’re always falling down and crying all the time?


You, who can’t even walk properly without me dragging you along? You, who would seemingly die the minute I’m not there to protect you?

 

Kanata: is that a no? you’re going to become an ally of justice one day, right mikejima?

if kanata also becomes “that,” then we’ll be together…… foreeever ♪


Madara: …………

…You’re going to become a god, aren’t you? So isn’t it impossible for you to become an ally of justice in the future?


Kanata: ah, I see! that’s a problem. is it impossible to become both a god and ally of justice at the same time? if only kanata could split into two.


Madara: Hey, should we try shredding your legs or something? You never know, maybe a torso or something will grow out of there ♪


Kanata: d-don’t say such scary things. you can be mean sometimes, mikejima.


Madara: You make it sound like I’m usually kind.


Kanata: you’re kind. mikejima is kanata’s number one.


Madara: If someone like me is number one in the world, the world God lives in must have an exceptionally small population.


Kanata: that’s right. there aren't a lot of people in kanata’s world. kanata rarely gets to meet with his family and the believers are always far away.

that’s why kanata is always lonely.

hey, don’t ever go anywhere, mikejima.

always stay by kanata’s side.


Madara: Yeah, yeah, if that’s an order from God then gladly so.


Kanata: muu…… i’m serious about it, though.

ABYSS┇Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 8

Chapter 7 << | Masterlist | >> Chapter 9

Season: Winter
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters (in order of appearance): Souma, Kaoru, Madara


(Present day. At Yumenosaki High School, Marine Biology Clubroom)

Souma: ……!? Get down, Hakaze-dono!


Kaoru: W-what? What’s wrong, all of a sudden?


Souma: What are you waiting for!?


Kaoru: Wah, wah, don’t grab me by the scruff of the neck and suddenly push me down, okay~? If someone were to see us, they’d misunderstand and think we get along, you know?


Souma: This is not the time for jokes!? That’s the part of you I’ve never been able to stomach!


Kaoru: No, no. Normally, if someone were to suddenly say and do things straight out of a battle manga, the other party would just end up perplexed.

This is peaceful modern day Japan~ The weird one isn’t me but Souma-kun, ‘kay?

Madara: —Hahaha! What a shame! The surprise attack failed!


Kaoru: Oh! Speak of the devil—Mikejima-kun.


Madara: Hahaha. I really thought you had your guard down, but you reacted properly to my bloodlust.

When I first met you, you weren’t even able to go on the defensive and awkwardly passed out.

You’ve grown, Souma-san. Big brother¹ is really moved.


Souma: I have no such older brother. I see you are still spouting nothing but nonsense, Mikejima-dono. Or perhaps I should say, all you alumni as a whole.

And? What exactly have you come here for? This place belongs to us, the Marine Biology Club!


Madara: Hahaha. I see you’re still living in a historical drama. How funny.

Unlike me, you’re properly living up to the ideals you dreamed of as a kid without giving up or getting disillusioned with yourself.

When I think of that, I get a little envious.

Kaoru: Seriously, just what is going on all of a sudden……?


Madara: Oya, you were here Kaoru-san? I didn’t see you since you were hidden behind Souma-san.

It’s pretty rare for us alumni to come face to face with one another at Yumenosaki like this, isn’t it? A quirk of fate!


Souma: Although the reason is unknown, Hakaze-dono frequently comes to visit the clubroom.

You should watch and learn, Mikejima-dono. According to my dear friend Adonis-dono, Tenma is feeling rather lonely.


Madara: Maaan, but I really don’t want to get caught up in something troublesome again.

The admirable, heroic act where I frequently and diligently visit lonely little guys? I’ve already stopped doing that.

I never really had any good memories of Yumenosaki in the first place. If it were up to me, I’d rather not have to go out of my way to come allllll the way here, you know?

But, well, I really had no choice this time. If left as it was, it’d probably only become more and more of a pain to deal with, so.


Souma: …………？


Madara: Souma-san. Hand over the vase you’re holding.


Souma: This vase……? Just what is this thing?


Madara: There’s no need for you to know.


Souma: Hmph. You are always like that. You may put on an act of secretiveness and mysticism, but such an attitude only makes you more suspicious.


Madara: Maan, I’m only trying to look out for you—trying not to get you involved in this worthless mess.


Souma: Ridiculous. I’ve been involved since the moment I was born.

This vase is related to Shinkai-dono’s household. In that case, I’m sure I’m not a stranger to this incident either.

So why is it that, time and time again, you people always leave me out of the loop.


Madara: It’s ‘cause it reeeally has nothing to do with you. You Kanzakis are in a special position, independent of any religious hierarchy.

Sent accordingly by the government at the time, you Kanzaki served to keep an eye on the religion. In the case the same religion or God was deemed an enemy of the government, the samurai on standby would be ordered to draw their swords and have them slain.

Such history and reasoning behind establishment differs from us Mikejimas, who were appointed and established within the religion as the caretakers of God from the very beginning.

Juuust kidding. I got so swept up with Souma-san, now I’m talking like I’m in a historical drama!

Okay, let’s jump back to reality and talk about what’s really happening here.

That vase you have over there is a piece of evidence for a certain crime. Back then, Kanata-san and I discussed and agreed to hide it in this very clubroom.

I even installed an alarm on it to make sure we’d be alerted if someone tried to take it away……
Which is why I—who happened to be nearby—was able to come running in like this right away.

Souma: This vase is…a piece of evidence for a criminal case…?


Madara: That’s right. Which is why if Souma-san took an interest in it, took it out and had outside police or experts look into it, it’d be a huge problem!

The abominable past that we went through great lengths to bury in the deep, dark pit of the abyss would be brought to light.

Which is why I came over before that could happen. Hahaha.


Souma: And this abominable…past is referring to?


Madara: Ahh, curious now, are we? Curiosity kills the cat, you know?

No. If anything, in your case, I feel like it’d be easier to explain everything than to try to hide it.

You’d probably be able to understand where we come from and cooperate with our “cover up”.


Kaoru: What do you mean, “cover up”? What’s up with the crime is suspicious and all, but is this really something I’m allowed to listen in on? I can leave if you want?


Madara: Either will do. Though, I think you might be able to relate more than Souma-san here.


Kaoru: …………?


Madara: Alright, now I’ve piqued your interest. I’m sure this is also some sort of fate. It doesn’t happen often, but this time, I’ll be sure to explain everything properly from one to ten.

It’s about time for the statute of limitations to expire, and it’s getting a little too heavy for us to carry this burden all by ourselves.

—First and foremost, God has died.

That was the conspiracy formed by a secret organization called “ABYSS”—an organization that existed within our religion.


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1. Madara refers to himself as onii-chan here.

ABYSS┇Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 9

Chapter 8 << | Masterlist | >> Chapter 10

Season: Winter (in the past)
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters (in order of appearance): Madara, Kanata


(Reminiscence. Some distance away from “The Abode of God,” at the edge of a mountain of industrial waste.)

Madara: Traaansform!


Kanata: there it is~, mikejima’s transformation ♪

again, again ♪ this time, do the one where the hands turn round and round! ♪


Madara: How many times are you going to make me do it? You sure are excited, aren’t you, God…?


Kanata: it made kanata happy, so~♪

thank you, mikejima. for preparing something so beautiful for kanata’s sake—


Madara: If you liked it, it was worth all the trouble.

You’re aaalways saying you want to see the outside world, after all! That there’s only ever rocks and salt water here, so you wanted to see something else.

Which is why I prepared this unused garbage dump for sowing, plowed it, and planted a bunch of flower seeds. Though that was a looong time ago.

Plus, you actually got to go outside the other day, so it feels a bit too late for that now.

But as you can see, the seeds I planted have finally started to bud.

I didn’t think the whole place would be covered in flowers though…Just what is buried underneath here, the soil is incredibly rich in nutrients!


Kanata: amazing, amazing! pretty, pretty!

it’s full of colors and so, so pretty!

mikejima, what color is this? red? blue? yellow?

Madara: —Shh! Quiet!


Kanata: fwah!? huh? what? what’s wrong, mikejima…?


Madara: Someone’s coming. I hear footsteps.


Kanata: w-what? isn’t this place forbidden? could it be a caretaker?


Madara: Yeah, you’re right. This forbidden area—the vicinity of “The Abode of God”—is more or less off-limits to regular believers and the like.

Only select caretakers are given permission to enter.


Kanata: mhm, mikejima, and the grandpa and grandma who were said to have been believers since long ago.


Madara: I’m still just an apprentice, though. They thought we would get along well since we were the same age, so I was recommended by my parents against my will.

Well, I did commit the grave offense of taking God outside, so in that regard, I feel like I’m on the verge of losing those rights, too.


Kanata: don’t say that. always stay as my caretaker, mikejima.

grandpa and grandma always do nothing but pray after preparing my meals, so it’s very boring.


Madara: They’re believers down to the very core, after all…

But, the people closing in on us right now don’t seem to be those dried up looking guys.

There’s a lot of ragged footsteps steadily getting closer and closer to us.

I have a bad feeling about this… Let’s hide over there, God.


Kanata: o-okay. kanata will do as mikejima says.

mikejima is always right. that’s why kanata knows he’ll be safe if he does what mikejima tells him to.


Madara: I wish you’d think for yourself sometimes… Oh well, this is an environment where “intellectual autonomy” is not nurtured, so it’s no wonder.

They probably won’t let you go to school or something, either.


Kanata: school? what is that? is it fun?

just about everything you tell me about is pretty and fun ♪


Madara: I told you, be quiet… The owners of those footsteps have shown themselves.


Kanata: mmph… don’t cover kanata’s mouth. can’t breathe.


Madara: What’s up with those guys? They’re dressed completely black from head to toe—isn’t that exactly how those combatants from tokusatsu movies look like?

Is this really happening? Am I starting to lose my grip on what’s reality and what’s fiction after watching too many tokusatsu shows?

Kanata: abyss.


Madara: Hmm? What, I told you to be quiet—


Kanata: those people. they’re abyss.


Madara: ABYSS? That’s that thing, right? The shady guys the adults keep talking about recently?


Kanata: mhm. they keep saying things like “for the sake of abyss” or “as a member of abyss,” and so on. those people are probably members of abyss.


Madara: You suuure can hear from this distance…


Kanata: kanata has good ears. because kanata’s eyes are covered, he is able to hear clearly.


Madara: I see. But still, ABYSS?? I’ve heard that strange name in a peculiar place…


Kanata: what is abyss? do you know, mikejima?


Madara: Umm. Apparently there’s what’s called a divide happening within our religion right now.

Everyone’s shaken up because of the death of God—in other words, your mother’s death.

And supposedly, there’s a group within the religion that wants to take advantage of the chaos and instability to assume power.


Kanata: kanata doesn’t understand complicated matters.

you’re amazing for knowing so many big words, mikejima.


Madara: The stuff we have to study at school and cram school are boring, so I wind up reading books all the time…

Anyways, ABYSS is a new religious group that’s trying to split off and gain independence—or so the rumors say.

Those who have decided to throw away the current religion and plan to establish a new one have gathered together—the emergence of a new organization, so to speak.

The emergence of a new organization, so to speak, where those who’ve decided to throw away the current religion and are trying to establish a new one have gathered together.

Now, who’s becoming a believer of this new religion—the so-called church of ABYSS?

No one really knows who’s going to betray and convert, so the grownups are growing suspicious of one another, and it looks like it’s starting to get realll stuffy in there.


Kanata: that’s terrifying. converting to another religion is an unforgivable act.


Madara: If you ask me, I think it’s all preeetty fishy, though. It’s nothing but a groundless rumor with no basis.


Kanata: what makes you think that?


Madara: There’s no sign of any activity by ABYSS and the like. Not a single trace exists.

My parents are also in charge of conducting internal investigations within the religion, so you get to learn about all sorts of things if you read the documents and stuff behind their backs.

The name ABYSS did show up from time to time, but nothing specific, like the members of ABYSS, was ever mentioned.

It was to the point where it was unnatural, you know? As long as humans exist, they should leave all sorts of traces behind, yet there was none of that.

There’s nothing substantial, as if it’s merely a figment of the imagination. You only hear of it in documents and rumors—this might sound weird, but it almost feels like a ghost or some sort of youkai.

God has died, and everyone vaguely feels a strange sense of unease. And they put a name to that feeling of unease—ABYSS—well, at least that’s what I think.


Kanata: like the “evil thing”.


Madara: Hm? Ah riiight, the “evil thing” spoken about in our religion—that’s probably also one of those figments of imagination with no real basis to it.

The grownups all look like idiots, pushed around constantly by things that don’t even exist in reality.


Kanata: …………


Madara: Ahh, I mean, not that I have anything to say about it as an ally of justice—


Kanata: no, mikejima…behind you!


Madara: …………!?

(What the? I couldn’t sense them at all! Before I knew it, the guys dressed in black were right behind me—the guys of ABYSS—!)

(These guys look shady like hell, but their movements are definitely of a pro’s! They move just like the strong guy I saw in the police judo tournament my father forced me to watch!)

(I let my guard down! Dumbass! You failed again! If only we ran right away instead of chatting away without a care—)

ABYSS┇Sea of Trickling ■ | Chapter 10

Chapter 9 << | Masterlist | >> Chapter 11

Season: Winter (in the past)
Scenario writer: Akira
Characters (in order of appearance): Souma, Madara

Souma: (……!? Was that a scream just now?)

(Alarming! So what Father and his guest were talking about was true!)

(A group of bad guys called “Abisu” are trying to kidnap Lord God—that blue-haired child I met at the funeral hall!)

(After kidnapping and consecrating, they are trying to make him the new object of worship for the new religious group created by “Abisu”! A new living god for a new religion!)

(I am unsure if it’s true, but I’ve heard rumors just like that! That’s why Father was talking about making sure security was in place!)

(It is also why I became so worried about that kid, about Lord God—)

(And so, I ended up breaking into the residence of that child, which was disclosed in the conversation Father had earlier.)

(...Just what am I doing. It hasn’t even been long since I was just scolded for my selfish behavior.)

(However, it really seems to be dangerous! It was the first time Father had ever spoken in such a serious manner!)

(A crisis is approaching! A great crisis! If so, I, too, as a samurai, must do what must be done!)

(Samurai are beings that exist to fight for the weak! I may be scolded for calling God “weak,” but even so!)

(I must protect him! That child stroked my head out of worry for me! For such a gentle child to fall victim to such bad people—I absolutely cannot let that slide!)

(As a samurai! No, it is only natural for me to do this as a person!)


Madara: Stoooooooooppp!?


Souma: (......!? What was that voice just now!? It came from around that corner?

(Let’s quietly check on the situation in a way that won’t let them find me. *heart pounding*)

Madara: Give back Kanata-kun, give him baaaaaack!!!! Damn iiit!!!!!


Souma: (......! That’s the child I saw at the funeral hall! Lord God’s—Is he called Kanata? The one who was friendly with Kanata-sama!)

(The detestable guy who hit me on the head and knocked me out!)

(Mmm, he probably tried to protect Kanata-sama and fought with “Abisu”.)

(However, the opponents are adults…He may have a better physique than I, but there’s no way he could win against trained opponents through brute strength alone.)

(After being mercilessly beaten, he was rolled over and his hands were tied behind his back. Presumably, that is what happened.)

(I cannot say it serves him right, that it was divine punishment for doing such a terrible thing to me.)

(It must be frustrating to be unable to protect a friend.)


Madara: Crap, crap, crap… Damn it!

Why am I so weak?


Souma: (Hm, I don’t see any signs of anyone else around. Which means Lord God—Kanata-sama must have already been kidnapped.)

(It looks like “Abisu” left after fulfilling their duty. In that case, it should be fine if I call out to that kid.)

Pardon me, pardon me.


Madara: ……!? What!? W-what is it?


Souma: You don’t remember me? What a rude fellow you are, the part of my head you hit is still in pain, you know?


Madara: Why are you here…?

No, that’s not important! Untie my hands right now!


Souma: I don’t like that commanding tone of yours. But, very well. Stay still.

I am not yet of age to wield a sword, so I have yet to adapt to this heaviness.


Madara: ……？


Souma: Hyaahhhh!!!!


Madara: ……!? Ah, eek!?

What the hell, that’s dangerous!!!!! The hell did that come from—that sword!!?


Souma: I’ve been carrying it on my back. I secretly brought my family’s treasured sword with me, thinking things might get rough.

If my father finds out about this, I may be forced to commit seppuku this time, so please keep it a secret.


Madara: Well, you saved my ass I guess… That sword’s extremely sharp, isnt it? It felt like it barely grazed it, but the rope was cleanly sliced into two.


Souma: What in the world happened? Where’s Lord God—no, Kanata-sama?


Madara: He’s been kidnapped by them…ABYSS. I tried my best to resist, but I was no match for them.

I was tied up along with Kanata-kun and carried around like luggage…Damn it! It’s so frustrating.

But still, I struggled like hell, so they dumped me here, thinking I’d just get in the way…

As far as they’re concerned, all is well as long as they can get their hands on Kanata-kun.


Souma: I see. And where did those of “Abyss” go afterwards?


Madara: The sea. There are passages leading to “The Abode of God” that connect to various places all around, but they went through the one that led to the sea. They left just a few minutes ago.


Souma: Then, if we go after them now, we’d make it in time.


Madara: That’s right. Give me that sword, I’m going to cut them into pieces and slaughter them all.


Souma: Don’t say something so disturbing…Even if we have a sword, there is no way for two kids to hold their ground against a group of adults.


Madara: Then, what? Because of me, Kanata-kun is—


Souma: Calm down. Fortunately, you are not alone.

With two people on the move, more measures can be taken.

I have an idea, how about it? Umm—that’s right, I still haven’t asked for your name.

Madara: I’m Mikejima.


Souma: I see. I am Souma Kanzaki.

Mikejima-dono, for the sake of Lord God—no, for the sake of your friend, are you willing to do anything and everything?


Madara: …………?