Chapter 255: Senpai

Kouhai.

A very popular term in Japan. It means "junior" when translated into other languages. In their situation, it is the only word that was suitable.

"...You." (Anata ga.)

(A/N: Meteora's speech turned from casual/informal to formal.)

A few months ago, she found out what happened to her "creator". He died in a motorcycle accident around a year ago. This accident even made quite a stir in the ACG industry as he was one of the most well-known directors at that time, second only to the infamous Shibuya Reo. This left Meteora with no choice but to check for herself if his traces, his works, contain traces of his sincerity. Of course, she saw it through the intricate worldbuilding as well as the very few details that she found upon an entire day of gaming. There was also its community that shared the said small details above.

He was truly an outstanding director who made his name through his sincerity and love for his works.

Everything ended in this way. Meteora decided to save the world purely because she was moved by that sincerity. She knew that her existence was quite monotone, hence the reason why she saw no need to side with this world right after appearing in it. To the Sage of a Thousand Miles who saw through the passage of life and death for most of her life, the only thing that moved her was the hero's resolve to save the world.

(A/N: The hero is your in-game character in her franchise.)

Now that something else moved her, she was determined to see the end of it. But then, she found out something more. A small detail that she had overlooked nearly the entire time she was here. That is, the similarities that she and another character hold. The character whom she had met since her early days on Earth. The one who lent his authority to her—something that was almost a perfect fit for her. He was also known as the holder of the library that knows no bounds—

"...It's you."

—the Librarian of the End, Shiro.

"To be honest, I was extremely shocked too." The person in question responded with a light shrug. "Who knew that I have a kouhai that I did not even know of."

Upon further investigation, Meteora found her creator's original manuscripts. While looking at her creator's ideas as a plan to perfect Elimination Chamber Fest, she also held a personal agenda. She was interested in how her creator "made" her. Although, she was surprised about something.

...

"Hm?"

While organizing one of her creator's sketches, her eyes were drawn into a small notebook. A thin piece of paper stuck out from it. With a closer look, it can be seen that it was a notebook page placed in between the notebook.

Meteora grasped it with her creamy white hand. Her looks far surpass that of this world, turning the most trivial actions into something that could make one fall without any guard.

"Kangae No—to." (Idea Note)

Two large kanjis are beautifully drawn in their title area. The hardcover made out of leather gave off a feeling of oldness from it.

Flip-!

She began to turn the pages of the concept notebook. This was the note where her creator wrote his random ideas; spontaneous ideas that often sprang up while doing a bath or a shower. Some breakthrough in her game's plot was surprisingly included in this small notebook.

"Huh..?"

She reached the page where the separate page was located. Though, what bothered her was the familiar illustration drawn into it. The picture depicts a man who wears an oversized black cloak. Only the character's hand was revealed. Rings embedded with varieties of jewels are present in it.

"Saigo no Shisho." (End's Librarian.)

Casual handwriting from a sign pen was present below it. Some other descriptions such as the character's origins and powers are also present.

"The man who oversees everything from the end. The keeper of secrets that existed within the known reality. He is a guide... and a protector."

Three words presented themselves under his character description.

"Materializing his endless vault of knowledge into reality."

A brief sentence was left under the section that explains his powers.

"This..."

This information correlated to what she knew about the mysterious man from before. His authority, that library, allowed her to briefly materialize restraints present in its archives for a few moments. Coupled with his appearance, she was almost sure that this was him.

[Leo-sensei gave me some of his concept characters. I appreciate it.]

This was written on the page where the illustration was attached. Then, she also saw another brief note.

[I already thought of a character who fits in that role.]

"..."

...

"No blaming me on that one. I came upon that note when I saw it lying down on the floor."

"You're the one who put it back."

"Yep." Shiro affirmed. "My luck worked on this one."

"Meteora-san..?"

"Sakurai-san?"

The bewildered voices of everyone inside the room rang out. They, who could not comprehend the topic between Shiro and Meteora, let out their confusion.

Ignoring them, Shiro came closer to her—rather, to the magic reaction that she made. He rested his palm on it, which sent him the information that made it up.

"It's done well. You're a genius in your own right, kouhai. Anyways..." Repeating the same gesture, Shiro accessed its controls with slight difficulty. "You can leave this mess to us."

Flash-!

A blinding white light appeared inside the room, prompting everyone to close their eyes, except for Meteora. Under her sight, she saw Shiro return to his previous, unrepressed appearance. The ethereal charm that he carried turned the room into a prairie for a moment. His charm that broke the limits of reality showcased itself once more.

"Off we go."

Mouthing those words, he disappeared.

"My... senpai."

*****

My "clone" finished his job back at Meteora's place. He located the traces of the other anomaly as well as granted me some sort of autonomy and control within this birdcage.

Fwooosh-!

Lifting down the large blade made up of my [Soul Armaments], I focused on recovering the load that my huge attack had brought. I have a materialized soul, the Third True Magic, but even it could not disregard the burden that I carried using that attack. Using [Tail Gear], I was prompted to my strongest state possible immediately. Not only that, I called in two of my parallel selves to better utilize the powers that I have.

One would be responsible for the usage of [Librarian of the End] while the other is assigned to my [Armament Convergence].

Of course, switching back to this state brought me that strange side effect as well. Though, I do not mind it much. Not only was there no one who knew that this little girl was Fukushiro Sakurai. Plus, beings at my level don't give a damn about this. Why should I, then?

"..!"

I felt a wave of danger pass through my head. Manipulating the seven sword bits in my back, I rotated them and formed a sword shield—a move copied from Altair herself. They emitted blazing heat, disintegrating anything that touches it.

Clang-!

Hum-!

Bzzzt-!

As expected, thousands of flying swords came in out direction. All of them were melted by the heat present in the sword bits, thankfully. Instead of controlling them to attack the aggressor, I left them in their place.

Now is not the time to blunder some pieces towards her.

"You can show yourself now, jou-san."

"...A little girl?"

I could hear her response with a hint of shock that immediately disappeared. I could see her cautious side going up to the extreme. A bad sign for us. Still, I trust those who have my back.

Madoka.

Touka.

Kal'tsit.

Kuroneko.

Shinji.

All of them appeared beside me, reminding me that I am no longer alone in this fight.

"Shinji-kun?"

"I'm sorry, Touka-nee. I can't do it after all."

Hearing his words, I did not mind him. The original plan designated him to retreat the moment his Desmos was fired up, but I knew that Shinji was not such a guy to do so. His character and mindset had been far too detached from the scumbag him.

"As expected of my student. Yep."

I could see a bit of pride hidden within that resolute face of his after I let out these words.

"...Shiro."

"..."

I saw the strange reactions of Kuroneko and Kal'tsit.

"Nothing."

Yeah, nothing. I could see that she's definitely thinking of something!

*****

'So this is how... our future child might look like.'

'...Cute. His children... would be like this.'

Unbeknownst to Shiro, the thoughts of the two went off-track...