As Morin and Kohina approached the heart of the Tokyo Area, the changes in their surroundings became increasingly apparent.
The once numerous ruins of buildings scattered around began to fade, replaced by rows of residential houses. The previously rundown roads were now clean and well-maintained, with pedestrians and vehicles moving through the streets. Shops opened for business began to appear, adding a touch of life to the area.
From Morin's perspective, however, the so-called "prosperity" of the Tokyo Area was questionable. It was clear that the level of prosperity here was far from what he'd witnessed in the bustling metropolises of his past life, including the cities of the Sword Art Online world.
More troubling was the atmosphere that surrounded them. Judging from the appearance and mental state of the people, as well as the vehicle traffic, the area gave off a far more somber and unsettling vibe than that of a peaceful and prosperous city. The bustling energy of major cities was replaced by something that reminded Morin more of the war-torn regions of Afghanistan or the isolated, conflicted zones of the Middle East he'd seen in the news.
Most people walked quickly, their clothing and demeanor suggesting a sense of weariness. While vehicles were present, they were all electric models, many of them looking old and well-worn, showing signs of prolonged use. Newer cars were almost non existent.
Shops too, painted a grim picture. Luxury goods stores were nowhere to be found, and instead, local markets and supermarkets specializing in basic necessities such as clothing, food, and daily items dominated the area. What caught Morin's attention was the noticeable disparity in the prices and variety of goods compared to what he'd seen in the Sword Art Online world's shopping districts.
The food items, for instance, were mostly vegetarian — with items like taro, mochi, ume onigiri, bread, green vegetables, and bean sprouts filling the storefronts. Fruits and fish were scarce, and their exorbitant prices would make even the wealthiest people hesitate before purchasing.
"Insufficient productivity and transportation capacity due to the apocalypse..." Morin muttered under his breath, analyzing the situation with a touch of sadness.
Japan, traditionally a resource-poor country, had relied heavily on imports to meet its needs before the apocalyptic catastrophe brought on by the Gastrea Virus. In the old days, Japan's economy had been driven by its electronics and precision industries, and its strategic import of minerals and resources from other countries had allowed it to maintain a prosperous standard of living. Now, with the destruction of infrastructure and the administrative systems, the Tokyo Area had to scrape by, relying on its remaining resources and its strong industrial heritage to survive. But the survival came at a high price.
Although Japan still possessed some vital mineral reserves and the Tokyo Area had managed to avoid complete collapse, transportation of goods remained a challenge. Japan's resource industry, while holding strong, could only stretch so far. Despite this, the discovery of Varanium — a valuable ore — near Mount Fuji helped maintain a precarious stability. But when it came to food, there was no quick solution.
"Brother, where are we going?" Kohina's voice cut through his thoughts. She was looking up at him, her expression curious.
"Hmm, it's nearly noon," Morin replied, looking at the sky, now noticeably hazy as the sun neared its peak. "Let's get something to eat and then find a place to stay."
Kohina nodded, showing no signs of protest to the plan as she followed him through the streets toward a nearby commercial district.
...
"Come on, Kohina, how about this?" Morin grinned, pointing at a menu board.
"Eh?" Kohina blinked in surprise.
"Don't worry. You can eat as much as you want until you're full!" Morin promised, a wide smile on his face.
"R-really?" Kohina hesitated, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"Of course, it's true!" he confirmed, gesturing eagerly.
Soon, they found themselves seated at a restaurant. Morin, showing no hesitation, ordered a variety of dishes.
When Kohina showed interest in a particular item, he made sure it was added to the order. A few minutes later, a plate of Italian spaghetti, laden with onions, ketchup, and beef, arrived along with sugared red bean toast and juice. Kohina stared at the meal, mouth watering. Despite her hunger, she was still uncertain, her eyes flickering between the food and Morin, wondering if she was dreaming.
Only after Morin repeatedly reassured her and fed her the first bite did she finally believe this was not a dream. She let out a soft, satisfied hum as the flavors mixed in her mouth. The onion's sweetness, the rich tang of ketchup, and the smoked beef combined with the texture of the spaghetti.
"Mmm... delicious..." she murmured, savoring the taste. The warm and savory combination was like nothing she had experienced in a long time.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but not from the sting of onions. Instead, it was the overwhelming warmth of the moment that caused her eyes to mist. It reminded her of the children she had once envied — those who walked freely with their families, enjoying simple pleasures that she had been denied.
She looked up at Morin, her expression softening. For the first time, she gave him a rare smile.
"Kohina, do you like it?" Morin asked, his voice gentle.
"Yes! I like it very much!" Kohina replied, her voice slightly muffled as she chewed, her face lighting up with a happiness she hadn't shown before.
Morin smiled back, pleased to see the change in Kohina. It was small, but it marked a shift in their relationship. She had begun to trust him, and the warmth between them felt like a quiet reassurance that things could be better.
...
After a satisfying meal, their bond seemed to deepen. Kohina now walked beside Morin without hesitation, even letting him touch her hair without protesting too fiercely. It was a far cry from her initial cold and distant demeanor. As they walked, Kohina asked, "Brother, what are we doing now?"
"Hmm, let's find a place to stay," Morin said, looking content as he reached out and gently took her hand. They continued down the street, side by side.
However, just as they stepped out of the commercial area, a commotion nearby caught their attention.
"What's going on?" Kohina asked softly, her eyes widening.
Morin turned his gaze in the direction of the disturbance. Both he and Kohina exchanged a confused look before walking over with curiosity. What they found left them both stunned — and angry.
"Monster! Die!" shouted one of the adults, while another yelled, "Do you monsters know pain too?"
Loud, cruel laughter followed. A small girl, no older than seven or eight, was being brutally attacked by a group of adults. They surrounded her, beating her relentlessly while the child cried out in pain. Two of the adults swung sticks and brooms at her, striking her over and over again.
Despite the child's pleas, the group showed no mercy. The onlookers, upon noticing the girl's red-glowing eyes, did not intervene. Instead, they hurled insults and jeers at her, adding to the abuse.
Morin felt a surge of anger. These people, too cowardly to face the real threats posed by the Gastrea Animals, were taking their frustrations out on a helpless Cursed Child.
In the Black Bullet world, Cursed Children were born from the Gastrea Virus, and if the virus fully activated, they could turn into Gastrea Animals. As such, they were often viewed as dangerous, and society ostracized them. But it was not these children's fault.
Morin had heard enough. Before he could step forward to stop the cruelty, several young men appeared, pushing through the crowd. They grabbed the beaten child and announced that they were going to throw her out of the district.
A flash of anger surged through Morin, and he knew that this wouldn't be the last time he would witness such cruelty in this broken world.
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Need More Chapters
Every 300 Power Stones
2 Bonus chapter
Every 500 Power Stones
4 Bonus chapter.
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Try Other Fics I Have
•SAO: I replaced him?
•Anime: I Want Harem
•DxD: I am Kanda Sorata
•Anime: Curse Of Immortality
•Genshin Impact: I have Broken System