Humans are life forms capable of adapting to change, Tatsue mused. Rather, all life forms are essentially adaptable to change. They adapt to the various environments on earth and evolve into suitable forms. Though they live and prosper for a short period of time compared to the lifespan of the earth, they continue on.

G.o.d first created the heavens and the earth.

Then He placed water and wind into their midst.

He grew plants, gave habitats to animals -

And finally stopped after creating humans in His own likeness.

G.o.d only created our basic physical forms. That is why humans kept failing, kept making mistakes over and over. Some races perished, and countries slaughtered each other.

But still they overcame disasters, wars, and pestilence.

Humans are still alive.

They adapted to all kinds of environments, even though their unsightly demeanor was so foolish it became impossible to be compared with that of the perfect being, that of G.o.d.

“Dragon’s Breath!”

Three weeks had pa.s.sed since that time.

Time pa.s.sed surprisingly quickly for Tatsue. At school, the cherry blossom flowers that had graced the start-of-school ceremony had long wilted. The sunlight also felt warm on her skin, making one almost forget that abnormal monsters were still slaughtering humans every day.

The Earth continued to turn.

Humanity had not yet perished.

And Tatsue, inconceivably, felt very happy.

“Now - the monster has stopped moving!”

“Understood!”

Mitsuki walked toward the large dragonfly-like monster, which had been frightened by Tatsue"s Dragon’s Breath. She suddenly sprang forward, leapt into the air, and stomped hard on its head.

“Eeahaaaaaa!”

The monster let out an ear-splitting scream. Its skull cracked and it died on the spot. Oddly-colored body fluids splattered over the ground, staining Mitsuki"s snow-white skin and socks.

Sending off the monster, which instantly metamorphosed into dust, Mitsuki raised her big glove.

Her right arm, which Tatsue had been forced to consume while howling and crying in reluctance, had completely regenerated in three short weeks.

“Tatsu-chan.”

Because Mitsuki was suddenly looking at her, Tatsue"s cheeks reddened slightly, and she also raised her own hand.

“Mitsu-chan.”

She high-fived Mitsuki, who was running towards her. Then, smiling, Mitsuki announced: “We are the strongest.”

“The strongest!”

After performing the “important lines” Mitsuki had a.s.signed with a disjointed voice and movement, Tatsue could not take it anymore. She stared at Mitsuki, who was shouting in excitement, and said: “Ki-chan, can we not say those “important lines” anymore? I feel very embarra.s.sed.”

“Eh?”

Mitsuki showed a very disapproving expression. Why? Tatsue always felt she was the one at fault whenever Mitsuki showed that expression. It was truly strange.

“Good work.”

Mitaka, who had been resting under the shade of the tree, walked over carrying Mina’s head.

They were at a children"s park near the school, having rushed over when Mitaka contacted them after sensing some monster activity. Mitsuki and Tatsue had united their efforts and dealt with the opponent before any victims appeared.

Ever since they negotiated to form a cooperative relationship, Tatsue"s company of four had enthusiastically hunted monsters like this.

According to Mina, they seemed to ‘want to closely examine Tatsue"s ability during actual combat’. She could also fulfill the ‘role’ of Sterilization Disinfection along the way - it felt like killing two birds with one stone.

But Tatsue did not mind.

A tense atmosphere had pervaded the Kuroki household ever since her home tutor threw the resignation letter at her mother. She did not know what she went to school for, either. To be honest, she felt from the bottom of her heart that the time the four of them spent together was very happy.

It was fun once they had gotten used to each other - with Mitsuki, and with Mina.

“However –”

Mitaka handed towels and soft drinks to the sweating duo, doing things befitting the manager of a sport club, while a self-effacing smile surfaced on his face.

“Either Tatsue or Mitsuki won’t actually need me here, right?”

“Nothing of that sort.”

Mina showed a rare smile, raising her eyes toward Mitaka, who was carrying her: “As long as you are watching, a certain someone will face battles enthusiastically. Really, in three short weeks, that certain someone seems to have become a different person, becoming powerful and resolute — ah, allow me to use a cliché, but the power of love is truly great!”

“M, Mina-san! Wha, what lo, love?” Tatsue"s entire face reddened and she flapped the fan in her hand with a patter-patter sound.

”Please don"t talk like that, okay? I, of course I don"t -”

”Oh, hehe, but no one said it was you, Tatsue-san? Your face is red. That"s really cute, hehe.”

Tatsue felt her face heating up as if it were boiling, and walked away in the other direction while shouting "I don"t know, hmph!” It was early morning, and both Mitsuki and Mitaka were wearing their school uniform, since they intended to go to school next.

Mitaka gave me a grapefruit-flavored canned drink... Did he pick this because he remembers what flavor I like? As she thought thus, Tatsue’s face flushed even redder.

Ahah, really, our relationship should have already moved on from this sort of feelings.

It was meant to be a cold relationship, one in which he would avoid me and I would feel disappointed with him. Mitaka really had changed. He came to regard me as an important person and… he has become more handsome.

What’s wrong with me?

This really isn’t good.

Fortunately or not, Mitaka didn’t seem to notice my mood.

Mitsuki took Mina out of Mitaka’s hands, putting her into her bag as she followed behind Tatsue.

”Big sis is being a bully. Of course Tatsu-chan would be angry.”

”Ahh seriously, hehe, frustrated for one moment and shy in the next, just why are humans so cute?”

It was truly difficult to imagine that the two people making this sort of conversation were two of the seven Great Fragments of G.o.d.

They were a little strange, but they were human sisters, not monsters.

Ever since they had formed an alliance in the coffee shop, and – while expecting certain death – obtained everlasting life by consuming the arm that Mitsuki cut off, Tatsue had gained a lot of things after she started going around with them like this. She gained smiles, the feeling of being able to share her thoughts, and companions.

In summary, it was friendship.

At first, when she was attacked out of nowhere, she only thought they were a terrifying immortal girl and a head, but she now thought they were cute, more lovable than her family members who treated her as insurance for her brother.

Of course, she also saw the childhood friend who followed her as very important.

“But, Mitaka…” there was some confusion mixed in Tatsue"s voice.

”How do you sense the existence of monsters every time? It’s always you who contacts us, right? Even though Mina-san and Ki-chan more or less have the same kind of ability, your monster-finding ability is so much more acute than theirs.”

In response to Tatsue"s words, Mitaka opened his mouth and shut it again. Though Mitaka often said incongruous things, he would always give a solid answer to questions. Therefore, this ambiguous silence made Tatsue very suspicious.

After staying silent for a while, Mitaka murmured as if talking to himself: ”I...”

Tatsue waited for him to go on, but Mitaka only said "I" before falling silent. Tatsue gave up the questioning, and raised her head to gaze at the Kannonsakazaki Private High School buildings rising before her eyes.

Tatsue walked toward Mitsuki, who hurried past Mitaka and was calling loudly, “What"s going on? I"m about to overtake you.”

Mitaka"s voice came from behind her.

It was a grief-stricken sound full of despair.

“I – What should I do?”

Mm, mm.

Ah, "angels" refer in general to messengers from the heavens, the spokespeople of G.o.d"s will, a collective t.i.tle for the agents of G.o.d. That is because they serve G.o.d and carry out His orders.

Ah, they are therefore saints.

The angels that everyone is thinking about should be the angels from Christianity, on whose backs grow white feathered wings.

Those feathered wings were added by artists in posterity in order to make the drawings look more beautiful. The original angels were given the same form as humans.

They were born in human form, and one day they may move in next door to you, and help people out of their good nature — in contrast, they also gave out punishment. Whether to give punishment or help was contingent on the will of the just G.o.d, and thus all their decisions were justified. Punishment was a penalty equivalent to the crime committed, and would not cause excessive harm to the subject. If a human had a bad component, only the bad component would be eliminated.

Angels were supported by people who have goodness in their hearts and did things honestly. That was because as long as one lived honestly, one could be saved by divine fairness.

In contrast, the people called devil-worshipers loathed angels. The purpose of angels was - is to give the world the order born of goodness, and this is also G.o.d"s will.

But these angels were ultimately only G.o.d"s spokespeople, not G.o.d Himself.

And thus they, like humans, could become lost, and could fall, too.

Once an angel starts to hate someone else, or becomes jealous of G.o.d, it will become a fallen angel and completely lose its divine power. An angel that became a fallen angel curses G.o.d, hopes for chaos in the world, and — depending on circ.u.mstances — might torture and kill large numbers of humans.

Ah, in summary, because G.o.d is constantly watching, an angel would – at least while he is still an angel - pay attention to —

Hey, are you all listening or not?

Really, young people these days.

“Hey, did you understand what that pig-head of a Dean of Academic Affairs said?”

“Nope, didn’t get it at all, cos I fell asleep thinking it was going to be a tirade. I did hear a little bit, something about angels and G.o.d? What the h.e.l.l? What’s with that pig head? Did that pig get hooked on religion?”

“Since you were asleep… Megumi-chan, did you hear what the teacher said at the end?”

“Eh, I don"t know. What did he say?”

“Hmph, I’ll set some homework for you bunch of inattentive people. Hand back these three sheets of paper before tomorrow. Hmph.”

“Uwah? Papers I’ve never seen before appeared on the table! Go die, go die! Pig…”

This was the cla.s.sroom of Kannonsakazaki Private High School Cla.s.s 1-C, which had just finished its world history cla.s.s. Perhaps because of a bad mood, the Dean of Academic Affairs insisted on giving them a large pile of homework, causing the sound of swearing to fill the air. Some loudly called for a boycott, some split the work in small groups, some single-mindedly insulted the Dean; almost all the students were cursing him.

Mitsuki, with the sensibility unique to Unpleasant Counter-Current, read that mood, and felt a kind of nausea slightly resembling drunkenness. In the midst of this, a cla.s.smate who was already on good speaking terms with her, said: “Hey, Saibara, are you good with world history? Can we please split the homework in half?”

“Eh? Huh?” Mitsuki was a little surprised. She looked at the contents of the paper the other handed her, and her confused face showed a troubled expression.

Because her expression became more and more pained, the other girl started to panic: “Sorry, sorry, you don’t know, do you? I"ll ask someone else for help...”

“Ah, wait, wait, Megumi-chan.” Mitsuki grabbed her shoulder, pulled her back, then looked toward Tatsue sitting nearby: “Hey, hey, Tatsu-chan, do you want to do the homework together? You look like you"re good at studying?”

“Eh?” Tatsue happened to be dozing off, unconsciously playing with her hair. At Mitsuki’s call, she opened her eyes wide in shock.

“M, me?”

“Ah…”

The girl talking to Mitsuki backed away slightly. Perhaps it was because Tatsue always wore a dress in Kannonsakazaki Private High School where it was compulsory to wear uniforms, or because she radiated a distancing aura of elegance all over and was rarely seen talking with cla.s.smates.

However, Tatsue currently looked like she was very bored.

Mitsuki nodded, and giggled.

“Mm. All right. Megumi-chan’s head hurt with this. I can"t finish it myself either, so I can only ask Tatsu-chan for help.”

“Pa.s.s me the homework.”

Tatsue skimmed the three sheets of paper, and said as if stating the obvious: “Mm, at this rate, three minutes should suffice.”

“Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh?!”

Suddenly.

The surrounding students gave an exclamation of shock – it seemed they have been eavesdropping quietly.

And then, in unison, they began interrogating Tatsue.

“Ku, Kuroki-san, really? You really can finish it in three minutes?”

“Err… yes, really. Can"t you?”

“Uwah, this is terrible, she treated me like an idiot, just like that!”

“What are you saying, treated like an idiot – anyone would think that Megumi-chan IS an idiot!”

“Whaaa! Don"t call me idiot! Don"t lump me with Miku-nee! I"m not an idiot! Not an idiot! You can grow big b.o.o.bs and go die!”

“Huh? Don"t pull me –”

Tatsue had caused a considerable disturbance.

Homework was an external enemy that invaded students" free time – something like an evil invader from another dimension. Tatsue, who boasted she could defeat it in three minutes, instantly become the cla.s.s heroine. In fact, Tatsue easily filled in the questions as if she had known the answers before even looking at the question, and finished the homework before the three minutes were up.

Screams arose from all directions. Everyone clapped and cheered, and Tatsue was within a storm of praise.

Yes, everyone must have wondered about Tatsue all along. What kind of girl was she? Even though she always wore a serious expression, she must be a really great girl.

Therefore.

“Tatsu-chan.” Mitsuki smiled like a blossoming flower and looked at Tatsue, who was in the middle of cla.s.smates grabbing the filled-in sheets of paper from each other and putting up an ugly fight.

She stretched out her hand, and did a thumb-up pose.

“Squeak.”

“That — how could I understand just a ‘squeak’? Speak human, Ki-chan.”

Tatsue said, smiling happily.

The world is at peace, and people are happy.

Very happily, Mitsuki looked at this lovely present moment.

Monsters are born with the form of a monster.

Think about it. They could not have been an evil existence from the very beginning.

For example – a gun that killed, or a disaster that struck at a civilization – these things were not evil in their essence.

Could a molecule of iron that made up the body of a gun be evil?

And hurricanes that blew down trees are only harmless winds at their very root.

Could winds be so essentially evil to the point that they should not exist at all?

All things are only called ‘evil’ the moment they bring harm to men.

Be it guns, hurricanes, beasts, nations, and of course including —

Humans.

Then what of monsters?

Having been bestowed with the inescapable instinct to "eat humans" since the moment of their birth, monsters are likely to be viewed by human society as evil throughout their lives.

Then what of – me?

“Katata, katakata.”

The tram gave off a smooth sound, speeding along the rails. This was a perfectly ordinary tram stopping at every station, and now that it was a late, there were not many pa.s.sengers. "Takamikado Mitaka", who had occupied a s.p.a.cious seat, looked tiredly at the two girls at his side, who leaned their heads against his body and were sleeping deeply.

They caught several monsters after cla.s.ses finished and were now riding the tram home.

For reasons unknown, both girls seemed unusually tired today and said to ‘Mitaka’: “Be my pillow!” “Me too, me too.” They had fallen asleep, snoring, before getting his actual consent.

Mitsuki leaned against "Mitaka"s" shoulder, and Tatsue used his knee as a pillow.

The bag containing Mina was on Mitsuki"s lap, and only a tail-like braid showed from the opening of the bag.

It was pitch black outside the car window. Streetlights flashed past at regular intervals.

The slow speed of the tram was smooth and steady, uninterrupted by uncomfortable jerks or stops. That, together with the two girls" warmth, made "Mitaka" rather sleepy as well. He narrowed his eyes, gazing at what looked like a middle school student fiddling with his mobile phone, a boy who had probably just finished extracurriculars and was going home, and an adult who wore an expression of exhaustion. Restless, his gaze moved to the advertis.e.m.e.nt in the car. He quickly got tired of looking at that, too, and shut his eyes.

"Mitaka" dozed, and contemplated.

"Mitaka" did not remember the circ.u.mstances of his birth. When he gained consciousness, he had already grown up in the form of a snake and possessed substantial knowledge without having been taught anything. Only his duty of collecting Apples and becoming an immortal – only this instinct controlled his heart like it was the most natural thing.

He knew his father and grandfather all carried the same destiny as him, and died before reaching their goal. That was pitiful. Therefore, he had been alone for all these decades, with no friends or family in the world he could rely on, living only for his pursuit of Apples as if grasping at straws.

And sometimes he even impersonated humans to hurt his enemies.

I am a monster, and I am an evil existence to human society.

I had once been indifferent to that. Even if I were not accepted by humans, I am a descendant of the great race of Snakes.

That fact became a sort of pride that protected him.

Nevertheless, half a year ago -

He met her. The girl Gankyū Eguriko, who blocked his way and obstructed him from obtaining Apples, completely undid "Mitaka"s" reason for existence.

No one will praise you.

"Mitaka" remembered that. Every one of her words pierced his heart. The goal that he had previously believed in unconditionally and regarded as his future, the instinct deep in his heart – she had defeated it all.

Why do I want to find Apples?

Why do I hope to live forever?

Am I really just living to fulfill the dreams of my ancestors and follow the instincts of a snake?

"Mitaka" opened his eyes and quietly looked at Tatsue.

“If it is G.o.d who created all living things and their instincts, then am I only a puppet controlled by G.o.d? That makes me so angry – I am the Snake, the last descendant of a clan which in ancient times betrayed G.o.d and left Him desolate.”

He petted Tatsue, who was murmuring in her sleep. It wasn"t clear if she was having a bad dream or was just not sleeping well.

“Who cares about instinct or fate — do your best to make arrangements, G.o.d! I will betray you again. I am the Snake, and only I will never do as you wish! That"s right. I will go find the meaning of my life and then, one day, I will obtain immortality for you to see!”

"Mitaka" looked at no one in particular, murmuring to himself, then sighed.

He had always been alone all this time.

For "Mitaka", the body heat of the two girls resting against him was the first time he felt the warmth of other people – he felt they were very adorable.

Truly, from the bottom of his heart, "Mitaka" felt very happy at this very moment.

But at the same time –

He carried a sense of guilt in his heart.

Because the "Mitaka" who let them lean against him in relief was not Takamikado Mitaka –

But a monster who ate him and then impersonated him.

This fact made "Mitaka"s" heart sink, and wild suspicions frustratingly arose in his mind.

This "Mitaka" who finds them adorable – is this really me?

What are ‘your’ dreams? What is ‘your’ objective? Who are ‘you’? The young girl who had ruined everything for "Mitaka" had once asked.

“I—“

I really think Tatsue is adorable from the bottom of my heart.

Kuroki Tatsue, who lived and was expected by everyone to be a mere subst.i.tute for her ill.u.s.trious big brother, who told herself again and again that ‘I am me’, a girl who was a little bird singing in her cage.

She was the complete opposite of "Mitaka", who only followed the last wishes of past ancestors and lived on without a sense of self. For that, "Mitaka" respected and admired her.

At the beginning, he had thought it was because of the residual memories of Tatsue within Takamikado Mitaka"s body and his affection for her. But now, "Mitaka" himself thought she was important to him.

She who had run to his room, eyes swollen from crying.

It had made "Mitaka" want to help her from the bottom of his heart.

But are these my true feelings? Or am I being controlled again? "Mitaka" did not understand his thoughts or reasons, and did not know where his intentions lay.

Who am I?

What should I do?

“What should I do? Takamikado Mitaka...”

With a desolate expression, "Mitaka" caressed Tatsue"s face, feeling as if he were about to be beaten down by guilt.

The object of her trust and reliance, whom she leant her slender body against like this, is not me. Not me.

The snake without a name continued asking and answering his own unanswerable questions.

Who am I?

Why am I alive?

What is my goal?

“You and Ki-chan are very much alike.”

Mina"s voice suddenly came from inside the bag.

Perhaps it was because she heard "Mitaka"s" musings, but there was nothing of the usual slight haughtiness in her tone: “Once upon a time, my sister was a very detestable girl. She tried hard and persisted to reach frivolous goals. Stubborn. Looking down on other people. Never liked anybody. Never knew why she wanted to climb upward, but set her sights high. Always alone, not a very lovable girl.”

Because she was hiding in the bag, "Mitaka" could not see her expression.

“I was tired of everything at that time and locked myself in my room, refusing everything. But Ki-chan never abandoned me till the end. I really hated other people then, hated this entire world, and gave up on trying to keep living, only wishing for a perfect death.” There was only bitter regret in her voice.

“Ki-chan cared for me when I was like that. She was content with the thought that "my sister still needs me. I am not a person the world does not need’. She lived very, very humbly.”

Why did she want to say this?

"Mitaka" thought this, but continued to listen attentively.

“The older sister relying on the younger sister. The younger sister relying on the older sister. The older sister whiling the days away, the younger keeping her self-esteem. At that time I thought this could not go on forever. So one day, after Ki-chan threw a tantrum and did not bring me food, I stopped eating completely. However, Ki-chan immediately regretted it – she is really a gentle girl. She came to knock at my door several times and called out to me. She brought me food, but I ignored her.” She calmly spoke of these past events.

“And I starved to death.”

“Psst,” she laughed amiably: “very silly, right? Stupid? Hopeless? However, G.o.d lodged Sterilization Disinfection into me when I should have died, and gave me eternal life. I don"t know what it was that He noticed in me. The digestive organ Sterilization Disinfection and the excretory organ Unpleasant Counter-Current seemed to be a set. Therefore Ki-chan, who was closest to me at the time, was lodged with Unpleasant Counter-Current, and her mind was completely shattered.” The bag shivered slightly, as if trembling in pain.

“So I hate this all. Ki-chan could have been happy. Without her sister being a big burden, without needing to rely on me, Ki-chan should be able to continue to live using her own strength. I hurt her, and I will definitely not forgive the G.o.d who gave us such a destiny.”

"Mitaka" picked up the bag containing Mina and saw the white-haired head trembling.

“So I want to become G.o.d. I want to gather all the Fragments and become a complete and omnipotent ent.i.ty. Then I want to know why G.o.d chose us and get Ki-chan to regain her original form. This time I will definitely let that child live in the happiness she deserves.”

With his hands, "Mitaka" turned Mina toward himself. Mina glared at him: “In order to achieve that goal, I am willing to become a demon or a monster. In order to let Ki-chan, shattered, regain her original form, I will defeat everybody without hesitation, over and over – even if that is not what Ki-chan really wants.”

She raised her head and said to Mitaka.

“"Mitaka", no one said monsters cannot obtain happiness, right? I know Tatsue-san is of great importance to you, and I also know you feel guilty over your feelings towards her. But please, don"t be afraid. I beg you, pursue your happiness.”

Then, looking like she was about to cry, she continued murmuring: “Let us see your precedent, that monsters too can be happy! Sometimes I feel very afraid – G.o.d might already have ordained those like us will never obtain happiness.”

One of the two sisters who broke down in misfortune fell silent.

Does G.o.d hope we will never be happy, that we will always exist as villains, only to be hated and killed? Decreed to never obtain happiness?

This sort of thing is impossible.

But Tatsue would definitely hate me if she knew who I truly am.

Monsters and humans living happily together – this sort of thing is just impossible.

When he came to himself, a person was standing in front of him.

Clang, clang, clang.

The tram continued to move, stopping occasionally at a station, letting off people who had reached their stop and were preparing to go home, then taking on another load. It was moving forward along the rails just like it did everyday. Outside the window, the completely darkened sky was pitch black, and there was no change in the scenery from inside the car either. He had overlooked what was happening, as he did not pay particular attention to the people getting on and off.

“Monsters can also be happy!” He could not sense the presence of a human.

“As long as the people important to you accept you and stay by your side,” the voice was emotionless.

“But you cannot be happy.”

The girl who held a spoon in her left hand looked in this direction with pale, gun-barrel-like red eyes.

She had a unique wolf-like haircut and wore men"s casual clothing.

Gankyū Eguriko, the girl who had once ruined everything for "Mitaka", calmly said: “Because you will all die here.”

Before "Mitaka" realized what was going on, she had already expressionlessly flung the spoon in his direction.

Memories lodge in the flesh, and abilities also accompany the flesh. It may be easier to understand if we use the a.n.a.logy of a car – even a very powerful car is unable to move without fuel. And the fuel of humans, the power needed in order to move, is the soul.

Takamikado Mitaka"s physical body contained memories and knew how to move its arms and feet. He did have childhood memories of fighting, even though those were preciously few. Skills of hitting, attacking, or defending against others had been preserved in the form of memories.

Though less proficient than the ordinary person, his physical body did have the ability to move. If "Mitaka" had at least one Apple, those giant crystallization of energy, he could use a strength many time greater than his mundane abilities and battle against this girl in front of him.

However, the soul in this body was pitifully spa.r.s.e.

"Mitaka" had lost to her despite having two Apples half a year ago. Now, using his and Mitaka"s weak body, only possessing the standard soul of a living being, how was he going to be victorious over her?

“Gankyū – Eguriko –”

"Mitaka"s" whole body trembled and the fear from half a year ago was awakened again. His pupils dilated, and his body stiffened.

Someone to his side blocked the silver spoon thrust toward him.

She had a hat with round ears, wore a curly tail ornament, and had her hair tied up in two pigtails.

Expressionless, Mitsuki used her giant gloves to block the spoon. Guriko couldn"t help but frown.

"Who are you –" Alarmed, Guriko leapt backwards and lowered her body, standing near the car door where people alighted and exited. "And what"s with those gloves?"

"Hey –”

With a sound of shock and terror that was completely contrary to her usual happy tone, Mitsuki asked: "Sis, was what Mi-chan said actually real?"

"Hehe," Mitsuki laughed evilly.

"Is she really, truly, Gankyū Eguriko?"

The tram kept moving. A few pa.s.sengers looked this way with confusion. However, as no disturbances so far required timely intervention, they remained as onlookers. After all, no one would think the spoons in the girl"s hand were actually weapons capable of murder.

Clang, clang, clang.

Standing in the tram that wobbled softly, Mitsuki hugged her own head with her giant gloves.

"Aaaah – "

Perhaps noticing the ruckus, Tatsue half-opened her eyes. However, her mind was perhaps still muddled, and she grasped the rim of "Mitaka"s" uniform tightly.

Mitsuki started to shiver slightly as she looked at the two of them: "Ahh, I can"t hold it back, I can"t. Aaaah, haaaahhhh, Gankyū – Eguriko? You made Sis"s body like this and made her suffer. Unforgivable. Sis is somebody that I absolutely need, but you wanted to kill her. Unforgivable. Unforgivable."

Her tune and voice had all altered – whose voice was this?

Memories reside within the flesh.

Personalities were also attached to the body.

However, Mina said the memories and the personality residing within Mitsuki"s body became twisted due to the side effects of the Greater Fragment.

Therefore, who was currently speaking such words full of anger?

It was almost as if this Saibara Mitsuki here was a different person to the girl who acted innocently during the times they spend together.

"I hate..." Mitsuki muttered to herself then brought her giant glove to her mouth.

"Heh? No, no. I can"t hate anyone. I am the Angel, Unpleasant Counter-current – aaah, so despicable, so detestable. You dared to destroy and take away the happiness shared by Sis and I -"

Just briefly, Mitsuki shook her head and resumed her innocent visage. However, she soon put on a ferocious expression again and glared at Guriko, whose countenance was full of incomprehension.

"It"s all your –" She stood up and moved Guriko in a speed faster than the eye could see.

"It"s all your faaaauuuulllllt!"

Facing Mitsuki"s inhuman movements, Guriko"s reactions seemed to be one beat too slow. She hurried to block, but didn"t make it – Mitsuki"s hand grabbed Guriko"s face.

Then, the back of Guriko"s head was slammed into the car door.

The gla.s.s, which should be reasonably tough, cracked. The pa.s.sengers screamed, and the inside of the car was instantly dominated by madness and chaos.

– Mitsuki?

"If only you – yooouuu – YOU – YOOOUUUU – didn"t bother us!"

"Ki-chan, stop!" Mina screamed inside the bag. She shouted at her sister, who was decorated with the screams of others and had completely changed, facing the scattered shards of gla.s.s and the unmistakable sight of Guriko"s blood: "Please, stop! Mitaka, hurry and stop Ki-chan!"

"Um – errr."

"Mitaka" awkwardly thought that he would never be able to stop Mitsuki and her monstrous strength as he yelled: "Mitsuki, stop! She"s very dangerous – let"s escape!"

"Ki-chan, what are you doing?"

Tatsue seemed to have completely woken up. She sat up, staring at Mitsuki"s back. Of course, neither "Mitaka"s" or Tatsue"s gazes were able to return Mitsuki to her former appearance.

Exhibiting a rare display of genuine emotion, Mina screamed: “No! If Unpleasant Counter-Current, which represents innocence and justice, starts to hate other people – Ki-chan! Calm down! You are not one to deliberately emphasis hate! That’s the personality of the fallen angel, Unpleasant Counter-Current! According to the Bible, the fate of a fallen angel is – “

She looked up at ‘Mitaka’ from within the bag and an expression of anguish surfaced on her face: “They will rebel, rebel, and be destroyed! In order to prove G.o.d’s justice and omnipotence, fallen angels are created to be evil, villains who will never find happiness!”

The car door easily broke and snapped.

“Die!”

The moment Mitsuki said this, Gankyū Eguriko was forcibly thrown out of the moving train. Looking out over the other pa.s.sengers, who were either screaming or standing up to stare at Mitsuki –

Guriko’s body, which was thrown out, could be seen.

“Aha.” Mitsuki laughed shrilly.

“Ahaha. I killed, killed, kil…” Her body froze.

“Gulp –”

She collapsed on the spot. Mina screamed upon seeing this. Fl.u.s.tered, ‘Mitaka’ ran to Mitsuki’s side and embraced her, looking at her face, which was devoid of expression. The girl, still wearing the hat with round ears and looking as blank as if her soul left her body, looked up at ‘Mitaka’ with blank trust.

“Mi-chan…”

Then she looked at Tatsue, who was holding the bag and standing behind him, and stretched out her hand.

“Tatsu-chan, Sis. Run, run! I – want to vomit. Urgh, urk!” She pressed down on her stomach, and her face became pallid.

“Uuurrrrrrggghhhhh.”

She was careless.

Guriko was thinking calmly as she parted with the train.

Guriko wandered around the town for a long time after she decided to trade with Tear Song, trying to gather five Lesser Fragments or one Greater Fragment. Guriko had the ability to sense monsters, Apple holders, and Mushi, even though she did not know the reason behind it.

The people she had finally discovered after a lengthy search was that group.

“But they seemed to be – the Snake? And Sterilization Disinfection?”

This group was a conglomeration of the people who fought to the death with her in the past – this made Guriko feel a nagging discomfort. That guy was the Snake. Although its appearance was changed, I remember its smell.

And there was Sterilization Disinfection.

“I thought I killed her.”

I believed what she said, and I thought she would die if I took away her heart. It was my fault that I didn’t give her a killing blow to ensure her death.

Sterilization Disinfection killed Rinne and my parents, even if I only spent a short amount of time with them.

She is an enemy whom I can never hate enough.

“Never mind. I will kill you no matter how many times it may need.”

Guriko muttered to herself. She was still flying in air as she kept thinking of a way to escape her current dilemma. If she were to hit the ground below the elevated tracks, she would likely suffer a severe injury and remain immobile for a while.

“If so –” She stared at the train gradually moving away and calculated her position, which was getting further and further from the train. Then, she locked her goal onto a residential building close to the train tracks, a building in her direction of travel.

“Mmmmm.”

She moaned as she forcibly changed her body position mid-air and aimed her feet towards the building. She yelled: “Oooooooooh!”

And stomped towards the wall of the building with all her strength.

The weak walls collapsed. Thanks to it, Guriko escaped the bonds of inertia and directed her flight path once again toward the train. Close to the last car of the rapidly-moving train, she barely managed to grasp onto a protruding part of the carriage. Fortunately, the speed of the train was manageable.

“Urk –”

Even so, she was almost blown away. She could only grit her teeth and endure the mighty G-force. Her muscles creaked pitifully and cold sweat poured down her cheeks.

The scenes around her flew backwards rapidly, and the world was completely black. There were residential blocks one after the another, and the wind from the train was loud enough to deafen her to everything else.

Suddenly –

The train began to shake vigorously.

“Urrrr?”

Her wrists felt like they were been cut by a knife, but Guriko managed to bear it. She maintained a position right up against the outer wall of the car and wanted to know what was happening.

She saw something incredible.

It was a pitch-black column of water.

The column of water easily pierced the ceiling of the car and sprayed high towards the sky. Like the splaying of blood, it broke through the walls and the ceiling and spluttered everything.

Perhaps this aggressive black liquid destroyed the wheels of the train.

“Bam” – there was a large and steady shift.

Then, immediately, the back half of the train swiftly left the tracks and tilted sideways, still carrying all its pa.s.sengers on board.

The shaking and the noise, which felt like heaven and earth cracking open, quickly blew away "Mitaka’s" consciousness. This death-like darkness remained for a long time.

Will I die here, without a meaning, without leaving anything behind?

Death.

Only this overwhelming terror mercilessly hounded "Mitaka’s" consciousness as it floated in the darkness.

No, no, I don’t want to die.

"Mitaka" struggled and despaired. His unsteady consciousness sought the light of life.

“Mi… taka…”

I don’t want to die.

I want to live. But why? "Mitaka" always returned to this question at the end. Why did he fear death? Why did he wish for eternal life?

Gankyū Eguriko stood up and fought against the giant Dream-World Beast without fearing death half a year ago. She then distributed her own Apples without hesitation to strangers whom she had only recently met.

Why?

How could she do such a terrifying thing?

I laughed at her then. I really felt she was very foolish, stupid even.

However, that girl, who ignored the fear of death and decided to discard her eternal life without hesitation – was very strong. She was far stronger than "Mitaka", who did not even know what he should live for and only wished to escape death.

Had Gankyū Eguriko found it?

Something more important than everlasting life. Something worthy of discarding this amazing life for.

What –

Is the point of life? What is its purpose? I don’t understand.

“Mitaka!”

Tatsue’s anguished sound woke up "Takamikado Mitaka’s" consciousness.

The first thing he saw was dust and smoke wafting towards the sky. Then there was the train that left the tracks and fell sideways, and the metropolitan railway officers who gathered to take care of the train. There was also a group of onlookers all yelling to each other as they gawked at this scene.

There was a siren that indicated emergency. There was the loud, beast-like noise of many people talking. There was the sound coming through the loudspeakers from the railway staff who tried their best to tell people “It is dangerous here. Please do not approach!”

Tatsue’s weak voice squeezed through in the narrow gap between this cacophony.

“Mitaka! Thank goodness!”

“Tatsue.”

"Mitaka" looked toward the direction her sound was coming from – Tatsue was looking down at him, who was lying on the ground. But he couldn"t find a word to say to her.

There was a startling red.

Tatsue was sitting on the ground, and blood dripped along her right arm. Her resplendent dress was all ripped and torn. Her arm was a ghastly mess of blood and bone, and was hanging down weakly by her side.

“Ki-chan… threw us out of the toppling train.”

Her voice was very weak and soft, so quiet as if it was about to disappear.

“I tried my best to use Dragon’s Breath to make a cushion out of air – hehehe, isn"t it awesome? I too am –”

“Tatsue, Tatsue!”

"Mitaka" felt a stab of pain in his heart. The reason he was still alive after being thrown out of a speedy tram must be Tatsue. It was likely that she got her injuries from trying to protect me without regard to herself.

Why?

Why – why would you do this for for someone like me –

“Tatsue.”

"Mitaka" endured the wave of tiredness that emanated throughout his body like a fainting spell and stretched his hand towards Tatsue, who was forcing out a smile. Her eyes were full of tears as she shivered in pain.

“Why – for me, me.” He pressed his hand over his chest and lowered his head.

“I will say this as many times as I need: I’m not the Takamikado Mitaka you know. Not only that – I am –”

A monster that ate Takamikado Mitaka and took his body and mind.

“I’ve always…”

For some reason, Tatsue said with a tiny voice as she smiled: “I really want to put my head on your knees… Just act spoiled and put my head cutely on your knees. I was kidding when I said I want to sleep; I just wanted to lie on your knees.”

What?

“Mitaka’s” expression changed. He thought Tatsue was asleep in the tram, but was she actually conscious?

Then she heard the conversation between Mina and me? She also knew my true ident.i.ty as a monster –

Finally, Tatsue was incapable of maintaining a smile. She said as tears fell down her face: “I don’t know who you are.”

Her tears dropped one drop after another, dripping past her face, soaking into the parched earth.

“But no matter who you are, even if you’re not Mitaka, for some reason… I just feel you’re very important to me, and I like you. I am Kuroki Tatsue, a girl who is hopelessly in love with you.”

Perhaps the pain muddled her mind. She spoke with a dream-like expression.

“I’m all alone in the world. Two lonely people licking each other’s wounds sounds silly and naïve – but we are very good together, Mitaka. I want to keep acting spoiled around you. I want to stay with you and support you.”

Tatsue’s shoulder slipped and her head dropped, falling towards “Mitaka”.

“Tatsue –”

“Mitaka” hurriedly sat up and supported her. Her body was icy cold, perhaps from having lost too much blood.

Tatsue smiled and said evenly: “However – it seems this is the end of the road for me.”

She then hugged “Mitaka” weakly.

“Hey, Mitaka. You’ve always been looking for eternal life, and I’ve always strove to become the master of the world. Why? Do you know why do we do this and what is our goal? Do you know the answer of this question, which has tormented us? I – already understood.” Tatsue buried her head into “Mitaka’s” chest and murmured.

Her voice was calm and adamant.

“The answer – must be this, this warmth.”

Tatsue no longer moved after she said those final words.

Her fingers hung soft and limply downward. He kept calling her name, but it was useless. Tatsue did not open her eyes.

“Mitaka” showed an agonized expression.

“Don’t worry. She’s only fainted.”

There was suddenly a clear sound.

He looked up to see Mina’s head lying in the gap between some trees.

It seemed Mitsuki tossed her out of the tram too.

The place where “Mitaka” and company crashed seemed to be the pedestrian walk along the train track. A dirty stream flew slowly alongside, and dense vegetation grew everywhere.

“Mina –”

“Mitaka” called out softly and let Tatsue down to the ground. He ran up to Mina and picked up her head. With a lost expression, she stared at “Mitaka”.

“Honestly, just being a head is so inconvenient. I can’t even move on my own.”

Ignoring her complaints, “Mitaka” walked back to where Tatsue was: “But – Mina, is Tatsue really okay?”

“Mmm, she’s okay. I once said Tatsue-san’s body is that of a normal human, right? Allow me to correct that – although I can’t prove it, her body is extremely similar to that of someone in possession of a Greater Fragment – someone who already has a Fragment taking root in her soul.” Mina said evenly.

“The owners of Fragments have an organ, a ‘sensory organ’ used to keep the Fragment. Most times that would be the heart. However, if the heart becomes full, a situation like mine can arise where a person would construct a temporary sensory organ in the head.”

So that was the reason why Mina was capable of living only as a head.

"Mitaka" guessed Mina stored her Fragments separately in her heart and head while she still had a human form.

She was then beheaded. Although separate from the Fragment in her heart, her consciousness survived because of the Fragment in her head – that was perhaps what she meant.

“Normally, the sensory organ inside an ordinary human would become full with just one Lesser Fragment. If the person attempted to store more than one Fragment, the sensory organ would rupture and the person would die.”

I didn’t know about that.

“Mitaka” suddenly thought of a question. A normal human would only be able to have one Lesser Fragment – that would be one Apple, right? If this is the rule, then what about me or –

Gankyū Eguriko?

“Someone possessed by a Greater Fragment would have his body changed by the power of the Greater Fragment, and various negative effects such as altered personality would be apparent. However, the owner of a Greater Fragment can literally store as many Fragments as possible. Tatsue-san’s body – seems to have a giant sensory organ only fitting of someone who has a Greater Fragment.”

Mina looked incredulously at "Mitaka", whose face was full of doubt, and continued evenly: “Tatsue-san ate Ki-chan’s flesh, correct? She ate a dense crystallization of energy – the ‘soul’. That ‘soul’ should be thoroughly absorbed by Tatsue-san’s large sensory organ, greatly increasing her strength and vitality. Therefore, she will not die. Normally, it takes a very long time for a big soul to completely fuse with the flesh. However, she already possesses a large sensory organ, and should be able to exert the power of a large soul immediately. She must have fainted because – she couldn’t take such unaccustomed levels of pain.” Mina murmured, as if speaking to herself.

“If she continues to absorb ‘souls’, Fragments, then she would become an existence equivalent to the Seven keepers of the Greater Fragments. Would this have anything to do with – Gankyū Eguriko?"

“Are you looking for me?”

All of a sudden.

The innocent and emotionless voice of a girl sounded.

"Mitaka" quickly turned his head and Mina also opened her eyes wide in shock. This girl should have disappeared in the darkness after Mitsuki threw her out of the car – she had a unique wolf-like haircut, dressed in male clothing, and held a sparkling silver spoon in her left hand.

The mysterious girl – Gankyū Eguriko – was not wounded, and was walking calmly towards them.

“The tram –”

"Mitaka" surveyed his surroundings. Mitsuki was left in the overturned tram. Tatsue had fainted. Mina only consisted of a head. He was the only one who could act.

– Do I, someone with the body of a mere human, have to fight with her, who has such a terrifying attack power?

“I was a little startled with how it suddenly tilted. Thanks to the poles and rooftops nearby, which I used to step on and remove the inertia, I got no injuries.” With a cold expression on her face, Guriko said these inhuman words matter-of-factly.

“That weird hunger demon doesn"t seem to be here. Now you understand you won’t beat me, right? If you don’t resist, then I will at least spare you of any pain when I take away your Apples.”

"Mitaka" was scared of this girl from the bottom of his heart, this girl who p.r.o.nounced his death in a low and emotionless voice like the Reaper himself.

He remembered what happened half a year ago.

The unforgettable terror he felt at that time now easily controlled his body. Run away. He wanted to run away. He must run away.

She is merciless. She will ruthlessly and completely destroy her enemies.

Even though his legs shook and he already felt defeated, "Mitaka" still quickly moved his body and spread his arms as if protecting Tatsue.

He held Mina in his right hand. His left hand, which didn’t even hold a weapon, was stretch meaninglessly into empty s.p.a.ce.

“What are you doing?” Guriko smiled gloomily. “Hey, are you really that cruel Snake? What kind of a joke is this? You once despised humans, but now you want to protect her?”

“Shut up –”

"Mitaka" screamed with abandon: “shut up, shut up, shut up!”

His reptilian eyes sparkled with light and he smiled, as if overcoming his fear.

“Hahaha! Certainly, Gankyū Eguriko. I know you’re more than just a cruel monster. You can’t bring yourself to kill me as long as I pretend to protect humans like this, right?”

Guriko stared at "Mitaka", and moaned: “Are you – really the Snake I knew?”

She held her spoon and walked slowly towards "Mitaka".

“You are talking like this to incite me and challenge me. You claim the girl lying there is a victim, and you want to protect her because you actually think she is important to you? You’re deliberately doing this so I won’t kill her –”

“Hahaha, this is excellent!”

Stiffly, "Mitaka" bent his back and laughed loudly: “You’re so stupid! So naïve, so good! You think I would be so kind? If you’ve forgotten that, then I’ll let you remember – I am Snake! I am the descent of snakes, a clan that ranks first in the world in persistence – the clan that originally tricked humans and betrayed G.o.d in order to obtain immortality!”

He stared at Guriko, and tried his best to keep bluffing.

But Guriko did not move. For some reason, she had a sad expression to her face.

“Stop this!”

She pointed her spoon towards him and said in a threatening manner: “Stop it. Stop it! Shut up! A monster shouldn’t be talking! Stop talking like a human! I have to collect Apples. I have to end you all – end all your lives – with no mercy.”

As if talking to herself, Gankyū Eguriko yelled into the emptiness.

“I will return to being a monster! I have decided! I’ve decided! But – but – d.a.m.n!”

She rushed towards him with all her strength. Then, she swiftly moved her left hand and made a stab towards ‘Mitaka’s’ eyes.

“How’s this? You’ll die! Aren’t you afraid of death? Isn’t that how Snakes are? Dodge! Run! Prove to me you are the Snake! Tell me you’re a creature that won’t protect humans! Then I’d be able to kill you without hesitation…”

"Mitaka" maintained his position, his arms spread out wide, preparing for Guriko’s strike. If he moved, Tatsue would be placed right in front of the spoon.

Tatsue –

Always tried her best, but never received anything in return.

She always tried to differentiate herself from others using her aristocratic language and splendid dress, trying so hard to maintain her final bit of pride.

She cannot die here –

She cannot die here in such a tragic and undignified way.

The real Takamikado Mitaka has been telling me as hard as he could to run away and leave Tatsue behind. Though he loves Tatsue, he loves his own life even more.

But I want to protect her. I want to preserve her smile.

Therefore –

“A monster like you…”

"Mitaka" blocked the spoon with his left hand and screamed as his hand spurted out blood: “I’m not afraid of a monster like you! I am not afraid of something like death!”

He stared at Guriko, who was getting apprehensive, and punched at her with his mutilated left hand: “Hahaha! You’re too weak! Gankyū Eguriko – you’re too weak! I’m not afraid of a monster like you! You won’t kill me! I promised Tatsue I"d see the doll she’d make – I will praise her, and I will make her smile!”

“Urk –” Perhaps frightened by this sudden retaliation, Guriko took a few steps back and widened her eyes.

“So loud, shut up! Be silent – Aaaaah! I need Apples to turn Rinne back to normal! Step aside, Snake!”

The two of them faced each other and refused to compromise, each having the complete opposite standpoint compared to half a year ago. They could not be stopped now. They would not stop until one dies or loses something important to them.

That was what they thought.

“Whoosh –”

Suddenly.

Something like a bullet flew towards them with a sharp yell. A powerful kick landed squarely on Guriko. Unable to take the incredible speed and power, Guriko flew backwards and rolled on the sidewalk, only stopping when she hit a big tree.

“Mitsu –”

Unable to hide his surprise, ‘Mitaka’ yelled out the name of the loud intruder: “Mitsuki?”

“A pleasure to meet you. I am the Angel of Miracles! I am the dancing and singing Excretory Organ!”

She was covered in blood –

“I am the invincible Unpleasant Counter-Current, Saibara Mitsuki.” She was covered in blood. Her flesh was broken and smashed, and her bones pierced her skin, visible to the outside.

Her internal organs were showing through the broken tissues. Her foot was fractured and twisted. It was incredible that she could still stand.

“Tatsu-chan. Mi-chan. Sis.”

Saibara Mitsuki smiled innocently, made a ‘chirp’ sound, and gave them a thumb up.

“I’m here now, so you can rest a.s.sured.”

“Ah –”

Mina, who was in ‘Mitaka’s’ hand, screamed in a rare display of emotion: “Aaaaaah, aaaaaah! No, Ki-chan!”

“Mitsuki –”

"Mitaka" walked towards Mitsuki, who was smashed beyond recognition and grotesque to behold. A pained expression showed on his face. She threw them out of the car and let them escape even though she was trapped in the derailed tram, and now she was in such a pitiable state.

“Drip drop”, her blood dripped to the ground and dyed the gloomy sidewalk black.

“Mitsuki, why?”

"Mitaka" couldn’t understand this. He asked: “Why are you doing this even though you’re –”

“Aha!” Mitsuki laughed cheerfully and pointed her large glove towards Guriko, who was pulling herself back up: “Mi-chan and Tatsu-chan are both my friends, so I will work hard to protect them.”

Smiling with her smashed face, she added quietly: “I still have some of my memories from when I was still human. Back then, Saibara Mitsuki didn’t have any friends. She liked her big sister, but still called her a degenerate, and didn’t pay attention to her –”

She looked down with a heavy expression: “It was very lonely. That was all I remember.”

Then she puffed out her chest, put her hands on her hips, and made an innocent pose.

“Therefore, hya! Mitsuki is the strongest when she has friends, when she’s happy and has the power of friendship. Oooh, I don’t think I’ll lose to anyone. Although I failed back there – I won’t lose myself and become the fallen angel again this time. I will be VERY ACTIVE in my original form!”

He knew she was bluffing. "Mitaka" felt someone had gouged out his heart. She called him a friend, but he had not given her much thought. He more or less regarded her as an unknown enemy currently working with them under duress, and had always been guarded towards her.

However, such doubts swiftly vanished.

I can’t bear having this angelic innocent girl getting harmed. Mitsuki, Tatsue, and Mina are all my friends – yes, the first friends that ‘I’ ever made.

“Mi-chan!”

In front of Guriko, whose eyes were ablaze with anger and walking towards them as she estimated the distance, Mitsuki suddenly called out to him. Confused, "Mitaka" wondered what it was about.

He soon realized Mitsuki’s intention. Flabbergasted, he frowned and changed his expression, and lifted his hand a little.

“Mitsu-chan.”

“Clap,” Mitsuki and "Mitaka" clapped their hands together.

With a smile, Mitsuki said in her usual innocence: “We’re the strongest.”

They faced Guriko. Guriko was no longer hesitating. Her barrel-like eyes locked onto them and she launched her attack. Unlike her previous indecision, this time her speed was so fast they could not even see her.

“Mitsuki!”

"Mitaka" couldn’t help but yell. Mitsuki also seemed incapable of responding to such a quick movement, and stood where she was.

“You – dared to treat me like that!”

Guriko mumbled as her left hand, holding a spoon, stabbed towards Mitsuki’s abdomen. Could it be that she wanted to put her hand into Mitsuki’s wounded abdomen, where her organs were peeking through, and dig out her heart that way?

“Die –”

As she said this ruthless word, her left hand was sucked in by Mitsuki’s abdomen.

“How – unfortunate –”

Mitsuki’s abdomen’s suddenly split into a giant mouth. That ominous mouth, with rows of sharp teeth, was happily making the sounds of grinding teeth.

“Caught you!”

As Mitsuki said this, the arm that Guriko reached into Mitsuki’s abdomen was caught in a strong bite.

“Uuurgh?” Guriko twisted her body and tried to escape, but the powerful fangs didn’t allow that. Mitsuki smiled evilly and declared with an expression of victory: “I’m going to eat up now.”

“Crunch crunch crunch, grind grind grind.”

“Pop, slush.”

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Guriko roared.

Being eaten alive by countless teeth would be unendurable. Just imagining it was terrifying.

The pain alone would be enough to kill an ordinary person.

Her skin was torn open, her bones smashed, flesh swallowed.

Guriko’s hand was gradually eaten by the gnarling mouth in Mitsuki’s abdomen.

Although her blood spluttered and dirtied her face, Guriko’s exp