Humanity Salvation Academy Episode 1: "The Boy Who Calls the Storm" II

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II.

It was a magnificent, brilliantly white corridor. White colonnades. A ceiling even whiter than white. And a floor that was somehow tinged with a faint blue. Yumedono Kyuse walked straight through that radiance. Ho-omaru followed along behind him.

"Huh. Is that so?"

Ho-omaru let out a bewildered voice.

"Yes, that is correct, usually. Immediately after enrolling in the academy, people tend to panic... They show signs of disorientation, their eyes fail to focus, and in some cases, they scream and lash out. Their memories become clouded, too. Enrollment is, after all, no ordinary event."

Kyuse stopped and turned around. A smile was etched upon his face.

"That is why you are impressive."

He placed a hand on Ho-omaru's shoulder.

"A guy like you is, as far as I know, the first in this academy's history. Therefore... you are worthy of respect, Byodoin Ho-omaru."

"Hmm. I don't really get it, but..."

Ho-omaru also wore a smile.

"Thanks anyway."

"Hmph..."

Kyuse snorted.

"Ho-omaru, you are an interesting guy... though strange."

The brilliance of the corridor was so dazzling that Ho-omaru instinctively narrowed his eyes. Kyuse's back, as he began walking through the radiance again, was refined, possessing both elegance and bravery. While gazing at that back, Ho-omaru widened his narrowed eyes, going, "Ah...?"

"It's an undercut!"

Perhaps because he had just woken up, he hadn't noticed until now! From Kyuse's temples to the back of his head, the outline was shaved into an undercut. In his right ear, there was a subtle gold earring.

Ho-omaru covered his mouth with his hand and chuckled.

You know, you're surprisingly stylish.

What?
Nothing, it's nothing,Houomaru said, suppressing a smile.

The two of them eventually passed through the corridor. The view opened up, and the wind blew through. Their hair swayed coolly.

Wow...

Houomaru let out a cheer. Kyuse and Houomaru had emerged onto a terrace-like structure. The view from there was incredibly beautiful.

The sky was blue, so blue. It was dyed in a lapis lazuli color that felt like drowning. Beyond the horizon lay magnificent mountain ranges. Beneath the sky, spreading out directly below Houomaru and the others, was a lush green school campus. And beyond that... a magnificent, cathedral-like skyscraper shimmered.

At its center was a massive, rounded spire. "So tall..." Houomaru muttered involuntarily. Clouds drifted around its peak, which stretched far into the sky. And from the middle of the tower, a tiered structure reminiscent of a pyramid spread out in concentric circles. Each of those tiers was enormous, with fine windows, and the windows were sparkling, reflecting dazzling light. The entire building was dyed in a somewhat bluish white, similar to the floor of the corridor earlier, and it had a beauty that felt somewhat sacred, even awe-inspiring.

Um, hey, Kyuse-kun!
What?

Houomaru spread his arms wide.

Is all of this the academy!?
That's right.
Then, then, is that huge thing the school building!?
Yeah, that's right.
Ooh...

Houomaru groaned.

Ohhh... seriously... are you serious...
Heh heh heh, you're surprised, aren't you?
Amazing...

Kyuse nodded proudly. Beside him, Houomaru went, "Oh?" and shielded his eyes with his palm, looking up at the sky.

Where he was looking. Far, far, far above the spire. Beyond the clouds, he saw a mysterious, glowing sphere. It wasn't the sun. The light it emitted had a constant rhythm, spreading quietly like ripples. It was a mystical light, sharp yet gentle, that made one feel compassion.

What on earth is that!?
It's the auditorium.

Kyuse said that and stepped in front of Houomaru. Houomaru stared at him blankly. Kyuse stood at the edge of the terrace. He took a quiet breath. And then, he suddenly began to sing.

The wind of light sways, the green leaves sway,
Towering high, our school building,
The light that shines, a testament here,
Shimmering is the auditorium of the heavens,
Friends, save people, save people,
The hope of humanity,
We are the Humanity Salvation Academy.

It was a dignified, resonant singing voice. The voice rode the wind, melting into the scenery as it spread. Houomaru had his mouth agape. When Kyuse finished singing, he turned around and looked at Houomaru. Houomaru asked, leaning in eagerly.

What was that just now!?
It's the school anthem.

Kyuse looked somewhat proud.

"That auditorium is... as sung about in the school anthem, a special place. We are only allowed to enter it during student assemblies, graduation ceremonies, and other such special events, and..."

Houomaru raised his voice, almost cutting him off.

"You... you're a good singer!"

Kyuse stopped his explanation. He looked as if he had smiled slightly. Houomaru crossed his arms and nodded with satisfaction.

"I see, so that's the auditorium... To think you can go in there, that's amazing. I'm seriously moved..."

"...Hey. Wait a second."

Kyuse said, as if to lightly rebuke him.

"Now that I think about it, it's a strange story, Houomaru."

Houomaru looked back at Kyuse, looking blank.

"Eh, what is?"

"Hmph. Don't give me that 'what is,' Houomaru. Stop teasing me. Judging by your condition, you should definitely have those memories too. Isn't that right? It would be strange if you didn't even know the school anthem. Am I wrong?"

Houomaru answered without a care.

"Yeah, that's right."

I remember everything, he thought. But, Houomaru continued.

"It's just that when you touch the real thing, you get moved, you know? I'm just, somehow happy. I have a body. There is form, there is color. There is weight. The wind blows and shakes my hair. There is someone next to me I can talk to. It's good, it's really good. The world has time, and time ticks away quietly. We accumulate time little by little, and eventually, everything reaches its end..."

That's why.

"I want to enjoy every single second to the fullest, don't you?"

Houomaru said it all in one breath with a beaming smile. And immediately after, his eyes went wide.

"...Whoa, what's wrong?"

Kyuse was looking down, his shoulders shaking. At the same time as Houomaru called out, "Eh, what, what?", Kyuse raised his face and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! You really are an interesting guy!"

"Uh, thanks, I guess..."

After laughing for a while, Kyusei rubbed the tears from his eyes and looked at Ho-omaru.

"It's about time I told you. Regarding your schedule for today..."

"Yes?"

"Actually, all that's left is your meeting with the student council president. That's it. We originally planned the schedule assuming there would be panic during your transfer..."

"...Oh, I see."

Ho-omaru gave a listless reply. Kyusei continued.

"Therefore, we have a bit of spare time. So, I will personally show you around the academy. You should feel honored."

"Eh!"

Ho-omaru's eyes lit up.

"Are you serious!"
"I am serious."
"The vice president is a really important person, right!?"
"Well, I suppose so."
"Aren't you... busy?"
"Hmph. There's no need for you to worry about that."

Ohhh, Ho-omaru groaned.

"Kyusei-kun, you are..."

Ho-omaru hugged Kyusei.

"A really great guy!"
"Whoa, idiot, get off me!"

【To be continued in iii】

"Humanity Salvation Academy" is scheduled to be updated Monday through Friday at 7:30 PM (tentative).