Chapter 7: Friendship and Mysterious Roommates

Right now, I’m completely baffled.

I came over to my friend’s house, expecting to find Apollo. Instead, a mysterious girl I’d only recently met was standing there—wearing his clothes.

I know how that sounds. Trust me, I don’t understand it either.

Apollo fractured his right wrist, so I figured cooking would be tough for him. I brought over some takeout, thinking we could hang out for a bit before I headed home.

How naïve I was just a few minutes ago.

"…Just come in for now."

"Ah, s-sure. ………Wait, huh?!"

I expected us to just stand there awkwardly, frozen in place.

Instead, Koku—completely unbothered—ushered me inside like this was normal.

…Wait, isn’t this Apollo’s house?

Apollo’s place was a two-story home, just like he’d told me. His parents weren’t around—guess the whole "overseas assignment" thing was true.

But that wasn’t the issue here.

"Here."

Koku placed a cup of tea in front of me.

"…Th-Thanks."

I didn’t reach for it. Instead, I kept my eyes glued to her, half-expecting her to pull something.

She fixed herself a cup too, then plopped onto a floor cushion across from me with practiced ease.

…Just how familiar is she with this place?

No—wait. That’s not even the right question.

"Uh, where’s Apollo—"

"Not here right now."

Not here? Did he seriously go out like that?

If he needed groceries, I could’ve helped—hell, I would’ve gone with him after school! Is he really okay with just one hand?

"Why are you in his house? …Wait, don’t tell me you two are living together—"

"If you want me to leave, I’ll go right now."

"N-No, I’m not kicking you out! …Sorry, that was uncalled for."

I jumped to conclusions. I needed to drop the assumptions and get the facts straight.

"I was told I could use this hideout when needed, as part of our arrangement."

"Hideout? …Wait, did he give you a spare key?"

"Key? You mean this?"

With a jingle, she pulled a key from her pocket.

To my shock, it wasn’t a spare—it was Apollo’s actual house key.

"That idiot… Did he seriously leave without locking up?"

"Not quite. We switched places, so I’m in charge of guarding the hideout and the key."

"S-Switched places?"

That would mean Apollo made this decision on the fly.

Did Koku show up right as he was leaving, and he just… handed her the keys and bolted?

…Or maybe… he trusts her that much?

"My usual outfit is at the cleaners. Since I had nothing else to wear, I borrowed some clothes from his room."

"…At least put on a jacket or something."

"Why?"

"How are you not noticing this?!"

I’d been biting my tongue since I got here, but the neckline of Apollo’s old, stretched-out T-shirt was practically sliding off her shoulder.

And worse—if those loose sweatpants slipped any further, things would get dangerous.

Why’d she have to pick the most worn-out clothes in his closet?!

"Koku, put on that hoodie over there."

"Is it necessary?"

"Just do it."

"Okay."

I tried not to stare, but this situation was making it impossible to focus.

Thank god she’s the obedient type.

Now, with the hoodie properly on, I finally faced her head-on.

I had way too many questions piling up.

No way I was leaving without answers.

"…First, tell me who you really are."

"Feels like an interview."

"…Sorry, I guess my face got kinda intense."

I might have been glaring a little. Not my best move.

I took a sip of tea, cleared my throat, and tried again.

She already seemed to know me. But now that I thought about it, I’d never properly introduced myself.

Might as well start there.

"I’m Rekka Fire. Second-year at Magic Academy, member of the Civil Hero Club. Normally, I’m just a regular student, but when needed, I’ll fight even evil itself. …Something like that. Think you could do the same?"

I handed the metaphorical mic to her.

Koku looked down for a few seconds, hesitating, before finally meeting my eyes again.

"Codename: Kuro. Created through a certain scientist’s research. No affiliated organization. My mission is—"

A pause.

Then, quietly:

"To end your battle."

"M-My…?"

I repeated it dumbly, my brain short-circuiting.

Kuro—this girl calling herself Jet Black—just said her purpose is to end my fight.

…What does that even mean?

"I Know You Better Than You Think"

"…So you’re saying you want to defeat me?"

"I have no intention of fighting you. I’m acting to ensure you no longer have to fight."

"On whose orders?"

"No one’s. My own will."

Koku’s voice was calm but firm—uncharacteristically decisive.

And somehow, I knew she wasn’t lying.

…My head hurts.

Why doesn’t she want me to fight? I’ve racked my brain, but before that night we met, I’m certain our paths never crossed.

What’s her stake in this?

The only ones who’d celebrate me laying down my arms are the villains and dark mages I’ve been fighting. Hell, it’d make more sense if she said she was with them.

But no—

"I’m not your enemy."

I’m this close to giving up on thinking altogether.

"How do you even know me? No offense, but I’ve got zero memory of you."

"…………"

"Whatever you say, I’m not quitting the Hero Club."

"…………I know you."

Her doll-like face—beautiful, yet eerily blank—flickered.

"I’ve known you… for a long time."

I caught it then.

The faintest tremor in her voice.

"I know you’re kind. That you’re strong—like some storybook hero. And because you’re strong… you bear wounds no one else sees. Because you can."

I should retort. Should snap back with "Who asked you?"

But the words die in my throat.

She’s a stranger.

And yet—

There’s something simmering beneath her quietness.

…Is that… anger?

"Your selflessness is admirable. I understand—sacrifice is the essence of a hero."

But—

"Some people don’t want you hurt. Some wish you’d value your own life. That you’d see… fighting isn’t the only way to save others."

"……People like that exist?"

I’m stunned.

Everyone around me cheers me on.

Fighting is what I do. I’m descended from the hero who saved the world—it’s literally my birthright to stand against evil.

Sure, I used to be selfish. But after meeting the girls in the Hero Club, after seeing so many worlds… I finally understood my purpose.

"…I’ll keep fighting. It’s why I was born—to protect people."

"…………Ugh. Heroes. Chosen ones. None of that matters."

"H-Huh? Koku, wait—"

She sighs—then marches around the table and pinches my cheek.

"OWWWTCH?! Th-The hell?!"

"Rekka Fire is a 16-year-old boy. Not some grand warrior—just a kid at magic school. …Am I wrong?"

"Owow… N-No, but—"

She releases me and plops back into her seat.

What was that?

"Throwing your life away for duty? Ancient history."

"A-Ancient…?"

…Am I being lectured?

By a girl a head shorter than me?

"If you died fighting, who’d grieve?"

"Well, some people, but—"

"Exactly. Pathetic."

P-Pathetic?!

"That self-sacrificial crap? Outdated. Try considering the living for once. That’s the modern approach."

"M-Modern…?"

…Have I been completely wrong about her?

Koku’s not some detached mystery girl—she’s sharp, current, and brutally honest.

Was she… someone I saved before?

"Think less about yourself—and more about your friends."

"Of course I think about them! I’d die to protect—"

"Ugh. ‘Protect.’ That condescending hero complex? Gross."

"G-Gross?!"

…She’s savage.

I thought she was passive, almost empty—but no.

There’s steel beneath that quiet.

And for the first time—

I felt it.

"Friends Are Equals"

"Friends are supposed to be equals. Have you ever stopped to think how they feel, being shoved aside and 'protected' all the time?"

"…W-Well, I don’t want my friends getting hurt—"

"Ever consider they might feel the same way? But no—you ignore that. You refuse to consult them, shut down every offer to help with a 'This isn’t your fight,' show up the next day covered in injuries, and when anyone asks, all you say is 'Don’t worry about it.' You’re gonna get yourself killed."

…Whoa.

Koku’s pissed.

"…Are these people you call 'friends' even friends to you? Or are they just... symbols of the normal life you’re clinging to?"

"Hah?! Don’t act like you know anything! He’s—Apollo’s not strong! He’s weak, clumsy! If I dragged him into battle, he’d die!"

"THE HELL YOU SAY?!"

"Wha—?!"

Why is she mad?! She’s not even involved!

Logically, this makes no sense—but damn, she’s terrifying.

"…Yeah, I bet your 'friend' would yell at you too. Hell, do you even know how strong he is? You trained with the girls, but did you ever spare time to train with him?"

"N-No, I told him it was too dangerous, so I never let him practice combat magic—"

"Tch. Overprotective much?"

"…Since when did your personality flip?"

Is she actually split-personality or something? This is nothing like her usual self…

"If you trained together, maybe he could get stronger. Maybe he’s not as weak as you think. But no—you decided he’s 'fragile,' pushed him away, and called him a 'friend you have to protect.' Sounds pretty damn selfish to me."

"…Why do I have to hear this from you?"

"Because I know that friend. I’m speaking for him."

Wait—does she know about me and Apollo’s arrangement?

Given how enigmatic she is, it wouldn’t surprise me—but I never expected this level of bluntness.

…But.

…She’s right.

I never considered Apollo’s feelings.

I didn’t protect him because I thought it was right—I just assumed it was what I should do.

Talk about thoughtless.

I was weak once too. Back then, Apollo and I were at the bottom of the class in magic.

The only reason I got stronger was because of the Hero Club—because of Kohri, who I met on the first day of school. That’s how I awakened my fire magic.

And Apollo… he wanted to stand beside me. I knew that.

But I refused, robbing him of the chance to grow.

He could’ve gotten stronger. Just like I did.

…Hell, when I think about it, he’s just as much of an idiot as I am.

He always worries about me. Always tries to help.

Even though the gap between us is obvious.

…Most people would’ve gotten used to being protected. Given up.

…Dumbass.

"Sorry, Koku—I gotta go."

"Where?"

"To find Apollo. Probably at the usual supermarket."

"Going to help him because of his hand?"

"Nah. Going to chew out the idiot who left his house keys with a stranger."

"Good. See you."

No sooner do the words leave my mouth than I’m out the door.

Koku can wait.

After that outburst, I’m at least sure she’s not an enemy.

She dodged the details, but if she’s staying at Apollo’s place, I’ll have plenty of chances to ask.

Right now, I need to apologize to my best friend.

And once his hand heals? I’ll drag him into training.

Make him realize just how hard it is to keep up with me.

He’s not just someone to protect.

I’ll confide in him. Rely on him.

—I want us to be real friends.

With that thought in my heart, I sprint through the sunset-lit streets.