Prelude: Sown Seeds

A wafting breeze carries the two seeds across the sea to a place forgotten by time

The premise of this story spoils the ending of Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru: Yuusha no Shou. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

"Where is that girl? She should have been here by now."

The young woman gazes at the screen of her smartphone wearing a stern expression across her face. A gentle gust of wind causes the deep-brown locks of her ponytail to sway gently amidst the salty breeze. Locking her phone and stuffing it into the pocket of her light-green uniform, she turns to face the daunting sight ahead of her. Before her stands a colossal suspension bridge in varying states of repair. The expanse of the bridge is dotted with wooden planks, sealing gaping holes where busy workers hurry about from one side of the road to the other.

"The Grand Seto Bridge...Hard to believe the progress they've made on it in only a few months. It's nearly unrecognizable."

As the girl muses on the expansive crossing before her, she peers at the horizon lying just across the sea. Until just months before, the mountains on the crossing's far shores lay unseen beyond a colossal wall of tangled roots, the other side a hellish nightmare the likes of which could only be imagined in one's worst nightmares. Much has changed since the work of those brave children and their fight against the gods above.

"Norikoooo! I'm sorry I'm late!"

A bubbly voice rings out from behind her, causing the young woman to turn her head. Charging towards her is a girl only a few years younger than her. The girl's shoulder-length blue hair bobs up and down as she hurries to meet Noriko and the frills of her uniform flow with the passing breeze. The bright noon-time sun causes her eyes to sparkle as her face shines with an intensity almost matching it. Noriko lets out a sigh as she gently pinches the bridge of her own nose in annoyance.

"Rina, how many times do I have to tell you? When we're on duty, you have to refer to me as Captain Ishida, okay?"

This is a conversation the two girls had gone through plenty of times, but Rina just smiles and gives a lax, nonchalant response.

"Eh-heh, sorry. I'm still not used to the whole "Nori-Nori is my senior officer" thing."

"I suppose it can be forgiven, it still has only been a month."

Until just recently, the two girls had been as equals: fighting together as members of the same squad and risking their lives for one another with no concept of one another's rank. With peace came change and reformation.

"So, Captain Ishida, when can we head out?"

"As soon as I give the signal to headquarters. Did you bring everything you'll need? This isn't going to be a short trip."

A look of surprise paints Rina's face, as if Noriko's comment had reminded her of something. She quickly swings a large brown backpack off her shoulder and sets it on the ground in front of her. Undoing the small buckle, Rina flings the large flap cover of the bag open and begins to paw through the contents within.

"Let's see...Rations, water, spare clothing, toothbrush, toothpaste, Kichirou, toilet paper…"

"Kichirou?"

Noriko slowly walks up to Rina and kneels down before her. Reaching her hand in the bag, she pulls out a small stuffed rabbit. The small plush's fur is snow white with small patches of brown at the tips of its ears and underneath its mouth. The toy had clearly seen its wear and tear over the years, having small patches sewn on in several places and missing one button eye. Rina snatches the plush out of Noriko's hands and quickly stuffs it back in her bag before closing it.

"Kichirou and I have never been separated! Of course I have to take him on a journey like this!"

Noriko chuckles at Rina's determination to take the stuffed toy with her for such an important duty. For all the horrors Rina and Noriko had seen together on the battlefield, Rina manages to retain her trademark childlike innocence. Turning once more towards the bridge, Noriko stands upright and shifts her eyes to the expanse before them.

"Rina, it's going to be a long journey...and it's going to be pretty dangerous too. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Noriko's voice shifts into a more somber tone, envisioning the treacherous path the two girls prepare to walk down. From their time together previously, Noriko has become something like a big sister to Rina and worried about the well-being of her young friend. With the backpack firmly on her back once again, Rina steps up beside Noriko and clasps the left hand of her superior. Rina turns her head towards Noriko and smiles.

"Mmhmm, I'm not scared. As long as we're together, Captain Ishida...As long as I'm with Nori-Nori, everything will be okay."

Noriko's heart ease at the gentle words of her dearest friend. Her doubts and regrets sink to the back of her mind as she once again begins to stiffen up and reach for the phone in her pocket. A serious demeanor once again covers Noriko's face as she unlocks the small device and begins calling. Still gripping tightly onto Rina's hand, she waits until a voice began to speak through the phone.

"Taisha headquarters, is this Captain Ishida?"

"Yes, sir. Captain Ishida reporting in. My squad is ready to embark, we are located at the base of the Grand Seto Bridge. Noriko Ishida and Rina Konoe, Taisha Mainland Reclamation Party 001, Scouts, embarking for Okayama!"

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And thus, this unforgettable journey began. It's going to be a long road ahead of us, the first people to set foot in a desolate land ravaged by those monsters the Taisha called "Vertexes". I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared. Sorry, Noriko, you can discipline me thoroughly for it later. But, with you by my side, we can overcome a thousand Vertexes. We may not have the blessings of the Shinju-sama the Heroes possessed or the personal will and indignation of Commander Kusunoki, but together, we'll be the ones to reclaim what humanity lost.