On one such day, Sakurako and Himawari were making their way to the Amusement Club building when they heard a loud whirling from a distance. It was unusual to hear a whirling at this time of day, and Sakurako immediately knew it wasn't Nishigaki who was messing around with her experiments. This was confirmed when they saw the tea ceremony building had an unusual bright ray, much brighter than the afternoon rays. From the whirling sound, it immediately went to a sudden zap, and the bright rays emanated from the building no more. The two girls looked at each other before running into the building; Sakurako prepared her flashbang and baton in advance.

They find all the girls inside safe and sound, albeit confused. Moreover, there's an odd spot of the black circle on one side of the room.

Sakurako turns at the six girls. "Is everyone alright?"

"Ah, yeah, we're alright," Yui assured her.

"What was that about?" Himawari asked. "We just a saw this building shining like a bright star.

"About that…, I'm not sure if you would believe us," Chitose told her.

"How so?"

"Well…," Akari paused with an awkward smile. "There was a portal opened here."

Sakurako stares for a moment. "Nishigaki-sensei is doing a new experiment now?"

"No, no, it wasn't her," Kyouko shook her. "There were three soldiers popped out from the portal, rough-looking ones. I think one of them looked like an old man from England."

"Soldiers?" Himawari asked, confused. "Please don't joke with me."

"She isn't joking," Ayano added. "From what I understand from them, they said they entered the wrong universe before summoning another portal."

"They even asked us if a tankery match existed here," Chinatsu added as well.

"What's a tankery match?" Sakurako asked with frowned eyebrows.

"I have the same question, too," Yui agreed. "It does sound like it has something to do with tanks, though. Don't know how that relates."

Sakurako and Himawari had no more words. Soon, all of them agreed to announce this incident to Nishigaki and hoped that she might know what was going on. They're a little disappointed that she doesn't know anything about it, let alone summoning a damn portal. But one theory that seems plausible for all involved is that someone, somewhere in another universe, mastered the technology to travel to another universe. And considering these were soldiers who jumped out of the portal, Nishigaki wished this would never happen again in the future.


A few days after the incident, one evening, Sakurako traverses the familiar neighborhoods on her lonesome. Of course, she got herself prepped with her usual flashbang and baton underneath her jacket. Oddly, on this particular day, this path is relatively more empty than she remembered, save for the birds that occasionally fly over this path. After a minute of walking, does when she notices a whirling sound out of the blue and bright rays of light emanating from the alley on her left. She runs into that alley and beholds the sight.

A circle of colorful light is floating in the middle of the alley, and she immediately realizes.

"This must be the portal the amusement club talked about."

She should've left by now because of the soldiers they mentioned, but this didn't deter her curiosity. She waits as she looks on when a couple of figures jump out of the portal. Upon their exit, the portal quickly dissipates with a zap. With the lights going out, she can examine the two arrivals. In a single glance, she already can tell they are indeed soldiers, or at least look the part.

There was the old man, a tough-looking one. Dressed in green olive buttoned shirt, desert khaki, and cream Boonie hat. The most notable thing about his outfit was the military slings strapped throughout his torso, alongside pouches on his belt, presumably filled with ammo. His thick brown beard and mustache are well-trimmed. From where she stood, she could see his sharp blue eyes.

The other one, to her surprise, is a girl that looks like she should be in high school. The girl is dressed in a black buttoned shirt, an unzipped grey tactical jacket over it (a skull patch is noticeable on the right shoulder), and olive drab cargo pants. Her hair is a short bob but light brown, just like her eyes. What was most striking about her was the large scar on her left eye.

"Ah, bollocks, this isn't the UK," the scarred-eye girl commented in disdain. "They didn't mess up the coordinates again, did they?"

"Dammit," the old man reached for his earpiece. "Wallcroft, Wallcroft! Bloody hell, I think my radio is not working."

"Shite," the scarred-eye girl swore. "Wallcroft, this is Miho. Do you copy? Wallcroft?"

In her disgruntled mood, she wears off her earpiece and examines it. "God bloody dammit, mine's busted too. It looks like it will need a few spare parts to fix."

"Well, I think we're still in Japan. A different one, at least," the old man replied. "Do you think anyone here can fix this thing?"

"Assuming this is the 21st century, then maybe," the girl, Miho, replied with a sigh. "When we get back, I'll ask the twat to make sure this radio won't malfunction again when we enter that portal."

The old man checks his earpiece. "At least the essential components are still intact. We can still contact the boys from the other side."

"That's good news," Miho added. "But where to start?"

"Do you need help?"

The two soldiers turn at the blonde with a slight startle. The scarred-eye girl greets her.

"Oh, hello," Miho waved an open palm. "We didn't realize you were there."

"…. Say…," Sakurako looked at the old man. "Was that a portal you just came out from?"

The two soldiers raise an eyebrow; Miho merely sighs. "Ah, you saw that, didn't you?"

"I did. Say…," Sakurako leered over to the old man. "Were you the one who opened a portal in the amusement club room?"

"Huh, amusement club?" the old man titled her head. "What are you talking about, young lady?"

"I assume you remembered about meeting six students inside that room," Sakurako added. "My friends said that one of your friends talked aloud, worrying if they'll think that you were pedophiles."

The old man casts his eyes down. "Oh, those young ladies."

"Looks like you're already on the list, huh, Price?" Miho joked with a grin.

"Very appropriate, old girl," the old man sarcastically remarked. "So they are your friends?"

"They are," Sakurako nodded. "I didn't really believe much about that, but now? I can tell them that it had actually happened to me."

"You can't go around telling everyone that this happened, you know?" Miho asked her.

"I'm just going to tell it to those girls and Nishigaki-sensei. Anyone else other than them won't believe it anyway. I know the risk."

Miho sighs, shaking her head at the oblivious blonde. "I'll take it up on your word, then."

"Okay. Are you both soldiers?"

"Pretty much."

"Are you both the good guys?"

"We are," the old man replied.

"Oh, good. I was a bit worried you were the bad guys."

"If we were, we would've shot you on the spot, my little girl," Miho remarked.

"I know. So, do you need help?"

"Yes, if you would be willing," the old man nodded. "Is there a shop around here that can fix these radios?"

"Hmm, I think I know a shop a little far out," Sakurako replied. "But I need to make a little trip to a store first. I hope you don't mind that."

"Huh, don't worry," the scarred-eye girl assured. "I don't mind buying a little snack. How about you, Price?"

"Do they sell any cigar here, miss…?" Price asked.

"Sakurako," the blonde replied. "And yes, they sell cigars. But there's only one brand of it."

"I don't mind," Price replied with a nod. "Lead the way, young lady."

Sakurako nods. "By the way, I didn't get your names."

The scarred-eye girl introduces themselves. "I'm Miho Nishizumi, and this is John Price. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Okay, Nishizumi-san, Price-san. Follow me."

During their trip, the two had asked the Oomuro about the city they were in, Takaoka, one of the cities Miho admitted never visited. Sakurako dared to ask about how they mastered the portal, their occupation, and their world. Sakurako had never been so awed to discover that Price and Miho were both from different universes. There's TF 141 in Price's world, there's tankery in Miho's world, and in Sakurako's, none of either. Sakurako listens attentively to their tales of war with a gentle smile.

Sakurako also happens to ask how Miho's scar came to be. Miho casually told her about the terrorist attack long ago, and she finds it a little amusing to see Sakurako as pale as a ghost.

Along the way, they happen to pass a game store, and something catches Price's eye. Looking closer at the poster on the window, he just can't believe it.

"Is that… me?" Price asked.

Miho and Sakurako look over as well. It was a poster of a Call of Duty game, notably the Modern Warfare series. That poster predominantly featured the famed Captain Price himself. Sakurako can see there are wools being pulled out from his eyes, though he is rather stoic at the revelation.

"Oh, that game," Sakurako commented. "No wonder some of your stories and his face seem familiar."

Price turns at the blonde. "Our entire life of war is told through this game?"

"Yes, except there was no Nishizumi-san," Sakurako replied. "Nor even a portal."

"Bloody wanker," Miho swore with a chuckle. "I'm jealous that you got your own franchise."

"Never thought I would become a popular model," the old man said.

"The people who played this game couldn't get enough of you," Sakurako replied. "I'm glad that many of them like you so much, Price-san."

"This kind of recognition is surprisingly welcoming to me."

"Well, enjoy it while it last, old man," Miho patted his back. "Come on, let's continue our trip."

About halfway into their trip, they asked curiously about Sakurako's life, and she was surprisingly open about it, an anomaly since Miho is Japanese herself. She's just an ordinary high school girl living her daily life with a family of three sisters alongside her parents. Sakurako also told them her normal school life, though, at the mention of NIshigaki-sensei and her experiments, Miho had a slight mix of disgust and annoyance on her face.

"Your science teacher somehow reminds me of Bazarov. That crazy bastard." That is what Miho had commented.

It won't be long till they reach the store, Bakimura store, apparently. Price had split up to find whatever beverage or food the store had to offer. Sakurako bought some items for her house and a few snacks for herself. Miho takes her time to choose and opts for a bag of a set of delicious sandwiches for four people. Price regroups, and they head for the counter. As they put the items on the counter, Price asks for the cigar from the cashier. It was then the cashier noticed the blonde was among them.

"Oh, Sakurako-chan," the cashier is actually the store manager himself. "It's nice to see you here."

"Kurowa-san?" Sakurako asked with slight surprise. "Why are you working as a cashier? I thought you were the manager."

"He's on sick leave, I'm afraid, so I'll take over his spot temporarily," Buro then looked over the two strangers. "Are they your new friends?"

"You could say that. They've been in this town for the first time, so I'm acting as their guide."

"Oh, no wonder one of your friends looks like a gaijin," Buro stared at the old man's face for a while. "To be honest, your friend looks exactly like Captain Price."

"I'll take that as a compliment, my good gentleman," Price nodded with a smile.

"So you're Sakurako's friend?" Miho asked.

"Pretty much," Buro replied with a smile. "She helped me out of massive trouble at this store. That much I can tell you how I trust her so much."

As Buro scans the items, Sakurako asks at Miho. "Say, does your yen is different from ours?"

"Bloody hell, that didn't cross my mind," Miho quickly opened her wallet. "What's the currency here look like?"

Sakurako examines the two currencies. "Yep, it's different. Don't worry. I'll pay all for it."

"You're not losing your head, right?" Miho asked with a concerned smirk. "I think you only have enough money to pay for your groceries."

"Don't worry about it. I'll pay it."

"Okay, this is the total of your grocery," Buro stated. "That's already including a 20% discount."

"20% discount? That's a rather fair deal," Price replied.

"Okay," Sakurako handed over the money. "Here it is."

"Great," Buro nodded. "Have a good day, you three."

"You too, sir," Miho gave a two-finger salute.

They then leave the store, and Price has already burned his cigar. "Almost. Almost better than the usual."

"Can I?" Miho asked, which Price gave her another cigar to smoke.

This had Sakurako raise an eyebrow. "You smoke too?"

"I am," Miho replied. "No, you won't be having any cigars."

"Oh, don't worry about that. I don't smoke," Sakurako replied. "I drink alcohol, though."

Miho and Price stop in their tracks; the old man then turns to the blonde. "How old are you again?"

"Hm?" Sakurako glanced back. "What?"

"Didn't you say you were in junior high school?" Miho asked.

"I am."

"How did you even get your hands on that? I thought it was illegal for a minor like you to drink that."

"I have an adult friend who gave me that."

"You're not exactly a drinker, do you?" Price asked in his rugged tone.

"No. I only drink it for my insomnia."

"Huh," Miho tilted her head back slightly. "Guess I can understand that."

"I hope you don't mind me asking," Price spoke. "What kind of help your friend back there talked about?"

"…," Sakurako cast a sideways look. "I'm not sure if I want to tell you about it."

Price huffs out a fog. "Why?"

"It's… well…," Sakurako frowned sadly. "I wasn't proud of what I had done."

Miho sucks in her cigar before asking. "What are you talking about, Sakurako?"

"… Well…."

Sakurako soon tells them her tale of the incident at the store they stopped by. Despite being a hard man, Price is pitiful of the fate that Sakurako had gone through. Miho had already understood that expression well, reminding her of that incident at Buckingham Palace. Though, her story didn't stop there. Sakurako was more inclined to tell them about the friendly gun smugglers and her involvement as an infamous vigilante in this city. They were half-skeptical about it, but Sakurako showed them the TV News about that particular group, Sentinels, and it was enough to make Miho call Sakurako crazy, alongside whatever colorful words that even Maru won't say in front of her. However, the one reason Sakurako did this was all too familiar for the scarred-eye girl.

"Revenge, eh?" Miho breathed out a stream of fog through her nose. "You sure you want to stay this way?"

"Until I catch the ones responsible for that incident, I'll stay this way for now," Sakurako put a hand in her pocket. "If I have to die, then I won't care if that would happen to me."

"What of your family, your friends?" Price asked. "Are you certain you want to bear through this? Not even a fool as young as yourself would be willing to go that far."

"I'm already an idiot, to begin with, Price-san," Sakurako replied. "Even if I want to stop, I just can't."

Miho chuckles, which Sakurako asks. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, you just reminded me of how stubborn I was back in that day," Miho replied. "But I understand your situation, Sakurako. I truly hope you can finally exact your revenge as soon as possible."

Sakurako simply nods, not sure what to say at that answer.

Soon, they reach the shop specifically specialized in fixing radio comms. It turns out that the technician of this shop ever worked on military radio comms, and it was relatively uncommon for them to fix such things. When asked about the essential components, Miho told him not to mind it and fix what he could. It took a while to finish them, and the price was a little hefty. Sakurako then pays all for the fixed radios, surprising the two soldiers that even a kid like her can afford them.

They soon depart to find an empty alley, and they both soon communicate with their fixed radios.

"Wallcroft. Wallcroft. Do you copy?" Miho radioed. "Does anyone copy?"

"Wallcroft here," was the reply. "Jesus Christ, I thought we lost you. The bloody hell happened down there?"

"Our radios went broke for a moment," Price radioed back. "We managed to find some help to fix it up."

"Good to know. Sorry, we just realized we inputted the incorrect coordinates in the portal device a little while back. Just keep that radio on. We'll send another portal to you."

"Alright, mate, we'll wait," Miho assured him.

"I hope you didn't find any trouble down there."

"It's alright, Wallcroft. I've been to this universe before. You know the one about the six girls?"

"Oh, that one? Glad that you weren't really on that list, Captain. Who knows what happened if you actually registered as a sex offender."

"Shut your trap, mate, and bring that portal here."

"Right on."

Miho turns to Sakurako with a smile. "I'm glad that I met you, Sakurako. May the Christ himself bless you with his protection."

"T-thanks, Nishizumi-san," Sakurako replied.

"Just call me Miho."

"Alright, Miho-san."

The portal immediately lit up behind the soldiers. It was as bright as the white sun itself that Sakurako was almost blinded by it. The sound of whirling is continuous.

"Well, looks like that's my stop," Miho remarked. "I hope we get to meet again one day, Sakurako."

"Me too," Sakurako nodded and smiled happily, but her eyes expressed sorrow. "Miho-san, Captain Price. Have safe travels."

"Thank you, young lady," Price looked at Miho. "Let's go, mate."

"Right behind ya, old man," Miho gave a last look at Sakurako before they finally entered the portal, and after that, the portal quickly dissipated as it was when it came.

The only mark of their existence was the black circle on the ground. With nothing much to do, Sakurako decides to return home lest she would return home late at night. But in her mind, she is happy to finally have something to tell her friends about the portal and, most of all, the proof of their existence. A couple of pictures of Miho NIshizumi and Captain Price within her cellphone.