I couldn't stay here forever. If the police came, I'd be stuck for ages being questioned. Even though questioning is technically voluntary, I couldn't afford the time it would take to refuse and argue.

　I entered Nanami-sister's room and stood at the foot of her body, lying as if asleep.

　Her life had already faded away, and she had become nothing more than an object shaped like her.

（Nanami-sister……）

　By now, both Karin and I had already said our goodbyes to this woman, who had raised us like a sister, the night before.

　Knowing this was our final farewell, we had both cried until our tears were gone the previous night.

Precise, kind, and sometimes stern—her existence, with a conscience distinct from her brother’s, has saved us in ways we can’t even measure.

That’s why I invited her to be a co-conspirator in our life plans.

Because both KAREN and I loved our sister so much.

Yet to have to say goodbye to her twice—this is a cruel twist of fate indeed.

　

“...I’ll make sure the culprit gets their due. And... we’ll definitely save your brother too.”

I whispered softly and left the room.

After briefly checking the scene’s condition, I told the TV crew I couldn’t stay any longer due to shock, then returned home.

...No, I’ve already had enough shock. If my brother had been there, I’d have clung to him, sobbing uncontrollably all day, thrashing about in despair.Nanami-senpai was, quite seriously, like family to me—had things not happened this way, I truly intended to make us real family.

But the situation didn't give me time to dwell in despair.

"I'm back."

'Serican... Why has it come to this...? What should I do...?'

"Calm down. Well, I can't exactly stay calm, but we have no choice but to do what we can. What about your brother?"

Returning to the room, I checked on my brother's condition, ignoring my younger sister, who was staring at the screen with a pale face and tears streaming down her cheeks.

　

"…………I see. This is bad."

My older brother was fortunate in a misfortune, apparently managing to transfer while retaining quite a few points. If that's the case, the barrier stone—an item that creates a safe zone effective for twelve hours per point—should be exchangeable. However, this is strictly for avoiding dangerous situations and can only be used to create time for resting. That's what was stated in the information released beforehand, so there's no doubt about it.

Within this forest, it would be overwhelmingly useful, yet it can't be used to gain distance.

All status screens are displayed in "another world language."

Items are also incomprehensible from Earth's perspective.

While the amount of information is vast, a reasonable estimate for text translation should be achievable within a few days.

In any case, in my current physical state, encountering any monster would mean the end.

And yet, the nearest human settlement is 370 kilometers away.

Only wearing white kilt-like robes. She had used her points to buy boots, but the equipment was so meager.

Already— even if we were being generous, it was a hopeless situation.

"S-Serika...!"

KAREN, on the verge of tears.

She probably understood just what this situation meant.

We'd already lost our older sister.

If we lost our older brother too now...

Our entire life plan would be erased.

Happiness would slip through our fingers, leaving us only to cling to each other and survive.

Then...

If we don't want that to happen, there's nothing left but to do whatever we can.

(Brother... I'm sorry.)

"Karen. The culprit? Wasn't he on camera?"

"Yeah. I analyzed it, but this is definitely your older brother's classmate. He's active on social media and has lots of photos, so there's no doubt. Judging by the direction he ran, he probably went back home."

"Keep the information gathered. Address and other details."

"Got it."

The camera footage showed a boy around the same age as the older brother clumsily climbing over the back fence and fleeing.

Normally that'd be suspicious, but since it was the day of the otherworld transfer and it was raining heavily, he managed to escape without being noticed much.

If we have this evidence, arrest should be immediate... if we report it.

"So, what do we do? Should we report it?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"…If we leave it like this, people will think your older brother is the culprit. So… let's keep it this way. Anyway, Kay. Let's go out."

"What? What? Why? Where?"

"With Grandpa"

My paternal grandfather is someone only my brother and I have contact with.

Though we don't visit often—due to my father being cut off from him—I've been going there several times with my brother, both for social learning and when I need to ask for favors.

My brother seems to be more favored by Grandpa, which is exactly why he'll probably help us.

◇◆◆◆◇

With clothes stuffed into our bags, Caren and I dashed out of the house almost as we were.

If the police came, it'd be hard to avoid questioning.

Though there might be leniency since we're middle schoolers, time was too precious to waste.

When we left the house through the back door, the police hadn't arrived yet, and we managed to hail a taxi on the main road without being spotted by the television station.

It would take about an hour to get to my grandfather's house.

In the taxi, Karin and I changed clothes—our driver seemed extremely uncomfortable—and while we nervously checked on my brother's condition via tablet, we also updated the translation project team members about the shift in the main tracker for the video streaming site project. There was no shortage of things to do.

Naturally, we wanted to monitor the movements of the other transfer agents too, but even with multiple devices, it still wasn't enough. I should have been fully operating equipment from home, gathering information, but how on earth had things gotten to this point?

"Older brother, it seems to be going smoother than expected. We've got a map, and no monsters have shown up yet... so we'll manage, right?"

"Only 19 points left, 373 kilometers to go... I wonder how it'll turn out..."

Some items could be exchanged using points, and a few had been announced in advance.

Barrier stones, potions, scrolls, maps—there were also likely equipment items and ways to enhance one's own abilities.

But there probably aren't any extremely powerful remedies, like complete invincibility or immortality. If there were, my brother would have taken them already.

So maybe the barrier stone that creates a 12-hour shelter will be the key.

But can you really survive 373 kilometers with just power-up items or abilities? I doubt it.

"Ah... um... are we really okay here...?"

"Yes, thank you."

The taxi arrives at the destination, and I get out.

I've already contacted my grandfather during the journey. After all, we're just innocent middle school students, and more importantly, family. It's not a problem even without an appointment.

A luxurious mansion surrounded by a high wall. Countless security cameras installed everywhere.

This is the home of the gang boss of the Watarase Group, a yakuza organization. This is my grandfather's house.

The surname Kurosé comes from my mother's side. Our family has a rather complicated background.

I press the intercom and tell the young gang member who answers that I've come to wish him a happy new year.

Following me as I step inside, Kuren cautiously trails behind, clinging to my back. Unlike me, she's delicate and has rarely visited her grandfather's house before. Perhaps she's intimidated by the gangster-like appearance of the house.

Even though we're not particularly close, we're still blood relatives—she should carry herself with confidence. After all, mafia families have always valued blood ties.

"Oh! Serika! Kuren! You made it—welcome!"

"Grandpa! Happy New Year!"

"Ah, happy New Year!"

"Oh, oh! My grandson coming to visit during the New Year—this old man's heart is truly fulfilled."

"You're not even old enough to be called 'grandpa,' you know?"

Grandpa wasn't even sixty yet, as far as I knew.

Perhaps because he trains every day, he's muscular and sturdy—someone in their forties could probably handle him if they were clumsy.

"Today we're doing mochi pounding for New Year's, so I've got the younger ones preparing for the party too. Perfect timing. Want to come eat some mochi?"

His face lit up with innocent joy at the thought of his grandson's visit.

From his behavior, it seemed he had no idea his older brother had been chosen for transfer to another world.

In the yakuza world, an alternate world might as well be a fantasy—probably not something that matters much.

In reality, people can already watch live streams from other worlds on TV, computers, and smartphones, yet none of the crew preparing mochi in the yard are looking at such things.

...Well, I suppose it's understandable—they're busy with work after all.

Sorry, Grandpa. I have to go back soon today... about my brother.

"Hikaru's...? Oh right, he said he couldn't come today. Did something happen?"

"Yes. That's why I have a very important request."

"A request...? I see. Wait in the guest room."

My grandfather, who had greeted us with a frown, suddenly changed expression when I said 'request.'

Probably because all the 'requests' I've made before were things no ordinary child would ask for—things on the gray side.

In truth, this request isn't just gray—it's pitch black.

He must have sensed that stench instantly.

The living room of this house is quite tasteless—furniture like the marble table is something I've never seen anywhere else. The decorative items are likely masterpieces by renowned artisans.

According to my brother, there used to be several animal taxidermies displayed here.

As a remnant of that past, the floor beneath our feet is covered with a carpet made of Amur tiger fur, making me hesitate even to step on it.

"……So? What happened to Hikaru?"

Probably, he'd told his subordinates not to approach the guest room.

A little later, my grandfather sat down on the living room sofa.

"For now, I want you to take a look at this."

　

I pulled out my tablet and showed it to my grandfather.

The screen displayed my brother running through a forest, glancing around nervously.