Nuclear World.
Asia, Third Special Administrative Region (formerly Japan), Fuchu City, Tokyo Metropolis.
It was the turn from late summer to early autumn.
The breeze already carried a touch of cool, pleasant comfort.
In this quiet, peaceful residential district, a detached house with its own small courtyard looked especially warm and inviting.
The greenery in the courtyard had been tended in perfect order.
Warm yellow light spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the neatly trimmed lawn.
In the spacious living room, a large LCD television that took up half the wall
was broadcasting the much-anticipated semifinals of the Top 100 Tournament live.
"An unbelievable clash!"
"Contestant Bang's Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist has turned Roar of the Sea Dragon back on itself!"
"Whoa! Contestant Noelle, clad in the Valkyrie Armor of the Sea Goddess, dodged it!"
The host Gatz's hoarse, impassioned commentary echoed through the living room.
On the screen, azure waterlike aura and surging water magic wove together again and again.
Every collision erupted with a deafening roar.
Five-year-old Itami Kiyoto sat cross-legged on the soft living-room sofa, hugging a doll modeled after Nezuko tightly in his arms.
His bright black eyes were fixed on the television, his little mouth slightly open.
From time to time, he let out a "wow" of amazement at the dazzling battle scenes.
But in the open dining room connected to the living room, the atmosphere was completely different.
Friends reunited after a long separation, laughter over a shared meal, and the rich aroma of food filled the air.
The dining table was covered with sumptuous dishes to go with drinks.
There were saury grilled crisp on the outside and tender within, steaming sukiyaki, and a large platter of sashimi cut into evenly thick slices.
The commotion from the Top 100 Tournament was treated