Sanzu Town Quartet

Island Nation, On the railway west of Tokyo, beyond Otsuki City.

Within a valley formed by ranges of towering mountains, a long train sped along the tracks. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss, but a closer look revealed two tiny figures standing atop the train.

"It's huge."

The young man named Tatsuki Hayato looked around and could not help sighing.

"Massive peaks, massive plants, massive tracks, massive trains—it's as if only we've been shrunk."

"Yeah. They actually enlarged the entire planet fivefold. The power of gods and devils is simply unimaginable."

A young woman with a side ponytail walked over, wearing a lightweight set of Exoskeleton Armor.

"Hayato, do you want to rest inside one of the carriages?"

The girl, who had already gained a hint of maturity, tilted her head.

"Leave the watch to me."

"No."

The young man shook his head.

"I'll do it. Besides, my parents are keeping me company."

Foolish son, she came over to talk to you.

How did I end up with such an idiot—ah, spare me, dear wife!

His parents' usual "interaction" echoed through Tatsuki Hayato's mind, making him roll his eyes.

"Is that so?"

However, the side-ponytailed girl misunderstood that gesture.

"Sorry, I still haven't managed to break through Wolf Rank."

???

"No, it has nothing to do with Saki!"

No matter how low Tatsuki Hayato's emotional intelligence was, he would not say the wrong thing at a time like this.

"You know, those two in my family—"

The young man pointed at his own head and gave her a look that said, You know what I mean.

"Uncle and Auntie are still as loving as ever."

"I'm so jealous~~"

The side-ponytailed girl understood as well. Her fingers wound around her ponytail, and beneath her casual tone lay a trace of disappointment.