Nishitama City, Twin Towers Building A, directly across from the Observation Elevator.
Several hundred meters away stood another building in silent stillness.
—Nishitama City Municipal Building.
Before the Twin Towers had been completed, it had been the tallest building in the area. Its rooftop faced directly toward the Observation Elevator.
At that moment, Building A of the Twin Towers was pitch-black after losing power. Only the Sightseeing Elevator remained lit. In the night, it was like a target drawing in throwing knives—a perfect sniping point.
On the rooftop of the Municipal Building, in a dark corner.
Gin steadily held his Sniper Rifle, raising the barrel and Scope in tandem as he aimed at the elevator descending in height.
Soon, within the circular view framed by the Scope, a beautiful, tall woman with short brown curls appeared.
She had her head slightly tilted as she spoke intently to the girl beside her, looking to be in an excellent mood.
"Heh. Did she think taking this elevator meant she could escape alive, so she showed that kind of smile?"
Gin tracked the elevator with his muzzle, adjusting his aim and locking his target area onto her head.
Looking at the slender, curly-haired figure in his Scope, he suddenly bared a cold grin. The finger on his trigger slowly tightened as he murmured sentimentally:
"Rest in peace in this elevator to Heaven. Rest forever, Sher—"
"?!"
A hand abruptly entered the Scope's field of view. As naturally as checking someone's temperature during a fever, it reached out and rested on "Sherry's" forehead.
It happened to block the Laser Red Dot that symbolized "death."
"..." Gin froze, and the finger on the trigger instinctively stopped.
Almost at the same time, the audacious interloper seemed to lose his footing. With his hand on "Sherry,"