Chapter 5 - The Outrage (1/2)

”You can't possibly be serious! You're telling these children to go fight in a war!? That's absolutely unacceptable! As a teacher, I cannot allow it! Send us back right this instant! These kids all have families back home who must be worried sick! You can't just kidnap them like this!” The one who protested was Aiko Hatayama, and each of her words dripped with rather evident anger.

Aiko, the mid-twenties social studies teacher, stood only 140 centimeters tall, with a baby face and her hair kept in a neat bob cut. She had brown hair and green eyes, which didn't like the standard of Japanese from Rio's original world. She was wearing a cream-colored business suit. That and her child-like appearance gave a sense of incongruity, or at least, Rio thought so. But, a part of Rio's mind acknowledged that this youthful teacher was quite good-looking. No, the correct word was exotic. Rio saw that Japanese women were exotic. But, it was not enough to move Rio's heart. He wasn't into a woman with a child-like body, after all.

Rio realized that this teacher didn't obtain respect from her students. He saw the students that were looking in her direction with warm eyes as if they were watching their young relative, a little sibling or younger cousin perhaps, who was trying her best in doing something. It was truly disrespectful behavior. Even so, Rio kept his silence and watched everything advanced. He didn't want to draw attention to himself again after what happened before. Besides, he knew what would happen next. And his thought became real as Ishtar opened his mouth the next moment.

”I understand your feelings, however... I am unable to return you to your world at present.”

The moment Ishtar ended his declaration, silence filled the room. The oppressive atmosphere was felt by everyone present. They all stared at Ishtar blankly, unable to properly process what he had just said. Rio was the only one who didn't show such a face, but he lowered his head and hid his indifferent expression.

”Wh-What do you mean... you're unable!? If you called us here, you should be able to send us back, shouldn't you!?”

Rio heard Aiko's loud scream. He raised his head slightly and watched the short exchange between Aiko and Ishtar with rapt attention.

”As I stated earlier, it is Lord Ehit who summoned you here. The only reason we were in that room at all was to greet you heroes, and to offer up our prayers to Lord Ehit. We humans do not possess the power to interfere with other worlds, so whether or not you can return also depends on His will.”

”N-No way...” Saying that Aiko slumped back into her chair, all the strength drained out of her. The other students all started yelling as the truth of Ishtar's words sank in.

”You've gotta be kidding me? What do you mean we can't go back!?”

”You can't do this! Please, just send us back somehow!”