There was no one left in the room.

Yuu and Emperor Yusho are just sitting facing each other.

Yuu's eyes widened at the sudden change in the situation, and he was so confused that he didn't even make a sound.

In a quiet room, silence falls.

“Yuu.”

"……Yes"

Emperor Yusho spoke in a calm voice. He didn't feel any harshness.

She looked into Yuu's eyes and made a face full of compassion.

"Today was fun. I'm always worried about you. I'll never forget that."

"Yes"

“Are you happy?”

"Yes"

"Is your happiness because of Reira?"

"Yes"

"I see. Please take care of Reira."

"Yes"

In short words, Emperor Yusho spoke calmly.

When asked about Reira, Yuu regained his composure a little.

After seeing Yuu's calm expression, Emperor Yusho continued again.

"Yuu, one of the reasons I came to see you today was to see how you are doing. I also have another purpose. Yes, there is.Will you please cooperate?”

"...Yes. If there's anything I can do."

"Hmm. It's not difficult. However, I want you to refrain from telling anyone about what we're going to say, see, or do from now on. Not to Reira, not to your family, not to Rokushou. .Nothing will happen in the future. Can you promise me that?"

Hearing that he couldn't tell even Reira, Yuu hesitated a little. However, although he doesn't know Emperor Yusho's status, he realizes that she is someone who will protect him and Reira, and decides to accept.

"Yes. I understand. I promise."

"Hmm."

After Emperor Yusho said that, she took out a bunch of photos from the bag that Rokushou had prepared.

"Yuu. There are twenty photos here. Will you look at them and honestly tell me what you think?"

"Yes. Understood. I'll take a look."

The size is about A4. It is stacked and turned inside out.

Yuu took the bundle and turned it over.

"These are……"

What was shown in the photos were naked human bodies, completely erect, with no modifications made.

A single sheet of paper contains two full-body color photographs of the same person, one from the front and one from the back.

That's 20 pieces, enough for 20 people.

It is clear that it is not a corpse, but a living person because its eyes are open and there is a facial expression.

Yuu spread out all the photos on the rectangular tea table in front of him, making sure that they were all similar full-length photos.

There are various people in the photo. They are all different ages, heights, and body types.

Yuu picks up each one and looks at them carefully. Sometimes there is a red mark in the upper right corner of the photo.

Since she had gone out of her way to show me four-year-old self these photos, he wondered if there was something going on, so he took a closer look. The shape of the torso, the length of the legs, the shape of the hands, and the thickness of the neck. He wonderes if there are any injuries or bruises.

However, there is nothing strange about any of the photos. They don't even look sick. They all look healthy on the outside.

Even so, Yuu took the time to review them over and over again, wondering if there was something wrong with them.

Emperor Yusho is watching Yuu closely.

"I've seen everything"

Eventually, Yuu put down all the photos, looked up at her, and said to Emperor Yusho.

"Hmm. Looks like you looked carefully. What do you think?"

"As far as I can see, there's nothing strange about them."

Without hesitation, Yuu looks directly into Emperor Yusho's eyes and answers clearly.

“Nothing?”

"Yes. Height, body shape, skin color, length of arms and legs, shape of breasts and genitals, pubic hair, shape of face, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, everything looks like a normal person. There are no visible bruises, or any pathological roughness on the skin. They may have internal organ disease or abnormalities in their eyesight or hearing, but that cannot be determined from these photos.

Yuu answered carefully and clearly.

“Did you just say the shape of their genitals?”

Emperor Yusho asked, her eyes sharp.

"Yes. I don't think everyone's genitals are oddly shaped. I don't know much about other people's bodies though.

Speaking of the shape of the genitals, what is really unnatural about these photos is that in all of the photos of men, their facial expressions are dark and I feel like they have hair styled like a woman's, which is a little strange. I don't know much about adult men's hairstyles, so I can't say for sure.

Other than that, I don't see anything strange."

Hearing Yuu's words, Emperor Yusho's eyes widened and she clasped the hands on her knee.

Then she suppressed a tremor and said,

“Yuu, which photo do you think shows a man?”

"The 10 photos with a red mark on the top right are all men."

Emperor Yusho gasped and gritted her molars.

There was silence for a while.

"Yuu. Could you please explain to me in detail each photo of the man?"

"Yes, I understand. It's an ordinary photo, so I'll give you a normal explanation, is that okay?"

"Hmm, please feel free to explain it to me in as much detail as possible. Can you tell me things like the thickness of your breasts? In particular, I would like you to tell me if you have any female-like features."

"Okay. I'll do my best."

Yuu carefully explained each item to Emperor Yusho in detail, without hesitation of repetition.

After taking the time to listen to the explanations of all the photos, Emperor Yusho spoke to Yuu.

"Yuu. Thank you for your cooperation. I took your time. It was very helpful. Thank you."

"I hope I was helpful."

"Please keep this a secret."

"Yes. I understand."

"Hmm. Then, could you please just call Reira?"

"Got it"

After saying that to Yuu, Emperor Yusho put all the photos in her bag.

Eventually, Reira came in with Yuu.

When the two sat down on the sofa, she continued speaking.

"Reira. Yuu has promised me that all our interactions here will not be disclosed. That person will be responsible for you, his family, Rokushou, and everyone else. It is aimed at humans.

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You should never ask him.”

Emperor Yusho told Reira with a stern look.

"Yes. I understand. I will follow your instructions."

"Hmm. I'm satisfied with your usual work. I'll continue to rely on you in the future.

You had a hard time today. I'm going home. Please call Sendou and Rokushou.”

"Yes"

Reira went to call, and immediately the Chamberlain, Rokushou, the administrative officer, and the security officer came in.

"I'm going home. Yuu and Reira, today was a meaningful day. Stay healthy."

In this way, Emperor Yusho and her party returned home.

In the car on the way home, Emperor Yusho kept looking out the window.

Thirty minutes have passed since she left Yuu's house.

Before Rokushou knew it, it started raining.

Raindrops hit the window and run down.

The convoy continues to run at a reduced speed.

Rokushou was the only one sitting in the car, facing each other, and silence continued. Neither of them has said a word since they left.

The security officers are driving, but they are separated by a bulkhead and can't hear their conversations.

"Rokushou"

Emperor Yusho saw Rokushou and opened her mouth.

"What"

Rokushou answered quietly.

"Today was very meaningful. I gained a lot from seeing Yuu in person."

"That's good."

"I feel like there's something different about Yuu's songs. I'm looking forward to the future."

"That's right. I'm looking forward to songs with lyrics."

After such a conversation, Emperor Yusho looked out the window and continued talking.

"Do you know why this era is called the Current world?"

"No, I don't know. I think they called it that after God's punishment."

In response to Rokushou's answer, Emperor Yusho continued speaking.

"In school, we teach that the name of the Present world was decided after God's punishment, but in reality it was decided at the time of the establishment of the World Strategic Organization.

My ancestors and the heads of state of the other five major powers met at a closed preparatory meeting just before the inauguration.''

Emperor Yusho continues.

"When discussing the name of the era, there was a lot of opinion that it should be called New world. However, that idea was shelved."

Rokushou listened without speaking.

"That's because they didn't know if God's punishment had ended or if it would start again.

That's why,

If the end of God's punishment is confirmed, what follows will be called the New world.

If the reactivation of God's punishment is confirmed, what follows will be called the Apocalyptic world.

If the end of God's punishment cannot be confirmed, the period in between is called the Present world.

...That's what the five major powers decided.''

"Is that so"

This is the first time Rokushou's heard. Rokushou then asked a question.

“I have a question, but if the end of God’s punishment was confirmed after it was activated again, what would you call it?”

"Of course, that case was considered, but it was agreed that if God's punishment were to be triggered again, humanity would no longer be able to endure it and would be extinct before it was over. That's why there is no name for that case. This idea has not changed in modern times and is shared by world leaders.

Therefore, if God's punishment is reactivated even once, or if it is confirmed that its activation is expanding, it will be called the Apocalyptic world.

As you know, according to the common sense of the world's general society, the current state of the world is seen as the end of God's punishment, but that is not accurate. There is no evidence of closure and it is uncertain. The punishment from 500 years ago is just being fixed.”

Emperor Yusho returned her gaze to the inside of her car and continued looking into Rokushou's eyes.

"Rokushou. Today, the name of the era has been decided."

Rokushou was surprised by Emperor Yusho's words.

"I'm only going to tell you, so I won't allow anyone else to say anything."

"Yes"

Rokushou calmed her down and straightened her posture.

"It's the Apocalyptic world."

Hearing Emperor Yusho's clear words, Rokushou's eyes widened.

"...In other words, you have confirmed that God's punishment has been reactivated."

"That's right. I was able to confirm this through my conversation with Yuu. I can't tell you the details, but you shouldn't ask Yuu."

"Yes, of course"

"Even Yuu doesn't know about it. But Yuu's reaction confirmed it."

"Is that so……"

Rokushou slumps on her shoulders. She is told of the sudden extinction of humanity and cannot accept the reality.

"We don't know how long humanity will survive. Normally we should notify each country of this fact, but we can't do that yet. If we notify and disclose it, other countries will take away the evidence Yuu."

“There is no doubt about that. Especially since the forces in the de facto anarchy region are still at risk.”

"We cannot afford to lose Yuu. Therefore, from now on, Yuu will be handled as a special first-class VIP. This will serve as an imperial edict and the activation of emergency powers."

"No way. Then Your Majesty..."

"That's right. Prioritize Yuu's life than me."

Rokushou could tell from Emperor Yusho's resolute attitude that she was serious.

“However, if we announce that he will be treated as Special 1st Class at this stage, we will unnecessarily put Yuu in danger.Therefore, I will only tell you now, so please use all your authority and methods to protect Yuu. Even if you sacrifice someone's property, you must not lose Yuu.''

Rokushou was thinking about the gravity of the situation. This is because special first-class VIPs are capable of sacrificing the nation itself. In other words, the value of special first-class VIPs is greater than that of the nation as a whole, including its citizens. Previously, it had never been specified. The Emperor is a special second class.

"Rokushou. Protect Yuu's life and safety at any cost. If there are any obstacles to accomplishing this, you may use my name."

After seeing Emperor Yusho's determination, Rokusher decided to prepare himself.

"Your Majesty. I will carry out the imperial command, risking my life."

"Hmm. I'm looking forward to it."

Emperor Yusho paused, looked out the window, took a breather, then returned her gaze and continued speaking.

"Rokushou. About Yuu herself."

"Yes"

“He’s a clue from God.”

“Is it because of his actions or influence?”

"That's not true. Yuu himself is God's clue."

"What do you mean?"

Rokushou still couldn't fully understand what Emperor Yusho was saying.

“I said earlier that I confirmed the reactivation of God’s punishment. However, that is a phenomenon that has nothing to do with Yuu himself. Yuu is not an agent of God’s punishment, but he can see through evidence of reimposition of punishment.

The reimposition of God's punishment has already begun. But none of us could even figure it out."

Hearing those words, Rokushou was very surprised.

“We cannot cognize the true nature of the reactivation. We can't even understand it. Therefore, no measures can be taken. Even if countermeasures could be taken, I don't think that God's punishment would be stopped again. The world responded to the decline in male birth rates and the dilution of male character through artificial insemination, but this reactivation is on a different level.

However, when I saw Yuu today, I realized that he may have the power to resist reactivation. At least Yuu is not affected by God's punishment. So he himself is a clue to God.

We must not lose Yuu. He is the only clue to humanity's survival. Rokushou, You won't forget it.''

"Got it"

Emperor Yusho lowered her gaze, took a deep breath, and said to Rokushou.

"Rokushou. Open the bag I left you with and look inside. It contains proof of the reactivation."

When Rokushou was told that, she nervously took out the contents of her bag.

"Is this...photos?"

"That's it"

Rokushou looks at 20 photos of 20 people.

"Is this proof? I don't think so..."

From what Emperor Yusho had said, Rokushou wondered if there was some extraordinary evidence.

That's why Rokushou said this,

“Aren’t they all just pictures of women?”

Hearing Rokushou's off-beat words, Emperor Yusho let out a weak laugh.

"...That's right."

Emperor Yusho finished speaking and turned her gaze back out the window.

“Reira, this pink one is really delicious.”

"Oh, it's true. It's like eating a peach fruit. I think this orange one is Yuu favorite flavor."

"Is that so? Then try eating it."

After the group left, the two were leisurely drinking tea in the living room.

"She was a really great person."

"That's right. There is no doubt that she is a great person."

"But she seemed kind, and I felt like she was a mother or grandmother."

"That's it"

"I like her because I feel like she's watching over Reira and me."

"Yes, that's good."

After hearing Yuu's honest impressions, Reira smiled.

"I wonder if she'll ever come again?"

"Yes, she may come, but I think it will be a long time from now."

"Then I hope I'll be able to sing properly by then."

"Yeah, I'm sure she'll be happy if you let her listen to Yuu's song."

Today was a peaceful time for the two of them.