Writing Love Letters in the Enemy’s Toilet - A Vow of Eternal Love, Even After Rebirth (Transmigration) - Chapter 24
When Kuno heard those words, he thought, “Does that mean if I give the wrong answer, they’ll kill Mitsutomo? So this is a threat…? Does humanity’s fate depend on my reply?”
Yet somehow, he still couldn’t quite believe it was real.
He asked, “Isn’t there any way we can coexist with humanity?”
Then Nagata said coldly, “You want us to share limited resources with these lowly humans?”
Kuno replied, “But wasn’t this planet originally theirs? Maybe instead of taking over, you could search for another planet to live on. I saw on TV about colony projects and Mars migration plans… maybe something like that could work.”
Nagata’s voice rose. “You’re saying we should leave this planet? Hand it over to humans? Even if we did, they’d only destroy it. They’ll fight over the last scraps of resources until they wipe themselves out. Don’t you see that?”
Then he shouted, “They’re doomed anyway! Before humanity devours this world, we’re just helping them meet their end a little sooner! We’re exterminating pests—is that such a crime?”
At that moment, a vivid image flashed across Kuno’s mind—non-powered people gathered in one place, being slaughtered. Among them were women, children, even newborn babies. Kuno whispered, “That’s… horrible.”
This future must never happen, he thought fiercely. Whatever happens to Mitsutomo, I need to find a way out of here. I have to escape with Haruka somehow…
Hearing the tension in his voice, Haruka suddenly grew anxious. “Is my father really safe? Please, let me see him!” she cried.
Right then, another image flashed before Kuno’s eyes—Mitsutomo being rescued by an armed group from a warehouse-like building. Kuno decided to trust that this vision was a glimpse of the future.
He said, “You’re right. If I tell you where the Trinity is and Mitsutomo ends up dead after that, it wouldn’t mean anything. First, we should confirm that he’s alive.”
Nagata sighed. “You really don’t trust us, do you? Fine. If that’s what it takes, let’s go see him.”
“Take them to Mitsutomo,” Nagata ordered. “Keifuku!”
Kuno and Haruka were blindfolded by Keifuku and led down to an underground parking lot. They were put into Nagata’s car. After driving for a while, the car stopped. They heard the sound of a shutter opening and then closing again as the car rolled forward and stopped once more.
They were led out, still blindfolded. Kuno heard voices nearby, the sound of metal doors, footsteps. Someone gripped his arm and guided him forward. They stopped, moved again, turned, and then paused. An elevator, Kuno guessed.
He felt the slight rise beneath his feet—yes, definitely an elevator. After a moment, there was a gentle jolt as it stopped. They walked a few more steps, and the blindfold was removed.
Light flooded his eyes. He blinked rapidly until his vision cleared— A bed stood before him.
On that bed, handcuffed, lay Mitsutomo.
“Father!” Haruka cried, running to him. Mitsutomo stared, stunned. “Haruka… why are you here…?”
Before Kuno could react, another vision shot through his mind—something new, quick, sharp.
Nagata asked, “Now do you believe me?” Kuno, forcing a strained smile, said, “Sorry, but… could I use the restroom first?” His words shattered the tense atmosphere.
Nagata blinked. “Ah… fine, whatever. Keifuku, show him the way.”
Keifuku led Kuno out. They stepped back into the elevator.
Meanwhile, Mitsutomo, still confused, turned to his daughter. “Haruka, what’s going on? What do they mean, Kuno is… Rikyū?”
Haruka nodded urgently. “Yes! Kuno is Rikyū!”
“What… Kuno is Rikyū…?” Mitsutomo muttered, still unable to grasp it all. “Please, Haruka, start from the beginning.”
Their calm, almost domestic exchange irritated Nagata.
Haruka explained everything—from her father’s disappearance, her search for the truth, finding Keifuku, discovering Nagata was Nobunaga’s reincarnation and Keifuku was Hideyoshi’s, and how Nagata had used Kuno, awakening him as Rikyū, to reach Mitsutomo. She explained how Kuno was now being forced to reveal the location of the Trinity in exchange for Mitsutomo’s life.
Nagata listened silently, arms crossed. When Haruka finally finished, he snapped, “Mitsutomo! Do you understand the situation now?!”
Still no sign of Kuno. Nagata glanced at the elevator, frowning. “What’s taking him so long? It’s just the toilet! Don’t tell me—”
Just then, the elevator chimed.
Kuno stepped out, scratching his neck awkwardly. “Sorry, I think something upset my stomach…”
Nagata clicked his tongue. “Tch… fine. Whatever.”
“Now then, Kuno,” Nagata said sharply, “have you decided? Will you tell us where the Trinity is?”
Before Kuno could answer, Mitsutomo shouted, “Kuno! I’ve heard everything from Haruka! Don’t worry about me! No matter what happens, never—never—give them the Trinity!”
“Quiet, Mitsutomo!” Keifuku barked. “Nagata is speaking to Kuno!”
Nagata raised his gun slightly. “Kuno, one last time. Tell me—where is the Trinity?”
But just as he spoke, bang! bang! bang!—a sharp popping, like firecrackers, echoed through the room.
“What’s going on?!” Nagata shouted. At that moment, Keifuku’s phone rang.
He answered quickly. “This is Keifuku.”
A deep voice came from the other end. “This is Kuonji.”
Keifuku froze. “Kuonji-san? At this hour?”
“Don’t play dumb,” the voice snapped. “We already know you’re a spy for the Keimei Society! Look around you—the Police Agency’s Anti-Terror Unit has your building surrounded!”
Keifuku gasped. “How did they—” He switched the phone to speaker and laid it on the table, pulling out his gun as he moved to the wall by the window. Nagata did the same.
Kuonji’s voice filled the room. “When we learned Rikyū’s reincarnation was Kuno, we began monitoring him. After Mitsutomo fell into Keimei’s hands, we assumed your group would realize he was a decoy. Once we leaked information about Kuno, we knew the spy would make contact. But Keifuku—we didn’t think it would be you. That building is surrounded. SWAT is breaching as we speak. Surrender peacefully.”
Nagata turned to Keifuku. “Keifuku, we need to get out of here!”
Keifuku shook his head. “You would give up the Trinity now?”
“We already have two of them,” Nagata replied sharply. “It’ll take time, but the result will be the same.”
He raised his gun toward Kuno. “And if I do this…” He aimed. “If it won’t cry, then—”
He pulled the trigger.
CRASH!—the window shattered. SWAT agents burst in. A gunshot rang out.
Haruka screamed, “Nooo!”
Kuno collapsed in front of her, bl00d blooming across his chest.
Nagata’s bullet, meant for Kuno, had been thrown off by the sudden break-in. The shot veered toward Haruka—
But Kuno had moved instinctively, shielding her with his body.
It went just as Nagata planned.
“Somebody! Help!” Haruka cried, cradling Kuno in her arms. “You’re okay, right? You’ll be okay!”
Kuno smiled weakly. “I knew this might happen when we came here…” He pulled a folded paper from his pocket and handed it to her. “Take this…”
“After finally meeting someone as wonderful as you, Haruka-san… I just want you to live…” His voice faded, and his body went limp.
Paramedics rushed in. “Please step back!” one said, gently moving Haruka aside.
“Can you hear me? Stay with us!” another shouted, checking Kuno’s pulse.
“This isn’t good… Move him now! Get the AED!”
Haruka could only kneel beside them, tears streaming down her face.