―That day, Amano Hakari fell in love for the first time.

Hakari is a fifteen-year-old girl who will become a high school student in two days.

The school she attends is "Reimei High School," which trains explorers.

However, Hakari's career aspiration is not to be an explorer.

"The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Labyrinth Crime Countermeasure Support Division" commonly known as "Meitai."

That is the path that Hakari aims for.

The role involves resolving incidents related to dungeons, monsters, or explorers.

Since the dungeon appeared, situations have arisen that are difficult for police officers armed only with guns to handle.

For example, dungeons are being used for criminal activities.

For example, a person with extraordinary combat skills, like a former explorer, commits a crime.

For example, monsters leak from the dungeon and threaten the citizens.

Helping with cases that are difficult to handle with just the guns hanging from their waists is what "Meitai" does.

And it is also the workplace where Hakari's father worked.

"I want to be a cool police officer like Dad!!"

How many times did she say that when she was young?

And after her father died in the line of duty, Hakari's resolve grew even stronger.

So, there was no hesitation in saving the life right in front of her.

Crosswalk. A boy started crossing after the signal turned green.

The truck is coming in there.

Hakari suddenly ran and, by the time she realized it, had already pushed the boy away.

When she saw the truck at a glance, she couldn't believe her eyes.

The driver is staring intently at his smartphone. He doesn't seem to notice Hakari.

How irresponsible.

The truck approaches with the sound of a heavy engine echoing.

―Ah, I'm going to die here...

She naturally understood.

It was as if fate had decided it, she knew she was going to die.

There was no fear.

It was just empty to die without having accomplished anything.

―Creek!!

A sharp sound that pierced through the air cut through everything.

The emptiness that filled her heart, the truck approaching in front of her, the fate of Hakari to die.

Everything was torn in half.

(...W-who?)

When she looked up with her mouth agape, she saw a small back.

She wonders if they are around the same age as her.

A truck, split in half, floats through the air, passing by Hakari.

As if following the truck with their eyes, the back in front of her turned around.

"Um... are you okay?"

"―!?

At that moment, Hakari realized.

―I fell in love.

Fall in love.

She remembered when she first heard those words, she thought, "I don't understand what that means."

What does "fall in love" mean?

She can't imagine suddenly falling in love with someone, as if she had fallen into such a trap.

Liking someone means "getting to know them and deepening the relationship."

Love at first sight is just an illusion of lust.

She felt like she thought about something like that.

She wants to punch herself from back then.

(What is this!? My heart keeps racing non-stop. Just being stared at by this person makes me feel like my face is going to break into a grin... What is this? What is this!?)

Hakari had completely fallen in love.

It was as if she had fallen into a trap; she had fallen in love with a young man whose name she didn't even know.

Moreover, it's not just any pit. It's a death trap deeper than the Mariana Trench.

She feels like she can't be saved anymore.

It was probably inevitable that Hakari would fall in love like this.

Hakari had always admired his father's back.

She admired the righteous hero who risked his life to protect the citizens.

Aspiration is both a goal one aims for and an ideal one yearns for.

For Hakari, the hero who appeared gallantly to help her is a prince on a white horse.

In other words, the ideal man was supposed to exist only in fantasy.

"Um... can you hear me? Are you okay?"

"Hyah, hyah! I'm fine!"

"Good. Can you get up? I'll lend you a hand."

"Tsu!?!"

The young man quickly extended his hand.

―No, that's impossible!

Hakari's scream resonates in the heart.

Because just being watched makes her heart race uncontrollably.

If she touches him, her heart will explode.

No, it won't actually explode, but... it might cause a heart attack.

Her heart was racing so wildly that she was seriously worried about such things.

"No, it's okay. I can stand up by myself."

Hakari suppressed her desire to touch his hand and stood up.

The young man drops his eyebrows sadly.

Along with the sharp pain in her chest from that expression, she couldn't help but think it was a bit cute.

(I want to hug him tightly and pat him to comfort him... Wait, wait, what am I thinking!?)

It might be hopeless.

"Um, it's not that I don't want to touch you! I really just stood it up myself. Please don't misunderstand!"

"Ah, yes."

As Hakari stammered and made excuses, the young man nodded as if taken aback.

She never thought the day would come when she would have to say, "Please don't misunderstand!!" because she really doesn't want to.

It's like a typical tsundere character.

The young man, having confirmed that Hakari was safe, smiled with relief and said, "Anyway, I'm glad you're safe."

With a gentle smile, Hakari's heart goes doki-doki. In the meantime, the young man looks to the side.

Over there, there's the boy who was pushed by Hakari to help him off the truck.

Looking up at the young man with a puzzled expression.

"Are you okay too? Are you hurt?"

"Yeah. It's okay because sister and brother helped me."

"That's good. Can you get in touch with your mom or dad? I think it would be better if they came to pick you up since there might still be some accident handling to do."

"Yeah. I'll try calling with my smartphone."

The young man who helped Hakari seems to be kind to children as well.

It seems like he will become a very good dad. In the future, he will help with raising the kids too―.

(Ugh!? Why am I thinking about that!? My head is being taken over by a flower garden... I should have been the one to worry about the boy first...!!)

As someone aspiring to be a police officer, it's a disgrace.

Hakari, who was pushed away, should have been worried about the boy's safety.

She was so captivated by the young man that she forgot.

Hakari feels like she might succumb to self-loathing, but she endures it.

If she suddenly starts holding her head, she's on the fast track to becoming a suspicious person.

"Ouch... what the hell is this!!"

Crash. Rattle rattle rattle!!

A rattling sound came from behind.

A man in work clothes crawled out from the driver's seat of the severed truck.

From the loosened neckline, a tattoo is faintly visible.

It doesn't seem like they are the type of person who wants to get involved actively.

"You bastards... how are you going to make up for this!!"

The truck driver yelled at Hakari.

Chapter 2: The Mariana Trench of Love