Warcross

As the news about her relationship with Hideo creates media headlines around the world, Emika attempts to retreat to her room. Hideo sends a message reading, “Stay inside. I’m sending extra security to the team quarters” (285). Hammie insists that Emika join the team and explain. Emika would like to tell them the truth but can only insinuate that there is “a lot more at stake” (287) than the Warcross competition. The team is frustrated that she claims the game is less important than whatever secret circumstances she cannot reveal. Hammie reminds her that Warcross made it possible for her, Hammie, to buy her mother a home and send her sister to a university. Emika can only repeat that she cannot tell them everything. On the way back to her room, a virtual image of Zero accosts her in the hall. She is the only one who can see him. He shows her that he wiped away all her Memory Worlds of her father and threatens to do worse if she will not stop pursuing him. Emika seethes with anger and pain, causing Hammie to ask “Emi, what’s going on with you?” (289). In that moment, an explosion shakes the team headquarters’ house.