「Sharp eyes! Pointy teeth! And animal ears... Oh-baby-baby-baby!」 (Subaru)
「Subaru.」 (Hina)
「Guh... Gu... Sorry, sorry! My eyes! These eyes are the cause!!」 (Subaru)
A height exceeding 160 cm, and prominent bodily curves rarely seen in Kivotos!! Never mind that fool who exposes part of her chest; Natsuki Subaru, "The Man," is confident that had Hina not saved him initially, he would have fallen in love with this girl at first sight.
Both possess those sharp eyes suggesting malice (Sanpakugan), and perhaps she too suffers from problems due to this trait, but for Subaru, it goes no further than the happiness of finding someone of the same species.
Animal ears—what a rare trait. No, in this world, horns, wings, or other features might be an ordinary part of residents' nature like Hina and passersby on the street... but the classic animal ear remains supreme and most wonderful.
Regarding animal features, there are those who prefer human ears alongside the animal ones, and those who prefer only animal ears. Subaru is the type who adores the animal ear itself. Thus, the presence of human ears is also acceptable.
「YKN (Ya Know), animal ears are the best. Can I touch them?」 (Subaru)
「... Ahem, umm, Natsuki-san... First, the apology...」 (Kanna)
「Let's skip formalities like apologies... Natsuki Subaru right now... wants nothing more than to pet those ears in front of him and can't control himself.」 (Subaru)
「...... ── We haven't introduced ourselves yet...!! I am Ogata Kanna, Director of the Public Peace Bureau at Valkyrie Police Academy...!! Regarding what happened ──」 (Kanna)
「No, no, there really is no need to apologize... Don't bow to me like that, you two.」 (Subaru)
「「...!」」 (Kanna & Policewoman)
Conversely, Subaru bowed to them.
He believed from the bottom of his heart that this was the natural course of action. Considering their position as police, protecting the Schale building was their duty, and had they not protected the building, it would have been destroyed long ago.
For Subaru to intruder while they were performing their duty, cause chaos alone, get injured alone, and then have them apologize to him... this reminded him of "Monster Parents" in Japan (parents who complain to schools without logical reason).
「My injury and everything that happened is my responsibility, not something Kanna should bear.」 (Subaru)
「... However.」 (Kanna)
「Saying 'However' is forbidden! If you insist on apologizing, your bow just now is enough! So don't worry about it any further; rather, I was the one wanting to say thank you to both of you.」 (Subaru)
「... ── Understood. Talking more than this would be like a futile argument... Then, let's get to the subject. I have a question.」 (Kanna)
「Go ahead.」 (Subaru)
「... That mask... or, that scribble, what is it?」 (Kanna)
「It is a creation by my super-capable support AI, titled art piece 『Natsuki Subaru』, and it is part of anonymity measures.」 (Subaru)
「I-Is that so.」 (Kanna)
Before leaving the room, he had tried to copy an "ASCII Art" Arona quickly drew on the mobile phone. Truly, it looked like nothing but a scribble; the body and arms were mere straight lines, no neck, the face was (◠ڼ◠), and the only distinguishable thing was the hair.
He thought she could at least draw the sharp eyes, but the level was far beyond that, making him shudder at her "abstract" artistic abilities, yet he couldn't refuse her, so he used it.
「I don't know how, but it seems to be succeeding in hiding my identity.」 (Subaru)
「Don't you think the reason is that no one wants to look at your face...?」 (Kanna)
「That might be a completely correct answer, but don't say it out loud, no, no (Dame dame).」 (Subaru)
The more light jokes he made, the more the tension eased. It seemed Natsuki Subaru's classic (First Gen) style of breaking the ice and alleviating seriousness had paid off, as he felt the shoulders of the two girls bowing with gloomy faces relax.
Especially the girl next to Kanna—he didn't want her to feel guilty. Through his previous experiences of dying by gunshot, he knew there were those accustomed to shooting, but not accustomed to hurting people.
Perhaps there are those who can shoot because they think it will only cause minor scratches, and otherwise wouldn't shoot... She is likely one of them.
Even if he couldn't accept it, as long as he understood it... he could forgive.
「Director of Public Peace, Kanna.」 (Hina)
「... Head Prefect Hina, thank you for arranging this meeting with him.」 (Kanna)
「I am currently suspended, and I am nothing more than... ── just a friend of Natsuki Subaru. Your gratitude should be directed at Subaru, who just forgave you.」 (Hina)
「Of course, Natsuki-san... I reiterate my thanks.」 (Kanna)
「Today is truly World Gratitude Day... I'll accept your thanks gratefully, don't worry, I'll pay the bill from my heart's credit (Payment on Delivery).」 (Subaru)
"Responsibility is truly tough," Subaru felt this deeply as he watched the scene. The actual culprit who shot him was shrinking back, unable to speak before these prominent figures, while Kanna spoke on her behalf and shouldered the responsibility.
Hina, Kanna, and Subaru—who was no longer an ordinary person—were all "people bearing responsibility." For this reason, outstanding debts are not cancelled merely through verbal dialogue; they are repaid through actions and achievements.
「Let's get to the heart of the matter, Director Kanna... ── Share all information regarding Kaiser's upcoming attack on Abydos High School with Subaru.」 (Hina)
「── Wait, you, go back first.」 (Hina - addressing the policewoman)
The atmosphere suddenly shifted, and Hina made a stunning request. She made Kanna, the shrinking student, leave to face this demand alone. Subaru's expression froze; he had intended to be forgiving and exchange friendly conversation, but he realized this was Hina's true objective.
「I know you are involved with Kaiser in some way. I don't know if it's by your own will or not... but, most likely, under orders from the 'Defense Office Chief,' you deliberately withheld support for Abydos, didn't you? You completely isolated that school.」 (Hina)
「Haaah..., seriously?」 (Subaru)
「...... There is no point in hiding it ──, so you chose this deserted place to talk. Sharp as always, Sorasaki Hina.」 (Kanna)
「I imagine you also suffer having a chief like that.」 (Hina)
「I can't compete with the security situation in Gehenna.」 (Kanna)
「Wait, wait~? Stop entering your own world and ignoring me~?? I can't keep up with you at all~~?」 (Subaru)
Feeling a bit jealous of the "aura of the strong" and the cool lines suddenly exchanged between them, Subaru tried to intervene in the conversation but couldn't because he didn't quite grasp the situation.
「I previously mentioned there is a traitor in the Federal Student Council collaborating with Kaiser. After Subaru lost consciousness, things happened... and it turned out the traitor is the Chief of the Defense Office. Originally, she is the only one capable of freely mobilizing the Valkyrie Police in Kivotos.」 (Hina)
「... Ha!! I remember that now...!! I'm relying on others for everything, aren't I!? Does this mean... the situation is extremely dangerous? Kanna is her direct subordinate, right?」 (Subaru)
「Kind of, yes.」 (Kanna)
「And Kanna too, why are you so cool about it...?」 (Subaru)
It is known that subordinates of a "Secret Boss" are cool, but for things to proceed this coldly makes his blood freeze. If she told him with that face: "It is enough that you don't return from here alive," Subaru's heart would stop.
「Choices are not available equally to everyone in this world. There are times when you are forced to choose only one option, and times when you cannot choose at all.」 (Kanna)
「I am that kind of human, and that applies here and now. A hand once dirtied will never be clean no matter how much you wash it... ── To remove the filth, one must cut off the hand.」 (Kanna)
「Sharing all information regarding Abydos, correct? Give me one day, and I will be able to extract it.」 (Kanna)
「Your quick response helps us. Also, we need a means of transport that can be used freely, because moving in the name of the Federal Student Council will reveal our movements to Kaiser.」 (Hina)
「── ... Ah.」 (Subaru)
Subaru was alerted by Hina's last words. Thinking back, the times he reached Hoshino in the past were on foot or by bicycle; he never succeeded once using a car or aircraft. Wherever he went, the "Helmet Gang" hunted down vehicles, or Kaiser imposed an air defense network.
Due to repeated Returns by Death, his senses had dulled, and he hadn't suspected it, but... the preparations were overly thorough and set far in advance.
If Kaiser's hand had already reached the Federal Student Council, which he was supposed to rely on ──
「Does this mean, without probability, that my situation is completely hopeless?」 (Subaru)
「Without probability, hopeless. My superior, the Defense Office Chief, aims for the position of Chief Administrator (Rin's position).」 (Kanna)
「That's worse than bad!? This is the first time I've experienced a coup d'état being revealed right in front of me! Damn it, problems are pouring in at hundreds of times the rate of information gained...!」 (Subaru)
「Not entirely. If Subaru can solve the Abydos problem, I believe the Federal Student Council will acknowledge Subaru as 'the intended person' and recognize him as the Federal Student Council President.」 (Hina)
「That title is the one I desire least.」 (Subaru)
「We need that title. Director Kanna... ── Haven't you heard of the 'Independent Federal Investigation Club S.C.H.A.L.E' (Schale) from the Defense Office Chief?」 (Hina)
「... ── !!! Schale, then.」 (Kanna)
Kanna's sharp eyes widened, staring at Hina's face as if saying "How did I not think of that," almost applauding Hina's grasp of the situation.
「...... Sorasaki Hina, why do you stand by Natsuki Subaru to this extent? Abandoning the management of your district to lend him a hand...」 (Kanna)
「No special reason, just humanitarian aid.」 (Hina)
「...」 (Kanna)
「Umm, uh, I wish you would explain it a bit more simply...」 (Subaru)
Subaru raised his hand weakly. Hearing names like Schale and the like reminded him only of chemistry lab petri dishes, and he still didn't understand how that led to a solution.
The title of "That Person"... if he had to bear it, he would... but it was the title that toyed with him the most and brought him no good memories.
Hina took a breath and began to speak about the truth of "Schale."
「── The Federal Student Council President ordered the appointment of 'that person' as the head of a certain club: the 'Independent Federal Investigation Club S.C.H.A.L.E' (Schale).」 (Hina)
「A singularity in Kivotos, a club granted privileges that should not exist in this world. An entity transcending laws, unbound by any regulations, rules, restrictions, or penalties, and permitted to intervene under the name of 'Investigation'.」 (Hina)
「Subaru, and only Subaru, possesses the potential to become the President of Schale. Schale's authority is equivalent to that of the Federal Student Council President. No matter how powerful the Defense Office Chief is, she cannot oppose him, and no organization in Kivotos can oppose that authority.」 (Hina)
「Merely a club, granted the authority to mobilize all schools in Kivotos, including the Three Great Schools, as it pleases... This is the product of the madness left behind by the Federal Student Council President.」 (Hina)
「The Independent Federal Investigation Club S.C.H.A.L.E.」 (Hina)
「......」 (Subaru)
「... ── I say.」 (Subaru)
── Now, I understand.
Why the titles Subaru bears keep inflating, why the Chief Administrator of the Federal Student Council... a person on the level of Japan's Prime Minister, relies on Natsuki Subaru, and why Kaiser established a terrorist organization to counter him.
There was a fool who granted all that authority to a single club... nay, considering the conditions, to a single individual.
「The Federal Student Council President, what kind of person is she?」 (Subaru)
Hina and Kanna exchanged glances. There must be many words to describe her; genius, the pinnacle of Kivotos, the Administrator of Kivotos.
Rumors are plentiful, all extraordinary and defying logic. But in Kivotos, there are many oddities; from the outside, everyone might seem superhuman—geniuses with supercomputers in their brains, immense individual capabilities to manage cities, monsters scratched not by bullets.
Daily life in Kivotos is a crucible of mystery where humans and superhumans mix. ── In such a world, there exists a person whose mere disappearance caused crimes to surge, and the quantity of illegal weapons circulating in every district to jump by 2000%.
There was a fitting word, reached by no one, yet applied to her by everyone ──
「「── A Superhuman.」」 (Hina & Kanna)
Now, Natsuki Subaru realized.
And those words floated to the surface of his mind.
Sweet enough to melt the tongue, gentle enough to shatter the mind, clutching the soul and never letting go,
[I love you]
「...」 (Subaru)
A single fingertip, a single piece of skin, a thin layer of cuticle, a single strand of hair, a single drop of sweat, a single drop of saliva, a single word, a single breath, a single fragment of emotion.
「Then, show me your face just once, you damn woman.」 (Subaru)
Every atom of Natsuki Subaru is loved.
The "Love" emanating from the madness she left behind covered Natsuki Subaru's entire body.
●○●○●
『Your return was extremely late, wasn't it? Mr. Natsuki.』
『First of all, perhaps we should discuss how to properly write a letter.』
『── Isn't that right?』
「(Sniff)...」 (Subaru)
Subaru faced the white sheet of paper with silence and resignation.
An experience like this... he hadn't gone through since his elementary and middle school days. The simple, routine task of filling the white paper with words until it turned black, all while wiping his tears and nose.
Stringing together flowery words, reflecting honestly on himself, to prove he had been cleansed and become pure and spotless... ──.
「A letter of apology... A letter of apology! (Sniff)...」 (Subaru)
In other words, an "I'm sorry" letter.
Even Subaru hadn't possessed the courage to joke in front of Rin's cold smile, so he was scolded relentlessly. And now, here he sat alone in the hospital room, writing the apology letter while tears streamed silently down his face.
Since he had defended Hina, she faced no blame. He agreed with Hina and Kanna to meet tomorrow at the same place, and then the group dispersed.
The operation to save Abydos is proceeding... though it cannot be said to be proceeding smoothly. Transportation will be provided, and the situation at Abydos High School will be known, but the true key ultimately lies in the hands of...
「...」 (Subaru)
「Takanashi, Hoshino.」 (Subaru)
The dialogue with her.
Only then does he stand at the starting line. The Kaiser problem and all other matters have no clear solution yet, and they won't hesitate to open fire.
What about an attack? Since I changed my movements... perhaps they will come tonight, and perhaps I will hear the footsteps of the nightmare once again.
How will I deal with the Kaiser mercenaries (PMC)? There is no choice but to deal with them somehow.
What does Hoshino carry inside her? He still remembers those eyes—eyes different from anyone else's, the eyes of Takanashi Hoshino.
Can it be solved? Nothing will begin unless it is solved.
Can Subaru save them? Subaru has no choice but to save them.
『Choices are not available equally to everyone in this world. There are times when you are forced to choose only one option, and times when you cannot choose at all.』
── How many more times will I Return by Death?
「...」 (Subaru)
「... Haaah.」 (Subaru)
Forcefully, he dug the ballpoint pen he held into the palm of his hand.
Forcefully, and intensely, until blood nearly flowed.
This action, which he had started doing unconsciously at times, he now performed with full awareness. He felt a strong resistance pressing "grind-grind" against the pen, but he continued to press without care... until blood almost welled up from his palm.
Before the apology letter could be ruined, he pulled his hand away from the A4 paper and grabbed a tissue.
「...」 (Subaru)
── The pain is... faint.
His reaction to pain, which is vital for a weak creature like him—the weapon and defensive instinct of the weak—was slowly becoming dulled.
It was becoming difficult for him to perceive the flowing blood of Natsuki Subaru as his own. And this was also the reason he hadn't felt much pain when he tore out the IV drip.
Ever since his dialogue with Hoshino, Subaru has been rejecting himself... ── Is he now on the path to quietly healing... or not?
「... Thank you, Arona.」 (Subaru)
「I am Subaru-sama's support AI, so I merely performed my obvious duty.」 (Arona)
As usual, he speaks to his mobile phone.
「You really saved me. Honestly, having someone to warn you when your perspective narrows is extremely important. Without you and Hina, I would be... in a tragic state right now.」 (Subaru)
「... Was my suggestion helpful?」 (Arona)
「Helpful, very, very, tremendously helpful! If I could carry the Shittim Chest with me, I'd keep patting it forever!! Good grief~, truly what a man needs in life is a strong little girl, a kind little girl, and a wonderful little girl!」 (Subaru)
「Phrased that way, rumors will spread that Subaru-sama has inclinations toward little girls (Lolicon).」 (Arona)
「Umm... I can't completely deny that!?!? Damn, this is bad! Is this an attack by a 'Stand'!!? My sexual preferences are being changed against my will...!?」 (Subaru)
「... Stand...?」 (Arona)
「An invisible wizard casting a spell to make me madly in love with the likes of Hina and Arona... something like an invisible magic hand.」 (Arona)
「── The phrase 'make you in love' implies that currently, Subaru-sama does not particularly love me or Sorasaki Hina-san... ── Does this mean you neither love nor hate us, or do you lean more toward hate?」 (Arona)
「Stoooooop!! Stop, stop! That's not it!? I love you, no, I adore you!! I love you so, so, so much, Arona-sama!! Thank you always and forever for supporting the helpless Natsuki Subaru...!!」 (Subaru)
「Then, that is good.」 (Arona)
「Umm... Aren't you becoming more human day by day? Arona-chan.」 (Subaru)
Although the voice does not convey emotion, the text appearing on the mobile screen contained emoticons (Kaomoji), and emotions could be sensed from the phrasing of the sentences.
Compared to their first meeting, the dialogue with Arona had become incomparably more diverse and rich.
「In terms of days, only one day has passed since we met, but... ── Am I different in the 176th time from what I was before?」 (Arona)
「── That's right, yes, you've become exactly like a 'Little Senpai.'」 (Subaru)
「Understood. I will perform a deep analysis of the Shittim Chest. Changes in a dimensionally parallel entity that is supposed to be constant may involve unknown risks.」 (Arona)
As always, they exchange dialogue that cannot be described as entirely trivial.
Dialogue with Arona resembles a verification process, and he still feels as though he is talking to a machine.
── Will something like a 'Technological Singularity' happen to Arona's consciousness someday, or something like that?
「By the way, Arona... let's try to guess the personality of the Federal Student Council President.」 (Subaru)
「Guess, how?」 (Arona)
「Honestly, today I learned a shocking truth... kind of changed my perspective on things... or rather, I should know a lot more.」 (Subaru)
「Therefore!! We will hold a 'Te-ki-Te-ki' contest to discover the merits of Natsuki Subaru!!!」 (Subaru)
「── I cannot compute the logic that led you to this conclusion.」 (Arona)
「The possibility that the Student Council President has a crush on me means! I must list my merits, handsomeness, and praiseworthy traits to search for the 'part she fell in love with'~?」 (Subaru)
「So (That's it)! We will uncover the Student Council President's bad taste in men!」 (Subaru)
「............」 (Subaru)
「Who are you calling a lump of bad taste in men!?」 (Subaru)
「That is a self-acknowledgment by Subaru-sama, not my opinion.」 (Arona)
「A serious and painful retort...」 (Subaru)
「Alright, I'll start first. My height is at least 173 cm!! And since I vaguely practiced Kendo and other things, my body is athletic and well-built!! Kyaaa! Subaru-sama~! So cool~!!」 (Subaru)
「... ── C-Cool (in a robotic voice).」 (Arona)
And the discussion continued until the sky was filled with stars.
He chatted with Arona until the white paper was completely blackened as a letter of apology.
And he enjoyed the conversation until the sky brightened once again.
●○●○●
「And that's how it happened.」 (Subaru)
「... Is that the reason for those terrible dark circles under your eyes?」 (Hina)
「I am truly sorry and regretful...」 (Subaru)
Last night, which ultimately turned into a conference exposing Subaru's fetishes... No, rather, while recalling and recounting the morning's events, I returned to the meeting point.
This time, having received official permission for discharge from Rin, I left the hospital safe and sound under Hina's guard.
── Incidentally, although Hina is currently suspended, she appears to be secretly processing the Disciplinary Committee's paperwork. Since I dragged Hina out, her phone hasn't stopped ringing with calls from Ako, who suspects a strange man is leading the Head Prefect astray... but that is a secret. (Arona blocked the calls).
「Just consider me a 'boy who neglected his health... what a naughty boy,' and nothing more.」 (Subaru)
「Anyone capable of saying that after hearing the story I just told ought to have their head examined, don't you think?」 (Kanna)
「Kanna's deep voice strikes chords in my heart in feminine places I'm not supposed to possess...... Insult me a little mo... ── No, no, no!! I'm joking!」 (Subaru)
「Sigh... Please control those childish antics (curb that late-night enthusiasm); I'm starting to pity myself for spending the entire night gathering information for your sake.」 (Kanna)
「── You're right. So, can you tell me everything?」 (Subaru)
「Understood. First, take this... ── It is the current status of Abydos High School.」 (Kanna)
Several documents were handed to Subaru. They detailed the situation at Abydos High School, seemingly listing the majority of the problems plaguing the institution.
He traced his finger beneath the sentences, scrutinizing every word with extreme care. A single oversight could mean the loss of a life; therefore, carefully, carefully.
── And with that care, he immersed himself in reading that tragedy.
「... ── T-This is the situation?」 (Subaru)
「... Yes.」 (Kanna)
The reality one wishes to look away from was laid out coldly. It was not merely an increase in the difficulties Subaru had to overcome.
Rather, the path Abydos had taken until now was, in itself, "the reality one wishes to look away from."
[Abydos High School: A massive academy boasting the oldest history in Kivotos.
Violent environmental changes caused by large-scale sandstorms that began recurring decades ago led to the desertification of the autonomous district. Massive funds were injected with the aim of improving the situation, but to no avail. As a result of the debt that continued to balloon, the academy's management deteriorated. Currently, the Kaiser Corporation imposes a debt exceeding "2 Billion" upon it.]
[Previously, the "Saint Nephthys" corporation intervened, but the massive railway development project ended in failure and withdrawal. That was the death blow to the district; the existing population decline could no longer be curbed, and even the few remaining students transferred or dropped out. The exodus of residents continued unabated, leading to the district's total deterioration and bringing it to the brink of extinction.]
[Below: Record and Summary of Current Students at Abydos]
「...」
His hand did not stop turning the pages—swish, swish.
The final file, which chronicled the deterioration of Abydos page after page... contained distress calls that had arrived repeatedly, over and over without ceasing, from the district's "Abydos Countermeasures Committee," signed by the name Okusora Ayane.
The last request received by the Federal Student Council and Valkyrie Police was one week ago. Since then, the messages that were supposed to be sent at a rate of one per day had ceased to arrive.
[Okusora Ayane: Missing. Time Elapsed: One week. Search Request filed by Takanashi Hoshino: Not Accepted (Pending).]
[Kuromi Serika: Missing. Time Elapsed: One week. Search Request filed by Takanashi Hoshino: Not Accepted (Pending).]
[Sunaookami Shiroko: Attending School.]
[Izayoi Nonomi: Temporary Withdrawal. Expulsion to be finalized upon ratification by the Abydos Student Council.]
「... ──」
[Takanashi Hoshino: Attending School.]
___________________________________________
Read 16 chapters ahead on my p.a.t.r.e.o.n : Raven737