It wasn't Koichi's fault for doubting Mei's existence. Her mysterious demeanor, delicate beauty, and eyepatch all made her enigmatic. She never spoke with classmates and was ignored by them. All this made Koichi, who had only just transferred, think for a moment that she was really someone only he could see.
Hearing Rinji's explanation reassured him.
"Takamine, do you know why Misaki wears an eyepatch? Is she injured?" Koichi asked.
"Or maybe it's just chuunibyou—building herself a cool persona."
"Um… what's chuunibyou?"
"…."
He really didn't know. The term was coined by Hikaru Ijuin on a radio show in 1999, describing teenagers acting self-important. It later spread through ACG works and evolved in meaning. But right now, in 1998, the term didn't exist yet.
"Nothing. Just a kind of mental illness where you think you're amazing," Rinji laughed. "I've probably got some of it too."
"I see… No wonder you were so flamboyant when you transferred."
"Of course."
Rinji smiled.
"Because I don't care to interact with you much. The only thing that interests me is the truth."
---
Meanwhile, at a hotel, Isaac watched a cathode-ray TV while talking on the phone with George at their Pacific headquarters.
"We've already established bases in each warzone, though there are clashes with the local garrisons. As the boss said, we've eliminated all those who resisted."
"Good, very good."
"Sousuke's mission is also underway… but boss, aren't you going to the school to supervise him? It seems he's stirring up trouble again."
"As long as no one dies and the school isn't damaged beyond 30%, pretend nothing happened."
"Our actions are being watched by two other organizations, but it doesn't matter. As long as they're not idiots, they won't dare clash with us. Everything proceeds as planned."
"Yes… There's also the matter in Uganda, Africa. That warlord we supplied weapons to, he doesn't seem eager to keep fighting. He wants a truce with the other side for now…"
"George, I should have taught you this already."
Isaac's lips curved in a cold smile.
"If they don't slaughter each other until only one side survives, how do we make money?"
"Boss, you mean?"
"That man's no longer worth keeping. Uganda's a big place with plenty of ambitious people. Find someone else to replace him." Isaac laughed. "Let them keep tearing each other apart. The only way a truce comes is if no one's left alive."
"Yes!"
"And also…"
Isaac was about to continue when his eyes flicked toward the door. He then said, "George, you'll have to handle the rest yourself. I have something else to take care of."
"Understood."
Hanging up quickly, Isaac turned back to the television.
Just then, the door opened.
Rinji walked in with his schoolbag.
"Oh, Rinji, you're back? How was your first day at school?"
"In this era, you're about the same age as me. No need to pretend to act like my father."
Throwing his bag onto the table, Rinji grabbed a can of beer from the fridge and collapsed onto the sofa.
"Anyway, I wasn't there for school."
"True enough."
"I did some checking on Class 3-3. As expected, there's a problem." Rinji took a sip of beer and looked at Isaac. "Because of what happened twenty-six years ago, the whole class is cursed. The source of the curse is still unknown, but every year in Class 3-3 there are massive deaths."
"Oh… the target is the students?"
"To be precise, the target is the students and their relatives within two generations." Rinji chuckled. "Old man, now that I'm a member of Class 3-3, you count as my relative."
"So I could end up dead from an accident?"
"That's about right."
"Interesting."
"Of course."
Neither father nor son showed the slightest concern about curses or disasters.
"Speaking of which, next year is 1999. The IW you founded should be…"
"Facing a massive war, right?"
"You knew?"
"I was planning to act next year anyway, so it's expected."
"Do you know the outcome?"
"I'll lose about 2% of my staff, and a few offshore oil fields, but aside from that, we win big. That war secures the organization's position internationally, and from then on we shift the industry focus toward civilian markets."
"How do you know all this so clearly?" Rinji asked with a grin. "Don't tell me you can predict the future."
"As long as you have enough intel, the future's path is already set in your eyes."
Isaac's gaze went to the television.
It was a soccer match. The score was 0:2.
"What do you think the result will be?"
"The team on the right is clearly more experienced. Final score should be 0:3, or maybe they'll stick to defense and hold 0:2."
"I think it'll end 3:2."
"Hm?"
As Isaac spoke, the losing team scored a goal.
Half an hour later, the match ended. The final score was indeed 3:2, exactly as Isaac said.
"…."
"Want to know why I knew the result?"
"Because you know the financial dealings behind the teams."
"Smart. As expected of my son." Isaac chuckled. "But sometimes, if you want to enjoy life, it's better not to know too much. The more knowledge and intel you carry, the more boring the world feels."
"…."
"I need to know so much because of work. But I don't want you to end up living like me."
"So you still hope I'll become someone different from you, someone good?"
"I don't expect you to be a saint. I just hope you'll be someone who lives with passion."