"This is the information we have so far. There really was someone who stopped the disaster once, and he left the secret in the old Class 3-3 classroom."
"I see. So going to their meeting wasn't a waste after all."
After escorting Akazawa home, Rinji went straight to Mei's house. Since she disliked crowds and hadn't gone to the gathering, he needed to report what he'd learned.
"That's about it. After all, this so-called curse has lasted twenty-six years—an entire generation has passed. Naturally, some clues have been discovered." Rinji explained.
"Any other information?"
"I also deduced that this year's 'dead one' is most likely among the teachers."
"Your deduction is very accurate."
"So you've already figured out who the dead one is?" Rinji smiled. "Even if you don't tell me, I can probably guess. But the identity of the dead one isn't the real issue. The real issue is ending the disaster."
"You mean stopping this year's disaster?"
"No. I mean erasing the curse at its root, putting an end to the twenty-six years it has persisted."
"…Takamine, you really are different from others."
"You already knew that, didn't you?"
"That's not what I meant."
Mei shook her head and gave Rinji a warm smile.
"I just think that in this situation, most people would only care about self-preservation. But you want to save everyone."
"…That's just an exception."
Not wanting to linger on the subject, Rinji changed the topic.
"Misaki is about to be discharged. As her sister, shouldn't you go pick her up?"
"…Won't you go, Takamine? She'd probably really like it if you did."
"But I think she'd rather have you there. After all, you're family. I'm just an outsider." Rinji said.
"My mother wouldn't want me visiting Misaki. When I went out with her before, she was furious."
"I see…"
"But if you're willing to go, that would be another matter," Mei suddenly said with a smile.
"Hm?"
…
As the two went downstairs, Mei's mother, Yukiyo, came out of her studio.
Seeing them, her stern face softened into a smile.
"So it's you again, Takamine. Here to visit once more."
"Welcome. Are you two heading out?"
"Yes, we're going to…"
"Takamine and I are going to the amusement park," Mei interrupted. "Just the two of us."
"Is that so? A date?"
"Yes."
Rinji: "…"
"Be sure to come back early."
"Okay, Mom."
…
After saying goodbye to Yukiyo, Rinji and Mei left together.
"Sorry, Takamine. I had to call it a date to put Mom at ease."
"…Strange though. Why didn't she object when you said that?"
"Because she doesn't mind at all," Mei replied.
"You're just a middle schooler!"
This reminded Rinji of Karura's great-grandfather. Even though she was already a high schooler, just dating him felt like it was going to kill the old man.
"Alright, let's say she doesn't mind, then why doesn't she want you to see Misaki?"
Hearing Rinji's question, Mei quietly lowered her head.
"She's just… afraid that I'll leave her."
"Huh?"
"I came here when I was very young. At the time, I thought she was my real mother. It wasn't until I was four that I learned I had been fostered here. When I asked her about it, she reacted very emotionally."
Mei spoke slowly.
"You know, Takamine, when I was brought here was exactly when her own daughter had died. She took me as a replacement for her dead daughter. The reason she fears me meeting Misaki is because she's afraid I'll go back to my real mother."
So it was only that Yukiyo feared Mei would leave her. As for what Mei did, she wouldn't interfere.
"…Complicated family matters. Well, never mind."
Rinji looked up toward the hospital.
"Anyway, let's go see Misaki first."
---
"Rinji!"
"Alright, alright, let go already."
At the hospital entrance, Rinji helplessly pried Misaki off of him.
During the days Misaki was hospitalized, Rinji had rarely visited her. Most of the time it was his father, Isaac, who had done so.
"Today the doctor told me my body is perfectly fine," Misaki said happily. "It seems even the leukemia has been cured."
"Ah, that's great."
Though he said that, none of it surprised Rinji.
He might joke around with his father all the time, but he had full confidence in Isaac's abilities. Once his father decided to act, there was almost nothing he couldn't solve.
The reason Isaac's old subordinates still regarded him as the true leader even after more than ten years of retirement was inseparable from the aura of omnipotence he exuded.
"As long as you're fine."
Rinji smiled, patted Misaki on the shoulder, and prepared to leave.
"You and Mei must have plenty to talk about. I'll leave the rest of the time to you two. I've got things to do, so I'll—"
Before he could finish, both his hands were grabbed.
Misaki held his right hand, while Mei held his left.
Misaki: "Rinji, do you really hate seeing me that much?"
Mei: "Coming all this way only to leave right away is hardly gentlemanly."
"…What are you two trying to do?"
"Since we're already out, and Misaki just got discharged, why don't we spend some time playing around nearby?" Mei suggested.
Misaki: "Agreed~"
Rinji rubbed his forehead. "Why don't you just go by yourselves?"
Hearing this, Mei smiled. "Takamine, didn't you say you'd protect all the students in class? I happen to be in Class 3-3 as well. Please take good care of me and Misaki."
"…Fine."
Leaving the hospital entrance, Mei smiled genuinely at seeing her sister healthy again, a smile different from the cold face she usually wore at school.
Standing behind the sisters, watching them chat and laugh, Rinji's lips curved slightly as well.
Maybe staying in this era for too long really did make it easy to be drawn into the happiness of others, to form bonds with them.
But he also understood he didn't belong here.
So sooner or later, he would have to leave.