"Hey, come on, why aren't you saying anything?" Denji scratched his head. "We're seriously asking to borrow some money here, little sis!"
"U-uh..." Hitori stammered.
This was the first time she'd ever experienced something like this.
Sure, she'd seen scenes like this in manga and novels, but now that she was living one in real life...
She had no idea what to do.
Her social anxiety left her frozen. She couldn't even get a full sentence out.
What now... Should I let Pochita...
No, I can't.
If these punks see him, they might just get arrested and dragged off for questioning.
But if I let Pochita out, then I'm the one getting arrested!
And not just for a lecture. Straight-up jail time...
"You're really putting me in a tough spot here," Denji grinned, showing his teeth. "I swear, I'll pay you back within three days. So how about it?"
"Huh?" Hitori blinked. "You'll really return it?"
"Of course. It's just borrowing, not robbery."
"In that case..."
Oh, so it really is just borrowing?
Even if everything about this situation feels off...
Still, Hitori could sense that this guy, Denji, probably wasn't a bad person.
If that was all, maybe lending a little wouldn't hurt.
She just hoped they'd keep their word...
Giving money to a random group of delinquent boys was definitely weird, but Hitori couldn't think of a better way out.
And with her social anxiety, she didn't know how to politely refuse either.
Just as she was about to open her bag and pull out her wallet, a voice rang out from behind.
"What are you guys doing?"
Everyone jumped, including Hitori, who turned around quickly.
A girl with black hair was walking over.
That uniform... Shuuwa High?
Hitori instantly recognized her as a fellow student.
"What does it look like? We're just asking this cute and generous little lady here to lend us some change," Denji said casually. "None of your business, unless you're planning to cover her debt?"
"That's not it... I just think what you're doing is wrong," the girl said.
"And who made you the boss of right and wrong? Is borrowing money illegal now?"
"Borrowing isn't, but this kind of behavior definitely counts as harassment."
"Oh? So what, you gonna call the cops on us?"
"Well, no... that's not necessary."
Denji and his crew exchanged confused looks.
The girl fumbled around in her pocket and pulled out an ID card, holding it up to Denji.
"Anyway, just take a look at this!"
Denji squinted.
"Sorry, I can't read."
"Huh?" the girl blinked.
Denji grabbed one of his lackeys by the collar. "You're the only one of us who went to elementary school. Read what it says!"
"Got it, Denji-bro. Lemme see..." The guy leaned in and studied the card carefully. "Uhh... looks like... um... Public Safety... Section Four... Higashiyama... Kobeni?"
"Public Safety?" Denji's face twisted. "Aren't you a high schooler? How are you working for the government?!"
The girl named Kobeni Higashiyama replied nervously, "If you don't leave now... I'll have no choice but to exercise official authority!"
Denji's expression soured like he'd swallowed a lemon.
"Tch. Alright, we're outta here. Let's go, boys!"
Finally, the group of delinquents backed off and disappeared down the street.
Hitori stood there in stunned silence before quickly bowing her head. "U-um... thanks, Higashiyama-san."
"No need to thank me. Just doing my job." Kobeni gave her a small smile.
Hitori's eyes shimmered with emotion.
So there are still kind people in this world...
Even someone like me... someone they don't know... they're willing to help...
While she was still lost in her thoughts, Kobeni held out her hand.
"Alright, now pay up."
"...Huh?"
"I mean, I did save you. If it weren't for me, those punks would've totally taken your money. Isn't it fair I get a little reward?"
"..."
Hitori immediately wanted to take back everything she just thought.
Now that she looked closer, this Kobeni was still just a high schooler too, working for Public Safety.
She must be really strapped for cash.
Still, Hitori couldn't help regretting it a little.
Somehow... if she had actually lent the money to Denji, there was a decent chance she might've gotten it back.
But now that it was going to Kobeni?
That money was gone forever.
Even so, she couldn't bring herself to say no to her so-called "savior."
"...Here you go."
Reluctantly, Hitori handed over the cash.
Kobeni took it without hesitation and walked off, clearly not interested in Hitori at all. She was only in it for the reward.
All the warmth in Hitori's heart instantly turned cold.
This world was cruel.
Anyway... time to buy dog food.
…
That evening, back home, Hitori retreated into her room once more.
Pochita sat nearby, happily gnawing on kibble.
Who would've thought this hell-born chainsaw dog actually liked dog food that much?
Hitori sat at her laptop and logged in to her video account.
Her channel name: Guitar Hero.
She occasionally uploaded guitar covers and original songs. Over time, she'd gathered more than thirty thousand followers.
Yet... none of it had changed the fact that she still had no friends in real life.
Thinking about that made her sigh deeply.
She picked up her guitar and started strumming and singing her usual melancholy lyrics.
Ding-dong.
A notification chimed through her speakers.
She glanced over.
Someone had sent her a private message.
"Huh? From a fan?"
She clicked on the message tab and was immediately startled.
The sender had a level 40+ fan badge. A die-hard follower, no doubt.
But the username didn't ring a bell.
Probably one of those silent lurkers who never leaves comments.
Their ID was: DefinitelyNotAnEvilWoman.
"...What a weird name. Oh well, let's see what they said."
She opened the message.
It read:
"Hello, Guitar Hero. I've been following you for a long time."
"You often post covers of popular songs, and I really enjoy them. But... I have a small request."
"There's this one super obscure rock song that I absolutely love."
"I happen to have a guitar tab for it. If you could turn it into a video... it would mean the world to me!"
Hitori blinked.
After thinking for a moment, she replied: "Sure, I can try."
Ding-dong.
The response was instant. The user sent her a file right away.
Whoa, that was fast.
She opened the file and looked over the tabs.
Her eyebrows knit together.
"This looks... familiar?"
She tried to recall it but couldn't pin it down. So she picked up her guitar and started playing the notes.
After just a few measures, her hands froze mid-strum, her face frozen in disbelief.
Because that melody...
Was the exact same one she heard in Hell the night before.