Chapter 283: Convergence of World Lines
Since Kaguya became acquainted with Nunnally, Nunnally's laughter had noticeably increased.
However, whenever she saw him, her laughter would abruptly cease, her fair face flushing crimson as her small hands nervously clutched the hem of her skirt.
Her speech would become hesitant and faltering.
If it were merely about being a wife or such matters, for Nunnally who was born into royalty, it wouldn't be a significant issue at all.
"So, what exactly did you say to Nunnally?"
In the room, Mahiro, seated on the sofa, asked Kaguya.
"Of course, it's a secret between girls. I can't let Mahiro-sensei know."
Kaguya playfully winked at him.
This girl...
"But it's strange, isn't it? Sister C.C. has been going out very frequently lately. Aren't you worried, Mahiro-sensei?" Kaguya asked again, her gaze unconsciously scanning the room.
At that moment, only the two of them were in the room.
When Kaguya woke up in bed, C.C. was already gone, and this happened every day.
"There's no need for that."
After casually replying, Mahiro leaned back and sank into the sofa.
Recently, C.C. had been going out very frequently, leaving early in the morning and not returning until late at night, sometimes even past midnight.
However, even if this Witch said nothing, he understood.
She was probably looking for Mao.
Wanting to deal with this contractor herself before he took action, granting Mao a dignified end.
But just then, a sudden knock came at the door.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
"Come in."
Mahiro called out to the door, and it immediately opened. Lelouch walked straight in, but as soon as he saw Kaguya, he swallowed the words he was about to say.
Putting on a handsome, model-student smile, he said softly:
"Mahiro-sensei, sorry to disturb you. There were some points from yesterday's lesson that I didn't quite understand. I was hoping you could explain them to me."
"Oh? There's actually something that Lelouch Lamperouge doesn't understand? Then I suppose you must have been sleeping during class?"
Even when spoken to like this, Lelouch maintained his smile, as if tacitly acknowledging the remark.
Mahiro subtly glanced toward Kaguya.
Kaguya immediately understood and stood up, saying, "Mahiro-sensei, I'll let you two talk. The weather outside is lovely. I'll take Nunnally for a walk in the garden."
Kaguya tactfully left the room.
Did she not know Lelouch's identity?
On the contrary, she now knew that Lelouch was ZERO—Mahiro had told her on the very first day she arrived.
It was just that Lelouch believed his identity was still concealed.
Kaguya was merely playing along with his act using clumsy acting skills.
"Alright, Lelouch, let's hear it. What parts of yesterday's lesson didn't you understand? Your teacher will give you a review session so you don't embarrass me by failing the final exam."
"Sensei, please don't tease me."
Lelouch complained with a hint of resentment. Once Kaguya's footsteps faded away, he relaxed and sat down opposite Mahiro.
"But sensei, I do have a question I'd like to ask. How do you think the Black Knights should develop from here?"
Lelouch went straight to the point.
However, this only drew a derisive laugh from Mahiro.
"Not to be rude, Lelouch, but aren't you becoming too dependent on me? I'm just your teacher, not your babysitter. You're asking me even about organizational development? If you're this incompetent, you might as well just kill yourself instead of talking about resisting the Emperor and overthrowing Britannia."
Though his words were harsh and full of sarcasm, they were all true, so Lelouch listened with humble acceptance.
It seemed the events at Mount Narita had affected Lelouch more profoundly than expected.
He even seemed to treat Mahiro as a safety net, wanting to confirm everything repeatedly before proceeding with his next moves.
Understanding this, Mahiro let out a soft sigh.
"Fine, for Nunnally's sake, I'll help you one more time... Ah, I'm just too soft-hearted."
"Thank you very much, Mahiro-sensei."
The once arrogant Lelouch, who used to get carried away with minor victories and achievements, now deeply bowed his proud head to him.
"Alright, let's hear your plan."
"Very well."
As Lelouch raised his head, he began to explain his thoughts.
"With the Kyoto Six Houses now destroyed, I plan to fully take over the Japan Liberation Front next."
"Hmm, not a bad idea."Mahiro nodded in approval, stroking his chin as he said, 'The Japan Liberation Front, though their actions are no different from terrorists, were once the regular army after all.'" Their combat power is certainly stronger than those scattered militias. However..."
He suddenly changed his tone: "Lelouch, I think what you really want to take over isn't the Japan Liberation Front, but that miracle-worker Colonel Toudou who defeated Britannia at Itsukushima, am I right?"
"As expected of sensei, I can't hide anything from you."
Even when his true intentions were exposed, Lelouch showed no embarrassment, only a wry smile appearing on his lips.
Mahiro continued his analysis:
"If you just want to get Colonel Toudou, it shouldn't be difficult. I recall the current highest leader of the Japan Liberation Front is just a Major General, someone named Katase or something... From what I know, after the complete collapse of the Japan Liberation Front, this guy has started running away."
"I heard he sought help from the Chinese Federation, and the eunuchs of the Chinese Federation agreed to his asylum request..."
At this point, Mahiro paused meaningfully before continuing:
"The reason they agreed, I heard, is because Major General Katase took a ship full of Liquid Sakuradite as escape funds to offer to the Chinese Federation... Tsk tsk, this thief dares to steal my things right under my nose."
"Lelouch, you understand what this means, don't you?"
"Sensei, you mean..."
Lelouch hesitated slightly, but received Mahiro's murderous gaze in response.
Mahiro's intention was simple: to detonate the transport vehicle carrying Liquid Sakuradite, blowing up that old bastard Katase along with it!
Let him ride his divine wind straight to hell!
Moreover, Sakuradite mined in Japan should naturally be used within Japan. Without his approval, no one could take even a speck of it from him!
"And I'm certain Cornelia thinks the same way. Knowing her, she absolutely wouldn't want someone with remaining influence in Area Eleven to escape to the Chinese Federation."
"Shared objectives then..."
Lelouch seemed to let out a faint sigh.
He could tell that through several confrontations, Lelouch had indeed had much of his edge worn down by Cornelia.
Mainly because Cornelia's lineup was simply too overpowered.
Not only could she personally charge into battle and dominate in a Knightmare, but she currently also had a guide weapon at her disposal, plus two Knights of Rounds.
In contrast, the Black Knights only had Kallen as their standout asset.
No wonder Lelouch was so eager to absorb the Japan Liberation Front—whether it was Toudou or the Four Holy Swords, they were all considerable combat assets.
"But let's be clear this time, I won't be helping. This is entirely your own affair."
Mahiro didn't mince words, stating it bluntly to Lelouch.
Whether Lelouch would fail wasn't within his considerations.
If Lelouch truly failed, it wouldn't matter—he could just use long-range Material Burst to blow up the transport ship directly.
If Decomposition was performed using Liquid Sakuradite, the destructive power would likely be exponentially greater.
"I understand."
This time, Lelouch didn't choose to seek help from his teacher.
Because he understood that relying too much on his teacher would indeed hinder his own development.
Although facing Suzaku plus two Knights of Rounds was truly unbearable...
Damn it!
At this thought, Lelouch's heart filled with resentment and gritted teeth.
He never expected that the dear friend he once wanted to save would become his greatest nemesis. Should he have avoided that foolish mercy from the very beginning?
Moreover, he couldn't comprehend why Suzaku could become the pilot of that white Knightmare!
Britannia explicitly rejected allowing people from Area Eleven to become knights of Knightmare Frames!
But now, no amount of regret could change anything...
"Lulu... you actually... you're really connected to the Black Knights..."
Standing in the warehouse district of the dock, Shirley stared blankly at the intense battle raging not far away.
Under the cover of night.
Acrid gunpowder smoke permeated the entire dock, making people cough uncontrollably. Occasional falling artillery shells and bullets fired by Knightmares ricocheted around,
But Shirley seemed oblivious, only staring in dazed horror.
Though the battle before her eyes was terrifying enough, what shocked her even more was that Lelouch was actually connected to the Black Knights.
What that person said was actually true!
Earlier that day, a white-haired man wearing goggles had approached her and spoken strange words, claiming that Lelouch was actually the murderer of her father—that he was ZERO of the Black Knights!
How could she possibly believe such nonsense!
That's how it should have been.
Yet the man had said, "If you don't believe me, why not follow him tonight and see for yourself?"
Though her heart resisted, her body moved as if possessed.
Using clumsy tracking skills, she eventually arrived at this dock, only to lose sight of Lelouch.
Soon after, the battle erupted.
The man had told her about Lelouch's connection to the Black Knights, and now Lelouch had disappeared here while the Black Knights were engaging Britannian forces in combat...
Shirley wasn't stupid. Connecting these dots, the conclusion became undeniable.
No matter how much she wanted to disbelieve, the evidence before her eyes was irrefutable!
"But... why... why would you do this to me? Why did this have to happen!"
Shirley's eyes grew moist. Her father had died because of the Black Knights, and the person she loved was inexplicably connected to them.
She remembered clearly how, before leaving home that morning, her mother—already weakened by her father's death—lay in bed watching Shirley bent over her desk writing furiously. Her mother had jokingly asked if she was writing a love letter, and Shirley had inexplicably nodded. Her mother's immediate response was:
"It's for that Lelouch, isn't it."
The tone was utterly certain. Even Shirley's mother knew—and hadn't objected to—the fact that Shirley loved Lelouch.
Her body trembled, unable to believe the reality before her. The confusion and helplessness struck her fragile heart like a heavy hammer!
For the first time, Shirley felt her heart ache so intensely.
Perhaps because of the double blow, the pain was even more severe than when her father had died!
Like a drowning person, it left her gasping for air, almost unable to breathe!
"-"
Just then, a massive explosion erupted from the nearby dock, shaking the entire area like an earthquake. A fierce, scorching blast wave instantly swept through the harbor!
This was caused by Lelouch detonating the transport ship filled with liquid Sakura Dite.
The dock's storage materials triggered a chain reaction, with countless containers catching fire. Meanwhile, Lelouch's Burai Kai, piloted by him, had been disabled by Suzaku's Lancelot and, after tumbling repeatedly, landed in another corner of the district.
Suzaku, preparing to pursue his advantage, was intercepted by Kallen. Facing an opponent whose piloting skills were nearly equal to his own, Suzaku could only reluctantly abandon Zero and engage Kallen in combat.
The good news was that the Knights of Rounds' Knightmares seemed to be undergoing upgrades and thus weren't deployed.
The bad news was that the cockpit of the disabled Burai Kai, after several tumbles, landed right in front of Shirley—with Lelouch inside, wearing Zero's outfit and mask.
He also fell out of the cockpit.
That was... Lelouch? No, it's not, that's Zero!
Even now, Shirley was still deceiving herself.
Watching the unconscious Zero lying on the ground, Shirley tremblingly stepped forward while subconsciously picking up the pistol that had fallen nearby.
She wanted to confirm, to confirm the final struggle in her heart—
Zero absolutely couldn't be Lelouch!
Then, kill Zero, and avenge her father!
Thinking this, she gritted her silver teeth tightly, her fingertips touching the pistol's trigger.
But reality once again dealt her a heavy blow.
When she removed Zero's mask, her mind instantly buzzed!
"How... how could this be? It shouldn't be like this, why is it like this!"
Shirley's pupils contracted, staggering back several steps, shaking her head in horror as she looked at the face beneath Zero's mask.
The face revealed under the mask was all too familiar to her—someone Shirley faced every day, even thought about while sleeping...
That person was Lelouch.
Her last hope was shattered just like that.
"Why... why is it you... why is it you, Lulu!"
Tears welled up in Shirley's eyes as she murmured in agony.
Now, there were no more excuses to deceive herself—the bloody reality was right before her eyes!
Yet, the arm holding the pistol slowly lowered, and the finger on the trigger gradually loosened.
Even though her enemy was right in front of her, and pulling the trigger would avenge her father and the innocent people who died at Mount Narita, the trigger now felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. No matter how hard Shirley tried, she couldn't pull it.
Shirley became afraid, panicked, and at a loss. She just stared blankly at the unconscious Lelouch, at the blood flowing from his forehead.
Then... she fled...
"...Didn't take action?"
In the darkness, a pair of amber eyes secretly watched everything.
Jade-green hair tied into twin tails swayed gently in the sea breeze.
This was C.C., who had followed the clues left by Mao to come here, never expecting to witness such a melodramatic scene.
It was even more dramatic than the daytime soap operas she'd watched.
"Still, it wasn't completely fruitless..."
C.C. looked down at the unconscious Lelouch, her eyes flickering.
It seemed Mao intended to use Shirley and Lelouch as a breakthrough point.
"What a foolish choice, Mao."
C.C. slowly withdrew her gaze and without any hesitation, immediately turned and left...
"Quite an interesting story, C.C."
Mahiro leaned back on the sofa, facing the Witch sitting on the bed holding Cheese-kun, and remarked with slight emotion.
The cream-colored skin exposed beneath her white tank top and shorts attracted his gaze.
"It seems you're not surprised at all?"
C.C. stared at him with her amber eyes, as if trying to see right through him.
But Mahiro just shrugged and said, "No, I'm surprised. Really surprised."
Who would have thought that even after Villetta had died, Mao's involvement would ultimately steer Shirley's fate back onto its original course.
According to Steins Gate's terminology, this must be what they call the convergence of worldlines.
"But compared to me, Lelouch is the truly calm one here, isn't he?"
A mischievous smile curling at the corners of his lips, Mahiro teased Lelouch, who stood nearby with the stern composure of Commander Ikari.
The deep furrow in his brow made it clear the guy was already panicking.
Had Lelouch not been present at the scene, he'd probably be pointing fingers at C.C. right now.
How could she let such a dangerous Geass contractor roam free!
And even cause trouble for them!
"You're really useless, Lelouch... Losing your cool already?"
Just as Mahiro was about to voice this taunt, a sudden phone ringtone shattered the room's silence.
Lelouch instinctively picked up his phone and glanced at it, only to realize it wasn't his.
The one ringing was actually Mahiro's phone.
And the caller displayed on screen was precisely the person Lelouch least wanted to face at the moment.
"It's a call from Shirley. Will you answer it, or should I?"
Mahiro held the phone out toward Lelouch, teasing him.
Lelouch stared at the vibrating device, slightly raising his hand. Just as he was about to touch it, he suddenly pulled back, shaking his head.
"No, you answer it, Mahiro-sensei. If she really wanted to reach me, Shirley wouldn't be calling you."
"Hah, looks like you still have some sense left in you."
Mahiro retrieved the phone and answered the call.
Shirley hadn't come to school today, nor had she requested leave.
So a call at a time like this was most likely about taking time off.
However, after hanging up, Mahiro's eyebrows knitted tightly together. He turned to the gloomy Lelouch and said seriously:
"Lelouch, your little girlfriend wants to meet me outside. Care to tag along?"