"Aaaagh!! I thought I was a goner!!" (Subaru)
"You will die if you fall, so please do not let your guard down yet." (Arona)
"Oh, so the PA system moved from inside the cabin to outside." (Subaru)
"Pahahaha! Amazing, you actually made it! What do you think, Hikari? Since Big Bro succeeded, should we show him "that thing"?" (Nozomi)
"Hmm... Sure. When we reach his destination, let's launch it for him." (Hikari)
"...Launch it??" (Subaru)
Subaru's brain short-circuited the moment he heard that ominous word. Logically, such vocabulary only surfaced in situations fraught with peril and chaos.
The term stirred a deep anxiety within him, making it impossible to stay calm—especially since he had just leaped onto a speeding train from a staggering height, despite his claims of doing it "quietly."
Although he had rehearsed the timing repeatedly, the impact of the landing had knocked the wind out of his lungs, leaving him reeling with intense nausea. The sensation of his internal organs rattling was something he would never get used to, no matter how much time passed.
"The road from the outskirts to Abydos—we're going to level it, right? Most of those buildings are abandoned anyway. Can we just tear them down and pin it on you?" (Nozomi)
"──Fine, whatever. Consider it a service fee for the sake of justice." (Subaru)
"Justice...?" (Hikari)
"That's enough. No more questions." (Subaru)
Subaru cut the small talk and pressed forward across the train's roof while the gale battered him. The forceful wind choked his breath and made it difficult to see ahead, but the train seemed to maintain a reasonable speed for his safety until he reached his destination.
Subaru's current goal was to prevent the Arius Branch from storming Abydos. Since those Halo-destroying bombs weren't just a one-off, he couldn't allow them to break through in the first place.
The Arius forces already present in Abydos were few, and Subaru had located their hideouts within the Kaiser base a short while ago. What he needed now was to identify the ones attacking Nefthys. He had to pinpoint their infiltration route, unit count, and weaponry to deliver a preemptive strike.
Their primary means of transport were vehicles. Arona had already calculated their path, and it seemed the explosives he had obtained from Black Suit—currently in his bag—might not even be needed this time.
"Switching to autopilot. We're coming to get you, so stay put~" (Nozomi)
"That would be a huge help, but... ──what made you two decide to cooperate so well?" (Subaru)
"We only care about getting our job done. Since Kaiser is in our way and you say you'll kick them out, there's no harm in helping, right?" (Nozomi)
"And if we can put Schale in our debt... that's even better." (Hikari)
"Don't harmonize your opportunistic plans so perfectly..." (Subaru)
These twins... ──I'll deal with them later. There were still so many problems, but despite their number...
"..." (Subaru)
"Hoshino." (Subaru)
He could only hope that those magic words still held their power.
●○●○●
She ran past the surrounding explosions, gripping a familiar cold hand.
『3, 2, 1, Go!』
The hand felt all too familiar—a source of strength and reassurance that made her feel truly alive. It was Senpai's hand.
""Hoshino-senpai... ──!!"" (Ayane & Serika)
"I'm sorry, you two... it took me too long to get you back." (Hoshino)
It happened exactly as Natsuki Subaru had predicted. The moment they stepped out of the car and broke through the smoke, Senpai was there waiting. No one stood in their way as they began the trek back to the school building.
Questions about who that man was and why he had come could wait until later.
"Oh... ──I thought I was going to die. I felt like... everything was over." (Serika)
"Everything is fine now. Let's go home." (Hoshino)
"Yes! ...Wait, where is Shiroko-senpai?" (Ayane)
"Shiroko-chan went to go after Subaru." (Hoshino)
"Subaru... he really helped us. But in the end, that guy—why does he do all this for us? ──" (Serika)
They pushed forward, carving a path through waves of soldiers. No one could halt Takanashi Hoshino's march. Soldiers fell before they could even aim their weapons, some before they could utter a word, and others before they even realized she was there.
Hoshino displayed a terrifying destructive power while shielding her younger teammates. Yet, in contrast to her ruthlessness, her expression remained bright and relieved.
"I don't know either." (Hoshino)
"..." (Serika)
"...Serika-chan, Hoshino-senpai." (Ayane)
"I'm certain Natsuki-san isn't a bad person." (Ayane)
Even after all the deception she had endured, Ayane could still say such a thing. Somewhere within her heart, despite the scars, a certain softness had melted away the bitterness, allowing her to speak those simple words. Whether the spell he cast on her was a curse or a miracle, their conversation had reached into her soul too deeply for her to respond with anything but honesty.
"I see." (Serika)
"If Ayane-chan says so, then it must be true. It might be too early to relax, but once everyone is back, let's discuss it together." (Hoshino)
"I've always solved things with violence alone, so today, I must find another way." (Hoshino)
The piles of bodies around her made such words hard to believe, yet Hoshino's heart hadn't opened to someone outside of Abydos like this in a very long time. For Ayane and Serika, who were used to seeing external threats handled without knowing the details, this change felt fresh and new.
Suddenly, the soldiers vanished from the area. When Hoshino realized the reinforcements were strangely thin, she grew concerned for Shiroko, who had run after Subaru. She thought to herself: "I see. They've all headed toward Subaru...".
But she chose to trust her decision. As long as that man was there, everything would be alright. He was a natural-born strategist—a genius gifted with a talent for war despite his modest physical strength. Subaru undoubtedly knew Shiroko would chase him; a man capable of manipulating people's hearts as he did wouldn't overlook such a detail.
"..." (Hoshino)
──The Kaiser organization will surely fall. That man is always like this; he looks unimpressive to everyone, yet he wields an authority that exceeds his station and produces results that defy logic.
──He isn't insane, but he isn't entirely sane either. He lacks reckless courage and doesn't act like a traditional hero.
──It has been a long time since I've been unable to measure someone's value. Even the usual feeling that "the lack of suspicion is suspicious in itself" didn't stir within me. I don't know if this comes from genuine trust or if I am simply a puppet being moved by Natsuki Subaru.
"But I'll believe in that guy. We promised to trust each other." (Serika)
──Those decisive words cleared the clouds of doubt. It was foolish to question someone her junior trusted so implicitly; to doubt him would be to doubt her Kohai herself. The fog of hesitation lifted, and she stepped forward with total conviction.
"──Stop." (Suou)
"!?" (Hoshino)
Before she could take that step, a bullet striking the sand blocked her path. That familiar voice belonged to someone she had met recently—an opponent with whom there was an old grudge ──.
"Miss Inspector, it's been a long time... ──Can I help you with something?" (Hoshino)
"You! What are you doing here...!" (Serika)
They were once again facing the woman they had seen when Nonomi crossed over to the other side.
──No other enemies were around, but since she appeared right after the fight with Kaiser, she warranted caution. Even if they were on their way back, they had to remain guarded until the very end.
──If she is alone, I can restrain her. I don't fear losing, no matter what happens.
●○●○●
"No, it's nothing. Would you believe me if I said I only came here to tell you, "Well done"?" (Suou)
"I'll believe you. And then, I'll shoot you right in the face." (Hoshino)
"Heh. Yes, that is exactly the response I expected from you, Takanashi Hoshino. You never doubt your abilities; you always assume victory is yours as long as you use the methods of "this side."" (Suou)
"Yes. Because you are all weak." (Hoshino)
Hoshino didn't clutter her judgments with dreams or hopes. She simply sought to win the battles she knew she could win. That was all.
"──" (Suou)
"Yes, stay like that. It suits you." (Suou)
For Takanashi Hoshino, the battles she could win were simply any battle where an external enemy challenged her prowess. Yet, Takanashi Hoshino had failed to protect anything—not even herself.
Because you believe so completely in your own failure to protect, no one follows you. In fact, no one can. Not even I.
The strongest. Because Takanashi Hoshino is the strongest, the void within her remains hidden. Despite the excessive burdens you carry, despite your "humanity," and despite reaching out to those outside your circle—you remain the strongest.
Too strong. Excessively so. Even if an ordinary person stripped themselves of everything to follow your trail, they couldn't even tread in your scorched footsteps. No one can hurt you; what devours you is always that sickness lurking deep inside yourself.
"I have Yume Kushigami's diary with me. Believe me or not, that's up to you. But since you didn't even know these legal documents existed, I don't think you have much of a choice but to believe." (Suou)
"If you want to know the truth about Yume Kushigami, and if you want to destroy the Railway Gun..." (Suou)
Then drown in your own sins.
"──" (Hoshino)
"I'm sorry, Miss Inspector, but I don't think I'll be taking you up on that." (Hoshino)
"What?" (Suou)
"Because right now, I prefer to prioritize protecting my juniors. I want to know the truth, but... ──that matter has already become clear as day." (Hoshino)
In the blink of an eye, the distance between Suou and Hoshino vanished. Suou's focus shattered. By the time she realized protecting herself from Hoshino's assault at this range was impossible, it was too late.
──Damn it. I'm going to lose.
Hoshino's reaction differed so much from her expectations—and since she hadn't intended to fight here anyway—Suou faltered. Hoshino seized that moment of confusion to close the gap. Suou strained every nerve just to deflect the coming strike away from her vitals.
As Hoshino's shotgun drew level with her eyes, Hoshino leaned in. In a voice so cold the two students behind her couldn't hear, she directed what could be called "Hoshino's own truth" toward Suou.
"■■■■■, ■■■■■" (Hoshino)
"──" (Suou)
"──I see. So it's come to this." (Suou)
To this extent? Have you fallen this far into the depths?
But why? Why are you like this, yet nothing about you changes? Despair and suffering are things strength can do nothing about.
"Get some sleep." (Hoshino)
Hoshino's words broke Suou's concentration entirely. A blow slammed into her face, rattling her brain and stealing her consciousness. As the curtains of her eyelids began to close, a second shock doubled the trauma to her head as she tried to resist.
That strike from the heavy iron mass was enough to break an ordinary person's neck. Even for a resident of Kivotos with their high endurance, a third blow—an uppercut that tore through her chin—crushed what remained of her consciousness.
"Because right now, I'm still in the middle of fulfilling my promise to him." (Hoshino)
"I'll stay a member of the Council for a little while longer." (Hoshino)
──I see. It's that man.
That existence, the very personification of the illogical, is the one who granted you this reprieve.
That "man" who appeared out of nowhere—a monster acting as the successor to that superhuman. A man trying to save things that aren't even in his world, driven by unknown motives, and succeeding.
In a world built on sacrifice, in a life whose essence is ugliness, he is the fool trying to deny it all.
How lucky you are to find someone to lick your wounds. But this feels like...
Just showing a false light to a soul drowning in darkness.
"... ────" (Suou)
"D... Did you beat her?" (Serika)
"It happened so fast I didn't quite understand... Hoshino-senpai, what will happen to Suou-san now?" (Ayane)
"I'll just leave her here. She'll wake up after some time. More importantly, the two of you need to get back and rest immediately." (Hoshino)
"What about Shiroko-chan? ──Subaru is there, so she's fine. I'm sure that boy will bring her back to us safely." (Hoshino)
"...Why are you so certain?" (Serika)
When Serika asked in surprise, Hoshino spoke the reason why Suou had lost that battle—but for an entirely different reason.
"Maybe because I, too, trust Subaru~" (Hoshino)
●○●○●
"Nonomi's Perspective"
The moans and screams offstage are but supporting roles that highlight the hero's brilliance. Whatever the drama, whether miracles or tragedies unfold, everything remains mere stage dressing unless the spotlight hits it.
Even if it happens upon the gallows.
『My Lady.』 (Nephthys Servant)
『You must... become an adult.』 (Nephthys Servant)
The theater of life is filled with hardships that defy the world's beauty; beneath the floorboards, ugliness lies buried. One must learn to accept bittersweet happiness—the kind built upon someone else's sacrifice. Whether you are the one enjoying it or the one from whom it is stolen, even if it is hideous, you must accept it.
──Accepting such contradictions is what makes one a functioning adult.
『Please, be an adult.』 (Nephthys Servant)
Once stripped of its surface, the innocent desire to save others becomes a mere excuse to use people for the sake of others. One must learn to ignore the horrors occurring offstage and the tragedies in distant lands, treating them as fleeting, meaningless emotions.
I had to become an adult.
There were things I wanted to save, and there were past tragedies beyond rescue for which I felt only pity. Although loss can only be erased by gain, I wanted an end to the sorrow floating in my heart. This is the story of a certain Senpai, a story held very dear in Abydos.
I could never save that figure sinking into the depths. I watched that girl call herself "Ojisan," crafting a new persona to erase her former self, and saw in her a struggle I could not ignore.
『Be an adult.』 (Nonomi)
I had tainted happy times with suffering. Despite that contradiction, I was happy in Abydos. I didn't want to leave the contradiction as it was. The "child" in me, who failed to grow up, wanted an answer for the ghost of the past still reflected in her eyes. I wanted to tell her she was allowed to be free—that she didn't have to remain a prisoner of the past.
Amidst constant trials, when her protective shell—her new persona—threatened to crack, I could not turn away from her agony.
『I'm sorry, Hoshino-chan.』 (Nonomi)
In the end, I only succeeded in deepening the wounds. I don't know what to do; I don't know how to act.
──Will I find the answer if I become an adult?
『If it weren't for Nonomi-chan, I would have... much sooner ──』 (Hoshino)
I was the fool. I assumed Senpai was miserable. I denied her misery. Therefore, I cannot stand beside her, and I am not supposed to be there.
"... ──" (Nonomi)
"Please attend the Board of Directors meeting tomorrow. I know you are tired, but once we approve your withdrawal from school, this life will become your daily routine. I hope you adjust quickly." (Servant)
"Understood." (Nonomi)
"You too, My Lady, will surely become a wonderful adult. One day you will look back on all of this and laugh, dismissing it as mere youthful folly." (Servant)
"...Yes, that's right." (Nonomi)
As if I were in the lightless depths of the ocean, an immense pressure crushed my body and heart, birthing pain and despair. Human weakness makes it impossible to escape that pressure, bringing one's steps to a halt once again.
Self-salvation. ──To walk through a darkness without light, to struggle in a bottomless sea, and to utter those words, I had to be an adult. As a "child," I was unable to walk. The phrase "self-salvation" only gains strength when someone else is there to lead the way afterward.
So, if there were another chance—just one more chance—then I...
──I.
"..." (Nonomi)
"No need for that frown. I'll make sure you get enough rest, so don't worry... ──" (Servant)
I want to think about tomorrow with Senpai while smiling. Although there is no answer to suffering, happiness and tomorrow arrive on their own. Although one cannot return to the past, the morning will inevitably break.
So, just once more.
──Even though such a chance will never come again.
"──" (Nonomi)
"...What is this?" (Servant)
The servant, who always wore a smile, lowered his voice in anger as his phone rang at an inconvenient time. He no longer hid his true self from me; or perhaps, it was more accurate to say he no longer needed to. When he took me away and told me to return to Nephthys, he must have realized I was just a "child following adults." Because of my position, he couldn't mistreat me, but dark, grim emotions clearly seethed within him.
"────"
"Yes, convene the board members tomorrow. And tell Suou Asahiri to provoke Hoshino Takanashi as soon as possible." (Servant)
"──────"
"What? What?! N... Natsuki Subaru, you said?" (Servant)
"──Natsuki Subaru...?" (Nonomi)
I began to chew on the name that fell from the servant's stunned mouth. No matter how many times I analyzed it, the syllables circled in my mouth, impossible to swallow. It wasn't because the name was new to me, but because the servant's confusion didn't match the impression the name left.
My gaze, previously drowned in darkness and fixed on the car window, began to shift. My sight and hearing leaned with all their weight toward every sound coming from his phone.
"Who is this person?! Why does someone like this appear in the final days before the contract expires?! ──Schale?" (Servant)
"──"
"... ──The Federal Investigation Club, "Schale"..." (Servant)
"────────"
"...I see. Ensure that Miss Nonomi's affairs remain confidential. Do not make any suspicious moves; if he tries to intervene, we won't be able to resist. Is the fact that she's still registered as an Abydos student what's hindering us now...?" (Servant)
"Damn it. If only I had made them approve her withdrawal back then... ──Huh?" (Servant)
I didn't fully understand what was happening, but something was underway. The servant's confusion reached its peak when a shouting voice from the other end became audible even without the speakerphone.
The screen changed as he switched to speaker, and I heard someone's voice.
"──This is bad, bad, bad!!! I'm sorry for dragging you guys into this!! Wait!!! I'M GONNA DIE! You idiots! Hikari! Nozomi!! HEYYYYYYY!!!!!" (Subaru)
──For a brief moment, I felt like I wanted to think about tomorrow.
▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎
[100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter]
[Read 55+ chapters ahead on Patreon: patreon.com/Raven737]