Re:ZERO × BLUE ARCHIVE

[Raven797]

"Ah."

Subaru felt the cold cement pressing against the back of his head, realizing he was lying flat on his back.

His body was rigid with pain, and despite his attempts to take any action to survive, his limbs remained completely immobile, contradicting his will.

He was overwhelmed by the relentless sensation of his organs boiling.

— Hot, agonizing, weary, cold, piercing.

"Ghh..."

A 'gurgling' sound escaped his throat. This was caused by a mass of blood obstructing his windpipe, which he couldn't clear to breathe. Furthermore, the holes in his lungs prevented him from even coughing.

Subaru felt a current of air whistling through the open gaps in his body, though no blood flowed from his mouth, and he watched the color red spread across the floor.

— Was all that blood actually flowing in my veins?

"..."

What a mystery the human body was! A veritable sea of blood was spilling out—a quantity that could not possibly be contained within this frail physique.

Subaru recalled learning in health education class that approximately sixty percent of an adult human body was composed of water. Based on that, the amount of blood would be...

— What was it? I can't remember.

He felt dizzy from forgetting even the basics of primary education, or perhaps he was simply dizzy due to the extreme blood loss.

It was true; Subaru remembered that losing one-third of a person's blood was considered critical. Now, he felt as though his body had lost every single drop.

"— Is there no aura?"

As Subaru realized the extent to which his body was close to death, he completely lost all his strength. This exhilarating feeling, akin to free swimming in the river of death, might have been due to the massive release of adrenaline triggered by his impending demise.

However, the numbness in his body was real, and the stream of air that had been whistling through the holes in his flesh gradually receded until it vanished.

— Ah, so I'm going to die then.

From his fading consciousness, Subaru felt his soul about to depart from life.

In this moment, which would end quickly if he began counting the ceiling tiles, he had no particular desire to do anything.

People die when they are shot; this was self-evident. There was nothing he could have done when he was attacked; this outcome was inevitable.

"...baru."

If he was attacked by maniacs, by murderers who couldn't grasp this obvious fact, there could be no conclusion other than "Death."

The only thing Subaru wished for as he faced "Death" was — that she would be saved in the future.

"— Don't die."

Subaru heard a gentle tone, like the touch of a soft feather.

It was a voice that remained present in his memory. He didn't know if it was an auditory hallucination, but he was certain she was near him.

It was a reliable, comforting voice; feelings of reassurance flowed from it.

And so —.

"...Stay."

Subaru tore a scream from his soul as he fought off the encroaching "Death."

What had left Subaru lying on the cold cement floor now was an unforgivable mistake of a failure, a blind and foolish man—his own fault.

But, even so —.

"I will, absolutely —"

— I will save you.

In the next moment, Natsuki Subaru lost his life.

●○●○●

"Fire! Open fire now!!"

"Grenade! Get down!!!"

— This is truly dangerous.

Could a person's despair reach this extent when they are left penniless on the street?

No, calling himself penniless was merely an expression. He still owned numerous items, but they seemed utterly trivial compared to the scene unfolding before him.

It was like having just enough money to buy lunch and dinner ingredients from a local corner store, yet attempting to dine at a highly luxurious buffet in the most exclusive district of Ginza.

"What is the market price of a rifle?" (Subaru)

It had never occurred to him that he would be forced to seek knowledge impossible to obtain in modern Japan. A weapon would look completely out of place on him—a man with black hair, eyes with slightly prominent lower lids, and no distinguishing features whatsoever.

He was so utterly unremarkable that he would blend into any crowd in the blink of an eye.

Yet, most of the stares directed at him were tinged with suspicion.

This was natural; everyone around him possessed something that only he lacked.

"Well, that settles it then." (Subaru)

As Subaru began to lose confidence that his morals and values were correct, he crossed his arms and muttered that he had no choice but to accept the situation.

"— It looks like this is about being transported to another world." (Subaru)

Subaru nodded in agreement with himself while looking at the brightly painted tank barreling aggressively in front of him.

●○●○●

"Is this place even Japan?"

"Japan? What is that?"

"Well, that settles it; this is an Isekai story." (Subaru)

When the curtain was drawn back, it became clear that this world was neither the future of Japan nor anything similar, but an entirely different realm named "Kivotos."

The strange thing, however, was that this bizarre world, which had the trappings of a modern civilization, contained many familiar elements.

"They even have a convenience store..." (Subaru)

If one were to disregard the high-school-aged girls carrying firearms everywhere, the mysterious halos floating above their heads, the enormous dogs and cats walking down the street, and the robots dressed in staff uniforms, there was almost no difference from the modern era.

However, if Subaru re-analyzed the very elements he had just disregarded, he would fully grasp that this place was, without a doubt, another world.

"Is this what they call 'Cyberpunk'? There are too many things mixed together to define the nature of this world... But a city rampant with violence and robots can only be Cyberpunk." (Subaru)

The irony was palpable: the idea of being transported to another world—a dream everyone once had—had happened to him without any extraordinary features, no superpowers, no magic, and no advantage from modern knowledge; just a society rife with weapons.

Feeling despair, he slapped his nearly collapsing knees to strengthen them and continued moving forward. His exploration of this colossal city was not yet complete, and he had no choice but to trust that there was still a glimmer of hope to overturn this situation.

"The buildings are concrete... There are plenty of mechanical devices, autonomous smart robots, automatic vending machines... — Since it's another world, shouldn't it be a bit closer to the Middle Ages?" (Subaru)

Subaru felt that all the time he had spent daydreaming was utterly wasted. Everyone here possessed something resembling a sleek, high-tech phone superior to ordinary ones, and, crucially, he had been brought here without any prior preparation.

"What a farce! I came here after stepping out of a convenience store, only to find myself sitting right on top of a convenience store the next moment." (Subaru)

He had difficulty getting down, and as he descended, a high school girl ran away from him, screaming that he was a molester. Such incidents were enough to shatter his already suffering heart.

"Payments are made via credit cards, and I have never seen this type of card before." (Subaru)

Everything outwardly resembled modern Japan, yet the contents were entirely different, creating a massive sense of alienation.

It was like biting into a rice ball labeled "Salmon" only to find Salmon Roe (Ikura) inside.

"Language communication is possible, and it's Japanese. There are no superpowers or magic, yet a mysterious ring floats in the sky, and above the girls' heads too." (Subaru)

Despite all this focus on modern technology, the sky is filled with enigmatic patterns that evoke fantasy stories, and a strange light emanates from an unknown tower.

Furthermore, even the airships floating in the sky possess a halo. The genres are so mixed that it is hard to categorize them.

"... What am I supposed to do in a world like this?" (Subaru)

— If only I had at least one handgun...

"It probably wouldn't change anything. Please, have mercy on me... At the very least, if you were going to transfer me..." (Subaru)

Subaru had reached his limit of grumbling and pessimism. It was impossible for someone like him, who possessed poor communication skills, to work in this world.

— I was unemployed in my original world.

If he were to state this in a job interview, he would likely faint, pale and foaming at the mouth, having surpassed the point of extreme embarrassment.

"My starting equipment is too weak; what exactly do you want me to do?" (Subaru)

The reason he was brought here is unclear, what to do next is unclear, and whether he can return is unclear.

The situation is summarized by a single word: "Despair," and all he can do is stand his ground.

"Ah, if only I had a rifle, at least..." (Subaru)

Natsuki Subaru moved his fingers, making the motion of pulling a trigger, his expression darkened by hopelessness about his future... Suddenly, his expression changed.

The reason was the sound of gunfire nearby.

Although the sound of shooting had become familiar since his arrival in this world, this was the first time he had heard it so close—and, moreover, it was coming from the entrance of the alley he had just entered.

"Hey, kid, hand over the money."

"If you underestimate us, we'll teach you a lesson."

— These were the two loitering girls who had been standing at the alley's entrance. They weren't wearing anything strange; it seemed they simply saw an opportunity in him not carrying a weapon.

"What a mess, is this a mandatory event?" (Subaru)

The worst thing about coming to this world was that most of the humans, excluding the robots and the anthropomorphic animals, were high school-aged girls.

"Damn it." (Subaru)

"Ah! Wait!"

— Natsuki Subaru does not punch women.

Therefore, his escape was inevitable.

 

[ArsMagna1337]

Watched. Mostly because of the hilarity of you accidentally switching the chapter and the summary.

 

[Raven797]

"Oh my GOOOOD!!!"

"Hold it right there, you punk!!"

"Someone, pleeease save me!!!!"

The aggressive girl, overcome by emotion, was chasing him and firing her gun indiscriminately as if it were a natural thing to do. The fact that the bullets hadn't hit him yet, despite him running at full speed, was not due to the awakening of a hidden strength or a supernatural ability to dodge fire; it was simply due to the difficulty of hitting a moving target.

Conversely, it was terrifying that Subaru's meager speed, though nearly unarmed, was comparable to that of the heavily laden girl pursuing him. Even if Subaru had wanted to reason with her, her collapsed morality left no room for that; she pointed a gun at him before any discussion could begin.

"What is wrong with the people here!?" (Subaru)

Subaru wished her face suggested genuine malice, but she looked only like a sweet teenage student role-playing as a bully. He was close to falling victim to their extortion...

"St- stop! I really don't have a single penny!! I'll give you everything else I own! Will you just stop chasing me!?" (Subaru)

"Then stop running and leave everything behind!"

"Isn't the reason you're chasing me because you're shooting!?" (Subaru)

"What's the problem with that! We'll shoot whether you run or not! We'll shoot if you run, and we'll shoot even if you stop!!"

Mission 1: «Escape the extortion of those lacking all morals»

Since Subaru's arrival in this world, the first scene he witnessed was a gunfight. Strangely, the inhabitants of this world only feel "pain" from bullets, which is likely why the ethics of gun usage are so lax here.

Perhaps if Subaru were an invincible hero, he could endure the bullets unharmed and become incredibly powerful in this world, but he didn't yet have the courage to test that. There are examples where latent power only appears when one's life is in danger.

— But Subaru had not spent his life on fantasies of other worlds for nothing.

"Woooaah! Take this! The result of my daily daydreams!" (Subaru)

"Oh?!"

"You bastard...!"

Subaru knocked over and scattered the contents of a roadside stall as he sped past. The fruit of repeatedly simulating spy movies had paid off. Although this was the first time he'd applied it in practice, it worked.

In addition, Subaru knocked down all the iron pipes leaning against a wall, making every possible effort to obstruct his pursuers before he accelerated his run.

— This was a suitably quick reaction for an escape, indeed.

However, his opponents carried rifles, advanced weapons of modern civilization.

"Come on, if you stop moving, you'll be easier to hit."

"— Is this for real, oh no!?" (Subaru)

The accuracy of the bullets increased. Although the distance was still dozens of meters, and the bullets had previously barely grazed his body, he was now taking noticeable damage.

"There's no damage reduction, so that's how it is!" (Subaru)

He had hoped for a damage reduction skill or a superpower that would make him bulletproof, but that hope burst like a fragile soap bubble.

Thus, Subaru truly was the weakest creature in this world. Perhaps even mosquitoes or cockroaches would have a better chance against them.

— The bullet grazed his ankle.

"Agh...!" (Subaru)

It was painful—more acutely painful than any sharp scratch. Lethal attacks came at him one after another, despite them lacking a genuine intent to kill.

Subaru was in the most dangerous situation of his life. Although the pain was not fatal, the injury seized his heart with terror.

It was frightening. Despite the appearances, death was very near in this world. He had never expected to be shot at in his entire life...

"Hah, hah, huff!" (Subaru)

At the corner of the alley, Subaru at least escaped the direct line of fire.

This world was incredibly harsh on him. While acquiring knowledge about weapons was possible in Japan using the internet, he never expected to need it in this manner.

"Hah! How painful and cruel! Damn it, damn it...!" (Subaru)

When Subaru pressed down on his ankle, he found that blood was flowing more heavily than he anticipated. It wasn't just dripping; the correct description was a steady stream, which amplified his horror.

Since he didn't know how to stop the bleeding, Subaru emptied everything in his plastic bag, then tied the bag tightly, like a rope, over the injury.

"This way... it should be fine." (Subaru)

"What exactly do you think is fine?"

"What?!" (Subaru)

To his utter dismay, Subaru found the former loitering girl had placed her hand on his shoulder.

All this time had passed. He had boasted that he would excel in another world, yet a simple injury had led him to this predicament. It was natural since he hadn't expected to engage in real combat, but he wished he could feel some mercy.

"Excuse me, can't you just spare my life? I know my escape was a mistake, so please, lower the gun..." (Subaru)

"Hmm? What are you talking about? We won't take your life... But... —"

Subaru thought his immediate prostration had an effect...

"Th- that's right! Thank you!" (Subaru)

"— But I'll just shoot you a few times in the temple."

A terrifying declaration dawned on Natsuki Subaru, embodying the vast difference between what "not dying" meant to the girls and what "not dying" meant to him.

Subaru was close to tears from the sheer despair in this early situation; he was on the verge of dying without understanding anything. The fact that he hadn't burst into tears and screaming yet could be considered a miracle.

"And then we'll steal everything from you while you're passed out!"

"Kee-ha ha ha! Be grateful we aren't leaving you completely naked!"

Subaru stared at the finger descending upon the trigger, then indulged in an escape from reality, wondering about the state of morals in this world. He thought about reviewing his life's tape; but... — nothing appeared, and there was no slow-motion sequence of his impending death; he was simply going to die.

The moment their laughter reached his ears, and the trigger was fully pulled — in that instant.

"Stop right there."

A firm, resonant voice.

Time did not slow down, yet it seemed as if the entire world had paused.

"So..."

"S- s- Sora..."

She was a small, beautiful girl.

Her voluminous, fluffy white hair seemed nearly to touch the ground, and her violet eyes shimmered lightly when the sun was blocked. Her movements were graceful, delicate, and strong; the word "enchantment" suited her attraction perfectly.

Regarding her height, despite her extreme shortness that did not match her overall appearance, this overwhelming level of charisma transformed it into a unique source of admiration. The girl was wearing something that resembled a military uniform and carried a huge rifle on her back—an instrument of violence far greater than any weapon he had seen so far. Everything seemed oversized compared to her diminutive frame.

""Sorazaki Hina!?""

"Lower your weapons."

"Okay, o- okay! We understand, please forgive us! —"

"Hey, wait for me! Hey! Don't leave me here alone —!"

The two bullies scattered and fled in what could be described as "the dispersal of spiders." Before Subaru could laugh at the disappearance of their previous arrogance, he felt an intense gratitude mixed with fear.

In a world where gunfire was rampant, people did not usually fear those who carried weapons. But standing before him now was a figure who had completely nullified that assumption.

"... Ah."

"Young man, are you alright? I came after hearing your screams."

"Y- yes... My condition is questionable, but I survived the fate that awaited me. Thank you for your help."

"— You have an injury on your foot, and your appearance... Are you someone who came "from outside"?"

"I don't know if your concept of "Outside" aligns with my knowledge, but I am certain that I would be minced meat in an instant if I got into a shootout with the girls here."

Subaru calmed down and brushed the dust off his clothes, then looked closely at her, noticing a halo floating above her head. It was incomparable to those floating above the heads of the ordinary high school students.

It was a colossal halo, which could be described as a "fortress," with a three-dimensional texture and real mass, not just a two-dimensional shape. Subaru felt that its rotation alone was capable of grinding him into dust.

"It seems you are in a rather exceptional situation."

"Indeed, it is extremely exceptional, and I still don't understand any of it... At the very least, this is not the place I know, and I am a man who dies from a single shot."

"... From a single shot?"

"Why are you stumbling over that specific point!?" (Subaru)

"..."

While the girl wore an expression of deep contemplation, the bleeding from Subaru's improperly bandaged ankle wound increased.

This was natural because the injury was not merely a cut, but a hole carved by a bullet. Consequently, a small pool of his blood formed beneath his feet as he stood.

Thanks to the adrenaline, Subaru had been ignoring the pain, but as he calmed down, he realized the wound was far deeper than just a "minor injury." He felt an urge to roll around and scream, yet he could not commit such a shameful act in the presence of the girl before him.

"— Well then, I was passing through on a patrol mission. Will you tell me your story?"

"Agreed! ...Alright, first of all, allow me to introduce myself!" (Subaru)

"I am Natsuki Subaru, the ignorant, penniless fool who is invincible nowhere. A pleasure to meet you." (Subaru)

"... I am Sorazaki Hina, a third-year student in the Prefect Team of Gehenna Academy. A pleasure to meet you."

Unfortunately, Subaru's first impression failed miserably; he looked like a "pervert" standing before a "child," but this was no longer an issue for someone who had already surpassed the stage of "deviance" once. Subaru had completely abandoned his shame and expectations.

Feeling grateful for this rare genuine kindness in a Cyberpunk world, Subaru extended his hand for a handshake. Despite her confusion, Hina returned the gesture.

Though immensely thankful, Subaru was eager to learn about this world, especially after the strange term "Gehenna Academy" appeared before him in another world.

"... Ah."

"What is it?"

— In the very moment they shook hands.

Subaru collapsed forward, either due to the adrenaline wearing off, the intense pain in his ankle, or anemia.

Naturally, he fell directly onto the small girl standing right in front of him.

"Oh..."

"Ah, sorry!" (Subaru)

Because Subaru fell on her so suddenly, Hina was unable to brace herself. Therefore, Subaru tried to shield her with his entire body. If Subaru had caused her injury, his persona as "Natsuki Subaru the Gentleman" would have been completely shattered.

— Subaru twisted his head and fully rotated his body using his uninjured foot.

"... Ow, ah, painful..." (Subaru)

Subaru hit his back with astonishing force. "Hit" his back, or rather, he managed to direct the impact entirely onto his back. He was certain that Sorazaki Hina was unharmed...

""...""

— But somehow, Subaru ended up lying on the ground, tightly embracing the girl, even if it was out of necessity.

His face sank into the massive volume of her hair, and his nose was tickled by a warm, sun-like scent. The aroma was so pleasant that, if he were in his own bed, he would have wished to bury his face in it and take a deep breath.

"I'm sorry... I'll move away immediately, I truly apologize." (Subaru)

"... It's alright."

"Your foot wound looks bad. I will take you to the first-aid room immediately."

"Okay. I have nothing to repay this favor with, but I will definitely pay it back... So, help me explore this world, Hina." (Subaru)

"..."

Fortunately, the persona of "Natsuki Subaru the Gentleman" seemed to have survived for now. To avoid appearing even worse, Subaru endured the pain, held her hand, and asked her to guide him out of the alley.

Subaru was now helpless, having no choice but to rely on her kindness.

When Subaru exited the alley, the scene, which moments ago looked like a chaotic slum, transformed into a beautiful street fitting the description "absolute cleanliness and good conduct." He had entered a world where the shooting had ceased.

"You mentioned you are part of the Prefect Team; could you be responsible for this entire area, Hina?" (Subaru)

"Yes, maintaining security is the mission of the Prefect Team."

"— That is amazing; you are truly wonderful. What are you? Are you an angel stuffed with all the goodness and kindness in this world?" (Subaru)

Subaru forgot his pain, held her hands, and shook them vigorously while praising her. After believing he had been cast into death, a war angel had rescued him. The words "deep gratitude and thanks" might not be sufficient.

"Mmm, I said it's my duty; it doesn't warrant all this praise."

"No, you should be proud of it. When I came to this world, I thought I had bypassed despair and gone straight to hell." (Subaru)

"..."

"B.A.A. It is truly a good thing you rescued me, Hina... My evaluation of you has surpassed the limits of praise. If we were in a dating sim, I'd accept your confession instantly." (Subaru)

"What nonsense is that... And do you mean that weapon by B.A.A.?"

"No, no. It stands for Beautiful Angel Alert, Hina."

"... I see."

Subaru felt she was embarrassed by his words, but since the praise held no exaggeration or falsehood for him, he couldn't stop showering her with compliments. Subaru curbed the reins of his gratitude, fearing he might end up disliked due to excessive thanks, but he wished that even a small part of his feeling had reached her.

"In any case, how much do you know about this place?"

"Nothing!" (Subaru)

"Well, it seems you truly have an exceptional situation. Allow me to brief you..."

"— This is the Academy City of Kivotos, an immensely vast city containing thousands of academies and self-governing districts."

"And this area is one of the three major academies: Gehenna Academy."

"It is also the worst place in Kivotos in terms of security and order."

{Dear Mom and Dad, although your son was not perfect, we had a covenant that I would never get involved in any bad deeds, and I certainly committed no wrongdoing...}

{But the result is that my point of transfer became the worst place possible. Madam Fate, would you kindly punch me?}

 

[Raven797]

"— And that's why I suddenly found myself on the roof of a convenience store."

"Forced transfer... You were brought here from 'Outside Kivotos' under the influence of a technology close to an ancient civilization that vastly surpasses the legacy of the Thunder Emperor, correct?"

"That is mostly accurate."

"..."

Subaru was revealing his situation to Hina Ozorasaki as she escorted him to what was called the relief room.

He struggled to walk, taking halting steps and avoiding putting weight on his right leg, supported by Hina. Subaru couldn't help but suppress his tears over the current situation, where he could walk without straining his body, thanks only to Hina's care.

He wished to raise a toast to the fate that brought him together with this girl full of good intentions, but her image as a heroine in another world was slightly off.

The dark circles around her eyes, which clearly showed her exhaustion, and her body shape, which could only be described as childlike, meant that the first words that came to his mind were not words of praise, but words of solace for someone working themselves to the point of collapse.

"... What soft hair. It's so soft. Thank you, God."

"If you touch my hair any more, I will leave you here."

"My apologies."

Naturally, if anyone did this to their savior, it would not be strange to be abandoned immediately... But Subaru, a veteran player of dating-sims (of various titles), could discern the red lines that should not be crossed.

In this world of Kivotos, the last method Subaru could employ against violence—a person whose combat capability is less than that of a paramecium—was dialogue.

— To earn points through communication so that he wouldn't die and could manage to survive.

This was his last chance, granted to a person with communication skills equivalent to zero.

"But what a surprisingly quiet city landscape."

"Even in Gehenna, when the situation is calm, it is generally like this. People heading to work often wait for the Prefect Team's morning patrol before going to their workplaces."

"I thought it was an academy story... but seeing them self-guarding an administrative area and acting like the police makes it seem like an entire prefecture."

"Prefecture...? — Please allow me a moment."

... — *Hmm, hmm*...

Suddenly, the vibration of a phone passed through her body, which he was leaning on, and Subaru realized she was receiving a call... or rather, an operational report. He saw the phone he had told her about: a new type of communication device, or what is known as a 'smartphone'.

"... — "Team President""

Subaru did not intend to eavesdrop, but due to their extreme proximity, he heard what was being said without needing to strain.

Hina Ozorasaki did not seem concerned about whether Subaru was listening or not.

"... I apologize, there is a person I need to transfer to you immediately."

""What... — An external injury...""

"That is correct. There is no danger."

""Even so... Furthermore""

"It is fine. Once I hand him over to Sena, we will head straight towards the solution. Natsuki Subaru is in the reception room."

""Understood.""

After concluding this serious exchange, their walking pace became slightly faster.

What could be inferred from this exchange was the colossal difference in competence, despite them being the same age and high school students.

Clearly, the Prefect Team, and not in a literal sense, occupies a far more critical position in Kivotos than Subaru could have imagined.

"I apologize for rushing you; the matter I was dealing with has turned into an emergency..."

"It's alright. You are truly busy... Are there no other members in the Prefect Team besides Hina?"

"There are capable comrades, but nonetheless, the workforce is insufficient in Gehenna."

"If I were able, I would offer my assistance to you, Madam, but the current situation makes pretending to be strong difficult..."

"I will accept your sentiment. A girl named Sena from the Emergency Medical Department will arrive soon to meet you. I want you to ride with her and follow the instructions."

"Understood. I am truly grateful for everything. I wish I could shout 'I love you' in celebration of our friendship! Good luck with your work!!"

"... Thank you, Natsuki Subaru."

It seemed she had informed them of the meeting point beforehand. She leaned Subaru against a wall near an intersection, gave him a swift farewell glance, and ran off.

— Hina Ozorasaki darted away with a speed reminiscent of a jet plane, demonstrating the urgency she had placed on her current situation.

"..."

"... I must repay this kindness somehow."

"More importantly, it truly is another world. She even has horns... What was that speed, anyway?"

Luckily, the first person to stand by him was Hina.

Kindness is not merely an act of charity; offering a helping hand and walking together is the very essence of life... Well, he should stop relying on good intentions. The girl coming from the Emergency Medical Department is named Sena.

"She said she is coming by car..."

"How did she get a driver's license?"

I looked around but found no sign of her arrival. Also, what did 'Emergency Medical Department' mean in a high school? These opinions, coming from an ordinary high school student, were utterly invalid in this world, so he chose to remain silent.

While waiting, curious stares surrounded him, though fewer than before, questioning whether the male presence itself was rare; or if the strangeness lay in the injured person carried by Hina Ozorasaki, his lack of a weapon, or merely his choice to wear sportswear.

Vocalizing such thoughts was a bad habit that Subaru attributed to himself.

Suddenly, a student patted Subaru on the shoulder after having overheard his bad habit.

"— The black-haired, wide-eyed, talkative one, with a badly-bandaged right leg; a male high school student who is neither a machine nor a pupil..."

"Isn't that description a bit harsh...!!?"

This was another captivating girl, seemingly fit for white roses. From a different angle, she might have looked like an incredibly beautiful young man, yet her pale complexion and the delicate nature of her uniform would have instantly captivated passersby back in Japan.

"A vintage nurse's uniform, standing on the battlefield... She's truly an angel of the field, like Nightingale. That is absolutely magnificent!"

"The corpse mentioned in the Team President's call is you, correct?"

"Ah, yes... Wait? Corpse?"

"With bandages like that, the injury will quickly worsen. We will perform first aid inside the vehicle. Please come here."

"Alright, she's the cold type then. This other world certainly doesn't lack varieties of heroines... — Woooah!?"

Her reaction was colder than he expected; while one might wish for a slight pause after hearing such a sudden statement, her gaze went immediately to the ankle injury.

When Subaru extended his hand, she did not take it; instead, she grabbed his neck, like a mother cat, and threw him.

In the direction he was thrown, an armored vehicle—too massive to be called an ambulance—was waiting. Subaru was launched flying through the air toward the open back seat.

"Ooowah!! Wait!? That's excessively cold! Don't throw injured people... — Hey, what is this?"

"Let us begin the work, then."

Despite being thrown violently, the aim was somehow precise and perfect. He landed successfully, implausibly, as the cushions inside the vehicle absorbed the shock.

The injured area was subjected to no pressure, indicating an unexplainable strangeness that went beyond a mere mysterious throwing technique.

Next, she deftly cut the plastic-bag strip with sewing scissors. With gentle movements, Subaru's foot, which had been disfigured, ugly, and torn, began to transform into a better state.

Upon completing the disinfection, bleeding control, and stabilization, his right leg, now protected by a clean bandage, was transformed into a new companion that would support his miserable life and walk with him once more.

"Ah, thank you."

"I received a call about a fresh corpse."

"Corpse... — Anyway, Hina said you would take on the task of guiding me. Can I rely on you?"

"Of course."

Perhaps it was too late to pledge to be a serious high school student this time around... at least, for now...

"I have a question I want to ask first."

"What is it?"

"... You are a high school student, correct?"

"Yes."

"Do you have a driver's license...?"

"— I do. But how is the situation 'Outside'?"

"Ah, no, in... in my country, driving starts at age eighteen. I was just slightly surprised."

The way she sat in the driver's seat was utterly professional, making it difficult to see her as a high school student, especially since her physically strong build made her look like a university student.

In addition, this girl also had horns, and her halo (the luminous one) had a different shape.

"We are setting off. You can drink the oral rehydration solution from the cabinet; it is good for anemia."

"Thank you... — *Pffah*"

Even the taste hasn't changed... Could Japan have completely transformed into a new state, and I just came to the future?

"Team President Hina informed me that you are involved in certain special circumstances and lack knowledge of Kivotos' customs."

"Specifically, your lack of a weapon is less common than students walking naked in the street, so I recommend you purchase a single weapon when we arrive at the school."

"— Being less common than naked people is unheard of these days! What a strange and rare creature I am!"

"Rumors have already spread somewhat on the internet."

When Sena showed her phone screen to Subaru, there were photographs taken of him walking closely alongside Hina that had been published and circulated.

"C- copyright... The ethics here really are lenient."

"I agree. We don't want bad rumors about her spreading, especially since she is so busy... — But let's start with you. Do you have any questions?"

"Ah..."

There are many, many things, such as: Can weapons be bought anywhere? Why aren't they damaged when shot? And what is the state of culture and civilization here?

The things that are easy for Subaru to grasp as 'Other World elements' do not require questioning; if he accepts them as such, there is no need to ask.

— What he really wanted to ask about was one thing only.

"Are there any stories about people who came from 'Outside' and returned to 'Outside Kivotos' again?"

"No. We know nothing about the conditions of the 'Outside' to begin with, so we cannot answer clearly. But if I must say something to you—who came from the 'Outside,' is not an adult, and is a high school student without a halo—"

"— I believe 'returning the way you came' is the wise course of action."

"..."

"... Well, thank you. Ah, the 'halo'—is that the thing above the head? That fortress-like thing Hina had, and which you also have..."

"It might appear that way to you, but to us, it looks like nothing more than a faint ring of light."

Subaru replied with a non-committal "Hmm."

— Return the way he came?

His mind was filled with the image of himself as an unemployed fool who had left his parents behind and vanished.

"..."

From the back window, he saw a tank driving down the road. Combat helicopters were flying in the sky, heading toward the area Hina had just gone to.

"..."

"..."

"I wonder if doing good deeds will enable me to return. I don't think so."

"Sena, that... when we arrive at the academy..."

"If you have any extra work, give it to me, and I will do my best."

 

[Raven797]

"... This is it."

"Gehenna Academy."

Subaru kept the conversation brief during the drive; he lacked the skill to maintain a long dialogue with the beautiful woman in the car. If he were to reveal his lack of social skills, he would only prove his unsuitability for this world, which seemed like a dating simulation game within a cyberpunk setting.

Since he had no supernatural abilities, he had to endure some difficulties.

"The sheer size is unbelievable!!" (Subaru)

"This building occupies only a fraction of the self-governing district. However, the size of the Gehenna Academy district is the largest among the three major academies, equivalent to the area of several smaller academy districts combined."

"The building opposite is the main headquarters for the Prefect Team. Truthfully, I had hoped to take you straight to the infirmary, but..."

Hina had told him that the discussion about his status and place of residence would take place at the Prefect Team headquarters. It seemed the status of a "person from the Outside" was more complex than Subaru had imagined.

Subaru sat down on a fountain in the city-like central square and began wiping the bandage on his leg.

The stares he received here hadn't changed, but he felt a significant increase in the amount of curiosity directed toward him.

Although he wanted to brag about suddenly becoming famous, he didn't want to attract bad attention while he was a guest... he didn't want that, although saying "didn't want" might be a lie, but he wouldn't do it.

Sena sat down next to him, and they conversed. The dialogue wasn't overly friendly, but they were from the same generation and a similar student phase, even if their respective fields differed.

Therefore, for Subaru, who had survived the nightmares of elementary and middle school, the mere existence of this common denominator (being students) allowed him to talk somehow.

From what he gathered, Sena was extremely busy. Although her appearance didn't suggest it, the workload at the Emergency Medical Department was almost the same as at a large civilian hospital.

It was absurd for Subaru, who had never worked a day in his life, to utter phrases like "That sounds like a tough job." He was completely stunned in the face of his peers, who operated like "adults" no less capable than actual adults.

"... I've been thinking about this since Hina spoke; there are no adults here, are there?" (Subaru)

"Students leave Kivotos after graduation, and 'Adults' do not interfere with the activities of the academy districts."

"It's like an enormous version of Kid's City." (Subaru)

Subaru was startled after blurting out this phrase. He realized he had misspoken.

Even the student councils in Japan seemed busy from a distance, so it was absolutely unacceptable to utter such a sentence in front of someone doing work indistinguishable from that of adults.

Since the words were already out, he had no choice but to look away...

"Kid's City... —"

"— Sena-san."

"Oh."

Before Sena could say anything, someone interrupted their conversation in front of the fountain.

When Subaru turned around in response to the voice, a shocking sight appeared before him.

Tacky handcuffs, a strange cowbell, and a seductive outfit, if one could call it that... And most importantly.

"N- n- n-" (Subaru)

"N-? You are the person Commander Hina spoke of, aren't you? —"

"Naked...?" (Subaru)

"... — WHO IS NAKED, YOU FOOL!!?"

Her side boob was exposed.

Although Natsuki Subaru was a man with instincts, this was entirely different. If one wore an outfit created by an idiot and worn only by idiots, it transformed from a seductive outfit into a farce.

Subaru felt absolutely no temptation from the person in front of him. In contrast to the attraction he felt toward the well-built Hina, Subaru saw nothing but a complete lack of intelligence in this outfit.

The handcuffs, a symbol of arousal, and the cowbell, resembling a costume prop, could only be interpreted as the wearer's own perverse taste. Subaru found it inconceivable that this outfit could be a Prefect Team uniform... — it was simply an absurd delusion.

"What part of me is naked?"

"No, but this... umm... It can only be considered nudity." (Subaru)

"I'm going to blow you away, you punk!!?"

"Calm down, Administrative Officer Ako, and you, Subaru, don't say anything more."

"Okay, okay." (Subaru)

Her initial attractive entrance was completely dispelled, and she looked like a rabid dog baring its fangs and threatening Subaru's life.

However... Subaru smiled involuntarily whenever he looked at her prominently exposed side boob, which looked purely comedic, so he was forced to stare at her face—which had fewer comedic elements—while speaking (a very difficult task).

"Hah, hah... If you weren't Commander Hina's guest, I would have shot you. Now, hah, you are Natsuki Subaru, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am Subaru, the invincible, penniless genius... But this is the second time; I'll settle for that. And you?" (Subaru)

"... I am Amao Ako, an Administrative Officer in the Prefect Team, and I provide support to Commander Hina."

"— Prefect Team, then." (Subaru)

The irony! Why would you wear *that* particular uniform?

"...? What do those cryptic looks mean?"

"Nothing at all. Now... is it rude to ask why you came?" (Subaru)

"That is correct, Sena-san. The Prefect Team will handle this person now. Thank you for the trouble of escorting him; you may return to your work."

"Understood. I just received a report about a new corpse. I will excuse myself now."

"You're going back without rest... Thank you for your help today, Sena!" (Subaru)

"The next time you are injured, feel free to visit the Emergency Medical Department; you were a person worth treating."

As Sena bowed and swiftly departed, Subaru turned to Ako, trying to keep her attire outside his primary field of vision.

— She was, after all, just a beautiful girl, if he only looked at her face.

"Alright, Natsuki Subaru, let's go."

"You must behave with the utmost propriety here, so as not to harm Commander Hina's reputation. Commander Hina is busier than you can imagine, so do not cause us any further trouble."

"Okay, okay, I understand. If the dark circles under that supremely beautiful and wonderful girl's eyes increase because of me, I would slap myself if I could split into two people." (Subaru)

"... Good, as long as you understand. And remember, Commander Hina is 'supremely' more beautiful and wonderful, so do not be inaccurate in your expression."

"..."

It is said that sometimes, when a person sees someone stranger than themselves... they become calmer in comparison.

●○●○●

— The place he was escorted to was a massive, white, Western-style building, which one might mistake for a castle.

Amao Ako said this was the Prefect Team headquarters. This building alone would require significant effort, enough to construct a towering residential skyscraper, and it was too luxurious to be simply called an "academy."

Ako explained that the Gehenna Prefect Team is actually the body responsible for controlling and overseeing the administrative district. It is a comprehensive committee that must also handle the unreasonable demands of the General Student Council.

"That means Hina is the Commander... A truly great person helped me."

"Commander Hina, please do not refer to her by her bare name. That is inappropriate."

"... Are you an overly enthusiastic supporter? Are you suffering from an iron deficiency or something?"

"If you address Commander Hina in that manner again, I will kill you."

"Oh, God."

While walking inside the building, Subaru caught a glimpse of some documents being carried by the ordinary students wearing the same uniform as Ako, who were walking around.

The written contents were extremely difficult, even from a quick glance, and he did not want to believe this was the average level of intelligence in this world.

During this, Subaru was led to a reception room.

On the luxurious sofa and extravagant table in the reception room, a massive amount of documents and work was piled up, indicating that the place was in no way prepared to receive guests.

"I apologize, but I will have to speak with you while working here. We do not have enough time."

"Don't worry about it. I have no right to say 'don't worry' when I'm the cause of the inconvenience, but don't worry about it."

"Then let's begin immediately. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them as you wish."

"Ask them as I wish..."

As he sat down and watched Ako enter a silent work mode, the previous sense of joking completely vanished. Subaru felt some tension due to the prevailing atmosphere.

Whether Subaru realized it or not, he had been performing adequately so far, commensurate with the opportunity afforded to him.

However, Natsuki Subaru did not possess the mental flexibility to adapt gracefully when suddenly presented with a free choice.

"Ah..."

"Wait, that is..."

"..."

""...""

He falls silent when asked to speak and speaks when asked to be silent. With this contradiction and selfishness, Natsuki Subaru is deemed to "have a communication problem."

— A cold silence filled the room.

"... Right! Since this is an academy, what do you study? It excites me to imagine Hina and others giving presentations in front of teachers, but there are no signs of that or any teachers here."

"— You truly came from the 'Outside', didn't you? There are no teachers in the academies located in Kivotos, not just in Gehenna Academy."

"Really? Then how do they study?"

"It is auditory and visual learning using educational Blu-ray discs. Lessons after receiving these discs are self-paced; it is fine as long as the student does not miss obtaining the required credits in periodic exams, and attendance is not counted at all."

"Commander Hina and I rely only on the distributed e-books, dedicating most of our time to Prefect Team activities."

"They really are the elite of the elite..."

This was astonishing. Even in university, attendance guarantees certain marks, but acquiring all academic credits solely through periodic exams is terrifying.

The difficulty level of the saying, "The more you slack off, the harder things get," is completely different here.

Was there anything Subaru could help with in a place like this?

*(Don't be weak, self. You are a guest. You must be more assertive... —)*

"..."

"Ako, is there anything I can help with... No." Holy moly, an immediate response!

"Of course not. Having someone like you, who lacks both a halo and intelligence, is merely a hindrance to the work. I would rather kick you out than have you as a mere guest."

"That's true, but!... Isn't there a better way to phrase that!? More importantly, I don't want to hear 'lack of intelligence' from someone wearing clothes that lack intelligence!!"

"What!! What do you mean by 'clothes that lack intelligence'!? You have been incredibly rude since we met!!"

"Can't you notice it!? Doesn't anyone point out that matter... that... th- th- th- side..."

"Yes? What pointing out?"

"Ah...!! You *can* perceive it! That is something that can be perceived!"

"Then, what is it? What is the matter?! Ah! It's just hindering my work to deal with you... —"

As they exchanged shouts in a cat-and-dog fight, the door to the reception room burst open violently.

Due to the door opening forcefully, both their gazes were drawn to the person who entered.

"Ako."

"There seems to be a noise. What happened?"

"C- Commander Hina!... You've returned already!?"

"Yes, if the matter is of this scale... So, what happened?"

"Ah, well, that..."

"Ah, it's alright, Hina, just a minor quarrel, or rather, a friendly conversation to deepen our friendship."

"I see."

Hina replied, but she clearly realized that Amao Ako and Subaru were arguing fiercely. She inferred who the instigator was, said nothing, and sat down next to Ako, across from Subaru.

Their eyes met. Despite the speed of her going and returning, she showed no signs of fatigue.

"Didn't Hina have work? Could it be that you came back just for me... — I'm just joking."

"You bastard! That would certainly not be the case..." (Ako)

"Generally, yes." (Hina)

"Commander!!?!" (Ako)

Subaru nearly melted with joy at that sentence. If this world truly was a dating sim, he would have initiated a fierce emotional attack on Hina.

... But a question occurred to Subaru now: no matter how strange his existence was, there was no reason for someone as prominent as Hina to receive him like this.

Cooling his enthusiastic head, he asked Hina.

"I thought there was something; perhaps I have some hidden ability or something like that..."

"No, it's nothing of the sort."

"Then, what is the reason?"

"..."

"The reason is..."

"Because of 'the message left by the Student Council President,' which included your description."

●○●○●

— Two people were walking on a city street in the evening, as the sun began to set, the number of students returning home increased, and the shadows of passersby dwindled.

Natsuki Subaru and Sorazaki Hina were walking side by side as if on an after-school date.

This was not without reason; it was simply due to... the bleeding from Subaru's foot. Although the car brought them a certain distance, navigating between academies was like traveling between countries, and there were rules limiting where vehicles could enter.

They had reached another self-governing district: the D.U. area, managed by the Student Council Federation.

— Why were they visiting this specific place, coming from Gehenna Academy?

"A message left by the Student Council Federation President... what does that mean?" (Subaru)

The question Subaru launched in the Prefect Team reception room was natural. What on earth was this?

— The Student Council Federation

This is the central organization that manages all administrative affairs for the giant Academy City of Kivotos. It is responsible for governing the academy city.

This organization consists of eleven departments divided into the 'Administrative Affairs Committee' and the 'Coordination Office' that oversees all of them.

... In other words, it is akin to a cabinet. Subaru understood that this organization was the equivalent of the cabinet in Japan, and the Student Council Federation President was the equivalent of the Prime Minister.

The Student Council Federation President is a mighty entity; not just a student, but an underage student who takes responsibility for managing an entity larger than a nation.

"The Student Council Federation President has been missing for six months."

This was no joke. It was like the Prime Minister suddenly vanishing in Japan without submitting a resignation. When something like this happens in a world rife with crime and armed conflict... Subaru, despite his flaws, could imagine the magnitude of the resulting disaster.

But, in the message left by the Student Council Federation President...

"... Isn't this some kind of mistake? I'm just an unemployed coward who dropped out of high school halfway through. My words sadden me as I say them!?" (Subaru)

"Therefore, the problem would be solved if there was another person in Kivotos who met the criteria: 'an ordinary child with black skin, black eyes, and black hair, possessing no halo.'"

The message contained phrases that matched Natsuki Subaru's appearance.

This was the reason Sorazaki Hina received Subaru as a guest; the final message left by the Student Council Federation President was only revealed to a few parts of the academies and had been kept secret.

"The more I listen, the more certain I am that it's me. But I really don't want it to be me." (Subaru)

"... Ah, what if it's not me, and someone else was the person meant by the Student Council Federation President? How can they distinguish between the intended and the unintended person? I don't want to get involved in a strange role due to a misunderstanding." (Subaru)

"That method is also clearly written in the message."

"What a wise and well-prepared person the Student Council Federation President is!?" (Subaru)

"That is why we came here. Haven't you noticed?"

The place they walked to together was a towering structure, incomparable to ordinary apartment buildings. It was the 'Sanctum Tower,' located in what could be considered the city center.

"What?... Is that right!? I was terribly mistaken in thinking Hina suddenly fell in love with me based on a flimsy hope...!" (Subaru)

"... 'Garrulous.' Another characteristic has been confirmed in you."

"Oh, dear. I'm implicated! ... This isn't the time to act rashly, self!!" (Subaru)

"Well... our destination is the headquarters of 'Schale,' the Federal Investigation Club, a special operations agency established by the Student Council Federation President."

"There is something there that can determine whether you are 'that person' or not... — And it seems they are about to appear now."

"Appear... Ah? — A helicopter?" (Subaru)

From behind the sunset, a helicopter emerged, flying with a loud engine sound.

It was not flying high; its trajectory was clearly directed towards them.

A ladder was lowered from the helicopter, and a figure descended from it.

"Well done, Sorasaki Hina."

She was a tall woman, with black hair, pointed ears like a fairy tale elf, and blue eyes, wearing glasses. She did not look like a student at all.

Furthermore, she was wearing a white military uniform, which radiated the prestige of a commander. Her gaze, which was fixed upon them, conveyed the 'value' of the person herself.

"I am Nanagami Rin, the Chief Administrator of the Student Council Federation."

"Natsuki Subaru, everything from now on hinges on whether you are 'that person' or not... Therefore,"

"I kindly request your cooperation."

 

[Raven797]

"— If you are 'that person,' you can carry out the content of the message. That is the reason." (Rin)

"The intensity of today is astonishing. Is this life in another world...!" (Subaru)

Subaru muttered this as he rode the elevator.

After the phrases "freedom of action" and what followed, Subaru entered the building and found himself entering the *Schale* (S.C.H.A.L.E) office room with Hina and Nanagami Rin, who had just introduced herself.

While he took enthusiastic steps, the sound of papers shuffling next to him accelerated, and the atmosphere of the place changed somewhat.

"Subaru, don't be too reckless." (Hina)

"... First of all, the power plants in all Kivotos districts, or rather, half of the public facilities, do not operate without control from the Sanctum Tower." (Rin)

"The Sanctum Tower, you mean that enormous tower, right?" (Subaru)

"The entity responsible for controlling the Sanctum Tower is located here." (Rin)

"It's a structure that looks like successive layers..." (Subaru)

Since Subaru knew nothing about the structure of power plants, he couldn't comment on anything. However, having the control of public facilities in this city, where nations are intertwined, centralized... Subaru felt that the matter was extremely dangerous.

In modern Japan, a computer with these specifications simply does not exist. It might be possible if there were something similar to the giant, fantastical Mother Computer that appeared in the sci-fi films that came to his mind.

But this thought vanished when he saw that the location he was finally directed to was a very small room.

"Alright, alright, understood? Is there a massively large space directly beneath this room, some kind of secret base that can store giant robots or something?" (Subaru)

"No, there isn't." (Rin)

"Then, is it a super-treasure computer that will turn the world upside down, like an 'Ultra C' computer?" (Subaru)

"No, there isn't." (Rin)

"..."

"How has Kivotos managed to stand until now!?!?!" (Subaru)

"That secret is this." (Rin)

Rin extended her hand and directed Subaru's gaze.

In front of her hand was a square crystal screen that looked as if it was embedded in the room's wall. It perfectly resembled what Subaru called a tablet device, which, according to his memory, was scheduled to be released later in Japan.

"This...?" (Subaru)

"... This is the only thing still functioning among what the Federal Student Council President left behind. It's an ancient artifact we have been unable to decipher anything about; we don't even know why or how it works." (Rin)

"The Shittim Box (シッテムの箱)"

In the dark room, there was a single tablet device mounted on the wall.

Numbers appeared on the screen of this tablet, and they looked like...

"This, the number..." (Subaru)

— The number displayed on the screen looked like a notification for his mobile phone's battery dying, or the remaining uptime.

This number was zero.

Subaru felt as if he were standing before a patient declared near death, or staring at a candle that had just been extinguished.

"This number has been continuously decreasing for about six months, and it has never stopped. We have been unable to restore the number that has stopped to its former state." (Rin)

"At the moment, every administrative district is relying on its own responses and first aid measures, but if this situation persists... — an unprecedented disaster will occur." (Rin)

"N- no, no, no! Wait, wait a minute, is this why I was brought here!? So you can determine... no, absolutely impossible!! I am not that person!" (Subaru)

"... Even if that is not the case, we can only rely on the message left by the Federal Student Council President. You appeared on the very day Kivotos was sinking, and you coincidentally matched the specifications mentioned in the message." (Rin)

"If you touch this thing, then certainly..." (Rin)

"But, but I won't be able to do anything. If I touch it and it fails... what will happen then?" (Subaru)

"That..." (Rin)

"..."

"Hina, H- Hina, what do you think... —" (Subaru)

"Huh?" (Hina)

— Resignation.

That was the emotion drawn on Hina's face. Hina! Subaru realized now: they desperately needed someone with his specifications, and he was their only hope.

Hina Ozorasaki and Nanagami Rin would not stop working, regardless of the circumstances; they put forth their utmost effort for what they wished to protect.

These two were now looking at Natsuki Subaru side-by-side.

"... Haha, well, this is truly difficult." (Subaru)

"... —"

He had become involved in something unbelievable immediately upon arriving in another world. It had only been one day, but he had witnessed the tasks and responsibilities shouldered by the students of this world, and interfering in this matter meant taking on responsibility.

Whether something happened or didn't, Natsuki Subaru would be manipulated by words whose source he did not know.

He didn't realize it. He simply... — for the sake of saving them, if it was just a touch, he was ready to act for them.

"Alright, alright, understood, understood! I'll do it! ... All I have to do is touch it, right?" (Subaru)

"...!" (Rin)

"You are a real relief. It is good that we secured your agreement." (Rin)

"If, if it turns on... — Hina, I will consider the debt repaid!" (Subaru)

"... You don't need to feel indebted for the assistance. This is my job." (Hina)

"Don't say that, wait! With my supernatural hand, I'll quickly solve Hina's terrible work situation and... —" (Subaru)

The moment he took a few steps and touched the Shittim Box,

— An alarm sound, like a siren, blared in the room.

"Ah!? Wait!? Did I break something else!?!?" (Subaru)

"Ah, what is it! ... Yes, hello? — "Calamity Fox"..." (Rin)

Surprised by the alarm, Subaru nearly fell, bracing himself with his foot... and lunging toward Hina and Rin, who were waiting behind him.

At that moment, Subaru heard the sound of something exploding in succession: *Ba-ba-ba-bat*.

The sound of a light explosion mixing with the air, perhaps much like festive firecrackers?

— He ignored it and rushed towards them.

"Oh, dear. Oh, dear. This is a critical situation." (Hina)

"— Huh?" (Subaru)

Suddenly, the back of my head felt the cold concrete of the floor.

I don't recall being drunk. Damn my stumbling steps, how nervous was I! I thought that and tried to get up again.

— I can't get up?

I don't know what is happening, but even if I don't know what is happening... — The only thing I remember is what I had to do: I must touch that tablet.

For a reason I didn't know, I crawled with my heavy body... until I reached the front of the tablet.

"—ー!!"

Someone is screaming, but I can't hear them.

— The tip of my finger touched the tablet.

●○●○●

"... It was my mistake."

A girl I don't know, a voice I don't know, a face I don't know.

But, a warm voice that certainly touched me many times.

"My choice, and this entire situation caused by it."

"In the end, I only realized you were right when I reached this outcome..."

That is not true, for Natsuki Subaru's life had no moment where he chose correctly.

It is a continuous series of failures, failures, and failures.

"... I know I'm being presumptuous right now, but please, Subaru-kun."

What is she talking about? Natsuki Subaru, who is asking him for something? And what is she asking for?

"I know you will inevitably forget these words of mine, but that's alright."

"Even if you don't remember anything, Subaru-kun must be 'capable of choosing.'"

"Therefore... what matters is not experience, but the choice."

— What are you saying...

"We once talked about the chain of choices that only Subaru-kun can make, and about the person who bears the responsibility..."

"I didn't understand then... but I realize now. I could never truly become an adult."

"... 'A drowning man clutches at a straw in the sea of life,' hehe... You sometimes spoke strange wisdom, didn't you?"

"You are strange, and cowardly... reckless, and sometimes confidently irritatingly so..."

"... — Nevertheless, you do not run away from responsibility."

"The only straw I, the drowning one, can cling to, is you, Subaru-kun."

"Therefore, I can trust you, trust your choice, your resolve, and your judgment."

"You must be able to find a different outcome, and the choices that lead to it, far from this twisted and distorted end."

— So, Subaru-kun... Please, you absolutely must.

Save me.

"Ah." (Subaru)

The sensation of cold concrete returned to the back of his head, and he realized he was lying on his back.

His body was rigid with pain. Despite his thoughts about taking any measure to survive, his body made no move whatsoever.

A feeling that his internal organs were boiling overwhelmed him.

— Hot, hurting, agonizing, cold, freezing.

He didn't know who he had been speaking with, but the only thing Natsuki Subaru was given to understand was that the present moment was the reality.

"Cough... —"

His throat began to make a gurgling sound. This was because he couldn't spit out the mass of blood blocking his throat to try and breathe, and the holes in his lungs didn't even allow him to cough.

He felt cold air pass through the gaps in his body without exiting his mouth, and he saw the color red spreading on the floor.

— Was all that blood running inside me?

"..."

A sea of blood was spreading, an amount that could by no means fit inside this frail body.

I remember learning in physical and health education classes that the body of a person nearing adulthood is about sixty percent water, and the amount of blood...

— What was it? I can't recall.

I felt dizzy due to forgetting even the basics of elementary education, or perhaps because of the heavy blood loss.

Indeed, losing a third of human blood is supposedly critical, and now I feel as if my body has been completely drained.

Subaru's realization of how close he was to death drained the strength from his body. This feeling of euphoria engulfing him, as if he were swimming in the river of death, must be the result of adrenaline intensely released just before dying.

But the sensation had certainly left his body, and the sound of cold air seeping through his wounds faded until it completely vanished.

— ... Ah, I'm going to die, I am.

He felt his soul about to depart as his consciousness faded.

In these moments that would pass quickly if he started counting the wrinkles on the ceiling, he had no desire to do anything particularly meaningful.

Being shot is an inevitable death, and despite this obvious fact, he couldn't do anything about their attack. It was an unavoidable fate.

"... — Subaru."

If one is attacked by a crazy, senseless killer, there is no outcome other than "death."

The only thing he wished for as he faced his demise was that she alone would survive in the future.

"— Don't die."

He heard a gentle tone, like the touch of a soft wing.

A voice still present in his memory. I don't know if it was an illusion, but it certainly reached him.

This voice instilled confidence, granted reassurance, and overflowed with feelings of comfort.

Therefore —.

"... Wait." (Subaru)

He snatched "death" from his soul and screamed with all his might.

Being sprawled now on the cold concrete is the result of an irreparable mistake, the mistake of a failed human, a blind and oblivious human; it is *my* mistake.

But, nevertheless —.

"I will, absolutely —"

— Save you.

In the next instant, Natsuki Subaru breathed his last.

●○●○●

"Fire! Open fire!!"

"Grenade!! Get back!!"

"..."

"ーー Huh?"

He had awakened.

What Natsuki Subaru saw after opening his eyes...

"What? ーー What is this supposed to mean?" (Subaru)

It was a firefight, no different from the one that had occurred when he first came to this world.

 

[Raven797]

The scene visible from the rooftop of the convenience store, the point of transition, had not changed; the gunfire continued between the individuals, and bullets striking the students' skin effortlessly demolished the concrete.

In the bustling main street, tanks rolled along, firing at the buildings while their engines roared loudly.

Although it was still noon, the temperature could only be described as scorching. Seeing the female students passing beneath him wearing helmets (resembling Japanese high-school gangs in uniform), Subaru sincerely thought: "What a painful and suffocating feeling they must be experiencing."

— That was his fleeting thought, yet the real issue was not there.

Instead, something far greater and more significant was lodged in his throat, something he could not release.

"This is definitely not the time for idiotic remarks, well,... ーー I'm certainly saying 'What?' again." (Subaru)

He scratched the back of his head and turned his torso to face the sun. Subaru tried to stretch his body, twisting it as he attempted to unravel the mystery occupying his mind.

If anyone had seen him in this state, they would have immediately reported him, although he was already famous on the internet... or so he presumed.

"Right, just a few hours ago... it was sunset, the sun had started to..." (Subaru)

He directed his questions towards the sun he was facing. *Why are you so high? Did you feel the urge to ascend to a higher place for a change of scenery?*

— *Weren't you on the verge of setting just a moment ago?*

"... The sun is high." (Subaru)

This sensation was not entirely new to him.

— When he was first brought to this world, Subaru witnessed a beautiful moon transform into a blazing sun, so the shock was not as potent as the initial one... But, nevertheless, this feeling was entirely different from that time.

It was nausea.

"The foot injury... it is gone, and the punctures that were in my body have also healed." (Subaru)

This was his comment on the absence of the white bandage wrapped around his foot, made without needing to lift his sportswear.

For Subaru, that treatment, performed with pure and good intentions, had been heartwarming just to look at, but it was now gone.

The holes in his body were also gone. Bullets had penetrated him, his blood had spilled heavily onto the ground, and he was supposed to have miserably fragmented as he touched his injured internal organs.

Yet there was no trace of this on his clothes; even the plastic bag used in the treatment was intact, his clothes were not stained at all, and a mobile phone and wallet remained in his pant pockets, exactly as they were at the start, in the weakest possible configuration.

— Only now did the chill of the lost life begin to creep into his body.

"Ugh... hnh..." (Subaru)

"What the hell happened..." (Subaru)

Subaru recalled the sensation of the bullets tearing through his intestines, destroying his liver, puncturing his stomach, and creating another breathing hole in his lungs.

The feeling that overcame him now, instead of pain or torment, was:

— Nausea.

He felt disgusted with himself for being alive now. He felt disgusted with himself for standing on his own feet after acknowledging death.

It was repulsive that that torment, that pain, and that coldness were now just memories, while Natsuki Subaru had certainly lived through those moments.

In the moment the flame of life is extinguished, a flame that seemed as if it would last forever, "the candle itself was not supposed to realize its own flame had been put out."

"... My health is perfect, wonderful, I am in the best possible condition." (Subaru)

Yet, I remember everything.

I remember that girl's voice saying, "Save me."

"..."

"ーー That's right, the date and time..." (Subaru)

The giant crystal screen mounted on a building in the city center reminded Subaru of the buildings in front of the Shibuya crossing.

He was supposed to check the time, and he had been relieved that the method of naming and calculating time was exactly the same as in Japan, but now he wished the opposite—that he could not read it.

"...!"

"One twenty-four PM." (Subaru)

Nothing had changed; it had not changed since the moment he was transferred to this world.

— Furthermore, the date next to the time matched as well.

"... At least, should I try to gather information?" (Subaru)

There was no room for surrender yet. It would be a great disgrace for Natsuki Subaru to bow before a hallucination or an illusion that might just be a dream.

He considered this, then quickly descended from the store's roof and landed on the ground. From a height of only one meter, Subaru could skillfully execute a three-point landing.

As he fought off the nausea and glanced around, he heard a mechanical sound from behind him. Yes, it was a student who had just stepped out of the convenience store.

— The expression on the student's face, who had just exited the store, twisted into surprise.

"Sorry... I wanted to ask you something simple... ーー" (Subaru)

"S, su..." (Student)

"Su?" (Subaru)

"Suspect ーー!!? It's an unarmed pervert!!??" (Student)

"Ah! Hey! Wait!! Yes, this matter has special circumstances... *extremely* special circumstances that exceed anything you can imagine, they're deeper than the Mariana Trench!!" (Subaru)

Subaru tried to catch up to her while speaking.

"No way! Stay away from me!!" (Student)

"So don't scream like that, you... ーー Damn it..." (Subaru)

— *BANG*.

"Also..." (Subaru)

The same sensation, the same pain.

Because a person remembers an experience they once underwent as a reflex action.

Subaru remembered that sensation clearly.

"ーー?" (Subaru)

— And so, another opening was made in Natsuki Subaru's body.

"Cough... A, ah? Ah..." (Subaru)

"Kyah!!... But, what? Huh? Huh???" (Student)

"You, you... ーー What are you... doing..." (Subaru)

The bullet precisely pierced his heart; the hole it created immediately ended his life.

Loss of consciousness was quicker than usual. Unlike the first time, when he was still able to move, the "life" of Natsuki Subaru was penetrated this time.

As a warm puddle of life-liquid spread, a feeling of bitter coldness...

"..."

Natsuki Subaru's soul struggled and perished.

●○●○●

"Fire! Open fire!!"

"Grenade!! Get back!!"

Familiar screams.

Familiar sunbeams.

The familiar scent of gunpowder and rising dust.

"..."

"What." (Subaru)

"What, for God's sake...!!" (Subaru)

"What the hell is this!?" (Subaru)

Subaru was shaken directly to his core, bordering on madness.

This time, it happened in a single moment, without any drama, without any process or context leading up to it.

— He had died, due to a reaction of rejection.

"That girl, that damn girl!!" (Subaru)

"ーー Ugh gh... Oh..." (Subaru)

The body succumbed to the heart; the fear and despair were incomparable to the first time.

Unlike the previous instance, when he managed to stand, this time he instantly knelt.

"Ugh gh... ーー Damn it...!" (Subaru)

*He died.*

How much he wished this were a complete fantasy world, but this world, so close to Japan, was far too "realistic" for Subaru, who embodied isolation and unemployment.

How he wished there were healing magic to instantly mend wounds, or flying magic to soar through the sky, or fire magic to launch flames... ーー It did not matter if it wasn't magic; any supernatural power, unique ability, unnatural phenomenon—anything dreamlike that could negate this "reality"—would have been welcome.

— If this were a dream, an *isekai* transfer, and a super-powered duel with a cheap cheat ability, it would have been fine.

Or if he could just die more painlessly...

In any case, Natsuki Subaru was incapable of thinking about such things, as he had brushed against this world's reality too closely. The assaulting sensation of "reality" could not be shaken off, neither in the first instance nor under the shadow of the subsequent "death."

He could do nothing but writhe and flail with his convulsing body for a few minutes.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it!!" (Subaru)

While curled up, trembling and shaking with fear, he threw a plastic bag into the air.

He convinced himself that there was no escaping looking ugly, abandoning thought to try and banish the fear from his heart.

— And as he tried to banish the fear, he stumbled once more.

"Ow! Enough! What the hell is this..." (Subaru)

"Oh? What's wrong?" (Voice)

"Ugh... Damn it... Ah... Listen, something just fell from above and hit my head." (Voice)

"From above?... From the store's roof?" (Voice)

"Maybe. There might be someone up there." (Voice)

The voices of the two girls reached Subaru.

If only Natsuki Subaru had paid attention to the sound, the outcome might have been different. If he could have sorted out the situation slightly, calmed his heart, and even if he cried, if he could have shown any kind of resolve... ーー

— But that was a difficult proposition for a man avoiding reality, curled up and embodied by fear.

And next to this man avoiding reality, this embodiment of fear...

A black sphere dropped.

"... Ah?" (Subaru)

As he stared at the last thing his eyes registered, the moisture evaporated from Natsuki Subaru's eyes.

With his body gradually disintegrating, and without having time to feel pain or torment this time...

"Natsuki Subaru" lost his form in this world.

●○●○●

"Fire! Open fire!!"

"Grenade!! Get back!!"

Once again, he heard a familiar sound.

Once again, a familiar light pierced his eyes.

Once again, the familiar scent of gunpowder and dust stomped upon his nose.

"... ーー"

"ーー Hah, ah, ah, ah, ahhhh..." (Subaru)

"Aaaaaah!!" (Subaru)

He began to groan in a very low voice, directing it toward his stomach.

So that no one would hear him.

So that no one would see him.

"What, ah, ugh gh... Ah..." (Subaru)

"Ugh ghhh... I'm going to throw up!!" (Subaru)

He cried out, staining his sportswear with tears, mucus, and vomit, coiling himself up miserably. He could do nothing but remain curled up as he collapsed.

The direct impact of the grenade, which his still-somewhat-logical mind retained, clearly replayed the immediate pre-death scene.

He had forgotten; he hadn't intended to forget, but he had forgotten until he experienced it again this way.

— That this world was not a place where he could live.

Subaru had died without any malice or enmity, simply due to a minor shift in someone's mood. The fact was that a high school student, who was outwardly no different from Subaru, had erased him from existence without a trace.

The fear that stripped the world of its colors began gnawing at his heart, accompanied by a sensation as if his internal organs had flipped over.

"Hah, hah, hah... ーー" (Subaru)

"I died, I definitely died, I just died." (Subaru)

"A dream, a... it wasn't a dream... ーー I was shot and died, I was hit by an explosion..." (Subaru)

"ーー I died." (Subaru)

This was the only truth laid before Natsuki Subaru.

"I died, and returned...?" (Subaru)

He checked the clock: one twenty-four PM. There was a confusion of seconds, but the time remained exactly the same, without deviating even by a minute.

A loop? Repetition? His mind, which had read many fantasy novels, began running at full capacity, driven by terror...

"Rewinding time..." (Subaru)

"ーー 'Return by Death,' does time rewind if I die...?" (Subaru)

The conclusion he reached was unbelievable and fantastical.

Those words he muttered resonated with his heart more than he had anticipated.

But the words Subaru uttered after this absurd reality carried...

"Ha, haha." (Subaru)

"This is impossible; there's no way I can survive with this." (Subaru)

— His words contained a sigh that the supernatural ability granted to Natsuki Subaru was utterly insufficient for survival in this world.

 

[Raven797]

Natsuki Subaru is an ordinary human.

He does not know how to handle a firearm; he possesses combat skills he has only heard about and learned via distance learning. His pointlessly trained body might be theoretically usable, but it would be useless in this world.

He also lacks wisdom. His intellect barely exceeds a high school graduate's level at best, and he understood nothing of the documents that Tenama Ako was arranging in the disciplinary committee reception room when he visited her.

Natsuki Subaru was granted neither a steel body that deflects bullets, nor a superhuman ability that surpasses a gun, nor a formidable mind capable of controlling the academy.

— He is Natsuki Subaru, zero ability and zero money.

"..." (Subaru)

When he became aware, it was midnight. This was a place where no one would notice him, provided he remained quiet. He disturbed no one, and no one saw him.

Subaru, who continued to process the shadow of death he could not digest, managed to spend that intense day aimlessly and uselessly.

"... Hah." (Subaru)

His mood was calm, and there were no injuries on his body.

He sighed from noon until midnight, and through this miserable contemplation, he reached a conclusion.

"..." (Subaru)

"... ーー At any rate, even if I wasn't present... nothing will change." (Subaru)

"Nothing will change, right?" (Subaru)

Indeed, the tablet was not working in the last scene he saw in that room. His death was an undeniable fact, but once he bypassed that, all he had to do was avoid intervening in the matter.

— Natsuki Subaru was not present at that location.

The conclusion was that his presence or absence would make no difference.

"I will look for a job tomorrow..." (Subaru)

"First, to survive, and after I survive..." (Subaru)

"... ーー"

What should I do?

"I absolutely cannot know!!" (Subaru)

"I don't know anything...!" (Subaru)

It is the nature of the world not to be kindly designed, and this was familiar to Subaru, who had continually suffered because of it.

It's all the same: if it is painful, flee; if it is difficult, retreat, and return to Natsuki Subaru, the unemployed and isolated man.

"..." (Subaru)

Natsuki Subaru is capable of making this decision; he can 'exert effort' in both bad and good directions.

Even if he has nothing to be proud of internally, and even if the reason for his action is not self-satisfying, he can still move.

— However, this is a reckless courage accumulated from recklessness and arrogance.

Even using it causes great hardship.

"... Tomorrow, I'll start tomorrow; I'll exert effort starting tomorrow." (Subaru)

He muttered his usual excuse and closed his eyes, even though no one heard him.

He was tired; he was exhausted in every sense of the word.

If he could just spend some useless time and calm down to face tomorrow...

"... ーー I'll do it. Bring it on, Fate." (Subaru)

He said that, and Subaru's consciousness fell into darkness.

He slept, having made a firm resolution.

— At the moment he drifted off to sleep, he saw an intense flame at the corner of his eye.

●○●○●

"Fire! Open fire!!"

"Grenade!! Get back!!"

Once again, he heard a familiar sound.

Once again, a familiar light pierced his eyes.

Once again, a familiar scent trod upon his nose.

"..."

"Huh?"

"Eh, ah? ーー What? What is happening?"

Subaru rubbed his eyes as if he had just woken up, then rose and looked around to find the world confronting him anew.

The same time, the same date, the same sound, the same noise, the same scent—everything was identical...

Natsuki Subaru, who was supposed to have slept with a firm resolve to face the next day, had returned once more to the starting point.

"Huh?"

The meaningless question mark slipped repeatedly from his mouth.

— Had time reverted?

Why? He was only supposed to have slept, so why had he returned again... Does this mean the condition is different? Does the return not rely solely on death?

"Ha, haha..."

"Hahaha, hahahahahaha!"

Subaru laughed a hysterical laugh as his tears streamed down; the emotions he felt were mixed, and confusion and rejection ceaselessly gnawed at his mind.

"Does this mean that I... ーー am forbidden from even seeing the next day?"

"Ah... Oh, Fate, could you not have been slightly kinder..."

Even if Subaru tearfully pleaded with the divine, wondering if this was not a Return by Death, no answer would come. There was still a possibility that he had died in his sleep... ーー However, Subaru's memories did not include a death during sleep, so...

"Or perhaps, it's the same as what happened with the grenade."

Maybe he died without feeling anything. It was still too early to surrender to despair. He could only pray that this was not a "closed save" (similar to what happens in stories with looping narratives).

He could not believe this reality, which was worse than hell, where time reverts to the next day regardless of what he does.

— He refuses to believe it, and for this reason, Natsuki Subaru will begin to move.

"... On the contrary, this is starting to infuriate me. If this hypothesis is correct and I find myself in a loop that can't be compared to the five-hundred-million-year button, what value did my life have until now?"

"I'll do it; I'll certainly do it. Doesn't time revert? That means I can do anything, right?"

"I will do 'anything'. I'll try everything. Even if I fail completely, I am invincible now; I can do anything."

He remembered those words.

— "Save me."

He used those words, which had never left him despite death and his near descent into madness, as fuel. He lit a furnace in his heart, and the energy mixed with rage surged through his limbs.

He ignited all the enthusiasm he had left in his heart, which had frozen after the night he endured.

"ーー I will definitely save you, you who I don't know, and who are doing this because you want help." (Subaru)

"Come at me, Fate, this time too!! Don't underestimate Natsuki Subaru, zero ability and zero money!!" (Subaru)

●○●○●

"ーー Heheheh, little one, do you have some free time now?" (Subaru)

"What's wrong with you, you... ーー Kyah!! Wait, you pervert!?" (Student)

In the middle of the day, a female student was confronted by a strange person harassing her. An extremely dangerous pervert, wearing sweatpants as a mask over his head, shirtless, wearing only underwear, with his hands strangely contorted.

This repulsive harasser, who almost made her cry and vomit from sheer disgust, was crawling towards her as she shed tears.

"Heheheh!!" (Subaru)

"Nooooooo!!?" (Student)

"Drop everything you have and run!!" (Subaru)

"Waaaaaaah!!!!" (Student)

The student threw everything she possessed and fled, practically breathless. The pervert vanished after collecting her stolen goods and retreating into a back alley.

— And as one might guess, this harasser was Natsuki Subaru.

— Why did Subaru do this?

The first thing Subaru needed was a means of resistance: power, specifically a "gun". However, Subaru, who had no money, had no way to purchase a weapon, nor did he believe he could repeat the coincidence that led him to meet Hina again.

Therefore, Subaru decided to retaliate against the student who had caused his second death and went to strip her of her belongings via a pervert attack.

"Truly, a moderate approach is useless; I must be extreme."

He accepted the simplicity of challenging his opponent in the same manner he was previously killed and considered his current action a "master plan" that would astonish Zhuge Liang (Kong Ming).

He succeeded in the theft by conveying his intention as a pervert before the student's mind could explode from fear.

"... Even with this decision, it still feels truly harsh."

While feeling that something precious inside him was gradually eroding and disappearing, he inspected the stolen goods as he ran.

"A wallet... a student ID? A gun and ammunition, and a smartphone, right?"

It was a magnificent haul; he was able to refresh his gear from nothing to much more, simply by committing a criminal act.

He put his usual clothes back on, slung the rifle strap over his shoulder, carrying it on his back, and tossed the rest of the stolen items into the plastic bag.

"... Time will revert; time will revert, so it's fine."

Although Subaru inwardly admitted that he was no longer a son his parents could be proud of, he set his mind on his next second goal.

— The second goal Subaru decided upon was to "discover the content of the Federal Student Council President's message."

Or to enter that room again and touch that tablet.

The reason for setting this goal was to attempt different actions with the message and the tablet—his only source of related information—in order to find anything that could break this situation.

If time "reverts", all previous attempts to gain emotional points have been wasted, as if dating sim save data had been deleted... Therefore, this time he wants to intervene via a different route.

"The weapon is still a tool for intimidation in this world, and the proof of that is the gang girl's use of a weapon during the robbery."

However minimal its effectiveness, a weapon remains an instrument of violence. If the number of unarmed people is less than the number of naked people, there is no reason not to secure a weapon.

Preparedness is essential in everything.

"Although I'm completely outside the law, I'm not entirely bad!"

"Wait, it's not appropriate to speak about a criminal act so frankly and proudly; I should take that back..."

Subaru set off, feeling the weight of the rifle on his back. He wanted to believe that carrying the weapon would now protect him from theft or easy attack, despite him pretending to be an ordinary person.

The next step was to reach the area called "D.U. District" where that room was located. He had covered the distance by car after passing "Gehenna," but he needed to find a new means of transport.

He noticed that the means of transportation in the area—which he observed while walking—were closed and inoperable everywhere.

"Sanctum Tower... then."

The reason was likely a power outage. The distance on foot would take a full day, or more. It had taken from afternoon until evening by car, so the only means of transport connecting the academies was...

"ーー The airship."

Subaru remembered the airship that passed close to the sun, which he invariably saw every time he "came back to life" after waking up.

Although it seemed impossible, by coincidence, the airship's schedule appeared on the large city screens, just like train and subway timetables.

"I'll take that, and then I'll break into the room. That room in Shiro was locked..."

"ーー If I cause chaos in the place, Rin will come. I want to believe this will lead to the same sequence of events."

"But that's not the only problem; I must get there before the evening, because 'that girl' who killed me the first time is there."

A slightly raised voice, mixing tenderness, temptation, and madness.

He must proceed with the analysis of "that girl" who shot and killed him, saying, "This is a critical situation."

Since he died before seeing her face, Subaru could not glean any information about that woman, nor who exactly the "Calamity Fox" was whose name Rin screamed.

"Don't mock me! I'm in a race against time here! Nothing is 'critical'; I'll complete everything in advance...!" (Subaru)

"Alright, the starting point is... ーー Eighty-six kilometers from here!? Damn it! Everything here is unnecessarily massive!" (Subaru)

Subaru began cursing and considered stealing a bicycle from somewhere. However, his courage did not allow him to threaten people with a weapon and change his stance so quickly.

Natsuki Subaru, being Natsuki Subaru, often cancels out his available options by himself.

— However.

"Hah, hah... Was it, I wonder... recklessness...?" (Subaru)

"Hah... It's fine, it's fine... Remember that high school marathon, man. The track was about 400 meters, right? They forced me to do ten laps... in one hour, so..." (Subaru)

"..."

"That is absolutely not enough!! What a disaster!!" (Subaru)

He ran and ran, trying to gather his plan that was noisily collapsing. He wished he had the tanks and motorcycles that passed on the adjacent road, heading toward a path where no gunfire was currently heard.

As he ran straight toward his destination using the girl's smartphone navigation system, which she had left on...

— He heard a scream.

"Anyone! Please, individuals!! Save... ーー"

"Ah...?" (Subaru)

The sound was instantaneous, coming from an alley he was passing. It was abruptly cut off, as if someone had silenced it, and nothing more was heard after that.

— Someone must be getting robbed. He had experienced this frequently, and he had also witnessed it when he moved away from the conflict near that store, so his heart should not be shaken now.

It should not be shaken.

"..."

"..."

He stopped running, even though he had no time to stop.

He changed the angle of his feet and dashed toward the alley from which he heard the sound. What was he doing now? Subaru had already become a criminal, almost a bandit... ーー And helping people at a time like this was utterly ridiculous.

He realized this; he knew it.

But...

"As long as I move instinctively, there is no escape!!" (Subaru)

Natsuki Subaru, being Natsuki Subaru, often cancels out his available options by himself.

But this, sometimes, may prompt him to increase his options.

Even if he was a reckless person, lacking courage, foolish, and sly...

He did not possess enough malice to stop the feet that moved on their own.

"Hah!" (Subaru)

He leaped into the alley from which the sound had come, only to find several androids attempting to abduct a female student.

— The girl, whose face was etched with terror incomparable to that of a simple robbery, was extending her hand toward Subaru, weeping, even though a piece of cloth gagged her mouth.

With his mind blank, he stood before the androids and announced his name.

"Hey, hey, folks! You are committing a despicable act against a young girl! How rude to gag the mouths of those crying for help!" (Subaru)

"""..."""

"I am the great Natsuki Subaru, unrivaled on Earth and raising the banner of gallantry, and I shall halt your wicked deed... ーー" (Subaru)

"Fire." (Android)

"ーー Understood." (Another Android)

"What!? Wait, wait, wait, wait!!" (Subaru)

Unfortunately, this was neither a stage nor a play; his declaration was mercilessly cut short, and bullets, each potentially lethal, flew toward Subaru.

Luckily for him, the first shot missed. Utilizing his instinctive reflexes, he rolled and took cover behind the alley wall, trying to calm his heart that was violently pounding from the sound of the explosion.

"I'm going to die, I thought I was going to die, I will definitely die... ーー" (Subaru)

— As his heartbeats subsided, he heard the sound of the androids' footsteps approaching him.

"I didn't die! If I don't die now!!" (Subaru)

"Oh!? What is this clumsy boy...! ?" (Android)

"Go to hell!! Taste this! The Straight Spirit Punch, Aaaah, it hurts!!!" (Subaru)

"Heh! Second strike! Take this! The Circular Rifle Butt Strike!!" (Subaru)

It was natural to feel pain after punching a mass of iron with all his strength. But even his heart, which could not normally withstand such things, pushed him with resolve and strength. He reached for the rifle on his back and struck with it.

Subaru, who knew nothing about shooting or how to load bullets, knew the "power of the weapon" that people frequently talked about online.

— That it is ordinarily strong as a blunt instrument.

"Gggh... ーー You wretch!" (Android)

"Resolution!! ーー" (Subaru)

"Oh, ohhh!?" (Android)

Subaru seized the moment of the android's hesitation and executed a tactical attack in the form of a reckless tackle.

This was a desperate attack against the androids, yet it was not even a difficult solution. But a human who has experienced "death" possesses the strength of critical moments, where the brain's restraint is loosened.

As his fingernails chipped, he lifted the heavy mass of iron and threw it at another android that was following.

"Well done, me! Hey! Can you stand up?" (Subaru)

He immediately asked the girl, who was lying on her side, and tried to lift her and escape.

However, the girl shook her head and directed her gaze behind Subaru.

"Mmmph...! Mmm, mmm, mmm ーー!!" (Girl)

"Ah, right, there's one more person... ーー" (Subaru)

"You nuisance, go to sleep, you scoundrel." (Android)

The muzzle of the gun was pointed directly at the back of Natsuki Subaru's head. He did not have time to scream "Wait!", and the fear of imminent death paralyzed his throat.

He felt a presence, a being right behind him, putting its finger on the trigger and preparing to fire at the top of his head.

— The world did not stop to move slowly for him.

"Ah, damn it, I'm going to die now..." (Subaru)

BA-RANG!!!

The loudest gunshot he had ever heard tore at his ear.

Ah, I failed again, Subaru thought, trying to blame his recklessness with his tongue...

"..."

"I didn't die?" (Subaru)

This question overlapped in his mind, confirming to himself that he was still alive.

Behind his back, the sound of the android falling was heard.

"Heh... a shot befitting villains." (???)

With the clicking sound of high heels, coming from the end of the alley, appeared...

"Are you alright, young man? Are you injured?" (???)

"Ah... Thank you, but... who are you?" (Subaru)

"Heh, I merely hurried over when I heard the screaming. No need for thanks anyway." (???)

"Oh, no, but..." (Subaru)

"I won't allow evil deeds like this to pass unnoticed, at least, yes! As long as my eyes can see!" (???)

"No, but... I don't know you at all. Could you introduce yourself so this girl can be reassured?" (Subaru)

"... Heh, fine, I-I-I understand." (???)

"I am... ーー" (???)

"I am Aro, the CEO of General Services 68." (Aro)

"A natural-born outlaw... that is me." (Aro)

 

[Raven797]

"Outlaw... ーー Are you specifically from *that* group?" (Subaru)

"Yes! Of course, outlaws do not tolerate despicable acts. ーー Now, both of you, scram quickly!" (Aro)

"... Agency girl, do not interfere in matters that do not concern you and your kind." (Android)

"Hah! I cannot bear to hear a saying like that from scum!" (Aro)

"I warned you. I will kill you now." (Android)

"So be it." (Aro)

The bullet fired by the android barely grazed Aro's cheek.

The two androids Subaru had pushed were gradually closing the distance between themselves and Aro. Aro's weapon was a sniper rifle, and since she had revealed herself, they would not waste the opportunity.

When Subaru saw that the shared target of both androids had shifted to Aro, he secretly dragged the bound student toward the alley exit... and at the exit, his head collided with someone else's.

The fault was 100% his, yet because the situation was critical, he tried to quickly apologize and move on.

"Sorry... ーー "I apologize, I apologize, I am so sorry!!... Excuse me, excuse me, p-please move aside!!" (???)

"Oh!?" (Subaru)

She pushed Subaru away and dashed off in a state of extreme emotional distress.

In this world full of students with similar appearances, the number of people Subaru could distinguish was limited; they were referred to as "pedestrians." He had seen many students with the same aura and the same clothing. But the student who pushed him and rushed into the alley now... caught his eye with a thorn-like aura.

That student headed directly toward the androids who had their weapons aimed at Aro.

"Don't touch Ms. Aro!!!!" (???)

"ーー Hah, what, what is this thing!? Ugh..." (Android)

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!" (???)

Continuous, continuous, continuous gunfire.

She pounced on him like a rabid dog and rained a volley of punches upon his face, straddling him in a wrestling position befitting villainous wrestlers. She continued firing her short rifle until the trigger nearly cracked.

— As soon as she realized she had destroyed the target, she moved to the next one.

"Hgh..." (Android)

"You! You you you aimed a weapon at Ms. Aro!!! Die, die immediately!!" (???)

"Hey! Haruka!" (Aro)

But Aro's warning was useless; the android's head exploded. Even after its destruction, the student's frenzy did not cease, and she continued to smash the rest of its body with her fists.

— It was then that Aro hugged her from behind and tried to stop her.

"M-Ms. Aro!?" (Haruka)

"Calm down, Haruka." (Aro)

"Oh... I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... A girl like me, causing Ms. Aro the trouble of intervening, I'm useless, aren't I?" (Haruka)

"Hold on, hold on! For heaven's sake, calm down for a moment!!?" (Aro)

Subaru watched Aro from a distance, struggling desperately to halt the bizarre behavior of the girl aiming the short rifle at her own head.

— He could not fully comprehend the situation, even though he had done nothing but respond to a cry for help.

Subaru removed the restraints and the gag from the abducted student, then carried her on his back and approached the two distressed girls...

Just then, two additional voices joined the scene.

"... As expected, this is what ended up happening." (Another Girl)

"You are so wonderful, Haruka-chan!" (A Third Girl)

"... Wait, wait, this gathering has become far too large..." (Subaru)

"You two! Don't just stand there watching; stop Haruka!?" (Aro)

●○●○●

"Hah, oh... ーー Are you calm now, Haruka?" (Aro)

"Hic! ... I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." (Haruka)

"Is she truly calm...?" (Subaru)

After the chaos subsided, the atmosphere finally allowed for quiet conversation.

The rabid-dog-like girl who had crushed the androids was now trembling and weeping inside Aro's coat.

"She looks like a puppy on a rainy day; a sense of fatherhood, or maybe motherhood, a desire to protect... Hah, it surges strongly within me." (Subaru)

"Kufu... Young man, you seem to understand Haruka-chan well." (Another Girl)

"ーー Although she's a puppy who will latch onto the enemy's throat the moment the leash is released." (Subaru)

Currently, the slender, fair-skinned student, one of the two who arrived later, was attending to the girl who had almost been abducted.

Following the incident, Aro and Subaru confirmed to each other that there was no hostility between them, exchanging talk about the *principles of outlaws*. The conversation evolved into an exchange of information.

*"Outlaws, truly, they possess a special charisma when they commit evil and simultaneously fight a greater evil...! As for the gallantry and elegance involved in these actions, I could write an entire book about it!"*

*"You... ーー Do you realize what you're saying! Yes, that's right! It seems natural-born outlaws are attracted to their own kind!"*

*"President, this young man is probably talking about movies, mostly... ーー"*

*"[I will repay the favor, for I am an honorable man]... My name is Natsuki Subaru, yes! I will definitely repay this debt to you, Aro Rokuhachima!"*

*"Heh... I shall look forward to it! (What a handsome and wonderful man〜!!)"*

*"...ーー Hah."*

After this interlude, the two parties became connected by a bond that could not be expressed in words.

After the fight ended, Subaru immediately introduced himself to the four girls with complete honesty, telling them he was from "outside," that he was weaker than a microbe, and that he would die if they shot at him as a threat.

Of course, he did not mention the most important thing... ーー his core objective.

"Well, this chaos we are witnessing is expected in the Gehenna region... but the (Kaiser Group) has really crossed the line this time...!" (Aro)

The reason Aro and Subaru rushed into the alley was the same for both: a cry of "Save me."

Subaru, being the closest, arrived first and stopped the abduction. Aro, upon arriving, assessed the situation and decided to shoot the android in the head.

— Incidentally, after hearing this story, Aro considered Natsuki Subaru a "decent-level outlaw."

"Muscle relaxants; even the Kaiser Group is resorting to something like that... ーー This means the abduction was genuine and dangerous." (Aro)

"Uh, Kayoko... Miss, thank you for looking after that girl. Wh-what is her condition?" (Subaru)

"Minor bruises and contusions. Other than that, she'll be fine once the drug wears off." (Kayoko)

"...! Thankfully. I was worried because she couldn't move after being freed from the restraints." (Subaru)

"I can also provide first aid for your hand wounds; you won't be able to hold a gun with your chipped fingernails... ーー Ah, look, President, Haruka is about to explode again. Pat her head." (Kayoko)

"I can also provide first aid for your hand wounds; you won't be able to hold a gun with your chipped fingernails... ーー Ah, look, President, Haruka is about to explode again. Pat her head." (Kayoko)

"No, I don't have time to waste. Once I put on bandages, my energy will be complete, even multiplied by a hundred! So, I'll just appreciate the concern. Anyway, I can't shoot." (Subaru)

The conversation with "General Services 68" ended. They clarified to him that they were a so-called "all-purpose service office" and were visiting the administrative area of Gehenna Academy upon request. They had helped the girl purely by chance when they heard the screaming.

Subaru left the student, who was still fully paralyzed, in the care of General Services. Despite his good intentions in instinctively helping, he had other things he needed to accomplish.

He couldn't immediately ask these "outlaws" to drive him to the airship station right after becoming indebted to them.

"Heh? Young man, where are you rushing off to?" (Mutsuki)

"Mutsuki... Miss, I'm sorry, I'll call you Mutsuki without 'Miss'. Yes, there's a reason deeper than the Mariana Trench but less deep than the Bermuda area, but no need to worry about that." (Subaru)

"Hehehe, I asked, 'Where to?'... Young man, you lack an aura, and where must you go with those hands?" (Mutsuki)

"... ーー The airship station. I need to go to a specific administrative district." (Subaru)

"How interesting?" (Mutsuki)

"It's very far from here, and I have a time limit; I must leave quickly... ーー" (Subaru)

"Well then, how about we give you a ride there? Right, Aro-chan!" (Mutsuki)

"Really?" (Subaru)

"Alright, alright, Haruka... ーー Eh? What did you say?" (Aro)

— What an amazing coincidence, as if a ship had arrived in the moment of greatest need, or treasure had fallen from the ceiling. It is true that a good deed returns with good fortune to its doer.

He hadn't intended any of that, yet they offered to help him get to his destination.

Subaru chewed on his good fortune and turned toward Mutsuki.

— But.

"Mmm... Before that." (Mutsuki)

Before he could express his thanks, Mutsuki's gun was aimed at Subaru.

"!!?" (Subaru)

"...!! Mutsuki! What are you doing... ーー" (Aro)

"Haven't you realized yet, Aro-chan?" (Mutsuki)

"ーー President, are you oblivious?" (Kayoko)

"Eh? Eh? Wh-what is it?" (Aro)

"... Hah, just by looking at this boy's appearance, don't you recall anything?" (Kayoko)

"Eh...?" (Aro)

Away from the bewildered Subaru, Aro began to carefully examine and observe Subaru's face, which could not move, and his general appearance.

After staring at Subaru for dozens of seconds, one piece after another came together in her mind.

"...『A normal human, with black hair and eyes, possessing no aura...』" (Aro)

"The Kaiser Organization's abduction target... ーー Subaru, you are..." (Aro)

The prevailing atmosphere changed completely, and Aro's gaze shifted to Subaru—a gaze befitting the CEO of "General Services 68" and an outlaw.

— How foolish I was to expect decency from them.

Subaru wished he could escape this difficult situation, but he felt he could not resist while surrounded by hostility from every side, like a cornered rat.

He had just heard them call the androids "Kaiser," and now they were saying they had received a request from Kaiser. How shocking that those he considered saviors had helped him merely by misunderstanding...

Thus, with the enormous disparity in fighting power, an expression of despair and surrender was etched upon Subaru's face.

"I beg you, Aro! Can't you overlook me here...? I, I haven't done anything yet...!" (Subaru)

In the midst of his desperate plea for survival, and moments before he could humiliate himself by putting his forehead on the ground...

"ーー You chuckled softly... Subaru, there's no need for you to do that." (Aro)

"...?" (Subaru)

"Did you think I would easily abandon the bond that unites outlaws? Well? I am a natural-born outlaw, and I perfectly understand the quality of person you are, fellow outlaw." (Aro)

"ーー A person who responds quickly to a scream of 'Save me,' I do not consider him 'evil.'" (Aro)

She clapped her coat once with her hand, rested the butt of her sniper rifle on the ground, and placed her hand on Subaru's shoulder in a stance that embodied the meaning of an outlaw.

"Lower your weapon, Mutsuki. We will now terminate the contract with Kaiser!! We will go crush Kaiser, who is pulling the strings of this incident from behind the scenes!" (Aro)

"That's what we expect from you, Aro-chan! That's the way to go~!" (Mutsuki)

"She's making a sudden decision again... But, if the President says so, there's no escaping it, is there..." (Kayoko)

"ーー Aro, no, Ms. Aro...!! You truly are a real outlaw; you are seriously amazing! D-do you really have no intention of abducting me...?" (Subaru)

"Not backing down from a vow we have pronounced, that is also among the principles of outlaws." (Aro)

It must have been an encounter that left the best impression on both parties. Subaru succeeded in making a decisive impact in an unexpected place.

In principle, it is impossible for "General Services 68" to prioritize anything over carrying out a mission... let alone betraying the client himself.

Remembering the shameful stance where he was hesitantly about to kneel, Subaru extended his hand toward Aro, asking for a handshake of reconciliation.

As soon as Aro pressed his hand firmly, reassurance finally returned to Subaru.

"... Ah, but even if you say you'll drive me... do you have a car or something?" (Subaru)

"... O-of course." (Aro)

"Aro-chan~? Don't pretend! But we do have a car, yes. It's over there." (Mutsuki)

"Over there... ーー Is that the car the androids were going to use for the abduction!?" (Subaru)

"Since they committed a bad deed, it's only natural to repay them with a bad deed, isn't it? Come on, get in, get in!" (Mutsuki)

Subaru got into the passenger seat, feeling an overwhelming wave of admiration due to the irony, as he watched Mutsuki, who was clearly younger than him, skillfully start the engine.

Being seventeen years old, Subaru was often the oldest in this world predominantly filled with younger individuals.

Precisely for this reason, he felt a stronger sense of guilt when inconveniencing others or accepting favors. However, the members of General Services were all overwhelmingly older than him, which made him delude himself into thinking they were reliable people.

"Sigh... I will say it again and again, thank you very much, truly, Aro, Mutsuki, Haruka, Miss... Kayoko." (Subaru)

"... Why am I the only one you address with 'Miss'...?" (Kayoko)

"No, it's due to... ーー an overwhelming aura, I would say. I'd even prefer to call you 'Commander Ma'am.'" (Subaru)

"... Fine." (Kayoko)

"So, why does Subaru want to go to the airship station? The Kaiser targeting you for abduction is a serious matter. Do you have any specific reason?" (Aro)

"Ah... Well, truthfully, I don't know the reason why Kaiser is targeting me, but I want to believe it's just a misunderstanding. Or rather, I'm going now to confirm whether it's a misunderstanding or not." (Subaru)

"Ahaha, what strange talk~... Hey, Subaru, is this something you can't confide in us? And we're going to the airship station together?" (Mutsuki)

"Ugh... Well, yes... After all you've done for me, I can't leave without speaking..." (Subaru)

"Alright, listen to me! Listen to me without any questions about the evidence or the source of my knowledge for what I'm about to say! Listen to the sagas of Natsuki Subaru... ーー" (Subaru)

●○●○●

— The Kaiser Corporation.

It is a colossal company that manages various businesses across Kivotos. When Subaru looks out the car window, he sees the logos of Kaiser's subordinate groups everywhere.

This logo is very distinctive; it is designed in the shape of an octopus wearing a crown. It features various sub-logos for its groups, which include private military companies, bank management, resort development, arms dealing, and many more.

As Subaru witnessed from the wicked deeds, Kaiser's administrative policy is: "Profit is what matters." If we say this, the principle would not differ from what lies at the root of Japanese companies... but the level of methods used here is completely different.

Fraud, deception, kidnapping, and the use of armed force are just the beginning. Kaiser seeks profits through methods that even the Yakuza would be ashamed of, and unlike delinquent students, there is no element of fun in their actions.

It is an organization...

"... Tied to us by an impossible knot to untangle, isn't it..." (Subaru)

Subaru muttered as if he were a lost traveler, constantly looking out the car window.

Subaru is currently escaping reality, and this is not due to any psychological breakdown he experienced.

It is simply that he wants to let his heart wander a little right now...

"..."

Suddenly, he turned his attention to the source of the noise beside him.

"ーー Hey, Mutsuki!!? Wait, I said wait! A-are we really going to storm the chalet like this!?" (Aro)

"This is the fastest way! Right, Kayoko-chan?" (Mutsuki)

"... I apologize, President, but I believe this is the best solution to foil Kaiser's plan." (Kayoko)

"Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh...!?" (Aro)

"I, I am ready to wipe out everything, everything, for Ms. Aro!!" (Haruka)

"How did we get to this point?" (Subaru)

Yes, before him was a scene indescribable in terms of madness and chaos, a scene that might surprise even 'Party Night' dancers.

 

[Raven797]

"""A message left behind by the Student Council President?"""

We go back in time a little.

This conversation was taking place on their way to the airship station, after the girl who was nearly abducted had been returned home, accompanied by General Services.

The content Subaru relayed to them compelled even General Services (with their expertise) to re-evaluate their classification of this ordinary boy standing before them.

Whether it was a lie or the truth, this boy named Subaru claimed he might be the person the Student Council President, who disappeared half a year ago, was looking for.

"There was a simple way to distinguish, even if she didn't respond... but, all the information hasn't been gathered yet, and even if there is some misunderstanding... ーー I have to search further." (Subaru)

"Furthermore, Sanctum Tower, the secret lies in the fact that only the person they are searching for can operate its control device. If I awaken that dormant statue..." (Subaru)

I will be able to bring a smile back to the faces of the two girls who were weeping like that. I, Natsuki Subaru, haven't repaid any of those debts yet...!

Even if all those events are said to have lost their meaning due to time reversal, I cannot lie to my memory or my past.

I feel ashamed of the self that kept making excuses that "it's fine as long as it reverts." Natsuki Subaru, can you, in such misery, raise your head before your father and mother?

"..."

"There are people I want to repay, and for that, in either case, I must 'handle the matter.'" (Subaru)

"I will return to give back this gun I initially seized and all the property I took, and I will sincerely apologize, saying, 'I'm sorry,' after solving everything, at the very least." (Subaru)

"Because the condition for a happy ending is for everything to end with everyone smiling, isn't it?" (Subaru)

"..."

"... I have an idea, then." (Kayoko)

Onigata Kayoko raised her voice. For Subaru, she was the smartest member of General Services, and her words were often valuable to everyone in the company, too.

"Since hearing Subaru's story, I've been considering something..." (Kayoko)

"The matter might be related to the incident currently sweeping through Kivotos." (Kayoko)

"Might be? Did something catch your attention?" (Subaru)

"ーー The Kaiser Corporation." (Kayoko)

The name of the company to which those foolish androids they had just encountered belonged reached Subaru and everyone else.

After receiving an explanation about it, Subaru hadn't thought it was more than just an ordinary corrupt company, but there must be something more to it. Subaru moved his elbow away from the window, adjusted his seating, and prepared to listen.

"Whether it's the abduction of that girl we just saw, or even the mission request we received... in any case, conflicts are currently increasing among randomly gathered groups across Kivotos, for unclear objectives." (Kayoko)

"The students being controlled don't know 'for what purpose' they started fighting; they say they only did it because they were paid." (Kayoko)

"..." (Subaru)

Subaru's small mind was unable to grasp why these events were connected to his story...

"Amidst these conflicts, the Kaiser Corporation has been committing crimes in scattered locations, mostly abductions, of course." (Kayoko)

"Kaiser has been increasing its influence in every administrative district, both openly and secretly, and this has been happening since Sanctum Tower stopped operating. During its operation... when the Student Council President was closely monitoring it, they couldn't move." (Kayoko)

"In other words, the non-operation of Sanctum Tower is very convenient for Kaiser, and if it is reactivated, it must be after they can seize control of it. So, operating the tower now, in itself, constitutes a sign of Kivotos' recovery, and if that happens, Kaiser's activities will diminish..." (Kayoko)

"ーー And amid this situation, we received a request from Kaiser: 'Abduct a living male who possesses no aura, with black hair and black eyes, and deliver him to us.'" (Kayoko)

"...!!!" (Subaru)

Silence. But it was not an awkward silence; it was the silence of astonishment at reaching a conclusion that could be accepted even if it were a lie.

Subaru looked at the logo affixed to the "Kaiser" car they were riding in and remembered Hina's mission in his first timeline.

Subaru knew through the documents he secretly reviewed in the reception room that the extreme acceleration he witnessed that day, and everything Hina did, was aimed at ending the conflict.

Even the conflict that occurred at the Respawn point was actually an armed conflict, if he thought about it now... And although the circulation of firearms is common in this world, it was certainly anomalous that continuous gunfire exchanges happened everywhere he went.

Perhaps Subaru didn't realize it due to the shock of the other world, but conflicts have their causes and require prior preparations for combat.

"You are a genius! Does this mean we'll be able to crush Kaiser's plots 'incidentally'?" (Subaru)

"That is only a hypothesis, and although we don't know their exact goal, at the very least, operating the tower will eliminate *some* objective they have." (Kayoko)

Even though it was just a hypothesis, Subaru, whose mind wheels often turn only when lubricated, gave a look of respect toward Kayoko, who managed to deduce the common factor among a series of accidental events and placed the final piece of this long puzzle, which Subaru had brought.

He shook his head vigorously, nearly putting his hand on her shoulder in enthusiasm, but stopped, knowing some might dislike it.

"Alright! Good, good, good! I feel genuinely excited!" (Subaru)

"... Wait, there is still one ambiguous point in this story, Kayoko." (Aro)

"Eh? What do you mean?" (Kayoko)

"Right. Kaiser's request, which specifies 'a living male who possesses no aura, with black hair and black eyes,' suspiciously resembles the content of the message left by the Student Council President. I don't think this is a coincidence at all." (Aro)

"For them to look for Subaru, who came from 'outside,' today, at this specific time and situation... this requires something akin to prophecy. Perhaps the President's message holds that prophecy, meaning..." (Aro)

"Yes, meaning, meaning...?" (Subaru)

"ーー Meaning there might be an accomplice within the Student Council who is communicating with the Kaiser Corporation." (Kayoko)

"... Haaah... I see that clearly... ーー Isn't this dangerous?" (Subaru)

The clearer the situation became, the wider the chessboard became, and Subaru faced an even more besieged position.

"Don't make a novice start a game of Shogi with missing pieces...! This is a much worse handicap. The bottom line is that before tomorrow comes... ーー" (Subaru)

"We must solve everything, and conquer everything." (Subaru)

That's right, Kivotos might collapse by tomorrow.

There was one question that concerned Subaru, and it related to the fourth time loop.

His desire to find the conditions for repetition is why he is moving now.

Is death the only condition for returning, or will merely the arrival of tomorrow cause the loop?

If repetition only occurs upon death, it means he died that night without knowing, and the causes of death on the roof of a convenience store are limited. Was another grenade randomly thrown at him?

That is unlikely.

He can be certain of that. Subaru, who experienced death once, Subaru, who went through those insane moments, knows well that this time is different.

Even with that grenade that took his life in an instant, there was a gap between him and it.

A gap, a short, brief moment between "Soul" and "Death."

On that last night, there wasn't even that gap, and so Subaru believed the condition for repetition was different.

... However, there is a possibility; perhaps it was heavy shelling that wiped out the entire area, or a nuclear bomb. His feeling that death occurred that night is still strong...

— If that were the case, what would have happened "after that"?

"Saying the area became scorched earth won't be enough." (Subaru)

Apparently, even for the residents of Kivotos, taking a direct hit from a bullet causes damage no less severe than being pelted with stones.

As long as there is damage, there is a limit to endurance.

"... Damn it, I feel like I've been handed a rescue mission at the last checkpoint before the boss monster's room." (Subaru)

"ーー Kayoko, tell me, what is that plan...?" (Subaru)

As Subaru asked the question, depressed by the certainty of this day ending, his eyes met Kayoko's.

From her gaze, one could sense that a brilliant strategy was about to be launched.

Subaru swallowed hard and waited for her words.

"A breach." (Kayoko)

"Eh?" (Subaru)

"We will storm the Schale Office." (Kayoko)

"Mmm? Eh? Miss Kayoko? Did I hear you wrong...?" (Subaru)

"It is as it sounds. The President (Aro) wants to stop Kaiser's evil deeds, and Subaru wants to reach the Schale Office." (Kayoko)

"So, let's proceed with a direct breach. We don't have time, do we?" (Kayoko)

"ーー Madam Kayoko, allow me to offer one piece of advice... ーー Shouldn't we stop this?" (Haruka)

"Hehe~! Kayoko-chan! That's a great idea!" (Mutsuki)

"Eh? Eh? A-are we really going? We can't!" (Aro)

"This is what is called a convergence of interests, President. Do you agree? .... President?" (Kayoko)

"Heh, y-y-yes, I suppose so...? Let's do it then!!" (Aro)

(Astonishing! Wh-what are you all saying!!) (Subaru)

""..."" (Kayoko and Mutsuki)

It should be noted that an attack on Schale, the Federal Investigation Office directly affiliated with the Student Council that manages the affairs of Kivotos...

Is equivalent to an arrest warrant being issued for them by the Kivotos Center, and all Academies and factions.

●○●○●

It was evening. General Services, due to their status, could not use Gehenna's airship station and were forced to proceed by car. Thus, the Kaiser car was used once again.

When they arrived and stepped out of the car, the sunlight that greeted them coincidentally reminded Subaru of that ominous day.

Subaru took a deep breath, and there was no fear in the breath he exhaled. "I will do everything in my power." The calamity wolf that was likely to attack at this time now had General Services to ward it off.

There was no negligence, no arrogance, and in Natsuki Subaru's heart, there was only firm resolve.

— At the very least, I will extend my hand to help those who asked for my assistance.

Subaru did not claim to understand everything he could do on his own; he was an unresourceful minor. He kept confidently saying he "could" do what he could not, accumulating one failure after another.

He loves himself too much, always blaming others to protect his ego, yet he is the least to understand himself—how ironic.

"Let's go." (Subaru)

Subaru performed a quick warm-up: bending and stretching his knees, moving from a squat to a trunk lift, and concluding with a deep breath... ーー He always concluded with this word.

"VICTORY!!" (Subaru)

"V-VICTORY~...?" (Aro)

Aro, who was doing some incomprehensible radio calisthenics next to him, followed suit, raising her arms high and shouting the magical word "Victory."

Victory, yes, "Victory" is Subaru's magic word, the word that lifts his spirits and sits at the top of Natsuki Subaru's mental library catalog of a hundred ideas.

"What is the value of transferring to another world, as long as I am the invincible Natsuki Subaru, at my strongest, running while carrying the Star in the Chariot Races!" (Subaru)

"Come on then, Disaster Fox, and Kaiser Corporation! I will reach the finish line before both of you and achieve absolute victory!!" (Subaru)

Subaru led the way, relying on that mysterious confidence and energy, but the first and largest wall he faced was an automatic door made of reinforced glass, naturally closed.

In the end, Subaru is Subaru... It is impossible for him to enter the Schale Office without help from Nanagami Rin...

"Alright, I'll blow up the door. Move away, Subaru!" (Mutsuki)

"What?" (Subaru)

Mutsuki, who had remained alone in the car, turned off the engine. A pile of homemade grenades was stacked in the back seat.

— She floored the gas pedal.

The car lunged directly toward the Schale entrance.

"At full speed!!! ーー?" (Subaru)

Subaru tumbled, managed to evade the car, and a huge roar, which shattered the silence of the empty alley in the evening, pierced his ears.

Subaru rolled repeatedly, Kayoko caught him, and he survived the explosion shrapnel, his eyes filled with tears.

"That is dangerous! That is extremely dangerous!! I would have needed a hundred years to recover if Sister Kayoko hadn't intervened and embraced me!" (Subaru)

"Does that mean you would have died~?" (Mutsuki)

"Yes! Exactly! And how rude of you, you got out halfway! Thankfully, you are safe anyway!" (Subaru)

"Hehe, thank you." (Mutsuki)

"You know I'm mocking you... But, is this decision... ーー correct? Well, in any case, the entrance is open! Let's go, everyone!" (Subaru)

"Let's go quickly before the guards arrive! And remember, Subaru, it all depends on you. If you don't regain control of Sanctum Tower, everything will end!" (Aro)

"I don't offer any guarantee for that; I'm not saying the insurance will cover... ーー I won't say that! 'I will do everything in my power.' If nothing happens simply by touching it again, we will deal with it then." (Subaru)

"... (Oh, now, too late, I wish I could take back my words...)" (Aro)

While General Services, along with Subaru, headed towards the Schale stairs... Haruka remained alone, standing at the entrance and watching them.

She stood firmly, truly like a dog waiting for its master, clutching her short rifle.

When Subaru saw that, he was about to call out to her to ask her to follow them, but the other company members were climbing the stairs, ignoring Haruka.

"Ah? Wait! Why are you so suddenly harsh..." (Subaru)

"Don't worry, this is also part of the plan... If the Calamity Wolf and Kaiser are coming, we need a gatekeeper! We are counting on you, Haruka!" (Aro)

"Understood. From now on... I will not allow a single person to reach Ms. Aro." (Haruka)

"Well, are you really okay... ーー You must be the ones who know the answer, of course. I wish you safety from my side too! Good luck, Haruka!" (Subaru)

"Ah, ah, thank you..." (Haruka)

All the members of General Services trusted Haruka's fighting ability, and their ability to move forward without looking back was evidence of that long-lasting trust.

The critical point is the moment when the gatekeeper (Haruka) is breached. The withdrawal criterion for General Services in combat was determined by monitoring the status of the person with the most confusing withdrawal standards.

After running up the stairs for several minutes, they could not use the elevator due to a power outage and were forced to climb on foot, which posed a significant obstacle in this towering building.

Regardless of the three entities from Kivotos, Natsuki Subaru's reliance on his ordinary physical abilities was now a hindrance to him.

"Ugh!, Damn it, every step here is really high and big..." (Subaru)

"What do you think? Can I carry Subaru-kun on my back?~" (Mutsuki)

"....." (Subaru)

"No need to strain yourself...? You're from outside, aren't you? You don't have an aura, and we won't mock you if we carry you." (Aro)

"Ugh, ughhh... Don't underestimate me!!" (Subaru)

"Wow, keep going, keep going~" (Mutsuki)

The stairs in this skyscraper were unusually high. The physical strength that made Subaru invincible during his elementary and middle school days had greatly diminished in his current body.

Is the reason his lifestyle? It is agreed not to mention that. Nevertheless, he had done some light exercise, so he utilized his acquired perseverance and successfully climbed the stairs to the office.

"We succeeded in climbing... Ooh? Woah, woah, woah!?" (Subaru)

Simultaneously, a huge explosion sound was heard coming from the floor below, the ground floor. Haruka must have started fighting.

Away from Subaru, who was anxiously staring at the empty floor, Kayoko's eyes fell upon a device she had not seen before, and a connected tablet fixed to the wall.

"...! Is that the recognition device?" (Kayoko)

"Yes, that's it." (Subaru)

"Do you know how to use it?" (Kayoko)

"No, not at all. All I know is that I have to touch it... and if it doesn't work, I'll be helpless." (Subaru)

"... You rely on chance just like the President..." (Kayoko)

Subaru ignored Aro, who looked somewhat frustrated, and headed toward the tablet.

In truth, his statement, "nothing happened just by touching it," is not entirely accurate. In the first timeline, Subaru touched the tablet, and that is what made him stare at "that girl."

It is true that touching it was the spark that led to the flow of those unfamiliar memories with someone he didn't know.

"..." (Subaru)

"I've been praying for nothing to happen for a long time, but please... let something happen now...!" (Subaru)

Subaru touched the tablet with his index finger.

— There was no reaction.

"Damn it... what? What is missing? Does this mean I am not the person intended!?" (Subaru)

Will it work if he licks it? Will it work if he punches it or rubs his skin on it? Subaru abandoned all shame and modesty and resorted to every possible method... but all his attempts failed.

In the end, even after he cried out for help, the gods did not seem to pay attention.

— At that moment, the two who were moving slightly away from Subaru's bizarre behavior (despite knowing the reason), and the only one who was laughing (Mutsuki), aimed their weapons toward the office door.

"My, my... Did you all come here to destroy that, too?"

"Ufufu... This is causing us trouble, causing us so much trouble."

Subaru felt a shiver and a cold sweat run down his back. "They really came, damn it, I didn't want them to come," Subaru sighed to himself until his vision blurred, but he had no choice but to continue fiddling with the device without turning around.

The slightly high-pitched voice, and the laugh that carried a hint of madness, forcibly made him recall that moment, and he tightly clenched his fists.

Because the "Calamity Fox" was standing behind him.

"... Not a single scratch... ーー Did you avoid Haruka?" (Kayoko)

"Yes, I am not foolish enough to confront a rabid dog like that, so I made those who provoked her face her instead."

"More importantly... why did General Services come here? Did you receive a request, you strange people?"

"Hmph, don't underestimate us... We are not under anyone's command now, but lone wolves." (Aro)

"...? Then, why are you really here?"

"... Eh... To eliminate evil! While we commit evil!!" (Aro)

(Inside Subaru's mind, he recalled Aro hesitating, with a confident yet trembling face, wondering: "Didn't you just hesitate about what to say?")

Given the delicacy of the situation, and as long as Aro was buying them time with the discussion... Subaru had to strive to activate the "Shittim Chest" before this lunatic person could do anything.

"Well, that's fine. You all die here, and I will destroy this place afterward."

"Damn it... for what purpose did you come here!? We are here carrying an extremely noble and grand reason!" (Subaru)

Subaru fiddled with the "Shittim Chest," while simultaneously watching the "Calamity Fox" out of the corner of his eye as he shouted those words.

Her face was covered with a fox-shaped mask, from which two real fox ears protruded. As for her clothes, could they be called a modified school uniform? It had a design that blended a uniform with traditional Japanese attire.

"I definitely came to destroy everything in this place."

"But why...!" (Subaru)

"A hobby."

"... ーー" (Subaru)

Astonishment. She was a monster impossible to reason with, despite the elegant appearance surrounding her.

Subaru was not lacking in plans to use his superior negotiation skills to calm the situation, but they would not work against such an opponent.

Subaru cleared everything from his mind except the idea of activation, and began to churn his brain at maximum speed to recover the memory. There must be a condition for activation other than just touching it. There must be a condition, or we will be in trouble.

"Well then, let's begin... which one of you wants to cry first? Please?"

"Do you think we'll do something clumsy like fighting in turns? Go, Mutsuki, Kayoko!" (Aro)

""Understood!""

A firefight erupted. Mutsuki quickly kicked a desk and threw it in front of Subaru to serve as a shield from stray bullets, then swung and tossed her bag.

The closest to direct hand-to-hand combat in General Services is Haruka. Mutsuki and Kayoko operate from mid-range, and Aro, although she carries a sniper rifle, is capable of firing one-handed even from this distance, so she doesn't have many drawbacks.

In contrast, the Calamity Fox gripped her compact short rifle fitted with a bayonet, prepared to shoot down the flying bag, and was about to pull the trigger.

— But before she fully pulled the trigger, she felt a chill run through her intuition.

"... I'll give it back to you!"

She pulled back her rifle, grabbed the handle of the bag, and the moment she tried to throw it...

The sound of a grenade being activated came from inside the bag.

"Too late, dear~?" (Mutsuki)

"My, my..."

— Explosion.

The fight erupted against the backdrop of the sunset.

In this narrow, indoor space, the Calamity Fox was able to repeat her surprise attacks. She used the documents that were kicked, the overturned desks, and everything around her to create continuous distraction in close combat, thus escaping their focused gaze in moments.

Her priorities were ordered as follows: destroy this place, then that man, and finally the President of General Services who was carrying a long-range weapon. However, the presence of the two girls in the front, who were thinking of providing tight cover, was a burden for her.

"Come on...! Subaru, is the situation still bad?" (Aro)

"I have a plan! Do you have anything sharp that can cut?" (Subaru)

"We don't have anything... and trying to reach the glass over there..." (Aro)

Aro exchanged glances with Subaru, who was hiding behind the shield; there were fragments of a window shattered by the explosion. But exposure and running toward it would put the front line at great risk.

Therefore, the action Subaru took was...

"Ah, damn it! I can't back down now after all this preparation! I must prove my manhood!!" (Subaru)

"Aro! Shoot!!" (Subaru)

He raised his arm, asking her to shoot the palm of his hand.

"Everything preceding your wrist will fly off!!?" (Aro)

"My goodness!?"

"At least you should use the rifle you have on your back..."

"This means I am required to have more resolve...!! Don't be a coward!!" (Subaru)

Subaru immediately took off the rifle strap, raised the simple rifle he had seized, to fire it one-handed.

It was somewhat heavy... but his daily weightlifting exercises with a five-kilogram-plus dumbbell had paid off. He stuck the rifle to the back of his hand, fixed it to his shoulder and chin based on a wild idea, and tightened the strap hard to aim.

— His chin shook violently, causing the aiming to sway, but he pulled the trigger with firm resolve.

"Ugh... Agh... That hurts... AAARGH!!?" (Subaru)

"S-stop pulling the trigger! Your finger is stuck on it!!" (Aro)

"Aghhh... ーー Hfff!! A de-term-in-ation!!" (Subaru)

Due to his body tensing up from the pain, he nearly fired several bullets into his own body. But thanks to his amateur attempt to fix the rifle, it quickly separated from him, enabling him to fire only one bullet that pierced the back of his hand...

Subaru pressed his chin and shoulder, which were affected by the recoil, and felt something resembling a dislocation. Then, he directed his bloodied hand...

"Haaah!!" (Subaru)

— And struck the tablet strongly with it.

"..."

"..."

"... Did it fail?" (Subaru)

He closed his eyes tightly from the pain, having heard nothing due to the repeated gunfire near his ears... but was there any achievement?

He thought this, and slowly opened his eyes.

— What caught his attention was a brilliant blue light.

"Component match, dimensional interference confirmed, causal coefficient negated, restart initiated."

"I have been waiting for you, Natsuki Subaru. I am A.R.O.N.A, the primary operating system for the Shittim Chest."

"I was directed by the General Student Council President, and I, A.R.O.N.A, will now be Natsuki Subaru's assistant AI."

"What are your orders?"

He heard nothing, absolutely nothing... but the small, white-haired girl who appeared on the tablet in front of him was definitely a beneficial entity for Natsuki Subaru.

The activation had begun, the activation had succeeded, and Natsuki Subaru truly was "that person."

Subaru felt relief at the current startup, mixed with depression at its launch... ーー To achieve the greatest goal of his coming here, he shouted:

"Restart Sanctum Tower... ーー" (Subaru)

And in that moment of shouting.

"ーー!!!"

Subaru was violently shoved by someone.

In the corner of his vision, which was beginning to be overwhelmed by darkness, a faint glimmer appeared...

It was the red and black coat she was wearing.

 

[Raven797]

Consciousness awoke.

— It hurts.

In my childhood, it was a common game among elementary school children: swinging on a swing set hard and jumping from the highest point. I was arrogant... at that stage, I thought I feared nothing.

Because no one was watching me, I jumped from the highest possible point to get attention.

"Ah...." (Subaru)

It hurts.

I feel like I've returned to the moment my father sat on top of me on the sofa, right after they had placed compresses all over my body.

"What is this..." (Subaru)

"What a weight... who is this...?" (Subaru)

It hurts, and it's heavy. I feel now as if my father is sitting on top of me on the sofa, exactly after they had placed compresses all over my body.

"Darkness...? Hadn't the sunset just begun?" (Subaru)

He hears nothing, and he sees nothing.

No... after some time, he could barely see with only one eye.

Subaru chastised himself on his hot and painful body, recalling the phrase: "I will do what can be done," and tried to get up as usual.

— At the very least, he should push away this heavy body pressing down on him...

"...Ah?" (Subaru)

"Heeyik...! ?" (Subaru)

The rising fear drove him, so he pushed the thing that was on top of him with both hands.

Was it a cabinet, a wardrobe, or a desk?

That thing that was covering Subaru...

"Aro...!! I'm so—... I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!" (Subaru)

Subaru tried to embrace the girl he had pushed with both hands, but his legs and hands wouldn't move.

— It hurts.

The pain was solidifying Natsuki Subaru's heart.

"What is this... Ah... Mu-Mutsuki! Kayoko!!" (Subaru)

Subaru scanned the room with his semi-open eye, shouting the names of the General Services members.

But there was no response.

Where did the Calamity Fox who was just fighting go? What is this situation? Before pain and fear could take over his heart, Subaru began to crawl, trying to save the soul in front of him.

"Aro! Aro...! Are you alright...?" (Subaru)

When he looked closely, he saw that the halo above her head had vanished, and the coat that had appeared in the corner of his vision earlier was burned and ripped.

He reached out, groping, trying to see if she was alive, and placed his hand on her nose and mouth to check her breathing.

"Oh, that's a relief... she's still..." (Subaru)

But her breathing was rough. Her body was rising and falling with abdominal breaths, and her trembling, despite her unconsciousness, indicated that her condition was critical.

When he reached out to lift her by the back, his hand was stained with blood.

"Blood... Damn it, as long as she's not dead yet, then... ーー" (Subaru)

"Stop right there, boy."

"ーー Ah." (Subaru)

The soul that was in his arms was kicked away.

As if she were a worthless object, the girl who was on the brink of death flew far, far away.

"You bastard..." (Subaru)

"Hmm, was it true that you don't possess an aura? To be this damaged by that shelling is unfortunate. I don't have compresses with me, so struggle on."

"..." (Subaru)

Subaru tried to move his eye, which couldn't open completely, and his body, which wouldn't move, attempting to condemn the perpetrator of this act... ーー Finally, light began to enter his eyes for the first time.

It was an artificial light, like a flashlight...

"Welcome, black-haired and black-eyed boy. Call me "The President"."

"ーー The Kaiser... Corporation...!" (Subaru)

"Yes, precisely."

His tongue stumbled, for the pain from his burnt throat and the pain in his entire body, which he was only now beginning to feel, all transformed into fear.

Nevertheless, he clearly saw that the room was filled with heavily armed robots.

And on every robot surrounding all the unconscious members of General Services, a familiar logo was engraved.

The robot wearing the suit and standing before him had introduced itself as the President, meaning the top of the Kaiser Corporation, the primary nucleus of Kaiser, was looking down on Subaru with contempt.

"Hmm... His eyes are burned from the aerial bombardment; he can barely see with his right eye, his left leg is useless, and his right leg is torn... yet he's still not dead."

"Did General Services protect him? If you had died here, it would have been easy for you."

"Why...?" (Subaru)

"Do you think we would overlook an employee who failed to submit a mission completion report? Everything belonging to Kaiser, from individuals to vehicles, is managed equally."

"And when we checked the car's GPS log, we found this precious prize as well... Kuk kuk kuk, it seems great fortune is indeed smiling upon me."

Did he fail again? Did Natsuki Subaru fail again?

As his regret intensified, his heart wished for an end to his life.

He possesses the trump card granted to a man who can do nothing: the power to return everything to the beginning. If he dies here, then "next time" he won't use the car... ーー.

"..." (Subaru)

He spat out this vile feeling of disdain, looking at Aro who had covered him, and at the members of General Services who had helped him.

— He is not dead yet.

"Death" is far away; "Death" has not corrupted his soul.

If he hasn't died yet thanks to her, then...

"I can still move!!" (Subaru)

"Halt." (The President)

Adrenaline surged through his body, but his jump was not directed toward the President... ーー but toward the now-dark tablet that had fallen at his feet.

"ARONA!!" (Subaru)

"What? Damn it, is that the... Shittim Chest!?" (The President)

"Voice verification complete. I am A.R.O.N.A, at your command, Sir."

Coinciding with the President raising his foot to crush Subaru's hand.

The Kaiser soldiers standing at the destroyed room door scattered, and the sound of violent shotgun blasts, accompanied by a roar like that of a predator, echoed through the area.

When the President turned, startled by the sound, the last remaining member of General Services came into his view: it was Haruka.

"Madam Aro." (Haruka)

"... Do not touch her." (Haruka)

"You wretched girl... ーー What was the General doing!!" (The President)

"Get away, you scum!!! I won't forgive you! I won't forgive! I won't forgive! I won't forgive! I won't forgive! I won't forgive! I won't forgive! I won't forgive! I won't forgive!" (Haruka)

"President!! Total defense system collapse! One of the members..."

"Concentrate fire on all troops! Don't let her approach the President!! Hmmm!?" (Soldier Commander)

In a fleeting moment, the troops formed a wall around the President, but this forced them to avert their attention from Subaru and General Services, thus granting Natsuki Subaru the opportunity of a lifetime.

"ARONA...! Can you do something?" (Subaru)

"Yes, I can use all the remaining energy in the Shittim Chest to execute a temporary disarmament of all soldiers inside the room." (ARONA)

"Do it...! Please...!" (Subaru)

"However, I cannot guarantee Natsuki Subaru's safety afterward." (ARONA)

"Don't worry! My life can go to hell!!" (Subaru)

"... Understood. Initiating countdown. 3." (ARONA)

"Haruka!! Take care of General Services, please!!" (Subaru)

Amidst the gunfire and chaos, it is uncertain whether Subaru's burnt voice reached the ears of the enraged Haruka.

Nevertheless, Subaru screamed until blood flowed from his strained throat, entrusting everything he could "do" in this situation to Haruka.

"2." (ARONA)

For this reason or another... it is uncertain.

"1." (ARONA)

— Haruka responded to the call and rushed toward her three sleeping comrades behind the wall of soldiers, taking a barrage of bullets into her body.

"0." (ARONA)

"Ugh!? Operating system breach!? Total firewall failure... ーー" (The President)

"Haruka!!"

Subaru received a quick glance from her, and then Haruka carried all the General Services members.

The only escape route was "outside", through the completely shattered building window. She ran towards it, traversing the space.

His worry did not last long; he heard the loud sound of glass shattering from the floor below, signaling that Haruka had sacrificed her shotgun and hands to use them as brakes, and then slid downward along the wall.

"Goodbye, Natsuki Subaru. I wish you luck "next time"." (A.R.O.N.A)

"Farewell." (ARONA)

With A.R.O.N.A's final sentence, the "Shittim Chest" powered down.

The power down meant the paralysis of the Kaiser soldiers vanished.

"... We underestimated you, thinking you were merely human, but you were the only being in this world capable of activating the Shittim Chest, you imbecile." (The President)

"ーー H-heh heh... Enjoy your ruin, you insignificant worm..." (Subaru)

"Well, that's fine; this is merely child's play in the end... You made a mistake, idiot." (The President)

"...Ah?" (Subaru)

"Why did you help General Services? Although I know the reason, is it because you are a foolish child and only thought about what was right in front of you?" (The President)

"You should have... ーー activated Sanctum Tower. However, this stupid action of yours, which didn't even satisfy your own self-conceit, will cause a much greater loss." (The President)

"I wondered about the nature of the entity left by that superhuman man, but he was just a child who couldn't see beyond his nose... Apart from the activation privilege, you are disappointing." (The President)

"Therefore, this is what will happen." (The President)

— Is it an earthquake?

What struck Natsuki Subaru's body was a powerful ground tremor.

This earthquake-like tremor served as an alarm bell to inform Natsuki Subaru of the truth.

The arrival of light followed.

A very strong light assaulted Subaru's sole eye, which was directed outside the building to bid farewell to Haruka.

It was not a small light like a flashlight, nor a bright, warm glow like the sun.

The source of the light that tore through the darkness of Kivotos was...

"Ah..." (Subaru)

"Intercontinental cruise missiles. Gematria has surrendered to this world." (The President)

The small mass of light appearing in the distance was the continuous bombardment destroying Gehenna.

"Ah, A, AAAAAHH..." (Subaru)

Subaru felt his brain scattering; everything he had witnessed in Gehenna—Hina, Ako, Sena, and the entire Gehenna Academy—was burning in his memory.

Because of Natsuki Subaru's choice... everything.

A hell that he did not want to, and could not, imagine began to float into his mind, wreaking havoc and shattering Subaru's heart.

The pain, the regret, and the weight of the rifle he should have returned were all pressing down on his heart.

It's not because of him, not because of him...

"The anti-air defense system is disabled due to Sanctum Tower's lack of response." (The President)

All Natsuki Subaru could do was curl up and console himself.

"Kivotos will transform from a city of academies into a city of corporations, and areas of chaos like Gehenna are an obstacle to this. The survival of a faction like General Services changes nothing. Didn't I tell you? You are naive." (The President)

"Presi...dent..." (Subaru)

"The General Student Council President was "ahead of her time." Although I valued that capability of hers, it is regrettable that she disappeared." (The President)

"Even though she was an obstacle, I would have liked to speak with her once about a profitable deal, but her disappearance led to this fate." (The President)

"The dawn is beginning, the mystery will vanish, and Gematria will depart. At that point, the Kaiser Corporation is the most deserving to control this world." (The President)

The President deliberately stepped on Subaru's hand, which was gripping the "Shittim Chest", then seized it and dusted it off.

"Ugh... Aah..." (Subaru)

"With that, you are no longer of any use, nor is there any justification for your existence. Arrogant children need discipline." (The President)

"«The Black Suit» will attend to you. He is useful and should remain... ーー Take him away." (The President)

"Understood." (The Soldiers)

"Kaiser... President..." (Subaru)

While being led away, Subaru realized that his last scream directed at that emotionless robot was truly his final attempt.

Preparing to drift quietly into sleep, he left his final words.

"Absolutely, I... no matter how many times this repeats..." (Subaru)

"I will save them all." (Subaru)

"..." (Subaru)

"Hurry and take him away; the barking of a defeated dog is unbearable to hear." (The President)

●○●○●

— Consciousness awoke.

It hurts.

When I was hurting, my father and mother used to help me.

"Kuk kuk kuk... Kukuk, what an understanding."

Whose laugh is this? It sounds a bit frightening.

"Since the matter follows the will of the person himself, was the Shittim Chest truly calibrated for Natsuki Subaru?"

"Kuk kuk kuk kuk... This is very interesting... ーー It seems you have woken up."

"... ーー"

Subaru could not speak, nor could he ask who he was or inquire about his current condition.

Furthermore, his eyes saw nothing.

"I apologize for this situation, but allow me to introduce myself."

"I am The Black Suit, affiliated with Gematria. We have replaced your eardrum, so you should be able to hear well now... If you can hear, could you give me a sign?"

How kind this was; the sounds he had been hearing intermittently were now very clear.

Subaru tried to raise his right hand as a sign of response...

"... ーー?"

"Kuk kuk kuk, thank you."

"..." (Subaru)

— He had lost feeling in his right hand.

"When we brought you here, your right arm and left leg had already suffered damage, and we were forced to amputate them to avoid the danger of death." (The Black Suit)

"When we brought you here, your right arm and left leg had already suffered damage, and we were forced to amputate them to avoid the danger of death." (The Black Suit)

Was that the reason? That's why that pain disappeared...

Wait? Then why? Why is the feeling of pain intensifying all over his body?

Is it pain? No, it's cold. A chill, as if there is an air conditioner installed inside his body.

"Stop, maintain your calm." (The Black Suit)

"We are opening your body now." (The Black Suit)

"... ーー?" (Subaru)

"... ーー" (The Black Suit)

"...??" (Subaru)

Coldness. A chill. Why is this happening?

Without knowing the reason, Natsuki Subaru was dying.

"The Ship of Theseus... ーー We are using you to learn how to deal with the Shittim Chest ourselves. Kuk, kukukuk... It's marvelous that such an interesting connection still exists in Kivotos." (The Black Suit)

Subaru did not understand what was said.

But he realized one thing: the cold.

He was being tampered with, polluted, opened, cherished. The hand of the man who introduced himself as The Black Suit was entering his body.

Pain, regret, and sorrow were all coated and covered by the coldness, by the coldness of an ocean in mid-winter.

— Piercing cold.

In a world of eternal darkness where he sees nothing, in a world where he does not know when this coldness will end, the only thing controlling Subaru's empty heart was...

When his soul and mortal body would reach "Death".

"Well then, we shall begin the removal of parts." (The Black Suit)

When will I die? Am I still alive? Haven't I died yet? It hurts, does the pain mean I haven't died yet?

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts. He feels something, something precious leaving his body.

Does the heart still beating mean I am alive? Can I be called alive in this empty body where nothing remains? Can this be called life, when the authority over life and death is in someone else's hands, and they are toying with me without me knowing who they are? What is life? Why is death frightening?

— Did my life have meaning until now?

To be born, study hard in elementary, middle, and high school, want to raise my head before my parents, reach this place, want to repay everyone, strive, try to help General Services, and strive.

Cold, cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold cold.

A chill that does not stop flowing.

Ah, I will die. "Death" is approaching.

Subaru remembered that this is the true "Death", and the hand of fear began to crush his heart, which rejected death.

It is approaching, — terrifying. It is approaching, approaching, — terrifying. Terrifying, terrifying terrifying terrifying, I will die, it is approaching the soul, Death is approaching.

The moment fear flooded Natsuki Subaru's brain.

Ah, he died.

With this feeling as the last impression, Natsuki Subaru's life was simply consumed.

 

[Raven797]

"Fire! Fire!!"

"Grenade!! Get back!!"

The moment his consciousness reawakened, the scene unfolding before him was one he had witnessed repeatedly.

Subaru stared at the bright sun, and a futile thought crossed his mind: Was Icarus trying to fly toward that sun?

But Icarus's father warned him that overconfidence in technology is what destroys its possessor. Subaru wondered if his father would have warned him had he been here as he embarked on the path of failure.

"Oh, dear! I'm so tired, so tired! I need water, people!"

This ordinary student's voice was lively enough to bring Subaru back to reality and call out to the mentally absent Subaru.

Even after hearing that voice, his body could not move at all.

— He had no sensation of his body being present.

It was a feeling of lightness and instability, a strange and inexplicable sense of discomfort.

Nevertheless, the scene had not changed.

The location was the rooftop of a convenience store, and the atmosphere was free of humidity under a bright sun, exactly as it was the first time he arrived here.

A perfect spot for a nap or cutting class, and Subaru almost fell asleep immediately.

Down below, armed battles were continuing in the street.

To the residents of this world, it was nothing more than a simple brawl, but if a stray bullet were to hit Subaru, it would be the end of his life's game.

The halos were multicolored, the school uniforms were cute, and each uniform had been slightly modified.

The sight could arguably be called somewhat cheerful, but when one sees girls armed with helmets or girls loitering and screaming, a question mark follows the word "cheerful."

"Ah." (Subaru)

Subaru tried to make a sound.

The sound came out. It was Natsuki Subaru's voice, quite clearly.

He tried to move his right arm.

It moved. He felt it clearly; this is Natsuki Subaru's arm.

He tried to move his left leg, his eyes, his vision, his abdomen, his throat, and he moved everything.

"It's all here." (Subaru)

Everything belongs to Natsuki Subaru.

His vision suffers no impairment, his missing arm and leg move well, and his crushed throat and previously damaged body now bear no trace of injury.

Subaru recalled the past where he lost everything, then rubbed his now-intact body... and scratched the back of his head.

"What do I do now, really..." (Subaru)

●○●○●

"I'm completely broke, guys; I have nothing... Could you spare me a little something?" (Subaru)

"What do you want, stranger... ーー Well, I suppose some strange characters do appear during these conflicts. Here."

Subaru took the plastic water bottle handed to him, removed the cap, and drank greedily.

The water was very cold, as if newly purchased, quenching the dryness of his throat with every drop.

His morale, which had been sinking in the mire, improved slightly.

"Ah... What a wonderful taste! Thanks for the unconditional love, young lady! I wanted to joke, but I don't have the energy. Thank you very much, truly." (Subaru)

"It's obvious from your face; you look worse than a dead person... If you collapse, regardless of you being a stranger, we'd have to take you to the nearest hub."

"I just didn't want to do that bothersome work."

The girl wearing the helmet rubbed her nose over the helmet, proudly saying she didn't need thanks, and then left the spot.

Subaru waved his hand in gratitude, sat on a small step in the square where he met the helmeted girl, and leaned back.

The helmeted girl rushed into the exchange of fire on the main street ahead of him.

"... If this were a nightmare, it would be better." (Subaru)

Subaru breathed a sigh of relief over the fact that his body was present, his feeling of lightness, and his ability to perceive sounds.

"Nevertheless, this is truly a predicament..." (Subaru)

He doubted his eyes regarding the successive developments in the latter part of the previous situation.

The President of the Kaiser Corporation, the activated Shittim Chest, the destruction of Gehenna, and finally, his dissection at the hands of a mysterious person...

Subaru wanted to believe that not many people have gone through such a tumultuous day, even in another world. Although it cannot be described as a "day" due to the time loop.

Nevertheless, it was a real experience.

That horror and despair from that moment still gnaw at Subaru's heart.

He is not saying he cannot recover, nor is he claiming he has become accustomed to the terrifying death that recurred several times, but he must find a way "to act".

— The only problem is that his heart is a little shattered, and the coldness of that moment envelops his body, making him unable to get up and making him desire to abandon everything and surrender.

"Ah..." (Subaru)

"It's hard... truly..." (Subaru)

Subaru sighed slowly with his sound body. Although all the physical pains of that moment were removed, his heart had not been protected.

What happened "after that"? Did Kaiser take control of everyone... Did all the people of Gehenna die, and General Services too, surely...

"... You fool, what is the use of thinking about such things? If this continues, everything will repeat, and everyone here will be bombed... ーー" (Subaru)

"I can't allow Hina, Sena, and Ako, who are struggling so hard to live, to be destroyed without knowing anything." (Subaru)

"But what can I do!?" (Subaru)

Subaru splashed the remaining water in the bottle onto his head to cool his raging thoughts.

Not much was left since he had drunk greedily, but it was enough to provide some cooling.

"... Getting cold now makes the feeling worse. What was happening to me at that time?" (Subaru)

Remembering that coldness, Subaru clasped his arms to his sides, reviewing everything that happened: where he was wrong, what he was wrong about, and whether the event could fundamentally be called a failure.

— He does not know if he gave his best effort; perhaps it was not a failure, but a "defeat".

An inevitable, predetermined end; a result Natsuki Subaru could do nothing about.

"I have to get over that, yes. It's a simple story... I should forget everything. Forget Kaiser, Gehenna, and the General Student Council President; there are supposed to be many other things to do and think about, right?" (Subaru)

— But what if everything ends tomorrow?

"..." (Subaru)

He received help, and he wants to repay the favor.

— Natsuki Subaru gives everything he has, even if it costs him death.

"Is this escaping reality?" (Subaru)

"General Student Council President... Were you truly certain that you chose me ?" (Subaru)

His thoughts continued in a negative spiral. The inescapable critical situation, the General Student Council President's message that spoke of an illogical prophecy the more he delved into it, the stupid, foolish fox who came to play, and the memories of pain and despair all reduced Subaru's ability to think.

Fundamentally, most of the events that happened to Subaru in this world revolved around the "General Student Council President"; starting from Kaiser's movements and his visit to Schale with Hina, to the activation of Sanctum Tower.

Thus, excluding her from his thoughts is no different from escaping reality.

"... "I'll repay the debt; I'm a man of honor." That is the condition of outlaws..." (Subaru)

"Repay the kindness I received." (Subaru)

Subaru recalled the image of Aro who covered him at the end.

Despite being in danger of death, she sacrificed herself to save Subaru, who was closest to death, regardless of her own circumstances.

— That's enough; that is the "goodness" that drives Natsuki Subaru.

Falling in love at first sight might happen several times in life, and in this world, all the girls are beautiful and good-looking, but admiration is not limited to appearance.

Subaru remembered all the kindness he had received since arriving in this world: starting from his first encounter with Hina, receiving treatment from Sena... and deepening his friendship with Ako.

If Subaru thinks about it now, it is impossible for the extremely busy Hina to have spent an entire half-day with Subaru. This means Ako's work in the reception room was just filling the empty time.

What alleviated the despair, the fear, the pain, and the cold was remembering the "kindness" he had received since arriving in this world.

"It's not over yet." (Subaru)

"Never backing down from a spoken promise—that is the way of outlaws." (Subaru)

Subaru recalled what he had shouted amid the painful memories.

『Absolutely, I... no matter how many times this repeats...!』

『I will save them all.』

Since he had shouted that.

"Don't underestimate me, Other World; don't underestimate me, Kivotos."

Natsuki Subaru is not defeated yet.

"Don't underestimate me! General Student Council President!!"

"I'll show you the chivalry of a man who was asked to save the day!!"

"No hero abandons his heroine after she sheds tears and asks for rescue."

 

[Raven797]

"If I think about it, I don't even have enough information to set a plan or strategy." (Subaru)

Although Subaru was shouting bravely, he had not solved the problem of insufficient information; he had lived through the events too quickly in every route he took.

The strength of General Services, how to deal with the Calamity Fox, and what happens after activating the Shittim Chest.

Frankly, victory lies in activating the Shittim Chest, but this requires power and support.

All Subaru knows is "how he will die".

Consequently, the sole condition for victory is what looms in Subaru's hand.

"Condition one: If I don't activate Sanctum Tower, that Kaiser scum will take over Kivotos." (Subaru)

This is the biggest challenge, the greatest obstacle. It's a "losing game" that ends in instant loss if not resolved today.

"Well, that's something that must be solved, of course. Whatever I do and however I do it, I have to crush them and drive them out..." (Subaru)

"... Damn it... Second problem: The Calamity Fox will also come to the Schale building." (Subaru)

What a shame that the first problem overlaps with the second!

"There's no time for this!! I alone cannot make it on time before the Fox arrives, and I must have assisting power by the evening!!" (Subaru)

"You said there was a GPS system, but they will surely come if they cause a fuss in Schale, won't they?" (Subaru)

His plan for stealth was ruined by the Calamity Fox, and Kaiser imposed a time limit. Before he can deal with these two matters, he has to breach the security of the Schale building...

"Well, that's impossible. Impossible, impossible, impossible." (Subaru)

"All that comes out of me is negativity. I couldn't do anything alone, could I? Was I truly suffering from such a staff shortage? Me!?" (Subaru)

"Goodness, time is passing even while I'm thinking..." (Subaru)

The situation is terrible. Natsuki Subaru didn't fail after overcoming the difficulties; he stumbled before reaching them due to his lack of self-reliance...

He has no ability to solve problems, no weapon, no money... as for determination, it exists. But he is in real trouble.

"Ah... where can I find someone very strong who can take me to Schale, and who has authority... ーー" (Subaru)

"..." (Subaru)

"Hmm?" (Subaru)

"Ah." (Subaru)

●○●○●

— There was a moment that almost paralleled the situation he had just mentioned.

That was the moment he met Hina Sorasaki in the first timeline. Even the power of General Services and the Calamity Fox could not frighten people merely by name-dropping.

Subaru does not know much about her; specifically, she is the Head of the Prefect Team, a diligent and stressed employee, she has a connection to the Federal Student Council, and she is the person who knows the content of the abandoned message.

"The options seem unexpectedly available, then." (Subaru)

Contacting Hina Sorasaki was almost a product of chance. In the first loop, the time Subaru remembers as having gone the best... it occurred through the pattern of a distress scream reaching her while she was on patrol, and there is no other reliable link he can depend on besides that.

"..." (Subaru)

Subaru wished he knew at least the exact timing of the blackmail attempt by that delinquent girl, but at the time, he was shot in the leg and confused, and his phone was lying on the ground. The maximum he can recall is the time on a clock mounted on the school building when he visited the Gehenna Academy fountain square.

With all the "Death" he has endured, his spirit is not strong enough to recall that exact timing.

The result is that repeating the first pattern several times is the fastest route, but...

"You, kid, hand over the money."

"If you underestimate us, we'll teach you a lesson."

"ーー What is this place? Is this truly a forced, repeating event?" (Subaru)

"You bastard... Why are you smiling like that!! Do you want to be shot or what, you idiot!?"

"Ah, it seems their method of threatening is to shoot, wow... My mind is on the verge of a civilizational renaissance from the sheer cultural differences." (Subaru)

"You insolent fool!!"

"Oh, dear / Damn it." (Subaru)

It is the unforgettable alley of destiny. It was strange for Subaru to hear the exact same phrases while scratching his cheek. Although they are interacting properly, unlike NPCs (Non-Player Characters) repeating the same dialogue.

Subaru followed his "Super Hina Sorasaki Radar" (SS-R Subaru), trying hard to extract memories until he reached the alley. But he found a gun pointed at the back of his head once again.

"Well then, I will hand over everything I have, so would you please let me go...?" (Subaru)

"Hmm? You have good intentions. But we're going to shoot you because you underestimated us."

"Morality ーー? Isn't ethical conduct slightly out of order here, I wonder??" (Subaru)

"Die, you bastard!!!!"

"Nooo!!?? Someone ーー Save me... ーー" (Subaru)

Bang.

"... Ah." (Subaru)

A sense of penetration overwhelmed him.

What result did this moment of intense, fleeting pain leave behind?

— His head had been blown off by a gunshot.

The strength of his body coldly faded, his vision shut down, and his consciousness began to plummet into the darkness. He was dying with a sudden, swift fall.

Shot, shot again. He will die, he will die, he will die; he will perish. This easily?

Is he really going to die?... Really?

"Wait!? Hey, hey! This is dangerous... this is bad!! An ambulance...!"

"You idiot, run!! It's obvious he's dead!! If this is exposed, it won't be limited to Valkyrie but... ーー Damn it!! What is this cursed thing!?"

"W-we just tried to extort him... Is our life over now?"

Despite his desire to inform them that they had killed someone, so why worry now, the hole in his skull did not close.

"—... ーー But... I-I... ーー."

"... ーー"

Subaru died without any emotion, and at the fastest speed he had ever witnessed.

Natsuki Subaru's soul departed from this world.

— Even though he knew, the experience was harsh...

●○●○●

"..."

The sixth return from death.

As always, the sounds of conflict and the screams of girls can be heard. The same sunlight, the same humidity, the same smell.

Natsuki Subaru had simply returned.

"... I knew it, I knew it, yes, I knew it." (Subaru)

"I thought... ーー I knew..." (Subaru)

"..." (Subaru)

"The threshold for death is way too low here..." (Subaru)

Subaru's deep sigh reached no one.

Dying is easier than he imagined. Subaru rubbed his forehead, which had been cleanly shot, confirming that he felt nothing now... but it was the first time he had been shot so cleanly.

Considering that life is usually only once, the ability to die six times in a single day is... insane by all standards.

A world where Subaru dies no matter the circumstances. He thought he had lived a long, ordinary life for seventeen years, but considering the previous deaths, he is trying to avoid six deaths multiplied by three hundred and sixty-five days multiplied by seventeen years...

"ーー Rather, I never avoided them... they were all direct fatal injuries." (Subaru)

Death is something one can never get used to, and pain cannot be normalized either. The only thing that worries Subaru is that something inside him diminishes every time he returns from death. And this world, Kivotos, truly...

"Aren't the slums much safer than you all!? What the hell is this? Didn't your fathers teach you not to point guns at strangers for the first time, you idiots!?" (Subaru)

"In the second time too, you carelessly put a hole in my body!! Damn you, there should be something... anything happening before death!! Damn it!" (Subaru)

— Truly, morality is dead.

A gun is a gun; it's not a toy, nor a doll, nor a joke, nor anything else. It shouldn't be pointed at people; discussions should happen before pointing a weapon, right?

It is terrifying, and his body is still trembling. Being shot is like this; it is an act that leaves a deep wound and pain in the heart.

Even if the injuries of Kivotos residents are only minor, such things should not fundamentally be pointed at each other.

"Ah ーー!! Fine! Next round, next round! I've decided to try all available options!" (Subaru)

"I will never surrender to something like this...!" (Subaru)

●○●○●

"..."

Behind him, a massive explosion occurred.

The heat of that blast scorched his back, and as the air he breathed became hot, he felt pain throughout his entire body due to the scorching air entering his lungs as he ran at maximum speed.

Fundamentally, the shockwave of the explosion hurt, his feet hurt, his throat hurt, and his eyes hurt.

He was starting to get used to the rush of bullets toward him—a normal occurrence in this world that one must quickly adapt to. Unfortunately, Subaru, as a genuinely modern young man, would need more time to adjust to it.

After the sixth return from death, Natsuki Subaru was mumbling his thoughts to himself as he ran, affirming that recklessness was futile.

He moved away from the conflict area, avoided approaching the alleys, and began forming a plan.

Searching for the randomly appearing enemy, Hina Sorasaki, without any plan, while he was in a state of extreme weakness and instantaneous death, was utterly illogical.

— And when he did that, his destiny was to be found by General Services.

"ーー Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!!!???" (Subaru)

"Aha! Wait for me!"

"Die, die, die, die, die!!"

"Haruka!? No, you mustn't! If we kill him, we will lose the request..."

Subaru had forgotten, though he shouldn't have. Even General Services, whom he met dramatically, then reconciled with, and became friends with, his return from death meant the relationship was reset.

When they found him, Subaru felt a little relief deep in his heart toward General Services, but the shotgun attack that almost grazed Haruka's face brought him back to reality.

Haruka, Mutsuki, Kayoko, and even Aro, were pointing their weapons at Subaru.

"Miraculously ーー do you remember me even slightly!? That we were close friends in a past life or something!!" (Subaru)

"What is this? Are you interested in the paranormal, young man?"

"No, not really?? Well, yes! Yes, it's impossible for you to remember! How foolish of me to expect even a glimmer of hope!" (Subaru)

Even running at full speed in the city, he cannot match their stamina. He lost miserably even when he tried to climb the Schale building, as his strength would run out before he could escape.

He thought he would bite fate, only to have fate bite him back.

"Seriously, how many miracles do I have to achieve... Hey, WAAAAH!!?" (Subaru)

"I must, I must catch him... I must catch him for Miss Aro; I don't want to be useless... If I become useless, I will be abandoned... I'm sorry for being useless..."

"Calm down, calm down!! Aro wouldn't do that!!" (Subaru)

"Don't call Miss Aro with such familiarity!!"

"You are the most incomprehensible one!!" (Subaru)

Subaru ran hard, thinking that even dogs have more rationality, but...

"Ah... I truly am an ordinary person and I'll die from one shot!! Won't you stop chasing me, please!?" (Subaru)

"You can't make such excuses ~? Your face says you want to run away."

Finally, the explosion arrived.

"Well then, take a little nap, young man!"

Mutsuki tossed the bag she was carrying on her back. If his memory was correct, this was the bag filled with the bombs that were fired at the Calamity Fox.

— The bag flew in an arc toward Subaru.

"I'll try to return it... ーー Damn it!" (Subaru)

"Too bad!"

Subaru barely caught the bag, and he heard the sound of the bomb activating.

The same blunder repeated for the second time, and Subaru remembered the Calamity Fox who tried to return the bomb to her... and his sense of relief vanished.

— And in that moment, the flames enveloped Natsuki Subaru's body.

●○●○●

It was the afternoon, roughly after lunch.

Especially during days of conflict, prey is abundant. Injured people who have lost the ability to resist, or those who have collapsed unconscious on the street, fill the city.

This means it's a perfect day for hunting. We start by stripping them of everything, from their pockets to the inside of their jackets. If they have no money, we take their guns, then their belongings, and if we like something in the end, we even take their clothes.

Truly, the recent days have been comfortable and excellent. We don't even need to hunt students after school hours; we can just rely on a life of plunder.

Hanging out with my friend every day was fun, but that alone is not enough to live. We, who cannot enter the Academies, find only exhausting jobs or get paid late salaries.

We know what we are doing is wrong, and that chasing people this way will lead us to punishment someday, but this is not "today".

"Listen, look at that guy."

"Hmm? Ah... that guy wearing the tracksuit? He doesn't have a gun on his back... ーー He went into the alley?"

"Should we do it?"

"We must do it. A guy walking around unprotected like that is definitely a rich man's son. If we extort him, we'll earn a lot!"

"Alright! Let's go!"

We saw a young man enter the alley with an utterly naive face and no weapon. The strange thing is that he is unfamiliar. For someone to be this naive in Gehenna means he's very spoiled!

We imagined our fancy dinner for today and chased after him, gripping our guns...

Then, we addressed that man.

"You, kid, hand over the money."

"If you underestimate us, we'll teach you a lesson."

We directed the words at the man who had his back to us, but he ignored us.

Although we felt a vague pressure emanating from his back, there was no need to fear someone who was unarmed.

"...? Hey, kid, are you deaf? I told you to hand over the money."

"Ah! Wait!!"

Suddenly, the man in front of us took off running at full speed without looking sideways. He waved his hand at us in a sign of defiance as he turned the corner.

"Damn you, you insolent fool... Oh!!?"

"Danger! ... Wait, I swear I'm going to kill this guy."

During the chase, an iron pipe suddenly fell from a blind corner. Was it leaning against the wall and then fell?

... No, this guy knocked it down. I cannot forgive this defiance...

"Wait, you bastard!!!!"

And while we were trying to chase the man who kept running, firing randomly, in that moment.

— A sharp, sudden scream dominated the area.

"Prefect Teaaaaam!!" (Subaru)

A sudden, unprompted distress signal caused the two delinquent girls to flinch in surprise.

The scream pierced the silence of the alley, and its echo likely reached everyone on the main street. It was a feminine voice, totally unlike a man's.

We felt fear from a sound that couldn't possibly come from a man's throat, and we were annoyed by a scream that showed such a lack of dignity.

"Someone! Call the Prefect Teaaaaaaam!!" (Subaru)

The voice was so loud that it could no longer be suppressed by just firing randomly.

"Idiot! Don't scream like that over extortion!!"

"Shut him up quickly! If someone shows up, things will get complicated..."

"Stop right there."

— And then.

After the series of deaths Natsuki Subaru had gone through.

"H-"

"H-H-"

""Hina Sorasaki!?""

Subaru finally met his longed-for hope.

 

[Raven797]

"Stop right there."

— In Natsuki Subaru's vision, an angel manifested.

His eyes widened until he nearly wept, and he inspected her every detail to confirm this girl was truly Hina Sorasaki, then held his breath.

There was no room for error: this was the soft, flowing white hair, the aura resembling a fortress, and above all, the massive machine gun she carried on her back.

Her exquisite facial features, reminiscent of fine art, were extremely mature and disproportionate to her small physique. The compelling aura surrounding her, which amplified her captivating charm, indicated she was no ordinary character.

""Hina Sorasaki!?""

Subaru sighed in relief.

If this scene had been merely a hallucination born of Subaru's exhaustion from death, his disappointment would have exceeded the false joy he had felt.

The two girls, pierced by her gaze, flinched and took a step back, as if intending to flee immediately.

They were visibly trembling, awaiting a death sentence from Hina Sorasaki.

"If you intend to do anything further, I will have to punish you according to the rules."

"Ah...! It's not worth the trouble!! We won't do anything! We promise we won't do anything!"

"Let's run!! I don't want to turn into a can of crushed tomatoes!?"

They quickly scattered... "like children dispersing" (to use it as a brief simile), and Hina extended her hand toward Subaru with a calm face, as if to say that an unnecessary hassle had been avoided.

She truly is exceptional. How difficult it must be to be a person feared merely by name and face in this world.

Subaru, trembling before Hina, had no visible injuries. As Hina considered calling Sena lest he had hidden wounds under his clothes, the young man spoke to her in a quiet, shaky voice.

"Hi... Hina... You're Hina, right?" (Subaru)

Hina was surprised to be called by her first name so suddenly, but her name's notoriety had become habitual, so she decided to respond without dwelling on it...

"Hinaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Hinaaa! Oooooh! Thank you, God!" (Subaru)

"Stop!? G-get away from me...!"

"Ugh, sob... It's Hina, Hina is here... It's Hina..." (Subaru)

"What are you saying... Stop, just a moment!"

"Ugh... sob... Phew... I apologize..." (Subaru)

"I have... some special circumstances... Hah, some unusual circumstances..." (Subaru)

"... Do circumstances justify hugging?"

"I am truly sorry!!!" (Subaru)

Subaru immediately apologized and prostrated himself before her satisfaction meter could drop to its lowest point.

From his perspective, this was like the final scene of a dramatic scenario, a moment of tear-gland collapse where one wipes away tears with a bath towel.

(He joked this internally), but he was so deeply affected by meeting her after everything he had endured that he broke down crying and hugged her.

Subaru raised his face, feeling as though he had reached the finish line, though he had only taken the first steps.

Why was he so deeply affected, why did he shed tears of emotion, and why was his spirit so shattered?

— Natsuki Subaru had made 38 returns from death.

38, yes, 38 times. Including the previous loops, 45 times the life of Natsuki Subaru had been consumed.

His face was rigid and unable to move, and his body was trembling in search of safety—all of this was to compensate for the 38 times he had lost his life.

He had walked, ignoring his exhausted soul, all to deduce the precise timing, the escape route, and the obstacles that prevented his body from being shot.

●○●○●

『I got caught in the conflict.』

『... Well, this is the twelfth time...』

Subaru died. He died frequently, killed by stray bullets, and died without making any progress.

He wished he had walked and died, wished he had consumed his life and gained something in return. He died meaninglessly in tens of those 38 times.

To fire what is called "randomness," no matter the previous method of escape and evasion, the location of the next bullet's launch changes upon returning from death; thus, there is no chance to avoid it.

『...』

The area around the convenience store is a hellhole full of conflicts. Even when sneaking through narrow passages, he was shot in bewilderment by students who were likely trying to outflank an opponent.

On some occasions, Subaru couldn't suppress his frustration, so he went out into the main street screaming and crying...

『... A vehicle ran over me...』

He was even flattened into a squid pancake (a metaphor for being crushed).

He was killed "by General Services."

He was killed "by students."

"... And he gave up" due to running out of time.

After his death count exceeded thirty, Subaru went through a moment of breakdown and isolation.

The result was the same: he died without seeing the dawn of the next day.

He felt despair because death was not the end of the road, and he felt despair because he continued to be killed by the very things Subaru was trying to protect.

Because he did not want to face this reality, he continued returning from death relentlessly.

— And thus, things are as they are now.

"Hey, that's right... It's not over yet! Sorry for the surprise, Hina, but would you listen to what I have to say... ーー" (Subaru)

That's right, it's only the beginning. Subaru has not reached the finish line; he is still at the starting point.

Therefore, Subaru decided to tell her everything about his future and ask for Hina's help...

"You."

"Was your scream not for help to get rid of the delinquents... but was your target me?"

"Uh!" (Subaru)

How sharp, so very sharp. Even though the delinquents were chasing him and firing randomly, did she notice this, even though his action seemed exaggerated?

When Subaru looked into her dark purple eyes, which shone faintly, he felt as if she saw through his entire situation.

— She was evaluating the situation. Hina was contemplating this young man before her, whose characteristics matched the content of the message left by the Federal Student Council President.

Subaru quickly pushed his hands forward, signaling that he did not mean that in the negative.

"A-ah, no, I'm not planning anything. My request for help from the extortion was real, and my desire to meet you is also real. In short, I am here because I have an urgent matter with you, Hina Sorasaki, the phenomenal, miraculous, attractive, beautiful..." (Subaru)

"..."

Subaru felt as though she was looking at him with the same eye she looks at Ako (another character), but this was the most important moment, so he arranged his words in his head, then spoke them clearly and concisely.

Lying does not suit Natsuki Subaru. He learned through his bragging in elementary and middle school how badly a story built on lies can turn out later.

Therefore, he would speak honestly and frankly.

"... You won't believe me, of course... and if you delve into asking me what I am about to say, such as: 'What is the guarantee that this is real?' then I will have no choice but to lie prostrate before Hina and declare submission." (Subaru)

"I don't have a weapon, and I don't have money, but I claim to be Natsuki Subaru, the undisputed hero under the sky, 17 years old." (Subaru)

Subaru took a deep breath, recalled the three phrases he intended to say when he met her... then articulated them.

"Listen carefully. First, I... appear to be the person mentioned in the "Federal Student Council President's abandoned message"... or rather, I am him." (Subaru)

"...!!"

"You said your name was Subaru, and how do you know that... ــــ"

"Wait, wait, hold on... Delving into the question is forbidden. You are the audience now, and I am the narrator...? Okay, the storyteller. In any case... Please, I want to finish my entire story." (Subaru)

"..."

Subaru calmed Hina, who had placed her hand on the machine gun on her back. He thanked her internally for her leniency in not immediately opening fire when something disturbing occurred in this world, then quickly provided the evidence.

"Conflicts are rampant in this vicinity, aren't they? Also, the place Hina is heading to now is to suppress a conflict. Don't you find this a bit odd, even if Gehenna is an outlaw area?" (Subaru)

"That is..."

"I know the party manipulating things from behind the scenes: it's the Kaiser Corporation. These bastards are committing many crimes under the cover of these conflicts." (Subaru)

"And for what reason?"

"... I don't know the full reason, perhaps... But I want to convey to you that they are planning something much bigger." (Subaru)

"ــــ Calm down and listen to me. Gehenna will be bombed; a missile will be launched at it, and everyone will die...! The Kaiser Corporation is determined to take control of Kivotos." (Subaru)

"... ــــ"

"To avoid that, Sanctum Tower must be activated, and the Kaiser scoundrels must be sent back to their holes! You must understand that this is the only way. And the one who can activate the Tower... is only me." (Subaru)

Yes, only Natsuki Subaru. Only Natsuki Subaru knows the future. Only Natsuki Subaru can operate the "Shittim Chest".

ــــ Only Natsuki Subaru can save everyone.

"ــــ I... I! I am "that person" in the Federal Student Council President's message!! I alone can activate the Tower! I alone can save Gehenna, and save Kivotos!!" (Subaru)

For those unfamiliar with the journey Natsuki Subaru had undertaken, this sudden emotional outburst would seem highly exaggerated... and might even generate a degree of revulsion.

Subaru did not question the logic of his speech; he merely continued conveying the truth, his genuine emotions, and his desire to save them.

Subaru launched his words without any tricks, a surge of raw feeling in his chest. If this work were a dating sim... all the heroines would give him zero points. He had abandoned all elegance or credible evidence that might make her believe him; all he wanted was to convey his feelings.

His hand gestures were rapid and frantic. If he were told that his words were nonsense, his attempt would fail in an instant. Nevertheless, all Subaru could do was unburden the emotions he kept hidden in his chest.

"I expect you to be surprised by what I said so suddenly. I will accept any word: why, that's impossible, don't joke, you weirdo, you pervert, you've gone mad. I am ready to accept all these words." (Subaru)

"And I won't complain by saying: 'Why don't you believe me?' But... right now, just..." (Subaru)

"Won't you trust me, Hina?" (Subaru)

"..."

Subaru stopped speaking, opened his eyes, and extended his hand. Subaru was in a state that made him more trustworthy than a flea, yet no more reassuring than a kitten abandoned in a cardboard box in the rain.

From her perspective, she surely thought this was a strange man who suddenly appeared, yelling crazy talk. Subaru did not want to acknowledge this feeling.

He was just appealing and reaching out.

"..."

The silence ached his body.

"... First,"

After a silence that felt like an eternity, a word finally came from Hina Sorasaki.

"The Federal Student Council President's abandoned message—its very existence is classified as absolute top secret and is buried in a confidential vault. Only specified individuals in each district can know its content."

"You are not among them, and at this point, it is my duty to hand you over to the Federal Student Council."

"Uh..." (Subaru)

"Second, the Kaiser Corporation does not leak information easily. I also knew that Kaiser was secretly manipulating things, but I only knew the bare minimum of information. If what you said is true—that it is a coup against the entirety of Kivotos—the number of people who know this is extremely limited... and anyone who leaks anything to the outside is eliminated."

"...." (Subaru)

"Finally, the 'activation' of Sanctum Tower. That word can only be spoken if you know that Sanctum Tower is currently out of operation... Sanctum Tower stopped operating only two weeks ago, and although infrastructure is gradually ceasing to function, most students don't know that Sanctum is the main control center, so the number of students aware of the stoppage is extremely small."

"You spoke of 'activation', assuming it is currently stopped—you, who came from 'the outside' and do not possess a Halo."

"With a suspicious appearance and suspicious actions, I have no reason whatsoever to trust you."

"Ah..." (Subaru)

Blow after blow; the white flag of surrender was raised before him. All Subaru could do now was return to groveling as an apology and present himself as a sign of obedience, like a dog revealing its belly... ــــ.

"..."

"ــــ However, everything you said was true."

"The Federal Student Council President's abandoned message, a person without a Halo, with black hair and black eyes, and a cheerful boy... It doesn't seem like there's a lie in this either."

"Subaru, you have no interest or gain in this, and there is no meaning in saying this to anyone... If you knew this information without speaking of it, it would be more logical to join Kaiser. I believe that's more rational. You said you 'can save' us, but what will you do afterward? What will you gain after the rescue?"

"What is your motivation?"

"ــــ Nothing." (Subaru)

Her purple eyes widened slightly. Her attention was strongly drawn to the eyes of the young man who looked so vulnerable before her.

"I don't possess grand principles, and I cannot act without considering gains and losses. If joining Kaiser brought me a lot of money, I would have done it." (Subaru)

"I have no intention of saving anyone for nothing in return, nor do I even know the reason why I'm striving this hard. I want to reject everything after the rescue by saying: 'Do as you please; Natsuki Subaru's support services end here.'" (Subaru)

"But, all there is... ــــ" (Subaru)

"is that I'm not the type of person who can ignore a cry for help." (Subaru)

"..."

"I see."

Hina Sorasaki did not avert her gaze from Natsuki Subaru.

Natsuki Subaru did not avert his gaze from Hina Sorasaki.

In the exchange of glances, Hina grasped Natsuki Subaru's extended hand...

●○●○●

A girl was running quickly down a narrow street.

Three robots were chasing her from behind; it was clear she was fleeing from them.

She escaped into a tight alley, but they outflanked her and surrounded her from the front and back.

She was trapped.

"Hah, hah! Anyone!! Anyone!!"

Why is this happening to me? Why is this happening to me? Why is this happening to me!?

I, I... I was just returning home from school...

"Hey, shut her up."

"Anyone! Anyone!! Save... ــــ"

The girl was injected with something, and strength began to drain from her body.

She had done nothing wrong; it was an ordinary day where nothing had changed, but it suddenly collapsed.

Her cry for help, even if it reached others, was answered by no one. When everyone saw the "Kaiser Corporation" logo engraved on the robots, they turned their faces away.

— They don't want to take responsibility.

They don't want to bear the responsibility that would arise from helping that girl.

What follows helping that girl? The adversary is Kaiser, and they would have to bear all the responsibility: how much loss, how much gain, how much damage, how much pain, how much hardship, how much regret would be generated there.

Even if they felt satisfaction for helping her, they would later abandon her, so they don't offer aid from the start.

"Ah... Oh... Uuuh..."

If only she had committed an evil deed, an evil deed worthy of divine punishment. In Gehenna, everyone commits heinous and stupid acts all the time.

But I did nothing, absolutely nothing...

"Transport her quickly. We must catch up to the number set for us by the 'Man in Black'."

"Understood."

Save me, someone save me.

... ــــ Will no one truly save me...?

Just as she thought this and was about to close her eyes.

"ــــ Well, well, you scoundrels! You dare commit a heinous act against a young girl! How impudent of you to silence a cry for distress!" (Subaru)

"I am Natsuki Subaru, the undisputed hero under the sky, the standard-bearer of justice! I can never overlook this wicked deed of yours!" (Subaru)

"""..."""

"... Alright, wasting time is over! Finish them all off! Hina!!" (Subaru)

"ــــ Certainly."

 

[Raven797]

"My apologies for the rush, but why don't we take a little detour (and rest)?" (Subaru)

"...We are still on a patrol mission, and moreover, there is a conflict we must resolve." (Hina)

"Eh, ーーThat's right! We had work. Hey, you, the trump card summoned by the 'Fateful Draw,' why don't we delegate the work to Ako and go on a date?" (Subaru)

"...\"Hello, Iori...ーー"" (Hina)

Subaru had experienced numerous bad endings—indeed, deadly endings—which made him realize the danger of this world.

The most dangerous factor is the "firearm" that is widespread among the public and pointed at each other, due to the high endurance of their bodies.

"I didn't intend to tremble now because of a knife or something similar..." (Subaru)

Subaru followed his memory and first guided them toward the girl who had asked for help, the one who was the reason he met the "General Services" office. It would not be fitting for a happy ending to abandon her and proceed to the main objective.

Subaru now felt an urge to reach into a plastic bag, search through its contents, and eat a snack. As if munching on popcorn in a movie theater, he tossed a piece of the corn soup-flavored snack into his mouth.

Suddenly, Subaru choked. Fragments of the snack he had bitten into lodged deep in his throat, causing him to cough. He beat his chest to catch his breath, then looked toward Hina.

"—With her bare hand!" (Subaru)

"Hitting with a bare hand... this is the first time I've ever seen that." (Subaru)

"This method is faster in narrow spaces." (Hina)

Hina stated that, yet Subaru's strained face, which had been contorted in a bitter smile, did not easily return to normal. As Hina withdrew her fist from the robot, Subaru worried about the girl. Remembering Kayoko's words, Subaru quickly suppressed that strained smile after informing Hina that a muscle relaxant had been administered by the robot.

Subaru's internal shout of "Do it! / Execute it!" was good, but the fact that Hina managed to take down three Kaiser organization robots in mere moments using a palm strike and a punch... that was astonishing.

In this world, it would be impossible for anyone to pierce a mass of iron with their bare hands, save for a lunatic from Cyber City who underwent complete mechanical body modification—or Hina... I suppose so. Maybe.

"With this, we have practically solved Mission No. 1... As for the rest..." (Subaru)

Subaru looked around. At this moment, he was the party receiving help, but more importantly... ーー*he* was the one who had earned the credit and the debt owed to him, having died dozens of times.

Subaru realized that he certainly could not ask Hina to continue dealing with opponents while carrying this student on her back, so he quickly approached and carried the girl onto his shoulders.

"Mmmmmm... The date is practically about to happen... Hmm?" (Subaru)

Suddenly, the girl on Subaru's back seemed agitated.

"Ah..." (Girl)

"Th-thank you...!!" (Girl)

...

"ーーYou were incredibly brave, too. I wouldn't have noticed your situation if you hadn't raised your voice." (Subaru)

"Besides, I couldn't save myself, either." (Subaru)

"I know you are unaware, but with this, we are even. I also owe you a 'thank you,' so come on, listen to me and repeat after me... Thank you." (Subaru)

"THANK YOU!!" (Girl)

The girl's weak, strengthless arms wrapped around Subaru's neck, and then the gripping force in her shoulders was released as if they had completely relaxed, making the girl almost slip.

Her heart, which was overwhelmed by fear, coldness, tears, and terror, was warming up as she hugged the boy carrying her with all her might.

She closed her eyes, calming herself with the feeling of security.

-----At that very moment, Hina Sorasaki registered that figure in her memory.

"Everyone here is small-sized; I can't believe they are the same age as me..." (Subaru)

"...I have already called Sena. We will go to Schale once we hand her over to them... ーーIt is exactly as you predicted, a kidnapping operation by Kaiser... How did you know?" (Hina)

"That is a professional secret! Just as the Lady possesses an hidden secret, having a secret of my own increases my attractiveness as a man. Anyway, the real trump card...ーー" (Subaru)

At that moment, a voice announcing its owner's name loudly reached the alley.

"Wait! You villains, here you are... How dare you..." (Aru)

"...How kind. I'm grateful to you for willingly falling into our bait." (Subaru)

Fortunately, Aru Rikuhachima arrived from the other direction, wearing a dark red coat and aiming a sniper rifle. She was undoubtedly planning a grand entrance... but she was now turning her face away in confusion.

She seemed to have rushed through the city center, beads of sweat dripping from her...

"No, that's cold sweat." (Subaru)

"Even the Problem Solver 68... ーーIs this also part of the plan?" (Hina)

"Well, yes. If you put it that way, it can be considered so." (Subaru)

Situations like this... can be described as the frog staring down the snake.

The three other members arrived from behind Aru, who was frozen—no, petrified, as if she had been stared at by Medusa, not just a snake.

The other fighting force Subaru sought had gathered. ーーThey should not be just any random people. Rather, they needed to be entities capable of confronting the calamity-fox (referring to disaster's cunning), and simultaneously, they needed to convince Hina even further.

They are individuals who are easily attracted to trouble, ignite with enthusiasm for bravery and justice, and could certainly come to an understanding with Subaru if he spoke to them.

Indeed, if explained, this is "Subaru's plan." It is an inevitability Natsuki Subaru reached through Return by Death.

"It's Hina... Everyone, run." (Aru)

"Oh dear, Aru-chan... What terrible luck for you..." (Mutsuki)

"Ah, Lady Aru...! I'll handle it!" (Kayoko)

"ーーProblem Solver 68, you possess great audacity... to step foot in Gehenna at this exact timing!" (Hina)

Immediately, everyone assumed a fighting stance. Mutsuki gripped her bag, preparing to use it as cover to allow them to run along the escape route calculated by Kayoko, while Haruka slowly narrowed the distance by herself.

The moment everyone prepared to execute their specific movements to enable Aru's escape... ーーSubaru stood between Hina and Problem Solver 68, standing imposing.

There were guns behind him, and guns in front of him. Subaru stood tall in this place, where grenades were about to be thrown and rabid dogs were gnashing their teeth.

Even though... he would lose his life with a single bullet.

"...Subaru, what are you doing?" (Hina)

"Hold on, just a moment! Let's end this battle readiness and calm down; there's no need for this fight! There's no reason to point guns like this! Hina, wait a little before arresting them; I want to talk to Problem Solver 68 first." (Subaru)

"Talk? Heh! Problem Solver is not a cheap company. Unfortunately for you, we have a client now, and the vow is to complete the mission no matter the cost..." (Aru)

"The mission is to kidnap someone with characteristics like mine, isn't it? I know you received the job from the Kaiser Corporation." (Subaru)

"?! How did you know that...?" (Aru)

"Furthermore, it is not the nature of outlaws to abandon someone involved in a bad deed! This girl on my back right now nearly fell victim to Kaiser's kidnapping." (Subaru)

"..." (Aru)

"She is crying, screaming for help, so will you turn a blind eye to an entity that allows such an act to happen?" (Subaru)

"...ーーOr have you decided to side with Kaiser?" (Subaru)

"O-of course (we haven't sided)!....But... we can never betray clients... Ugh, betraying the pride of Problem Solver..." (Aru)

"You know this isn't the way of outlaws, don't you... ーーTell me, Aru, allow me to speak. I want to tell you about the 'Greater Evil,' the one someone like you—a true outlaw—needs to know." (Subaru)

Seizing the initiative and understanding their thoughts. This is Subaru's advantage, the only benefit he acquired in this world, and the only one gained from Return by Death. Without it, what Subaru says as someone meeting them for the first time would be useless, unlike an old friend speaking to them.

But Subaru knows. He knows who he is talking to, how to speak, and what to say to de-escalate this situation.

Subaru has seen the Problem Solver group working before, stopping when Aru tells them to stop, and advancing when she orders it; this is proof of the mutual understanding and trust they have built together.

"[I don't need a reason to shoot villains; all I need is to pull the trigger]... —There is a strange common denominator between me, who possesses neither power nor ability, and Aru, the head of Problem Solver, who is an outlaw par excellence. It is what is called Instinct." (Subaru)

"Do you know what it is? No, I'm sure you already know it." (Subaru)

"— Eliminating evil, isn't that the instinct that outlaws possess?" (Subaru)

"..." (Aru)

Inside, a feeling of sympathetic embarrassment was at work. Due to the effect of his communication ability (Level 1), he didn't know whether he had said it in a cool manner or not, but he told himself, "Well done, me."

He knows, it was the same in this loop too, that Aru loves this kind of thing. It might seem cool or exaggerated in the style of teenage stories... but Aru, who follows the justice within her, certainly won't ignore this talk.

— Regardless of how many times I have been killed by you, I once saw your magnificent form!

"— Hah." (Aru)

"W-w-well... May I know your name?" (Aru)

"Natsuki Subaru, the free rebel who owns nothing, and the outlaw who burns with wrath for justice." (Subaru)

"I am Rokumanji Aru, the head of Problem Solver 68... I don't feel like this is the first time we've met. May I listen to your story about this alleged 'Greater Evil'!" (Aru)

However...

Subaru and Aru were the only ones immersed in this atmosphere, while everyone around them was left bewildered. (With the exception of Haruka).

"H-h-how dare he call Lady Aru by her first name!!! We must eliminate this insect, this insect...!!" (Haruka)

"Noooo! Aruu!! Stop her!?" (Subaru)

"H-Haruka! It's alright! You are fine!" (Aru)

●○●○●

Gehenna's street.

It is a world where storms of gunfire, curses, and explosions are endemic. One is considered fortunate to walk out into the street unscathed; that is the prevailing law in Gehenna.

Yet, a highly suspicious scene was unfolding before the eyes of everyone who knew this daily routine.

"— So, betrayal from the Student Council and the Kaiser Corporation seizing control of Schale." (Kayoko)

"This aligns with the briefing; we were also asked to 'guide Hina to a specific location'." (Aru)

"Kaiser?... That means the number of silly conflicts that just happened was also because of them... Hina, do you know the entire content of the abandoned message?" (Mutsuki)

"No, I don't know the entire content. I assume the person who possesses the complete information is only someone who belongs to the Student Council." (Hina)

The Prefect Team President, who is the strongest and most feared, was walking side-by-side with the Problem Solver group, which was exiled from Gehenna.

No, the term "side-by-side" is inaccurate, as the entire conversation centered around a man standing in the middle.

Who is that man? The man who carries an exhausted girl on his back... Is he an eccentric who carries no weapon, a lunatic unaffected by the presence of the Prefect Team President and the Problem Solver group wedged between them?

"So, if we hand this girl over to someone named Sena... will we head to Schale?" (Kayoko)

"Yes, and after that, I want you, Aru's group, to accompany me to Schale. When Kaiser shows up, they will definitely try to stop me at that point. To kill me... and prevent me from activating the Shittim Chest." (Subaru)

"... It seems to me there won't be a problem as long as Hina is there?" (Mutsuki)

"Ah... well, there is something I want Hina to do as well... I'm truly sorry for the many requests, but I don't have enough hands, or even enough time." (Subaru)

"Setting aside my inability to explain... nevertheless..." (Subaru)

"— 'Please trust me', rest assured, Natsuki Subaru." (Aru)

"Without you, this girl would have been kidnapped. As someone who belongs to the Prefect Team, I would like to express my gratitude... Therefore, I will trust your strange intuition for now." (Hina)

"Damn... this is more than just S.M.M.! Hina-chan is a true angel, I love you from the bottom of my heart, Angel! My Honey! My Moon!" (Subaru)

"... Hah, I wish you would stop that." (Hina)

Natsuki Subaru.

A name heard from that group.

Everyone knows the name of the widely feared Hina Sorasaki, and of course, everyone also knows the names of the dangerous-looking Problem Solver members.

This name, which belonged to none of those, moved from passersby to the general public.

And from the general public to a wider audience.

Natsuki Subaru, Natsuki Subaru, Natsuki Subaru.

This name spread across all of Gehenna in the blink of an eye.

●○●○●

Subaru reached Schale, utilizing the vehicles Hina had arranged, logging the fastest time in history.

Upon arrival, he grumbled about the rough roads he saw, the shattered glass windows of the buildings, and the collapsed structures.

"I've reached the Final Boss Labyrinth—damn this save point for getting me into trouble!!... —I don't just want to be hyped up..." (Subaru)

"What exactly is happening now?" (Subaru)

Forces had been gathered, and he had secured the personnel capable of storming the Schale labyrinth.

He felt relieved that he would be able to confront the Final Boss without abandoning anyone. If the situation forced him to break his promises, the current Subaru would not hesitate to even Return by Death.

The condition for a happy ending is that everyone ends with a smile.

This is the only devotion Subaru can offer, and it is his reply to a past where he was repeatedly saved.

Therefore, Subaru maintains his stance, standing before Hina, who showed him goodwill without change even in this 45th world, and before Problem Solver 68, which followed the justice within them.

"Awa, awawawawa..." (Aru)

"... This, was this also according to your prediction?" (Hina)

— However, this is certainly not true? What always betrays Subaru is not good intention.

Instead, it is a world filled with malice.

"Smash them!!! Smash Kaiser, the Student Council, and everything! Smash them all without exception!! Let the Revolution commenceeee!!" (Mass Speaker)

"Everyone gather! I will relay orders from General Kaiser! "Search and Destroy", search and destroy!!" (Kaiser Leader)

"This day, this is the day that marks the turning point! Begin movement, and the final objective is seizing Schale!!!" (Kaiser Leader)

"Attention all Valkyrie Police personnel, authorization has been issued to arrest anyone approaching the Schale perimeter! Deploy the defense network! Gehenna's Hot Springs Development Division must immediately report any sighting to Director Kana, and move out at once!" (Valkyrie Police Commander)

"Hahahaha! Haahaay! Was this the reported area?" (Calamity Fox)

"..." (Subaru)

"... What in the hell is this?" (Subaru)

Schale is located in the heart of the D.U. district.

There, not only Gehenna students but also Kaiser forces, and students Subaru had never seen before, had gathered—all clashing in what could be called a war by all measures.

An unknown world, one Subaru had never known or experienced before, was unfolding before him.

The smoke rising from the Schale building most likely belongs to the Calamity Fox.

The explosions happening here and there are caused by the lunatics roaming the area, screaming, "It's development work!"

The extensive riot shields (Riot Shields) wall looks like riot police dealing with potential demonstrations in Japan.

The sky is covered by Kaiser's attack helicopters, and the ground is teeming with Sukeban (gang leaders), troublemakers, and helmet-wearing girls, all causing chaos as if something has incited them.

"..." (Subaru)

He had tried to arrive as early as possible to avoid all these risks, and he thought he had prepared for the war to the maximum extent possible.

The point Subaru reached, transcending death and time... is this situation.

"... Aaah... Seriously, nothing ever goes right!!!" (Subaru)

And so, the stage is organized.

The actors are complete, too, and now begins...

— The curtain of the play whose hero is [Natsuki Subaru].

 

[Raven797]

"W-w-wait! Subaru! What are we going to do about this situation!?" (Aru)

"I have absolutely no idea!! This is so far out of control that Natsuki Subaru's stock (representing my mental stability) is currently crashing and is about to go bankrupt!" (Subaru)

"... Even Valkyrie, Caesar, and the Hot Spring (Onsen) Development Division? This is truly abnormal. Therefore, we must take up positions around Subaru temporarily, as stray shrapnel might cause him a fatal injury." (Aru)

"Yes, understood. And President, look over there... Even Ōji Kana (a wanted fugitive) has shown up for this fight, and if any one of us gets caught, our fate is the detention facility. The available resources in our possession are insufficient to blast away and disperse all of these people; consequently, what should we do now?"

Before Subaru could immerse himself in the illusion of comfort of being surrounded and protected by beautiful girls, he was confronted with a situation that one could easily mistake for a genuine war. He abandoned his pride and desperately clung to everyone's backs.

The area immediately surrounding the Chalet was packed with waves of people and machines. It had escalated to close-quarters combat involving iron clubs and bare hands.

It would have been better if he had experienced this scene at least once through his "Return by Death" ability. Perhaps Subaru's suppressed power of improvisation would have emerged, allowing him to escape the situation.

『This is an entirely new scenario』. If he were to die in this place, he would have to start everything over again.

"...!" (Subaru)

His knees were trembling. It is this ability (Return by Death) that allows Subaru to revert to this moment no matter how many times he dies. The next time, he would be capable of facing this situation with sufficient strategies, adequate preparations, and full information.

-- So, is the correct action to "abandon this world" (i.e., die intentionally) to gather information for a future opportunity?

"... I cannot articulate it, but that action is definitely wrong." (Subaru)

Subaru has literally been walking this path while putting his own life on the line.

But what about those around him? Hina, of course, as well as Service Section 68, and everyone in this place will not truly die. Subaru is the only one risking his life.

I am risking my life while there is no real danger to those around me; isn't that unfair? I am enduring all this pain and exerting all this effort...

No, that is not the point. Rather, the point is that Subaru is the only one allowed to engage in "this thing" (death and reset).

To put the lives of others at risk, dragging them into a "life-or-death gamble for the sake of a reset," risking their entire existence, everything they have, and his own life...

"That is the wrong action." (Subaru)

"... Subaru?" (Hina)

"Sorry, I'm fine... I felt dizzy for a moment because of this bizarre, illogical, and chaotic celebration." (Subaru)

"Certainly, that's true... -- Hey, Natsuki Subaru." (Hina)

"Huh?" (Subaru)

"I will protect you. Can I rely on you to handle the instructions and planning?" (Hina)

"..." (Subaru)

"... Are you alright, Subaru?" (Hina)

"Sorry, my heart was ripped out for a moment, and I can't stand (due to the emotional shock). And again, I'm not sure if I can handle this feeling." (Subaru)

"..." (Hina)

It was a devastating salvo, akin to an S.M.M. Love Machine Gun. Subaru's heart had already been pierced and shredded by Cupid's arrows, but he had no time to surrender and fall to his knees.

With those words, his anxiety dissipated. If there was one word to be granted to Subaru now, it was what made him capable of moving forward through this hell.

Subaru took a deep breath, and the proposal he put forth was a single option:

"Above all, we must protect the Chalet from the Calamity Fox; there is no point if everything is destroyed before we get to it." (Subaru)

"The Calamity Fox... Do you mean one of the Seven Prisoners!? Is he here?" (Aru)

"... Most likely, he is there." (Subaru)

Subaru pointed his finger towards the third floor of the Chalet building, where glass was just breaking, and a student wearing a police uniform was being hurled to the ground.

While his brain was working at maximum speed searching for a solution to this situation, he compensated for his lack of energy with a hot corn beverage from the convenience store bag.

Even though fragments of the can scraped his throat and made him cough, these moments were enough for Subaru to regain his composure.

He did not have to worry about the injuries he might sustain. Subaru's ultimate priority is the Shittim Box. Therefore...

"I want all of us to enter the Chalet, and I want you to take me to the location of the "Discernment Method" as quickly as possible." (Subaru)

"Once the Sanctum Tower is activated, I believe Caesar... might withdraw. After that, I want us to enlist those who look like police on the ground; can Hina talk to them?" (Subaru)

"... That will be difficult. That unit of Valkyrie (currently present) was likely arranged by the "Traitor." I believe they intend to eliminate everyone who steps foot in the Chalet without exception." (Hina)

"... Then, this means there is no option but to breach that wall... Kayoko, do you have a plan? My mind cannot come up with anything." (Subaru)

"Considering Subaru's situation, separating is a bad idea. The best course of action is to place Haruka at the front and flank Hina with Mutsuki. As for the President and me, we will handle clearing the surrounding area during the rush." (Kayoko)

"Great! Let's execute Commander Kayoko's plan!!" (Subaru)

No sooner was the decision made than the execution was swift. Subaru pushed the embarrassing image of being carried and flanked by Hina and Mutsuki, both of whom are much smaller than him, out of his mind and took another deep breath.

Subaru leaped into the battleground ahead of him, into the warzone where life-threatening bullets, bombs, and rockets were flying like rain.

His trembling body and non-stop accelerating heartbeat certainly reached Hina, who was closest to him.

Subaru can do nothing in this place; all he can do is trust them. Subaru accepted his weakness and need for help, and he reached out his hand to grasp Hina's.

"Hina, I am counting on you." (Subaru)

"Yes, of course." (Hina)

From behind, Subaru felt a light bump on his head.

"Don't forget me either, Subaru-kun (Mutsuki's affectionate nickname for Subaru)." (Mutsuki)

"Absolutely! I am counting on Mutsuki, Haruka, Aru, and Kayoko too!!" (Subaru)

"Hehe-hon! Alright!!" (Mutsuki)

"Y-you are counting on me!? E-ehehehe... I am useless... but I will do my utmost for President Aru!" (Haruka)

Subaru exchanged a fist-bump with Aru and looks to confirm the timing of the charge with Kayoko.

In this world dominated by noise, Subaru's immediate surroundings became silent. His heartbeat and breathing crept into his hearing, so he closed his eyes and braced his abdominal muscles.

"-- Let's go." (Subaru)

●○●○●

""Director Kana!!""

The Valkyrie Police School is an organization with official operational jurisdiction, primarily responsible for security in the D.U. district.

Based on orders from the Director of the Defense Office of the General Student Council, the organization enforced a comprehensive lockdown of the area surrounding the Chalet, issuing an order for the indiscriminate apprehension of anyone crossing the defense barrier.

Although they had secured the area since early noon, the gang of troublemakers led by the Calamity Fox allowed the latter to infiltrate the interior of the Chalet.

Due to the subsequent arrival of forces from the Caesar Company and the Hot Spring (Onsen) Development Division, the defense line collapsed, forcing them to concentrate their forces only at the entrance of the Chalet, thereby achieving a state of fragile stalemate.

"What is it?" (Kana)

Ōji Kana, the Director of the Public Safety Office, received the radio call.

Kana was uniquely dealing with the Calamity Fox and several other troublemakers who had managed to penetrate the Chalet.

She had abandoned engaging the Hot Spring Development Division, aiming to force the attacking units to fight amongst themselves (internal conflict), and she was maintaining this rapidly collapsing defense network.

""There are new forces!!""

"... Again? Who is it this time? Depending on the adversary, we might need to elevate the defense line to the third floor, which is currently controlled... --" (Kana)

""It's, it's the Service Section 68! And also...""

""Soraki Hina! It's Soraki Hina!! The President of the Prefectural Discipline Committee of Gehenna, Soraki Hina!!! She is approaching from the main front of the Chalet!""

"What?... This is madness; she should not have the jurisdiction to operate outside her territory (the autonomous Gehenna district)... And even worse, the Service Section too?" (Kana)

"... -- Do not change the standard operating procedure! Everyone who infiltrates is subject to arrest, regardless of who they are! However, since the adversary is who they are, we must end this war of attrition. Everyone must converge on the tenth floor and above of the Chalet." (Kana)

"Ignore the Caesar air units! Immediately upon taking their positions, the snipers on the upper floors must deal with the Hot Spring Development Division! All units are to commence redeployment, with the absolute priority being not to cause the building to collapse!!" (Kana)

""Understood... Ughhhh!?""

""Please forgive us... -- Forgive us... -- Get out of the way! Get out of the way! Get out of the way!!!""

The sound coming from the radio device held by Kana was cut off, accompanied by someone's scream.

Kana ground her teeth in irritation and let out an audible sigh of annoyance.

".... Ahhh..."

"-- This situation must be explained to me now, Director Kaya." (Kana)

Meanwhile, the scene unfolding directly before her eyes was:

-- Soraki Hina and Service Section 68 rushing inward, clustered together as one cohesive unit and surrounding "someone" in the middle.

Kana's annoyance did not subside; she stepped on a troublemaker's rifle with her foot, growling with frustration:

"What exactly does Natsuki Subaru represent!! Director Kaya?" (Kana)

●○●○●

"I-I'm going to die... -- I'm definitely going to die!!?" (Subaru)

Hina's accelerating pace continued, leaving Subaru's scream behind. Had she not been carrying him and shielding him with her wings, he would have certainly fallen long ago.

"Ahahaha-hah! Explode and fly away, all of you!!" (Mutsuki)

Behind them, large explosions, which had tossed Subaru around several times, were widening the path Haruka had cleared, purging the enemies around them.

Although Subaru was astonished by the ability of the rear trio to keep up with Hina's speed despite her carrying him, he did not have the luxury to dwell on his surprise.

No one can stop Soraki Hina, even if they cannot draw their weapons. Furthermore, Haruka was taking charge of eliminating all dangers that could potentially kill Subaru, such as incoming grenades.

Once again, someone jumped from the crowd to collide with Haruka. She, in turn, opened a new path using the enemy's own grenade.

At that moment, Hina's eyes—which were moving through the crowds while gathering information about her surroundings—spotted Valkyrie's movements.

"...! Valkyrie has changed their positions... It's a siege! We must storm the Chalet before they can tighten the encirclement. Subaru! Hold on tight to me!" (Hina)

"I-I-I'm already... holding on! Already!!" (Subaru)

"Then, so you don't lose consciousness, I will increase the speed a little... Service Section 68, I will leave the lower floors to you." (Hina)

"Understood!! Please go ahead first!!" (Aru)

"-- Eh?... How... -- Waaahhhh!!???" (Subaru)

Hina's foot planted into the asphalt, shattering it.

Subaru could not clearly perceive what was happening in the constantly shifting scene, but he felt the air being violently cut against his skin.

It was like riding a jet plane without a seat or a helmet, which drastically increased the G-force acting upon Subaru. It would have been very easy to rob Subaru, who had at least sworn not to be a burden, of his consciousness.

"Ugh... st-st... stop..." (Subaru)

Subaru gritted his teeth, silently congratulating himself on not passing out, and kept his gaze fixed on the rapidly approaching building, concluding his prior mental exercises.

"!! Soraki Hi—..."

"Get out of the way." (Hina)

"Ogg!!?"

Subaru truly could not grasp what was occurring in front of him, but he sensed that the sunlight had vanished, and this alone confirmed that they had entered the building.

The sound of someone falling, the sound of something being knocked down; Soraki Hina was surpassing all these sounds, ascending the floors at a crazy speed.

-- But then.

A massive explosion covered the horizon directly in front of her.

Hina made a backward flip with a force that almost cracked the ground, ensuring no shrapnel reached Subaru, and then turned to take a quick look.

"Soraki, Hina." (Kana)

"Oh oh... Ughhhhhh, another obstacle." (The Calamity Fox)

"..." (Hina)

"-- Move forward." (Kana)

"I won't ask why."

"Do we and you even need reasons in the first place? Aha, hahahahahaha!!" (The Calamity Fox)

In the tenth-floor club room of the Chalet, the superior forces of the Calamity Fox, Ōji Kana, and Soraki Hina met. This did not matter to Subaru, who had been thrown to the ground and was feeling dizzy, but had Hina not shielded him in that brief moment, he would have already died three times.

Hina completely stopped both attacks: Kana's kick to the table and the Calamity Fox's assault with the bayonet-fixed rifle, all while protecting Subaru.

Hina directed a resolute shout toward Subaru, who was sweating and tearing up:

"-- Subaru! Can you run?" (Hina)

"Ugh... M-m-yes, of course!" (Subaru)

Subaru dismissed the awkward words he had just uttered and ran while maintaining a defensive posture, ready to fall.

The Calamity Fox was not about to let him escape, so she rushed toward the man who was considered the weakest and most vulnerable person in the area.

"-- Hmph." (The Calamity Fox)

The Calamity Fox released a sharp killing intent and brandished a piece of glass she was holding toward the running man's neck.

The light reflected off that piece of glass was seriously fatal; it cut through the air, lunging at Subaru's thin neck. Subaru was completely defenseless and did not even realize the glass shard had been launched toward him. Instead of taking a defensive posture, his gaze was fixed on the stairs, and he did not even try to maneuver to evade.

While Hina was breaking the rifle's bayonet that she had seized from the Calamity Fox's hand, the latter aimed her gun toward Subaru.

The moment Subaru perceived the light of the glass shard, he imagined his blood exploding and his neck flying off into the air, like a scene from a comic book (manga) -- but then,

"And do you think you'll be permitted to do that?" (Hina)

"... She truly is off-the-charts (abnormal)." (The Calamity Fox)

Hina's cold, hushed voice, in a tone Subaru had not expected, rang out.

Specifically, a blow landed on the Calamity Fox's left side.

"-- You will fall." (Hina)

The Calamity Fox received a palm strike to her left cheek. The impact was so severe that it nearly generated a shockwave, sending the Calamity Fox flying away. Her mask shattered as she plummeted toward the outside of the building.

The Fox labeled Soraki Hina as "off-the-charts" because Hina managed to advance and reach her objective faster than the Fox, despite the Fox only taking her eyes off Hina for a single moment.

The Calamity Fox managed to cling to the window frame and return to the room via a rotation. However, Subaru was utterly astonished by Hina, who had used a mere palm strike, infused with an almost explosive shockwave, to blast the Calamity Fox away like a dry leaf.

Although Subaru remembered that Hina had once pierced a cyborg with her bare hand, the attack seemed ordinary to him.

Nevertheless, this was still not the maximum extent of her power.

-- For this exact reason, he can proceed without worry.

"Ruuuun, meeeeee!!" (Subaru)

"Stop!" (Kana)

"I won't do what I don't want to! Hina! Please help me!!" (Subaru)

Hina pushed away the bullets that Kana fired with her arm, and even dodged the ferocious, subsequent attack from the Calamity Fox with her bare hand.

Then, Hina looked toward Subaru, who was running without looking back, and returned her gaze to the two opponents:

She could not use her heavy, back-mounted machine gun, The Terminator: Destroyer, in this indoor fight. If she tried to hit the Fox who was running around, she would have obliterated the entire upper floors along with her.

"... Is that alright with you, Director Kana of the Public Safety Office?" (Hina)

"... Well, if I said I didn't want to do this, it would be considered a dereliction of duty. Unfortunately, this is the most I can do." (Kana)

"-- But, this young man is Natsuki Subaru, correct? I have already positioned troops in the area immediately preceding the "Discernment Method." He will be apprehended immediately." (Kana)

"... -- Subaru is a human who came from the outside (outside this world). A single bullet is enough to end his life. Do you intend to turn the children on the upper floors into killers?" (Hina)

"What?" (Kana)

"Do you think I am lying?" (Hina)

"... Damn it!! "Attention, upper floors! Do not fire at... --"" (Kana)

"Oh, ugh... What good information I have obtained, Soraki Hina. Even if I cannot defeat you..." (The Calamity Fox)

The Calamity Fox wiped the blood that was dripping from her mouth and extracted a detonator device from beneath her cloak.

What followed was the activation of Misdirection; the Calamity Fox, confident in her indoor combat skills, threw the device directly in front of Soraki Hina's eyes.

Simultaneously, she tossed the scattered building debris around the room and attempted to infiltrate a corner far from the line of sight.

The Fox had believed that the weak young man was a vulnerability that could be exploited to reach Soraki Hina, but she had not expected him to be anything more than just a weakness.

-- The detonator she just threw was nothing more than a toy, a mere decoy.

"I will destroy this entire place!!" (The Calamity Fox)

The actual detonator for the bombs she had planted in the entire vicinity of the building was still firmly in her grasp!

"Wait!!" (Kana)

"..." (Hina)

-- Soraki Hina was observing this entire sequence of events with her gaze lowered.

"-- Un... "--... Understood.""

Hina placed her hand on her heavy, back-mounted machine gun, while conjuring Subaru's image in her mind.

●○●○●

{Hina's Pov}

『Natsuki Subaru』

A strange boy.

He has a habit of feigning heroism, but he never sticks to his role until the end; he is a coward, yet he charges ahead of everyone. He is an unbalanced boy.

However, since meeting the Service Section 68, his actions have gradually begun to change.

He has always been like this since I first met him: possessing a face that suggests he is on the verge of crying, on the verge of death, and seeking salvation without realizing it. This feeling has become even clearer now.

He is so fragile that you might break him just by touching him, and he might collapse if you try to talk to him, yet he does not realize how close he is to a breakdown.

He was unaware that his hands were shaking; I saw them trembling when he was joking, trying to hide his fear, and I saw them when he was carrying the child who was almost kidnapped.

-- Whenever he spoke, trying to make someone smile, he was always concealing a deep-seated terror.

Given this torn and anxious expression of his, is it possible to ignore him when he asks you to trust him?

That expression, which he does not show to the Service Section, I saw it; or rather... "I was forced to see it" in our first encounter.

I know I am a lenient person, and I know I am unqualified as the Discipline Committee President to say something random like "he is not lying," despite the absence of any evidence to confirm or prove that Natsuki Subaru can be trusted.

I interacted with him for a very brief time, yet I cannot let him go.

Should I just leave him be? That is common sense. Humans rarely care about good intentions; that is the flow of society, and that is Kivotos. I might have been deceived until now.

But.

If someone is about to sacrifice himself to save another person directly in front of me...

I did not even want to imagine that face dying.

『... -- His halo is non-existent... And his physical strength... --』

What I heard on my way to hand over that boy to Sena was, if I were to explain what Subaru said literally: I (Subaru) will die in this world if you just throw a stone at me.

-- Is he stupid?

Are you aware of this, yet you stood between me and the Service Section?

Did you step forward to the front line to challenge Caesar's rifle-armed soldiers?

Were you chased by troublemakers firing randomly just because you wanted to meet me?

"-- This timing you both provided me (by your distraction) has helped." (Hina)

""----------------! ?"" (Kana and The Calamity Fox)

At that moment, the two adversaries (Kana and The Calamity Fox) became preoccupied with the tremor they felt beneath their feet.

At that moment, the two adversaries (Kana and The Calamity Fox) became preoccupied with the tremor they felt beneath their feet.

Hina was the only one who had anticipated this tremor. It was part of Service Section 68's plan: to detonate the entrance of the Chalet and bring it down to halt the enemies' movement.

The scene distorted before the adversaries' eyes, and they could not perceive Soraki Hina's evolving movement. They could not process it.

The next thing the two adversaries felt was the sensation of floating (in the air).

[The End: Ish-Bosheth]

The heavy machine gun, The Terminator: Destroyer, began operating with a terrifying, fearsome sound.

This calm preceding an explosion, this stillness before something immense was about to happen, was what the two adversaries felt on their skin, freezing the blood in their veins, for the monster they never thought would be used had awakened.

The adversaries did not realize what had occurred until they were both hurled toward the sky.

-- The Aurora.

That glow was the result of the fired rounds. Hina's modified machine gun (The Terminator: Destroyer) can fire 6,200 rounds per minute, whereas the standard version's rate of fire is 1,400 rounds per minute. This means it fires approximately 103 rounds per second.

The new firing sounds overlapped before the artillery shots themselves could fully resonate, making the scene sound like one complete musical melody.

That was a storm of bullets equal to or exceeding the power of a Vulcan Cannon, a storm of Gatling and Vulcan rounds that had... split the space in front of them in two.

"-- As for those two (Kana and The Calamity Fox), they will heal within a few weeks." (Hina)

Hina's gaze instantly shifted upwards toward that frail entity called Natsuki Subaru, who would die immediately if left alone.

"I said I would protect him." (Hina)

Natsuki Subaru

(Someone) off-the-charts.

Even if there were anyone else besides Soraki Hina—someone who could move faster than the wind, or possessed supreme skill enabling them to accurately hit a target 500 meters away, or had extraordinary repulsive (pushing) force, or even immense firepower.

All those skills would fade and become pale when compared to her.

She had no time to climb the stairs with discipline. Hina attempted to forcibly ascend via the outer wall.

And what she saw the moment before was...

"..." (Hina)

""We apologize, but this young man must die. -- Execute the order.""

All eleven Caesar combat helicopters' targeting devices were aimed at taking Natsuki Subaru's life.

 

[Raven797]

"-- Oh God, I feel like I'm going to throw up... Ugh... " (Subaru)

Subaru was suffering from severe motion sickness (nausea) due to being violently swayed aboard the human vehicle, which was Hina. As a result of the insane speed, the remnants of his dinner, which he had before coming to the world of Kivotos, mixed with the contents of his stomach, churning like a washing machine, sending bitter, hot contents rising into his throat.

Only a few days had passed since he arrived in this world... -- but physically, he felt as if three weeks had passed without food (due to the extreme stress), and he was consequently feeling hungry. Well, for the moment, he was grateful that he had not eaten anything (so as not to increase his suffering).

He genuinely wished he could bury his face in a bucket to vomit, but unfortunately for him, the receptacle for his vomit would be the clothes he was wearing, which were his only attire, and he could not afford to get them soiled with vomit.

"I hate being the protagonist who reaches the end while throwing up! What a disgusting sight..." (Subaru)

If he could finish climbing these stairs, he would reach the Shittim Box (the central device that represented the objective). This meant the end of the game, a goal he had reached after the long, repeated return from death.

It is true that the credit mostly belonged to Hina and the Service Department (who helped with the cover-up), but this was something he would not discuss (an implicit agreement). Subaru stepped into the final stair and opened the door as if cutting a finish line ribbon.

"-- Are you kidding me?" (Subaru)

"Open fire immediately!!"

What awaited him was not the celebratory fireworks launchers at the finish line, but a crowd of riot shields and a storm of live ammunition.

Subaru felt utterly desperate; his face went pale, he slammed the door shut, and quickly rolled toward the wall to hide from the line of fire.

Subaru watched the door instantly shatter and be destroyed into splinters. He realized that if he had delayed his retreat by just one second, his fate would have been the same as the door's.

His body was far weaker than the door's durability, and he excessively imagined himself turning into a pile of shredded flesh and a cloud of blood.

Firearms are terrifying, and the people firing them, in Subaru's view, are neither sane nor normal. Merely seeing the face of the person who shot and killed him makes him want to cry and recoil in fear.

Even with Aru and her companions (members of the Service Department), he exerted his utmost effort just to conceal his fear and tearful face. His trembling hand did not stop shaking as usual; he did not become stronger because he overcame the fear of death (with his "Return by Death" ability); instead, the terror still dominated him.

Natsuki Subaru can endure; he has endured until now, and therefore, he will continue to endure.

"Hold on, hold on, me... I can still advance; things have not reached a dead end yet!" (Subaru)

But how? He wished he had a smoke bomb or a weapon in his possession, but what he held in his hands were only his initial supplies: an old flip-style mobile phone with a low battery, a partly consumed can of Corn Potage soup, and a cup of instant ramen.

"Damn it, there's absolutely nothing useful!!" (Subaru)

The common phrase says, "The pen is mightier than the sword and the gun," but Corn Potage soup loses to the pen, the gun, and the sword (a sarcastic expression of the wretchedness of his equipment). Subaru wished the equipment he had obtained was slightly better, but time was not waiting for him in the meantime.

The sound of footsteps echoed loudly, advancing steadily and uniformly toward his position from the other room, and they were now very close.

"What do I do, what do I do, what do I do, what do I do...!!?" (Subaru)

If he faced them directly, his fate would be the same as the door that was shattered, and he had no option but this single, hellish entrance.

It was a race: whether time would run out first, or whether he would die first.

He had come this far, only to find himself trapped and helpless.

"I'll do it!! -- A, a, ah? A, a, a, a-whoa-whoa-whoa!?" (Subaru)

"Bu-beerrraah!!" (Sound of a painful crash)

The moment he took a step forward, Subaru lost his balance on his very first step (he stumbled).

For a few seconds, he felt sorry for himself because he was no longer even capable of walking properly, but the sensation of floating (loss of control) soon engulfed his body.

It was like the feeling one gets when misjudging a stair while looking away; his face slammed into the ground, and blood profusely gushed from his nose... Before he could even comprehend what had happened, intense pain assailed him.

The sounds of collapsing and groans from the students (the enemies) reached him from the other room; perhaps they had fallen the same way.

"It hurts... -- But! This is the only option (to move forward)!!" (Subaru)

Driven by an unexpected surge of energy (often called a desperate coward's strength), Subaru's body moved, disregarding the pain.

Pushing off the ground with his hands and feet, he leaped into the room, only to find that the students armed with riot shields had all fallen onto their faces like dominoes (due to the building's tremor causing them to collapse).

"Everyone! Reorganize your ranks!! The target has breached the location!" (A Leader)

"-- And here is an extra gift, eat this, you idiot! The old phone's flash!" (Subaru)

"Gah!?"

As he jumped over them, Subaru fired the flash at the maximum possible brightness, utilizing all the remaining power in his old mobile phone's battery. Avoiding this deceptive attack was impossible, and the trick of sudden blinding (eye dazzling) succeeded brilliantly. While Subaru was smiling in triumph, he felt:

-- Bang.

"-- Geh!!..." (Subaru)

A simultaneous cold and hot sensation struck his right side.

The heat (meaning the bullet), which he had tasted hundreds of times before, struck his right abdomen area. A stray bullet, fired haphazardly due to the students' confusion, pierced his body with unfortunate coincidence.

The moment he realized a foreign object had pierced him, a taste mixing intense pain, vomit, and blood returned to his mouth.

Fortunately, no vital, indispensable organ was hit. This very familiarity, which he never wished to grow accustomed to, was now sustaining Subaru.

He had overcome all obstacles; the Shittim Box (the central device) was now directly visible before him, and moreover, the necessary blood for its operation had been "renewed" (supplied).

"-- I can reach it." (Subaru)

Blood is the currency, life is the cost, and death is the price.

-- Natsuki Subaru's hand touches the Shittim Box.

"Welcome back, Mr. Natsuki Subaru." (Arona)

The meaningless words "welcome back" entered his ears, but he had no time to listen to them.

"... Welcome back? What nonsense is this... -- Please, Arona!! Restart the Sanctum Tower!!!" (Subaru)

"Understood, please wait two seconds -- Connection established, control system overridden, I will restart the Sanctum Tower now..." (Arona)

"Wonderful!! Ugh... (Sound of coughing up blood)..." (Subaru)

Subaru clenched his hand in an expression of triumph, while his body automatically expelled clots of congealed blood so that he could breathe.

All that remained before him was survival. If he survived, he would be the winner. If he survived...

"Mr. Natsuki Subaru." (Arona)

"The building damage rate has exceeded 27%, and any further damage threatens its collapse. The resulting injuries and fatalities from the collapse cannot be covered by the remaining power in the Shittim Box currently." (Arona)

"-- What?" (Subaru)

"What action would you like to take?" (Arona)

-- Will he die?

No, he cannot die now. He is still alive, and if he is alive, he can survive. He can still do more; he can still accomplish something; if they stop this conflict, the building will not be subjected to further destruction.

That's right, he must survive. He must resist and struggle until the last moment, to survive, to survive, to survive, to survive, to survive, to survive, to survive, to survive...

"Can you... transmit... my voice... to the outside?" (Subaru)

"Understood. I will now begin penetrating all electronic devices and loudspeakers located near the building. . . . . . . Penetration successful." (Arona)

"You are connected to the Shittim Box (the central device); please begin whenever you wish." (Arona)

He had to ignore the blood pooling in his lungs and mouth and scream with all his might.

"-- My name is Natsuki Subaru!!!" (Subaru)

●○●○●

"My name is Natsuki Subaru!!!"

He screamed this name across the entire vicinity of the Schale building, which was filled with people.

His voice emanated from smartphones, communicators, internal earphones, loudspeakers, and from the building itself—from everywhere.

Because of this voice, the sounds of gunfire ceased, the hands of the combatants paused, and silence suddenly dominated the entire chaotic battleground.

"Is that voice...!!?" (Aru)

"Yes, it's Subaru." (Kayoko)

This voice reached the ears of Aru and Kayoko, who were engaged in combat on the lower floor, declaring the plan's success and their initial victory.

"I am the person the Student Council President is looking for, the one above whom none is higher in Heaven or on Earth!! I am the man who has taken control of the Sanctum Tower!!" (Subaru)

"Don't stand there frozen, listening to me in astonishment!! I am the one who won this battle!! Try to rebel now, and I'll show you! I can launch the missiles entrusted to me by... hmm... the Federal Student Council President, right?!" (Subaru)

"You filthy scoundrels from the Kaiser Corporation, open your ears and listen well! I know your conspiracies perfectly! If you have recognized that, withdraw your helicopters and missiles and look at me!" (Subaru)

"Your enemy is me!! The Kaiser Corporation! And the CEO of the Kaiser Corporation!!!" (Subaru)

""..."" (Aru and Kayoko)

If this statement were true, Aru would be the first to shoot Subaru in the head (to prevent catastrophe), but it was nothing more than obvious and massive disinformation. Nevertheless, Aru ignored the arrogant voice, but the other individuals—those who were not from the Service Department—who were instigating conflict near Schale...

-- They could not hide their confusion in the face of this sudden announcement. Some yelled, demanding that he stop lying, while some of the agitated troublemakers rushed to leave, saying: "Oh my God, should we run away from here!?"

"The penetration of your mobile phones is happening now, and the perpetrator is me!! Do you think I am lying? Well, tell me then, who is the perpetrator! Me! I am the perpetrator!" (Subaru)

"I understand that you only know how to communicate by pointing a weapon, so we will follow the same rule! Therefore, let's communicate by pointing missiles at your faces!" (Subaru)

"You fools may not know this, but when you deal with someone who is immensely stronger than you, you should throw down your weapons and beg for your lives, no matter how scared you are!! However, you won't need to do that, because I will communicate with you (I will negotiate with you)!!" (Subaru)

Most of those present showed anger at this highly arrogant statement, as it was impossible for them to concede that this young man named Subaru was superior in rank to them, and thus throw down their weapons.

Sounds of curses and accusations erupted simultaneously, and all the gathered anger in the place converged on Subaru, contrasting sharply with the silence that had reigned moments before.

-- However.

The scene that unfolded in the sky above, simultaneous with Subaru's declaration, completely changed the consciousness of the crowd.

"That is a good declaration, Subaru." (Hina)

"-- Therefore, I will also drop the curtain on this play." (Hina)

Soraki Hina had just destroyed eleven Kaiser combat helicopters that were surrounding the Schale building.

She destroyed the helicopters that were aimed at the head of the announcer, as the Purple Aura (Aurora) emitted from her cannon, The End: Destroyer, simultaneously annihilated both the helicopters and the launched missiles. The explosions turned into fireworks, decorating the city sky before the eyes of the crowd.

This sight, which could be described as a "horror video," uniformly halted all curses and accusations.

"I will repeat my statement once more, open your ears and listen well."

"My name is Natsuki Subaru."

"I am "that person" whom the Student Council President appointed (to take charge)."

"If you understand the situation, drop your weapons and let's go have lunch, alright?"

●○●○●

After the barrel of her rifle cooled down and she placed her hand on the rubble to leap, Hina immediately ascended to the upper floor, prepared to witness the end of the "grand play" that Subaru had just performed. It was a brilliant hype speech (disinformation); without him, this situation could not have been calmed down without violence. He truly is a person with a mysterious charisma.

Hina stepped past the unconscious Valkyrie students (security forces) who were piled up as a single mass, then she found Subaru leaning against the opposite wall.

"I congratulate you on your achievement, Subaru... What a declar...ation..." As she raised her gaze to greet him, she realized the truth.

"Hello, hello... Hina..." (Subaru)

"-- Wha, what state are you in!!!" (Hina)

"Don't worry, don't worry... I'm perfectly fine... But no, actually, I'm going to die." (Subaru)

Subaru affirmed this while raising his thumb in a feeble attempt to reassure her, but blood was profusely flowing from his right abdomen, which he was pressing on, forming a pool, and his face was also smeared with blood.

It turned out that he had been running while in that state, and blood trails extended on the floor toward him from the middle of the room, meaning he had delivered his crucial speech while injured like this.

Hina seized up her throat, while he painstakingly manufactured a smile toward the girl who was approaching him with a face distorted by tears.

"Wait for me! I will administer first aid immediately!!" (Hina)

His breathing was shallow. When Hina lifted his clothes to examine the wound... she confirmed it. It truly was just a single bullet that led to this tragedy; exactly what he had hoped would not happen, turning the worst assumption into a brutally painful reality.

"What recklessness... I told you I would protect you... --" (Hina)

"W-wait, wait... No need to emphasize that anymore! ... After everything you've done to protect me, and after bringing me here, if you say things like that, my effort will be fruitless or worthless to me." (Subaru)

"Don't talk anymore; take a deep, slow breath, lest you open the wound." (Hina)

"... Can I ask for one thing --?" (Subaru)

"Don't talk anymore; take a deep, slow breath, lest you open the wound." (Hina)

"... Can I ask for one thing --?" (Subaru)

Suddenly, Subaru grabbed Hina's hand. Hina froze in place with surprise, and before she could recover from her shock and open her mouth, Subaru had placed the hand he was holding over her mouth (indicating a request for silence).

The distance between Subaru and Hina was no more than one fist width, a distance that, in a normal situation, would be considered a scene for a declaration of love. Subaru recalled every "death" he had gone through until now, feeling as if he had traversed an extremely long and winding road.

He had died a total of 45 times. He used to cry from fear just by seeing a weapon or seeing the students (fighters), and his mind had nearly collapsed from the terror.

Subaru remembered the reason he was able to push forward, and this time, his smile was not forced; instead, he directed a genuine smile at Hina, saying:

"Thank you for helping me."

He saw her face, astonished in shock, and inwardly blamed himself: "It's natural for her reaction to be like this in this situation." He felt he would be met with the worst expected reaction.

Yet, that word meant everything to him.

-- Thank you for helping me when we first met.

-- Thank you for not pointing your weapon at me even once.

-- Thank you for protecting me every time, regardless of the circumstances.

He had reached where he was now because he had met Hina in the first place.

He was thrown into another world, died without understanding anything, was deeply hurt, regretted profusely, suffered immensely, and fought life-threatening battles.

The reward for all of this was zero. Although, it is true that he is now in a slightly better position.

"Haha, ... -- Damn it, it's completely useless (but fun)." (Subaru)

It was merely a simple, small first step.

And so, Natsuki Subaru's first day in the other world was drawing to a close.

"... -- Subaru!" (Hina)

He thought about tomorrow, even though he knew that tomorrow might not come (due to the possibility of his death and timeline reset), and he took a shallow breath and commented on the situation.

He was finally able to express what he wanted to say after calming down, but it was likely that everything would start over again.

-- Even if that happens, I will return to this place once more, and I will say the same words to you again.

His field of vision was engulfed in darkness, and he might have already lost consciousness.

Hina's face, visible through the gaps, was overwhelmed with panic; her eyes, usually narrowed and dark blue, were wide open.

He felt her soft, fluttering white hair on his face, from which the scent of sun emanated. She was exceedingly beautiful in appearance, intelligent, and talented; and honestly, her small stature was incredibly appealing.

-- Ah, what a wonderful transfer to another world, to be able to get this close to such a magnificent girl.

With this uninteresting, cliché remark, the consciousness of Natsuki Subaru sank into the darkness.

 

[Raven797]

"..." (Hina)

Hina stared intently at the young man lying stretched out before her eyes.

Fortunately, the bullet had passed through his body without lodging inside. Not only that, but it had pierced him at a miraculous angle that did not injure any vital organ. If she could stop the bleeding now, she would be able to sustain his life in this location.

Hina placed her jacket beneath his body to elevate the injured area.

She wished she had a sterilized needle and thread, but she had lost the first-aid kit that was supposed to be inside her coat amid the fierce battle. She could do nothing now but apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.

The color of his face was constantly worsening, and she wished she could use magic; no, she wished she had been able to protect him before he was injured.

Yet, even when she tried to draw an expression of grief on her face, Subaru's last words prevented her from doing so.

-- He expressed his thanks; he expressed his thanks to her.

This only amplified her feeling of guilt; she had done something she ought to have done, and even that was incomplete.

If Hina were to punish herself at this moment, it would be tantamount to betraying Subaru's words of thanks.

Therefore, the best thing to do was to abandon thought and continue attending to him without distraction or consciousness. However, she hated herself for this cold part of her mind that made such a rational decision.

"Subaru! We succeeded... Huh...?" (Aru)

"Subaru --?" (Aru)

The members of the Service Department (Aru's Problem Solver 68) arrived in the room boisterously, all having reached the top with steps suggesting they were ready to celebrate victory. However, what they saw was Hina sitting in a pool of blood, with Subaru lying beside her.

They could not ascertain whether his injury was fatal or not. Generally, the residents of Kivotos (who possess superhuman physical strength) did not realize the extent of the frailty and endurance of the human body coming from "the outside."

They had taken his words about the injuries partially seriously, so Aru began approaching him, trembling with fear.

While Mutsuki and Haruka could only stand and watch, biting their lips, Kayoko quickly and skillfully removed her jacket and placed it in Aru's hand for her to apply pressure.

"President (Aru), Hina, leave this to me." (Kayoko)

"Kayoko..." (Aru)

"..." (Hina)

"Hina, Subaru's blood didn't get into your eyes or mouth, right?" (Kayoko)

"No" (Hina)

By this time, Kayoko (the only member of the Service Department who had trusted Subaru from the perspective of his "physical fragility") began administering first aid instead of Hina. She tightened the area under his armpits, applied pressure around the wound's edge, and began stitching it using a clean needle and thread from a case she retrieved from her clothing.

"... Did you expect this?" (Aru)

"To some extent. His being shot could not have been avoided... If we had all adopted a defensive posture to protect him, he would not have been able to reach his goal. He had to be reckless to get us into this position." (Kayoko)

"--------..." (Hina)

"Hina." (Kayoko)

"..." (Hina)

The situation around Schale at that time was the largest and most complex of its kind, even when compared to the biggest incidents the Disciplinary Committee had dealt with. Three key figures capable of strategic planning were involved:

* The Disaster Fox.

* The Director of the Public Safety Bureau.

* The Director of the Hot Springs Development Division.

Although the last individual withdrew immediately upon seeing Hina, the bulk of the chaos downstairs can be attributed to her management.

Had it not been for the Service Department defending the Schale building against intruders on the lower floors, the building would have collapsed long ago.

And had Hina not been present, Subaru would neither have been able to reach the Shittim Box nor survived the subsequent attack by Kaiser forces.

Ultimately, Natsuki Subaru himself was the one who overcame the final obstacle, and in the grand scheme, the situation resulted in the desired outcome.

"But -- doesn't the situation look a bit bad from now on? I think we should escape quickly." (Mutsuki)

"True, what Mutsuki said is correct... The announcement made moments ago spread very widely. If people who don't know it was merely disinformation take his words seriously, I believe they will come to crush him before this new 'entity' is even born." (Kayoko)

"The target will, of course, be Subaru. Gehenna's Pantheon (Manmado), Millennium, and Trinity will all seek out the name "Natsuki Subaru" and head here." (Kayoko)

"As long as there are no official statements from the Federal Student Council, Subaru is merely an "impersonator," and as long as that remains the case, it will appear to everyone as though an outlaw has acquired incredible military power." (Kayoko)

This was the current reality. Kayoko's words justified why Mutsuki was urging withdrawal; if they remained in this location, the Service Department would be entangled in a political conflict far larger than what had just occurred.

Naturally, Hina and Subaru would also be implicated.

"Damn it... -- We will deal with this! Everyone, we must at least get Subaru to a hospital. If we stay like this, he will bleed to death before we can repel any other attack." (Aru)

However --

Just as Kayoko and her comrades expected, the enemy arrived without waiting for more time to pass.

Through the gap in the demolished wall that Hina was staring at, the first arrivals appeared:

"... Hah." (Hina)

"They've arrived. It's the Federal Student Council." (Kayoko)

It was a transport helicopter bearing the Federal Student Council's emblem.

The Service Department formed a defensive perimeter around Subaru and Kayoko, who was administering aid, while Hina gripped her The End cannon tightly, adopting a posture to shoot down the helicopter immediately if its machinery moved even a millimeter.

Hina bitterly wished to herself that the person aboard the helicopter was Nanagami Rin (a high-ranking Council official), but she was certain it was not. The helicopter was of a model that could be mobilized and operated within minutes of Subaru's announcement, indicating that the movement was instantaneous. This pointed to the work of a "traitor" who had made prior arrangements to secure Natsuki Subaru the moment this situation arose.

Hina, Kayoko, and Mutsuki already had a target in mind for who this party might be. They were able to deduce it based on the fact that the Valkyrie Police (Security Forces) were moving in the area.

Among the crowds that had gathered at the location, it was natural for the Kaiser Corporation to mobilize after seeing Subaru's announcement posted online. They might have other reasons (for their presence).

As for the Hot Springs Development Division, they could be easily provoked and would quickly rush to the area simply upon hearing a rumor about a potential hot spring zone. Meanwhile, the goal of the Disaster Fox was merely "amusement" (from the chaos).

The movement of the Valkyrie Police to secure the vicinity of the Schale building with a defensive network was originally illogical, especially in a location like this where everyone, without exception, was carrying out direct guerrilla attacks.

""Deliver Natsuki Subaru to us"" (Mechanical Voice)

The mechanically altered voice boomed through the helicopter's loudspeakers.

"He is injured, and his condition does not allow for his forceful movement." (Hina)

""Yes, and so what? He himself declared before the Student Council and before all of Kivotos his possession of military power. You have no justification to impede his arrest; he is a dangerous person who claims to be the individual the Student Council President is looking for, and he is also a crucial witness."" (Mechanical Voice)

""Soraki Hina, Disciplinary Committee President, we are greatly disappointed in your inability to make a wise decision. However, if you cooperate now, it will not affect your future activities."" (Mechanical Voice)

"... Are you asking me to hand over Natsuki Subaru for the sake of the Disciplinary Committee's interests?" (Hina)

""I did not say that; I am merely saying that I feel regrettable."" (Mechanical Voice)

"Hah -- I know you are connected to Kaiser, aren't you? Did you rush because of the sudden change in the situation? I see that the person most agitated and cornered right now is you." (Hina)

"Director of the Defense Bureau (a high-ranking Council position)." (Hina)

""..."" (Mechanical Voice)

Immediately, the firing platform on the helicopter moved.

At that moment, Aru struck with a precise sniper attack that completely destroyed the helicopter's weaponry, reducing it to a mere wooden dummy.

Subaru had promised to show Aru the "Ultimate Evil" she must eliminate. Therefore, this was the target. This was the Ultimate Evil that must be overcome.

In this situation, Aru decided that the role that should bear the blame was not that of Hina, who had much to support and protect as the Disciplinary Committee President, but that of the Service Department. Therefore, she stood in front of Hina.

"If we were to listen to you silently, you would chatter on forever -- There is no point in negotiating with a coward who won't even show her face." (Aru)

""Oh my goodness, the Service Department... -- What a disgrace; you, the Disciplinary Committee President, have stooped to allying yourself with these people."" (Mechanical Voice)

"Which one of us has stooped, I wonder? You speak as if you are the embodiment of justice." (Aru)

""Yes, that is correct, we represent justice, and you represent the abnormal exceptions. Doesn't the Service Department work for money? What do you say? We can pay double what you were paid. Wouldn't that eliminate the reasons for pointing a weapon at us?"" (Mechanical Voice)

"You immediately contradict yourself with what you are saying." (Aru)

"And there is something you misunderstand, which is that the Service Department works for money. That is a sound opinion, but... --" (Aru)

"-- I don't need a reason to shoot and kill villains; all I need is simply to pull the trigger." (Aru)

""What!!?"" (Mechanical Voice)

Aru fired a sniper round that pierced the helicopter's main rotor.

This shell, fired without hesitation, allowed the helicopter no chance of resistance, prompting its immediate descent. As they watched the helicopter fall, Mutsuki and Haruka fired follow-up shells... causing the helicopter to completely explode in mid-air before it could turn into a smudge on the ground.

"Problem Solver 68 does not betray its client; that is the way of outlaws." (Aru)

"Hee-haw!! How wonderful you are, Aru-chan!" (Mutsuki)

"Miss Aru, you truly are magnificent!!!" (Haruka)

"... (It's rare for her to look like a good person)." (Kayoko)

"Hah... -- With that action, we are now officially wanted across all of Kivotos, President." (Kayoko)

"Eh, is that true --!?" (Aru)

Following this quick skirmish, Kayoko completed Subaru's treatment. The wound was closed, but the blood he had lost could not be immediately replaced. Nonetheless, it appeared he had passed the critical stage. Kayoko used a towel dampened with water from a bottle to clean Subaru's body.

Both Hina and Kayoko, who treated Subaru's wound, were completely stained with blood, to the point where they needed to change all their clothes, from their shoes to their shirts.

The immediate crisis was over... but contemplating what would come next was truly depressing.

Where could they send their bloodied clothes for washing? Which hospital would Subaru be transferred to? Most importantly, how could they protect this young man, who could not be abandoned, from the numerous villains who would emerge from now on?

As Hina was immersed in these unending thoughts, her eyes flickered slightly.

"... Fuf. --" (Hina)

"Finally, someone we can communicate with has arrived." (Hina)

-- It was another helicopter bearing the same emblem (the Federal Student Council logo).

The helicopter carried proof of its affiliation with the Federal Student Council. Although it was smaller than the previous one, its arrival just a few minutes after the announcement (Subaru's declaration) and its flying manner, suggesting it was about to burst from speed, indicated that the passengers arrived driven by intense worry.

Most importantly, and unlike the cowardly person who preceded them:

"-- Soraki Hina! What is Natsuki Subaru's condition!!?" (???)

"..." (Hina)

A person had arrived who revealed their identity, shouting through a loudspeaker, and there was nothing in their tone or voice to suggest malicious intent.

The sunlight streaming in through the gaping hole in the demolished wall illuminated everyone in the room.

 

[Raven797]

Since Subaru arrived in this world, he had never truly known the meaning of "waking up feeling well."

He was haunted by the shadows of bullets visible even with his eyes closed, nightmares of returning to that wretched morning under the sun, and the phantom pain of the fire that completely consumed his body.

However, he now felt comfortable. When he opened his eyes, searching for the reason for this feeling, he saw a pristine white ceiling that suggested cleanliness, illuminated by artificial lighting.

Being a person who naturally woke up easily, he rubbed his eyes and gradually regained full consciousness.

"... How soft." (Subaru)

Since he had been sleeping all the time on a hard surface (a shop surface), he felt deeply grateful for the soft pillow cushioning his head.

As he was accustomed to sleeping on a flat futon in Japan, he quickly realized he was lying on a bed.

"What a strong smell of medicine; I can smell... I can smell... It's the same scent as Sena's! Although hers was softer and much more reassuring." (Subaru)

As he tried to move his body, he found his arm connected to an intravenous drip (IV). This was natural considering all the blood he had lost, but he wondered what had happened to the wound he sustained.

"Hmm, oh... Is this what is called a bullet trace?" (Subaru)

When he gently touched the wound, he found a gauze bandage over it. Upon lifting it... he saw that the flesh was only superficially abraded.

While redness from scarring still surrounded the wound, a hard, crust-like substance had covered it, and its appearance indicated it was in the recovery stage.

Subaru recalled the incident, stretching his hand to feel the corresponding point on his back (above the waist area), attempting to trace the expected straight line where the bullet would have exited.

A gauze bandage was also secured there. It seemed the wound was in the same state. Observing the growth of his light beard, he realized that time had passed, indicating that the medical technology in this world was praiseworthy.

"This is what you call a man's mark! I have left behind a heroic mark; with something like this, I will be highly sought after as a groom!" (Subaru)

"In any case, thank God I managed to avoid the Return by Death. And the bombing by Caesar's villains... probably didn't happen, right?" (Subaru)

It was not a matter of gambling on life or death, but he wanted to say he had won the bet. He was weary of the Return by Death.

"..." (Subaru's sigh)

When he considered that if he died again after everything that happened, he would have to start everything from scratch... he felt nauseous. He was forced to confront the reality that he was still a prisoner in Kivotos, and the fact that he couldn't return to Japan yet.

●○●○●

Subaru remembered that Hina had pressed on his wound just before he lost consciousness and that he had managed to convey everything he wanted to say.

"Ugh... how wretched..." (Subaru)

As he recalled everything again, including his desperate public declaration, he wondered how someone with his level of Interpersonal Skills 1 could display such ingenuity and audacity.

It was true that he had come to another world and had the urge to act in such a maniacal way, but Hina and the inhabitants of this world generally have sensibilities that are somewhat close to those of the Japanese.

If he spoke cringe-worthy phrases, his fate would be the same as what happened to him in high school. It is enough to become a lonely recluse just once.

"In any case, I must offer my thanks to everyone... This is a hospital, right? That means Hina, Aru, and her companions must have settled everything afterward, while I was lying there abjectly... --" (Subaru)

"Ah... I wish I could return to my reclusive era. I didn't have to think about difficult matters, I slept whenever I wanted, watched anime whenever I liked, went to sleep at any time I pleased, created discussion chains, fought in forum replies, and ate in whatever posture I desired. What a great thing... No, no, I really can't say that." (Subaru)

He had no complaints about his days of isolation as an unemployed person. As for now, his life consists of being surrounded by this soft pillow, warm blanket, and clean sheets, waiting for a beautiful girl to feed him with her own hands.

"... This is the height of greatness!!" (Subaru)

"-- You said all of that out loud." (???)

"Oh my god!!?" (Subaru)

Someone had spoken to him. Subaru had thought he was alone in a private room, so he jumped out of his bed, jostling his intravenous drip.

Due to this, a sharp pain swept through his body, causing him to let out a faint moan ("Owwggh!!?"), then he looked around the room searching for the source of the voice.

"Welcome, Master Natsuki Subaru." (???)

"W-W-W-Welcome. Welcome, I am Natsuki Subaru."

"Your speech is disjointed... Is there any defect or abnormality in your linguistic ability?" (???)

"If only I had remembered, internet jokes (memes) don't work here... No, I'm perfectly fine, Rin, you look incredibly serious, as usual." (Subaru)

"... This is supposed to be the first time we meet, and I haven't told you my name." (Rin)

"Ah --" (Subaru)

Subaru forgot that this was the first time he had met Nanagami Rin, with her enchanting beauty and glasses, in this particular cycle (of the Return by Death), even though it was his second encounter overall. He also told her "as usual" (as if she were someone he knew). If a man who so clearly appeared suspicious were to suffer the punishment of being dragged around town tied to a motorcycle, he would have only himself to blame.

"Huh, don't worry. I am now even more certain that you are "the one" (the person we are looking for), precisely because of this situation." (Rin)

"Really?" (Subaru)

Subaru raised his voice in astonishment, wondering what element of his recent speech made her so certain.

"First, allow me to extend my sincere gratitude to you, Natsuki Subaru, both as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Federal Student Council and as the single student, Nanagami Rin." (Rin)

"Oh, alright." (Subaru)

"You rebooted the Sanctum Tower and seized its control authority, defended the Shalei clubroom to the death, quelled the conflict, and finally, activated the Shittim Box... The President of the Federal Student Council was completely right; you are the entity who will save Kivotos." (Rin)

"I am not that great; please don't add more to the title of the reclusive jobless person," was what Subaru wanted to say, but he was now taken aback by the results of the situation he had created, and his tongue failed him.

"Thank you very much indeed, Master Natsuki." (Rin)

When he saw Rin bowing her head deeply, he felt a tickle in his throat...

"... I feel itchy. I am... the kind of fool who gets childishly happy and says, "I'm awesome!" because of what I've just been told. When you speak with excessive respect, I feel guilty." (Subaru)

"All humans live by swimming in the ocean of life with an exhausted look and causing trouble for others! There is no need for this formality; you can approach me more spontaneously and just say, "Thank you!", alright?" (Subaru)

"----" (Rin)

Subaru gave Rin a thumbs-up, and at that moment... he felt that the iron mask (expressing impassivity) she wore softened... for an instant. She blinked her beautiful blue eyes behind her glasses, then smiled.

"... Fuf, well, if you say so, everyone should do whatever they deem appropriate." (Rin)

"Now, we have many things that you must understand, so I will explain them to you in a simplified manner. (I will explain it to you in an easily digestible way.)" (Rin)

"I feel sorry for a patient who has just woken up, but I ask you to listen to me without falling asleep, alright?" (Rin)

"Eh, oh, haven't your facial expressions, which were somewhat gentle, just become sterner now --!? ... Be nice to me, Ri, Rin-chan?" (Subaru)

"Humph! And who are you calling Rin-chan? All I will do is explain to you, very politely and word by word, the results of the utter disarray you caused in just one hour." (Rin)

"Noooo!!?" (Subaru)

●○●○●

The "declaration" that Subaru made to de-escalate the situation rapidly spread news of the sudden emergence of an extreme new power. This power was purportedly coming from a student club bearing the hallmarks of the Federal Student Council, situated in the heart of the D.U. (Defense Unit) Region.

All the Academies attempted to contact the Federal Student Council, resulting in severe congestion on the Council's communication lines. Everyone wondered if the missiles Subaru spoke of were real, who exactly this young man was, and why the Federal Student Council had not issued any official statement.

Natsuki Subaru's declaration caused such upheaval in Kivotos that the already stressed members of the Federal Student Council nearly died from exhaustion.

Two hours later, based on Soraki Hina's testimony, the Federal Student Council issued a statement regarding the existence of Natsuki Subaru.

"It is confirmed that Natsuki Subaru is the individual who rebooted the Sanctum Tower and regained control of it, and his statements regarding the missiles and other items he received are unfounded. The Federal Student Council (FSC) has agreed to acknowledge Natsuki Subaru's existence and place him under special protection as recognition for his service."

"Upon his recovery of consciousness, he will be interrogated. After conducting a thorough and strict investigation, we will inform all Academies of the developments regarding his future status, so please be cautious about being swept away by further speculations and rumors. That is all."

The statement was utterly illogical. In short, this announcement meant that... the Federal Student Council would seize Natsuki Subaru, and external parties must refrain from interference. Since the feat accomplished by Subaru was genuine, the situation only appeared as if the Federal Student Council had monopolized an enormous military power.

Furthermore, it was completely absurd that the information was announced to the public by the Federal Student Council instead of by Natsuki Subaru himself. The meeting witnessed utter chaos, as the statement failed to answer the public's questions about the reality of "that person" or the nature of his existence.

Rin then addressed the resolution of the issues related to the conflict and the attack:

"Hina... a one-week suspension—!? Wait a minute, why? Hina acted to save me..." (Subaru)

"That is not the literal meaning of the word. It is a fact that Hina moved beyond the scope of her activity in the Autonomous Region to assist a mysterious figure. To preserve the public appearance (of the Council), some form of punishment had to be enacted." (Rin)

"In short, this suspension... is a way of telling her, "Please take a rest."" (Rin)

"... Is that acceptable? The Gehenna region has a terrible reputation; if Hina is suspended, violence will run rampant among the delinquents there." (Subaru)

"... We will ask the rest of the Prefect Team to do their utmost." (Rin)

"What kind of non-plan plan is that (There is absolutely no plan)!?" (Subaru)

The Calamity Fox remains at large, and the Hot Springs Development Department has also returned to Gehenna and is still on the run.

As for the Valkyrie Police, they were not to blame, as they were merely performing their usual duties. However, the student who likely shot Subaru due to reckless behavior is expected to come and apologize later, accompanied by the Director of the Public Safety Bureau.

The Defense Bureau Director, meanwhile, was penalized with a fine and the submission of a 1,000-page Essay of Repentance for unauthorized use and damage to a transport helicopter. Although Soraki Hina indicated a connection between her and Caesar, the matter was concluded with that punishment for the time being due to a clear lack of evidence.

This measure, however, was temporary; the Defense Bureau Director was placed under comprehensive scrutiny and review by the entire Federal Student Council (FSC), and a strict management system will be imposed on her subsequent movements.

Nevertheless, a much larger problem was burdening the Federal Student Council:

"-- The major problem currently surrounding Kivotos is..." (Rin)

"Caesar's Private Military Company (PMC) was assigned full responsibility for that attack and was disowned by the main Caesar Group. This resulted in the outcast company becoming an independent terrorist organization. In other words, the "Lizard's Tail" has begun to move on its own. Currently, the [war] with them continues beneath the surface." (Rin)

"If their clandestine preparations are complete, they will cause a large-scale internal conflict that will drag all of Kivotos into it. There were suspicious movements from them previously, and during the six-month period when the Federal Student Council President disappeared, their military strength continued to expand." (Rin)

"As a signal to commence the war, the terrorist organization, which names its leader the Caesar PMC Director, has declared that it will destroy one Academy. Their ultimate goal is to obtain Natsuki Subaru himself." (Rin)

The two Academies, Gehenna and Trinity, remained silent. Millennium, however, had already established its own defensive system since the Federal Student Council President disappeared. Every Academy is now constructing its own response, and Kivotos is on the verge of internal collapse.

The breakdown of Kivotos has become imminent; the six months during which the FSC President, described as a "Superhuman," was lost created an extremely significant void.

"Huh --?" (Subaru)

Subaru could only respond to these words with something resembling a sigh.

True, Subaru had made the declaration and told the Caesar group, "I am your enemy."

-- But he absolutely did not anticipate this outcome.

A war because of a word Subaru said? The destruction of an Academy? And what exactly is a Private Military Company (PMC)? What kind of company is it? He was foolish to expect, while lying in the hospital as "that person," that he might perhaps inherit the legacy of the Federal Student Council President.

Is this his responsibility? Did this happen because he shouted that declaration just to stay alive?

"-- That is the reality, Sir." (Rin)

"..." (Subaru)

"I do not believe this is your fault, and many people share that opinion... but this is simply a consequence of the action you took." (Rin)

"Who exactly you are, where you came from, what you do, why you were able to operate the Shittim Box, why the Federal Student Council President chose you, and why you spoke with Caesar as if you were predicting the future and clearly stood against them." (Rin)

"All these answers lie only within you. We cannot assist you without knowing anything." (Rin)

"... Fuf -- Do you understand now? The extent of the precarious situation you are in, Master Natsuki." (Rin)

"..." (Subaru)

"We could offer you assistance, but relying on us will make proving your identity to Kivotos insufficient." (Rin)

"Are you an enemy, a villain, a benevolent force, or none of the above? The person who will determine how Natsuki is received in Kivotos is Natsuki himself." (Rin)

"I realize that this position is very harsh given the circumstances, but we do not believe anyone other than you can solve this problem." (Rin)

"Natsuki Subaru, if you truly are "the one," then would you please..." (Rin)

"... Prove that you are "the one" who will save us... no, save the entirety of Kivotos?" (Rin)

●○●○●

"..." (Subaru)

"..." (Subaru)

Subaru shook the intravenous drip apparatus, which was mounted on a wheeled stand, that followed him as he moved.

While staring at the decorations hanging in the hallway, Subaru began counting his defeat scenarios with a sigh.

The view from the building's tall glass window was breathtaking, possessing a magnificence that underscored the sheer size of the Academy City. The decorations and printed posters featured geometric patterns, especially the advertisements that seemed to be the responsibility of Millennium, which he would look at and say to himself: "Hmm, I don't understand a single word they are saying; does this advertisement even make any sense?" Then he would complain about the high educational threshold in this world.

"Well, stopping the weakness and turning positive... is not something I can say right now..." (Subaru)

There was no longer any option to retreat from his request after reaching the end of this long corridor (while en route to his destination). Rin had granted Subaru freedom of action, but he had persistently insisted and complained until he was permitted to come to "that place" in Shalei. His destination is singular, yet the problems are piling up like mountains.

"I have no sense of reality about this; are we genuinely on the brink of war? They are putting so much responsibility on one unemployed person! What kind of world is this... When you protect one Academy, they ask you to protect all of them? Even exploitative companies are kinder to their new hires." (Subaru)

When he thought about it calmly, he realized after walking a short distance that the fate of the world had been placed in his hands during the few hours he was asleep. This level of debt exceeds the expectations of financial fraudsters, so he quietly shut the door on those memories.

"But even so..." (Subaru)

What he recalls now are the few times he experienced the Return by Death when he gave up on everything and despaired.

That moment when he shrugged off the responsibility for everything he had seen and the opportunities he had been given, scowled, and closed his eyes to escape reality.

-- Nothing whatsoever improved as a result.

He continued to die, and everyone else continued to be miserable.

Of course, the current situation is different from that time. Subaru will not die immediately tomorrow, and nothing needs to be solved that will perish tomorrow. He still has plenty of time, and it is likely that everything will resolve itself while he escapes reality.

Therefore, he should just escape. Rin told him the responsibility was not his, and if he had to prove his existence, then he should prove to everyone that he is "utterly useless."

He recognizes that he is a coward, arrogant, and a clown who incites disgust with his frequent slips of the tongue and tendency to cause trouble. He realizes that Natsuki Subaru alone can do nothing, and that he is merely a hindrance to others.

"In that case! Wouldn't they all give up relying on me and stand on their own two feet? I'm sure Hina will help me correct the misunderstanding about myself. No one will want a fool like me who is defeated by a single bullet." (Subaru)

What a feeling of utter misery.

"..." (Subaru's sigh)

"Because of my recovery after half a day of sleep, the serious realist Subaru inside me is raging wildly." (Subaru)

Yes, it is a miserable feeling. The emotion that struck Subaru fiercely, again and again, whenever he surrendered and used Return by Death, was a sense of wretchedness.

He was wretched, being an unemployed person who could do nothing. He was wretched due to his inability to adapt to society and because of his anger.

He was wretched, for he had not changed even after coming to another world. He was wretched for repeatedly undergoing the Return by Death.

And when he surrendered during those times...

He turned his face away from the people he could have saved, felt defeated because no one validated his suffering, and his feeling of wretchedness transformed into "despair" that choices were being granted to him for no reason, and he could do nothing.

The persona of A.M.S., known as the "Absolute Serious Realist Subaru," was born after this despair was planted in his heart.

This could be called Trauma.

"... I will not give up again, and I do not want to see Hina and the others sad." (Subaru)

The casters emitted a sound, and Subaru walked down the hallway, leaning on the IV stand.

He does not want to surrender; he has no reason to surrender. Subaru only has reasons to persevere.

Even if this feeling was imposed upon him by someone else.

"Save Kivotos, that is what the Federal Student Council President asked, correct? She left behind so many problems that I will be crushed under their weight." (Subaru)

Subaru grumbled, then stood before the official door—not the emergency stairwell entrance he had used previously—and opened it.

Subaru stood at the crossroads of fate, facing the reason for the repetition of his Return by Death.

"... Teach me everything?" (Subaru)

"Arona." (Subaru)

"Welcome back, Natsuki Subaru." (Arona)

"I am A.R.O.N.A., the main Operating System of the Shittim Box and the personal AI assistant for Natsuki Subaru." (Arona)

"This is our fourth encounter, Subaru-sama." (Arona)

"...--" (Subaru)

 

[Raven797]

"Welcome back, my Child Colleague (Senpai). I am Natsuki Subaru, the world's broke man. It is a pleasure to meet you." (Subaru)

Subaru addressed the Shittim Chest embedded in the wall. Having traversed the corridor, he arrived inside the Schale clubroom. There, a mysterious, monolith-like object floated—the housing for the Shittim Chest.

In all likelihood, if a support item existed to ensure Subaru's survival in this world, this Shittim Chest was it. It was the legacy the Federal Student Council President had left specifically for Subaru.

"...? I am pleased to work with you. I understand that you are referring to my appearance with the word 'child,' but why did you append 'Colleague' (Senpai), a term that carries a contradictory meaning?" (Arona)

"Kuh! Yes, yes, this is exactly the vibe I wanted! No AI can properly function without this lack of emotion and rigidity!" (Subaru)

"... Subaru-sama, may I request a response?" (Arona)

"Hmm, sorry, sorry. Well, after all that preamble, I'll tell you: don't worry about it. I just wanted to say it." (Subaru)

"I was recently saved by a little girl who possessed the bearing of an insanely cool woman, so could we say I've been revitalized after consuming a dose of pure 'Loli'?" (Subaru)

"... I find that difficult to comprehend, but if you are fond of this appearance, then I am very pleased." (Arona)

With just that response, Subaru adopted the demeanor of a "Satisfied Big Brother," clasping his hands behind his back and nodding deeply over and over again.

"No, wait a minute. In that case, isn't this exactly the same as when I was alone, happily monitoring that computer and forum...? No, no, no, wait, mm, mmm... Arona!" (Subaru)

"What do you require?" (Arona)

"Nullpo." (Subaru)

"..." (Arona)

"..." (Subaru)

""..."" (Subaru & Arona)

"...??" (Arona)

"Ah, damn it! If only Kivotos had trending internet slang!!?" (Subaru)

Had she begun to explain coldly and mechanically, perhaps with a hint of bashfulness: "Did you mean 'Gah'? That is a general internet slang term derived from NullPointerException~~," Subaru would have instantly declared his love for her as the ideal AI daughter.

"No, no, no, this isn't the time to listen to such nonsense... Arona, start with what I want to hear first." (Subaru)

Subaru halted his foolish delusions and asked the Shittim Chest while touching it.

Subaru decided to ask a few questions to start; the information he would obtain here was valuable.

"What kind of person is the "Federal Student Council President"? If she left me the Shittim Chest... Arona... she must have told you something?" (Subaru)

"Negative. The Student Council President placed part of the information regarding the Shittim Chest into a "Black Box" status. The only information entrusted to A.R.O.N.A is to provide support solely to the entity matching her biological signature." (Arona)

"... At the very least, if she wanted my help, she should have prepared the means for me to help, Federal Student Council!?" (Subaru)

"Your point is valid." (Arona)

Then, the next question.

"Arona, are you truly an amazing computer, or rather, an amazing AI? Can you hack the "message left by the Student Council President" and tell me its contents?" (Subaru)

"Subaru-sama, that information is already entrusted to me by the Student Council President, so please cease such actions that amount to criminal behavior." (Arona)

"... I wonder who hacked the speakers all over the city...?" (Subaru)

"That was an emergency, so it is an exception." (Arona)

"Oh boy! This coldness is becoming addictive. Come on, great! Tell me the content of the message immediately, Arona." (Subaru)

"Understood, Subaru-sama." (Arona)

"Okay, okay~ I wonder what the valuable information is... Wait --?" (Subaru)

-- At that moment, a bright light engulfed Subaru's vision.

But it was not a harmful, blinding light; rather, it was merely an illusion of light created by Subaru's brain when the scene itself turned "white."

Yet, what one perceives as bright remains bright. He closed his eyes reflexively, then felt the light fade from behind his eyelids... and opened his eyes.

"Sss --" (Subaru)

"Awesooooome!!! What is this!?" (Subaru)

A starry sky filled the space. The atmosphere had shifted from day to night, and sparkling stars floated in the sky—stars for which the description "star-studded" was insufficient.

The floor was covered in water, yet he did not get wet. He seemed not to be touching the water, and even when he jumped, the water did not splash. This watery surface extended beyond the horizon, and the closest parallel in Subaru's memory was the Salar de Uyuni salt flats.

It was beautiful; there was no other way to describe it. Captivated by this view, which he could never see in Japan no matter what, Subaru began to run, ignoring the fact that he was a patient.

"Wow...! Such beauty...!" (Subaru)

"Subaru-sama." (Arona)

"Hmm? Oh!!?" (Subaru)

The frequency with which Subaru was startled by human voices had increased since coming to Kivotos, and he wondered if he would someday die from his heart stopping due to excessive shock. As was his habit, he looked around:

"... It's a child." (Subaru)

"I am not a child; I am A.R.O.N.A, Subaru-sama." (Arona)

"Life-sized... Does that mean this place is—" (Subaru)

"Yes, this is the interior of the Shittim Chest. Welcome." (Arona)

Subaru closely observed the "Little Colleague" before him. Did she say the interior of the Shittim Chest? He had no idea how such a massive space was created inside that box, but he felt a surge of excitement that a piece of high technology befitting another world had finally appeared.

To verify first whether Arona possessed physical mass, Subaru placed his hands under her arms to lift her.

"Whoa!" (Subaru)

"Wow." (Arona)

"She has the actual weight of a child, and body heat too... It doesn't seem like I've entered a 2D world." (Subaru)

"Correct. The interior of the Shittim Chest is a separate space composed of compressed data. Please be careful; staying here for more than 5 to 10 minutes will cause your body to disintegrate at a molecular level and collapse." (Arona)

"... Disintegrate? Collapse...?" (Subaru)

"Yes." (Arona)

"..." (Subaru)

"Don't just say "Yes"! Ms. Arona, what kind of place have you brought me to!?" (Subaru)

"Rest assured, a timer will activate one minute prior to the collapse, and you will be forcibly ejected." (Arona)

"No, that isn't reassuring! That is absolutely terrifying...!" (Subaru)

Once his panic attack subsided, Subaru cleared his throat to inquire about the content of the "Message."

Responding to this, Arona stood before a whiteboard in what appeared to be a ruined classroom and displayed a hologram.

It was the message that had tormented Natsuki Subaru for so long.

-- Its truth was finally unveiled.

[I love you]

"----" (Subaru)

"..." (Subaru)

"Huh --?" (Subaru)

"Eh? Is that it?" (Subaru)

"Yes, this love letter is the message left by the Federal Student Council President." (Arona)

"... That's impossible. According to Kayoko's hypothesis, there should be a prophecy or something similar. Furthermore, it lacks any of the descriptions relayed to Hina." (Subaru)

"Also, Rin and the others know the "method of identification" because they are aware of the content of the left message. This cannot be all there is." (Subaru)

"Nevertheless --..." (Arona)

"This is indeed the "Federal Student Council President's message left for Natsuki Subaru," and this is the only information stored within the Shittim Chest." (Arona)

"Gh, mmm...!" (Subaru)

Subaru had hoped that once he knew the content of the message, he would discern a future course of action... or perhaps a way to return home. Yet, when he uncovered it, he found a single phrase amounting to nothing more than a confession of love.

Subaru sighed and muttered, "Good grief," feigning annoyance, wondering if this was the extent of what could be done with the Shittim Chest, which resembled an Out-of-Place Artifact (OOPArt) with its astounding technology.

"Responding to passionate love letters is certainly the protagonist's role, but an "I love you" from someone who hasn't revealed their face or name is simply terrifying..." (Subaru)

"It might fall along the lines of "I cannot tell you." I don't know the reason, but... perhaps it stems from a critical situation the Federal Student Council President became involved in... that could be it." (Subaru)

Worrying was futile. After finishing this conversation, he could ask Rin about the content of the "left message" to cross-reference it with the phrase found in the Shittim Chest.

True, what mattered was the conversation to follow. This was the subject Subaru had been intentionally avoiding, dancing around it with convoluted questions to escape the topic.

And that is...

"..." (Subaru)

"Heh..." (Subaru)

-- Arona is aware of Return by Death.

●○●○●

"-- Arona, do you... are you aware of "that matter"?" (Subaru)

Return by Death. Yes, Return by Death.

Arona had said, "Welcome back," yet Subaru believed he was the only one capable of perceiving the repeating cycles.

This meant that saying "Welcome back" required an awareness of Return by Death, and that Arona was an entity besides Subaru who understood this ability.

"Yes, but I also answer no." (Arona)

"Hmm." (Subaru)

This was not exactly an ambiguous answer; rather, it appeared to be a situation that literally required her to offer both affirmation and negation simultaneously.

"I am A.R.O.N.A.; I merely record the number of connections with Natsuki Subaru, nothing more. The Federal Student Council President allocated most of the Shittim Chest's resources to the "Observation Function."" (Arona)

"I do not possess the capacity to comprehend the path Subaru-sama has taken; I am merely a tool for "observation."" (Arona)

"..." (Subaru)

Subaru had vaguely suspected this ever since she replied that this was their fourth encounter. This meant the forty-five cycles of Return by Death had not been counted. Should he feel pity, or relief that she did not know?

Now she claims to be an observation device. Does that imply the Federal Student Council President herself was spying on him, holding a wine glass and laughing wickedly, after inflicting this agonizing and cruel ability upon Subaru?

The more he thought about it, the more bizarre the Federal Student Council President appeared. Subaru could not comprehend her objective in utilizing the majority of this high-tech artifact's power solely to observe Natsuki Subaru's Return by Death.

Is it merely sadistic amusement, or goodwill? At the very least, there is currently no element Subaru can interpret as goodwill. On the contrary, what he feels is fear; attempting to monitor Return by Death based on the premise that she "already knows he will die" is sheer madness.

Ultimately, this implied that the expenditure of Natsuki Subaru's life was known beforehand. If the Student Council President was the one who established this setting, the meaning of that passionate love letter changes entirely.

"Good grief, this is terrifying... I feel gross just thinking about it; it reminds me of that game, 'Chaotic Love Adventure with a Yandere Girlfriend!? Dating Sim,' that I bought online..." (Subaru)

"It is easy for me to imagine that you have endured experiences beyond comprehension, Subaru-sama. I truly hope you rest after everything you have faced so far." (Arona)

"... Ah, but there is still much I must do, even though I was only just 'born' into this situation." (Subaru)

Should Natsuki Subaru simply accept Arona's words? And should he trust the Shittim Chest left by an entity—the Student Council President—whose very existence implies madness?

"Ah, but I can't make a little girl cry, either." Gathering these trivial thoughts, Subaru asked his final question to obtain certainty.

"So... are you certain that you are aware of 'Return by Death,' Arona?" (Subaru)

"I do not possess the designation 'Return by Death' within my data, but I am aware that such a phenomenon is occurring." (Arona)

"Phew, what a relief... --" (Subaru)

Just as he was about to sigh in relief.

"The term the Student Council President left to describe it is also 'Interdimensional Transfer.'" (Arona)

-- Interdimensional Transfer?

Transfer? Not a return?

"Transfer... what does that mean? Is it a different ability entirely?" (Subaru)

"The hypothesis is this: at the moment Subaru-sama's vital activity ceases, a branching of timelines occurs due to a multidimensional interpretation of unknown principle, accompanied by fluctuations and quantum entanglement." (Arona)

Dark shadows crept through Subaru's heart. A.M.S (Subaru's Realistic Side)—his usually idle mind began to race, attempting to understand, and he felt a wave of vertigo.

Something was there—a sensation of utter dread.

Something lay in wait, like the worst of nightmares. He felt that the truth of "what Natsuki Subaru had been doing" was about to be laid bare.

A nightmare. He wished it were a dream, yet he wanted no part of any nightmare; he had nothing to do with nightmares—absolutely nothing.

"... W-wait, wait, wait..." (Subaru)

He could not digest the words he had received, even as he tried to process them with agonizing slowness.

"So, w-what does it mean? Does this mean that if I die... if I die...?" (Subaru)

True, if he died, he would return. He had sworn to die and return to save everyone, to repay that kindness.

"If I die... -- does that mean I do not go back?" (Subaru)

"Yes." (Arona)

"No, I don't return... I don't go back? I am not turning back? Instead, I transfer?" (Subaru)

"Yes." (Arona)

In that moment, her rigid, mechanical response was suffocating Natsuki Subaru's soul—slowly, precisely, and inescapably.

"..." (Subaru)

"... Then, that..." (Subaru)

"... -- W-what happens to the world that is left behind?" (Subaru)

-- He asked the question.

Subaru realized it was too late only after the words had left his lips, wishing he had stopped at the previous question.

And then, the worst truth was laid bare:

"It is merely a hypothesis." (Arona)

"!" (Subaru)

"However, since Natsuki Subaru is the observer, the world before the transfer and the world after the transfer... either vanishes as if it never existed, like a fleeting bubble, within the realm of possibilities... --" (Arona)

"Or, the far greater probability is that it continues to exist thereafter." (Arona)

"---------" (Subaru)

His insides churned violently.

He had not gone back, nor had events been reset as if they never happened.

Then --?

What does it mean? What does it mean? What does it mean? Ultimately, what does all of this imply?

He cannot comprehend it; Natsuki Subaru's mind refuses understanding and shuts down. Like a foreign object he has swallowed, his body attempts to reject it, yet it remains lodged in his throat, choking off his breath, little by little.

He must not think about it; he is not allowed to think; he must absolutely never think. Thinking would lead to a [collapse]. To protect the [self] of Natsuki Subaru, he repeated within himself: Don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think, don't think... --

"-- Ghhk! Ack! Guh! (Sound of suppressed retching)"

Thinking.

In essence, this meant that everyone he thought he saved in the 44 universes where he died is facing that tragic end.

He felt the terror Caesar instills deep within him. It is easy to imagine what will happen after destroying Gehenna and seizing control of Kivotos.

-- They will do the same to all the Academies. If no one stops the kidnappings and killings, that company will exhaust everything they have.

The heroic fantasy floating in his heart, that glory Natsuki Subaru thought cost only his death. He thought that, he believed that... and now he discovers this truth.

Isn't this the very definition of misery?

"Ah... Ugh... --" (Subaru)

"... Subaru-sama!" (Arona)

His head felt like it would explode, or perhaps it already had. When he died without meaning, what happened after? When he gave up and got angry, what happened after? When he died crying and in pain, what happened after?

What awaited him after was "Termination (Ruin)."

Self-satisfaction. He struggled again and again, moving for self-satisfaction in that moment... He believed he was no longer like that, that he wanted to help the girls and help Kivotos.

"... --" (Subaru)

"Ah, ugh... Ack, ack, ghh... (Sound of suppressed retching)" (Subaru)

He had already vomited everything; not even stomach acid came out anymore. Only the dry heaving remained.

"-- Damn it, damn you! Who... what is the point of all this --!!" (Subaru)

"... I do not know." (Arona)

"Is the Federal Student Council President responsible!!? Isn't that entity the one who orchestrated all this!!? How could she do something like this!? Doesn't this mean... that I caused everyone's death...?" (Subaru)

"... Subaru-sama --" (Arona)

"... Ha, haha, I caused everyone's death..." (Subaru)

"I, I am also... then, I am --" (Subaru)

-- A murderer?

No, I am not a murderer. I didn't kill anyone. The probability of those universes continuing to exist is higher than them vanishing. Furthermore, I didn't cause them any harm at all, did I? I only intervened because I couldn't abandon people who would die on their own in a place I didn't know.

This means that I intervened, and in return, I caused the deaths of an even greater number of people as well.

This is the responsibility of extending a helping hand, Natsuki Subaru.

"... There are still many Black Boxes within the Shittim Chest that I cannot open, and the same applies to Subaru-sama's physical nature (the mechanism of his ability)." (Arona)

"The Federal Student Council President sought to discover "what is the source of that?" and who stands behind it." (Arona)

"And what she saw at the end of that pursuit... I do not know." (Arona)

"... Natsuki Subaru-sama, only one minute remains of the permissible residence time. I will forcibly return you." (Arona)

"..." (Subaru)

"Subaru-sama --" (Arona)

"A.R.O.N.A. is Natsuki Subaru's virtual assistant (AI), and she is your ally. At any time and under any circumstance." (Arona)

●○●○●

"... Oh, Mr. Natsuki, have you finished your business?" (Rin)

"..." (Subaru)

"Mr. Natsuki --?" (Rin)

Natsuki Subaru came back swaying unsteadily, his face even paler than when he had first arrived.

He had also torn the IV needle from his arm and was muttering something incessantly, his head hanging low.

"Are you alright? Do you feel unwell somewhere..." (Rin)

"... -- I'm sorry." (Subaru)

"Pardon?" (Rin)

"... I-I'm sorry, ... I'll do it right away." (Subaru)

"Mr. Natsuki... it seems your health is still..." (Rin)

"I'm f-fine, I'm fine. It's just... a mild shock, urgh... exhausted. Yes, just a sense of exhaustion." (Subaru)

"That cannot be called fine! Let us return to the infirmary at once. Where did you leave the IV stand?" (Rin)

Rin reached out to touch Subaru's back, acting out of kindness and good intentions, but...

-- Before her hand could touch him, Subaru slapped it away.

"!, Mr. Natsuki...?" (Rin)

"Tell me." (Subaru)

"Tell me, please, Rin." (Subaru)

"About the school Kaiser said they would destroy. I want to speak with them..." (Subaru)

"I don't care if it's Kaiser or anything else. I will solve the problem and come back, so that is why..." (Subaru)

There were no traces left of the hero who had saved Kivotos just moments ago. In Nanagami Rin's view, Subaru's back appeared... hunched in utter misery.

""Please forgive me."" (Subaru)

Subaru muttered these words with sheer wretchedness.

●○●○●

People apologize when they make a mistake.

Why? Because they desire forgiveness. Even if one admits to the error, the past cannot be erased, and the consequences do not vanish.

Therefore, they apologize to gain forgiveness; they apologize to seek absolution.

"Abydos High School. That is the location targeted by Caesar PMC." (Rin)

It was his first time entering a desert region.

Although he walked on solid concrete, the wind carried sand with it.

Houses lay buried beneath the dunes, void of any human presence.

With every step he took, the dry, desolate earth sapped the moisture from Subaru's body.

"I can take you this far, but the helicopter might go down in areas thick with sand dust. You must traverse the remaining hundreds of kilometers on your own, Mr. Natsuki." (Rin)

Subaru had grown accustomed to the stinging sand against his skin, leaving it be, as the grit invaded through every gap no matter how hard he tried to stop it.

The sunlight pouring down from the cloudless sky relentlessly drained his energy, his body fluids evaporating at an alarming rate.

Direct exposure carried the risk of heatstroke. Subaru wished he had something to cover his head, but he possessed nothing of the sort.

If he collapsed and lost consciousness here, he would die with ease.

The saying that heat is lethal is true; even in Japan, many die from heatstroke, eventually reduced to bleached bones.

"..." (Subaru)

"... Ah." (Subaru)

His vision blurred—a sign of salt and fluid deficiency.

Sweat poured incessantly, continuing to flow as if his body were being wrung dry of every last drop.

"..." (Subaru)

He had walked until he lost all sensation in his feet. Originally, no sane person would attempt to reach a school hundreds of kilometers away in this heat.

Little by little, his vision darkened. He lost feeling in his limbs, then his tongue, and finally his skin.

Dehydration was claiming the life of Natsuki Subaru.

"----" (Subaru)

-- And he had become accustomed to this as well.

He was used to death.

"--" (Subaru)

He was intentionally plunging toward the very thing he had avoided most.

He had grown used to something no one should ever get used to.

"..." (Subaru)

『... Mr. Natsuki.』 (Rin)

『Why do you keep apologizing all the time?』 (Rin)

If he apologized, he might be forgiven. If he solved the Caesar problem, saved everyone, and achieved feats to atone for his sins, he would be forgiven.

A person apologizes when they err; a person apologizes when they desire forgiveness.

And Natsuki Subaru apologizes because he seeks absolution for the suffering he bears.

Thus, Natsuki Subaru undergoes his 54th death.

Trapped in this endless desert hell, he recalls his death, unable to do a thing.

He remembers that, time and again, all he could do was apologize.

"" (Subaru)

-- The sound of a sixth wonder filled the air, a sound that never left his heart. --

-- A nightmare saturated with malice from the past hunted him down, striking him with unbearable fear. --

-- He was burdened by his own words, which revealed absolute despair—words that clutched at his soul and refused to let go. --

-- And the more he clung to death, the more a part of him abandoned someone else. This was the greatest reason he felt such intense regret and unspeakable remorse, continuing to die even now.

 

[Raven797]

-- 46. (The 46th Death Cycle)

"... I must not die, I cannot die, I am not allowed to die. If I die, if I die then... again..." (Subaru)

He was seeing a nightmare. Though awake, he dreamt of the world "after death." He tried desperately to understand why he had been given a world that was simultaneously malicious and comfortable—a world that would perish if Natsuki Subaru were not in it. He kept rolling hatred and horror over his tongue.

Thus, he concluded that he simply must not die from this point forward. But "Death" is not a simple matter. Even so, it should be possible to avoid dying from now on. If he did not die...

-- Even if he kept moving forward without dying, nothing would erase the past.

"Shut up!!" (Subaru)

"H-Hyah!?" (Driver)

"Ugh, ah... I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything." (Subaru)

"Ah, ah... Understood." (Driver)

Subaru had requested Rin's assistance to transport him by vehicle to the vicinity of Abydos High School.

Subaru's scream echoed inside the car. The driver jumped in his seat at the sudden, loud noise and nearly yanked the steering wheel violently.

The road was narrow, barely wide enough to pass alongside the stone walls of the houses, and an accident could occur at any moment.

One might grow weary of the unchanging world of sand, the unchanging absence of people, and the unchanging scenery. However, Subaru's gaze seemed to see nothing but his own knees at that moment. Had he glanced outside for a brief second, a scenery entirely new to him would have unfolded before his eyes, but alas.

Rin worried about Subaru, who kept muttering something with his head bowed, but Subaru insisted on pressing forward to find a solution to the situation.

He grabbed his tracksuit from the infirmary, retrieved his other belongings, and set off toward the school targeted by Kaiser, moving with a body that had not yet fully healed.

True, all he had to do was save everyone, help them, and not die even a single time.

"Ha, haha... -- It's easy, I managed to do it once... so..." (Subaru)

That's right, he had managed to do it once. Natsuki Subaru had accomplished the mission.

"I can do it, I can do it." (Subaru)

The Hero, Natsuki Subaru, saved everyone once.

Therefore, he must be able to do it again.

The residential district was eerily quiet. The sand-buried city remained unchanged. It continued to distort the car's path just as before, and the scenery outside the window had not yet shifted.

-- Except for one point.

"What a... --" (Subaru)

It was vanity.

Because Natsuki Subaru himself knew very well that the hero he imagined had never existed.

-- He knows it, yet he turns a blind eye to the truth. How utterly miserable.

"Hmm? Wait, wasn't this place closed off and cordoned... --" (Subaru)

-- BOOM!

""!?""

Subaru's body was launched into the air, slamming against the roof of the car, while the flames of the blast scorched his skin.

"Kah... --!?" (Subaru)

The shock to his back reverberated through his entire body, slamming into his lungs and rattling his heart.

The organs responsible for pumping oxygen temporarily ceased to function.

Strength drained from his body completely, and he gasped for oxygen with his mouth agape like a goldfish seeking food, his breath cut short in an instant.

"U... gh!" (Subaru)

This time, the impact struck from the right, then below, then the left.

Before he could process what was happening, violent shocks assaulted Subaru's body from every angle. When a heavy blow struck his stomach, his frail entrails screamed in agony.

Every area that should have been protected—the head, neck, and spine—suffered severe trauma.

Overwhelmed by the sheer pain and the brutality inflicted upon his entire body, Natsuki Subaru's consciousness began to fade.

"What... is happening --" (Subaru)

Once the barrage of blows from every direction finally ceased.

Subaru saw the reason he had lost all sense of balance, feeling as though he had been tossed into a spinning washing machine.

Writhing in pain, his field of vision revealed... that the car's roof was now on the ground. Through the shattered windshield, he saw girls wearing black helmets gathering like vultures scavenging a corpse.

-- Ah, am I going to die again?

"..." (Subaru)

The driver, unconscious and restrained by his seatbelt, remained unharmed save for some bleeding from his arm, likely caused by a glass shard.

As for Natsuki Subaru, he felt a searing heat in his abdomen and simultaneously vomited a clot of blood. With his forehead cut open, his vision was dyed "crimson."

His stomach hurt—it hurt as if it were being torn apart.

His insides had ruptured, and blood drained from his body. He could not breathe, and the trembling would not stop.

A shard of glass had pierced his flank and lodged itself there; blood and pain mingled, transforming into tears.

He had learned since childhood to fasten his seatbelt when riding in a car, yet he failed to adhere even to that.

It hurts; he is going to die.

-- Die?

"... -- N, No... I can't..." (Subaru)

He cannot die.

"Ah, buh..." (Subaru)

"-- If I die..." (Subaru)

He must not; he cannot die.

"Ugh, bub... buba... --" (Subaru)

"C'mon! There's only two people inside! Nothing worth mentioning! Pull back, pull back!" (Person 1)

"Huh?! Wasn't there something for us to take?!" (Person 2)

"Nothing. We expected good loot since it was a transport vehicle, but there's only one woman and... -- Wait, this is..." (Person 3)

Reflected in Subaru's crimson-dyed eyes was the sight of another gun, for the... thousandth time.

"Bub-eh --" (Subaru's sound)

"Whoa, it's Natsuki Subaru! What a massive catch! ... Eww, this blood vomit is gross." (Person 4)

"Holy shit!! Let's blackmail the Federal Student Council using this guy! We won't go hungry for a while with this! We can cut ties with Kaiser, hire enough security to ignore any threats, and then party at the Burama base!" (Person 5)

""Yeah!"" (The Group)

"ーーーー" (Subaru)

-- What are these people saying?

A human being is about to die, isn't he? You are killing me right here, right before my eyes—so why, why are you rejoicing? You bastards --.

"Ah... Oh... Eh." (Subaru)

"Hit him with one shot; that should suffice for now." (Gang Member)

"Roger that, Ma'am! Heheh! Big catch, big catch!" (Gang Member)

This is no joke.

You are killing me without understanding a thing, snatching my life away without knowing anything about me.

You knew exactly what would happen if you blew up the car. Who bears the responsibility when someone dies because of your actions?

You do. You murderers are the ones responsible.

-- Am I to be killed by a group that doesn't even realize this?

You know nothing—you don't know a single damn thing—yet you snuff out the life of Natsuki Subaru? This world might vanish because of you. All of this is because of you. Because of you --!!

"Come on, drag him out!" (Gang Member)

"Is something caught?" (Gang Member)

No. Stay away. I don't want to die.

I won't make it. I will die before receiving treatment.

I won't survive. I won't survive? If I don't survive, I will die.

I don't want to die. I must not die. I cannot die.

I cannot die, I cannot die, I cannot die, I cannot die, I cannot die, I cannot die... ---.

"Ah." (Subaru)

●○●○●

-- Return by Death No. 46.

"..." (Subaru)

A familiar ceiling greeted Natsuki Subaru.

He saw the clean, white room he had viewed recently and smelled the medicinal scent reminiscent of Sena.

An IV drip stood beside him, connected to his arm, and he wore a hospital gown indicating he was in recovery.

He was not wearing his tracksuit. Had fortune favored him? Had he survived the severe injuries he just sustained, been transported to the hospital, and hooked up to an IV again?

When he Returns by Death, he restarts above the convenience store. Since he had not returned to that location, he had not died and transferred yet—perhaps.

"..." (Subaru)

When humans crave safety, they turn a blind eye to unwanted truths, choosing instead false or faint possibilities.

Such illusions and hallucinations are never validated; escapism of this sort never proves true.

"..." (Subaru)

He wasted tens of minutes simply staring at the ceiling, wishing for those illusions to be real.

"Good grief." (Rin)

The hospital room door opened, and Nanagami Rin entered.

Subaru felt a mixture of emotions somewhere between awaiting high school acceptance results and hearing a sentence of eternal damnation.

"Pleased to meet you." (Rin)

"I see you are awake, Mr. Natsuki." (Rin)

-- The truth was declared with absolute clarity.

●○●○●

--- Three nights later.

"..." (Subaru)

He continued staring out the window, just as he had yesterday.

A man lingered in the hospital doing nothing, saying nothing, and showing no reaction.

He did not respond to voices, nor did he take any action. Since only a short time had passed since the shooting, he was permitted—for now—to do nothing.

To an observer, he might have appeared dead; nurses frequently came to check that he was still breathing.

He could no longer swallow food, so they pumped nutrient fluids down his throat. By the third day, gauntness was clearly visible on his face.

Subaru watched the glittering stars in the night sky as was his custom—a living corpse.

-- Suddenly, his ears caught the sound of footsteps.

They were the footsteps of multiple people. Unlike the nurses' soft, gentle tread, these sounded like a military march.

As the sound drew closer, screams erupted from within the facility.

"Is he here?" (Soldier/Automaton)

The door to the hospital room was breached with force; the unhinged door shattered, and the room's contents were demolished.

Subaru continued to stare out the window relentlessly, just as always.

"You are Natsuki Subaru, correct?" (Automaton)

"..." (Subaru)

"All units, prepare." (Automaton)

Hearing that familiar mechanical voice, Subaru slowly turned his head to see robotic soldiers painted black.

The Kaiser emblem was etched onto the automaton.

Just as expected, they stood before him, unchanging in every loop.

They are the root cause of all this, yet they stand upon a foundation—the world itself—that could vanish the moment Subaru dies, completely oblivious to that fact.

"Are you Natsuki Subaru? ... After all the anticipation, you look like nothing more than a corpse." (Automaton)

-- A corpse? Even though Subaru is still alive?

"... Ah..." (Subaru)

"It seems you have something to say." (Automaton)

"..." (Subaru)

"You... don't..." (Subaru)

"You don't know anything, and yet..." (Subaru)

"And yet you kill me without knowing a single thing about me?" (Subaru)

"Affirmative." (Automaton)

Everyone in this world is the same. They point guns at others without knowing a thing about them; they point guns before even attempting to understand.

Rejection and the inability to understand have taken physical form. They skip every step of the process of understanding, directing guns, bombs, and hostility instead of words.

That is why I cannot understand. I do not understand how mutual understanding is possible, nor perhaps why they are incapable of it. Because guns are brandished, and because the inhabitants of this world brandish things they do not realize signify rejection, they cannot understand one another.

-- Even though they know nothing.

"If you die, the Federal Student Council and Kivotos will collapse." (Automaton)

"You have become far too famous, Natsuki Subaru." (Automaton)

"You have become a symbol. Since you declared yourself an enemy of Kaiser, in this situation, you might become the existence that binds all of Kivotos together." (Automaton)

"Therefore, you must die. We are not ignorant of anything; rather, we are killing you because we know exactly what will happen. If you die --" (Automaton)

"Nooo!!" (Subaru)

"Hmph..." (Automaton)

"You... you don't know! You don't know anything!!" (Subaru)

"You don't realize...!! Nothing... -- nothing at all... nothing..." (Subaru)

"... You realize nothing." (Subaru)

"..." (Automaton)

The Kaiser soldier completely ignored Subaru's words, dismissing them as rambling. A hero—what kind of man was he? It turned out he was merely a boy, just a child screaming and crying.

Feeling disappointed, the machine aimed at Natsuki Subaru's forehead.

"Is that all you have to say?" (Automaton)

"..." (Subaru)

"Very well, goodbye then. Let the total war with Kivotos begin with your death." (Automaton)

"-- Open fire." (Automaton)

A volley of gunfire erupted from dozens of soldiers.

Naturally, Natsuki Subaru's life scattered quickly—faster than a dry leaf blown by the wind.

The human body transformed into a lump of meat, the lump of meat into fragments, and the fragments into a mist of blood.

He had wished to do nothing, begging them to do nothing.

The third day of Natsuki Subaru's life, which he had spent every night in such prayers.

His life was lost, and his prayers were spat upon.

●○●○●

-- (Cycle) 47.

"Mr. Natsuki! Where are you going?!" (Rin)

Subaru ran without ceasing. He tore out the IV drip and cast it aside, driving his exhausted, sickly body forward while steadying his broken heart with his hands.

Naturally, a human running in such a condition could not get far.

He was quickly apprehended, collapsing to his knees as he vomited.

"-- To Schale?" (Subaru)

There was a place he needed to go—to that Chest which stood by his side.

For tens of minutes, Subaru kept his hand over his eyes the entire time. In that state, he was transported to the location of the Chest.

"Welcome back, Natsuki Subaru-sama. This is the fifth time we have met --" (Arona)

"... -- The forty-seventh time (47). I understand. Upon your future returns, I will use the "Observation Function" to apply a correction to Subaru-sama's observation count." (Arona)

"Link it... to the mobile device? Yes, that is possible, but... -- Are you certain about this?" (Arona)

She must be the only one who knows.

She must perceive and verify the number of mistakes Natsuki Subaru commits.

Every time Subaru dies, the count appears on his mobile phone (that piece of obsolete technology).

This is so Subaru himself realizes the errors Natsuki Subaru has committed.

If he leaps between worlds each time he dies, then Natsuki Subaru's sin is "Death" itself. The more he repeats death, the heavier the sin upon his shoulders becomes.

Do not get killed. Do not die. Live; stay alive to save.

"... I'm sorry." (Subaru)

That... that alone.

"-- Please forgive me." (Subaru)

That alone is the "absolution" Natsuki Subaru can obtain.

●○●○●

-- (Cycle) 48.

On the road through the Abydos desert, he was attacked by the Helmet Gang.

-- (Cycle) 49.

He took the aerial route, but his aircraft was shot down by Kaiser.

-- (Cycle) 50.

After his transport, he moved out alone in search of a shortcut, and after that --.

-- (Cycle) 51.

Suicide attempt. After being confined in the infirmary, he was attacked by Kaiser.

-- (Cycle) 52.

After his transport, he moved by bicycle, then later died of heatstroke.

-- (Cycle) 53.

After his transport, he began moving on foot. He later died of heatstroke.

-- (Cycle) 54.

"... Mr. Natsuki." (Rin)

"Why were you apologizing the whole time?" (Rin)

He died after moving on foot, due to heatstroke.

●○●○●

-- Consciousness awakens.

Since Subaru came to this world, waking up has never once been pleasant.

This is his state, forever.

-- ■■.

"..." (Subaru)

He stared at the ceiling he was sick of seeing, the neglected shelf he was sick of, and the mobile phone he was sick of.

He flipped open the obsolete phone.

"..." (Subaru)

He read the number displayed on it and moved forward with his day, propping up his broken heart with his nightmares.

-- Return by Death No. 55.

Natsuki Subaru removed the IV drip.

He arranged his pillow and smoothed out the bedsheet.

He stared at the door, timing it without missing a single second or minute, until Nanagami Rin entered,

"Good grief." (Rin)

"Pleased to meet you." (Rin)

"I see you are awake, Mr. Natsuki." (Rin)

"-- Yeah." (Subaru)

"Pleased to meet you, indeed." (Subaru)

Thus, Subaru once again greets the person he is meeting for the first time.

•

°

•

°

40+

 

[Raven797]

"We need to speak immediately, Mr. Natsuki... --" (Rin)

"Kaiser ATM... no, I mean the PMC mercenaries have declared war on Kivotos and are attempting to destroy Abydos High School... is that correct?" (Subaru)

"... Where did you get that information?" (Rin)

"I wasn't just counting stars in the night sky and sleeping soundly for nothing. A rumor like that was bound to reach me." (Subaru)

"Very well, allow me to introduce myself... --" (Rin)

"Skip that, too. Rin... please, can you take me to Schale immediately? I have urgent business with the Shittim Chest, and there is something very important I need to discuss." (Subaru)

"... Just as I expected --... Very well. You truly behave exactly as described in the message left behind, Mr. Natsuki." (Rin)

Thanks to the repeated cycles of Return by Death, Subaru had refined his actions following each reset.

Furthermore, he had acquired a wealth of information through the successive loops.

First: The message left behind seemingly indicates that Subaru would obtain surprising information or results—essentially, skipping the process. For this reason, Subaru's reckless requests are generally accepted as coming from "the intended individual."

Second: The secret vault where the Federal Student Council's message is kept. Opening it requires the approval of the Federal Student Council's section heads. Currently, due to the lack of a vote and the refusal of the Head of the Defense Section, Subaru cannot view it.

Third: The road leading to Abydos High School is swarming with the Helmet Gang, hired and coerced by Kaiser, in addition to Kaiser's special forces. Using any available means of transport, the furthest Subaru can reach as a human is death by heatstroke, or being shot upon detection.

"However... please stop removing the IV drip. Your body is not yet in perfect condition." (Rin)

"This situation demands dragging this battered patient along, doesn't it? I believe you realize that as well, Rin." (Subaru)

"..." (Rin)

"Allow me to be reckless; that is all I can do." (Subaru)

So far, he had obtained only this information. He had not even managed to reach the so-called Abydos High School.

The more he died, the deeper his sense of helplessness grew. The more he died, the more wretched he became.

Whether he stopped or kept running, there was no future where Natsuki Subaru did not die.

Yet, this was far better than surrendering...

"I will handle it all; I will solve everything." (Subaru)

"---" (Rin)

In those moments when he uttered such beautiful promises he could not keep... he felt as though the pain clutching his soul eased just a little.

●○●○●

"Welcome back, Natsuki Subaru-sama." (Arona)

"..." (Subaru)

"I have been awaiting your return for the fifty-fifth (55th) time." (Arona)

"---" (Subaru)

"... Haha, alright... Show me the Mapping, please." (Subaru)

"Understood." (Arona)

To conquer that desert, Natsuki Subaru needed to determine his route and identify the enemies appearing in the maze-like streets.

He had decided on this course of action following the Kaiser attack on the hospital; it was marginally better than dying and Returning by Death without making any progress.

First: The paved road (vehicle route) is fundamentally rejected... even an armored vehicle would be insufficient, as the limited mobility on the roads makes piercing the Helmet Gang's blockade impossible.

Second: He attempted the aerial route once, but it is impossible unless he procures a stealth aircraft.

Third: The two realistic options are walking or cycling. The bicycle, in particular, is less likely to be detected than a car and carries a lower risk of death by heatstroke compared to walking.

As for walking, he wants to attempt it at night. He will try that as well.

-- He has no choice but to try; that is all he can do. Even if he dies for it.

Not giving up was the only choice granted to him.

The moment he chose anything else, Natsuki Subaru would be killed, haunted by the past. He would fall into an irreversible darkness.

"... This time, for sure." (Subaru)

"This time... I will survive... without dying..." (Subaru)

He did not accept death even once, nor would he forget the worlds that had passed.

Ultimately, he stood in place because he had reached no conclusion regarding the current situation. His apologies, serving as an escape from reality, had no effect. Perhaps Subaru was doing nothing but destroying the very world he wished to save with his own hands.

No matter how much he emphasized his vow not to die, his life in this world was lighter than a feather.

Excuses, deception, and arrogance—these were the components forming the current Subaru... yet what drove his steps were remorse, guilt, and... that phrase:

『Please save me.』

The escape route that should have been available was the very path he had abandoned himself at the beginning.

"If I go by bicycle at night, I can... Alright, can you also plot the patrol routes on my mobile phone?" (Subaru)

"Understood." (Arona)

"Thank you. I wanted to say something friendlier, but I'm not in the mood for jokes. That's a deduction from Subaru points (my points)... even though they are points only for me!" (Subaru)

"... Subaru-sama." (Arona)

"-- Alright... anyway." (Subaru)

"I'm heading out." (Subaru)

The weight of the guilt and remorse binding him grew heavier.

The voice pleading for help turned into a shackle (a curse), and the lost worlds transformed into a curse.

With Natsuki Subaru's determination...

-- Return by Death accelerates.

●○●○●

"... If the sun isn't out, does the temperature drop this low?" (Subaru)

Subaru pedaled furiously down the silent, night-shrouded street.

After eating lunch and taking a brief nap, he had been transported to the nearest location undetected by Kaiser along the route to Abydos High School. Mounting the bicycle he had requested, he gazed out at the Abydos desert from an elevated road that offered a panoramic view of the city.

In previous cycles, he had always approached in broad daylight. This was his first attempt at night, however—

"... -- I'm going to freeze to death at this rate...!" (Subaru)

The cold was so intense that had Rin not provided him with a scarf and gloves, he would have lost the ability to steer the bike long ago.

He recalled hearing something on a show like World Wonders: ordinary soil contains moisture, and this water stores the sun's heat, converting it into ground heat... but in a dry desert, heat is not retained through water vapor.

They say the true terror of the desert is not the day, where sunlight can be blocked by clothing, but the night, which threatens death by freezing.

"No need to rush... but, perhaps... --" (Subaru)

One particular problem had caused him the most agony throughout the repeated cycles of Return by Death.

It was the sensation of killing intent he felt distinctly the moment he mounted the bicycle—the presence of pursuers trailing him from behind.

Had this been a secret Subaru fan club formed after hearing his announcement—enthusiastic and devoted, with feelings reaching the manic levels of the Federal Student Council President, turning them into "Yandere fans" seeking to detain him—he would have felt welcomed, albeit whilst refusing them. He might have even offered them a few charming lines.

This fleeting, comforting delusion did not materialize; the reality was simply a group harboring pure murderous intent.

"Ah, that's right. It is you. You are my enemies, and I am yours." (Subaru)

Kaiser Corporation. Ultimately, the mercenary company (PMC) might not be independent; rather, it stands on the front lines solely to facilitate Kaiser's occupation of Kivotos.

The Kaiser Corporation itself is the enemy of Kivotos and the enemy of Subaru. This war will not end simply by destroying the mercenary company.

It seems they have been monitoring Subaru's discharge from the hospital; they shadowed him in every timeline, attacking only when he exposed a clear and definitive opening.

In the fiftieth (50th) cycle, he died because of them, and they likely came to collect the corpse even after he had perished from heatstroke.

●○●○●

"... That is Abydos High School." (Subaru)

He slowly, carefully closed his eyelids, trembling from the cold, in an attempt to warm them.

With the sensation of faint warmth, he opened them again, and the hazy world—reality—was reflected in Subaru's eyes.

It was the objective he had to reach and save—the "Next Stage" in gaming terminology. Subaru had not intended to save that school out of calculation, but the situation had forced his hand.

"The destruction of a single high school, caused by a terrorist organization targeting Natsuki Subaru."

The impact such a statement would carry is immeasurable. Conversely, if this problem could be resolved, Kivotos would rally under the banner of the Federal Student Council.

"..." (Subaru)

"My legs hurt..." (Subaru)

He usually only walked to the convenience store, so how long had it been since he rode a bicycle like this? He used to ride one to high school, but...

"We covered hundreds of kilometers via transport; if I hadn't been dropped off, biking this would have been sheer stupidity! How many times must I say that everything in Kivotos is absolutely too massive?... And thanks to this struggle, I've been pedaling for nearly three hours!" (Subaru)

"Of course things deteriorate! In a deserted, sand-filled wasteland like this with not a soul in sight!!" (Subaru)

The fool who would consider moving here must be kin to a Sand Golem or a Sand Scorpion.

He never expected the aerial route to be choked with sand, the land route to be buried in sand, and the trains to be immobilized by sand—a situation unchanged from before the activation of the Sanctum Tower.

Consequently, Subaru was forced to ride a bicycle for nearly three hours. What an ordeal just to catch a glimpse of a high school!

"But if I descend this slope --!!" (Subaru)

Suppressing the urge to pop a wheelie, he headed toward the mountain-like decline. It awaited him in front of the school gate. He doubted anyone would be there in the middle of the night, but this was a massive step forward compared to his previous attempts where he could not even reach the school building.

As he neared the school, the intensity of the pursuit from behind escalated, and Subaru slammed down on the pedals in response.

"I'll die if I get caught, I'll die if I get caught, I'll die if I get caught! Struggle, you stubborn weed!!" (Subaru)

"Show some guts!!" (Subaru)

Despite the repeated Returns by Death, his muscle strength and physical fitness did not increase. All that accumulated in his body were somatic experience and mental fortitude.

Nevertheless, his body somehow remembered how to draw out immense power at critical moments—hysterical strength in the face of danger.

"--- Permission to fire granted. Bring him down before he reaches it." (Machine Voice)

"Understood." (Automaton Soldier)

"You bastards...! Yeah, yeah! You guys always resort to brute force when you're in a pinch!" (Subaru)

The fired bullets grazed his temples. Blood trickled down, marking Subaru's trail on the road as the struggle between predator and prey commenced.

Subaru was on a bicycle; Kaiser was on motorcycles.

"That hurts...! Whether I get hit or not is entirely up to RNG! Smile for me, Lady Luck!" (Subaru)

"Damn it... Aim properly!" (Automaton Soldier)

"You lousy shots! Hit me if you can!... Even though you actually did hit me! Just try to hit me!!" (Subaru)

The steep slope paid off; a chase that should not have been a contest was actually working. If the motorcycle riders did not reduce their speed, their front wheels would lift into the air.

The heavy equipment and weaponry proved to be a hindrance; they could not overtake the lightly burdened Subaru.

However, the steep slope was nearing its end, and reaching flat ground would strip Subaru of his advantage. 15 km/h versus 40 km/h. The outcome of this confrontation was painfully obvious.

"Damn it, did I fail --!?" (Subaru)

"Natsuki Subaru, you should have slept peacefully in the infirmary... -- Wait...? What a fool, he's doing this while moving...!" (Automaton Soldier)

"Huh!?" (Subaru)

Only a few hundred meters remained to the school gate...!

But the sight of a gun barrel light aimed directly at his eyes, reflecting from the side, forced him to turn his face away.

-- In the darkness, with his eyes closed, he heard the sound of something slicing through the air.

"What are you lot doing?" (Hoshino)

A sweet, soft voice, yet it carried an undercurrent of severity.

"... Kaiser... and also... -- No, you first." (Subaru)

That sweet voice was drowned out by emotions resembling sludge, filled with hatred and malice.

"You damn... Takanashi Hoshino!!" (Automaton Soldier)

"Quiet." (Hoshino)

The sound of explosions from both sides reached Subaru's ears. An attack by something invisible destroyed everything except Subaru with stunning skill and precision, simultaneously shielding him from the blast of the motorcycles.

The eyes he had closed in acceptance of death returned to life and the freedom granted to them, and opened. She had a prominent cowlick and pink hair, an appearance that should have been shrouded in an air of mystery... yet in his current state, Subaru realized she was a girl who carried "something" in her eyes, like those who bear a heavy burden.

Eyes that were "brave" rather than merely "strong." Eyes seeking something, seeking forgiveness and dignity by achieving a goal. The eyes of someone who has "struggled" for the sake of another.

This girl with Odd-Eyes, possessing a color deep as the dawn and a hue bright as the sea, should have been of the same stature as Hina...

-- She is terrifying.

A sensation invoking death welled up from the pit of his stomach. It was akin to being attacked by wolves, only to be saved by a lion.

"I-I survived..." (Subaru)

"Oh, I see some bad delinquents crept in during the middle of the night. That's no good, is it? The area around Abydos is very dangerous right now." (Hoshino)

"I'd like to say thanks, but you look suspicious too... It's natural for anyone to abandon someone like me upon seeing that situation, right?" (Subaru)

"Well, since I'm a student at this high school... if something dangerous happens in the vicinity, I have to act." (Hoshino)

"A student at this high school... that means you're a student at Abydos High!? ... Are you at school even in the middle of the night?" (Subaru)

"That's right. Lately, there have been many suspicious characters like you guys... We have to guard the place; who knows when they might attack?" (Hoshino)

The two conversed lightly.

It had become normal for people to disregard the gruesome scene that had just unfolded, but this girl, holding Subaru in her arms, gave off a slightly different impression.

-- There was no vehicle she had ridden. She had destroyed the motorcycles while on foot.

She is like Hina. Just like Hina, this girl is also a "Monster."

Subaru's observant eye, knowing that Hina was not merely an ordinary girl but one of the supreme beings of this world, judged this girl to be an existence on par with her.

"Well then, next." (Hoshino)

"-- Who are you?" (Hoshino)

Subaru ceased drawing oxygen into his lungs, breathing with difficulty like an asthmatic due to sprinting at full speed on the bicycle.

"... You... mean..." (Subaru)

"Who are you? What is your purpose in visiting Abydos High School, and will you cause harm or not?" (Hoshino)

"Can you answer --?" (Hoshino)

"Ugh!" (Subaru)

Her expression was gentle, her voice carried no tone of threat, and her appearance suggested nothing more than a small girl... and yet,

She was terrifying. The sensation of imminent death pricked at his skin, a feeling far more intense than merely having a weapon pointed at him.

"Ah... Oh, I'm a somewhat famous person; haven't you heard of me?" (Subaru)

"Unfortunately, the communications network is down... Kaiser is serious about their work, aren't they?" (Hoshino)

"-- That, well..." (Subaru)

"Very well. Natsuki Subaru, what is your business at Abydos High School?" (Hoshino)

"!!" (Subaru)

_________

40+

 

[Raven797]

"I... I...! Actually, I... heard that Kaiser PMC intends to destroy Abydos High School, so I came to stop it." (Subaru)

"I'll do something about it. If Kaiser intends to attack your school, I will save... ──!" (Subaru)

The muzzle of a gun was thrust into his face in the blink of an eye.

Before Subaru could finish his brave shout, he was silenced by the barrel jammed directly into his nose.

"... ── Hold on, Natsuki Subaru." (Hoshino)

"You?" (Hoshino)

"...?!" (Subaru)

"You are going to do something about it?" (Hoshino)

"Ah.. Yes." (Subaru)

"Hmm..." (Hoshino)

She tapped her foot on the ground to adjust the heel of her shoe... then returned the gun to her back with an air of boredom.

She slowly lowered Subaru to the ground, and after confirming he wasn't injured, they exchanged glances.

When her odd-colored eyes—a rare trait in this world—stared at him, Subaru felt like prey being sized up by a bird of prey.

"Did you come alone?" (Hoshino)

"... Yeah, I was transported by helicopter to a nearby location, but..." (Subaru)

"Wah, but since I couldn't see a helicopter from here, that means you traveled tens of kilometers on that bicycle, didn't you?" (Hoshino)

"And thanks to that, my legs are swollen and completely wrecked, even though I had no intention of racing against motorcycles or anything. By the way... Takanashi Hoshino? That is your name, right? Based on what the Kaiser soldiers were shouting earlier." (Subaru)

"That's right~" (Hoshino)

Hoshino walked sluggishly toward the school building, leaving Subaru behind. He tried to catch up, but... his legs wouldn't move.

The reason lay in the rejection latent even within the folds of their casual conversation... Subaru felt that rejection prickling his skin; the proof was that she stood before the school gate like a giant sentinel barring entry, and not for a moment did he feel he had permission to step onto the school grounds.

"I'll ask you one more question, Natsuki Subaru." (Hoshino)

"You ── ?" (Hoshino)

"You are the one who came to save Abydos High School?" (Hoshino)

"... I told you that's the case." (Subaru)

"Heeeh~" (Hoshino)

Sand stretched out before the school gate. When she shook the sand from her feet, her movement seemed to draw a dividing line carrying a silent warning: "Cross this, and I shoot."

The blowing wind carried sand, and that sand reached every corner of Abydos, burying the area from the school to the city.

Subaru had visited sand dunes in Japan before, but for the first time, he was seeing quantities rivaling the Egyptian desert.

Since arriving in Abydos, the views from high places were... unique, making him feel as though he were traveling through a post-apocalyptic world where everything lay buried beneath sand... He remembered thinking it looked beautiful and enchanting, but...

The word "enchanting" seems an exaggeration of beauty; "tragic" would be more accurate.

"..."

It resembles disaster zones swept away by earthquakes and tsunamis, subjected to total destruction. If someone who had not lived through the catastrophe visited decades later, they might describe it as a "beautiful place."

When the filth of human life fades, and the buildings blocking the horizon collapse, leaving only nature in the land of disaster... it is, truthfully, beautiful.

They do this regarding it as "a thing of the past," paying no mind to those still resisting amidst the ruins.

"... Hoshino, you still see me... as suspicious, don't you?" (Subaru)

"Hmm~" (Hoshino)

── It is precisely for this reason that victims retort: "Don't mess with us." You people who know nothing—you don't know anything at all.

Even if that hand is a saving hand descended from the heavens, and even if the arrival is a "Deus Ex Machina" capable of untying every knot in the blink of an eye.

"Listen a little~ I'll tell you an old story. This school too, Abydos... wasn't originally a place buried in sand, and many people lived here, you know?" (Hoshino)

"..." (Subaru)

"Even after it was engulfed by sand, many people remained and strove hard to rebuild it." (Hoshino)

"I think the people in the city... were somewhat hopeful for the future." (Hoshino)

"But now, almost everyone has left Abydos." (Hoshino)

"For who would wish to live in a land where a terrorist organization sets up base right before their eyes?" (Hoshino)

Subaru knows nothing about Hoshino, and remains ignorant of the truth of Abydos.

── As for Hoshino, she continued:

"Natsuki... Subaru." (Hoshino)

"Ruler of the Sanctum Tower, the Federal Student Council's hidden trump card, successor to the Student Council President, Savior of Kivotos, the man who tamed both the Disciplinary Committee and Problem Solver '68', and enemy of Kaiser Corporation." (Hoshino)

"You are a target for Kaiser mercenaries, and Abydos will be exterminated merely 'on the side' while targeting you." (Hoshino)

"Honestly~ this old lady (referring to herself) was stunned. Suddenly, such an entity appears out of nowhere without warning. I wondered what kind of great figure he would be... but, between the recorded data and you, which one is lying?" (Hoshino)

"... ───" (Subaru)

"Finally, one more time. Hey, Natsuki Subaru." (Hoshino)

"You." (Hoshino)

"You say you will save Abydos High School?" (Hoshino)

── Breathe.

Breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe! (Subaru)

Say something, say anything, Natsuki Subaru. Move your lungs, move your throat, move your hand or foot or anything—just move!!!

I came to save Abydos High School? I don't know; for what purpose did I come... so as not to give up? Will that meaning reach her? Just self-satisfaction because I don't want to give up? No, that's not enough; that won't do. I must speak words befitting a hero, words befitting this honor and that great existence ── (Subaru)

"Is that so." (Hoshino)

""Yes," or anything—one word would have sufficed..." (Hoshino)

"I wished you had answered me like you did just a moment ago." (Hoshino)

"Good night, Natsuki Subaru, you hollow hero. I'll return you to the Federal Student Council... so never come near Abydos again." (Hoshino)

── A powerful, heavy impact pierced his abdomen.

"Ugh... Ah... ──" (Subaru)

Natsuki Subaru's entrails, and everything constituting his being, scattered backward with that impact.

Blood, flesh, internal organs, and bodily fluids he had never seen before. What had been beautifully symmetrical arms, legs, muscles, and bones transformed into hideous, asymmetrical fragments and flew through the air.

An impact as if a cannon had been pressed against his navel and fired directly harvested his consciousness and life together, snuffing out Subaru's life as one crushes an insect.

── Am I going to be killed again?

He muttered words mixed with malice and resignation... and in his final moments, he tried to look anxiously at his killer, expecting to see that face worn by everyone; the face that refuses to acknowledge the truth of "I killed," the face crushed by the weight of guilt, but...

"... ──" (Subaru)

His eyes met Takanashi Hoshino's once again.

They were the same eyes as before, eyes of the same species as Natsuki Subaru, yet reflecting a different kind of hell.

And most importantly... they were eyes that accepted the reality of killing with cold detachment.

How can this happen? How does one reach this point? What must one do to possess such eyes?

I don't know; Natsuki Subaru knows nothing yet. About Abydos, and about her, even though he is ignorant of everything.

── He speaks of saving... while knowing nothing.

●○●○●

"Hah... ──" (Subaru)

He jerked awake, sweat pouring off him like rain.

Sticky, viscous sweat, heavy enough to almost choke his breath.

When he opened his eyes, he did not find that girl's gaze, but a stark white ceiling.

"... Ah... Damn it... ──" (Subaru)

Those eyes—that girl's look directed at Natsuki Subaru—had been burned into his memory and refused to fade.

He looked around to ensure his scattered entrails were not on the floor, then realized: yes, he had Returned by Death. He hung his head.

The IV tube connected to his arm shook, so he slammed his free hand hard against the mattress.

"W-with this... that makes 56 times." (Subaru)

I couldn't answer. I couldn't reply to that girl's words or give her an answer. I couldn't clearly explain the reason for my going...

── How pathetic.

"... Shut up." (Subaru)

── Even though you don't understand anything, and you don't realize what you must do.

"..." (Subaru)

"I know that damn well!!" (Subaru)

"... ── I know... that." (Subaru)

── No, you don't know.

For what reason does Natsuki Subaru repeat Return by Death and head to Abydos High School?

"..." (Subaru)

"To save Kivotos." (Subaru)

That is not the reason.

"... Because I don't want to abandon Abydos." (Subaru)

Not that either.

"... To crush Kaiser..." (Subaru)

Wrong.

Natsuki Subaru headed to Abydos in search of forgiveness.

If I save someone, someone will forgive me. If I help, someone will forgive me. If I solve the problem, someone will forgive me.

Because he walked this path seeking that, it is only natural that he finds no answer.

What Natsuki Subaru needs now is not to wipe away someone's tears, nor to save someone asking for help.

"..." (Subaru)

And so, it was natural that he was unable to reply to that question.

Because Subaru does not possess the answer within himself to begin with.

"One more time, I'll try one more time." (Subaru)

"I'll meet her again, I'll meet Hoshino and..." (Subaru)

── You will meet her, and then what?

"Meet her... that is all I can do right now! I have no other choice but to try!!" (Subaru)

"I am advancing step by step... for now, that is enough..." (Subaru)

── ...

Truly pathetic.

"..." (Subaru)

"I know, I know it well." (Subaru)

Subaru let out a long, heavy sigh.

And once again, he heard the door open behind him.

"Good grief." (Rin)

"It seems you are awake, Mr. Natsuki." (Rin)

"Pleased to meet you." (Rin)

"───" (Subaru)

"Pleased to meet you, huh... Yes, pleased to meet you, Rin." (Subaru)

●○●○●

I wonder how many times I have repeated this? Just to reach her, I died countless times. I repeated death over and over, clinging to a miracle that occurs only once every few dozen attempts. Yet, I am shattered once again before that school gate.

── Iteration ■■.

"Goodbye, Natsuki Subaru." (Hoshino)

"Wait, I said wait! Not yet! We haven't finished talk...!!" (Subaru)

"That's enough. You have nothing to offer." (Hoshino)

"Farewell." (Hoshino)

── Iteration ■■.

"The Federal Student Council? You have some nerve showing your faces here." (Hoshino)

"I-I brought a lot of things that can counter those Kaiser bastards... I want to help Abydos... Can't you cooperate with us?" (Subaru)

"... I think I'll pass~?" (Hoshino)

── Iteration ■■.

"Just as expected, you're useless, Natsuki Subaru." (Hoshino)

"Why! I don't intend... to do anything bad to Abydos!" (Subaru)

"I just want to protect Abydos from Kaiser... I just don't want to give up!" (Subaru)

"You aren't the one (I'm looking for)." (Hoshino)

── Iteration ■■.

"Go back the way you came. I'll escort you, so never come here again." (Hoshino)

── Iteration ■■■.

"You." (Hoshino)

"..." (Subaru)

"── You are empty, aren't you?" (Hoshino)

"Yes, empty." (Hoshino)

"Do you not understand what I'm saying? Yeah, I suppose you don't." (Hoshino)

"You cannot understand." (Hoshino)

── Iteration ■■■.

"You." (Hoshino)

"You are a "Hero."" (Hoshino)

"You understand the hearts of people drowning in despair, and you grasp the feelings of those seeking salvation. Even my heart—you understand what I am thinking and what I want to say to you." (Hoshino)

"I've been watching you the whole time. You shook off Kaiser's pursuers alone without carrying a weapon, miraculously slipped through the Helmet Gang's blockade untouched, and arrived at Abydos High School safe and sound, without a scratch, proving you are a human worthy of saving us, saving Abydos." (Hoshino)

"You answer what I say with precision, striving to be the savior I require. Without using weapons... you are a boy searching for a path where everyone survives through dialogue and negotiation. I... like that kind of boy, you know?" (Hoshino)

"I think you are amazing. Just as the rumors say—no, your presence surpasses them. You are a hero, Natsuki Subaru." (Hoshino)

"── But, you can only be a hero. You cannot be anything other than a "Hero."" (Hoshino)

"That's enough, don't worry... I will protect Abydos somehow. Whether the opponent is Kaiser or anyone else, I think you could win... but for this old lady (herself), it might be hard to deal patiently with all the insects that keep swarming in~" (Hoshino)

"However, I want you not to interfere with Abydos High School anymore." (Hoshino)

"I don't want you to take Abydos from my hands." (Hoshino)

●○●○●

"..." (Subaru)

I wake up again.

How did I die this time? I don't even remember anymore.

I died absentmindedly. I feel as though I was walking aimlessly through the city.

Even though I hated death so intensely, and my heart broke with every Return by Death...

It seems that gradually, I no longer have a heart left to break.

"..." (Subaru)

In the faint light of the obsolete mobile phone, the number 176 appears.

When did the number reach three digits? Initially, to reach her for a blind negotiation, I needed dozens of attempts, but in the recent loops, I reached her on the first try every time.

That expertise has no meaning now. He curled up into a ball, hugging his knees.

"..." (Subaru)

I don't know what to do; I don't know how to move forward.

Is there even a path ahead of me? I don't know. Should I just defeat Kaiser immediately and be done with it? But Natsuki Subaru has nothing; no combat power and no weapons.

Yet, if I repeat the attempts, I will inevitably win. If I ignore all sacrifices, this ability is the strongest in the world.

I want to save; I want to save them. Why doesn't this feeling reach her? I know I'm unreliable, I'm not eloquent, I don't carry a weapon, and I have no special abilities to show off.

── I simply wish to save, so why does she push Natsuki Subaru's hand away?

"I don't understand, damn it..." (Subaru)

Alright, I'll change my approach.

If I go in the morning, there might be other students, or if I bring the Federal Student Council with me, I might earn her trust. I've already deduced the safe route, so I can take a car or something...

Thus, he tries to change the "outcome" despite failing repeatedly, yet he never attempts to change the "core of the argument."

Even though Natsuki Subaru showed her the form she requested—or so he thought.

"What should I do... How should I act ──!" (Subaru)

He buried his face in the pillow and screamed while tears and snot ran down his face.

Since I am helpless and powerless, it's okay to be pathetic... he justified to himself.

"───!!" (Subaru)

He continued to vomit the emotions accumulated in his chest for several minutes.

── Suddenly, Subaru's mobile phone rang.

"Hu...h?" (Subaru)

The melody of A Dog of Flanders, the tone he had set for incoming calls or his morning alarm, resonated through the room.

A light tune, yet carrying a cheerfulness akin to visiting an amusement park, reached his ears and stunned him.

This had never happened. Throughout the repeated Returns by Death, in this specific situation, he had never received a phone call even once.

Did something change in the Return by Death? While pain squeezed his heart... he quickly grabbed the mobile phone lying on the shelf and flipped open the screen.

"... ── Sorasaki, Hina?" (Subaru)

Amidst his vision blurred with tears.

Her name appeared on the cold screen of the phone.

_________

40+

 

[Raven797]

"..."

In Subaru's convention, "Return by Death" was an absolute power.

How many times had he greeted the same morning? How many times had he heard the same sentences? He knew literally every word Rin would say upon her visit.

Apart from the bullet fired at him, everything else was an experience Subaru had already lived through. The patrol routes of the "Helmet Gang," the attack locations of the Kaiser group, and even his dialogue with Takanashi Hoshino, in which he had scored a perfect 100.

Return by Death is absolute to that extent, and such inevitability should have been enough to make a "nobody" like Subaru someone special.

Suppressing the trembling of his hands, he answered Hina's call.

"H-Hello..." (Subaru)

"... You are Natsuki Subaru, correct?" (Hina)

"...?? Yes, that's me... Hah! Could it be that "Hina-tan," my super cute heroine with silky hair, suddenly missed me and called?" (Subaru)

"... Haaah, good, it is undoubtedly you." (Hina)

"I'm not convinced by the part that convinced you??" (Subaru)

"You are the one acting strangely... calling me and then hanging up silently; don't make me worry about you." (Hina)

"... ── A phone call? Wait, hold on a second, Hina." (Subaru)

"Eh... ──" (Hina)

He hung up and quickly checked the call history.

"...!" (Subaru)

Sure enough, there was a record of an outgoing call to Sorasaki Hina. Strangely, the call originated from Subaru's end, even though he had no memory of making it whatsoever.

── Could it be...? The worst possibility crossed his mind.

Return by Death is a transfer between world lines—a shift to a parallel world. Does this mean there is no guarantee that the new world is identical to the previous one...?

No, wait; if that were the case, the Mapping he had done so far would make no sense. What is it? What is the reason for ──

"Natsuki Subaru-sama." (Arona)

"Ah, Arona?" (Subaru)

As his eyes wavered with scattered thoughts, Arona's slightly distorted voice reached him from the mobile phone.

"You suffered greatly in your 176th return, and I apologize for this action... It may seem presumptuous of me, but I utilized the functions of Subaru-sama's phone to contact Sorasaki Hina." (Arona)

"... Why?" (Subaru)

"I am "Arona" (A.R.O.N.A), the main operating system of the Shittim Chest and your support AI, Subaru-sama. If your various attempts to address the situation do not bear fruit, it is my duty as an intelligent support to propose solutions to break the deadlock." (Arona)

"... And what does Hina have to do with this? She is currently suspended (under house arrest) and I cannot drag her into this situation." (Subaru)

"── Negative." (Arona)

"If you ask for help, she will not abandon you." (Arona)

"... ────" (Subaru)

But, this makes me feel ashamed and pathetic...

Ordinary, clichéd thoughts floated to the surface.

It was too late for that—truly too late. From the beginning, he had made Hina abandon her patrols and the battlefronts she should have attended.

Nevertheless, Subaru asked her to accompany him, pleading for help, and she responded to that.

"Another call is coming in from Sorasaki Hina-sama. Shall I answer?" (Arona)

"..." (Subaru)

"... Connect the line, please." (Subaru)

"Roger." (Arona)

This time, he placed the phone gently against his ear with a steady hand.

Through the rough, mechanical audio of the old phone—whose functions were vastly inferior to the smartphones of this world—a voice was heard...

"Subaru, are you alright?" (Hina)

A sweet, gentle voice.

"... I'm fine." (Subaru)

"That's right... haha, I'm perfectly fine." (Subaru)

"... Haaah, I'm coming to you immediately. I found out the name of the hospital, so stay put quietly." (Hina)

"Heh? W-why...?" (Subaru)

"Who would believe the phrase 'I'm fine' when it's said in a crying voice?" (Hina)

"──" (Subaru)

Was I crying? Crying... Oh, right, because of the crying fit just moments ago...

"A-Ah! No! I can't cause you trouble, Hina. I'll come to you." (Subaru)

"Don't be stupid. I'm not so insensitive as to drag around a patient who was just shot. So, see you." (Hina)

"W-Wait! Heeeey!?" (Subaru)

The connection cut off again. He was happy she worried about him, but it pained him to burden her with all this trouble.

He eagerly tried to remove the IV drip, and when his hand touched the needle... suddenly, his gaze fell upon the scene outside the window.

A blue sky, no different from usual. Well, the phrase "no different" might make him want to scold himself, saying "Really?" due to that gigantic Halo floating in the sky, but overall, it was an ordinary blue sky.

Since it is a different world, there are no twin suns or moons, nor mysterious buildings floating in the air (other than the Halo); it is truly a simple blue sky.

And at the end of it, he saw a small purple speck.

"Hmmmm?" (Subaru)

"Hmmmmmmm??" (Subaru)

When he squinted to see clearly...

"... That's Hina... isn't it?" (Subaru)

Hina is flying... No, no, no, no!?

"Whoaaaa!?!?" (Subaru)

The purple and white mass hurtling at breakneck speed approached rapidly until it arrived right in front of the hospital window.

Thinking she would crash, Subaru shut his eyes tight. Even knowing she wouldn't collide, any human would reflexively close their eyes upon seeing an object rushing toward their vision.

A few seconds passed, and when he opened his eyes, reassured that the expected crash hadn't occurred... Hina was there, tapping "knock-knock" on the hospital window.

"A-I'll open it, I'll open it... Hup." (Subaru)

When he opened the window, a beautiful little bird entered. She wore a coat giving a strict impression that contrasted with her fluffy white hair, and underneath, a loose white shirt suggested a princess from a fairy tale.

However he thought about it, she was an "Angel of Angels." When she shed the aura of the serious worker overflowing from her uniform, Hina's true cuteness emerged like a small angel.

Subaru felt his heart beat with doubled intensity before this "Gap Moe," to the point that her entry defying logic completely slipped from his mind, filling the void with her beauty and cuteness.

"I'm intruding." (Hina)

"── Hina, you flew, didn't you?" (Subaru)

"I wasn't flying, just gliding (aerial skiing)." (Hina)

"Gliding, wait, wait... ── Hmm? Did you jump to this height under your own power?" (Subaru)

"Yes." (Hina)

"Eeeeh~... E-Eeeeh~...?" (Subaru)

"... I know this behavior lacks a bit of decorum, but." (Hina)

"Not just a bit at all! Kivotos is truly a wonderland of demons (a superhuman environment) to an astonishing degree!?" (Subaru)

"You are under special surveillance and protection now, Subaru. If I went to the hospital reception, they wouldn't let me in anyway..." (Hina)

"Ugh... F-Fine... My complicated situation is the cause of all this trouble, on top of causing your suspension (house arrest)." (Subaru)

"Don't worry about it. It was done after an understanding with Nanagami Rin... and with her consent." (Hina)

He tried to remove the IV drip to move more easily and welcome her into the room, but she shot him a terrifying glare that made him settle down immediately... He lay on the bed, and Hina sat on the chair beside him.

There was no way to know if Subaru was the only one feeling flustered with a racing heart, or if this agitation stemmed from something other than guilt. As they conversed, the room door opened.

"Good grief, Mr. Natsuki... ── !?" (Rin)

"I'm intruding." (Hina)

"Sorasaki Hina... Did Mr. Natsuki summon you?" (Rin)

"Hmm, you could say yes, and you could say no? Ah, but I have something I want to discuss... Could you leave us alone for a bit, Rin?" (Subaru)

"── I understand. I have many things to inquire about, but I have no objection to your choice." (Rin)

"However, do not forget, Sorasaki Hina is currently suspended... When she leaves the room, please exercise extreme caution, as we also have a political stance to consider." (Rin)

●○●○●

"... Subaru." (Hina)

After things had settled down, and she had arranged the gift apples on the shelf... Hina took the initiative to address Subaru.

"W-What is it?" (Subaru)

"I am glad you woke up." (Hina)

Saying that, she reached out from her chair and gently stroked the gauze taped to Subaru's abdomen.

"In the end, I exposed you to danger... and caused you a scar that won't disappear." (Hina)

"Oh, it seems what I said before I pathetically passed out wasn't enough?" (Subaru)

"... No, it was enough... but, only two days have passed since you arrived in Kivotos, yet I made you face 'guns'." (Hina)

Two days, true; only... two days had passed. Subaru realized this only now.

With Return by Death, it feels as though three to five months have elapsed, but ultimately, they were merely days consumed in trial and error.

Day after day, wasted in vain.

"The 'common sense' of Kivotos' gun society... must hold a terror for you that I cannot describe." (Hina)

"Even if there is another reason for your tears, the fact that a 'bullet' pierced your body... is something you should not accept easily." (Hina)

"... Perhaps, that is so." (Subaru)

Maybe it is, or rather, maybe it "was."

But now, it no longer mattered.

"..." (Hina)

"── Subaru." (Hina)

Hina grasped the hand of Subaru lying on the bed.

"Hmm?" (Subaru)

"You, what are you apologizing for?" (Hina)

"─── Huh?" (Subaru)

It was a sudden question, the same one Rin had asked him once, dozens of attempts ago.

But now, it wasn't like that time when he blurted out apologies in a panic. Subaru said nothing now, revealing nothing on the surface.

"... Apologizing? Suddenly... what do you mea──" (Subaru)

"Don't look away from me." (Hina)

"..." (Subaru)

"... Subaru, your expressions truly give you away. If you have something to hide, you can't hide it, and if you're in trouble, distress is written all over your face." (Hina)

"Heh, heeeh~? Am I that easy to read? I am the great Subaru of a hundred faces, undefeated and invincible in a staring contest!" (Subaru)

"Oh, really? Just a moment ago, you looked like a child about to be scolded by his mother, a child searching for an excuse to apologize. Did you break a vase or something?" (Hina)

"A child who broke a vase and awaits scolding!? Even those old clichés aren't heard anymore these days... Mgh!" (Subaru)

"Don't dodge with jokes." (Hina)

It seemed she had been cutting the gift apples, and before he knew it, she stuffed a rabbit-shaped apple slice into his mouth.

Her violet eyes stared at him, but her gaze held none of the intimidation from the beginning; instead, it overflowed with affection.

"... Only half a day has passed since I met Subaru, and I don't recall doing anything to deserve that look from you. Are you hiding something?" (Hina)

"Ah~... Umm, ... sorry, I can't talk about it." (Subaru)

"Is it because it would cause me trouble? Or because it would pain Subaru to talk about it? Can you tell me which reason made you wear that face?" (Hina)

"Ugh... ──" (Subaru)

He was helpless against this calm logic. It had been like this from the start; no matter how hard Subaru tried to hide something, Hina saw right through it, and she only overlooked it out of consideration for him—consideration he had taken advantage of.

"At the very least, if I think about your state when you tried so hard to tell me 'I want you to help me'... ──" (Hina)

"Time out, time out!! You're harsh! Hey, go easy on me a little... please, Hina..." (Subaru)

"... Alright." (Hina)

"It's not that I'll cause you trouble, so... no digging deeper... can I use that card again?" (Subaru)

"... ──" (Hina)

The answer was "No," her eyes replied.

But it seemed she would allow it if he truly refused to speak.

"... Understood." (Hina)

Now, Hina showed Subaru kindness once again. There was no need to debate whether this was spoiling him or not.

"..." (Subaru)

"Hina is..." (Subaru)

"── Hina is amazing." (Subaru)

"Hina is truly an amazing person, I guarantee it. In my entire life... Ah, except for my dad and mom, you are the most wonderful person." (Subaru)

"... ── Fufu, even though we've only met for half a day?" (Hina)

"Yeah, after all, things I realized were incredibly difficult only after trying them myself, you do as a matter of course. So, I respect you beyond admiration; I actually feel awe at your greatness." (Subaru)

"What is... that thing?" (Hina)

Now he could say it with confidence. The thing she, as a member of the Disciplinary Committee, practiced naturally and had granted to Subaru naturally.

"'Helping people.'" (Subaru)

"I realized that 'helping' is extremely difficult. perhaps you too, Hina... face a lot of things during your work in the Disciplinary Committee, don't you?" (Subaru)

Normally, no one would understand what this newcomer to Kivotos, who had been asleep the whole time and just woke up, was saying.

But between them now lay the "no digging deeper" rule, so Hina simply answered his question.

"That's right, yes ──" (Hina)

"There are many things. Sometimes you help a chased child, only to discover the reason is their involvement in black market offenses. Countless times, complaints or even guns have been directed at me by those I helped." (Hina)

"Even after solving a problem, another appears. Even with children I know aren't bad at heart, our values might not align... There are those who blow up a restaurant just because 'the staff's attitude and the food taste were bad.'" (Hina)

"What a dangerous person." (Subaru)

"Yes." (Hina)

His simple, calm comment seemed strangely funny now.

A faint smile emerged between them, and they ate another apple slice to settle the conversation.

"I am... ── a failure at helping people. Whenever I think of saving someone, I end up losing more things, and what I lose isn't mine alone." (Subaru)

"Is that the reason for that face you were showing?" (Hina)

"Kind of, yes." (Subaru)

"... ──" (Hina)

"True, it might be difficult for you, Subaru." (Hina)

"... You're right. I'm not eloquent, I don't have a weapon, and I don't have anything special like you, Hina ──" (Subaru)

"That's not what I mean, Subaru." (Hina)

"Not that, you mean... ──" (Subaru)

While Subaru seemed puzzled by her meaning, Hina continued ──

"I... by virtue of my position, help people I don't know. Children whose names and backgrounds I know nothing about." (Hina)

"So, it is natural that I face rejection. When I help someone, I always think that this might be 'meddling.'" (Hina)

"B-But that's very disheartening, isn't it...?" (Subaru)

"True. It is often said that 'even receiving help requires readiness,' but when I see someone forcing me to act to help them... I feel a little urge to complain." (Hina)

"However." (Hina)

"Sometimes I meet people like you (Subaru)." (Hina)

"... ──" (Subaru)

"That is why I want to continue in the Disciplinary Committee, and precisely for that reason, I think it doesn't suit you, Subaru. You are too kind... You are a person who pours all his feelings into the other party, so the more you reach out to help, the more you fail." (Hina)

"Because you try to empathize even with the reasons driving them to refuse help." (Hina)

"Mutual Understanding" is a beautiful word. Compromising and deepening mutual understanding reduces conflicts and builds good relationships.

── But sometimes, "Mutual Understanding" means touching places that should not be touched, touching the wounds of that person's life.

If it were a very close friend, you might distance yourself, comfort them, or take different reactions, while simultaneously empathizing with them.

To put yourself in the other's place, project your life onto them, and understand them deeply before... touching that wound.

Here, individual values intervene, and conclusions differ. What if you deepen your understanding, and the result is that your conclusions are different?

That will birth a greater wound.

"There are times when you must extend your hand in response to a cry of 'Save me.' What Subaru is apologizing for... is surely the wounds born in that moment, and everything lost because of them." (Hina)

"But, there are times when stopping what doesn't suit you is best." (Hina)

"... You mean I should give up? Abandon everyone, even though it's something only I can do... run away and curl up on myself?" (Subaru)

"Not that, but rather that there is a way that suits Subaru too." (Hina)

"A way, that suits me ──?" (Subaru)

"'I want you to help me, help me, I want you to save me, Natsuki Subaru.'" (Hina)

"'── In order for me to help someone else.'" (Hina)

"That, was the figure of you I saw at the beginning." (Hina)

_________

40+

 

[Raven797]

"... Ah..." (Subaru)

"..." (Subaru)

"... Umm..." (Subaru)

No matter how hard he tried to swallow the words Hina had spoken, they rolled around on his tongue, tasteless and odorless; he could not savor their meaning.

Subaru placed his hand on his chin, attempting a deduction worthy of Sherlock Holmes, but... he found nothing truly convincing.

"Can't quite grasp it?" (Hina)

"Right... kind of... ── How do I look right now?" (Subaru)

"You haven't changed." (Hina)

"..." (Subaru)

"You haven't changed, but look at your face in the mirror once." (Hina)

He stood up unsteadily, and with Hina's support, reached the mirror mounted in the room. He took a deep breath, then looked up from bottom to top to examine his face,

"──" (Subaru)

"What a terrible face I have..." (Subaru)

At first glance, it looks like Natsuki Subaru's ordinary face, nothing special about it.

But it is "easy to read." It is, without a doubt, the face of the child who broke the vase perfectly—a child desperately trying to hide his guilt and act naturally.

For a seventeen-year-old to wear such an expression is truly pathetic, but the biggest problem... is that he didn't realize it.

At the very least, if he compared his face on the first day to his face now in the mirror, his past self would say: "What a terrible face."

"... Was my face like this?" (Subaru)

"... With a face like this..." (Subaru)

『── But, you can only be a hero. You cannot be anything other than a "Hero."』

"With a face like this, what kind of salvation am I talking about...!" (Subaru)

Attempting to save the world—no... believing he can save it and acting accordingly, while being deaf to the nearest cries for help, is nothing but folly.

Someone unable to save themselves is destined to fail if they try to save others. Yet, a hero is one who "can do it"; that is why he is a hero, and Natsuki Subaru possesses the ability to choose success.

As for the fate of those who receive an extended hand from such a person... it is inevitable.

── Their hearts will not be saved.

They are saved only after that "Hero" robs them of everything that preserves their selfhood. He performs miracles they cannot, saves everything they failed to save, and forgives everything they could not forgive.

That "past" which shattered their hearts... is transformed entirely by hollow, flowery words, and in the blink of an eye, into "heroic achievements" forgotten by everyone.

Prayers, wishes, and overwhelming emotions—all become things of the past.

"..." (Subaru)

"Before that, Subaru must know the results of the situation he caused." (Hina)

"... I've heard it from Rin until my ears hurt, to the point my eardrums blistered, burst, and then blistered again." (Subaru)

"Do you mean... your titles? Or your reputation ──?" (Hina)

"So much has been said about me—titles far too heavy, piled chaotically onto a back the size of a flea." (Subaru)

"Even though I'm truly a human the size of a flea and can't live up to those expectations." (Subaru)

"I didn't do it alone; Hina and "Problem Solver 68" helped me with almost everything... All I did was shout arrogantly because I wanted to survive at any cost..." (Subaru)

"And because of that... I ──" (Subaru)

"... I didn't do anything by myself. It might be true that I did something amazing, but I wasn't the person capable of bearing the weight of that." (Subaru)

"True, that is accurate... Subaru shouldn't be deceived by that reputation, nor is there any need for him to bear its weight in the first place. It's just that circumstances allowed for nothing else... ── And that is your responsibility because you tried to save someone." (Hina)

Whenever he stared at his face in the mirror, he remembered the 176 times he had lost. He carried what he had no strength to bear, using the power of Return by Death to carry it forcibly, and the result was that he had been exposed.

Empty. A device that gains nothing and thinks of nothing, merely canceling out misfortune. The word "empty" that Hoshino said to Subaru now echoes in his heart with painful logic.

"Who did Subaru want to help by borrowing my hand and the hand of "Problem Solver 68"? To do all that, who was the person..." (Hina)

"..." (Subaru)

"It is ──" (Subaru)

It is Hina.

He hates his mouth for being unable to say it.

Before he Returned by Death, in his first meeting with her, she saved him, and he came here to repay that debt.

He abandoned the past that could have been, to stand here now.

"It is..." (Subaru)

So, what about now? For what purpose does Subaru Return by Death?

"It is" (Subaru)

It is.

"── Everyone." (Subaru)

"... Everyone?" (Hina)

"Everyone, all of them, everyone I don't want to be unhappy." (Subaru)

"I want to save them no matter the circumstances—those Kaiser will make unhappy, those screaming for help, everyone my hand can reach, and even those it cannot reach; I want to save them all." (Subaru)

"I want to save those who rely on my titles and trust me, I want to save those who ask for my help because I am 'that person.' If I am the only one who can do it, then I will do it." (Subaru)

"I know it's a pipe dream, and because I think this way, I keep failing... and disappointed her, but I can't turn back, and I don't want to turn back." (Subaru)

"..." (Subaru)

"If 'Abydos High School is targeted by Kaiser,' then I cannot allow that. I, I! I want to save everyone who would face misery there!!" (Subaru)

From Hina's perspective, perhaps nothing Subaru is saying can be understood.

Not just Hina; the only person who grasps the significance of these words is Subaru himself. Subaru's new declaration filling the corners of the room is a message that reaches only him.

However, these words might anger some, and Hina saw greed and arrogance in them. He demands what exceeds his capacity as a matter of course, not satisfied with what his hands can reach, but wanting even what they cannot—how selfish and greedy.

"But... I don't know the answer to 'how to do it.'" (Subaru)

"── Therefore, Hina." (Subaru)

"Teach me, please." (Subaru)

He said that, then shifted his gaze from the mirror to meet Hina's eyes.

How lazy to ask someone else for the answer. What will he do if he asks Sorasaki Hina and she has no answer? Hina is suspended; if Hina refuses, if Hina gives up, the path will close for Natsuki Subaru.

And this is an arrogant, greedy, and lazy question that doesn't even consider Hina's own situation. If it were a resident of this world, it wouldn't be strange to receive a bullet as an answer.

"───" (Hina)

Sorasaki Hina placed her hand over Subaru's.

Then she lifted that hand to place it on Subaru's face.

Certainly, if it were any other resident of this world, they would have answered with bullets.

── However.

"Yes, of course." (Hina)

That is, if Sorasaki Hina were the kind to abandon someone asking her for help.

●○●○●

A knock sounded on the room door—"Knock, knock, knock." A sound carrying a sense of urgency, akin to a writer locking himself away right before a deadline.

It was Nanagami Rin knocking. She needed to make Natsuki Subaru understand the current situation of Kivotos and that the time remaining before the Kivotos war was not long.

She had given them a reasonable amount of time, and his discussion with Sorasaki Hina should have concluded by now. There were things Natsuki Subaru needed to do...

"Excuse me, Mr. Natsuki... ──" (Rin)

"── !?" (Rin)

Empty. The person in question was not where he was supposed to be, and the room was tidy, suggesting no disturbance, as if a "merciful thief" had stolen him away, erasing Natsuki Subaru's existence from this world.

The IV drip had been removed, and the hospital clothes were folded neatly on the shelf.

She approached quickly, but the scene did not change, save for an A4-sized paper placed on the bed that caught Rin's eye.

『To the Esteemed Senior Administrative Officer Nanagami Rin, on the occasion of the season when the magnolia trees turn green, I offer my heartfelt congratulations on the continued prosperity of the Federal Student Council. Now, as for the matter at hand, Natsuki Subaru is going out on a "lovey-dovey" date with his beloved "My Sweet Honey," so I will be absent for a while. Sorry, kitty. With utmost respect.』

"..." (Rin)

Her eyelid twitched, her stomach churned with pain, and anger boiled in her head.

"Mr. Natsukiiiiii ── !!!" (Rin)

The note, written in handwriting that suggested it was scribbled hastily while being scolded, strummed on Nanagami Rin's nerves like a loud electric guitar.

●○●○●

"Achoo!" (Subaru)

"Hmm... Subaru, are you alright?" (Hina)

"Ah, umm, if you're asking whether I'm okay or not... it's just a bad chill that bodes ill running through my body." (Subaru)

"Does that mean you're fine...?" (Hina)

As long as "Rin-chan" is somewhat kind, everything will be fine... Subaru tossed the ensuing nightmares onto the shoulders of "Future Subaru" and enjoyed his leisurely stroll.

"Subaru seems sensitive, but your roots are truly bold. Even though I was the one who invited you out... I respect you." (Hina)

"Amazing! Being praised for something not worth praising! When you say that, Hina, I feel indescribably happy, but since I'm the type to take everything at face value, you have to be careful when using sarcasm... ── I'm the type who, if a teacher angrily says, 'Then you teach the class,' would take the chalk and start explaining seriously." (Subaru)

"... It's good that your tongue is starting to regain its vigor." (Hina)

"Phew... I just said it, but if this keeps up, my tongue will show a rotation speed that would surprise even a "Dragon Engine."" (Subaru)

While exchanging their usual light banter, Subaru and Hina wandered aimlessly through the D.U. district. The suggestion had come from Hina: "Let's go out for a bit."

After changing into his usual tracksuit and being carried by Hina in an aerial rendezvous, Subaru was finally able to enjoy a sightseeing tour free of gunfire since his arrival in this world.

Looking closely, the streets resembled Tokyo, but the air here was cleaner, and the sunlight filtering through the skyscrapers felt comforting.

High school girls walking the streets wore casual clothes instead of uniforms, perhaps because it was a holiday. The sweet scent of pastries wafted from everywhere, and clothing stores were packed with people.

The D.U. district, used as a meeting point for students from various schools, enjoyed relative safety compared to other autonomous districts. Perhaps because it was a suitable place to distance oneself from gunfights, it was noticeably crowded.

Honestly, this crowd caused some discomfort for Subaru, a professional recluse (Hikikomori), and were it not for the presence of Hina, the super-beautiful girl beside him, his "gloomy" aura would have evaporated and vanished before the "radiant" (social) aura filling the city.

"By the way, does this count as a date? OK?" (Subaru)

"No." (Hina)

"(Shrink)..." (Subaru)

He asked cheerfully like someone trying to flirt, but he was completely crushed. His optimistic face was pulled back to reality. However, there was a reason for this loitering; even though he said they were wandering aimlessly, it seemed Hina had a specific destination, so it wasn't just a futile stroll.

Currently, Subaru is quite famous in Kivotos. Since his face, clothes, and hair color are well-known, he drew a caricature face on an A4 paper and taped it to his face with clear tape. He looked like a high-class suspicious person, but he didn't care much after abandoning his sense of shame, even though those around him looked at him with disgust.

After walking for a while, at an intersection before a clothing store, there was a familiar girl looking around as if searching for someone.

"Oh, you are..." (Subaru)

"── !" (Girl)

The girl who ran toward him as soon as she saw him was the one he had saved from the clutches of Kaiser. He didn't learn her name back then due to the effects of the drug, so he could only call her "that girl"...

"Natsu... ── Ito, Tsubaru-san!" (Girl)

She got his name horribly wrong... ── No, she did it on purpose because shouting "Subaru" here would attract the attention of passersby.

"Hmm!? Hmm~... Ah, I get it! Alright, we haven't met since yesterday! No side effects from the drug, right? By the way, your voice is very loud." (Subaru)

"Yes!" (Girl)

"I see, I see, so this loud voice is your default setting. OK, OK. The important thing is that you're fine. When you were drugged, you kept repeating 'Are you ok?' in an infinite loop, and I was really worried... ── Was it Hina who called you?" (Subaru)

"── No, I didn't call her." (Hina)

"Eh?" (Subaru)

"Ahaha, Tsubaru-san's appearance has already become the talk of the town on the internet, you know? On a discussion board titled 'Information on an Extremely Suspicious Person'... And since the location was close to where I was meeting my friend, I rushed over here!" (Subaru)

"O-Oh, is that so." (Subaru)

Was her personality like this? He compared the image in his mind with her energetic appearance now, but eventually remembered she was under the influence of drugs back then, and accepted that this was her true nature. He placed his hands on his hips and said, "Good, good."

Still, the spread of information in this world is truly fast. Only 30 minutes had passed since he left... ── Well, even in Japan, this appearance would warrant immediate arrest.

"I wanted to thank you properly again. Tsubaru-san, thank you so very much." (Girl)

"Fufun, there's no harm in too much gratitude from a beautiful girl! You can do me more favors too, don't you think?" (Subaru)

He spoke with the tone of an old man from the Kansai region, and placed his hand with a "pom" on the head of the girl who was bowing to him repeatedly.

As usual, the girls here are shorter than Subaru, so his hand naturally extends to pat their heads.

"───" (Girl)

"Fufufu, you're right... Maybe I should give Tsubaru-san an even bigger thanks... ── I was scared. When I was about to be kidnapped, I was crying so hard." (Girl)

"No one helped me, and I was being taken to a place where no one's hand could reach, and no one heard my voice." (Girl)

"... I was scared, so scared, I thought I would die. If you hadn't come, Suba... Tsubaru-san, I don't know what would have become of me." (Girl)

"So really, thank you, Tsubaru-san." (Girl)

She grabbed his hand placed on her head, brought it down, and held it warmly to her chest with both hands.

"── Ah." (Subaru)

His expression stiffened. Every time he received her warm gratitude like this, he remembered his folly for existing in this "Now" built upon failed choices, and the world he abandoned colored his memories, letting the curse seep through his spine.

Abandoning worlds that could have existed—an abandonment that would never be forgiven or erased eternally. Realizing that, is Natsuki Subaru allowed to smile now?

── Does he have the right to accept her smile?

"Tsubaru-san ──?" (Girl)

"Ah, thank you. When you thank me so passionately, I feel a bit embarrassed." (Subaru)

"... ── By the way, it's okay for Tsubaru-san to smile back and say 'Thank you' too, you know?" (Girl)

"Huh? Suddenly saying something a comedian might say to empty seats on a weekday..." (Subaru)

"You told me 'We're even (swapped roles)' and 'Thank you,' didn't you? Come on, listen to me, repeat after me." (Girl)

"Ah." (Subaru)

A flowery phrase Subaru had said at some point was returned to him exactly as it was, and his face looked as if he had been suddenly shot.

Yes, thank you.

Thank you for making me run; he had said those words to her.

Now, all he has to do is return the word, but his tongue is tied.

His thoughts entered a vicious cycle. The curse and the past gnawing at Natsuki Subaru ceaselessly tightened the noose around his throat and wouldn't let go.

── This is Natsuki Subaru's responsibility.

The one who bears the responsibility is Natsuki Subaru. The one who bears the responsibility for the choices gained through Return by Death.

Those dark thoughts entangled in his throat ──

"If that's the case, I should have said it to you as well." (Hina)

"... Hina?" (Hina)

"'Thank you.'" (Hina)

"Because we are 'even,' right?" (Hina)

"────" (Subaru)

"I can't keep up with you two... really. Ah, that's right, we're even; life is give and take, an eternal sea voyage!" (Subaru)

"── Thank you, both of you." (Subaru)

●○●○●

"Sniff, sniff" (Sound of sniffling mucus), a man was crying in the shade of a tree, the paper taped to his face completely soaked.

In a quiet spot where no one could see him, and no one passed by, he wiped his wet face.

Of course, and without a doubt, it was Natsuki Subaru.

『Wa-wa-wa!? No, don't cry, Subaru-san! Did I do something wrong... Ah...』

Unlike Hina, the girl had called out Subaru's name loudly, attracting the gazes of people around them. Hina was forced to carry Subaru, who had suddenly burst into tears, and quickly move him to a deserted place...

"... ── Phew..." (Subaru)

"Have you calmed down?" (Hina)

"... Yeah." (Subaru)

"Sorry, it's just... I felt something hardened inside me suddenly rush up, like Baaaaah, and everything overflowed... By the way, I forgot to ask that girl's name again..." (Subaru)

Embarrassing, embarrassing, utterly embarrassing. To burst into tears suddenly in front of Hina—this was one of the most humiliating crying moments in Subaru's life.

"... Just as I expected, there isn't enough time for Subaru... The Federal Student Council is starting to disregard methods; in the meantime, we must ──" (Hina)

"No, it's fine! These are 'men's tears,' just fleeting tears, so I'm fi... ──" (Subaru)

"Really?" (Hina)

"Ugh." (Subaru)

"... Haaah, what kind of trouble are you hiding?" (Hina)

"... Sorry, this too... I can't talk about it, I guess..." (Subaru)

"... ── Understood. Talk when you want to talk. Now... Abydos High School; we want to save that school from Kaiser. Solving this problem is the priority." (Hina)

After she wiped Subaru's face with her handkerchief, Subaru followed Hina's gaze.

He found they had truly arrived at a completely deserted place. It didn't seem like such a location held any clues to saving Abydos.

── While he was thinking that...

"Ah...!!" (Subaru)

He saw a familiar uniform. An outfit resembling a policewoman's uniform, and a sharp, heavy gaze disproportionate to that attire.

Cute animal ears that evoked a desire to pet them "poke-poke," but he felt that if he did, she would bite him to death with those sharp teeth.

And beside her, another girl in a police uniform, hanging her head toward Subaru with an expression full of regret and a gloomy face.

"Natsuki Subaru-san... regarding what happened ──" (Policewoman Girl)

"Your face is terrifying!!" (Subaru)

""""..."""" (Everyone)

_________

40+

 

[Raven797]

"Sharp eyes! Pointy teeth! And animal ears... Oh-baby-baby-baby!" (Subaru)

"Subaru." (Hina)

"Guh... Gu... Sorry, sorry! My eyes! These eyes are the cause!!" (Subaru)

A height exceeding 160 cm, and prominent bodily curves rarely seen in Kivotos!! Never mind that fool who exposes part of her chest; Natsuki Subaru, "The Man," is confident that had Hina not saved him initially, he would have fallen in love with this girl at first sight.

Both possess those sharp eyes suggesting malice (Sanpakugan), and perhaps she too suffers from problems due to this trait, but for Subaru, it goes no further than the happiness of finding someone of the same species.

Animal ears—what a rare trait. No, in this world, horns, wings, or other features might be an ordinary part of residents' nature like Hina and passersby on the street... but the classic animal ear remains supreme and most wonderful.

Regarding animal features, there are those who prefer human ears alongside the animal ones, and those who prefer only animal ears. Subaru is the type who adores the animal ear itself. Thus, the presence of human ears is also acceptable.

"YKN (Ya Know), animal ears are the best. Can I touch them?" (Subaru)

"... Ahem, umm, Natsuki-san... First, the apology..." (Kanna)

"Let's skip formalities like apologies... Natsuki Subaru right now... wants nothing more than to pet those ears in front of him and can't control himself." (Subaru)

"... ── We haven't introduced ourselves yet...!! I am Ogata Kanna, Director of the Public Peace Bureau at Valkyrie Police Academy...!! Regarding what happened ──" (Kanna)

"No, no, there really is no need to apologize... Don't bow to me like that, you two." (Subaru)

""...!"" (Kanna & Policewoman)

Conversely, Subaru bowed to them.

He believed from the bottom of his heart that this was the natural course of action. Considering their position as police, protecting the Schale building was their duty, and had they not protected the building, it would have been destroyed long ago.

For Subaru to intruder while they were performing their duty, cause chaos alone, get injured alone, and then have them apologize to him... this reminded him of "Monster Parents" in Japan (parents who complain to schools without logical reason).

"My injury and everything that happened is my responsibility, not something Kanna should bear." (Subaru)

"... However." (Kanna)

"Saying 'However' is forbidden! If you insist on apologizing, your bow just now is enough! So don't worry about it any further; rather, I was the one wanting to say thank you to both of you." (Subaru)

"... ── Understood. Talking more than this would be like a futile argument... Then, let's get to the subject. I have a question." (Kanna)

"Go ahead." (Subaru)

"... That mask... or, that scribble, what is it?" (Kanna)

"It is a creation by my super-capable support AI, titled art piece 『Natsuki Subaru』, and it is part of anonymity measures." (Subaru)

"I-Is that so." (Kanna)

Before leaving the room, he had tried to copy an "ASCII Art" Arona quickly drew on the mobile phone. Truly, it looked like nothing but a scribble; the body and arms were mere straight lines, no neck, the face was (◠ڼ◠), and the only distinguishable thing was the hair.

He thought she could at least draw the sharp eyes, but the level was far beyond that, making him shudder at her "abstract" artistic abilities, yet he couldn't refuse her, so he used it.

"I don't know how, but it seems to be succeeding in hiding my identity." (Subaru)

"Don't you think the reason is that no one wants to look at your face...?" (Kanna)

"That might be a completely correct answer, but don't say it out loud, no, no (Dame dame)." (Subaru)

The more light jokes he made, the more the tension eased. It seemed Natsuki Subaru's classic (First Gen) style of breaking the ice and alleviating seriousness had paid off, as he felt the shoulders of the two girls bowing with gloomy faces relax.

Especially the girl next to Kanna—he didn't want her to feel guilty. Through his previous experiences of dying by gunshot, he knew there were those accustomed to shooting, but not accustomed to hurting people.

Perhaps there are those who can shoot because they think it will only cause minor scratches, and otherwise wouldn't shoot... She is likely one of them.

Even if he couldn't accept it, as long as he understood it... he could forgive.

"Director of Public Peace, Kanna." (Hina)

"... Head Prefect Hina, thank you for arranging this meeting with him." (Kanna)

"I am currently suspended, and I am nothing more than... ── just a friend of Natsuki Subaru. Your gratitude should be directed at Subaru, who just forgave you." (Hina)

"Of course, Natsuki-san... I reiterate my thanks." (Kanna)

"Today is truly World Gratitude Day... I'll accept your thanks gratefully, don't worry, I'll pay the bill from my heart's credit (Payment on Delivery)." (Subaru)

"Responsibility is truly tough," Subaru felt this deeply as he watched the scene. The actual culprit who shot him was shrinking back, unable to speak before these prominent figures, while Kanna spoke on her behalf and shouldered the responsibility.

Hina, Kanna, and Subaru—who was no longer an ordinary person—were all "people bearing responsibility." For this reason, outstanding debts are not cancelled merely through verbal dialogue; they are repaid through actions and achievements.

"Let's get to the heart of the matter, Director Kanna... ── Share all information regarding Kaiser's upcoming attack on Abydos High School with Subaru." (Hina)

"── Wait, you, go back first." (Hina - addressing the policewoman)

The atmosphere suddenly shifted, and Hina made a stunning request. She made Kanna, the shrinking student, leave to face this demand alone. Subaru's expression froze; he had intended to be forgiving and exchange friendly conversation, but he realized this was Hina's true objective.

"I know you are involved with Kaiser in some way. I don't know if it's by your own will or not... but, most likely, under orders from the 'Defense Office Chief,' you deliberately withheld support for Abydos, didn't you? You completely isolated that school." (Hina)

"Haaah..., seriously?" (Subaru)

"... There is no point in hiding it ──, so you chose this deserted place to talk. Sharp as always, Sorasaki Hina." (Kanna)

"I imagine you also suffer having a chief like that." (Hina)

"I can't compete with the security situation in Gehenna." (Kanna)

"Wait, wait~? Stop entering your own world and ignoring me~?? I can't keep up with you at all~~?" (Subaru)

Feeling a bit jealous of the "aura of the strong" and the cool lines suddenly exchanged between them, Subaru tried to intervene in the conversation but couldn't because he didn't quite grasp the situation.

"I previously mentioned there is a traitor in the Federal Student Council collaborating with Kaiser. After Subaru lost consciousness, things happened... and it turned out the traitor is the Chief of the Defense Office. Originally, she is the only one capable of freely mobilizing the Valkyrie Police in Kivotos." (Hina)

"... Ha!! I remember that now...!! I'm relying on others for everything, aren't I!? Does this mean... the situation is extremely dangerous? Kanna is her direct subordinate, right?" (Subaru)

"Kind of, yes." (Kanna)

"And Kanna too, why are you so cool about it...?" (Subaru)

It is known that subordinates of a "Secret Boss" are cool, but for things to proceed this coldly makes his blood freeze. If she told him with that face: "It is enough that you don't return from here alive," Subaru's heart would stop.

"Choices are not available equally to everyone in this world. There are times when you are forced to choose only one option, and times when you cannot choose at all." (Kanna)

"I am that kind of human, and that applies here and now. A hand once dirtied will never be clean no matter how much you wash it... ── To remove the filth, one must cut off the hand." (Kanna)

"Sharing all information regarding Abydos, correct? Give me one day, and I will be able to extract it." (Kanna)

"Your quick response helps us. Also, we need a means of transport that can be used freely, because moving in the name of the Federal Student Council will reveal our movements to Kaiser." (Hina)

"── ... Ah." (Subaru)

Subaru was alerted by Hina's last words. Thinking back, the times he reached Hoshino in the past were on foot or by bicycle; he never succeeded once using a car or aircraft. Wherever he went, the "Helmet Gang" hunted down vehicles, or Kaiser imposed an air defense network.

Due to repeated Returns by Death, his senses had dulled, and he hadn't suspected it, but... the preparations were overly thorough and set far in advance.

If Kaiser's hand had already reached the Federal Student Council, which he was supposed to rely on ──

"Does this mean, without probability, that my situation is completely hopeless?" (Subaru)

"Without probability, hopeless. My superior, the Defense Office Chief, aims for the position of Chief Administrator (Rin's position)." (Kanna)

"That's worse than bad!? This is the first time I've experienced a coup d'état being revealed right in front of me! Damn it, problems are pouring in at hundreds of times the rate of information gained...!" (Subaru)

"Not entirely. If Subaru can solve the Abydos problem, I believe the Federal Student Council will acknowledge Subaru as 'the intended person' and recognize him as the Federal Student Council President." (Hina)

"That title is the one I desire least." (Subaru)

"We need that title. Director Kanna... ── Haven't you heard of the 'Independent Federal Investigation Club S.C.H.A.L.E' (Schale) from the Defense Office Chief?" (Hina)

"... ── !!! Schale, then." (Kanna)

Kanna's sharp eyes widened, staring at Hina's face as if saying "How did I not think of that," almost applauding Hina's grasp of the situation.

"... Sorasaki Hina, why do you stand by Natsuki Subaru to this extent? Abandoning the management of your district to lend him a hand..." (Kanna)

"No special reason, just humanitarian aid." (Hina)

"..." (Kanna)

"Umm, uh, I wish you would explain it a bit more simply..." (Subaru)

Subaru raised his hand weakly. Hearing names like Schale and the like reminded him only of chemistry lab petri dishes, and he still didn't understand how that led to a solution.

The title of "That Person"... if he had to bear it, he would... but it was the title that toyed with him the most and brought him no good memories.

Hina took a breath and began to speak about the truth of "Schale."

"── The Federal Student Council President ordered the appointment of 'that person' as the head of a certain club: the 'Independent Federal Investigation Club S.C.H.A.L.E' (Schale)." (Hina)

"A singularity in Kivotos, a club granted privileges that should not exist in this world. An entity transcending laws, unbound by any regulations, rules, restrictions, or penalties, and permitted to intervene under the name of 'Investigation'." (Hina)

"Subaru, and only Subaru, possesses the potential to become the President of Schale. Schale's authority is equivalent to that of the Federal Student Council President. No matter how powerful the Defense Office Chief is, she cannot oppose him, and no organization in Kivotos can oppose that authority." (Hina)

"Merely a club, granted the authority to mobilize all schools in Kivotos, including the Three Great Schools, as it pleases... This is the product of the madness left behind by the Federal Student Council President." (Hina)

"The Independent Federal Investigation Club S.C.H.A.L.E." (Hina)

"..." (Subaru)

"... ── I say." (Subaru)

── Now, I understand.

Why the titles Subaru bears keep inflating, why the Chief Administrator of the Federal Student Council... a person on the level of Japan's Prime Minister, relies on Natsuki Subaru, and why Kaiser established a terrorist organization to counter him.

There was a fool who granted all that authority to a single club... nay, considering the conditions, to a single individual.

"The Federal Student Council President, what kind of person is she?" (Subaru)

Hina and Kanna exchanged glances. There must be many words to describe her; genius, the pinnacle of Kivotos, the Administrator of Kivotos.

Rumors are plentiful, all extraordinary and defying logic. But in Kivotos, there are many oddities; from the outside, everyone might seem superhuman—geniuses with supercomputers in their brains, immense individual capabilities to manage cities, monsters scratched not by bullets.

Daily life in Kivotos is a crucible of mystery where humans and superhumans mix. ── In such a world, there exists a person whose mere disappearance caused crimes to surge, and the quantity of illegal weapons circulating in every district to jump by 2000%.

There was a fitting word, reached by no one, yet applied to her by everyone ──

""── A Superhuman."" (Hina & Kanna)

Now, Natsuki Subaru realized.

And those words floated to the surface of his mind.

Sweet enough to melt the tongue, gentle enough to shatter the mind, clutching the soul and never letting go,

[I love you]

"..." (Subaru)

A single fingertip, a single piece of skin, a thin layer of cuticle, a single strand of hair, a single drop of sweat, a single drop of saliva, a single word, a single breath, a single fragment of emotion.

"Then, show me your face just once, you damn woman." (Subaru)

Every atom of Natsuki Subaru is loved.

The "Love" emanating from the madness she left behind covered Natsuki Subaru's entire body.

●○●○●

『Your return was extremely late, wasn't it? Mr. Natsuki.』

『First of all, perhaps we should discuss how to properly write a letter.』

『── Isn't that right?』

"(Sniff)..." (Subaru)

Subaru faced the white sheet of paper with silence and resignation.

An experience like this... he hadn't gone through since his elementary and middle school days. The simple, routine task of filling the white paper with words until it turned black, all while wiping his tears and nose.

Stringing together flowery words, reflecting honestly on himself, to prove he had been cleansed and become pure and spotless... ──.

"A letter of apology... A letter of apology! (Sniff)..." (Subaru)

In other words, an "I'm sorry" letter.

Even Subaru hadn't possessed the courage to joke in front of Rin's cold smile, so he was scolded relentlessly. And now, here he sat alone in the hospital room, writing the apology letter while tears streamed silently down his face.

Since he had defended Hina, she faced no blame. He agreed with Hina and Kanna to meet tomorrow at the same place, and then the group dispersed.

The operation to save Abydos is proceeding... though it cannot be said to be proceeding smoothly. Transportation will be provided, and the situation at Abydos High School will be known, but the true key ultimately lies in the hands of...

"..." (Subaru)

"Takanashi, Hoshino." (Subaru)

The dialogue with her.

Only then does he stand at the starting line. The Kaiser problem and all other matters have no clear solution yet, and they won't hesitate to open fire.

What about an attack? Since I changed my movements... perhaps they will come tonight, and perhaps I will hear the footsteps of the nightmare once again.

How will I deal with the Kaiser mercenaries (PMC)? There is no choice but to deal with them somehow.

What does Hoshino carry inside her? He still remembers those eyes—eyes different from anyone else's, the eyes of Takanashi Hoshino.

Can it be solved? Nothing will begin unless it is solved.

Can Subaru save them? Subaru has no choice but to save them.

『Choices are not available equally to everyone in this world. There are times when you are forced to choose only one option, and times when you cannot choose at all.』

── How many more times will I Return by Death?

"..." (Subaru)

"... Haaah." (Subaru)

Forcefully, he dug the ballpoint pen he held into the palm of his hand.

Forcefully, and intensely, until blood nearly flowed.

This action, which he had started doing unconsciously at times, he now performed with full awareness. He felt a strong resistance pressing "grind-grind" against the pen, but he continued to press without care... until blood almost welled up from his palm.

Before the apology letter could be ruined, he pulled his hand away from the A4 paper and grabbed a tissue.

"..." (Subaru)

── The pain is... faint.

His reaction to pain, which is vital for a weak creature like him—the weapon and defensive instinct of the weak—was slowly becoming dulled.

It was becoming difficult for him to perceive the flowing blood of Natsuki Subaru as his own. And this was also the reason he hadn't felt much pain when he tore out the IV drip.

Ever since his dialogue with Hoshino, Subaru has been rejecting himself... ── Is he now on the path to quietly healing... or not?

"... Thank you, Arona." (Subaru)

"I am Subaru-sama's support AI, so I merely performed my obvious duty." (Arona)

As usual, he speaks to his mobile phone.

"You really saved me. Honestly, having someone to warn you when your perspective narrows is extremely important. Without you and Hina, I would be... in a tragic state right now." (Subaru)

"... Was my suggestion helpful?" (Arona)

"Helpful, very, very, tremendously helpful! If I could carry the Shittim Chest with me, I'd keep patting it forever!! Good grief~, truly what a man needs in life is a strong little girl, a kind little girl, and a wonderful little girl!" (Subaru)

"Phrased that way, rumors will spread that Subaru-sama has inclinations toward little girls (Lolicon)." (Arona)

"Umm... I can't completely deny that!?!? Damn, this is bad! Is this an attack by a 'Stand'!!? My sexual preferences are being changed against my will...!?" (Subaru)

"... Stand...?" (Arona)

"An invisible wizard casting a spell to make me madly in love with the likes of Hina and Arona... something like an invisible magic hand." (Arona)

"── The phrase 'make you in love' implies that currently, Subaru-sama does not particularly love me or Sorasaki Hina-san... ── Does this mean you neither love nor hate us, or do you lean more toward hate?" (Arona)

"Stoooooop!! Stop, stop! That's not it!? I love you, no, I adore you!! I love you so, so, so much, Arona-sama!! Thank you always and forever for supporting the helpless Natsuki Subaru...!!" (Subaru)

"Then, that is good." (Arona)

"Umm... Aren't you becoming more human day by day? Arona-chan." (Subaru)

Although the voice does not convey emotion, the text appearing on the mobile screen contained emoticons (Kaomoji), and emotions could be sensed from the phrasing of the sentences.

Compared to their first meeting, the dialogue with Arona had become incomparably more diverse and rich.

"In terms of days, only one day has passed since we met, but... ── Am I different in the 176th time from what I was before?" (Arona)

"── That's right, yes, you've become exactly like a 'Little Senpai.'" (Subaru)

"Understood. I will perform a deep analysis of the Shittim Chest. Changes in a dimensionally parallel entity that is supposed to be constant may involve unknown risks." (Arona)

As always, they exchange dialogue that cannot be described as entirely trivial.

Dialogue with Arona resembles a verification process, and he still feels as though he is talking to a machine.

── Will something like a 'Technological Singularity' happen to Arona's consciousness someday, or something like that?

"By the way, Arona... let's try to guess the personality of the Federal Student Council President." (Subaru)

"Guess, how?" (Arona)

"Honestly, today I learned a shocking truth... kind of changed my perspective on things... or rather, I should know a lot more." (Subaru)

"Therefore!! We will hold a 'Te-ki-Te-ki' contest to discover the merits of Natsuki Subaru!!!" (Subaru)

"── I cannot compute the logic that led you to this conclusion." (Arona)

"The possibility that the Student Council President has a crush on me means! I must list my merits, handsomeness, and praiseworthy traits to search for the 'part she fell in love with'~?" (Subaru)

"So (That's it)! We will uncover the Student Council President's bad taste in men!" (Subaru)

"..." (Subaru)

"Who are you calling a lump of bad taste in men!?" (Subaru)

"That is a self-acknowledgment by Subaru-sama, not my opinion." (Arona)

"A serious and painful retort..." (Subaru)

"Alright, I'll start first. My height is at least 173 cm!! And since I vaguely practiced Kendo and other things, my body is athletic and well-built!! Kyaaa! Subaru-sama~! So cool~!!" (Subaru)

"... ── C-Cool (in a robotic voice)." (Arona)

And the discussion continued until the sky was filled with stars.

He chatted with Arona until the white paper was completely blackened as a letter of apology.

And he enjoyed the conversation until the sky brightened once again.

●○●○●

"And that's how it happened." (Subaru)

"... Is that the reason for those terrible dark circles under your eyes?" (Hina)

"I am truly sorry and regretful..." (Subaru)

Last night, which ultimately turned into a conference exposing Subaru's fetishes... No, rather, while recalling and recounting the morning's events, I returned to the meeting point.

This time, having received official permission for discharge from Rin, I left the hospital safe and sound under Hina's guard.

── Incidentally, although Hina is currently suspended, she appears to be secretly processing the Disciplinary Committee's paperwork. Since I dragged Hina out, her phone hasn't stopped ringing with calls from Ako, who suspects a strange man is leading the Head Prefect astray... but that is a secret. (Arona blocked the calls).

"Just consider me a 'boy who neglected his health... what a naughty boy,' and nothing more." (Subaru)

"Anyone capable of saying that after hearing the story I just told ought to have their head examined, don't you think?" (Kanna)

"Kanna's deep voice strikes chords in my heart in feminine places I'm not supposed to possess... Insult me a little mo... ── No, no, no!! I'm joking!" (Subaru)

"Sigh... Please control those childish antics (curb that late-night enthusiasm); I'm starting to pity myself for spending the entire night gathering information for your sake." (Kanna)

"── You're right. So, can you tell me everything?" (Subaru)

"Understood. First, take this... ── It is the current status of Abydos High School." (Kanna)

Several documents were handed to Subaru. They detailed the situation at Abydos High School, seemingly listing the majority of the problems plaguing the institution.

He traced his finger beneath the sentences, scrutinizing every word with extreme care. A single oversight could mean the loss of a life; therefore, carefully, carefully.

── And with that care, he immersed himself in reading that tragedy.

"... ── T-This is the situation?" (Subaru)

"... Yes." (Kanna)

The reality one wishes to look away from was laid out coldly. It was not merely an increase in the difficulties Subaru had to overcome.

Rather, the path Abydos had taken until now was, in itself, "the reality one wishes to look away from."

[Abydos High School: A massive academy boasting the oldest history in Kivotos.

Violent environmental changes caused by large-scale sandstorms that began recurring decades ago led to the desertification of the autonomous district. Massive funds were injected with the aim of improving the situation, but to no avail. As a result of the debt that continued to balloon, the academy's management deteriorated. Currently, the Kaiser Corporation imposes a debt exceeding "2 Billion" upon it.]

[Previously, the "Saint Nephthys" corporation intervened, but the massive railway development project ended in failure and withdrawal. That was the death blow to the district; the existing population decline could no longer be curbed, and even the few remaining students transferred or dropped out. The exodus of residents continued unabated, leading to the district's total deterioration and bringing it to the brink of extinction.]

[Below: Record and Summary of Current Students at Abydos]

"..."

His hand did not stop turning the pages—swish, swish.

The final file, which chronicled the deterioration of Abydos page after page... contained distress calls that had arrived repeatedly, over and over without ceasing, from the district's "Abydos Countermeasures Committee," signed by the name Okusora Ayane.

The last request received by the Federal Student Council and Valkyrie Police was one week ago. Since then, the messages that were supposed to be sent at a rate of one per day had ceased to arrive.

[Okusora Ayane: Missing. Time Elapsed: One week. Search Request filed by Takanashi Hoshino: Not Accepted (Pending).]

[Kuromi Serika: Missing. Time Elapsed: One week. Search Request filed by Takanashi Hoshino: Not Accepted (Pending).]

[Sunaookami Shiroko: Attending School.]

[Izayoi Nonomi: Temporary Withdrawal. Expulsion to be finalized upon ratification by the Abydos Student Council.]

"... ──"

[Takanashi Hoshino: Attending School.]

_________

40+

 

[Raven797]

[※ Additional Appendix: The Kaiser Corporation (PMC) has established a base in the Abydos Desert. Development of land with sold rights and large-scale activities in the desert have been observed (Correction: Kaiser PMC -> Formerly Kaiser PMC). The objective of the desert development is the excavation of weapons buried there. Entities complicit with Kaiser include the Saint Nephthys corporation, and it is believed the failure of the railway development project was the beginning. It should be noted that Izayoi Nonomi, who belongs to the Saint Nephthys family, is a student at Abydos High School.]

[The death of the former Student Council President, Kuchinashi Yume, due to distress in the desert has been confirmed. The cause of death is presumed to be disappearance during rights trading related to debt repayment, or losing her way. Takanashi Hoshino assumed the position afterward.]

[── Discoverer of the body: Takanashi Hoshino]

He reread the pages from the beginning, and upon reaching the end, read them once more.

"..." (Subaru)

Slap!

Suddenly, he placed his hands on both sides of his face and slapped his cheeks hard enough to make a loud sound. Hina and Kanna's eyes widened in shock at Subaru's strange and abrupt action.

But when they realized it was to rouse himself and cool his overheated head, Subaru's expression changed completely.

"... ── Kanna, I think it's impossible for me right now to calmly deduce what must be done from all this." (Subaru)

"At the very least... I cannot accept this as mere data. I want to hear the story directly from Takanashi Hoshino, from her own mouth." (Subaru)

"So tell me, what should I do? How can I... 'help people'?" (Subaru)

"How can I ── crush Kaiser?" (Subaru)

"That is..." (Kanna)

"... Subaru." (Hina)

"... Don't worry, I am furiously angry but calm; that is all." (Subaru)

A suppressed rage filled the space. The words Subaru spoke were outwardly calm, yet the anger latent within them struck Hina and Kanna's skin with force.

With every death piled upon Natsuki Subaru, his rage toward Kaiser increased by the same measure.

They are the enemy; that company, "Kaiser Corporation," is the enemy of Natsuki Subaru.

Although Hina worried about his expression, which mixed hostility and anger... ── she glimpsed a faint calmness mingling with it—a calmness reflecting an experience disproportionate to a high school student from the "Outside," so she stopped speaking.

"... ── I am also part of an organization complicit with Kaiser. I thought I understood the extent of their evil deeds, but lately, their wickedness has escalated terribly. They won't stop until they devour all of Kivotos." (Kanna)

"The Defense Office Chief... appears realistic at first glance, but she became obsessed with the 'Superhuman' title of the Federal Student Council President, transforming into a fool who is only good at talking about ideals." (Kanna)

Kanna looked up far into the sky, specifically toward the Federal Student Council building. As if casting those insults upwards, and simultaneously, casting them upon herself.

── She turned from a realist into a dreamer, and I, chasing a springtime of youth, sank into the mud.

── And for a long time, I remained drowning in that mud.

"What will happen to those who ally with Kaiser in the current Kivotos... ── With a little thought, it should have been obvious. But I thought I was on the side betraying, not the side being betrayed... Haaah." (Kanna)

She recalled those arrogant behaviors. At first, she thought them masterful schemers feigning stupidity, a great evil hiding malicious intent under a mask. But now that Kaiser has gained excessive power, they have become genuine fools who think they too have become powerful—a fatal misunderstanding.

"If Head Prefect Hina intervenes, the Schale position will drift away from you. And if you rely on the Federal Student Council, information will leak. Originally, I no longer have any moves left, and 'Problem Solver 68,' whom I was pursuing, has vanished without a trace, likely because Kaiser set their sights on them." (Kanna)

"In short, Mr. Natsuki, from now on, you are the only one who can move on this chessboard." (Kanna)

"I know." (Subaru)

"── But, remember... it is not a battle you will fight alone and isolated." (Kanna)

"... I know that too." (Subaru)

"Then, that is good." (Kanna)

Their sharp eyes (Sanpakugan) met, and their gazes intermingled. From the void of thoughts, sincere emotions flowed, causing Kanna's tongue to slip with words from an old scene in her memory.

"I... I wish I had met someone like you sooner. Before things came to this, much sooner... ── someone who would give me choices." (Kanna)

Kanna reached inside her jacket and pulled out a pitch-black cylinder—no... a gun barrel. With a grip and a firing mechanism, it was a "Handgun," something Subaru possessed only memories of since coming to this world.

The gun pointed toward Subaru's forehead. It happened in mere seconds, yet Subaru did not avert his gaze from the barrel.

"───" (Subaru)

"This is yours." (Kanna)

The gun, whose trigger she hadn't had her finger on to begin with, passed from Kanna's hand to both of Subaru's hands. She handed it over, enveloping Subaru's hands, which were unaccustomed to fighting and had never held a weapon before.

A man's hands, rough and large... ── yet hands easily defeated by force.

"Kanna, this is..." (Subaru)

"For self-defense. Do you know how to use it?" (Kanna)

"Not at all, zero info (Sukapontan)." (Subaru)

"I'll teach you shortly, at least enough to hit a stationary target." (Kanna)

"... I'm grateful, but if I could..." (Subaru)

"'You don't want to point a gun,' I know." (Kanna)

"This is a parting gift from a senior in life, Mr. Subaru ── I don't want you to be defeated by evil." (Kanna)

She made him grip the black steel firmly and steadily.

"── The gun is heavier than I expected." (Subaru)

"Yes, it is heavy." (Kanna)

"... Mr. Natsuki." (Kanna)

"Can you shoot?" (Kanna)

The question asked, with a little thought, seems meaningless. She had just asked if he knew how to use it, and if the question was for reconfirmation, it was even more absurd.

Because Subaru knows that the tools of civilization are wonderful. He had never driven a car, but he experienced it during the Return by Death loops.

While Rin taught him, the memory of driving was etched into his body. Civilization's tools grant the same performance to anyone as long as they know the "method of use." The handgun is the same; regardless of accuracy... "pulling the trigger to fire the bullet" is a common action anyone can do...

"I can shoot." (Subaru)

"───..." (Kanna)

The crucial point is not here.

It is in the stage preceding that: "Can Natsuki Subaru fire bullets at a human being?"

Previously, Subaru pretended to be a suspicious person, snatched a weapon, and aimed it. The weapon at that time was far larger than this handgun.

── But, he had no intention of firing. Possession was what mattered, and he never thought of using it.

Even if he realizes this is the "common sense" of this world, Subaru cannot use something that represents a manifestation of violence and a rejection of dialogue.

Subaru will continue to resist the "common sense" of this world. Because he realizes that a single bullet is enough to easily rob him of his life, and because he does not want the other party to become the "side that takes a life."

Instead of pointing guns, and since this world is full of beautiful girls... he believes that exchanging smiles brings the world closer to peace many times over.

── However.

The one who cannot use it ── is the "former" Natsuki Subaru.

"I will say it again, Kanna." (Subaru)

"I, can shoot." (Subaru)

"── Natsuki Subaru, I... respect you from the bottom of my heart." (Kanna)

That was a new declaration.

If the "common sense" of this world attacks him with "malicious intent," then Natsuki Subaru...

Will point his fist at it in return.

"Bring it on, Fate; I'm ready! I'll say it no matter how many times it repeats, even hundreds of times...!" (Subaru)

"Let's start the Grand Battle!" (Subaru)

"── Bring it on, Fate; I'm ready!!" (Subaru)

●○●○●

── The night of the second day.

He accepted the desert sand pelting his skin with quiet resolve, surrendering his body to the drifting night wind. It was cold; the desert night was cold enough to leave no room for appreciating the scenery.

Although this was, in a sense, the one hundred and seventy-sixth (176th) night, and he had the leeway to scoff with a "Hmph" feigning familiarity, he lacked the luxury to relax his expression.

The weight of the black iron (the gun) hidden in his chest continued to push Subaru's back forward relentlessly. If he was destined to face those eyes again, this time he would not collapse to his knees in depression.

He wants the answer Subaru seeks from her.

"I want to be the person she saves." (Subaru)

Natsuki Subaru wants to borrow Takanashi Hoshino's hand. The only ones capable of fighting Kaiser are Subaru and Abydos High School. The whereabouts of "Problem Solver 68" are unknown, and the friends Subaru knows are shackled and unable to move.

"Does she want to be the person I save?" (Subaru)

Yes, the required answer is extremely simple.

『Does Takanashi Hoshino seek salvation?』

"I don't have the luxury to stand nonchalantly before her talking about things I learned from mere ink on paper." (Subaru)

Subaru remembered the conversation about the "path to victory" Hina had told him... so he stopped exposing himself to the night wind and climbed into the driver's seat of the car.

『As a fundamental principle, the one who defeats the former mercenary group (PMC)... must be you, Subaru.』 (Hina)

It seems information regarding humans coming from the "Outside" has been completely concealed until this moment by the Federal Student Council President. These are monstrous actions, to the extent that students, automatons, beast-men, and even Kaiser know nothing. This unnatural information suppression seems like an attempt to completely erase the existence of humans from the "Outside."

In other words, the residents of Kivotos believe that humans from the "Outside" are "monsters possessing something equivalent to what the Federal Student Council President holds."

Therefore, showing the results is enough; the process doesn't matter. Once Subaru demonstrates to the former mercenary group "what he can do"...

"The number of people extending a helping hand to me will increase dramatically!" (Subaru)

He would like to say this will make Takanashi Hoshino lend him her strength, but what she requires is surely not something like this.

『Takanashi Hoshino, I guarantee this... ── she is stronger than me. Her current state, unless there are special circumstances, might enable her to exterminate Kaiser single-handedly.』 (Hina)

『... I am not as strong as her. I cannot be like Takanashi Hoshino, who tries to stand again despite losing her cherished senior (Senpai)...』 (Hina)

『── However, that does not mean the wounds of her heart have healed.』 (Hina)

── Raising the problem.

"Does that girl want me to save her?" (Subaru)

He asked again, not knowing the answer. Does she want help or not? This isn't something for him to decide; the "former" Natsuki Subaru would have decided that on his own.

In a crisis like this, he assumed on his own that those in Abydos wanted help.

He doesn't know what kind of person "Kuchinashi Yume" was, nor what she represented to Takanashi Hoshino. He doesn't even know how important Okusora Ayane, Kuromi Serika, Sunaookami Shiroko, and Izayoi Nonomi are to Takanashi Hoshino.

"... In the end, I was just making pathetic noise all by myself, knowing nothing, in a place where I understood nothing." (Subaru)

He gripped the steering wheel tightly. His next destination is Kaiser's forward base, the place where they shot him down again and again when he tried to approach by air—a place with which he has an old score to settle.

── This car he received from Kanna is loaded with massive amounts of explosives. Well, in other words, what he is about to do is...

"Even 'Bomberman' would turn pale. Should I patent this and release it as a new game? Title... 'Self-Detonation Man'? ... The name is so lame it makes me nauseous." (Subaru)

A suicide attack. He will destroy one of Kaiser's bases. Fortunately, the base layout was included in Kanna's documents... although Hina, who proposed the idea, did not agree to Subaru taking this role himself.

『Leave it to me, Hina.』 (Subaru)

For the weak and helpless Subaru to perform a great feat like destroying a base, he must overcome at least this level of hardship.

But the hardships facing Subaru are too many. And if they are many, he must solve many of them at once.

First: Suppressing the terrorist organization.

Second: Preventing the Defense Office Chief's coup d'état against Kivotos.

Third: Solving the Abydos High School problem.

To resolve all these matters with a single blow, solutions must be forced recklessly; that is the price.

"Easy, easy! All I have to do is charge, crash the car into the gunpowder magazine! And go meet Hoshino!!" (Subaru)

"── Synchronization complete. Leave driving support to me." (Arona)

"Yeah, I'm counting on you, Arona." (Subaru)

The core of this operation is Subaru... and Arona. Even if he learned to drive, gracefully traversing Abydos city, crossing the desert, and reaching the base while monitoring the Mapping is extremely difficult.

But Subaru possesses "Arona-chan," the strongest and most efficient navigation system. It's an easy job limited to moving the steering wheel according to instructions.

"Kaiser isn't pursuing me either; sneaking silently out of the hospital was worth the effort." (Subaru)

He sneaked out from the hospital window using bed sheets as a rope. Of course, he left a letter in the room, and this time he wrote it perfectly according to the rules of an apology letter... a letter that a letter-writing teacher, if one existed, would give Subaru a score of 100 for.

── Scolding is inevitable, but I've had absolutely enough of writing apology letters.

"... Phew..." (Subaru)

Bring it on, Fate. Up until this moment, advancing or stopping meant a "BAD END."

To be Auto-Saved in a situation where an imminent "BAD END" is unavoidable, without his permission... what an irrational and unfair setting.

If this were a game, he would rush to the "Consumer Protection Agency," flood the developer with angry calls, write all sorts of insults on forums, and leave a scathing review in the buyer comments. Of course, one star (☆1). No, zero (☆0).

This time is the true and only attempt. Experience from "Save Data" won't help in destroying the base, yet he isn't even thinking about Return by Death.

『Subaru.』 (Hina)

『Don't die.』 (Hina)

"... If she can say that while looking me in the face... then I really can't refuse a request from Hina anymore." (Subaru)

That girl truly can see everything inside him.

"In short, the match is: A villain making a schoolgirl in the springtime of her youth cry VS a 'Chuunibyou' patient whose youth is leaking a bit excessively." (Subaru)

"There is no reason for me to lose. In all ages, villains lose to sweet youth in 'Boy Meets Girl' stories." (Subaru)

"Don't steal people's happiness when you don't carry 'Youth' on your shoulders." (Subaru)

"Let's go! Arona ── !!" (Subaru)

"Commencing operation. Wishing you good fortune in battle." (Arona)

●○●○●

Stones were piled inside a steel drum, pieces of wood placed atop them, and thin, flammable twigs arranged at the very top along with some straw. Lacking a fire starter, gunpowder was emptied from several bullets and used as an additional layer.

To make it catch fire easily, they exposed it to the night wind, then ignited it with a blank round. Crackle, crackle, crackle—tongues of flame rose from the drum before them, attempting to stave off the desert chill.

"It... It finally lit... C... Cold... Cold..."

"Oh, that saves us... Haaah~... How boring... Is there any point in moving actively on a night when no prey appears?"

"It can't be helped; the mission content wasn't designed for our profit in the first place."

"Kaiser is truly annoying... Sigh, for what purpose have we continued as a Helmet Gang until now?"

"But if we oppose them, who knows what they'll do to us..."

"You really hate the cold, don't you?"

Traps were set in the surrounding area. Although calling them "traps" might be an overstatement—they weren't mines to blow up Kaiser vehicles, but merely thin wires stretched across the path. If a car or helicopter passed, the wires would snap and send an alert signal.

""""...!!""""

── Someone triggered a trap.

"S-Seriously!? At this time!?"

"Let's go, guys! Tomorrow's meal will be decided here!"

"Eeeeh... Should we put out the fire...?"

"Get ready quickly! Come on, put some effort into it and stand up!"

They sent a signal to the rest of the group via radio, but we are the closest. The rule says: whoever attacks the prey caught in the trap first claims the spoils. The early bird gets the worm.

Everyone moved briskly and boarded the vehicle. The target completely ignored the traps a moment ago and continued speeding at full throttle.

"We'll ram them head-on! We're in an armored vehicle! They're in a regular car at best; an armored vehicle can't possibly reach that speed."

"Head-on? The people inside will turn into paste..."

"In that case, we'll strip them of everything valuable, strip them until they're naked."

"Turn on the heater..."

The vehicle launched. If we continue on this straight road, we'll collide head-on.

"I see them ──!"

"That... Isn't that a Valkyrie police car...?"

"Turn on the high beams; I can't see who's inside."

── The light illuminated the distant vehicle. She leaned her body out of the window, adjusting the zoom on her rifle scope... to peek at the person inside the car.

"..."

"──!?!?"

"Hey, who's there? Is it a cop?"

Eyes met through the scope, and she felt something familiar about his appearance, something resembling the descriptions Kaiser had repeated until they were sick of hearing them.

No, before that, above all else... That person, that man is...!

"Natsuki Subaru...!?"

"""... Seriously?"""

●○●○●

"Vehicle approaching from the front. Please increase speed." (Arona)

"Increase it!? If I speed up more than this, I think I won't just become a stain, I'll vaporize!?" (Subaru)

"If you swerve around them here, you will be surrounded." (Arona)

"Arona-sama is truly adept at making me make bold decisions (steel my resolve)!! If only there were a little kindness and comfort, she would be the perfect AI!" (Subaru)

"I will take that into consideration." (Arona)

His hands gripping the steering wheel trembled rattle-rattle. He knows—he knows that if he moves as Arona says, he won't die.

── Even knowing that, it is truly terrifying.

It is natural to be afraid while rushing toward death at top speed. If he collides with that massive vehicle displayed on the Mapping, it seems unlikely he'll just end up as a flattened "squid cracker" this time.

"── Haha! No matter how many times I died, I never once thought I wanted to die!" (Subaru)

"I am scared, but I am still... alive." (Subaru)

"As long as I am alive, I can still resist ──!" (Subaru)

He slammed down on the pedal, full throttle. The displayed speed was 127 km/h; in Japan, he'd be arrested instantly. Driving at this speed on a narrow road resembling a residential street is sheer madness.

The vehicle, massive as an elephant, approached until it was right before his eyes.

However, madness is only madness if it lacks a plan. Subaru, on the other hand, has ──

"Tsu..." (Subaru)

"── Step on it!" (Subaru)

I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die!

"Plus Ultra! Go beyond the limits! Beyond speed ──!!" (Subaru)

"Required speed reached. Maintain as is." (Arona)

"Roger!" (Subaru)

He rushed through the fleeting instant—an expression accurate due to the acceleration—and just a moment before the direct collision with the armored vehicle.

── Arona forcibly engaged the rear brakes of the car.

In that instant, the front of the car, which wasn't braked, lifted up, lunging at the armored vehicle like a beast baring its fangs.

To the armored vehicle, the small car that could have been crushed suddenly transformed into a wall charging with thunderous speed.

Both parties slammed on the brakes quickly—one as a reaction to surprise, the other as part of a plan. The result was ──

""""Whaaaaa ──!!?"""" (Helmet Gang)

"Ouga... N-Not yet! Step on it ──!!" (Subaru)

Impact.

A heavy shock he had never experienced before coursed through Subaru's body. The airbags deployed... and the sound of the car frame crunching and grinding echoed.

The collision, its speed appropriately reduced thanks to both sides braking, did not reach the point of claiming Natsuki Subaru's life.

Despite the nausea and dizziness caused by the shock shaking his entrails, he did not lift his foot from the pedal.

The front of the car was elevated.

── In other words, as a result of the collision, Subaru was now mounting the armored vehicle.

"Goodbye!" (Subaru)

"What!? Damn it, this is insane!!" (Helmet Gang)

"Driving over the armored vehicle." Subaru used the armored vehicle as a launch ramp, driving his car... to cross over and surpass it.

The windshield shattered, and shards nearly pierced his eyes had he not closed them at the last moment, but his shoulder suffered a deep cut. The side windows also shattered from the impact, embedding glass into his right arm.

Perhaps the dulling of his pain sensation was beneficial here; he wanted to praise himself for keeping the pedal pressed.

"This isn't something a person carrying explosives does!! Ah, damn it!" (Subaru)

"In 20 seconds, we will enter the Abydos Desert, and one minute after that, we will reach the forward base." (Arona)

"No response from Kaiser products in the vicinity; it seems they failed to handle the situation." (Arona)

"Whenever good news piles up, it's often followed by bad news!" (Subaru)

"Affirmative. Collision with the two guards on duty and the automated defense system is unavoidable." (Arona)

"What should I do!?" (Subaru)

"── Let us continue straight ahead. Subaru-sama mentioned last night that he adores romance (adventure)." (Arona)

"... I wish I hadn't held that fetish exhibition!!" (Subaru)

Driving became semi-automated; steering was controlled without the need to hold the wheel.

In the meantime, he pulled glass shards from his arm and pressed firmly with a cloth from the emergency kit on the gash in his shoulder... attempting to stop the bleeding with humble skill. Although Kanna had taught him a lot, but,

"One cannot master it overnight, can they?" (Subaru)

It looked ugly and clumsy, but it was enough.

"..." (Subaru)

"Arona, are... they pursuing us already?" (Subaru)

"Affirmative. Traps breached (broken); a response believed to be Takanashi Hoshino is approaching." (Arona)

"We're moving at 148 km/h; is she a monster or what?" (Subaru)

If she catches him, she will destroy him without asking for details. Subaru knows from his previous experiences that Takanashi Hoshino becomes merciless if she judges an opponent to be a "threat."

── A death chase game lasting one minute and twenty seconds is about to begin.

_________

40+

 

[Raven797]

On the car navigation screen, an expression of concern appeared for the first time.

"... ! A problem has arisen. According to predictions, an encounter with Takanashi Hoshino will occur before exiting the Abydos Desert. Furthermore, the previous armored vehicle is approaching from behind." (Arona)

"Haaah ──!?" (Subaru)

Straining his ears, he heard screams and gunshots from behind. Squinting his eyes to look, it seemed as though something pink was leaping gracefully over buildings at the edge of his field of vision.

"Subaru-sama, at this rate, we will not be able to bypass the projected Takanashi Hoshino on the direct route." (Arona)

"We overtook the armored vehicle, but we can't overtake her!?" (Subaru)

"It is predicted that we will be unilaterally destroyed. Her endurance is estimated to be equivalent to approximately 3 tons of special alloy." (Arona)

"Th-Th-That's... i-i-im... possible!!!" (Subaru)

To be agile enough to cut us off, yet ridiculously tough like that... that is unacceptable!! High-defense characters (Tanks) are supposed to be slow and heavy, with high firepower... that's the essence...! 3 tons? Is she a lump of iron in human form!? No, Arona is the one saying it; calm down, me.

"Stop with the exaggerated cheat abilities...! What to do? Negotiate first... impossible, I'll be killed before I speak..." (Subaru)

"Should I abandon the car? No, that would turn priorities upside down. A direct assault means zero percent win rate, and surrendering with a white flag won't achieve the goal." (Subaru)

Twenty seconds pass in the blink of an eye when deep in thought.

While he wavered on how to act, the world did not stop moving.

Subaru does not possess the concepts of retreating or slowing down in his mind. Even if he slowed down, he didn't think he could evade and escape through the city streets from someone capable of cutting him off at this speed.

── At the edge of Subaru's field of vision, a girl holding a shield appeared, with very familiar bright pink hair.

The interception was already complete.

"───..." (Subaru)

"... Damn it! Think, think, think! I can't avoid her, nor escape. Even if I survive, I must maintain this speed for a minute or Kaiser's defense will catch up...!" (Subaru)

Through everything he had seen in Return by Death... Takanashi Hoshino is a monster completely outside the norm. Facing an entity that can rival Hina, or perhaps surpass her, head-on is sheer recklessness.

After his face crumpled at this thought... he raised his head, realizing he couldn't give up and hang his head now.

"... Subaru-sama." (Arona)

Arona's voice reached him through the navigation screen.

"── A proposal." (Arona)

"Say the name 'Return by Death'." (Arona)

"Hu ──?" (Subaru)

5 seconds until impact.

"What... what is the point of...!?" (Subaru)

4 seconds.

"Ensure Takanashi Hoshino does not hear you, and speak with the 'intent to inform'." (Arona)

3 seconds.

"... ── Can I trust you?" (Subaru)

2 seconds.

"Of course, Subaru-sama." (Arona)

1 second.

"I ── !!" (Subaru)

"I can ■■■■ (Return by Death) ──!!!" (Subaru)

──.

The moment he tried to utter the words, to form the sound, it happened.

A sense of wrongness.

Due to that sensation, Subaru looked around in confusion. Something was strange, something changed, something was coming... and he soon realized the cause.

First, the sound. Then, the flow of blood. And finally, the scene stretching before his eyes.

The disappearance of sound made even his heartbeats, which had been loud just moments ago, fade away. The flowing blood did not clot, but its movement stopped entirely. The slight movement of Hoshino in front of him. The wind hitting his face through the broken windshield, and the roar of the night wind storming inside the car.

All of that vanished completely from the world.

The world, stopped.

Not an illusion. Not a hallucination, nor the life flashing before his eyes at the moment of death, nor a state of heightened awareness caused by an adrenaline rush.

It was none of those, yet it stopped. His tongue wouldn't move, the car wouldn't move, his arms wouldn't move, his eyes wouldn't move.

── W... hat?

Even time stretched; the time he perceived extended into eternity, granting him ample pause to comprehend the world's stillness.

Even Arona, who made the proposal, was a prisoner in this static world.

A phenomenon beyond comprehension had suddenly descended. His body, devoid of nerve impulses, wouldn't move an inch, and only Subaru's thoughts continued to flow amidst the confusion.

Incomprehensible. Incomprehensible, incomprehensible.

── But, I believe.

The cause is known; because I tried to say the name "Return by Death." Certainly, I don't understand what is happening in this phenomenon.

However, Natsuki Subaru can trust others. If Arona said he could trust, Subaru trusts her word.

... ── While his thoughts raced, the end of that sensation appeared suddenly.

── What is this?

Drowning in questions and doubts, he tilted his head in his imagination.

As if invading Subaru's consciousness, "The Thing" appeared in the space.

A black point.

A circle, a sphere, a solid, a point. A black "Something" that could be considered one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or even four-dimensional visited Subaru, who lacked even the freedom to blink.

Black, white. Dark, bright. Scary, gentle. Darkness, radiance. Painful, warm. Agonizing, happy.

Contradictory emotions flowed into his heart.

And that thing, already strange enough, revealed an even more unique form.

That "Something," which had been nothing but blackness, changed its shape smoothly.

In the world where everything had stopped, what Subaru heard was ──

[I love you]

A witch's voice, sweetly caressing the soul.

The black point transformed into a human shape. The mouth weaving words did not move, yet the voice reached the brain directly.

A hand extended from the black shadow, and pushed Subaru's back.

" ── !!!" (Subaru)

The moment she touched him, his entrails were churned. All his internal organs were physically mixed. Is there a human who can explain why crushing entrails hurts? The answer is simple: no need to think about it. One word suffices.

The excruciating pain attacking Subaru needs no justification. With absolute simplicity, as he writhed in the agony of his body being destroyed from the inside ──

"── Ah..." (Subaru)

Without understanding what happened, Takanashi Hoshino vanished from his field of vision.

"Ough... ── Gaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!" (Subaru)

"Ah, ugh... Agha..." (Subaru)

"... ── Aro, na...!" (Subaru)

"── Pursuit continues! Subaru-sama, switching to auto-drive!?" (Arona)

"Ugh... Ah... Ple, ase...!" (Subaru)

If there were a sharp curve, it would be different, but since it's a straight road, handing over the throttle to Arona is fine.

More importantly, he tried to confirm the safety of his body, which had just been wrecked from the inside... Writhing in excruciating pain and clutching his chest tightly, he finally realized.

"I'm not dead... yet...!" (Subaru)

Although his pain sensation was dulled, this pain was so intense that had he not regained consciousness, he wouldn't have known if he were alive or dead. A nightmarish pain, as if his nerves were being clawed by red-hot iron needles.

And why did Hoshino avoid the car just now? He doesn't even understand that. What he glimpsed while writhing in agony... was the figure of Hoshino leaping away, sweat pouring off her like rain.

"Cough, cough... Guh... Arona, what happened just now...!" (Subaru)

"... My deepest apologies, Subaru-sama. The causal relationship of what I just said is unclear; I do not know why I arrived at that proposal." (Arona)

"..." (Subaru)

"Most likely, as a result of the advancing analysis of the Shittim Chest, reverse interference occurred from the information stored within, and I was hacked... rewriting my memory area." (Arona)

He heard ominous words. Scratching his chest, he endured the pain still violating his body while engaging his thoughts.

A situation where Arona is unable to analyze herself, caused not by external influence, but from the Shittim Chest—from within.

"── Even the Shittim Chest has a cursed history (stigmatized property)?" (Subaru)

"I am the dedicated support AI for Natsuki Subaru, residing in a property (Chest) with a troubled history (past incident), yay." (Arona)

"Not yay!!! You're cute, but!? Did the Federal Student Council President leave behind only truly suspicious things!? So far, you're the only one, Arona! whose existence makes me happy!!" (Subaru)

"Thank you, but if you get too agitated, the bleeding will increase. Please be careful not to faint from anemia during the remaining 52 seconds of escape." (Arona)

"Let's stop this sudden coldness, Arona-chan." (Subaru)

"You mentioned you prefer this type." (Arona)

"Isn't that excuse (sales pitch) applicable to everything? If you use it as a shield, I can't say anything, you know?" (Subaru)

Let's end the flirting with the beloved AI here, as what just happened was clearly bad.

── Seriously, it's not funny.

Whether it was an illusion or something else, that thing is not something that can be repeated. If it were just death, it would be trivial... but that repulsive sensation crawling through the body crushes and shatters the soul.

If he tasted this repeatedly, his soul would die before his body.

Had he tasted this pain the first time before knowing Return by Death... he would have turned into a human wreck long ago.

"Oraaa ──! Wait, you bastard!!!" (Armored Vehicle Commander)

Entering the desert, Subaru advanced on the paved road Kaiser had laid for its vehicles. The sound of sand hitting the car, chiri-chiri, was annoying, and the mixing of sand with the tires added a raucous noise.

Amidst all this noise, the sounds of gunshots and screaming could be heard from behind. He looked in the rearview mirror ──

"Gieeh, they're still chasing us... ── Oy!! The Bonnet! There's a dangerous person riding on the hood!" (Subaru)

"Ah!?" (Armored Vehicle Commander)

Takanashi Hoshino was riding atop the armored vehicle.

"Tch... I can't confirm, well, doesn't matter; once we catch you, it's over ──!!" (Armored Vehicle Commander)

"None of my business!! I won't take responsibility for what happens to you!!" (Subaru)

"Shut up!!" (Armored Vehicle Commander)

The only luck amidst the continuous misfortune is that Takanashi Hoshino cannot match the car's speed on flat ground. Cutting him off earlier was possible using buildings, but now, for Hoshino, that armored vehicle is the lifeline of the pursuit.

"..." (Subaru)

Under his tracksuit, he wears the gun belt and bulletproof vest Kanna gave him. If he draws the gun and shoots out a tire, this chase game ends.

"── I can't hit it." (Subaru)

He judged with rare calm. With Subaru's skill, trying is a waste of time; shooting during a car chase is impossible. If he fails and goes off-road, he'll sink into the sand and be done for.

Furthermore, bullets are constantly flying from behind. It's fine as long as he isn't hit, but if they hit the tires or the explosives stacked in the back... the story ends there too.

"... The winner of a straight-line chase... has been decided since childhood." (Subaru)

"Arona, can you increase the speed?" (Subaru)

"Possible, but upon breaching the base, Subaru-sama's escape will become more difficult." (Arona)

"Do it; it's too late to talk about risks or anything like that." (Subaru)

"Roger... ── Please hold on to the seat tightly." (Arona)

"Got it... Ooof!?" (Subaru)

Thanks to Arona's auto-drive, the car launched at a speed exceeding when it mounted the armored vehicle. The car frame, supposedly that of a regular passenger car, screamed as if it would disintegrate from the intense self-acceleration.

"...!" (Hoshino)

"I'll borrow this for a bit." (Hoshino)

"Ah? Waaa! What are you ── Bwugh!?" (Armored Vehicle Driver)

"C-Commander! Damn it! What are you ──" (Gang Member)

"Everyone is in the way." (Hoshino)

Hoshino, riding on top, smashed the side window of the vehicle with her bare hand. She threw the student in the driver's seat out into the desert and knocked everyone inside unconscious in an instant.

She grabbed the steering wheel immediately and floored the accelerator.

"26 seconds until arrival." (Arona)

Hearing the remaining time, Subaru recalled the next step Kanna had proposed. The alternative plan to inform the world of Subaru's achievements, and his "evil" deeds.

"... Broadcast, start...!" (Subaru)

"Roger." (Arona)

Internal broadcast to the Public Peace Bureau, posting a video on social media via phone, email with an image attachment to the Federal Student Council. He will use every means to introduce Kivotos, and the Kaiser Corporation, to the existence of "Natsuki Subaru"!

Subaru's specialty: a double bluff of bravado and pretense.

"Ah, ah, mic test... ── No time for that! Hello at this late hour of the night!! It's time for Natsuki Subaru's Late Night Radio!!!" (Subaru)

"Holy cow! We are currently at the headquarters of the trending terrorist organization ──!?" (Subaru)

── A sensation of weightlessness beneath his body. Then, a shock hitting his spine.

An impact from behind, and in this situation, there is only one person capable of delivering it.

"I'm going to crush one of the bases of that trendy terrorist organization! What nonsense are you spouting about making 'Natsuki Subaru the final target'!! Don't underestimate the successor to the Federal Student Council President!" (Subaru)

"Didn't I tell you before!? Ugh... ── I am your true enemy!" (Subaru)

Contrary to his valiant words, the recoil from the collision during this ultra-high-speed movement caused the car frame to wobble, inducing a wave of nausea in his stomach.

But if he didn't settle this here, Subaru's nickname in Kivotos would become the "Vomit Demon."

"Don't divert your eyes to anyone but me!! Before you crush Abydos, I will kick every single one of you out of Kivotos, one by one!" (Subaru)

"8 seconds until arrival. Please be cautious of gunfire." (Arona)

"That too!! I said it before, but!!" (Subaru)

After hearing screams that sounded like they came from madmen ahead, a faint heat and pain ran through his shoulder.

Following that, a bullet grazed his cheek, and a very heavy impact pierced his bulletproof vest. All of this was enough to make him want to contort his face violently and let out a loud, pathetic scream.

Defensive equipment tore through the car, and confused soldiers left deep wounds on Natsuki Subaru's body. Anxiety gnawed at his heart, fearing that a single stray bullet hitting the explosives in the back seat would cause a massive explosion.

── Yet, he showed not a speck of that pain or fear.

"『I am ready to discuss, even without pointing weapons.』" (Subaru)

"But the ones who broke that first, were you." (Subaru)

"── End of broadcast!!!" (Subaru)

In that same instant, he kicked the right-side door open with force ──,

"── Oh." (Subaru)

By the way.

The average speed of a roller coaster is said to be about 102 km/h.

The maximum speed reaches around 120 or 130, unless it's an extreme type, that's the limit. Subaru's childhood memory still recalls the terror he felt when he tasted that speed with his living body.

── Extreme type, yes, he remembers riding one of those too. The name escapes him now but... after riding it feigning bravery and muttering "Piece of cake, piece of cake" with his nose high, Subaru swore he would never ride it again.

Thoughts utterly meaningless. There is no connection between the Subaru betting his life in this situation, and the Subaru screaming joyfully at an amusement park ──,

"Dea ──" (Subaru)

Yes, slamming into the ground, which is vastly harder than you, at a speed exceeding 160 km/h, is exactly like being thrown out of a roller coaster.

"Natsuki Subaru." (Hoshino)

Then, the impact that should have come did not arrive, and what his body felt was the sensation of soft hands.

"... Oh." (Subaru)

"... ──?" (Subaru)

Without a scratch?

"You..." (Hoshino)

"You, what the hell are you really?" (Hoshino)

"Answer me ──!" (Hoshino)

When he comprehended the situation, he found himself in Takanashi Hoshino's arms. What followed was the massive explosion he had planned but which exceeded expectations, and even from the shock of that blast, he was protected.

Amidst the roar of the explosion that nearly ruptured his eardrums, Hoshino's question reached his ears faintly.

Then, that muzzle he had seen hundreds of times was pointed at him—the shotgun muzzle.

Scared, scared, scared to the point of inescapable terror. I'll die. If the trigger is pulled, Subaru will...

"I am..." (Subaru)

"I am me, Hoshino." (Subaru)

"Haaah ──?" (Hoshino)

"Natsuki Subaru, as you see." (Subaru)

"I get scared enough to cry and scream if a gun is pointed at me, and I always do reckless things beyond my capacity." (Subaru)

"I can't stand pain, I don't possess much resolve, and I'm not special in anything." (Subaru)

"If I don't borrow someone's hand... I can't even stand on my own." (Subaru)

"... Do you want to die?" (Hoshino)

"── I don't want to die." (Subaru)

"I don't want to die!! I don't want to die! I! Don't!! Want to Die!!!" (Subaru)

"I want... to help you...!" (Subaru)

"Because there are still... people crying because of me...!" (Subaru)

With fluids streaming from every opening on his face, Subaru screamed. Asserting that for this reason, he cannot die.

"──" (Hoshino)

『Hoshino-chan.』 (Yume's Voice)

『Suspicion, distrust, violence, and lies...』 (Yume's Voice)

『If you start thinking these things are normal...』 (Yume's Voice)

『Someday, you will lose yourself.』 (Yume's Voice)

『So, Hoshino-chan ──』 (Yume's Voice)

"────" (Hoshino)

"──..." (Hoshino)

"..." (Hoshino)

── The shotgun muzzle aimed at Subaru was slowly lowered.

"Ah... Hoshi, Hoshi ──" (Subaru)

Then it was raised to strike Subaru's head.

It was a precise blow aimed to snatch consciousness, its force carefully adjusted not to take his life.

"I still have things to ask you." (Hoshino)

_________

40+