Chapter 3

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Unfortunately, my body began to move once my path to the door was blocked.

—Akane, Akane!

I bang on the door again and again. It doesn’t make a sound or move, my hand just hurts.

—Natsuru, move.

Mikoto drew her katana, pointing the tip towards the door.

—Hyaaahh!

She lowered the katana diagonally. But only the blade sank slightly into the door.

“No, I can’t cut it. Natsuru, use magic,” I slowly shook my head. If Mikoto’s sword can’t

to cut it, then my magic can’t either.

“…Aaah, moooo!”, Mikoto kicked the door in frustration. Although she didn’t back down, she ended up holding o Painful foot.

I stared in astonishment at the iron gate. There should be space below on the other side. But now, it’s

unattainable.

—Akane…

I unconsciously murmured the name of the fierce woman who disappeared with Sakura-san.

-Because…

The image of Akane jumping into the hole appeared clearly in my mind. At that moment, she had Delivered to Sakura-san. She accepted the malicious soul’s offer.

I looked at my right arm. A still hand. Magic that was never released. It contracted tightly.

—Why… didn’t it move…

—Natsuru…

Mikoto spoke to me with concern. Although I heard her, it was as if I hadn’t heard her at all. listened.

—I understood… that I had to stop Akane there… but I couldn’t do anything. My magic is useless.

What… I didn’t extend my hand… even if I had only held Akane’s arm…

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—Hey, Natsuru…

—Relying on magic was useless. I should have extended my hand. Even if I had only grasped Akane’s arm… but…!

—Natsuru, please calm down.

—Why did I just stand there watching Akane leave?! What the hell am I doing?!

—Natsuru!

Mikoto hugged me from behind.

Tears began to flow. It was the first time I understood that these kinds of things weren’t right. related to my own will. I couldn’t contain them as they flowed from the corner of my eyes. I felt powerless and pitiful for not being able to do anything for Akane.

I was out of breath. I wasn’t running or fighting. I wasn’t doing anything, but my body was

ablaze.

Mikoto whispered.

—Natsuru, you know?

-Damn…

—Please, calm down. Take a moment to compose yourself. It’s just you and me here.

Finally, my childhood friend’s words began to resonate in my mind. Although vaguely,

I began to understand its meaning.

—Akane-chan isn’t here either. It would be bad if you got desperate here. So please don’t lose your Composure. He’s still the same old Natsuru.

Gradually, the feeling of oppression faded away.

I felt Mikoto’s weight on my back. It had always been like this, her initiating adventures, but never

forgetting about me. Despite being careless, she was kind, calling me from afar, taking care of my

meals.

I can hear my heartbeat. It’s Mikoto’s. Her body temperature has spread throughout my entire body.

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Suddenly, she moves away from behind me. She moves to my left.

A white hand touches my cheek. It forces me to turn my head.

—Nngh…?

A soft sensation on my lips. Huh?

—Hey, what-…!

—… Ehehe.

Mikoto pulls away from my lips with a smile.

—Are things back to normal?

—Y-Yes… Don’t scare me like that.

If I were suddenly kissed, my distant consciousness would quickly return. My heart beat faster in a

different direction.

—What a relief…

Mikoto sighed in relief.

—I got a little nervous.

—You, huh…?

—But this is the last straw. You can rest assured. I won’t do anything like this again.

He spoke in a sad tone.

—As long as Natsuru is okay, I’m okay, yes.

He took my hand.

—Okay, let’s go. We need to bring Akane-chan and Shizuku back.

—Yes, that’s true.

I looked at my palm again. This time it’s okay. I can shoot even if it’s at Sakura-san. I’m not like that anymore.

I will contain.

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But how should I do it? The basement door is locked, and we can’t get through the hole in the wall.

swimming pool. Given the size of the underground space, there should be at least one other entrance or exit.

Suddenly, I looked at the floor. There was a cell phone lying there. And a box of Pocky.

—From Akane-chan?

-Yeah.

Pim-pam-pum-pim. Suddenly, music started playing and Mikoto and I were surprised.

It was Akane’s phone ringing. It was strange music. I think it was the theme song from some anime.

-What is this?

Mikoto peeked out.

—It’s an incoming call, isn’t it?

I was looking at the liquid crystal display.

Should I reject it?

-No…

At that moment, I remembered what the fierce woman Akane had whispered to me with determination. That’s ri

manner.

I didn’t take my eyes off the phone screen. The recipient’s name was being displayed there.

It was written: “Dad”.

■

Time goes backwards.

Shizuku slowly opened her eyes.

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His vision was blurred. Was it because of the fog or the drugs? Yes, he was given the drug. Exactly.

After going down to the basement, they grabbed her from behind and forced a cloth soaked in drugs into her mo He remembers nothing more from that moment on. Suddenly, he finds himself in his current situation.

Gradually, her vision cleared before her. Though slightly shaky, she could see the gray ceiling. A roof? It definitely was a roof. Bare, characterless concrete. In other words, it was being

retained.

He got up carefully. At the same time, he checked his body for any injuries. His joints They worked and I didn’t feel any unnecessary pain. I had no nausea or headache.

I looked around. I was lying directly on the floor instead of the bed. The room was Empty. Apart from myself, there was no one else.

—Ahh, you’re awake now?

—Did you… realize?

Two sets of steps. One sounds like a jump, and the other like shuffling. It’s Rika Ueda and Ryoka Yamakawa.

Rika seems energetic, but Ryoka appears to be in pain, holding a machine gun in one hand.

—I was thinking about what to do if you kept sleeping.

“If you didn’t wake up, I was determined to wake you up by force…” —…Yamakawa-san.

Shizuku stares intently at Ryoka without looking at Rika and opens her mouth.

—You don’t seem well.

—…

—Your bullet wounds haven’t healed, have they?

-Be quiet!

Ryoka screams. She is holding her abdomen with her left hand.

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Blood seeped between his fingers. Kämpfer are stronger than normal humans and have A rapid healing ability. But Ryoka’s wounds won’t heal. It was such a brutal blow.

—You should stay still.

—Shut up! Don’t speak!

Following the instructions, Shizuku remained silent.

Ryoka was breathing heavily. Her shoulders were rising and falling violently. From the outside, one could see He was clearly suffering.

But her gaze shone intensely, as if it were inversely proportional. It seemed more as if I was fearing something rather than longing for life.

—Even so, you still wanted to trap me?

-Yeah…

—Who are you afraid of? Kaede?

—…

—Okay, that’s the end of the discussion!

Rika approached and pointed her scythe at Shizuku.

—You shouldn’t push too hard.

—You seem to be okay.

—Rika-chan is fine. She’s always praised by Kaede-sama.

As soon as she heard Kaede’s name, Ryoka’s body shuddered. Shizuku didn’t miss that. small gesture.

—Yamakawa-san… are you being threatened by Kaede?

-And?

Ryoka spoke with a voice that seemed to bite, without tranquility.

—I don’t want to keep being scolded by Kaede-sama…

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—That girl doesn’t scare me that much, you know?

—The president… knows nothing about Kaede-sama!

Ryoka screamed and coughed loudly.

—That person… is truly terrifying when they get angry. They’re cold and ruthless, very different from

as is usually the case…

She nodded broadly, as if Rika agreed with those words.

—When Kaede-sama gets angry, she’s really scary, you know?

—I think the Kaede we always know at school is her true self.

Upon hearing Shizuku’s words, Ryoka coughed again.

—You may be right. But no matter which is true, I just don’t want to make things worse.

Kaede-sama’s humor.

She pointed a machine gun at Shizuku.

—So, Madam President, let’s behave ourselves.

—Do you intend to kill me?

Rika pressed a scythe against Shizuku’s throat. With a little more force, her throat… would open.

—I can kill you, but I shouldn’t do that.

—Kaede-sama will be angry. If you behave and follow my orders, it’s fine.

Ryoka took Rika’s words to heart.

Shizuku maintained her calm demeanor.

—Is the enslavement of prisoners permitted under international law?

—I don’t care. Stay as you are. If you have any complaints, I’ll hurt your limbs.

—As long as you don’t die, it’s fine.

Rika, with enthusiasm in her tone. Shizuku moved her eyes slightly.

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—This is going to be a problem.

—Then, stay calm.

—Even that… I refuse!

Suddenly, Shizuku jerked her arm. At the same time, she clenched it tightly and transformed into a kämpfer. A force far more powerful than that of a normal person struck Rika’s chin. A force

The blow struck Rika’s chin with extreme force.

—Kyaaahh!

Her small body was thrown. Shizuku didn’t check. She shifted her attack target to Ryoka.

—President!

—Don’t get overconfident, carelessness is your biggest enemy.

—Always the same-… Uuhh!

Suddenly, Ryoka whimpered in pain, crouching down and clutching her abdomen. She was pressing on her

gunshot wound. Shizuku stopped the attack.

—You don’t need to say it.

She bent down and touched Ryoka’s body.

—Show me the wound.

-Let me…

—Show it to me.

Pulling his hand away abruptly, he inspected his abdomen. It was blackened with blood, with one part

of the torn flesh.

“It’s not good… to put it mildly, but if you continue fighting, it will eventually heal, right? For now, The most important thing is rest. I’ll just apply a hemostatic agent.

Taking out a handkerchief, he folded it and pressed it against the wound. Then, he removed Ryoka’s belt and He used it as a bandage.

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“It’s just an attempt at consolation, but I should be better than before,” he told Ryoka, twisting his face with

pain, but looking with one eye.

—President… I won’t thank you.

“Okay. I don’t intend to treat you for free either,” she replied, grabbing

suddenly both of Ryoka’s shoulders.

—I want you to tell me, is this underground space the lowest level here?

—Wh-…

“Look at me,” Shizuku said, forcing the suffering woman to lift her face.

—Is this the lowest point? I don’t think so, is it?

-What are you-…

—There was a water tank where Senpai was locked up, but I feel like that’s not the end of it. Won’t there be ano

place?

Ryoka stepped back slightly and tried to walk away, but Shizuku wouldn’t let her. She had no intention of leavin

escape.

—I forgot to ask you earlier. Answer. There must be something, like the place where Kaede first transformed

once in that state…

At that moment, the wind caressed Shizuku’s cheek.

It was insignificant. You could say it was as slight as the flutter of a mosquito’s wings. Yet she… perceived it as a crisis.

He turned around. And brandished his dagger. From across the room, he caught the lunging figure. towards her with a sword in both hands.

—Hyahn, Shizuku-chan is so fast!

—… Kaede.

The metals clashed and separated. Kaede was using a deep black sword.

They drifted apart.

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—So Shizuku-chan was already awake, huh?

Kaede had a playful look in her eyes. It contrasted with her serious expression.

—You arrived a little early too, didn’t you?

—Early…? Aah.

Kaede now seems impressed.

—I see. Shizuku-chan, you let yourself get caught on purpose to investigate here. I suppose you couldn’t handle Just with Ryoka and Rika, right?

—The little girl is unconscious. Yamakawa is unfit due to his injuries.

—So it’s just me and Shizuku-chan.

—Yes. It’s convenient.

A dagger is thrown. It drags along the ground toward Kaede.

Kaede calmly dodges.

—What is the real reason Shizuku-chan let herself be caught on purpose?

—Because I like being alone.

—That’s a lie. You like Natsuru-san, don’t you?

Kaede jumps. She spins in the air, landing behind. Shizuku turns around.

—I don’t want to involve any more people.

—Even if it’s Natsuru-san?

—Natsuru in particular.

The black-haired student council president jumped back to create some distance. The dagger that She held a chain, which allowed her to manipulate it skillfully even at a long distance. Facing Kaede, who only had one sword at the moment, she planned to keep at least one

slight advantage.

—Natsuru, Akane, and Mikoto are all somewhat involved with me. At least in the end, aren’t they?

Is it okay to solve it yourself?

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-Hmm.

Kaede doesn’t move.

—Even though I tried my best to get Shizuku-chan and Natsuru-san together, are you going to throw it all away Lose suddenly?

—I like it, Natsuru.

—How corny.

—I love him. I love him… even if he doesn’t look at me.

She brandished the dagger on its chain and then threw them both at once. She didn’t just throw them, she posit

both on the same axis, making them appear as if they were a single sword.

Kaede dodges the first one. But then she’s caught by the chain of the second one flying towards her.

losing balance.

Shizuku runs towards her. But Kaede recovers immediately.

—Phew, that was close. You’re amazing, Shizuku.

He smiles maliciously. He still shows no sign of despair.

—Why did you think about fighting without Natsuru-san present?

—…

—I’ll try to guess.

In the dim light, only Kaede’s teeth shone white.

“She’s Shizuku-chan’s senpai, right, Shinomiya-san? Seeing her figure startled you. You thought it was Natsuru It could end like this. You don’t want to lose two people you love, do you?

—…

—You’re not good at worrying, Shizuku-chan. Your fans will start crying.

—If you just keep imagining things…

—Wouldn’t it be too presumptuous to fight alone? Natsuru-san might be worrying right now.

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—Akane and Mikoto are with him.

—Again. Trying to be brave, huh?

Kaede’s sword gleamed black. It seemed to resonate with her spirit. And her lips wove sharp words. like a leaf.

—Actually, you’re mistaken. Although Shizuku-chan is very strong, she would surely want to be by Shizuku-cha Natsuru-san. Perhaps he fears losing, that Mishima-san and Kondou-san will lose, that even Natsuru-san will lo They could all be locked together in a box. You’re not thinking about that, are you?

-… Be quiet.

—That’s not the case. Even if Shizuku-chan doesn’t lose, there’s a possibility that other people could become lik Shizuku-chan’s senpai. For example, if I left here and headed towards where Natsuru-san is…

-Be quiet.

—Everyone could become like Shinomiya-san, you know?

-Be quiet!

Shizuku kicked the ground. Making full use of her trained legs and the strength of a kämpfer, she shortened the

distance and threw a dagger almost at the same time.

Kaede tried to dodge by jumping. However, one of the daggers changed course and flew towards her. abdomen.

In the hand that wasn’t holding a sword, an automatic pistol appeared. Two shots in total. Hitting the The blade and the chain caused the dagger to lose its force. The last piece flew out, hitting the ceiling.

—Not yet-… Huh!?

Kaede screamed in surprise. The dagger that was supposed to be stuck in the ceiling was bouncing and comin He tried to dodge it by twisting his body, but he didn’t make it in time. It got tangled up in his left arm.

Shizuku pulled with all her might.

—Kyaahh!

Kaede fell with a scream. Shizuku kicked away the sword and gun that had slipped from her hand.

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Then he pointed the recovered dagger.

—You neglected your guard, Kaede.

—It hurts… Shizuku-chan, you’re really good.

“If it were you, you could have avoided that properly. You’ve gotten too involved in my gossip.” Shizuku’s voice remained calm. Due to the intense emotion, her breathing was a little rapid.

—I thought Shizuku-chan would be distressed.

—I’m distressed. You really do have a sharp tongue. I’m disappointed.

—I like to intimidate Shizuku-chan.

Kaede was lying on the floor. Lying on her back, she was still staring at Shizuku.

The all-powerful student council president looked down at her without bending down.

—Are you thinking of killing me?

—…

—It could all end if you do that.

—Perhaps so, that would be a good idea.

With a cold tone. At least in physical terms, they were close friends, but she was completely clear about it.

—But if I kill you…

—What if you kill me?

—… I have something to ask you.

He untied the chains that coiled around his feet. He held daggers in both hands, ready to

launch at any time.

—When you first came in here, what did you see?

—Why are you asking me something like that?

“It’s not something you were born knowing. Yamakawa-san was still mentioning having rooms. What was in Where? Answer.

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—And what will you do if I answer?

—That’s none of your business.

—You want to know, right?

-Answer me.

The hand holding the dagger was full of strength.

Kaede’s gaze was directed towards Shizuku’s face.

—Hey, Shizuku-chan, I also have something I want to ask you.

—I’m the one asking the questions.

—Shizuku-chan, you made them put you to sleep on purpose and they brought you here, didn’t you?

—So what if they did?

—It may be very honorable to fight alone, but do you think I am too?

—Are you trying to upset me? It’s useless.

Shizuku was alert, all her senses heightened, staring intently at Kaede. She didn’t have the

I had no intention of overlooking even the slightest strange movement. If something seemed out of place, I wou

in plunging his sword in.

—Minagawa-san and Nakao-san are tied up and left aside. Yamakawa-san and Ueda-san’s sister no They are useful. You have no allies here.

—That’s not entirely true.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the room.

One shot, two shots. The bullets, fired with uncertain accuracy, struck the daggers that Shizuku

held it in both hands.

It was then that Shizuku finally turned her gaze toward the entrance of the room. And she let out

a few words.

—… Akane.

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Akane had become a fighter. Always carrying with her a fighting spirit. However, she was

directed towards Shizuku.

Kaede, who was lying down, slowly stood up.

—Hey, Shizuku-chan, I told you, you might lose.

The smile on her face was identical to the expression she had when we were best friends.

■

Both Mikoto and I returned to our original forms. And we left Sakura-san’s house. Not that We wanted to escape… let’s go meet the person who called us on the phone.

I cursed a little what I had forgotten until now. It’s not right to blame others, even if the fierce woman said Things like we’d be fine if we didn’t need her. Oops, I got a little carried away blaming others.

After leaving Sakura-san’s house, we walked briskly. I had planned to walk, but I was a little tired.

I was nervous, so I hurried.

—Hey, Natsuru, are you sure it’s that way?

Mikoto called me from behind.

—Maybe… ah, I don’t know.

I’m not good with geography. This is my first time here.

—I’ll go ahead.

Mikoto started running. No matter how unfamiliar the place, she never gets lost. She has a knack for finding her

their destination with only a few clues.

He hadn’t made a mistake in choosing the right path. We arrived at the desired house.

We took a moment to calm ourselves, and then we knocked on the door. We had already announced our

visit in the previous call.

The door opened. A middle-aged man of robust build appeared.

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—Hello, welcome! Are you Natsuru Senou-kun?

—Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time.

I responded in that manner and bowed deeply to Mishima Kumeaki, Akane’s father.

Akane’s father ushered us into the living room. Her mother had been suddenly summoned to a I had been to a community meeting and had left. I felt uneasy arriving suddenly at this time of night, so I apologized at first.

—Don’t worry about that. I was the one who said you could come whenever you wanted.

Kumeaki said that laughing happily.

Mikoto and I sat down on the sofa.

—I’ve heard a lot about you from my daughter.

—I feel honored.

Mikoto spoke in words that were not her own.

The man in front of us, with a slightly robust, middle-aged body, laughed, becoming agitated. Now, What work are they doing? I heard something about Akane.

With trepidation, I began.

—Was Mishima-san’s father… a carpenter?

-Hey?

—No, that’s not it. I sell used cars.

I was stunned. I’m sure I heard he was a carpenter during the day.

—I used to be a carpenter a long time ago. That lasted a long time. Changing jobs is my hobby.

-Yeah…

—Although it’s a time of recession, I was surprised by a job change, but for some reason I had Luckily, I found a job right away. Thanks to that, I’ve never had any problems with my income.

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It may have been a kind of boast, but there was no malice involved.

Even so, changing jobs as a hobby is unusual. It doesn’t seem like the type of person who can handle it. a lot, so it must really be a hobby. It seems like many people would envy the fact that

to be able to change jobs without worries. It seems that Higashida’s father, a classmate, already

It has been twenty years since he joined the company, although his motto has always been “I’ll leave someday” —I had previously worked in several different jobs.

Behind Kumeaki, there was a row of photos where she wore both suits and work uniforms. Some They even looked like jugglers.

—There were times when I worked in agriculture, I was also a fisherman. There were times when She collected natural pearls and sold them.

She looks like a housewife.

—Heee, that sounds great.

Mikoto was thrilled. This woman likes these kinds of stories.

“I once thought about raising pearls too. But I gave it up and switched to diamonds.”

-Oh really?

—Even diamonds are difficult to mine yourself, so I only did business with the

rights in Africa. But then, when I refused to bribe a Congolese official, I ended up

fighting against their mercenaries and-… aarg.

I shut her up. Your life is too wild. What will you do if Akane’s dad decides to retire?

—Hahaha, that sounds interesting.

He seemed to think it was a joke. He sighed with relief.

—I’m not as dynamic as you, but I’ve had several jobs. I was even a civil servant or bureaucrat in his At that time, I was still working seriously. But everything changed when Akane was born.

-I see.

—However, I was bored. I had a job, but I had no motivation. I did hidden part-time jobs.

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at dawn. In the end, having two jobs, the civil servant one and the one at the company, became too hard, so

that I ended up working for the company.

I let go of Mikoto’s mouth and straightened up.

—Um, as I mentioned in the previous phone call, that was the question I wanted to ask you.

—Ooh, I see… Although Akane is really slow.

Kumeaki looked at the clock.

—I think he’ll come soon.

I told a casual lie. It was better that way than telling the truth and making him worry.

—So, about the part-time job…

—Ah, that’s right. Ah, when did I start? I did it for quite a while. I created a lot of useless things. Like

Water-drinking birds that don’t move an inch in a standing position, or Gomoku games (a

a kind of expanded tic-tac-toe, where the objective is to align five pieces) with the result already determined.

It’s surprising he wasn’t fired for doing those things. It’s probably due to the culture of… company. There’s only one place where those things are tolerated.

—By the way, it was a proposal from a toy company, right?

—Yes, yes.

—… What other irrelevant idea have you come up with so far? … Oh, what a strange idea that was!

—Well, that was it. “THE Visceras”.

The moment I heard those words, I felt strength flow through my body. My colleague next to me He was also listening attentively.

“The Visceras” refers to the initial series of visceral animal toys. Akane’s father was the one who He proposed the marketing of visceral animal toys.

Known as a self-destruct weapon in the toy industry and sometimes as an instrument of Secret police torture, visceral animals. The person who first pulled the trigger was

right in front of me.

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I knew nothing about that. Or rather, I didn’t want to know. I didn’t even think about who was trafficking the anim

visceral because I knew that if I became interested, it would be the end.

The one who told me was Akane, who had turned into a ferocious dog. He said, “It seems my father is…”

involved in marketing. If the need arises, go and ask him.”

Apparently, this was written in a file he saw at the research facility. Probably

It was recorded by a technician. Or perhaps it was by a fighter at the time, or maybe even Sakura-san herself.

—Do you know anything about it… Akane-san?

—I don’t think he knows. He probably would have panicked or started crying if he had.

saying.

Clearly, Akane knew that visceral animals were literally meant to make children cry.

—Why did you come up with… such an extravagant design for that?

—Well, I guess it’s because you’re always doing mental puzzles… that’s what I’d like

say.

Akane’s father cleared his throat.

—Actually, it’s hard to say the idea was mine. I heard the story from a girl who lived nearby in that

Time. Do you remember I told you my wife is in a meeting right now? She was in that meeting. The parents They said they had brought her because she seemed lonely.

—What was that girl’s name?

—Ah, yes… I think it was…

Akane’s father looked up at the ceiling. He opened his mouth two or three times, but then closed it. Then, He spoke as if he were surprised.

—The name was… something like Kura. Maybe the name was Kaera.

I can’t help but think that it’s not Kura Kaera.

“Isn’t that Sakura Kaede?”

—Maybe that was the case. Are you related to me?

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—Yes, well.

I answered vaguely.

—What did you talk about with the girl?

—Nonsense. Young children often create their own imaginary world, and that little girl wasn’t one of them. exception. Although he didn’t talk about his surroundings, he talked a lot about his fantasy world.

Then, Kumeaki started laughing.

—There, the girl began talking about animals with their internal organs exposed. My wife was disgusted,

But I found it interesting. So I took it to work.

Was it that interesting?

—Honestly, it depends on the person. But the head of the toy company really liked it and ordered the President’s approval. So they gave me the green light. From that day on, the company asked me to She would design a variety of animals.

The person who requested the approval wasn’t right in the head, and neither was the person who granted it.

This is how the plush toy that plunged children across the country into the abyss of fear was completed.

—Have Akane-san and that girl met?

—No, I suppose not. The timing was off somehow. Just as the girl was coming, Akane didn’t She was here. The girl didn’t live around here, so she didn’t come often.

—Eeer, so…

Let’s get straight to the point. This confirmation is enough for us. The important part starts now.

—Was there anything else the girl mentioned or discussed?

—Yes, there was. I remember him mentioning a stuffed animal as a memory device, he called it the “area of

“memory,” and he said that by looking into someone’s eyes you could see their contents or control others. Som science fiction, right?

—Did the girl make all that up?

—It was narrative style. Of course, it was impossible to turn it into a marketing gimmick, so what was created It was just a plush toy.

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With the entrails exposed, it can hardly be considered simple, but I think they didn’t expect that I might speak at some point.

Akane’s father seemed quite cheerful. He seemed to enjoy talking to me. Probably no one else.

You will be interested in the topic of visceral animals.

—Did that girl give you anything?

—Something like what?

—For example, a notebook or a sketchbook?

—Hmm…

Kumeaki crossed her arms and thought. With her build, she looked good like that. Although Akane probably wo He would like his father to continue gaining weight.

The man in front of me was thinking deeply. Handsome dad, please remember soon.

-I don’t think so.

I was about to collapse.

—Don’t you have it?

—I had the notebook with me, but didn’t I bring it back? It must be something important to the person in

question.

That may be so.

Deep down, I felt discouraged. It would have been nice if there had at least been some

Progression here. That’s what I was trying to achieve.

I thought that if I found something recorded, I might be able to uncover Sakura-san’s secrets. The mystery of he

strengths or weaknesses. I would just need to read that file, which is in the basement. So I’m stuck.

Wait. Didn’t I originally come here to ask about the history of the creation of visceral animals?

No. Akane told me, after she turned into a ferocious dog. She discovered something by reading the file.

Probably something vague. If she had clearly understood the information, she would have told me.

But since she didn’t, that’s something only this father knows.

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As if she had read my mind, Mikoto asked,

“Isn’t there anything else?”

“She seems to really like those stuffed animals, doesn’t she?”

“Because they talk.”

Kumeaki laughed with an “ahaha.” She seemed to think it was a joke.

“Yes, that… That girl has been going in and out of our basement several times.”

“Basement?”

“Yes. There are the remains of an air-raid shelter in the garden. It was used as a basement for a while, and when I told

the girl about it, she became interested. She probably thought ideas would flow better in a dark place.”

“Please, show me there.”

I hurried.

Kumeaki graciously agreed. “Wait a moment,” he said, returning with a flashlight.

“It’s close.”

Akane’s father headed to the garden in sandals. Mikoto and I put on proper shoes.

Part of the garden was covered with a metal lid. It was locked.

“We used to use it as a storage shed, but we decided to close it up because of leaks from the rainwater.”

“Can we go in?”

“Of course.”

Kumeaki unlocked the padlock. I lifted the metal lid.

It clicked open. There was a steep, partially corroded wooden staircase.

“Let me have a look inside.”

“No problem, but be careful.”

“Okay. Oh, and if Akane comes, tell her I’m here.”

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Even though I said that, she probably wouldn’t come. Rather, I’m struggling to go to where she is.

I borrowed a flashlight. As usual, Mikoto went downstairs first, so I shone it on her from behind.

It was dark inside. Of course. Since it wasn’t being used now, there was no light. Probably Sakura-san. I had no proof, but I was convinced Sakura-san had witnessed something here. Maybe after

that, the visceral animals started talking. What could she have seen here?

I shone the flashlight around me. It was empty. In the corner, there were puddles of water. It smelled musty

because of the dampness.

Despite the darkness, Mikoto kept pacing around.

“Hey, Natsuru, over here.”

“Hm?”

There was a section of the wall that was discolored. It was just the right size for a person to

crouch through. However, it was sealed with something like plaster.

I tried pushing with one hand. It didn’t budge, but it crumbled easily.

“Do you think a hole will open up?”

“Should we try?”

We decided to try harder.

“Oh, come on… there!”

Since just pushing with our hands wasn’t working, Mikoto and I tried kicking it. At first, it didn’t budge, but after a few tries, it started to wobble.

“Just a little more!”

I took a step back and, finally, with one last burst of energy, I kicked. The wall crumbled, and a hole opened up.

On the other side of the hole, there was a passageway. I would need to duck to walk through; it was as high as I’d feared.

I suppose Sakura-san, being a child, didn’t have any problems. Or perhaps she crawled along?

—Does this passage lead to the subway?

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—That’s probably the case.

Without hesitation, I stepped into the darkness. It was dusty. Dust had accumulated everywhere and The dampness had turned the ground into mud. My trousers were getting dirtier and dirtier in the

hems and knees. Mikoto also exclaimed from behind: “I have to go to the laundromat when

come back!

Something—either dirt or concrete—fell on top of me. The materials seemed quite fragile; if not Be careful, you could end up buried alive.

Remaining cautious, the feeling of oppression suddenly disappeared. He had reached a wide-open space.

I got up, relieved. Mikoto also emerged.

It was like a cave. However, since the walls were vertical, it was clear that they had been

excavated by humans. They had likely enlarged something that was originally natural.

Mikoto expressed astonishment.

—It’s enormous. There are many caves like this in South America.

—But we’re in Japan, you know?

—It’s strange.

Using a flashlight, I shone it to the right and left. The light moved from right to left.

There are holes in the back. Two of them, in fact. Which way do they connect? I should go for one of these. two holes, but I don’t know which one would be better.

I shone a light beneath my feet. I thought maybe I’d find Sakura-san’s footprints. But it was no use. There weren

so that traces from more than ten years ago are preserved.

—Mikoto, what do you think is the correct path to that underground facility?

-That.

Mikoto pointed without hesitation to the right hole.

Although I don’t have a poor sense of direction, I’m not very astute either. If we’re talking about a compass…

Human, this girl is the one. Whether in the jungle late at night or in the middle of a torrential downpour Ocean, he claimed to be able to distinguish north without error. A kind of sextant with limbs.

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If Mikoto says so, then it’s safe. Akane and Shizuku are over there in the distance. If they’re both there, I’ll know

to save them both.

Just as I was about to go in, a strange noise was heard from the back.

It was as if something was hitting the ground with a peculiar sound. It sounded like footsteps, but not quite.

It was human. A dog, perhaps?

—Natsuru… something is coming.

-Silence.

Perhaps I should transform. It would be a problem if they’re enemies. I can’t die before saving them. It’s

too soon for a “game over” with no possibility of continuing.

I listened carefully. I think they’re talking too. They’re heading this way while they’re conversing.

Can a dog walk and talk at the same time? What nonsense.

It doesn’t matter. I put strength into my arm and tried to become a fighter. Then.

—Ahh, I’m completely lost.

—It’s because you said “come this way”.

“There’s nothing that can be done about it. When I tried to go back, the door was locked.”

-You…

I was stunned, staring at those who were leaving.

—Natsuru-san!

From the bottom of a hole emerged the group of visceral animals.

I decided to stop the transformation. It didn’t really matter, but I missed the crucial moment. Mikoto was still ther

in their usual appearance.

We encountered the visceral animals. Why on earth were they here and not just one or two?

—Natsuru-san, why are you here?

Harakiritora said so.

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—That’s my line. I thought you’d stay quietly in the room.

—As a messenger, I can’t just stand around looking distracted.

The pile of chemical fibers seemed proud for some reason.

At least they weren’t enemies, which reassured me. Although seeing a stuffed animal with its insides hanging o

scary.

—Why have you come all the way here? Well, could you even walk?

—I can walk. I don’t usually travel long distances, but I made an effort.

—But why back to this place again?

—Isn’t it obvious? I came to help you.

A plush toy that had intervened from the side was present. It was Seppkukurousagi. With its eyes

injected with blood and clearly with an expression that said, “I’m scathing.”

“You’re probably in a bit of a mess, so we’ve come to lend a hand. Well, I was a little lost…” But in any case, say thank you.

Why thank a stuffed animal? Help is nice, but what can it actually do?

—I have a lot of colleagues, look.

Sepkurousagi pointed with his ear. A white cat, its fur completely bristling, greeted me.

—It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. You’re quite dirty.

—I think you’re KandenYamaneko. Have you always been so sarcastic? “I’m quite critical of men. I won’t rest until you become a real man.”

suitable for my mistress.

—What would reassure you?

Beside it was a dog sticking out its tongue, with a rough rope around its neck. It was

truly surreal.

—Pleased to meet you, I’m Chinnkunorain…

—Ah, are you the visceral animal Mikoto mentioned?

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The way of speaking without inflections is truly unique.

—You look like you’re about to die at any moment.

—Please, stop bothering me.

If we base it on a corpse, that’s really too much of an intrusion.

Mikoto also comments on her visceral animal plushie, saying, “It always looks sick, you know?” Chinnkunorain replies, “That’s just how things are,” so they seem to be a good match.

And right next to them.

—Hey, that.

—Did you notice?

He said Harakiritora. I replied immediately.

—Of course I noticed! This one could walk too!

—It’s rude to call him “this”

A burnt brown plush toy spoke. In a strangely serious and dignified tone.

—It’s not the first time… You’re Hyapuri Lion

Things related to visceral animal plushies don’t surprise me as much anymore, but this left me speechless.

I was stunned. I didn’t expect it to go this far.

—Uwaaaah, this is the first time I’ve seen such a visceral animal so filthy!

Mikoto’s reaction is unconvincing.

—This is the concept.

—Why are you here?

—That girl with black hair brought me here. She’s a brusque person who uses stuffed animals.

—She’s the student council president, so she uses the parents too.

If it’s Shizuku, she’ll even use strangers as pawns, not just her parents.

-When did it happen?

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—A little while ago. I was having a large harem in my dream, surrounded by lionesses, but suddenly I felt that Everything was shaking. And when I realized it, I was being carried by a white rabbit wearing a cape.

—Can you just go back to sleep?

—It’s not that simple. As I understand it, you’re going through a rather difficult time.

With effort, Hyapuri Lion sat down on the dirt floor.

—You probably have a lot of questions.

—Well, yes.

—You seem quite worried about that little girl, don’t you?

-Small?

As I bent my head, I was hit on the elbow by Mikoto.

—You’re talking about Sakura-san, you know?

—Yes, she’s not so little anymore.

—When I first met her, she was little.

He coughed briefly. Something strange.

—Let’s talk step by step. First of all, I don’t know why I was born…

—I know.

—Please, don’t interfere. Once I realized it, I was in a cylindrical tank. A girl

A little girl was spying on me from outside and pulled me out. Then she took me home. That girl was Kaede.

Sakura.

It has to be this way. This isn’t a surprising story. If you combine it with the tank at the facility…

Through research, I could have also reached that conclusion.

—However, I thought Hyapuri Lion had acquired it in middle or high school through

from an auction or something like that.

Sakura-san often uses these methods to obtain rare and hard-to-find animals. The products Items as grotesque as these are quickly discontinued, so they are otherwise unobtainable.

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—The person in question may have said so himself. It’s likely his memory is hazy. In any case In that case, that girl does not have fixed memories of the moderator.

—Hey, tell me more about that.

I leaned forward.

—Actually, what are moderators?

—Before that… do you at least have some tea?

-No.

He said Harakiritra.

—Well, do you really think you can drink?

—It’s just for the atmosphere… It’s not necessary to have it. By the way, you wanted to ask about the

moderators, Natsuru-san?

I nodded.

—I want to find clues to save the missing girls… Also…

—What’s happening?

—I’m fed up with being forced to fight without understanding anything.

I clearly told all the stuffed animals.

“They suddenly turned me into a woman and made me fight nonstop. Besides, Sakura-san turned evil.” Shizuku and Akane have disappeared. What’s going on? Should I keep fighting blindly?

That’s right. In short, this was my root. At that research center, I felt I didn’t want to lose anything. But, in First of all, why should I fight? That’s what I want to know.

Shizuku used to say, “If I keep fighting, I’ll find the reason.” It’s true. So why don’t you reveal it to us?

The secret here and now?

Hyapuri Lion nodded.

-Certainly.

—Besides, Harakiritora hasn’t told me anything.

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—It’s because I don’t know.

He answered. For now, I ignored him.

—I was told earlier something vague, something about two factions. Is that true?

-Yeah.

Hyapuri Lion said.

—So, you know the situation?

—Yes, of course. After all, I’m the first visceral animal, aren’t I?

Laughing like I was gasping for air. In this case, I think “first” refers to being the first to do it.

To cry over a child, but is that something to be proud of?

—Not just me, initially they tried to store all the information in the visceral animals. According to what I’ve From what I heard, it seems the others weren’t taught much. They probably decided it wasn’t necessary or They found it annoying.

—So, will you tell me all your secrets?

I approached Hyapuri Lion.

—It’s not that I’ll show it to you, but rather that Natsuru-san will read my memories.

-As?

—It’s not difficult. Look into my eyes.

I looked inside the burnt brown stuffed animal. Is this guy sane?

—You’ve probably wondered about that, haven’t you?

-Of course.

—In a world where stuffed animals talk, nothing is strange no matter what happens. Of course, but when he speaks in that old-school mad scientist voice from Jump, I feel

ridiculed.

Hyapuri Lion darted his eyes from side to side. It’s unsettling. Was he designed with those kinds of tricks?

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—In my memory field, Natsuru-san will find the information she desires.

—Yes, I heard it.

“You won’t understand unless you do it. Besides, if you leave me alone, I’ll go back to sleep. I don’t even know i I will wake up again.

—…

—Of course, what you do after you find out is Natsuru-san’s decision. After all, without knowing

nothing, nothing can be started.

-That’s how it is.

I am perfectly aware. Even I have reached a point of no return.

I picked up Hyapuri Lion. Although she has a strange expression. Who would think of burning a plushie, a

genius or a strange person? I mean, Akane’s father is a strange person.

Hesitating to look into someone’s eyes… It wasn’t something I wanted to do.

—Please do it soon.

-I will do that.

—That’s why I needed the tea. It’s not something I’m going to drink.

—Does it work like an inductor?

—No, it simply calms me down.

It was a waste of time listening to that. So I’ll just move on with this.

I made a decision and looked inside. In an instant, my field of vision darkened.

That was history. Not the history of humanity or of Earth. It was the history of those who reside far away. in the distance, possibly in the same universe, although it is not even known if they really exist. They were divided into two factions. One of them had a tough, red skin that covered the

surface of its body, while the other had a luminous blue body that extended from

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from the head down to the spinal cord. And they were in conflict with each other. This area was similar to what I Hyapuri Lion had said before.

Biologically speaking, they were female. This indicated that they had value because they were capable of repro In addition, they were physically more robust compared to the males.

They fought endlessly. They had been fighting for so long that they were even

beginning to forget why it had all started. When the exhaustion became evident, a

unexpected solution proposal.

It consisted of selecting a representative warrior from each side to fight and thus find a

Resolution through combat. In this way, further losses would be avoided and the chapter would be closed.

However, at this stage, there was a strange noise. A troublesome genius presented a different proposal to the The plan was established. He suggested that instead of fighting each other, why not make other life forms fight?

Will they fight in their place?

The tricky part was that they had the technology to make it possible. And this proposal was approved. That’s ho

a class of beings specialized in fighting, the “Kämpfer”.

The Kämpfer fought as their representatives. They not only faced the creatures that had

developed civilizations, but also beasts with no other ability than to feed, insects and even

single-celled organisms in selected contests. Of course, huge rewards were promised to

the fighters.

The battle dragged on for a long time, remaining in a state of equilibrium between the two sides.

parts. However, they had no intention of resolving this situation. For them, it was no longer a means to an end. fighting the kämpfer had become the goal itself. They realized the pleasure of

They had unknowingly taken on the role of mediators, making third parties fight. They forgot that in reality They should be the ones who are mediated.

And so, they set their sights on a planet in a particular star system. Some of the living beings that

The people who lived there had reached a certain level of civilization and were still in internal conflict. It was

perfect for the kämpfer.

I was about to vomit. At this point, the records of the kämpfer they had been fighting were gone. until now they flowed within me.

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Romans and Celts who had crossed swords in the forests for over a month. Bavarian orphans

Throwing flames at each other in a deserted village. A Jin woman dueling in the Yellow River. Soldiers French and Russians clashing in the extreme cold of Berezena. Young Zulus fighting with spears in the South Africa. Street children in Argentina competing for the lead in the mountains of South America.

South. And high school students fighting in Japan.

They were being forced to fight for no reason, by strangers since time immemorial.

Of course, we were too.

My field of vision darkened again. Hyapuri Lion stood before me.

—Did you understand?

—… Ah. Certainly.

I was suffocating. I even felt nauseous. It wasn’t my choice. The memories of the fighters I had

I’ve been struggling with these things until now; they’ve piled up inside me. It’s not like I’m trying to be cool. It’s

the absolute truth.

—Natsuru.

Mikoto clung to my arm.

-Are you OK…?

-Yes I’m fine.

It was half a lie. I almost threw up. But I couldn’t afford to worry Mikoto here.

—”Kämpfer” is a German word.

Hyapuri Lion said between coughs.

—Obviously, it’s not the moderators’ language. Or the moderators themselves. Even if they articulate their word Here, it probably won’t be understood. I suppose it was found by chance while continuing to struggle, and from They suddenly seemed familiar.

Even the inscriptions on the wall were in German. I didn’t know who they belonged to, but it was the language o

defeated and those forced to fight.

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—It’s chaos, damn it!

I cursed.

—What happens to the defeated? Will they be thrown into the tank in the middle of a dispute they have no say i

no relationship?

-That’s how it is.

Hyapuri Lion answered solemnly.

—I don’t know the reason for leaving the body. Compassion or to set an example?

“It doesn’t matter which one. It’s miserable… Aren’t the people in that tank going to come back to life?” —Probably not.

I grunted. I see.

—Are you from around there?

Mikoto pointed her finger.

-Yeah.

Chinnkunorain answered.

—If they continue down the path we came by, they will arrive at a place like a laboratory.

—Did you meet anyone along the way?

—No, we didn’t see anyone.

So, we’re still in a place we haven’t been.

-Come on.

—Will we back down?

Sepkurousagi was surprised.

—We’ve come a long way walking. Can’t we go out there if we go that way?

He pointed with his ear in the direction we were coming from. We could go outside from the ancestral home of Akane, but it won’t be like that.

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I grabbed Sepkurousagi’s ear and lifted it up.

—Come on, hurry up.

—Ow, it hurts! What are you doing?

—I’m going to help your master.

—Don’t pull me, it hurts! Oi, Harakiri, Natsuru is being violent. Do something about it.

—Ahaha.

Hey, don’t laugh out loud!

We lined up and went into the hole.

The corridor through which the visceral animals walked had a low ceiling, indicating its age.

Just by looking at the walls. Although the one who truly understood was Mikoto.

—It must be recycled, right?

My childhood friend was saying.

“Maybe they converted it into an air-raid shelter or a warehouse. It looks like they’ve renovated it again.” —What was there originally?

—Who knows. Maybe a long time ago, a moderator or someone else came by. Reuse of Reuse, perhaps?

By this point, I didn’t understand anything.

After walking for a while, we arrived at the clean room. We had been here before.

—This place…

I murmured.

—Didn’t you say we should go back?

Sepkurousagi complained despite being a plush toy. I pulled his ear.

—Is it really my fault?

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—Yes, we’re stubborn. We don’t know any other way in or out.

It was true. However, since there was no other room, we ended up returning to Sakura-san’s house.

—Let’s go inside for now.

Following Mikoto’s words, we stepped into the clean room.

We opened the door at the back of the clean room and entered what appeared to be the research laboratory.

usual. I informed the visceral animals.

—It’s as if you were born here.

-Oh really?

Harakiritora seemed impressed as he said that. Although they should have gone through this room, they didn’t.

They seemed to have noticed. Unlike the floating girl in the next room, they didn’t have that kind of impact.

—She’s like our mother, isn’t she?

—A mother of chemical fibers?

—They are not real living organisms, but if you compare them to humans, they are.

It was strange but convincing. I was remembering my mother’s face, which was still in Kyushu.

We went up the stairs and entered among the many tanks. If we continue up from here, we will reach Sakura-san’s house.

Inside the tanks, the defeated Kämpfer floated. Shizuku and Kazuhara’s senpai

as well. To prevent that from happening, we must continue.

This is not the time to get caught up in emotions.

“Natsuru, what do we do?” Mikoto said. She was talking about how to find Sakura-san.

—Hmm… It would be strange if it wasn’t in the basement. Maybe we’re wrong.

—Akane-chan also went into the basement…

We were both worried. The visceral animals remained motionless, of no help for now.

Suddenly, I raised my head.

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—Ah, there…

-What’s happening?

—Mikoto, behind you.

She turned around, finding an iron gate next to the wall with cables stretched out, the same one that Shizuku said, “It’s not the way out.” Mikoto knocked insistently on the door.

—So I was here…

—Can we open it?

“It’s locked, but it doesn’t seem very sturdy. It would be quicker to cut it.” —We don’t know what awaits us. We’d better transform ourselves.

As I looked at my oath bracelet, I ran my finger over it once and focused my power.

A white light transformed me into a kämpfer woman. Mikoto became a kämpfer too.

—Stay away.

Mikoto unsheathed her Japanese katana and brandished it forcefully.

—Hiiyaaah!

The door split in two, becoming the entrance to the next room.

We looked at each other and went in at the same time. Our primal instincts followed us. It wasn’t a very large room. Inside, the pipes and cables were exposed. There was even

something similar to a distribution panel.

In the center, there was something that looked like a large cage.

-What is this?

—It looks like a freight elevator.

Mikoto explained that they are often installed at construction sites and mines.

—It looks like it’s going down, right?

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“Down… on this?”, there was a simple button on the railing.

—Natsuru, are you coming?

“Of course,” he had no intention of turning back. He planned to go all the way down to the bottom of the earth. Both Mikoto and I, along with the visceral animals, got into the elevator. We pressed the button like

if we hit him.

It shook violently as, with a low whir, the cage began to descend. All to our

Everything around us was dark, without light, with the feeling that we were swallowing the ground as we

we were descending.

Finally. A dull thud as it hit the ground. Part of the railing opened.

There was fog ahead. Visibility was very limited.

We went in without hesitation. Perhaps it was acting as a curtain, but we soon passed through it.

It was a spacious area. Not only in width, but also very tall. The walls were

The walls were covered in decorative stone, but the roof was bare rock. The air was fresh and there was no hum It looked more like a living room than a bedroom.

It wasn’t dark. There was a light in the middle illuminating the interior. Although it was dark at the edges, the The view was not obstructed.

In the center stood a strange statue. Smaller than a human, and round. Its purpose was unknown.

And, leaning against the statue, there was a fallen person.

—…Shizuku!

Without thinking, I screamed. It was Shizuku, her limbs bound with chains. Her own dagger chained up.

“Shizuku!” I shouted again. Although she wasn’t looking up, was she unconscious? Or perhaps…?

—Calm down. She’s alive.

Another voice echoed. The person was leaning against the statue with both arms, looking at me.

—Welcome, Natsuru-san, Kondou-san. To my place of memories.

Kaede Sakura smiled as if she were melting.

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