Chapter 20 – Dual Identity

Rea​d́ ‍ön‌ ​KαtＲ​&e;αd‍ing‌Ĉàfe

Millennium, one of Kivotos’ three great academies.

The school I currently attended occupied a unique diplomatic position. It had little interaction with other academies, and consequently, few conflicts.

Despite being counted among the “Big Three” alongside Gehenna and Trinity, Millennium had remained conspicuously uninvolved in Kivotos’ major incidents—its diplomatic stance was impeccably clean.

In fact, when Millennium did get involved, it was never in inter-academy disputes, but rather in problems involving entities like Decagrammaton or the Nameless Priests—things that weren’t even people to begin with.

Perhaps because of this diplomatic quirk, Millennium also served as a neutral ground in Kivotos, readily accepting requests from other academies and even participating in large-scale events like the Hyakkiyako Alliance’s festivals.

And this neutrality wasn’t just an institutional trait—it extended to individual students as well.

What would happen if a Gehenna student set foot in Trinity’s district, or vice versa?

No matter which side it was, one could only guess what might befall them. Yet, Millennium students could traverse any district without such conflicts.

Of course, given Kivotos’ penchant for chaos, unexpected incidents still occurred—but those were far removed from diplomatic tensions.

“Not to mention, the Supernatural Phenomenon Task Force’s reputation helps too.”

“Hmm. Fascinating. You’ve already discussed this with Veritas, correct?”

“Yes. Thankfully, they agreed to help without hesitation.”

Thus, when operating under my civilian identity as Nanashi, I planned to leverage both Millennium’s diplomatic neutrality and the Task Force’s renown.

Maintaining two identities, fulfilling two roles—that was my strategy.

Silk, the friendly neighborhood hero.

Nanashi, the Supernatural Phenomenon Task Force’s dispatched agent from Millennium.

To pull this off, I needed Himari’s approval and support—not just as the club president, but also to achieve the goal I’d shared with Veritas.

As I explained my plan, I discreetly gauged her reaction. It was only natural—my proposal involved stepping away from the Task Force’s traditionally closed-off operations and fully utilizing its reputation.

And here I was, a new recruit, suggesting such a drastic change.

‘…She’d be well within her rights to refuse.’

What could I say? Over the past few days, I’ve grown much closer to Himari. She treated me comfortably, and I could sense the shift in our dynamic. But…

Personal relationships and official roles were different. For all I knew, the Task Force had policies I wasn’t aware of—

“Hehe, sure. I don’t see a problem.”

“……”

…She just approved it. Now I just look like an idiot for worrying.

“Why would I stop my adorable junior from working hard? I’m sure Eimi agrees. Right? Ah—could you please put some clothes on?”

“Huh…? It’s hot, what do you expect? And I don’t mind. Did we even have that rule?”

“Sigh, fine… Anyway, Eimi agrees too, so don’t worry. As for your other proposal…”

My other idea—my goal.

The formation of the Defenders, a coalition of heroes.

“I think it’s a good idea. Millennium’s atmosphere has been… unusual lately. Thanks to your efforts, things have improved, but unknown threats still exist.”

I had a rough idea what she meant by ‘threats’.

Decagrammaton, Gematria, the Nameless Priests—that sort of thing.

‘If I’ll have to face them eventually, I might as well prepare now.’

There would come a time when I couldn’t handle things alone. When that day arrived, I’d need everyone’s strength.

I was just preparing in advance.

“That said, we should hold a proper meeting about how the organization will operate. Right now, it’s still in the planning stages, isn’t it?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Good. Hehe, I never expected you to come up with something this interesting. Bringing you into the Task Force was definitely the right call.”

“…Haha.”

Himari grinned at me, then tapped her cheek thoughtfully before flashing a sly smile.

“So, Nanashi?”

“Yes?”

“Is Kosaka Wakamo—the girl who adores you so much—also joining this ‘Defenders’ group?”

“Uh… I’m not sure yet. I haven’t actually talked to her about it.”

“Hehe, come now. Don’t dodge the question. Answer properly.”

“S-Senpai?”

“You’re not seriously planning to make the girl who hurt you so badly a colleague in the same organization as me, are you?”

‘Yikes. Scary.’

That wasn’t a sly smile—it was terrifying. Her lips were curved, but her eyes were dead.

‘What is this?’

Then, she slowly began stroking my wrist. When I flinched and looked at her, she tightened her grip and pulled me closer, as if to say, ‘I won’t let you escape’.

“Answer me, Nanashi. You know she wouldn’t refuse you, don’t you?”

“Uh, well…”

…She wasn’t wrong.

Based on Wakamo’s reactions, I could recruit her if I asked.

But I hadn’t planned to bring her into the Defenders.

I believed solving Kivotos’ problems required more than just one approach.

“I-I’ll talk! I’ll explain, just—let go…!”

“No. You’re not getting away until you answer properly. Go on.”

“O-Okay…”

“…It’s too hot.”

Against the backdrop of Eimi’s muttered complaint, I had no choice but to reveal another plan I’d been formulating—one meant to prepare for the turmoil ahead.

Just like in the game, I intended to unite the delinquents, mercenaries, and helmet gangs lurking in Kivotos’ underworld into another force.

The story of the ‘Thunderbolts’.

***

“That’s… quite interesting.”

“Yeah. Unexpected, but fun…”

“Whoa, I walk in and hear something this huge? Utaha-senpai, Hibiki! You’ve been talking to someone amazing without me!”

“Haha…”

Having already informed Veritas, I visited the Engineering Club to greet them and commission new equipment—and ended up explaining my plan again.

As expected, Hibiki’s eyes sparkled with intense interest, while Utaha listened attentively, calling it a fascinating idea.

And then there was the new—yet familiar—face I met this time.

The owner of the cheerful voice I’d heard every time I rolled the gacha.

Toyomi Kotori had joined this discussion.

She’d been absent until now, presumably busy with other requests, but today, Utaha had introduced her as someone I should meet.

“Nice to meet you. Just call me Nanashi.”

“Okay! I’m Toyomi Kotori! Pleased to meet you!”

After a quick exchange of greetings, I detailed the Defenders plan to them.

Its purpose (to handle incidents beyond Silk’s individual capacity), its current members (the Supernatural Phenomenon Task Force and Veritas), and the possibility of recruiting students from other academies in the future.

All three showed keen interest, bombarding me with questions—about the organization’s goals, operational methods, and even potential future members.

Answering their rapid-fire questions wasn’t easy, but their enthusiasm was encouraging, so I did my best.

“Hm. I’m in. You’re a hero fighting for justice, I doubt you have ulterior motives. And it’s too late to back out now anyway. Haha.”

“Yeah… I’ll help too. I’ll do my best.”

“Ah! Now I’m the only one left out! Not that I’d refuse, of course!”

All three expressed positive responses.

I thanked them and asked for their continued support, which they accepted with smiles.

With the Defenders discussion concluded, it was time to address the real reason for my visit.

“I’d like to commission a new piece of equipment.”

“Figured you’d get to that soon.”

“What kind this time?”

Utaha laughed as if she’d expected this, Hibiki nodded, and Kotori watched with excited eyes.

“What I want is… a shield.”

“……A shield?”

“Yes. But not a normal one—a shield with offensive capabilities.”

My civilian identity and my hero identity.

To prevent overlap and suspicion, I needed to differentiate not just my activities, but also my combat style.

Hence, this idea:

If Silk specialized in high-speed mobility and subduing enemies, then Nanashi would adopt a straightforward, defensive approach.

*(Just use a gun…)

Like Captain America.

“But why a shield? It’d be really cumbersome for your fighting style.”

“Ah, I should’ve clarified. This isn’t for Silk—it’s for my role as a Supernatural Phenomenon Task Force agent. Veritas mentioned a lot of people are curious about my identity.”

Ah.

They nodded in immediate understanding.

Operating not as Silk, but as Nanashi of the Supernatural Phenomenon Task Force.

If I didn’t start it soon, suspicions would only grow.

The moment they grasped my intent, the conversation shifted to constructive brainstorming.

“Alright. Let’s get down to business.”

“Yeah. Let’s begin.”

“I’m looking forward to it!”

“Good. First, let me explain what I have in mind—”

And so, we spent the rest of the evening discussing the new equipment, the fire of creativity burning late into the night.

KatTL