Ch.375IF Side Story: Seems I’ve Arrived a Bit Early (72)

Middle school wasn’t particularly difficult to adjust to.

While I wouldn’t say relationships completely reset… since there were a few kids I already knew from before, having many more new people to meet meant it wasn’t a big issue.

Some kids did ask about my relationship with Souta, but they didn’t openly suspect or misunderstand anything.

Well, we were actually quite distant from the kind of relationship those kids might have been thinking about.

I suppose seeing us as something like siblings wouldn’t be far off.

…Though it’s a bit bitter that the sibling relationship feels more distant than a romantic one. This was unavoidable in my previous life too. I didn’t play with my blood-related younger sister that often to begin with.

Classes became much harder than in elementary school, but still manageable. Something I only became certain of after starting middle school was that my body seems to have a better brain than I expected. Even subjects I had nearly given up on as a child, I could now memorize and understand without much difficulty.

I’m happy that this will make a nice gift for Kagami. All parents in the world feel good when their children bring home good grades.

About three weeks after I started attending middle school…

“Kotone-chan.”

During lunch break, after finishing a meal with Souta, a few boys, and some girls, I was preparing for the next class when someone called me from the hallway.

It was a classmate. A kid who went to the same elementary school until last year. We were in the same class and were close enough to call each other by our first names.

“Someone’s looking for you.”

When I went out to the hallway after being called, that’s what they told me.

I tilted my head.

Someone looking for me?

Could it be someone from outside school? Maybe Kagami came?

My heart raced for no reason. Not in a good way. It wasn’t that Kagami never came to school, but she wouldn’t come to call me without any warning like this. Usually, she would just wait for me outside the school.

“The homeroom teacher said to come to the faculty room.”

“…Okay.”

Someone is looking for me, and the homeroom teacher called for me.

I didn’t bother asking about the person’s appearance. Somehow, I had a feeling it wasn’t someone I knew.

But at least, it must be someone who could convince my homeroom teacher.

Souta was busy talking with his friends and didn’t seem particularly interested in what was happening here.

I headed to the faculty room as instructed.

“Kotone-chan.”

When I entered the faculty room, my homeroom teacher waved at me cheerfully.

I’d been to the homeroom teacher’s desk several times before. I’d run errands, and occasionally had to talk to her or call for her.

She was a middle-aged woman who seemed kind-hearted. She gave the impression of having a daughter older than me, and indeed, there was a photo frame on her desk with such a picture.

“Do you know this person here?”

The homeroom teacher asked without much tension in her expression.

I turned my gaze toward the person sitting on a chair pulled up next to the teacher’s desk and was startled.

I had thought it would be an unfamiliar face, but it was someone I knew. Someone I knew quite well.

“…Yes, I know them.”

Looking at Mako’s father, that was my answer.

*

There was a counseling room in the elementary school, but for some reason, we went outside the building instead. To a bench where everyone could see us.

The spring sunlight was warm but not too hot. Still, Mako’s father wasn’t unkind enough to leave me sitting in direct sunlight.

“…Why don’t you sit down?”

Mako’s father invited me with a gentle voice.

After watching me hesitantly sit down in front of him, Mako’s father stood near the bench. Perhaps sitting on the same bench felt a bit burdensome to him?

Did he think someone might be suspicious? In my opinion, this looks even more awkward.

“…What did you tell the teachers?”

“I said I was your distant relative.”

Is that enough to let someone in, normally?

But the photo he showed was one that could cause some misunderstanding.

One of the few pictures with our family, Mako, and Mako’s father all together. Right. This person was also a father, so he brought a camera when we went out. At least, he seemed like someone who genuinely cared for Mako.

“Besides, I’ve done some important work for this school too. Though I wasn’t a teacher.”

Then I have nothing to say.

He said he was a civil servant… did he make a donation or something?

He wouldn’t have donated thinking I would come to this school, but maybe it was because it was a school suitable for children of people staying in safe houses.

“…”

For a very brief moment, both of us were silent.

In the distance, children were still playing in the schoolyard. There were still about 15 minutes left until lunch break ended.

“Kotone-san. Would it be alright if I asked you for a favor?”

Hearing what I thought might be coming, I sighed deeply.

“That…”

I opened my mouth and then closed it.

Do I have the right to refuse? I’m not sure.

Kagami would have opposed it somehow, and so would Dad. But in the end, they would have had to accept it.

We are essentially captured by the government. Our safety depends on how much we cooperate. Even without being told directly, it was something I could naturally understand in this situation.

“What kind of favor?”

I asked with a slightly trembling voice.

That’s probably why he didn’t go directly to Kagami. He knew Kagami would definitely refuse.

If he’s going to push his opinion through anyway, it makes sense to choose the easier target.

“…I plan to speak with your mother as well.”

Could he see right through my thoughts?

Mako’s father said that. But I still couldn’t fully believe his words.

In the end, he probably thought it would be easier to convince me first.

Whether it was his own idea or from higher up. Maybe there’s even some kind of manual for this.

“…”

Whether he still recognized me as Mako’s friend or not, the uncle remained silent for a while. As if he felt guilty.

I didn’t want to think that was a lie too. He was my close friend’s father, after all.

“In this world, there are things that live that aren’t human. They’re not animals either. They’re more like…”

The uncle paused slightly, then said,

“Yes, they’re like yokai.”

“…”

“And there are also beings who protect people’s safety by eliminating them.”

“Is that so.”

“Would you believe me?”

“That fact, I think I can believe.”

“…I see.”

Because I had already seen it several times. The power used by that woman who was chasing me. And the dreams I had.

The bear that attacked me and disappeared without leaving a single corpse.

No, the real reason I believe is because I met Souta and Shii here. Because I know this world is that kind of world.

Mako’s father, who could never read that much, continued speaking to me.

“So, we look for talented individuals. But such people are also hard to find.”

I’m sure.

That’s why the original heroine suffered so much. Wandering here and there, fighting directly with a knife without being able to entrust it to others.

And now, this person seems to be thinking of putting me in that position too.

“I know you’re young, but we need even one more such being. With what you’ve experienced, and with more and more people getting hurt and losing their lives recently.”

“…”

After thinking for a moment, I finally spoke.

“Can I refuse?”

“…”

Mako’s father thought for a moment and then said,

“It might be wiser not to refuse.”

“…”

“I don’t mean that as a threat. I’m saying this with those beings that are chasing you in mind.”

“Ah.”

I see.

It’s been quiet for a few years now, but the reason Dad is with us is because of those creatures. Those who persistently chase us as if they can’t stand to see me and Kagami happy.

…Now that I hear this story, I think I understand the reason a little.

Until now, I had no idea what kind of organization it was, what connection Kagami had, or how they were judging me.

But—if I cooperate.

I might gain the means to counter those beings. I might become someone who can be protected more actively.

“…But still, I want to tell Mom.”

“I understand. I’m sorry.”

When I spoke firmly, Mako’s father answered with a bitter voice.

“Yes, let’s talk again after that.”

He sounded like he wanted to smoke a cigarette.