Ch.65Chapter 10. Mirror (5)

Hmm.

I gazed up at the sky intently.

Though it was night, I could easily tell it was still clear. Even at night, when the sky is filled with dark clouds, it gives off a gloomy feeling.

It wasn’t a full moon, but the moon still maintained a fairly round shape. To be precise, it seemed to be somewhere between a half-moon and a full moon.

Even with just that much moon, the moonlight was sufficient. Well, whether the moonlight was sufficient or not, this is a city famous for tourism. It doesn’t easily get dark just because night has fallen.

There were quite a few people out at the beach even at this hour. Almost no one was alone; most were in groups of two or three, leisurely strolling along the beach.

The TV in the hotel room hadn’t mentioned anything about a typhoon coming. Usually, it wouldn’t be strange for a typhoon to pass through around this time, but the weather forecast said it would be clear throughout our entire 3-day, 4-night stay.

…I didn’t get the dates wrong, did I?

We’re staying here for three nights and four days, from August 5th to the 8th. Though typhoons move quickly, they typically form quite far from where they pass through Japan. If one were approaching, it would have been steadily getting closer for several days.

I leaned against the hotel terrace railing, pondering how the episode from the novel had unfolded.

The novel didn’t specify which beach they went to. Naturally, exact dates weren’t mentioned either. It was simply described as “a day in August.”

I don’t think there was any mention of weather forecasts either.

So what’s important is figuring out which day the typhoon started to hit, but I can’t remember that detail.

…I’m certain it wasn’t the first day, but—

“Wow—!”

I flinched when someone suddenly shouted beside me.

Turning to look, it was Koko.

“Koko, you shouldn’t shout in a place like this.”

“I shouldn’t?”

“No, you shouldn’t.”

Koko didn’t seem particularly discouraged by my words.

I can’t figure out her personality. I should have asked Kagami for more details last time. Well, I didn’t think she would tell me much even if I asked, but I could have at least tried.

I opened my phone.

Looking at my email list, I saw the messages we’d exchanged before coming here. Where to go after arriving at the station, how long it would take to get there, things like that.

Scrolling through those emails, I found some kind messages from Miura, Yamashita, and Fukuda. Nothing special. Just asking if I was enjoying my vacation, telling me where they were traveling, suggesting we meet up, things like that.

It seems Kaneko and Izumi went to the beach together. Kaneko’s email mentioned that Izumi had asked her to send her regards.

Scrolling further up the email list, I found the message from the day when Yuuki and Kagami discovered Koko’s existence.

Kagami had sent me an email from the apartment that day.

[What on earth were you thinking]

…That was the email.

It seems Kagami had figured out Koko’s identity by that point.

And then, extremely flustered, she sent me that email.

I only read this email after finishing my conversation with Kagami. I thought “I shouldn’t read this now,” and only read it long after that day had passed.

And I felt somewhat puzzled.

Well, I understand her being flustered. After all, they had dismantled and sealed it away, but I had deliberately created it in my image and was keeping it with me. Before hearing from me that Koko was wandering around separately, she probably thought I had gone crazy and taken Koko’s body out of that refrigerator to reassemble it.

“What were you thinking,” she said.

Wouldn’t it be natural to think it’s the same existence as me? Logically… well, the current situation is far from logical, but still.

Is there something different from what I know?

For something like that, leaving it to me seems rather careless, among other things.

Or does she mean it’s an existence they couldn’t take care of?

“Kurosawa.”

As Koko and I stood side by side quietly gazing at the sea, the door opened and Yuuki entered.

“They say it’s almost time to go for dinner.”

“Got it.”

I’ve been dressed and ready for a while anyway.

I took Koko’s hand and pulled her along.

“Food?”

“Yes, food.”

“Food!”

Seeing Koko’s eyes light up, I pondered once more.

…I wonder what would happen if I used all those flesh chunks in that refrigerator.

Would she become a giant while maintaining this form?

“Dinner is yakiniku.”

Meat!

Good. That’s not something to worry about right now.

Actually, even if a Raiju appeared, I wouldn’t be too concerned. Right now, we have Yuuki here, and me, and Hagiwara too. We should be able to… well, maybe not easily, but certainly catch a yokai.

It’s not like it’s going to appear right now anyway.

For now, let’s focus on the meat. Let’s concentrate on the grilled meat I haven’t had in a long time.

As I was standing there with sparkling eyes, Yuuki looked at my face and smiled. When I stared back at her, she cleared her throat with a “Ahem.”

“They say it’s quite famous in this area. Apparently, they made a reservation well in advance.”

“Shii did?”

“Yes. Shii did.”

She certainly has a sharp personality.

Though the process that formed that personality was pitiable, the personality itself seems positive.

Later, when we get to the episodes about her parents, I’ll need to take good care of her.

“Yakiniku?”

Koko tilted her head.

“It’s delicious.”

“Delicious!”

No, you should put a question mark at the end of your sentence in that situation.

When you say it like that, it sounds like it’s already decided.

Well, I suppose meat is always delicious as long as there’s nothing wrong with it.

*

The meat was truly delicious. It definitely deserved its reputation as a great restaurant.

I had a bit of trouble stopping Koko from putting raw meat in her mouth, but from the middle of the meal, she started obediently eating what I grilled for her, which made me happy.

The sister I had in my previous life… didn’t come to mind. She didn’t really give off such a textbook little sister feeling.

No, actually, she was probably closer to the general meaning of a little sister.

Being snarky every time we talked, and hardly ever conversing normally. We were somewhat close, I think, but strangely awkward.

Compared to her, Koko is much more… how should I put it? Kind? Friendly? Though that might just be because she doesn’t know anything.

As I was busy grilling meat and feeding Koko, somehow the gazes of our companions toward me became sympathetic.

Yuuki kept putting her meat on my plate. Thanks to that, I was able to eat my fill, but I couldn’t tell how Yuuki herself was doing. Yuuki eats almost as much as I do.

After finishing our meal, we wandered around.

We walked around the city without any particular plan, then went to a karaoke place to sing.

Koko showed more interest in the tambourine than in singing. At first, she shook it too loudly, but when I taught her the right rhythm to shake it to, she shook it enthusiastically with sparkling eyes.

“Here.”

Yuuki handed me the remote.

“You should sing at least one song.”

Looking at Yuuki smiling at me like that, I thought for a moment that perhaps Yuuki, not Sasaki, was actually the male protagonist of this novel.

In the novel, she appears as an extreme tsundere fitting for that era, sometimes even a violent girl who hits the male protagonist, but she’s incredibly sweet to girls.

And right now, we’re not even in that kind of relationship.

I took the remote and flipped through the songbook.

Though I now have a TV at home, I wasn’t particularly interested in celebrities in my previous life, and the same is true here.

Well, I’ll just have to do what I did when I went out with Miura last time.

I selected an old Japanese song that any Korean otaku would have heard at least once.

And then—

“Oh.”

Hmm.

It seems the compliments Miura and Fukuda gave me weren’t just empty words.

Even Koko, who had been enthusiastically shaking her tambourine, was now just blinking and staring at me, which suggests that my singing ability is objectively good.

Well, I’ve already received compliments at a group date before.

When I finished singing, everyone applauded, which made me a bit embarrassed.

But it didn’t feel bad.

It was a type of compliment I had never received in my previous life.

*

On our way back, we bought lots of snacks and bread.

We planned to stay up late in our room, chatting and eating snacks. Isn’t that the charm of traveling?

As we were preparing for the night, someone knocked on our door.

Thinking it was Shii, I opened the door, but was a bit surprised to find someone taller than me looking down at me.

“…Um…”

And the other person also seemed unsure of what to say when faced with me.

“Hello?”

We already greeted each other today, didn’t we?

I bowed my head slightly, which only made the atmosphere between us more awkward.

“Um, well…”

“Yuuki is inside.”

As I said that and was about to step aside, Hagiwara quickly waved her hands.

“No, no.”

Then, lowering her hands awkwardly, she said,

“I… came to see you.”

Me?

I stared up at Hagiwara. Perhaps uncomfortable with my upward gaze, Hagiwara avoided eye contact.

“Go talk with her.”

Yuuki, who had somehow approached behind me, said.

“I’ll watch Koko.”

“Is that okay?”

“It’s fine. Koko is cute.”

Looking into the room, I saw Koko already trying to open a bag of bread.

…It should be fine, I guess.

Yuuki wouldn’t abandon Koko and go somewhere else.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Yuuki replied like that and then looked at Hagiwara.

“If you’re planning to do anything to Kurosawa—”

“…No. That’s not why I came.”

Hagiwara responded to Yuuki’s warning.

It was a stark contrast to the confident attitude she shows in front of Sasaki. Actually, all day today, Hagiwara had that kind of demeanor whenever she was near me. Especially when she saw me taking care of Koko, that atmosphere intensified.

Guilt, perhaps?

“I’ll contact you if anything happens.”

I said, showing my phone from my pocket. Yuuki nodded.

I looked at Hagiwara again.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

Hagiwara answered softly to my words.

*

There’s something called “gap moe.”

Since otaku trends change over time, they get modified, disappear, or new ones emerge.

So probably by the 2020s, the term “gap moe” itself won’t be used much. There will likely be a more sophisticated word with a similar meaning.

But right now, it’s 20 years before that time. No one’s going to criticize me for using such terms.

Even the concept of “tsundere” is just starting to become popular, so.

Anyway, in terms of that “gap moe” concept, Hagiwara’s current appearance had exactly that vibe.

Usually somewhat frivolous to the point of being flirtatious with the protagonist, but when it comes to important conversations, she becomes serious or shows a softer, more vulnerable side—these are common traits for such characters.

Of course, Hagiwara has no reason to lean on me. Unless she tries to lean on Sasaki because of this incident.

The two of us went to the beach.

We didn’t go all the way down to the sandy shore, just to a spot where we could see the beach from the buildings.

Since it was completely night now, there were very few people playing at the beach. And of course, no one was going into the sea.

“…”

Hagiwara kept her mouth shut for a moment as if pondering, then asked,

“Is the place where you were stabbed okay?”

“It’s fine.”

I answered simply.

“But, at that time…”

“It was an emergency then.”

Sensing that Hagiwara’s words might get lengthy, I quickly responded.

“But you were stabbed with a knife.”

I stared at Hagiwara quietly.

Wait.

“Why, what?”

Seeing me staring at her, Hagiwara became a bit flustered. No, “a bit” doesn’t seem right. Someone who’s just a bit flustered wouldn’t avoid eye contact so thoroughly.

“If you’re sorry, can you tell me one thing?”

“One thing?”

“Yes. There’s something I’m curious about.”

“…Alright, if it’s something I can answer, I’ll tell you.”

“That day, who told you that Kudan was there?”

At my words, Hagiwara’s eyes blinked.

“I did… that to get to that place…”

Hagiwara then looked at my wrist.

It wasn’t just a glance; she had slashed at the blood I threw toward her face and ended up covered in blood.

“How did you and those people know to come?”

“…”

Hagiwara was lost in thought for a moment, then exhaled deeply.

And slowly opened her mouth.

“We have our people too.”

“People?”

“I can’t tell you in detail. Those people are hiding their identities too. It’s better for their safety not to say anything.”

Hmm…

In Japanese light novels, there’s often a tendency to take motifs from certain groups or religions and emphasize only the “mysterious parts.”

I understand. It’s more interesting for readers that way. Besides, I know that Christian-related religions don’t have a significant presence in Japan.

In Korea, where there are several churches in every neighborhood, a cathedral in each district of major cities, and people walking down main streets with crosses on their backs, a statement like “The church is hiding its power!” would only elicit a snort.

Hagiwara talked about a history that had been “hidden for a long time” at that time and place.

So, in this work, it’s not strange if there are people who specialize in hiding like that.

“Even so, being able to go that far…”

“You were really there nearby?”

Hagiwara asked me.

Did she not hear?

Well, it doesn’t seem likely that Japanese government officials would be in cahoots with foreign religions. Catholicism even has connections with the Vatican.

Strictly speaking, it might not be considered a powerful sovereign state, but it’s a place whose religious influence extends to countries where Catholicism is the mainstream religion.

They probably wouldn’t want to get entangled with the Catholicism of this world, which is even armed and militarized, and lose their authority.

Mr. Miura’s acquaintance with Yuuki’s people might also be because “it’s better that way.”

“On our side too, there are people who chase beings that are not of this world.”

“How?”

“Usually through prayer.”

“…”

“Isn’t that clear? It means there’s someone who responds to prayers.”

“…”

“…Well, I suppose for someone like you, believing in God would be stranger.”

“…Why?”

“Why, you ask?”

At my question, Hagiwara looked at me with a bit of surprise.

Well… I do have similar thoughts.

That if God has a conscience, He wouldn’t lead me to hell.

I lived like that in my previous life, and in this life, I’ve shed so much blood—if He doesn’t take pity on me, then that God isn’t particularly good.

“You… well.”

Hagiwara spoke with some hesitation.

“The situation is a bit, you know.”

I looked at Hagiwara for a moment.

Hagiwara seemed uncomfortable again and shifted her gaze around.

“If God exists, He would probably be unrelated to that situation.”

At my words, Hagiwara looked at me.

“And even if there is a being called God, He might not necessarily be good.”

I said that and started walking.

Hagiwara didn’t try to persuade me or anything.

She didn’t say things like I was a heretic or whatever.

She seems a bit too docile to be called a fanatic.

“If…”

Walking beside me, Hagiwara slowly opened her mouth.

“If things get really tough, our church can help.”

“…”

“We’ve helped children in similar situations before. The priest would surely treat you kindly.”

I was tempted for a very brief moment, but quickly dismissed the thought.

Leave Koko at a church?

A half-foreign entity might not burn or melt in front of a cross, but considering that churches in this world are entities that hunt non-humans, it’s too dangerous.

Just from brief observations, she might seem like a pitiful child, but after weeks or months of observation, they would surely recognize that she’s not human.

If Hagiwara and Koko became friends, Hagiwara might hesitate to eliminate Koko, but the immediate risk was too great.

“I’ll handle it myself.”

“Hey.”

“…It’s easier that way.”

Only after I said that did Hagiwara exhale softly and stop making suggestions.

As we walked back to the hotel room, Hagiwara didn’t say anything.

I placed my hand on the doorknob. Hagiwara passed behind me and went to her own room.

After thinking for a moment, I turned toward Hagiwara and said,

“Senior Hagiwara.”

“Yes?”

“…Are we gathering in a bit?”

“Hmm?”

“Shii said we should all gather and chat.”

“Ah…”

Hagiwara’s eyes trembled slightly, as if she was checking my reaction.

“Won’t it be uncomfortable for you?”

“…”

I silently shook my head.

“Not particularly.”

“I see.”

At my answer, Hagiwara thought for a moment, then replied with a small smile on her lips.

“Alright. I’ll come. Souta won’t come looking for me if I’m alone in my room anyway.”

…What are you two planning to do if Sasaki visits?

Aren’t you a nun?

“You’re much stronger than I thought. I’m a bit surprised.”

Just as I was seriously pondering Hagiwara’s true position, she said that and entered her room.

…Is that so?

Perhaps my previous life has been quite helpful.

I shrugged my shoulders slightly and opened the door.

“Ah.”

“Wow?”

And for some reason, I made eye contact with Yuuki, who was pressing both her palms against Koko’s cheeks.

“…Um, well, that’s.”

“…”

“Her… cheeks looked so soft…”

I slowly closed the door again.

“No, Kurosawa! I’m not trying to touch your cheeks!”

But she and I look exactly the same.

I know that well. After all, I showed her my body and had her copy it.

Well, her flesh might be softer and chewier than mine.