Flashback (2) - 3

Youka Nanna, or Nanna-chan, was a girl who was similar to me in many ways, yet also very different. Unlike me, who lacked confidence and a sense of presence, Nanna-chan was a bright person, full of energy and with many friends. When I was unable to approach other friends and was forgotten like trash on the roadside in a corner of the classroom, Nanna-chan reached out to me. At first, I couldn't easily take her hand, suspecting that she wanted something from me... that I would be played with like a toy and then thrown away... But Nanna-chan didn't give up and kept reaching out to me. From beyond that hand, I felt a warmth like the morning sun... and finally, I took it. And my world changed. After that, we gradually became closer. We naturally called each other by our names, sometimes using nicknames, and we would hang out in the city together after school. Sometimes, I would act frustratingly because I was too afraid of people, but even then, Nanna-chan never got tired of me. Instead, whenever that happened, she would hold my hand and encourage me, saying, 'You're not that kind of person.' ...That didn't make my personality any better, but still, I was happy. We thought we could accept each other as we were and that we knew everything about each other. That is, until that incident. It was during middle school. It was during firearms practice. Everyone was practicing throwing grenades, and the kids started betting on who could throw the farthest, and in the process, the atmosphere escalated into a fight. The kids were fighting, grabbing each other's collars, when someone dropped a grenade with the pin pulled, and it exploded right in front of them. Until just before the grenade exploded, Nanna-chan was trying to stop the kids from fighting, but she got caught in the explosion. And after that, Nanna-chan... I had never seen that side of Nanna-chan before that incident. At that time, Nanna-chan looked like she was in a different place, not here. Her eyes were unfocused, her hands and feet were trembling, her breathing was heavy, she couldn't stand properly, she couldn't even talk properly, and it was obvious at a glance that she was in a serious condition. Me and the others tried to calm her down, but Nanna-chan was terrified of them as if they were horrible monsters, and she started firing her gun randomly. At first, I didn't know why she was doing that, but when I looked closely into Nanna-chan's eyes, I soon realized the reason. She was running away from something she feared. I could tell that she was in a state where she was terrified of something, just like me, and was desperately trying to escape from it. Knowing that, there was only one thing I could do. I carefully approached Nanna-chan so as not to scare her, and hugged her tightly. And I patted her back and comforted her, saying that it was okay, that it would be okay, just like Nanna-chan always did for me. And then, like magic, Nanna-chan's condition noticeably improved. After that, Nanna-chan fainted and was taken to the infirmary, so I didn't get to see what happened... Fortunately, the next day, Nanna-chan came to school as if nothing had happened. This is something Nanna-chan told me later, thanking me for what happened that day, but she was actually scared of things like guns and bombs. She didn't tell me the exact reason, but after hearing that, I watched her closely during firearms practice, and I could see that her hands were actually trembling slightly. Honestly, I was a little envious. The fact that she was so scared of guns, yet she was able to hide her fear and act brightly all this time. I still can't even pass through crowded places because I'm afraid of people. And above all, the fact that she got high marks in shooting even though she was trembling like that... I honestly can't believe it. Anyway, after going through a series of incidents, I set Nanna-chan as my goal and tried to change myself. Especially when it came to my sniping skills, I honed them desperately. If you ask me why... I had the goal of passing the SRT entrance exam to change myself, but I also had the desire to protect Nanna-chan from a place where she couldn't see me. Nanna-chan is scared of guns, so she might be anxious if I carry a gun next to her. So, I thought it would be great if I could watch over Nanna-chan from a distance where even the sound of gunshots would be muffled and protect her. For that reason, when I told Nanna-chan that I was going to SRT, I was a little surprised when she said she would go with me. Since Nanna-chan has that fragile side, I thought she wouldn't want to go to SRT, where training and missions are a daily routine. When I asked her why she made that choice, she said, 'I'm worried about Miyu-chan being alone.' That's when I realized. Ah, from the day I was saved by this girl, and the day I saved her, we became inseparable. So, if there is a God, and if you are watching over us, Please, please watch over that child so that she can be happy. * "Nanna-chan! Nanna-chan! Get a hold of yourself!" Nanna's breathing is very heavy. Her hands and feet are already starting to convulse, and she seems to be losing consciousness. Miyu could immediately tell that it was a typical hyperventilation symptom. "Haa... Wh-What should I do... I-I'm sure I learned this in the manual... R-Right, I remember. I'm sure I need to trap her breath with something like a paper bag to restore the carbon dioxide concentration in her blood..." Miyu immediately looked around, but she couldn't see anything like a paper bag. "Wh-What do I do, if this goes on, Nanna-chan will..." At that moment, someone walked out from inside the ramen shop, which had been horribly destroyed by the explosion. "Ufufu... Another case was solved today. Now then, shall I cleanse my ruined palate with the taiyaki I bought earlier..." The dust-covered silver-haired devil took a taiyaki out of the paper bag in her hand and put it in her mouth. For a moment, Miyu thought, 'Why is she there...?' but she soon decided not to worry about it. Because the silver-haired devil was holding the item she needed right now. "E-E-E-Excuse me...!" "Hmm? What is it, little girl?" "M-My friend is in a critical condition, and, um, co-co-co-could you please lend me that pa, pa, pa, paper bag...!" "Hmm... If that's the case, then sure. I've already finished the taiyaki anyway, so I can gladly lend it to you. Here, use this." "...! Th-Thank you!" Miyu quickly took the paper bag, covered Nanna's nose and mouth with it, and began to pray. "P-Please don't let it be too late..." * I can smell the fragrant scent of taiyaki from somewhere. My vision, which had turned white, gradually started to return. I regain feeling in my hands and feet, and soon I'm able to regain consciousness. When I came to, I saw Miyu looking at me with a worried expression, and... Haruna...? Why is she here? "Nanna-chan! Are you okay? Are you awake?" "Mi, Miyu...? Wh-What happened...?" "S-Suddenly, the ramen shop exploded, a-and then Nanna-chan... hic. So the person here ga-gave me a pa, paper bag, hic... Nanna-chaaan..." "For the record, I'm also the one who blew up the shop?" What the hell? "First, calm down... I don't understand what you're saying..." "Hic... I-I'm glad. Nanna-chan..." I had a rough idea of what had happened. Haruna happened to be at the ramen shop we went to for lunch, and Haruna, who didn't like the food, blew up the shop. I suddenly witnessed an explosion right in front of me, and my PTSD symptoms flared up, causing me to collapse from hyperventilation, and Miyu performed first aid, which resulted in... me being here now. "Fufu, no need to thank me? Then I'll be on my way..." This damn... If it weren't for Haruna in the first place, I, who was perfectly fine, wouldn't have suddenly collapsed. This is like giving someone a disease and then giving them the cure. I wanted to take out my anti-materiel rifle and shoot Haruna in the back of the head, but I had just recovered, so I didn't have any strength in my arms. "Phew... Well, since it's come to this... I guess we should head back for now..." "Nanna-chan, can you stand up...?" "I'm fine. I'm a little weak, but I can still walk... Uwaa." I tried to stand up with Miyu's support, but my lower body was also weak, so I ended up sitting down again. And as the strength left my stomach, I felt a strange sensation... Oh sh*t, wait a minute. "That's why I asked if you were okay... Huh...? What the?" "W-Wait a minute, Miyu. Don't come any closer for now." Something wet and warm that flowed out from between my legs soaked my panties and pants. "N-Nanna-chan... Don't tell me..." "I told you not to come closer because it's not what you think! Please!" The yellow liquid overflowed and soaked the floor, and when it met the cold winter air, it created a cloud of white steam. "N-Nanna-chan... I-I'm sorry... I'll keep it a secret..." "S-Sob..." It was the most embarrassing experience of my life. ...I will definitely get revenge for this. I'll kill you, Kurodate Haruna...!