Arc 1 Chapter 10: Task force

    Two weeks after the incident, I was able to leave the hospital safely. The doctor said it was a miracle that I had no after-effects. Thank you so much, Yume-senpai.

　

　Although I suffered no after-effects, the price of sleeping for eight months was high, and I ended up having to repeat a year. However, this turned out to be a good thing, as it allowed me to attend Abydos High School for an extra year without having to think about it.

　

　However, I still had to graduate before the teacher arrived, so to solve the problem, I used my authority as student council president to force myself to repeat the year for another year.

　

　Hoshino-chan looked at me like I was seeing something impossible, but it was to prevent the world from being destroyed, so please don't look at me like that...

　

　Another thing was that my physical abilities, which were essential for fighting, had deteriorated. Of course, this was to be expected after being in bed for eight months.

　

　Even so, it doesn't affect my daily life at all, which is typical of someone from Kivotos. If I were to go back to my previous life, I would probably need rehabilitation to be able to walk.

　

　And unlike the previous one, this is a big problem.

　

　Because of my existence, the situation has strayed far from the original, so I must intervene in the story to prevent the world from being destroyed. If that were to happen, not being able to fight would be a major disadvantage, as it would greatly reduce the number of options available.

　

　Actually, I lost the notebook I was writing down my knowledge about the original work when I was lost in the desert...

　

　Even if I were to search for it, it's not realistic to expect to find it in the vast Abydos Desert at this point... I can only hope that my memory is correct.

　

　Next year, various incidents will likely occur, centering around the teacher, so I must hurry and regain my former senses. My first immediate goal is to become stronger.

　

　Hoshino-chan brought the shield...IRON HORUS home with her.

　

　I debated whether to let Hoshino-chan use it as is, but since Hoshino-chan is incredibly strong even without the shield, it wouldn't have any effect on the original story, and I thought it would be more of a problem if I became weaker, so I gave it back.

　

　In fact,she answered me before I even had a chance to say anything.

　

"It originally belonged to my Senpai."

　

　That's what she say. It originally belonged to the Abydos Student Council...

　

　Come to think of it, I must have worried Shiba Taisho, so I should go and tell him that I'm feeling better. With that thought in mind, I headed to Abydos High School, which I hadn't seen in a while.

---

"Nonomi-chan and Shiroko-chan, nice to meet you again~"

　

"Yes☆Thank you very much~"

　

"Hmm, nice to meet you."

　

　The four of us were gathered not in the usual Abydos student council room, but in the Countermeasures Committee classroom. Just like in the original story, Hoshino-chan had started a new club.

　

　By the way, this was not the first time I met Nonomi-chan and Shiroko-chan, as they had come to visit me several times.

　

"So, let's start today's meeting to discuss paying off our debts."

　

　From this point on, Hoshino-chan started to feel more relaxed. She only used polite language when talking to me.

　

　

"Leave it to me. I have plenty of plans."

　

"Bank robbery denied."

　

"yeah····"

　

　Shiroko-chan has been the main heroine of the bank robbery series since then. Her animal ears are drooping and she's clearly depressed. Next year she'll be able to rob a bank...

　

　First-year Shiroko is small, or should I say young... Isn't it amazing how much she's grown in just one year? And she's a wild child. When we first met,

　

"I only listen to those who are stronger than me. So let's have a fight."

　

　I was quite surprised when she told me this. I was still sleeping in a hospital bed at the time...

　

　By the way, it seems that Hoshino-chan beat her up after that, and the next time we met, she apologized to me in fear. I'm glad that she cares about me, but you shouldn't go overboard, okay?　

　

　She was so scared that after I listened to what had happened and comforted her,she became attached to me and started listening to what I said. ...Maybe she listens to me because she's afraid of Hoshino-chan...

　

　Shiroko-chan will likely grow not only physically but also mentally. It's amazing that this wild child has grown into a young girl who cares about the smell of sweat. Nonomi-chan and Hoshino-chan's emotional education is amazing.

　

　Apparently, Shiroko has lost her memory and is homeless, so she is currently living at Nonomi's house. Nonomi may have been the one who gave her emotional education. She has a caring personality, too.

　

"I have a good idea too! With this gold card────"

　

"That's no good either."

　

"...right?"

　

　It seems that Nonomi-chan hasn't yet awakened to her idol side. If you get hooked, please let me know right away. I'll support her wholeheartedly and do whatever it takes to make Hoshino-chan an idol.

　

"Hmm... what a peaceful and beautiful sight!!"

　

"Yume-senpai, please take this seriously."

　

"Well...even if you say that..."

　

　To be honest, I've only been doing things like catching wanted criminals and finding a part-time job that pays well, so I can't think of any ideas to bring up at a meeting like this.

　

"Well, in the end, it's best to keep working steadily like that... believing that small efforts will one day produce a big miracle..."

　

"Well, that's what happens... Last year, we raised money in the same way for everything except the treasure hunt..."

　

"..."

　

"What's wrong, you two?"

　

　Nonomi-chan and Shiroko-chan are looking at me with surprised expressions. What's wrong?

　

"Well... how can I put it, I thought it was surprising..."

　

“Surprising?”

　

"I thought Yume-senpai would come up with even weirder ideas. She's always so thoughtful...."

　

"Yes... it was a very realistic story, so I was kind of surprised."

　

"Well, what's with my image? I always seem so serious, right? Hoshino-chan?"

　

　I'm disappointed. Hoshino-chan will understand. I need to tell my two juniors about me.

　

"It's okay, you two. Even I was surprised at the difference at first. Yume-senpai is usually weird, but when it comes to talking about debt,she suddenly starts talking realistically."

"Hoshino-chan?!"

　

"I thought so, didn't I?"

　

　Hoshino-chan also betrayed me. I'm always so serious...

　

　This is probably a time when I need to improve my image. Regardless of Hoshino-chan, there's no reason for even my juniors, who I've just met, to think I'm weird.

　

"Well, Yume-senpai said that she often went treasure hunting with Hoshino-senpai, so I thought she might come up with such an unexpected idea."

　

"The other day when I went to visit you, you said something that I didn't really understand, like, 'Look closely, Hoshino-chan has a ponytail! Thank you very much.'"

　

"Now that I think about it, when we took a photo together to celebrate your discharge from the hospital, you said, 'I'll keep this as a family heirloom! Thank you!'"

　

"..."

　

　What should I do? The problem is that I have no evidence to deny it. I was a strange person. Anyone would be surprised if someone like me suddenly started talking about reality.

　

　I've liked Hoshino-chan with the ponytail ever since I saw her in the original works, but her situation at the time was so tragic that I couldn't enjoy it. So I was so happy to be able to watch it without that sadness, and I couldn't help but feel grateful.

　

"Well, let's put my story aside for now."

　

"Hmm,she ran away."

　

"She ran away."

　

"Yes there! Quietly!"

　

　You should run away from a battle you can't win

　

"Hey, Hoshino-chan? Can I ask you something?"

　

"Wh-what is it?"

　

"You mean oji-san...?"

　

　Hoshino-chan froze and stopped moving. She seemed agitated, but her gaze was wandering around.

　

　In fact,she had never called herself oji-san in front of me. I was wondering if she would ever become an old man, so I was a little relieved. Well, I don't think she has to become an oji-san, but I wanted to recreate the original work at least a little.

　

　...I've just had a bad experience with this way of thinking, but I'm sure it'll be okay. It'll be okay, right?　

　

"Well... well..."

　

"Ever since I met you, Hoshino-senpai has always referred to himself as 'oji-san'~☆"

　

"N-Nonomi-chan?!"

　

　Hehehe. This is retribution for betraying me earlier. I pointed it out because I wanted to embarrass Hoshino-chan as well.

　

　...It's not like Hoshino-chan betrayed me or anything, I was just being weird. But that's that, and this is this.

　

"Hey Yume-senpai! What are you grinning for?!"

　

"Hmm? I thought it was cute when Hoshino was embarrassed!"

　

"Now that I think of it, my senpai was this kind of person..."

　

　Hoshino-chan looked a little annoyed. She must have realized she was being teased. It's not like she was really bothered by it.

　

"It's kind of refreshing to see Hoshino-senpai like this, isn't it?"

　

"This is the first time I've seen Hoshino-senpai being embarrassed like this."

---

After the meeting (?), we went to Shibaseki Ramen for lunch. We also wanted to let Shibaseki know that we were feeling better.

　

　

"Boss! Long time no see!!"

　

"Oh! It's Yume-chan, it's been a while. I was worried when I heard you were lost, but I'm glad you're OK."

　

"Yes! Thanks to Hoshino-chan, we managed to do it!"

　

"By the way, is Hoshino-chan okay? She looked pretty worried when she came here the other day..."

　

"Yes, I'm fine now. Sorry for worrying you..."

　

"...They both seem to be okay. I'm relieved."

　

"So, what would you like to order?"

　

　

"I'll have Shibaseki Ramen as usual!"

　

"I'd like some pork ramen please!"

　

"Hmm, I'll get oji-san's special miso ramen."

　

　By the way, when Hoshino-chan is not paying attention, she uses "ojisan" as her first-person pronoun, and Yume-senpai said that it has become a habit for her, so she wants her to get used to it. For me, including my past life, I'm used to hearing both, so it doesn't feel strange, or rather, I might be more used to this one.

　

"yeah·····"

　

"What's wrong, Shiroko? I'll treat you, so feel free to order anything you want."

　

"Well... I've never had ramen before, so I was wondering what to order."

　

　Come to think of it, Shiroko-chan had lost her memory. She was probably hesitant to choose it because it was a food she didn't know. If it was her first time, would it be better to choose something like shio ramen, which is relatively light?　

　

"I recommend this salt ramen!"

　

"Nn then, I'll have shio ramen."

　

　

　

　After a while the ramen arrived...

　

　

"Nn!"

　

　

　Shiroko's eyes sparkled as she ate with incredible speed. Her chopsticks didn't stop moving even once. It seemed she really enjoyed it.

　

"Shiroko-chan is eating with great speed."

　

"Right. It's kind of heartwarming..."

　

"That's right☆"

　

"Well, thank you for the meal."

　

"Shiroko-chan, you eat so fast, don't you!?"

　

　

"Hoshino-senpai, let's have a contest later. I can't lose right now."

　

　It seems Shiroko hasn't given up on beating Hoshino yet. Perhaps motivated by eating ramen, she declares with a heavy breathing.

　

"Shiroko-chan is doing well. Okay, let's do it."

　

　Hoshino-chan also seemed motivated and finished eating before Nonomi-chan and I.

　

"Sorry Yume-senpai, the two of us are heading back to school first."

　

"That's okay! Good luck, you two."

"Nn, I won't lose today."

　

　So Hoshino-chan and Shiroko-chan went back to school first.

　

"...Oh, by the way, Yume-senpai, I'll pay. I have a gold card too..."

　

"No, no, it would be kind of pathetic to have a junior treat you, so it's okay!"

　

　I know Nonomi has money, but I still want to pay this much. And it fills my self-esteem to think that everyone is smiling because of the food I paid for.

　

"Really? That's fine then..."

　

　Nonomi-chan may have the same idea, but I'll leave it at that.

　

"I'm so glad that Yume-senpai woke up..."

　

"What's wrong all of a sudden, Nonomi-chan?"

　

"Of course, I'm happy that Yume-senpai is feeling better. But I'm just as happy that Hoshino-senpai is smiling more often..."

　

"I've been to Abydos High School a few times since last winter, and Hoshino-senpai looked like she was cornered at the time... and she seemed to be having nightmares..."

　

"Since Shiroko-chan came, she's been smiling a little more, but she still looks sad sometimes..."

　

"But recently, she hasn't made that kind of face at all. That makes me happy. In the end, I couldn't do anything for Hoshino-senpai..."

　

　I see. It's true that if you saw Hoshino-chan back then, you would be worried. Also, as the daughter of Nephthys, you might feel a sense of responsibility. But there's no need to look so distressed.

　

"Well, I understand what you're saying. But I don't think Nonomi-chan has done anything."

　

"is that so····?"

　

"I've been there myself, so I know how painful and difficult it is to be alone all the time. You have no one to talk to, you can't turn to anyone, and it becomes increasingly difficult to see a future."

　

"..."

　

"It's so nice to know that there's someone who will come and talk to you at a time like this. Knowing Hoshino, she might have told me not to enroll in a place with such an uncertain future..."

　

"Yes, that's right. At first, I was turned away..."

　

"And I think Hoshino-chan probably wouldn't have had the presence of mind to let Shiroko-chan enroll if it weren't for Nonomi-chan."

　

"I heard about the first time you met Shiroko-chan, but I think she'd ended up chasing her away. It's really difficult to reach out to others when you're going through a difficult time yourself."

　

"Hoshino-chan may not realize it herself, but I think she was probably happy that Nonomi-chan had continued to come to her without giving up. Because she had always seen people abandoning Abydos..."

　

"So, I owe it all to Nonomi-chan to be where I am today. It's not like Nonomi-chan hasn't done anything. At the very least, she's helping Hoshino-chan and Shiroko-chan."

　

　In fact, if Nonomi hadn't been there, Hoshino's mental state would probably have remained even worse.

　

　I don't think she played a particularly prominent role in the original work, but there's no doubt that Nonomi's presence was a great emotional support for the entire task force. I wouldn't be surprised if the atmosphere were darker without her.

　

"Thank you very much. I think I understand why Hoshino-senpai is so fond of Yume-senpai.

"I see... I'm glad you seem to be feeling a little better. I'll say it again, everyone on the task force surely loves you. I don't think you need to worry too much about Nephthys' position. It's not like everything is Nephthys' fault after all."

　

　Nonomi looks surprised.

　

"I'm surprised... You knew that much? I haven't even talked much with Yume-senpai yet, but it feels like you can see right through me somehow."

　

"Hehehe. I'm not the elder for nothing! I know everything!"

　

　Well, actually it's just a guess that takes into account knowledge of the original work!　

　

"You can always come to me if you need anything from now on, okay? It's a senpai's job to help juniors in trouble!"

　

"yes!"

　

　She seemed to have lost confidence, but I'm glad she seems to be feeling better now.

　

"Well, we're done eating, so shall we go home? ...Come to think of it, I didn't say anything, but I wonder if Hoshino-chan is overdoing it...She seemed a little too enthusiastic."

　

"Ah, ahaha..."

　

　I returned to school with Nonomi, who seemed to be thinking the same thing and was smiling wryly.