Chapter 6: First Gunfight

The first week after the entrance ceremony passed without incident, and now it’s my day off. Honestly, I’d rather just laze around and play games all day. But right now, I don’t own any proper clothes for going out, so I have to buy some. I thought I could get by with just my uniform and loungewear, so I didn’t bring much from home—but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I really do need casual clothes.

I can’t exactly go out in pajamas, so I change into my uniform, sling my Brown Bess musket over my right shoulder, and hang a bag with my wallet and essentials over the left before heading out.

Once I enter the parking lot, I walk over to the Loyalty, scan my student ID, and pull out. After driving for about ten minutes, I reach my destination: the shopping mall.

I’ve only been to Trinity’s central district—the area where the mall is—maybe a handful of times. I’ve always lived out in the countryside, so coming to the center was practically a mini-vacation. But now that I attend Trinity Integrated Academy, this place is going to become much more familiar. It feels both exciting and… oddly lonely. A strange mix of emotions.

I park the truck in the underground garage without any trouble and head inside. A quick look around shows exactly what I expected: tons of Trinity students in sailor uniforms, since this is the heart of Trinity territory. I also spot a few Seia students in their black uniforms… but everyone seems to be walking around in groups. Must be nice, having friends. Meanwhile, I’m here alone.

As I’m thinking that somewhat carefree thought, a shadow steps in front of me, blocking my way.

"Hey there, Trinity princess."

"Uh… y-yes? Can I help you…?"

Standing before me are five delinquent-looking girls—classic sukeban types. Naturally, I don’t recognize any of them. While I’m tilting my head in confusion, the one who seems to be their leader continues.

"See, we’re kinda broke right now."

"So why don’t you help out some poor unfortunate girls like us, huh? You look like you’re carrying plenty of cash, princess."

Ah. A mugging. So that’s why all the other Trinity students are walking around in groups. This is what happens when you’re alone.

If I were unarmed, I’d just give up and hand something over… but I am armed, even if it’s just an antique shotgun. And this is the middle of Trinity territory. The moment things get loud, Seia enforcement will rush over. I just need to hold out until then.

"I see… And if I say no?"

"…Then we’ll just take it by force!"

They fire first—an assault rifle muzzle flashes, and I feel the impacts. Ouch. That stings.

"You do realize you fired first, yes?"

I lower the musket from my shoulder, load powder and shot, half-cock the hammer, drop a pinch of priming powder in the pan, close the frizzen, cock it fully, and fire at the one who’s still reloading. After all those hunting trips back home, the motions are second nature. Ah… that nostalgic feeling.

"Grh—?! At this range… a shotgun? That’s just… cheating…"

Once I confirm she’s down, I start loading the next round. Compared to boars or bears charging straight at you, humans who don’t rush are practically easy mode.

"Tch… we lost one! You lot, hurry up and shoot back!"

"We’re on it—gah?!"

I blast another before she can stop fumbling around. Maybe move your hands before flapping your mouth, just saying.

"Where—dammit… wh—gh?!"

"Wide open."

Slipping behind the leader, who’s holding a machine gun, I shoot her point-blank in the back. As she collapses, I look past her fallen form at the remaining two.

"…Do you still intend to continue?"

"Leader!? …D-dammit, we gotta avenge her, right?!"

They fire their submachine guns from both sides at the exact same moment. God, that hurts. Gritting my teeth, I force myself to reload and fire. One takes a grazing hit—not enough to knock her out, but enough to stagger her. I immediately aim a second shot at her face. And for the last one—

"Wh-what are you?!"

"Your aim is all over the place. You won’t hit me like that."

Shaken and unable to steady her gun, her bullets scatter everywhere—no threat at all. I simply give her the final shot, and the fight ends.

"…Oh?"

I look down at the five defeated sukeban. Huh… I actually won. I only thought I needed to hold out until the Justice Task Force arrived.

And ever since the fight started, my body moved just a few frames faster than I could think. Not exactly “my body moved on its own,” but… something like it remembered what to do. Yes, that’s probably the best way to describe it.

Come to think of it, I never paid attention because one good shot usually settled things, but I think I felt something similar when hunting deer, boar, or even bears back home.

"Justice Task Force! What’s going on here?!"

"Um… well…"

I struggle to answer the Justice Task Force member who arrived late. Will they even believe me if I say, “I got mugged, but I beat all of them”?

"They, um… tried to extort me… I think?"

"I see. For confirmation, would you be willing to accompany us for a brief statement?"

"Yes, that’s fine."

After giving my statement for about ten minutes at a nearby post, I’m released and return to the mall—only to find the five girls gone. When I ask a nearby Justice Task Force student—

"They regained consciousness, so we’re questioning them now. You must’ve passed them on the way."

"I… um, is it alright if I continue my shopping?"

"Yes. We’ve gathered testimony from bystanders saying those girls picked a fight with you unprovoked."

"I see. Then please excuse me."

"One more thing—Trinity may have relatively good public safety, but you still might want to avoid walking around alone too much."

"Y-yes, you’re right…"

Oof. That hits a little too close to home. I mean, what am I supposed to do? I’m a loner. …Maybe I really should try to make some friends. Or at least someone I can walk around with.

After that, nothing else happens. I buy clothes and groceries and head home. Being alone is comfortable, but… maybe I should join a club or a committee instead of being a go-straight-home type.

And another thing—this was supposed to be my first actual gunfight, yet I took down five people so easily. They weren’t trained soldiers or anything, just random thugs, but still.

I mean, in my previous life, I was just an ordinary modern Japanese person who would never have had the chance to fire a real gun. Maybe eight years here in Kivotos have changed me more than I realized.