Chapter 16: I Hit a Wall, So I Decided to Just Ask Around

When I got home with a pleasant sense of fatigue lingering in my limbs, I powered on the meter.

Current reading: just under 38%.

The growth wasn’t as strong as I’d hoped, but if I can get the corrosion rate below 20%, I should be able to extract the “Seed of Darkness.”

“If I take it step by step one or two more times… I should be able to bring Youta back.”

I let out a sigh.

Once that’s done, so is my role.

The farewell is near.

It’d be a lie to say I have no regrets, but nothing matters more than Youta’s happiness.

Still, what should I do next?

I’ve already gathered information from the two people closest to him—Hoshiko and his mother.

As for his last remaining blood relative—his father—Hoshiko said that’s not an option. Something about it being unforgivable.

Asking the same two people again feels like a dead end.

Maybe I’ve run aground just short of the goal.

…Thinking about this alone won’t get me anywhere.

When in doubt, it’s time for a progress report.

I took out my device and contacted Leona.

“Yo, Haruto! Looks like that data I gave you’s coming in handy!”

“Kongou? What the hell are you doing on this line?”

But the one who answered wasn’t her.

I immediately lowered the volume.

Getting yelled at right next to my ear isn’t my idea of fun.

“Leona finally wrapped up work, so she dragged me out for drinks.”

“Figures.”

I glanced at the clock. A little past eight.

Good timing, probably.

Knowing Leona and her terrible drinking habits, she must’ve handed over her device to Kongou and wandered off somewhere.

Kongou, by the way, runs a trading business.

He once said he wanted to see the world while he was at it.

No clue if he’s actually making any money.

Knowing him, even if he suffered a huge loss, I can picture him laughing it off without a care in the world.

He’s loud, but his outgoing nature makes him weirdly likable.

He’ll manage somehow.

“Haruto, you wanna come too? Let’s call it a class reunion!”

“Idiot. I’m still underage. This country has laws, you know.”

—Not to mention, how exactly am I supposed to get to the two of them?

If I was in my original form, I could probably make it there without too much trouble, but being seen like that would be a pain.

To the world, anything involving ‘Legion Brigade’ is already a closed chapter.

“That’s a damn shame!”

His boisterous laughter rang out.

Good thing I turned down the volume.

That voice of his is a weapon.

“Anyway, what’s up? You calling me—that’s a rare one!”

Even Kongou was saying the same thing Leona had last time.

Well, to be fair, I had tried contacting her first.

“There’s something I want to ask.”

“This about that girl, Youta?”

“Yeah.”

Technically, “girl” isn’t accurate, but from his perspective, that’s probably how he sees it.

Didn’t feel like explaining it all, so I just went along with it.

“Then let me hear it too! You’re talking to a seasoned sniper here!”

…Yeah, he’s pretty drunk.

On booze, and on himself.

Still, it’s not a bad idea to gather info from as many people as I can.

I need to remember that my initial solo efforts only led to minor gains.

I don’t have many contacts.

Might as well be honest about the situation.

---

“I see. So, you wanna win the heart of that girl you like!”

“…Were you even listening?”

“Of course!”

Suddenly, I felt drained.

Maybe I should ask for Leona after all.

I was just about to suggest it when—

“Then how about a gift?”

“A gift?”

“Yeah! A birthday gift, a Christmas present—this world’s got all sorts of customs like that. Anyone’d be happy getting something for free!”

He had a point.

Originally, I’d been choosing locations tied to past memories, trying to help Youta remember.

But if Hoshiko and the others are already recalling fragmented memories, maybe I don’t need to stick to that anymore.

The idea hit me like a splash of cold water. Woke me right up.

Still—

“Thanks, Kongou. I appreciate it. Didn’t expect a decent answer out of you.”

“You didn’t have to say that last part! —Though…”

Kongou’s voice carried a tinge of happiness.

“Hm?”

“…Can’t believe you’re the one coming to me for advice.”

And somehow, it sounded… nostalgic.

I’d like to think that, back when I was in command, I made sure to hear out everyone’s ideas during planning.

Maybe I was just bulldozing through with my own opinions the whole time.

“Idiot. That’s not what I mean! I’m talking about something human, not work.”

“…Have I changed that much?”

I couldn’t feel it myself, so I asked.

As far as I’m concerned, I’m just acting the way I always have.

Kongou gave a little “Well, yeah,” then continued:

“You used to be the type who’d hurt anyone if that’s what the mission called for. Even your own allies. You gave me chills, man!”

He laughed hard.

But unlike earlier, it wasn’t just for show.

There was something else there—an unspoken criticism.

“…Sorry.”

“I’m not blaming you. I’m saying, that just means this person’s that important to you, right? Make sure you don’t mess it up.”

“I don’t need you to tell me that.”

Youta is without a doubt the one who changed me.

My only—though Hagino would make a fuss if I called him this—true friend.

No matter what, he’s the most important person I have in this world.

I was about to thank Kongou again when—

“Kongou! How long are you gonna keep yapping?! Give me back my device already!”

Her voice was completely slurred.

And with that, the call cut off.

…Guess I should be glad I didn’t have to deal with drunk Leona directly.

Probably for the best.

---

Later that night, just before bed, I checked the meter on a whim.

It had dipped below 30%.

…What the hell happened after we parted ways?

The mystery just keeps getting deeper.

But for now, I’ll get some rest for tomorrow.