---

---

If you're aiming to be the domineering type, you need the power to back it up. Not that it's true, or even possible, though.

"Why do I have to hide?"
Maa-chan, with her round eyes that look so easy to poke and an expression brimming with childishness. Her complete inability to read the room makes me want to pinch her cheeks or pull her lips, but I restrained myself.

"Uh, let's call it hide-and-seek. Over there," I say, pointing to the spot behind the blackout curtain where she should hide.

"No way! Being Mii-kun's hug pillow is way better than hide-and-seek!"
*Ggyuuu*—Mayu hugged me tight. "*Ggyuh!*" Pain flared in the wound on my arm.

I pushed aside the urge to just fall backward, banishing it like something irrelevant. I blinked once, deliberately shifting my mindset. Then, I peeled Mayu off me. Just that simple action put a subtle strain on my arm, making me grimace.

"When this is over, I'll let you cling as much as you want. But right now, please move. I'm begging you."

"Ughh, Mii-kun, you're so selfish."
Mayu groaned reproachfully. But after a moment, as if letting out a sigh—*Hah, fuu*—her fussiness vanished.
"Putting up with such a Mii-kun, aren't I just the most admirable Maa-chan? Geez, just this once, okay? Absolutely! From now on, you have to be a good boy who listens *properly* only to what Maa-chan says, got it?"

"...Yeah." I suppressed various things in my throat and mouth and just managed the reply. Mayu shrugged with a 'Well, well' sort of air, and I said nothing more. A sense of accomplishment and emptiness washed over me simultaneously, busy emptying and filling me up inside.

Mayu got down on all fours and started her hide-and-seek, hands and knees pressing into the glass shards. It was endearing to see she had at least considered the need not to be found.

"'Is Mii-kun the 'it' for hide-and-seek?' Mayu asked, turning back.

"'If Maa-chan's an angel, then relatively speaking, I'm... Just kidding. Someone else is 'it.' I'm on Maa-chan's side."

"'Okay, come get me later, then~' Leaving behind a yawn, Mayu shuffled away.

...Well, assuming some demon hasn't dragged me off to hell by then, I'll come get you.

But will Mayu actually obey my instructions? I have a feeling it's never worked before. Hmm, she's consistently maintained that IQ of nineteen... or rather, I wonder if she's leveled up at all since we started living together. Feels like neither of us has much room left for growth.

Is this how parents feel sending their kid on their first errand? I feel restless. Though this task reeks a lot more of blood than a trip to the fishmonger or butcher. Yeah, this analogy is probably wrong.

I reached for the equipment in the broadcast room. With careless, haphazard movements, I fumbled around, took out a cassette tape, and inserted it. Time to send out a song as camouflage for Mayu.

After some choppy noise cleared its throat, the speakers started proclaiming something about the 'eyes of the heart'.

*"Hey, hey, the guest's congratulatory speech ain't over yet."*

"My apologies, but schedule delays cannot be permitted."

That's a lie, but... then again, it's also the truth. Precisely because I'm a third-year high school student stumbling along haphazardly without a map, I have to rush towards my destination— *'...tsugu.'* ...*Ggh.*

The lyrics were laced with poison directed at me. It was a surprise attack, so an involuntary groan escaped into the open.

I don't understand it at all! Guah, again! What is this 'all of me' supposed to be? If I made an instruction manual for myself, the table of contents would be the entire content. I'd have to pad it out with bonus features like 'Funky Fonts' or 'Maa-chan's Sole Lecture Series' just to give it some thickness. What a lie!

Damn, I screwed up the song choice. I should have just called up the school anthem again, even bracing myself for criticism about the lack of flair. It's practically background noise, incapable of livening things up, but at least it's never grating.

"'Ah, by the way, sorry to interrupt our chat, but I just got an email on my cell. Mind if I answer it? I bet you're the type to get indignant about how high schoolers these days have bad manners, playing with their phones during class. But in an emergency—say, during some unwanted, painful, impromptu educational session—don't you think it's unavoidable to flexibly consult with the police? I've just been assuming that sort of adaptability is exactly what you're trying to impart on us students right now.'"

Having told a little lie, I waited a moment for a reaction... Hmm, no reply from the other side. Which means they must be plotting something. Ignoring the background noise, I strained my ears. They'd surely want to deal with me quickly and get back to their 'fun lesson time.' They'll definitely make a move, I surmised.

While I was at it, I watched Mayu get settled behind the blackout curtain, then calculated where I should move next. To make the best use of the terrain, I should use the high ground.

Since I was looking up anyway, I took a deep breath. Inhale... *Haaa...* I breathed in deeply, and then somehow inhaled again. While exhaling lies, I incidentally swallowed a truth.

Something... is coming.

Something is steadily getting closer, striking the floor repeatedly.

Skipping right past the panicking stage, I went straight to high alert.

I envisioned several possible scenarios.

However, judging by the slow speed and loud noise, the most likely explanation was... someone crawling along the floor using their elbows or arms?

If so, it had to be someone who couldn't even crawl properly... Maybe one of the students tied up with rope.

The most troublesome possibility was that the culprit was already crawling this way.

Still a little too soon. I wanted to shift the timing by one more beat.

I braced myself. Prepared to drop to my knees, ready to slide across the pond of glass if needed. The underside of my tongue felt dry, and the muscles in my arm twitched. The flesh inside felt like it was fizzing, freshly twitching, as if it had become part of some carbonated drink.

For some reason, I remembered the first time someone punched me.

But that heightened alertness ended up being needless worry.

Peeking out from the wings, the creature that appeared at the edge of my expanded vision—the source of the noise—possessed no weapon.

Moving sluggishly, like a creature taking its first steps on land or a sea turtle during egg-laying season, was the handyman Sugita, only his arm ropes untied. He was trying to climb from the floor onto the stage, the veins in his arms bulging. Despite his feet being bound, he was relying purely on arm strength, looking like he was undergoing some kind of martial arts training.

Ah, so he sent out a messenger. An order to scout upstairs. This was also within my calculations, sort of. Seeing him deliberately move to the center of the stage before climbing suggests specific instructions... or maybe... I gripped my earlobes, stretching them to gather sound, checking if any other footsteps overlapped his. ...Doesn't seem like it. Looks like the shooter intends to maintain his stance of conflating calmness with cowardice. That's a relief.

Sugita finished climbing onto the stage and reached the front of the morning assembly lectern.

There, his eyes met mine as he looked left and right. I gave him a wave. He jumped like a carp.

"*Uwaaah! Ah, aaah, aaarghh!*"

With the movements of a desperate ghost, Sugita scrambled towards me.

There was a striking difference in speed between his upper and lower body movements. His top half moved at the speed of a field mouse's lifespan, while his bottom half could be compared to the lifetime of a Galapagos tortoise. Yep, makes no sense.

As an admonishment for this insubordinate behavior, bullets flew. Two shots, then three. They grazed the floor near Sugita, but still, he didn't slow down. He looked like a reanimated skeleton desperately holding its crumbling limbs together as it ran. Against the odds, this guy reached me without dying and grabbed onto me.

He grabbed my shoulders with such force I almost kneed him in the torso reflexively to keep him back.

"'S-Sor-Sorry! About the, uh, criminal thing! Help me! Please!'"

"'Okay, okay, I get it. Calm down and be quiet.'"

"'I-I'll cooperate, okay? I just want to survive! C'mon, I'm begging you!'"

"'I said I get it.'"

I pulled Sugita off me—now that he'd successfully escaped the lethal range of the gun—and made him get down flat right there. Might as well use him now. Time to follow the standard path of the heartless.

"'Don't move until I tell you,' I ordered his tear-and-snot-streaked face.

Then, I prepared to send my opinion regarding the escaped fry back to the sender.

*"'Sending out a scout only to have him defect? Doesn't seem like you're very popular.'"*

The purpose of letting Sugita loose like that was probably to have him check if I was alone, or if I had a cell phone, by making him climb onto the stage. And I couldn't exactly let Sugita bait me into showing myself up here.

*"You're damn right. I was just about to shape things up, but some damn idiot got in the way."*

*"'If a little interference like this stops you from accomplishing anything, then that just proves you're nothing more than a person of that caliber.'"*

Returning second-rate sarcasm to his third-rate abuse.

The grinding of teeth echoed, amplified through the megaphone. He was starting to direct straightforward anger my way, which made him easier to deal with.

"'Hey,'
'Hm?'
'You said something about an email earlier... you have a cell phone, right? Quick, let's call!'"

Sugita grabbed my ankle, pleading. I wanted to shake off the heat radiating from his palm.

"'I'd love to, really, but actually, there's no signal.' A lie, of course. Yuzuyuzu is over there, after all. 'Hey—'"

"'Huh...?' Sugita stared blankly, devoid of tension. 'The battery?'"

I ignored Sugita's questioning plea for correction. Still, as if completely bewildered, he abandoned understanding and pressed on.

"'Hey, maybe... no way, but... you don't actually *have* a phone, do you?'"

"'Hmm, did I...? ...I'm not sure,' I said, glossing over the obvious reality.

*Normally, if I had one, I'd have silently called the police already.*

But for a culprit who doesn't have the police on their side, they have to consider and verify that 'what if.' Having to check under every willow tree for a ghost must be a mentally taxing role.

"'A-Are you an idiot?! This isn't the time for jokes! Th-Then, no, first, untie my feet!' Apparently sensing resignation and disappointment from my attitude, Sugita, crestfallen, made his next request.

"'Huh? Sure... Ah, sorry. This is a tight knot. I can't grant wishes beyond my power.' Another lie."

"'Hey, no, what are you saying? What the hell... Also... um, Misono-san... isn't she here?'"

Sugita, still prone, indirectly pointed out our lack of manpower. I replied curtly, as usual.

"'She's sleeping soundly in a bed in the nurse's office.' Yep, the lies are flowing as usual. *What a pain, one demand after another,* I grumbled internally, *it's not like we're doing a hundred-man kumite.*"

Alright, time to irritate the attacker just a little more. This will be the finishing touch.

"'Shall I teach you a reality? Even if you lived a normal life, you'd surely lose your job quickly, and society would never grant you a role managing others. The fact that you're here on a weekday morning just proves that *this* is your normal. Bringing a gun to the gymnasium was a fine decision, wasn't it? Those who know their place demonstrate admirable self-management, no matter how low their station. It's truly worthy of admiration. And yet, the sheer pointlessness of trying to force the presumptuous reality seen from your lowly perspective onto us almost makes me feel pity for you.'"

For a moment, my tone changed as if possessed by Geronimo's living spirit. I decided to just borrow it, maintain the momentum, and push through.

*"'Also, it's a bit late to say this, but I have some unfortunate news. Are you listening? I don't know your name. I only recognize you as 'the attacker.' You can't even get on stage; you're not even a main character. You're just an external enemy who couldn't manage more than a bit part. You're no protagonist, because you've had the aura of a loser from the very start.'"*

Just like me, just like the kidnapper. Like Sugawara no Michizane.

People who become criminals are usually like that. So-called scumbags.

Having said my piece, I ended the broadcast. The next broadcast, ideally, will be after you've passed out.

This time it's incredibly difficult, though. Well, you never know with a lottery ticket until you buy it... Who am I to talk?

That pretty much concludes the preparations for my desperate struggle, I guess.

Down on the court, instead of the youthful sound of bouncing balls, the sound of the megaphone being slammed against the floor created grit inside my eardrums. The unpleasantness took root even in my molars.

Swallowing it all down, I scratched my cheek once.

I issued an order to my classmate, like adding insult to injury on his tear-streaked face.

"'Huh? Aah?' I resisted the urge to poke my index finger into his dumbstruck face—saving that for next time—and pointed at the ceiling instead."

"'Right, let's go. Climb up from there.'"

"'Your hands are fine. Pull your body up and climb the ladder. Just hurry up.'"

I couldn't just stay here in the wings—a position even Sugita, who'd been so focused on carefully climbing onto the stage, could find—and wait for the attacker. If moving sideways is out, the only temporary escape is up.

Time to aim for the ceiling area again, using the same ladder I climbed down.

The distance to the stage, as perceived by the attacker, is surprisingly far. Even though the students are tied up, since he has to temporarily leave them, he also needs to keep an eye on them, so his approach will inevitably be slow. There's time.

Finish the preparations before that man climbs onto the stage.

So I gave some encouragement to this guy who wears a dopey expression so well, and rose into a half-crouch.

"'You want to survive, right? Then move. I'll get you to the bottom of the ladder.'"

"'Ah... Aah... Okay.'"

Sugita obeyed the command of his unarmed classmate with a vacant expression, dragging his body forward.

"'H-Hey. Why won't you untie my ropes?'"

"'You idiot. This time, it's actually better that they're tied. C'mon, let's go.'"

Grabbing Sugita's arm, I headed for the sky.

Behind me, I sensed the faint awakening of footsteps.

The seeds have been sown. Now it's just a question of whether they'll bloom in time. Hurry up and be born, new offense.

If I've read the attacker's psychology correctly, I'm confident this procedure earns a passing grade.

As a result, my location has been completely revealed. So, he'll come himself. That type of person—the kind who self-evaluates as quick-witted—doesn't really doubt others much. Because they trust themselves completely.

He won't have missed any information, trusting in his own shrewdness. He'll definitely head this way.

Repacking his false conviction into madness.

[.........]

I checked my surroundings again, paying attention to Mayu's location as well.

Still, this is unusual. No one's dead yet. Even though I'm involved.

My actions, which should never go smoothly, are somehow maintaining the rotation of well-lubricated gears this time.

It's not like I've particularly overcome the past or anything, but maybe I bought a gift from fate?

Maybe this time... it won't be treated as a murder case.

Well... only up to this point, that is.

---

**"Sanae Rika x Kamiyashiro Natsuki"**

I deliberately didn't bring an umbrella.
Naturally, the rain outside hasn't stopped.
The yukata fabric feels thirty percent heavier than usual.
I ignored Akane's warning, so she'll probably be angry when I get back.
On top of that, I stood out and got tangled up with someone troublesome on the way.
Nothing's going right.
But still, as long as I'm using this name, I have an obligation.
Experience it once.
Then, I should talk about it...
Touka. Rain isn't something you look up at through a window.
It's something you feel beneath the sky.

"Something seems to be ringing. Though for a stomach growl, it carries the scent of electricity."

"Oh my, are you unfamiliar with the portable telephone, Sanae Rika-chan?"

"Unfortunately, no. I cannot disobey my mother's teaching: 'Do not simply yield to civilization; be a sharp tool yourself.'"

"Well, those are words of wisdom indeed. Then, might I be excused for a moment to answer the phone, Sanae Rika-chan?"

"Of course, please do. If you like, *watakushi* shall put about three hundred meters between us. Eavesdropping is neither my hobby nor my reason for living, after all."

"No, no, your consideration is quite enough. Please just ensure you remain within a three-meter radius. Right then, *click*. Yes, hello? ... This is currently *not* Kamiyashiro Natsuki. Please try calling again in another life. *Click*."

"Oh my, what a cold response."

"It was a solicitation call from an English conversation school. So bothersome, aren't they, Sanae Rika-chan?"

"My, your personal information is leaking everywhere, Kamiyasshiii Rona...touki-san."

"My, rolling your R's. Remembering someone's name from just that exchange? Such practiced voyeurism, Sanae Rika-chan. I'm truly impressed."

"Sankyuu. Well then, *watakushi* must be going now, as I promised a child in the hospital I'd hit a home run today. So, if you'll excuse me. The signed ball is shining on your head."

"But it's unfortunately raining today, so any games at the local stadium are likely cancelled, Sanae Rika-chan."

"What are you saying, Jeikomu? Even if the game can be postponed, a life cannot be so easily deferred. If Michael doesn't get the surgery soon... By the way, who were you again? Michael's older sister?"

"Gradually, I'm becoming less human myself... *sigh*. I am Jeikomu, but I also dabble in being a Detective and Geronimo, and Kamiyashiro Natsuki on the side. Please make my acquaintance, Sanae Rika-chan."

"Tune in next week for more exploits of Superhuman Detective Geronimo, Jeikomu Natsuki!... Are you perhaps misrepresenting various things?"

"Not at all. For some reason, everyone suspects that at first. It's a rite of passage, so to speak. Look, here's my police ID."

"...My, a lion."

"Then, following official procedure, let me ask again: Are you the Sanae Rika-chan who went missing?"

"Hmm-hmm... I wonder about that. *Watakushi* has gained a name, but should it necessarily be something that expresses *watakushi*'s true nature? A faint scent of philosophy~"

"That impertinent talk reminds me of someone... which is why I have no choice but to arrest you."

"Ooh, abuse of authority! The corruption of the state!"

"Power is something that should be used."

"However, I simply couldn't withstand the pressure of being expected to give a witty reply when misunderstood under an unfamiliar name. Forgive me, honorable public servant."

"Yes, it's only natural that I parry your discourtesy with a tolerant spirit, but now, let me ask: What might your name be?"

"My name is Hirabari Sumi. Nineteen years old and soaking wet. My hobby is holding a slice of bread in my mouth and holding my breath at street corners."

"My, you really are soaking wet. Why didn't you use an umbrella?"

"Someone in class took my spare umbrella before I noticed, Teach~"

"So you're being bullied, *chuckle chuckle*. And it's still school time, you know."

"Don't lump me in with the others! I'm, ya know, special, gonna make my mark—"

"No excuses. You're coming with me. Please accompany me for a little while."

"*Watakushi* is not on the path of study, but devoted solely to the Way of the Ball! Today too, I must run up and down the shrine steps to become a hero!"

"Somehow the type of ball sport seems to have changed... and in that yukata, going to a shrine festival seems more fitting, if I may meddle. Let's compromise and use the department store escalator instead of stairs. Now, may I have your hand?"

"Aahhh— But *watakushi* has a sacrilegious daily routine of throwing dodgeballs at my father's grave—"

"Entering a cafe on the third floor of the department store with Sanae Rika-chan... Fate or irony? Which should I offer a congratulatory gift to?"

"Offer it to the waitress, and her affection points might skyrocket. What is this about, in every sense of the word? *Watakushi* is Hirabari Sumi, by the way."

"I once had a date here with a creature whose tongue wagged much like yours."

"Similar to *watakushi*... Meaning, penniless?"

"Exactly. And yet they were an outrageous sort who ordered katsu curry regardless. *Hmph!*"

"Which gender lacks delicacy, I wonder? Well, no need to worry this time, goodness me. *Watakushi* will be quite content with a single cup of apple tea."

"Conversation with a sensible person flows so smoothly. Ah, I'll have the egg sandwich and the cream croquette with rice, please."
........

"So then, Miss Self-Proclaimed Hirabari Sumi."

"The 'self-proclaimed' is redundant, O Stray Jeikomu of the Pure-Hearted Faction."

"Everything is a Thomasson, isn't it? Like a way of life plastered over with lies. Now, since we've gone to the trouble of setting the stage, let's talk."

"Talking is fine, isn't it? Shall we start with hobbies and favorite colors?"

"Hobbies? Let's see... Lately, my hobby has become continuing to love the person I love. Also, my favorite color is white."

"*Watakushi*'s is blue."

"'Put the two together...'"
"'*Confession!*'"
"'You and me make...'"
"'*Confession!*'"

"You've grown into quite the agreeable young woman, Sanae Rika-chan. What kind of upbringing did you have, I wonder?"

"Hirabari Sumi, a true blue local, was spoiled rotten by a mother who normally sells good luck pots and a father who mundanely searches for God."

"Oh, a local? And your address might be?"

"Personal Information Protection Law, activate! *Pikaaan!*"

"If you are *not* Sanae Rika-chan, then that puts me in a difficult position."

"I imagine it would. That was quite the aggressive pick-up attempt. I'll sue you for sexual harassment."

"No, it's that I, a demon woman devoted to my work, cannot be seen frivoling about like this. My sense of duty might just gift me a stomach ulcer. Ah, the worry!"

"...Someone worried about their stomach wouldn't eat that much before noon, you Fukuwarai face."

"Oh? Did you say something?"

"No, nothing. Nothing at all happened."

"Is that so? Peace is best, isn't it."

"Oh? It seems *watakushi*'s apple tea has been airlifted here first. How humbling."

"Don't just line up pretenses; you could show a little respect for your elders in substance too."

"Doubts are swirling within me as to whether any nineteen-year-old could possibly perceive the Jeikomu before them as an elder."

"Ah, looks like mine has arrived too. So quick. One can only marvel at the combination of a slow cafe and pre-prepared food."

"'Well then, let's eat.'"
"*Munch munch.*"
"*Munch munch.*"

"...I never knew. Apple tea is something you chew, apparently."

"Non non, the pronunciation is *Appoh*. Check yourself, *ne*."

"I've developed an urge to twist that lovely tongue of yours three and a half times. *Ufufufufu.*"

"Ooh-ooh-ooh. As *watakushi* prides herself on her forked tongue, I attempted to laugh and drink simultaneously, but alas, I failed. *Cough*, feels like an apple peel is about to be born from my nose."

"May I talk about something serious for a moment?"

"If it finishes within five minutes, *and* if Jeikomu-san wipes the croquette filling off her cheek."

"Thank you. ... I usually ask everyone I meet at least once: Are you happy?"

"And people usually fall silent."

"Exactly. It's lamentable."

"Saying such lines with a smile must be the essence of Jeikomu-san."

"Because I believe I'm engaged in work that protects happiness. Naturally, I want to protect my own happiness too."

"A smile for that purpose?"

"That's right. A smile is also the ultimate expressionless face. It prevents others from discerning your feelings."

"...With the condition that the smile is perfect."

"If there's someone who can't manage a smile, they're surely a child who can't tell any lies. There's no way to hide it; their inner thoughts are completely exposed."

"Sometimes 'person,' sometimes 'child'—such busy costume changes in your analogies."

"Following custom, I ask you, Sanae Rika-chan: Are you happy right now?"

"Thanks to the man and woman who came to my temporary lodging, financially, not so much. However, these are days where unhappiness doesn't seem likely to replace the everyday."

"Are there no restraints? Are you free?"

"Other than not being able to fly, not being immortal, and not being a billionaire, I stretch my limbs freely and live each day leisurely. Surprisingly, I feel like I'm enjoying this daily life."

"...Is that so."
[.........]

"You don't believe me?"

"No... It seems you possess a heart that cannot lie. So I can trust your testimony."
[.........]

"*Ugh.*"

"But I was truly surprised when I noticed you walking down the street. At first, I really thought it was mistaken identity, since I'd only seen photos from years ago. Honestly, to pass you in the rain, in the same town—you, who could have easily been dead without any surprise..."

(*I didn't think there was anyone left who'd recognize my face. It's been one after another lately, what's going on? If it wouldn't leave a trail, I'd feel like disposing of this woman for tonight's fever... though that's a lie, of course.*)"

"Truthfully, I should take you back to the station under protection and make a grand announcement of your return. Of course, I'd also report to your parents for a moving reunion."

"Oh? A bitter expression. You don't want your parents to know?"

"The parents who raised me are already dead. My birth parents... I don't remember them anymore."

"You shouldn't say such cruel things. If you weren't important to them, they wouldn't have gone to the police to handle it as a missing person or kidnapping case, even publishing your name, would they?"

"...Who knows. There's such a thing as appearances, after all."

"But since you haven't come forward yourself, you probably don't want to be fussed over or put on a pedestal now. I've met you, but I don't know your parents. If I have to prioritize, it's the Sanae Rika-chan right in front of me over your parents. So for today, let's just call this me slacking off."
[.........]

"And that's alright? As a way to protect Sanae Rika-chan's daily life?"

"Since my principle is to act without thinking, I can't quite approve, but I won't deny it either."

"Understood. However, please be prepared for a family observation day the next time we meet."

"Was that a slip of the tongue for 'encounter,' perhaps?"

"Please live happily, so the past doesn't eat you. That's my request... to the unfamiliar girl I mistook for someone else."

"You don't have to tell me. Thank you, hasty Detective-san."

"Having you even buy me a paper umbrella... really, I'm sorry for making you lavish gifts upon me."

"Not at all. I took several dozen minutes of your time, so I merely paid the fee for that."

"Hmm. Is that proper human interaction...? It's a little different from Mother's teachings, though."

"Well then, goodbye. What should I call you at the end? Your name?"

"...Yuna Nancy Owen."

"Pardon? Did you say something? It's hard to hear with the sound of the rain."

"No, I just thought of a lovely pen name, so these tears I can't wipe from my cheeks are just, you know, *sniffle*."

"Is that so, nameless girl. While I'm at it, I'll give you this memo pad."

"What's this? Am I supposed to write words here, store them up, and use my fingertips to converse? Good grief, that scene feels somehow familiar. Hmm, what comes to mind for some reason is the Tsurumai Line."

"My address is written there. If you find yourself troubled by money, heart, or parents, please visit my sleeping place. I'll welcome you."

"I see... While feeling the urge to gnaw on your brain within two seconds, goodbye, Jeikomu. ... Without waving, Jeikomu departed with resolute steps. And with that, case closed. End narration."

"...With this, maybe I can sleep soundly tonight... I wonder. Depends on Akane's cooking and sleeping habits."

---

**"Me + Daily Life - Mayu ="**
The End? The End?

---

Being dragged across the glass shards, Sugita grimaced more than I expected. Apparently, the sound and texture bothered him more than the pain.

This time, a sea of sound was pouring from the speakers. It swallowed up and tolerated the small waves of noise we were making, so I could reduce my concern about the process of climbing the ladder slightly.

"Climb," I ordered, making Sugita go first from the bottom of the ladder. I had him grab the ladder's legs, forming a composition like a pre-confession pose. But he just looked back anxiously and didn't start climbing.

"'Hey, hey, what are we gonna do?' 'Just go!' 'Let's use the phone, okay? Besides, if we climb up there, we'll have even fewer escape routes—' 'Shut up!' *You're young, just act without worrying about the logic,* I spurred him on. A lie, though. I applied a bit of physical intimidation from behind to get him climbing."

With movements like a mountaineer, Sugita climbed, swaying his body left and right. His speed wasn't worth complaining about, nor did he seem in danger of falling. Impressive, just what you'd expect from a drama club member who doesn't neglect physical fitness. A clear contrast to the activities of the amateur radio club, where two members competed to see how far they could hide tea stains, menacing their own digestive systems.

Watching until Sugita had traversed more than halfway and reached for the steel frame, I then started climbing myself, intending to execute a vertical sprint.

Sugita made full use of his arms; I overworked my legs. If you combined us, you might get a proper human (minus the personality). With that thought in mind, I wiped my lips with my tongue.

Once up, I pushed the bewildered Sugita aside, and we moved together towards the center until the small staircase used for ascending and descending from the floor came into view. With that, the preliminary preparations were complete.

From there, I glanced down at the area where Mayu was hiding, worrying slightly if she was actually sleeping.

"'W-We climbed up... now what? Can we just wait it out here?'"

Sugita whispered, trying to read my expression. While the song was loud, it seemed we could talk a little.

"'That's probably impossible. If he spots the ladder, he'll look up.'"

"'H-He's coming? That guy... hey, with the gun...'"

"'Well, he probably won't come like a naive duck ready for the pot... The mood is less picnic, more hunt.'"

Though, in the sense that I've prepared a trap and am lying in wait, I'm treating him like a beast too.

Before answering seriously, I checked Sugita's position with just my eyes once. ...Yep, he's within my reach. Good.

"'He'll definitely come. Giving up or ignoring us is impossible as long as he mistakenly believes he's superior.'"

And I've already presented the information necessary for him to attack.

Earlier, pretending to be cocky, I let slip that I couldn't use sheer numbers. He must have noticed.

So, the 'culprit' mistakenly thinks I'm alone up here. That part, at least, isn't a concern.

"'S-So, what are we gonna do when he comes?!'"

*A crying face really suits Sugita. Impressive range of expressions, as expected of the drama club,* I noted with hollow admiration, while also thinking, *This isn't really something to discuss while he's already on his way.* It's too late, no matter how you look at it.