Chapter 271 - Hermit
(1)
"Well then, congratulations Hiyama-senpai! Cheers!!"
Today was a celebration for Hiyama-senpai getting an unofficial job offer at a local bank.
He apparently reconciled with his father and got permission to date Sakura-san too.
"It's thanks to everyone, thank you. Especially Miyuki-san."
"I merely did my duty as a doctor."
"It also looks good on my resume." Miyuki-san added.
"A company, a doctor, a bank... Unity's unstoppable!"
When Mika-san said that, everyone got excited.
Yes, things had been going smoothly up to this point.
There were various troubles, but they didn't escalate into anything serious.
But from here on, it was no joke.
A full-scale war.
Could we drag everyone into something like this?
Toya and I were troubled by that.
"By the way, Katagiri-kun, you two have been looking glum for a while. Did something happen?"
Emi-san asked.
"N-no, nothing. Just thinking about something."
"Did you fight again?"
"It's nothing like that. We've been all lovey-dovey~"
Airi said that while clinging to my arm, but her smile was stiff.
"Your secrets never end well, so just spill it."
When Kanna said that, everyone fell silent.
Yeah, she was right. Even if we stayed quiet, everyone would probably move forward anyway, and if speaking up could put the brakes on, we should stop.
I'll try to handle it with Airi.
A war of just the two of us.
We'd never experienced anything like this before.
But with Airi, I could overcome anything.
Was this how a hero felt, standing alone—well, not alone—facing a great horde?
"Toya's been quiet for a while. What's really going on?"
"For real, Toya-senpai, your face is kind of scary. What's up?"
Kanna and Haruto said.
I couldn't find the words to reply.
"Toya-kun, instead of making that face, let's eat for now, okay? There's lots of delicious food~"
Airi covered for me nicely.
"If Airi says it's okay to eat, then I'll eat plenty."
"Uh-huh, let's forget about today and just eat and have fun."
We thought we'd managed to smooth things over nicely, but Kanna didn't seem convinced.
"'For now'? 'Forget about today'? ...What are you two hiding?"
"W-we're not hiding anything, right, Toya-kun?"
"R-right. Nothing at all, right, Airi?"
"Don't mess with me! What are you hiding?! I'm not letting you two go home until you confess!"
Kanna stood up.
"Kanna. You're bothering the other customers. Besides, this is supposed to be a celebration today, isn't it?"
Airi tried to calm her down, but Kanna wouldn't back down.
"Who's the one ruining the celebration today?!"
"Kanna, calm down. This isn't going to get us anywhere."
Makoto also tried to soothe Kanna.
"No, I agree with Kanna. These two are definitely hiding something!"
"I agree with Kanna-chan too. We're not letting them go home until they confess!"
Airi was overwhelmed by Mika-san and Emi-san's intensity.
"Toya-kun~ What should we do?"
Airi grabbed my arm.
If we said something like that now...
"'What should we do'? So there really IS something?!"
"Everyone, let's calm down. In this situation, these two can't talk even if they wanted to."
Watanabe-kun backed us up.
"Those two's secrets are never good!"
"Then we should give them a chance to talk."
While opinions like that were flying around, Shiina-san said something.
"You managed to get the core of the Takahashi Group?"
"N-no, that's not it..."
Airi was clearly flustered.
"I hit the mark, didn't I?"
Shiina-san smirked.
"Is that true, Toya!? Then why were you hiding it!"
"That's right, Katagiri-kun, why were you keeping quiet?"
"Well..."
"...Because it might ruin everyone's future..."
"U-ugh..."
Shiina-san seemed satisfied with Airi's reaction.
"Toya, it's already this exposed. Let's talk openly. This is everyone's Unity. I don't think this is a problem for just the two of you to shoulder."
Watanabe-kun said.
I guess I had no choice but to tell them...
"Fine, I'll talk. But not here. We've already drawn a crowd. I can't talk when I don't know who might be listening."
"I think right now people will just think some drunks are making a racket."
Satomi-san said.
"This isn't the kind of topic to discuss when we don't know who's listening."
I said.
"Then, how about during the after-party karaoke?"
"Makoto said karaoke is dangerous..."
"What do you think I bring my laptop every time for!? I can take care of anti-wiretapping measures!"
Makoto said.
"...Fine. Then, at karaoke. And..."
I gathered Makoto, Watanabe-kun, and Emi-san and whispered the gist of it.
"So that's how it is... I understand."
"I see... That makes sense."
"In that case, this really is dangerous here."
The three of them seemed to understand.
"Well then, let's get excited for now!"
Watanabe-kun got things going again.
Everyone was getting excited.
I ate as much as I could.
But I didn't feel like getting drunk.
I was afraid I might accidentally say something careless.
(2)
At the after-party karaoke.
"It's fine. I've hijacked the cameras."
You've started saying such outrageous things so casually, Makoto.
"It doesn't seem like there are any listening devices."
Ishihara-kun said. Do you always carry those around?
"Well then, let's hear it. Before that, let me say one thing."
When Watanabe-kun spoke, everyone fell silent.
"What Toya is about to tell us will probably put everyone's lives at risk. Only those who genuinely don't mind that should stay. If anyone thinks it's too much, I won't blame you. Please excuse yourselves."
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone thought it over.
"We don't mind. It's a future we owe to Katagiri-senpai. We'll entrust our future to him too." Nishimatsu-kun said.
"We're the same. Unity and Ichiren Takusei." Hiyama-senpai said.
Everyone seemed to choose to entrust their future to Unity.
I looked at everyone's faces.
Everyone was dead silent, as if sensing my mood.
"Well then, first, about mine and Airi's fathers..."
I began to speak quietly.
I told them about my father and Airi's father. About the existence of the Takahashi Group. About the file "Freesia" that could overturn everything. Everything I learned that night.
Everyone, who had been listening with interest, started to become restless.
"Th-that's a bit too heavy, isn't it?" Sakai-kun said, and "Don't be so weak-willed over something like this!" Akira-san countered.
The group split into those who thought we should back off and those who insisted we should fight.
Watanabe-kun listened quietly until the end.
You said Unity's actions were for you to decide, didn't you.
"Watanabe-kun, what do you think?"
I asked Watanabe-kun.
"What were you planning to do?"
"I was worried about whether I should tell everyone."
"What were you going to do if everyone decided to back out?"
"...I was going to manage it with just Airi."
"I've lost respect for you, Toya!!"
Kanna shouted.
"Did you think we'd abandon you over something like that?! Don't mess with me!"
"Kanna's right. There's no one so heartless in Unity."
"Mika, you two, please be quiet for a bit."
Watanabe-kun stopped them.
"I feel the same. For starters, what were you two planning to do alone? Our opponent controls the police, right?"
"We were going to figure that out together..."
"Tosaka-san, isn't that wrong? We all came together because of Toya. We're always indebted to him. When will you rely on us if not in a situation like this?"
"That's right, Airi-chan. This is our area of expertise. You know the saying, leave it to the professionals."
"Emi..."
"Silly, this isn't something for just Katagiri-kun and Airi-chan to shoulder. Besides, it was Unity that got picked a fight with in the first place."
Emi-san patted Airi's head.
"Alright, I've decided! This is the turning point! If we can get past this, we won't have to fear the Egoists!"
Ai-san said.
"So, that's how it is, Toya. Let's all work out a plan together."
"Everyone... thank you..."
I thanked them.
"We should be the ones thanking you." everyone said.
"Well then, first about this file called Freesia, right? Toya, did you see its contents?"
Watanabe-kun said.
"No, I haven't even connected it to a PC."
"Do you have it now?"
When Makoto said that, I handed him the strap hanging around my neck.
"The file password is 'Freesia'..."
"Got it."
When Makoto inserted it into his laptop, he opened the file.
The contents showed the full picture of the Takahashi Group. They were deeply involved in everything from past corruption scandals to mysterious disappearances of VIPs.
"This is... incredible."
Even Watanabe-kun was at a loss for words at the sheer volume of the file. It was a file built on the blood and sweat of our fathers.
"The next issue is what to do with this."
Watanabe-kun said.
"Why not leak it online?"
Kiritani-kun said.
"You idiot, that would be deleted immediately, obviously!"
Ai-san said.
"Not just where to release it, but the timing is crucial too. These people are professionals at sensing things in advance and creating other scandals to muddle the issue."
Shiratori-san said.
Makoto pulled out the USB drive and handed it to me.
"Just in case. You keep it. If it comes down to it, hide it somewhere else. Or you could give it back to your uncle."
"Did you copy it?"
"My PC is the safest place to store it." Makoto said.
"Now we know our enemy is the Takahashi Group. We have a general grasp of their profile. Next is their hand."
"The police and local newspaper are no good, right? The local TV station too?"
"Takahashi Kenshin, huh... We might be able to do something about that..."
Akira-san said.
"What do you mean, Akira-san?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"Takahashi Kenshin is just a minor figure in the Jimbe faction, right? He's in a hostile relationship with General Secretary Seki."
The conflict between the Jimbe and Seki factions was often on the news.
"My grandfather and Seki-san used to drink together back in the day..."
Everyone was stunned. I felt like I'd stepped into an incredibly complex world.
"Keeping the Jimbe faction in check is an option. I have a transactional relationship with Vice Minister Ishibashi."
Even Emi-san...?
"Before that, isn't there a way to tip off the Public Prosecutors Office directly?"
"Since the police are under their control, it's natural to think the prosecutors are too."
The Kimoto couple were discussing that. Airi and I had thought of that option too.
"Aren't you all being a bit narrow-minded~? There's no need to only tip off the local media, is there?"
Sakura-san said.
"Either way, this is a last resort. Our goal is the complete destruction of the Egoists. The Takahashi Group is a bonus."
Watanabe-kun said.
I think the bonus job is actually bigger, though...
"See, Toya? It was good to tell everyone, right? Everyone wants to help you."
Watanabe-kun said.
"Yeah..."
"Well, the general direction is decided! What's left is to push forward! Let's party tonight!"
"Good idea, Mika. Hand me the terminal."
Ai-san immediately started singing.
That night, we partied until morning.
(3)
"Your physical condition remains good."
I said that to the patient in front of me.
The patient's name was Takanashi Sora. Anyone could tell it was a pseudonym.
He was diagnosed with acute gastric ulcer and admitted as an emergency.
I, as a new staff member, was assigned to his case.
Every day, I checked his health and administered IV nutrients.
But one day, during a meeting, the hospital director said to me,
"Discharge Mr. Takanashi."
Eh?
"His condition seems fine. Ah, and discharge Mr. Kiyama too."
Mr. Kiyama was the one caught up in the TV station scandal?
He was admitted around the same time as Mr. Takanashi, also with no abnormalities.
Had the heat died down?
I asked a question.
"There has been no change in either of their conditions. Please explain the reason for their discharge."
The director shook his head.
"Miyuki-kun, there are many things it's better not to know. You've only just joined. Quietly follow the instructions."
"...Understood."
During the general rounds that day, they were told.
"You can be discharged now."
"Is that so? That's good."
Both of them looked relieved.
"Your progress is good, so there shouldn't be any problems."
Even though we did no treatment?
"...Is this my father's instruction?"
Mr. Takanashi said.
"Father? What do you mean? I haven't heard anything."
Eh?
I had heard quite a bit through Unity's discussions.
What did he mean?
"What's going on?"
"I simply judged that there were no problems. I just approved Mr. Takanashi's discharge."
The director smiled and said that.
Something was going on behind the scenes.
I was certain of it.
Mr. Kiyama was given the same explanation.
The heat had died down for both of them.
Was that what they understood?
But I didn't think so.
Discharge was tomorrow.
No matter how I looked at it, it was too sudden.
I went home and consulted my husband.
"Have they become worthless to them? That's impossible."
My husband said.
"I'll report this to Unity. But Miyuki, is it really okay to leak patient information so easily?"
"If I get caught, I'll be fired."
I said, and laughed.
"Understood."
My husband laughed too.
"When is the discharge date?"
Emi-san asked.
"Tomorrow. They'll be leaving the hospital at noon."
I replied.
"Got it. Don't do anything, Miyuki-san. If you move carelessly, you'll be suspected. I'll investigate."
Emi-san said.
"Understood."
But it was too late. The strings were already being pulled behind them.
The next day, I was busy preparing for their discharge.
Did I sense something off?
There was only one person to receive them, and no guards.
And no press.
Maybe that was natural?
Their discharge was carried out discreetly.
Still, only one person to receive them.
An old man with white hair.
He was shabbily dressed.
The security was far too thin.
They seemed to sense it too.
I could understand the meaning of their hospitalization.
But what about the reason for their discharge?
"You're the only one Father sent to pick us up?"
Mr. Takanashi said.
"Your father isn't here, you know?"
The man who came to pick them up said that. I didn't know what he meant.
"What did Dr. Takahashi say?"
Mr. Kiyama asked, but the man who came to pick them up said nothing.
"I'm just a messenger who was asked to come. You'll understand when I mention the name 'Hermit'."
I reacted to those words.
I had heard that name before.
He was supposed to be affiliated with the Egoists.
Those words seemed to reassure the two of them.
But I felt only a flicker of unease.
(4)
The man who called himself Hermit drove me and Kiyama towards the suburbs.
"Where are you planning to go? This isn't the direction to my house."
Kiyama also tilted his head in confusion.
"Where are we being taken?"
Hermit looked back and muttered.
"...We have a tail. Can you shake them?"
"I've been trying to, but it's difficult."
"I see. Then we'll have to take the long way."
After Hermit said that, he fell silent again.
After a while, the tail was gone.
"Head to the destination."
"Understood?"
Destination?
Not my house?
"Answer me properly. Where are you taking us?"
"You're slow on the uptake. Gozen's words. 'God does not exist.'"
At those words, both Kiyama and I were stricken with fear.
"I just followed God's orders! I didn't mess anything up! Help me!"
Are you planning to abandon me?
If you hadn't made a mistake, this wouldn't have happened, you know?
"I won't repeat myself. 'God does not exist.' That's all I can say."
Erasing the existence of God.
I was terrified by that statement.
"Are you planning to erase me?"
"You say some unsettling things."
Hermit said.
"If you kill someone, you'll always leave traces. Your identity would be discovered. I won't take such a risk."
At those words, Kiyama sighed with relief.
But conversely, I felt fear.
This man intended to erase us socially.
"I want to ask one thing. What will happen to my name?"
"Your name is Takanashi Sora. Nothing will change."
Nothing would change.
I was in despair.
The car arrived at a cabin deep in the mountains.
"You two will live here with me for a while. I won't do anything. Take your time."
Was this telling us not to leave the cabin?
The cabin was equipped with everything necessary for living.
But all means of communication were taken away.
The only way to get information was the TV.
I turned on the TV news.
Prefectural Assembly Member Takahashi Sora Missing.
But that news would probably disappear soon too.
Father was good at that.
The existence of Takahashi Sora was already dead.
God no longer existed.
Only a single person named Takanashi Sora remained.
What would happen to us from now on?
Kimoto was panicking alone.
Kimoto must be in the same situation.
Socially silenced.
There was no longer a place for us in this narrow country called Japan.
The country called Japan...
I see. We were being exiled abroad.
To a land of extreme cold, far from a vacation.
I realized our future had been stolen from us.
(5)
The Nishimatsu Hospital must have gone through a lot.
They were pointed at as the culprits behind the disappearance of Assembly Member Takahashi Sora, but that quickly subsided.
They denied the existence of the person called Takahashi Sora.
The person hospitalized was a man named Takanashi Sora.
That person came for a check-up, no abnormalities were found, and he was discharged immediately.
That was Nishimatsu Hospital's explanation.
Takahashi Sora didn't exist.
No reporter latched onto that.
Everything proceeded according to plan.
Regarding Kiyama the desk chief, no one tried to investigate him since he had been missing from the start.
Everything proceeded according to the Takahashi Group's wishes.
Or so it seemed, but we didn't let that happen.
We had already placed tails on Takahashi Sora and Kiyama the desk chief.
After confirming the car's license plate, we stopped the tail once.
Makoto started tracking them using the license plate system.
Once we identified the destination, we hijacked satellite cameras and located the car.
It was a mountain cabin on the outskirts of a hot spring town.
"What now? Should we send in a squad to retrieve them?"
Emi-san said.
In the mountains, no one would notice even if there was a gunfight.
That's what Emi-san said.
"What do we do after securing them? It doesn't change that they're worthless, does it?"
Watanabe-kun said.
He was right. The two of them had already been turned into different people. There was nothing we could do about it now.
"Even so, we can't just leave them there." Ai-san said.
"They might have important files." Makoto said.
"If they catch wind that we're trying to retrieve them, the two of them will be truly eliminated." Watanabe-kun said.
"In that case, there's nothing to worry about. I'll prepare a special forces unit." Akira-san said.
Just how many soldiers did she have at her disposal?
I almost felt fear for my comrades.
"Toya, what do you want to do? I'll leave it to you."
Watanabe-kun said.
"Human lives are at stake. We can't just leave them there."
"...Then it's decided."
"We can't go in a large group. It'll be me, Nozomi, Watanabe-kun, and Katagiri-kun."
Emi-san said.
"I'm going too!"
Airi said.
"Airi, this is dangerous. Bear with it and wait at home."
"If it's dangerous, then Toya-kun can't go either! Did you forget? We started this war together!"
"...Emi-san. Is it okay if she comes?"
"You're a stubborn one once you've made up your mind, aren't you. But you must absolutely not go to the front. You stay and watch from the back, nothing more."
"Okay."
"When's the operation?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
It was best when the enemy let their guard down. When would that be?
"Makoto, can you figure out the enemy's movements?"
"That's fine. I told you, 'I've fully tracked all devices connected to the server.' Hermit is no exception."
"Then let's aim for the moment they make a move. They probably won't kill them. If their bodies were found, DNA analysis would expose their identities."
"So what are they planning to do?"
"They can't keep them within the country, right? I think they intend to exile them abroad. At least, they won't keep them locked in the cabin forever."
"What do we do after securing them?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"We'll move them to the same place as the Wizard. That place seems safe for now."
"Keeping them all in one place makes them easier to protect too."
Emi-san said.
"Makoto, I'm counting on you to defend the server too. If that information leaks, it's game over."
"Got it. Leave it to me."
"Also, can you and Emi-san dig up the identities of the Warlock and the Pope?"
"Why the Pope?"
"I can't shake the feeling he's a key figure in this."
"Katagiri-kun's hunches do tend to be right... Understood."
"Everyone, act carefully. Assume we're being watched too."
When I said that to everyone, they all nodded.
"Oh, right. I remembered something."
Akira-san said.
"Mr. Seki has shown interest. In that 'Freesia' file."
"Same with Vice Minister Ishibashi. He said he'll cooperate. Everyone seems to want to delete the stains within their own ranks."
Emi-san also said.
A smile bloomed on Airi's face.
"Toya-kun."
"Yeah."
The flower of hope had certainly bloomed.
But the existence of the Hermit bothered me.
Was I overthinking it?
I hope so.
What was this feeling of discomfort.
"Shall we call it a day and everyone have some fun?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone started ordering drinks.
"We need to make it look like we're having a group activity. If we only talk about gloomy things, we'll raise suspicion."
Watanabe-kun said.
That night too, we partied until late.
The next day the rain had stopped.
I went jogging as usual, and when I got home, I noticed something in the mailbox.
I took it out.
It was a cut-and-paste message that read "CAPTURED."
The Egoists.
Airi was scared.
"It's okay."
A threat like this didn't bother me anymore.
It would be stranger if everyone else's addresses had been found out, and only ours hadn't.
I explained that to Airi.
"You're right..."
Airi still seemed tense.
When we got inside the house, I hugged her from behind.
"Hey, Toya-kun, this isn't the bedroom, so no!"
"I can't wait until we get to the bedroom."
"Ugh... You're a troublesome husband."
Airi laughed.
When I felt like I was about to lose sight of what I was fighting for, I realized there was something I wanted to protect.
It was Airi's smile.
I hope we can get through today safely too.