Chapter 275 - Those Who Continue to Fight
（１）
Something soft and warm is pressed against my lips.
Then something else soft comes out and tries to invade my mouth.
So Airi started it.
I accept it, and wrap both arms around Airi's back.
After enjoying the moment of pleasure for a while, I open my eyes.
"Good morning, Airi."
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
When I tell Airi to separate, she looks a bit dissatisfied but obediently pulls back.
I get out of bed and change clothes.
When I give a slight yawn, Airi reacts.
"You couldn't sleep last night after all?"
"It's not Airi's fault."
Despite saying that, I yawn.
Airi clings to me like that.
"But Toya-kun said he'd let me be spoiled~"
"That's why it's not Airi's fault."
"Really?"
"How about I spoil you now?"
"After our jog♪"
It seems she intends to be spoiled.
After watching Airi change, we leave the house and go for a jog.
From time to time, I drink the sports drink Airi hands me, staying hydrated as we run.
We run for about an hour and then return home.
There, I find a suspicious object in the mailbox.
When Airi tries to touch it carelessly, I stop her.
I touch it carefully and check the recipient and sender.
Neither is present.
"Airi, sorry but could you go get your dad?"
"Got it~"
She quickly brings her dad.
"Hmm, it seems to be a dangerous item indeed. May I take it?"
"Sure."
"I'll inform Toya-kun's father about it."
"Ah, I'll tell him myself."
When we get home, Airi prepares breakfast. I take a shower.
During breakfast, I tell them about the morning parcel.
"It's probably a threat..."
Father says that.
"Honey, maybe we should make Toya and the others back out after all."
"No, as Toya says, we've already entered a point of no return. We can't turn back now."
"What will happen to Toya and the others?"
Mother says.
"Toya and the others will be fine. Right?"
"Yeah, probably fine."
But I kept quiet that I was almost shot in the head.
I return to my room, open the desktop, and receive an email from Makoto.
Why not a laptop?
I can't carry that around in the campus wireless LAN environment, can I?
It's not like Makoto's fully fortified laptop.
I open Makoto's email.
It seems he already looked into it. The details on Nidhogg.
I'll wait for a report from Emi-san and cross-check the information.
It seems that can be done tonight already.
It seems Nidhogg's information management is sloppy.
Maybe they're doing it on purpose.
But I don't know the reason for doing that.
Anyway, today will also be late.
I glance at Airi.
She looks lonely.
Airi takes her clothes and goes to take a shower alone.
Without changing, I wait for Airi.
When Airi returns, she sees me and is surprised.
"If you don't change, you'll be late~"
"I have time today, so it's fine. Isn't Airi still in her loungewear?"
"That's true, but what about it?"
Without a word, I embrace Airi.
Maybe she understood the meaning, Airi flicks my forehead.
"You're really a spoiled child, aren't you."
Airi was laughing.
I beckon Airi to the bed and lean over her.
Airi closes her eyes, waiting for the moment.
I undo the buttons of Airi's clothes, turning her into a completely unclad state.
At that moment, my smartphone receives a call.
"Ugh..."
Airi, who was denied the expected act, groans.
"It'll be over soon."
I answer the phone while patting Airi's head.
It's Makoto.
"Oh, Toya! Did you have a refreshing morning?"
"Thanks to you, I just missed my chance."
Airi looks embarrassed.
"That was bad of me. But in times like that, if you'd messaged me..."
What kind of person in the world would tell others that they're in the middle of doing it with their girlfriend.
"But to think Tosaka-san would accept Toya from the morning... how enviable... ouch!"
"Stop saying stupid things and tell me the point already!"
Kanna's voice is heard.
"Ah, it's about Nidhogg. It was just as Inspector Tosaka's info said. The dark side of the Takahashi Group."
"Where the hell did you get that info?"
"Prepare to be surprised: I hacked into the Takahashi Group's servers."
"Idiot! If you did that—"
"It's fine. The account and password were on Sora-san's USB."
"That's even worse! Didn't you think it might be a trap?"
"I thought that much too."
"How did you do it?"
"I only located the server."
"And then?"
"I hijacked the account of someone going in and out and broke in."
Makoto... you son of a gun...
"Of course, I didn't leave any traces."
"And how did you manage that?"
"I'll demonstrate it. Come to the fast food place in Kanna today."
"And it's safe there?"
"It's safe because it's there."
I don't quite understand what Makoto means.
"Then, see you tonight."
"Tonight, huh..."
I look at Airi's face. She looks a little lonely.
Airi says, perhaps noticing my gaze.
"It's okay~"
"I see, that's good then."
"Because I'll spoil you afterwards~"
Is my lack of sleep okay? Airi.
（２）
"Sorry about this morning."
During lunch break at the cafeteria, Kanna says that.
"It's fine, don't worry about it."
"Yeah, no need to worry."
When Airi and I said that, Kanna seemed relieved.
"So, about that demonstration Makoto was talking about?"
Kanna says so.
"Ah, it would be better to ask Makoto directly about that."
"Are you going to do something dangerous again?"
"Well, one misstep and it's dangerous."
But she adds that it's Makoto, who infiltrates the CIA and KGB.
Makoto, what do you really want to do?
"So, Toya. Are you able to find a clue for a counterattack?"
Watanabe-kun comes over.
Emi-san and the others, the local university group of Watanabe's squad, are mostly gathered.
"I managed to gather most of the info on Nidhogg yesterday."
Emi-san, with a look that says "She did it in one night."
There are dark circles under her eyes.
Emi-san takes out one file.
"That plus most of the materials are ready. And this..."
She also adds a USB memory stick.
"A file of ledgers proving the involvement of Nidhogg and the Takahashi Group."
Everything necessary is ready, but the problem is...
"As expected, it's the leak destination."
When Watanabe-kun says that, I nod.
"I've secured that too. If the local newspaper won't work, we can just put it in the national edition."
Emi-san says.
"Do you have connections?"
When I confirm, Emi-san nods.
"It's fine, I've confirmed all of that too. I already sounded them out. They're happy about a scandal involving a local magnate."
First, where do we expose it from? Emi-san asks.
"First, we start with making Nidhogg widely known," I answer.
After that, it depends on how the other side reacts.
Airi adds.
"What Toya-kun said last night: 'Nidhogg's actions are not part of Warlock-san's intention.'"
"How can you be so sure?"
Emi-san asks that.
I explain.
"First, Warlock is trying to sweep the previous darkness under the rug. He wouldn't do something that creates new darkness on top of that, right?"
Emi-san says, "I see," and accepts it.
"If possible, I'd like to confirm the relationship between the Egoist and Nidhogg."
"Right, leave it to me."
"Also, there's something from me."
Akira-san said.
"As a precaution, I've deployed SP to everyone's universities and workplaces. It's possible they might attack again."
"That's a help, Akira-san."
Watanabe-kun thanks her.
Those not yet targeted are the Tange couple, the Manabe couple, Niina-san, Shiina-san, Haruto, Shiratori-san, Hiyama-senpai, Kimoto-senpai. Nishimatsu Clinic hasn't been targeted either.
If they were to target, where would it be? Think, Toya...
The most dangerous is probably the arts college group.
"Just as Katagiri-kun says. Shiina-san and Umi-chan are way too vulnerable."
Akira-san adds that she placed them strategically.
Today was going to be another long day. That's how I felt.
"I hope everyone stays safe."
Sakai-kun says.
"Satomi's place has Shiina-san, so it should be fine."
"Against Nidhogg, even if you have some skilled people, it's the same. They won't make the same mistake. They'll definitely come armed."
"That's true..."
Manabe-kun says that.
For now, we just have to endure.
I think as I stroke Airi's head.
We'll never let you escape, Nidhogg.
Beyond Nidhogg, if we restrain the Takahashi Group, the Egoist's movements will surely stop. That's what I thought.
（３）
"Forceps."
I was performing surgery.
A surgery to remove cancer.
It was relatively early-stage, not that difficult.
Removing the cancerous part and then suturing at the end... it was a moment of relief for everyone.
Suddenly the lighting goes out. All equipment stops.
"What about emergency power!?"
When I ask, the lights come back on soon and the equipment also recovers.
Power outage?
Didn't feel an earthquake?
What happened?
More importantly, I need to finish the operation in front of me.
I finish suturing. The operation is a success.
When I leave the operating room, the staff are moving about frantically.
They're making a big fuss over the sudden blackout.
I ask one of the staff what happened.
It seems cables were cut, and it will take time to restore.
Who would do such a thing?
I can only think of one.
Nidhogg.
The Egoist, no, the dark side of the Takahashi Group.
I return to the break room and chew gum.
What should I do?
For now, I contact Unity.
They wanted me to report immediately if anything happened.
Amid the confusion, I tremble with anger alone.
No matter how many pieces of gum I chew, it won't subside.
I spit the gum into its wrapper, throw it into the trash can, and leave the break room.
I must do whatever I can, even if it's just one thing.
I join the staff and help with the relief effort.
An act targeting a hospital, an institution that deals with people's lives. This is absolutely unforgivable.
"Dr. Nishimatsu! The patient in room * is in cardiopulmonary arrest!"
"Bring an AED immediately!"
"Yes!"
Electricity was restored in about an hour.
Fortunately, all the patients admitted were safe.
I won't forgive you, Nidhogg.
（４）
I was contacting Haruto on my way back from university to home.
"Can I see you today?"
"It's an emergency state today, Miss. Everyone is gathering at the fast food place!"
Emergency? Ah, it's about Nidhogg he mentioned yesterday.
A car horn sounds.
It's Hiyama-san's car.
"It's dangerous, so I'll drive you home."
I sit in the back seat.
Because I thought the front seat is surely reserved for Sakura-san.
"It seems yesterday was rough for everyone."
Hiyama-san says.
"I know. I saw the Unity group chat."
"You should be careful too, Shiratori-san."
"Yeah."
Nervous.
More than myself, I'm worried about Haruto.
Though it's not the time to be worrying about others.
I just hope Haruto doesn't do anything reckless.
The car stops in front of the apartment building.
I get out of the car and was about to enter the apartment building when it happened.
"Don't resist. If you do, we won't guarantee your life."
A man in a black hood is pointing a pistol at me.
I look at the gun.
M9.
Beretta 92.
A pistol used all over the world.
It seems they use it too.
I slowly raise my left hand.
"Okay, quietly raise both your hands."
When the man says that, I raise my right hand and grab his hand that holds the gun.
Carelessness.
Threatening someone within their reach is almost reckless.
I kick the man's shin as hard as I can.
The man grabs his leg in pain.
I slam my knee into his bent-over face.
He drops the pistol and holds his nose.
I quickly pick up the pistol, step away from him, and aim the muzzle at him.
Reversal.
The roles between the man and me had reversed.
"Are you Nidhogg? Or the Egoist?"
The man doesn't answer.
"Raise your hands in the air."
"Can you shoot, little lady?"
I aimed beside his face and fired.
The bullet grazes his cheek.
"That was a warning. I won't miss next time."
"Drop the gun! Or else..."
Another man appears.
I gave a warning.
I shoot the newly appeared man in the thigh.
The man shot in the thigh collapses on the spot.
The man in front of me lunges at me.
Calmly dodging the man's attack, I hit his cheek with the grip of the gun.
The man is blown back.
Anger.
These guys hurt my comrades.
"...I gave a warning."
I cock the hammer. About to pull the trigger.
"W-wait!!"
The man is terrified.
"How many people who pleaded for help like that have you shot?"
"That's enough!"
Yet another person arrives.
I look at the man.
The gun is still aimed at the first man.
"I am a security guard for the Shimizu family. I've come to protect you."
Shimizu family?
Ah, that's Akira-san's family.
She did say something about assigning a bodyguard.
I wipe my fingerprints off the gun with a handkerchief and hand it to the SP agent.
"The gun discharged accidentally."
"Understood. We'll handle the rest. Please return to your room, Miss."
I do as told, return to my room, and contact Unity.
"Absolutely do not leave your room until I come to pick you up!"
Haruto says.
"You be careful when you come too, Haruto."
"Got it."
I was getting a bit heated.
I take out a candy and crunch it.
I'll rest a bit until Haruto comes.
I turn on the TV and glance at the Unity chat.
（５）
Umi-chan and I were surrounded by men in black hoods.
Umi-chan is clinging to me.
"Could you let us through?"
I've heard about Nidhogg.
"How about you come with us? If you don't resist needlessly, we won't harm you."
The man says while chewing gum.
"We're in a hurry, so..."
"We're also in a hurry, I'm afraid."
The man approaches and tries to grab my shoulder.
I reflexively grab the man's arm and throw him.
"You bastard!!"
"Umi-chan, stay back."
Saying that, I push Umi-chan aside and go on the offensive.
Dodging the opponent's attacks, I deliver blows to the solar plexus, the bridge of the nose, vital points, shins. I rain down every kind of strike.
When they try to grab me, I take their hand and throw them.
When I finish off all of them, I take Umi-chan's hand.
"Umi-chan, are you hurt? Sorry for pushing you."
"Mirai-chan, are you okay?"
"I'm fine... Mirai-chan, behind you!"
I turn around.
A man is holding a pistol, aiming the muzzle at us.
The man grins.
"Umi-chan, get down!"
I drop down, shielding Umi-chan.
But what I heard wasn't a gunshot, but the man's scream.
I look back and see Tange-sensei stomping on the arm holding the gun.
"Sensei, why are you here?"
"Hm? I was worried, so I came to check on you."
"Shu-chan~"
Umi-chan runs to Tange-sensei.
All the men are subdued by the SP agents.
"Are both of you okay?"
When Tange-sensei says that, we both nod.
"I'll take Mirai home."
Saying that, we got into Tange-sensei's car.
（６）
Bang!
A single gunshot echoes through the office.
Next, the screams of the office staff ring out.
"Don't resist! We'll let you go when we're done... which one of you is Manabe Satomi!?"
The enemy named Satomi.
Satomi identifies herself voluntarily.
"You'll come with us. The rest of you don't move."
Satomi follows the man as he orders.
But I had room to spare.
Because I noticed a figure standing behind the man.
Shiina-san easily snatches the gun from the man and locks his arm.
"Good grief, to come back from a meeting to this kind of mess."
Shiina-san lets out a relaxed smile.
"Are you from Nidhogg?"
Shiina-san asks, but the man says nothing.
"You seem to have some loyalty. But you had a gun. Even if I break your arm right now, self-defense would hold, right?"
Shiina-san threatens the man in his usual tone.
The man doesn't spill anything.
"Do you think I'm bluffing? Unfortunately, I've heard you're not the type to be shown mercy. I'll really break it, okay?"
Saying that, Shiina-san applies force.
"Y-yes! We are as you say."
"So you admit you're Nidhogg?"
"Yeah, I admit it."
"Well then, that's fine. I'll break it anyway."
"Wait, that's not what we agreed..."
"I never said I wouldn't break it if you talked."
Snap.
"GYAAAH!"
The man's agonizing scream echoes.
"Ah, the SP people will take care of the treatment. You might want to head to Nishimatsu Hospital now, yeah?"
Ignoring the man writhing in pain holding his broken arm, Shiina-san supports Satomi and approaches me.
"You have to protect your own wife yourself."
Saying that, he smiles and hands Satomi over to me.
The man is being held down by Akira-senpai's SP.
"Ah, the business deal went through."
Shiina-san said in his usual tone.
"Shiina-kun, you are something else..."
Tomosaka Chief approaches Shiina-san.
"This is because Manabe-kun isn't reliable enough."
Shiina-san says it casually.
And what, it's my fault!?
"Ah, and you."
Shiina-san says to the subdued man.
"If you're going to shoot indoors, you should at least attach a suppressor. It's a nuisance to the neighbors."
（７）
"Everyone's here!"
The Unity members who have occupied the second floor of the fast food place nod.
"Well then, let's start! Makoto, go ahead."
When Watanabe-kun says that, Makoto operates his laptop.
"By the way, can you tell me the reason you specified a fast food place?"
"Do you remember the reason I said karaoke is dangerous?"
When I ask, Makoto questions me in return.
"Ah, you said it's because wireless LAN... Wi-Fi is flying around."
And with the added bonus of surveillance cameras, no less.
"I'm exploiting the opposite."
"?"
"Because wireless LAN and free Wi-Fi are flying around, various people use them, right? There are lots of people who open laptops in fast food places, right?"
Well, there are people who open laptops for work.
"I'm using that. I find such people and use them as a stepping stone to access Nidhogg's server."
"Hacking again!"
"You're too loud, Toya."
I get scolded by Makoto.
"Makoto, I always wonder, but our server is safe, right?"
"You'll have to ask Emi-san about that."
When Makoto says that, Emi-san answers.
"It's properly and strictly managed. Yeah, unless a bunker buster is fired at it, it won't break."
There's no way something like that would fly domestically.
"Even physically, cyber terrorism..."
"I explained before, right? Anyone other than the admin gets all their access privileges stripped, and on top of that, access logs are meticulously extracted, and if it's an unauthorized access, it automatically gifts them a Trojan horse."
I really wonder how you made something like that.
"Well, here's the contents of Nidhogg's server."
When Makoto says that, me, Watanabe-kun, Emi, Ai-san, and Airi peer in.
"This is..."
Watanabe-kun is at a loss for words.
The weapons, scale, funding sources, and the entire information network of Nidhogg were all listed.
"It's rarely accessible, so I'll save it for now. Of course, I won't leave any logs."
"Akira. Can you counter this?"
When Emi-san asks, Akira-san smiles.
"I'd even destroy their base for you if you want."
Akira-san seems confident.
She seems like she'd even bring out a tank if she felt like it. No, Emi-san also had a Predator. Is she planning an airstrike with that? She seems ready to have bunker busters too.
"That wouldn't be fun, right? We have to push them more... Makoto-kun has a plan, right?"
When Emi-san says that, Makoto holds his head.
"The thing is, I found the connection with the Takahashi Group, but I can't find the relationship with the all-important Egoist."
"Does that mean even if we catch the Takahashi Group, the Egoist will escape?"
When Airi asks, Makoto nods.
"This is too tedious! Let's crush the Takahashi Group! We have the evidence, right! If we destroy the Takahashi Group, the Egoist will be on its last legs too!"
Mika-san says.
"That's correct in terms of priority. But the Egoist also has an independent funding source, so I'd like to suppress both simultaneously."
Makoto says.
Then it comes down to...
"As expected, we need to physically take down Nidhogg."
Watanabe-kun says.
"The base is in the mountains, so even if we do something flashy, it won't be noticed. And the Takahashi Group will also cover it up."
Just because it's in the mountains, I think an airstrike would be bad, you know?
"If we keep being attacked like this, there might be casualties someday."
Ishihara-kun also seems in favor of attacking.
"Attacking simultaneously... huh."
When I mutter that, I receive everyone's attention.
"No, we'll expose Nidhogg's true nature on the internet and at the same time, cut off Nidhogg's limbs."
"So that means a base attack after all?"
"If possible, I'd like to do that."
"Then it's simple. Makoto-kun, can you show a map of their base?"
"I've already got it."
Makoto displays a map on his laptop screen.
"I see, it seems there are no underground facilities. In that case, we might be able to handle it with attack helicopters instead of bombers."
Is that your standard, Emi-san?
Where do you even hide attack helicopters?
"I have connections in the Self-Defense Forces. I bought a few for personal use."
Is it okay to leak that kind of info? I think there are various problems.
"Even if we didn't bomb, with this scale, one company would be enough to contain it."
No, Akira-san, your point is off.
"From the ground or from the air... well, from the air is safer, but..."
Watanabe-kun, don't go along with this talk either.
"So, what does the commander do?"
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone looks at me.
I want to protest since when I became the commander, but the person effectively giving orders is me.
I calm down and think.
It seems we can say the difference in force is sufficiently in our advantage.
Something good... I have it.
"Airi, I'd like to go greet your dad tonight, okay?"
"Eh? You want to greet him now?"
100% Airi is misunderstanding.
"I have something I want to ask your father."
"Ask daddy..."
Airi is embarrassed.
"Hey, Katagiri-kun, this isn't the time for that, is it!?"
"Toya... think about the situation and timing."
Ai-san and Watanabe-kun say with straight faces.
I should have explained the strategy first.
"I got it. I'll explain the strategy first."
I start explaining the plan to everyone.
If we're going to do it, do it thoroughly and flashily!
"I'm on board with that plan!"
Watanabe-kun agrees.
"I also approve. Actually, is anyone opposed?"
When Ai-san says that, no one says anything.
Everyone agrees?
"I want to join too! Demolition is my specialty!"
Demolition isn't at that level of talk. It'd be a problem if you brought a hammer.
"If Haruto is going, I'll go too."
Shiratori-san also wants to join.
"Haruto, if you're going, can I ask you something?"
Makoto hands something to Haruto.
"What is this?"
Haruto asks Makoto.
"It's a secret weapon. If we're going to destroy it anyway, I thought we might as well take everything."
"How do I use it?"
"Haruto, do you know what a USB port is?"
"Even I know that. I have a PC too."
"Just plug it into the port. The server room is in this location. Go there and install it on any PC."
"Got it."
"Wait! The server room would be heavily guarded, no matter what!"
When Ai-san says that, Akira-san answers.
"If that's the case, Haruto will be on the team too. I'll attach a Chariot."
"I'll also assign Shinjo as Haruto's guard."
Emi-san says.
"Is Emi-san's guard okay?"
"That's as seen in the previous battle. My husband's combat ability is high."
Does he still have about three transformations left?
"Besides, I'll prepare soldiers on my end too."
Emi-san says.
"Well, can I go too? You're going anyway, Toya-kun, right?"
"Well, I'm the commander, so I'll have to go."
It seems among Airi and Watanabe-kun, my going is a foregone conclusion. Well, it's fine.
"We'll go too. Katagiri-kun is the commander. We need someone to lead from the front, right?"
The Ishihara couple seem to be going.
"We'll go too. Our unit is moving."
"I'll be relaxing at home..."
"...Maybe you need some training too."
"...Even if I go, I can't do anything, you know?"
"That's why I'll train you properly during summer vacation."
"Please be gentle."
The Sakai couple also seem to be going.
"I'm going too! I want to reduce the time lag."
"Then I'll go too. It's safer than being alone, right?"
The Tada couple also seems to go.
In the end, it's me, Airi, the Tada couple, the Ishihara couple, the Sakai couple, Watanabe-kun, Haruto, and Shiratori-san who are going.
We decided to confirm the execution date after consulting with Airi's dad.
"I'll contact the remaining ones sequentially. Let's win together!"
"The after-party will be at a family restaurant!"
The Watanabe couple say.
Let's shoot off fireworks in style!
（８）
That night, Airi and I visited the Tosaka household.
I explain the situation to Airi's dad.
Airi's dad's expression is grave.
And he remains silent.
"Daddy~ The kids have made their decision this far~ All that's left is for you to give them a push, isn't it~?"
"...The execution force is separate, right?"
When Airi's mom says that, Airi's dad says that.
"Yes, it's not like we'll do it."
"Operation to destroy Nidhogg... Understood! I'll cooperate too."
"Daddy!"
Airi hugs her dad.
"Thank you, Daddy."
"But make sure to properly discuss this with Toya-kun's father too."
"Understood. Thank you for your cooperation."
"As for the schedule, I have arrangements too, so I'll contact Toya-kun. Toya-kun... the rest is up to you."
"Yes."
When we get home, we explain the situation to my father and mother.
My father also listened quietly.
"So you've come this far."
"...Yeah."
"I see. I'll cooperate as much as I can too."
"Cooperation?"
"I'll provide you with as much information as I can. But unlike Tosaka-san, that's all I can do."
"That's more than enough."
"You've really grown up splendidly. You're my pride and joy, son."
After finishing talking with my parents, I return to my room.
"Airi, go ahead and take a bath first."
"Okay."
While Airi is in the bath, I organize the situation.
We obtained enemy information.
We even located their base.
The only thing left is the timing to launch a surprise attack.
I want to finish before they sense our movements.
But coordination with Airi's dad will also be necessary.
There are still issues.
The relationship between Nidhogg and the Egoist has not yet been determined.
The fact that Warlock is quiet also bothers me.
What is he doing behind the scenes?
What is he doing in the shadow of Nidhogg rampaging so flashily?
Is he plotting something while diverting everyone's attention to Nidhogg?
...That's the reasonable way to think, right?
I type a message to Makoto.
"What's the Egoist doing?"
"That's the thing, they're oddly still. They're only doing their normal activities. In their own words, I guess they're in a 'rebuilding' phase."
"Rebuilding?"
"You know that circle of pick-up artists that was the Egoist's source of power was caught, right? It seems they're rebuilding that. Don't worry, they haven't caught on to our moves. I guarantee it!"
"Understood... thanks. Goodnight."
"You get a good rest tonight too! Goodnight."
I put my smartphone on the table.
I lie on the bed. What would I do if I were the head of the Egoist?
Rebuild new in the meantime.
And restore to original.
Is that all?
"Toya-kun, I'm back from the bath~. You come take one too."
"Yeah, okay."
I take my change of clothes and head to the bathroom.
I wash my body and think in the bathtub.
Is that enough?
Are they forgetting about our existence?
If they leave us alone, we'll just come to crush them again, right?
I've heard of a way to dam a river.
While you weather it by building a makeshift temporary dam, you prepare an even larger dam.
Indeed, we're preoccupied with Nidhogg and can't get to the Takahashi Group and the Egoist.
...Is that the Egoist's goal!?
"Toya-kun~ Are you okay~?"
Airi's voice comes from outside.
"What's wrong?"
"You were taking an oddly long bath, so I got worried you might be light-headed."
"Ah, I'll be out soon."
Saying that to Airi, I get out of the bath, dry myself with a towel, and put on clothes.
When I return to the room, Airi has prepared a chuhai for me.
"Here, I've prepared one for Toya-kun too~"
"Thanks."
Preparation...? What is the Egoist thinking? What are they plotting?
"What's wrong? You have a difficult look on your face."
"Ah, no, it's just... I'm worried about the Egoist's movements."
"The Egoist?"
"Yeah, because there's no movement..."
"Well, after all that ruckus. They can't move, can they."
...Airi is right.
It's not that they aren't moving. They can't move.
We had made a big mistake.
Previously Makoto had said:
"They created a virtual server within the server and lied to us."
I quickly call Makoto.
"What's up, Toya, at this hour. You're not gonna say you need me to buy condoms or something, are you? You guys could go raw by now... ouch!"
"Don't lump Toya together with you! Toya, what's wrong?"
"Makoto, can you check the Egoist's server once more? Even if it's tomorrow."
"O-okay. I'll switch to Makoto now."
"What's wrong all of a sudden? I said there's no change since then..."
"...It's a decoy!"
"What do you mean?"
"Isn't there a possibility they left the old server as is, leaving the personal data untouched, and built a new, different server!?"
Even if they try to hide what's left on the old server, we have it under control.
So they pretend to fix it, like a lizard cutting off its tail, and create something new and separate.
It's my mistake.
I was too obsessed with finding the connection point between Nidhogg and the Egoist.
Warlock likely anticipated that and used it as a decoy.
"...!! Wait a minute!"
Makoto is doing something.
"Got played! It's just a fake as Toya said. There are no access logs from internal members recently."
"No update records either?"
"Yeah, it's completely abandoned. Should we look for the new server first?"
"As I thought. It's okay. If my prediction is correct, they'll move after Nidhogg is broken."
"Meaning Nidhogg itself was the decoy."
Actually, no one had tried to touch the Egoist until now.
We were fixated on the relationship between the Egoist and Nidhogg, and looked away from the Egoist itself.
We were thoroughly played.
"What do we do!? Should we go after the Egoist now?"
"Either way, it's already too late. Let's take care of Nidhogg first."
"Got it. Nidhogg is already mostly captured. I'll look into the Egoist side."
"Don't let your guard down, Makoto! If we get too hung up on the Egoist, we might get caught by the same trick with Nidhogg. Let's think about crushing Nidhogg first."
"Got it. But don't worry, Toya. I have info on the executives. In the real world, not just on the net. I can break them anytime."
"...About the Egoist, let's think about what to do after crushing Nidhogg. There's something else that bothers me. If my hunch is correct..."
"If it's correct..."
"I'll explain next time!"
"Hey, wait!"
I almost threw my smartphone.
I was completely outplayed by Warlock.
The info Makoto has is probably also a decoy, right?
He was literally planning a "rebirth."
"Toya-kun..."
"What's wrong?"
"You have a scary look on your face."
"Ah, sorry."
Airi hugs me.
"Even burnt bread can fill your stomach, you know?"
"Airi?"
"There's no use regretting the past. Just try again."
"...Yeah."
"Okay good! Let's go to sleep now?"
"Can we sleep?"
"Huh?"
"Tonight, I thought we'd continue..."
Poke.
"If you can say things like that, you're fine, right? I don't want to do it with a scary Toya-kun."
"Sorry..."
"It's okay. My role is to be the coolant for a heated Toya-kun."
Saying that, Airi gets into bed.
I also turn off the lights and get into bed.
"Be gentle, okay? Because I don't want to be taken roughly by you when you're driven by anger."
"I've never done anything like that to Airi, have I?"
"...Yeah."
We can restart?
It's a fresh start again. Let's build up one by one.
We haven't shown our trump card yet.
The advantage is on our side.
For now, it's Nidhogg.
Let's crush them with a swift strike and end this.
We made mistakes by taking on several challenges at once, but the flower of hope is still blooming.