Chapter 277 - Beyond the Sun
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun~"
"Good morning, Airi."
Airi hugged me.
"Let go, Airi. It's sunny today, right? I have to go jogging."
"Ugh..."
I kind of understood what Airi wanted to say.
"When we get back and finish eating, we can cuddle, okay?"
"...Un♪"
After finishing my jog, I had breakfast and got ready.While Airi was getting ready and making coffee, I loaded the equipment for today's BBQ into the car.When that was done, I went back to the room.When I sat down next to Airi, she pressed herself against me without hesitation.
"You said we could cuddle earlier, right?"
"I know."
Saying that, I patted Airi's head.Airi happily rested her head on my lap.
"I wish it could be like this forever~"
"Yeah, me too."
But humans live bound by time and promises.When the time comes, you have to act.After finishing my coffee, I took the mug to the kitchen for Airi, who was putting on makeup.I washed it clean, dried it, and put it away in the cupboard.Just then, Airi came downstairs with her bag.
"It's our first day off in a while. Let's take it easy."
"I know."
"But be careful, those guys are still..."
"Un, I know that too."
A week since Nidhogg's destruction.The Egoists were still silent as ever.Makoto immediately found the Egoists' new site.
"Since normal search engines were getting nowhere, I made my own search system."
Makoto said it so casually.Couldn't you make a living even if you failed as a soccer player?Makoto's search engine was a proper black-hat one, which identified sites from the search histories of PCs and smartphones infected with a virus he had spread.Like I said before, even if you change your PC, it's meaningless if the router is the same.Makoto's virus breaks through the router's security and infects it too.Well, to put it simply, Makoto once again used the hacked target as a stepping stone to find the new Egoist site, and even took over their server.Once the server address is known, it's Emi-san's turn from there.She handles identifying personal information.They apparently hired a new Wizard.However, there seems to be a problem with that Wizard. He's hacking all sorts of places, falsifying bank balances, stealing top-secret information, doing whatever he wants.We decided to let him do as he pleases regarding that matter. There will surely be a use for him.Makoto's skills know no bounds.When creating the search engine, he infiltrated Echelon and even created a pseudo-Echelon limited to the network.To put it simply, all the information flying around the internet is dancing in the palm of Makoto's hand.At that point, Emi-san had no choice but to expand the server at her house.Even so, there was still no trace of the Egoists.The new Wizard's skills seem to be on par with Makoto's, and he's apparently deleting Egoist information from Echelon.What kind of information do they want to hide so badly?I was interested too, but more than anything, Makoto was frantically tracking them, saying, "It's human nature to want to uncover something the more it's hidden."I hope he doesn't forget our original purpose.
When we arrived at the convenience store, the meeting point, everyone was there.
"Alright, before heading to the beach, we'll stock up on food and drinks at the supermarket! Everyone brought their tents, right?"
The Beppu group was scheduled to meet us at the supermarket.The car headed towards Beppu.When we arrived at the supermarket, Haruto, Shiratori-san, Hiyama-senpai, and Sakura-san were waiting.I understand Hiyama-senpai and Sakura-san, but Haruto and Shiratori-san?
"I finally got to stay over at her place! I'm seriously so grateful!"
Shiratori-san looked down, embarrassed.After buying the food and drinks, we went straight to the destination beach.The beach was already open for the season.When we arrived at the beach, everyone first changed into their swimsuits.Airi and Kanna were wearing parkas over theirs, but... my eyes still wandered.Haruto had brought a surfboard.Come to think of it, he did say he was the outdoor type.While Haruto and the others were playing, we started the fire and set up the tents.After Haruto and the others had played enough, we had lunch.After lunch, everyone was free to do as they pleased until evening.Even Makoto played to his heart's content on this day.I thought I'd take a nap in the shade, but Airi wouldn't allow it, and we ended up playing beach volleyball.
When she said, "Toya-kun, I want to ride the rubber boat," we played on the rubber boat.
And so we whiled away the daytime hours.Then, around evening, we started preparing for the BBQ.The girls cooked rice in mess tins and made rice balls.The meat and rice balls were devoured in no time.And at night, we enjoyed fireworks and alcohol.Makoto, Haruto, and Eita had fun shooting off aerial fireworks at each other, but got scolded by their respective partners.We enjoyed the fireworks with our respective partners.And when the fireworks were over, we all talked together.
Let's forget about the Egoists, just for today.
We all decided that.The conversation naturally turned to Haruto and the others.
"It's been three months since you two started going out, so something must have happened by now, right?"
"W-well, there was... stuff."
When Kanna asked, Haruto was evasive.
"What happened? Spill it! It's not like it's anything to hide, right?"
Mika-san's relentless pursuit.Surprisingly, the answer came from Shiratori-san herself.
"I saw... the final destination of love."
Saying that, Shiratori-san looked down.
"I've been waiting to hear that story! When did it happen?"
When Kanna asked, Shiratori-san explained calmly.
It was a story from last night.
(2)
It seems we're going to the coast in Kitsuki tomorrow night.The newbie can't be late. That's what Haruto said.The meeting point is in Beppu.In that case, he could just stay at my place.I was the one who suggested it.
"I-is it really okay!?"
He was hesitant at first.I thought it was strange.He had stayed at my house many times, but he never wanted to stay at mine.It was odd.
"It's not like I'm going to kidnap you or anything."
"R-right, that's true. Got it. I'll stay at Haruna's place."
Saying that, he came to my house.I had been practicing making curry rice for him.And the time to serve it had come.
Anxiety.
Would he say my cooking was delicious?Would the spice of my love reach him?
Unnecessary worry.
I knew it from the start.My feelings were definitely put into the cooking.I wanted him to say it was delicious. He responded to the curry rice I made with that wish.
"It's seriously good. Can I have seconds?"
I made plenty. Eat as much as you want.He polished off every last bit.
"I'm totally full, I can't eat anymore."
He said that and tried to take the dishes to the kitchen to wash them.I said I'd do it, but he cleaned up, saying, "It wouldn't be right to leave everything to my girlfriend."He told me to take a shower while he was cleaning up.That's when I started thinking.
Temptation.
Maybe I could get him in the mood tonight?I had a feeling.I wanted him to think it was okay whenever.It was hot out, so it might be just right.After my shower, I went to the living room wearing only a bath towel.He spat out the drink he was having.
"Wh-what's wrong!?"
"Doesn't it suit me?"
I wasn't particularly confident, but I was proud that my figure wasn't bad.
"No, it's not about suiting or not suiting..."
"Hurry up and take your shower too, Haruto."
"Roger."
While waiting for him to shower, I watched TV and looked at the group chat for the girls' meetup.I had been asking about what to do when we were alone together.
"So you're in the mood, huh?"
Ai-san asked.
"Yes," I answered simply.
"Haruna, you've got the looks and the figure, so just go for it directly. Haruto's a guy, so he'll get it."
Ai-san said.
Hesitation.
Something inside him.He still treats me like a kid.But I'm an adult now.I just need to tell him that.I asked Ai-san a lot of things.For now, I'd take a shower and wait in just a bath towel.Ai-san said the place I waited was important.
"Where should I wait?"
"Go for it and wait in the bed. Make sure to check him out too."
"Haruto is always just in his boxers after a bath."
Probably tonight too.He came out of the shower.
"Haruto will be back soon, so..."
"Yes, have a nice, slow night."
I put away my phone and waited for him in the bed.
"Huh? Where did Haruna go?"
Haruto was searching the living room.
"I'm in this room. Come in."
He came into my room.And when he saw me, he gasped.I pleaded with him through my eyes.Would Haruto notice?He did.Haruto silently got into my bed.I silently hugged Haruto.
"...It's my first time."
"I know."
He gently wrapped his arms around me.And then...What happened that night will probably be a memory for life.I'll treasure it forever.I fell asleep with my head on his broad chest.When I woke up in the morning, Haruto wasn't there.Was last night a dream?Was it all an illusion?
"Haruto!?"
I looked for Haruto.He was standing on the balcony.My house is on a mountain.But from the balcony, you can see the coast clearly.
"You should put on some clothes and come out."
I put on clothes and stood next to Haruto.
"The morning sun is bright."
As he said, the sunlight shining from the east was dazzling.The light of dawn.It was as if it was blessing us, who had just spent our first night together.
"I... I was so into it last night... I didn't do anything weird to you, did I? Like being rough?"
So even he can be unsure, huh?I knew that, though.I hugged his arm and looked into his eyes as I spoke.
"It was a night like a dream. When I couldn't find you this morning, I thought it might have been an illusion. Even now, it feels like a dream. ...Make me feel it's real."
If I say this much, you'll understand, right?Haruto understood.He looked at me, wrapped his arm around my waist, and pulled me close.And then... we shared a passionate kiss in the morning.
"Thank you for the memory of a lifetime, Haruto. I'm glad I met you."
"I'm glad I met you too, Haruna."
Dawn breaks. And another day begins.Night will come again. But he will shine his light on me.I'm not afraid.Because the dawn will come again someday.That's how people probably live their lives, repeating this cycle.
The future.Dreams.Hope...
Where do they come from, and where do they go?The answer was within Haruto.
(3)
"I see, so he did right by you yesterday."
When Ai-san said that, I nodded.Haruto was looking flustered.
"I'm glad for you, Shiratori-san."
Tosaka-san said that to me.
"Well, since you two went all the way, I guess that problem's solved."
Mika-san said.Was it a problem?
"No, well, it's not over, is it!"
Kanna-san said.Isn't the final destination of love here?
"Haruna! You're making a big mistake. There's no end to love. If there is, it's when you break up."
I definitely don't want to see that.
"It continues forever. It goes on for a lifetime. As long as you two keep walking together, it goes on forever. There's no such thing as a goal."
Tosaka-san said.
"Airi's right. Even after marriage, the days are full of problems."
Ai-san said.So there's more after marriage, huh.
Envy.
I want to see what's beyond that.I sent a glance towards Haruto.Haruto noticed my gaze and declared, "Leave it to me! I'll definitely protect Haruna beyond that too!"I could hear everyone teasing us.It was a little embarrassing.Oh, what were the other guys doing?They seemed to be deep in conversation about something.After that, the girls got excited on our own.About my topic.Was that conversation too difficult for the guys?None of them joined in.What were we talking about?Things like everyone's first experiences, what's the best situation, the timing for when you want it...Don't guys have things like that?The impromptu girls' meetup continued late into the night.By the time it ended, all the guys were asleep.
"Should we get to sleep too?"
When Tosaka-san said that, everyone went into their own tents.When I entered my tent, Haruto was awake.
"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"No, I was awake."
Haruto replied.
"What were you doing?"
"Just looking at some messages."
"What kind?"
"Guys' secret."
"I see."
I shouldn't pry too much, right?
"Well, should we get to sleep?"
"Yeah."
"Good night."
"Good night."
I got into my sleeping bag and tried to sleep.A first-time experience.The frustration of being in a confined space but unable to do anything.But it was also hope for the future.I'll ask him again when we stay over next time.Remembering the indescribable comfort, I fell asleep.
(4)
"What an anticlimactic end."
After watching a movie, I was having lunch with him.It's no laughing matter; after crushing Nidhogg, we're the next target.Do we have a next move? Do we have any cards to play? Can we land an effective blow?I was thinking. They have enough power to crush Nidhogg.A frontal assault won't work.But we can't find their weakness either.They still have a hidden trump card.That much has been confirmed.
"Change your way of thinking, my lovely lady."
He said suddenly.
"I thought I told you not to call me that."
Even if you say it, it just sounds like you're teasing me.
"I consider you the most important person. Even more than Gozen."
"What do you mean?"
"Here's my idea. Even if your head is crushed, the one who keeps their trump card wins."
"I don't understand what you're saying."
He leaned in close and spoke.
"..."
"You were thinking about that!?"
He smiled.
"Because they have a trump card. As long as that trump card is under control, it's just a shackle for us."
"What are you plotting? Our goal is..."
"Gozen's succession."
"If you know that..."
"But if it's unusable, there's no point in inheriting it, right?"
"What is your goal?"
"Escape from this sinking ship."
So that's it.
"If we're found out, we'll be purged, you know?"
"That's why we'll let Unity do the work."
"So you're trying to profit from the chaos?"
He smiled and nodded.
"It's fine. We'll make sure to show that we're just a minor branch of the main body on the surface. Just enough not to stand out."
I don't know what he's thinking. But what he's saying shows he's calmly grasping the current situation.I don't know if it's possible, but he probably has a plan in his head.
"It's fine. My top priority isn't Gozen. It's you, my lovely lady."
"We don't know who's listening. Even if you think it, don't say it again."
"You're right. Our information is probably leaking to Unity too. It wouldn't be strange to think that everything we say anywhere is being heard."
Are you intentionally feeding information to Unity?
"Making them think that will keep them from acting rashly."
"...Unity has already pinpointed our server."
"Yeah, if we stay silent, we'll just let them do whatever they want."
How do we stop them?
"Let's wait a little longer. The momentum is with Unity. We have to make them use up all their cards."
"If they've seen our hand, there's nothing we can do."
"As expected, you get it, don't you?"
He laughed.Where does that composure come from?What's the basis for it?
"...I'll give you one hint."
"What?"
"The Hermit has fallen."
"I know that."
"By widely spreading that fact, the main body escaped trouble."
That's just hindsight.
"Gozen knows about it too. The problem is where the Hermit is hospitalized."
"...No way?"
"A cruel twist of fate is scary, isn't it?"
"Are you planning to leave him be?"
"I don't want to be the one to show my hand."
"You mean you're going to cut the Hermit loose too?"
"I wouldn't do anything so dangerous. Didn't I tell you? The flow is with Unity now. So we just wait until the flow changes. That's all."
"If we don't do anything, Unity can't make a move."
Is that what you're trying to say?
"You get it, don't you? They haven't attacked us directly."
That's true. They investigate, but they don't strike. Can they not strike?
"Finally understand?"
I nodded silently.No matter how much they expose us on websites, the main body will conveniently bury the truth in darkness.Even if we leak it to newspapers or publishers, it'll just be covered up.
"Unity is bigger than you think. They'll probably clean things up quickly once they start moving."
"Will we be okay?"
"It's fine. I absolutely won't let anyone hurt my lovely lady."
"Ah, is this enough for today?"
"Yeah, there's no point in dragging out the date. We need to know when to part."
"Having a date every week is getting a bit boring."
"Want to change the location?"
"Do you have a good place?"
"Yeah, an amusement park would be fine. Or a home theater at your place wouldn't be bad either."
I really can't tell if he's joking or serious.
"I'll contact you the day before."
"Got it. I'll contact you if there's any progress on my end too."
Saying that, we parted ways.I made a phone call.
"Change the plans for later. The destination is..."
A cruel twist of fate really does exist, huh.
(5)
"How are you feeling?"
The "person" who appeared before me said that.
"Not good, I'm afraid."
A brain tumor. It requires a craniotomy. The surgeon is unknown. This is the only hospital that will take me. It was practically a death sentence.
"I see... So I'm as good as dead, then."
"Would you hear my wish?"
"I'll listen, at least."
"I want to die as myself."
"...No."
I figured as much.
"You will die as me."
What a miserable way to die.I'm not even allowed to die as myself.That is the duty of the Hermit.I despaired for the future.
Knock knock.Someone knocked.
"Who is it?"
When I asked, I heard a familiar girl's voice.
"It's Naru. May I come in?"
"Come in."
The door opened, and a cute girl who looked like she was still in middle school came in.She had black hair down to her shoulders, sharp eyes, a straight nose, and fair, clear skin.The girl, wearing a light blue dress, came in carrying a bouquet of flowers.
"How are you feeling?"
The girl's clear, transparent voice soothed this old, decrepit man.
"Thanks to you, I feel a little better. My lovely granddaughter."
"I'm glad I came if you say that."
"Long time no see, Naru-chan."
When that person greeted Naru, Naru bowed to them.
"Well, I'll be taking my leave now. You two take your time."
Saying that, that person left the room.Naru sat on the chair by my bed.
"Is Father doing well?"
"Ah, he's doing fine. He seems busy, though."
"...I am aware of the news."
"...Don't get involved."
"Understood."
The warm atmosphere from a moment ago changed completely, turning tense.
"I was meeting with Warlock until just now. He seems intent on maintaining a wait-and-see approach."
"That's the right decision. There's no need to stir up a hornet's nest."
"I judged the same. But is it really alright to just let this slide?"
"The momentum is on their side. It's better to go with the flow than to resist recklessly."
"You really do make the same judgment as him."
"What's your relationship with Warlock like?"
"We're merely partners."
"Gozen doesn't think so."
"I will follow his wishes."
"God is still in their hand. Proceed carefully."
"Understood."
"Go now. You're being followed, aren't you?"
"Yes."
Naru bowed and left the room.The survival of the Takahashi Group, my succession, and the future of the Egoists.That girl is carrying all of it.Naturally, my son won't be happy about it.He must be plotting something.I wonder if this body will last until then.Dying and leaving that girl behind is the natural order of things.But I wish I had a little more time.That was my prayer.
(6)
When I woke up the next morning, the girls were preparing breakfast.When it was ready, they woke up their respective partners.After we finished eating, the girls cleaned up, and the guys started taking down the tents.When we finished packing and loaded the luggage into the cars, Watanabe-kun said.
"Good work, everyone. Be careful on your way home."
Toya-kun and I headed to a public bath in Beppu.It seemed everyone had the same idea, and we all enjoyed the bath together.When we came out of the bath, the guys had already left.
"Well, see you all later~"
Saying that, everyone got in their cars and started heading home.As expected, Toya-kun was the last one.But I like that easygoing pace of his, Toya-kun.We drove slowly while looking out at Beppu Bay.There was a beach along the way, and Toya-kun stared intently at it while waiting at a traffic light.
"Something wrong?"
"No, it's just that local beaches don't have girls in swimsuits like beaches in other prefectures, right?"
Whack
"Am I not good enough?"
"No, it just crossed my mind."
Don't let it cross your mind!
"Hey, Toya-kun?"
"What's up?"
"The camping trip is over, right?"
"You don't need to do that whole 'the trip isn't over till you're home' thing, do you?"
"Well then, let me ask you. What do you think? About Kenshin Takahashi's sudden illness."
"...It's just a coincidence, right?"
You're just saying that in front of me, aren't you?
"Well, the timing was too perfect. We missed our chance to counterattack."
"So you think so too, huh?"
"But maybe it was for the best."
Huh?
"I feel like there are still a lot of secrets hidden within the Takahashi Group. It won't be too late to figure them out first. If we rush, we'll end up like the Egoists."
"Yeah, I guess..."
Maybe I should change the subject?
"It's finally happening."
"What is?"
"The Universiade."
"Oh, right."
Don't say "oh, right" like it's someone else's business.
"It's the battle that will decide your future, Toya-kun."
"Before that, there's the hurdle of the final exams. I haven't studied at all because of the Nidhogg thing."
"I'm properly managing your study schedule, Toya-kun, so it's fine."
"Thank you."
"Do your best in basketball."
"When you say that, Airi, I feel like I can't lose."
Ehehe~.
"Oh, I just remembered. I have something to give you when we get home."
"Wha~t is it?"
"It's a surprise for when we get home."
I wonder what it is?When we got home, we put the camping gear in the storage shed and took our luggage inside.
"Welcome back. Nothing happened."
"Un, but nothing did."
"I see, that's good..."
"Did something happen?"
When Toya-kun asked Maya-san, she handed him a sealed envelope. There was no name on it.Toya-kun looked inside.
Finally got a lead.
After seeing it, Toya-kun said "I see" and gave it back to Maya-san.When Toya-kun went back to his room, he was typing a message.I saw on my phone that it was about the letter.A reply came from Emi.
"I'm sorry, one of my subordinates messed up! Can you turn on the TV now?"
Toya-kun turned on the TV.
"Police received a report of a man being beaten by multiple people on this riverbank and found him collapsed..."
I was speechless.
"Furthermore, the identity of the collapsed man is unknown..."
Toya-kun turned off the TV.
"Were you investigating the Takahashi Group?"
"Yes..."
"Got it. It's not your fault, Emi-san. Don't worry about it."
"Toya's right. Don't do anything reckless trying to redeem yourself."
"It's fine. What should we do next?"
Emi asked.
"Akira-san, guard our cards. Emi-san, keep investigating the Takahashi Group as usual."
"What about the Egoists?"
"Don't worry about that."
Huh?
"W-wait a minute. We finally pinpointed their server."
"Yeah, that's fine. They've probably noticed too. They have someone on Makoto's level, right?"
"Then they'll just move it again..."
"If they do, we'll just chase them wherever they go."
"Doesn't that make it pointless?"
"Why?"
"So you're saying we don't need the Egoists' information right now, Katagiri-san?"
When Shiratori-san said that, Toya-kun smiled.
"Yeah, the one moving right now is definitely the Takahashi Group."
If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.So we'll take out the Takahashi Group first.If we do that, the Egoists will naturally collapse too.
"Everyone's mistaken. It's not that the Egoists aren't moving. They can't move."
Because we haven't shown any movement, they can't move recklessly.We proved that a forceful approach is impossible by crushing Nidhogg.They're just waiting for an opening because they don't have an effective plan.Makoto-kun is keeping a close watch for that opening, so it's fine.
"Got it. I'll leave the security to you."
"Understood. I'll strengthen the server security too."
"You can leave the server to Makoto."
"Ooh! Leave it to me!"
"Don't overdo it, everyone. It's okay, I've got a trump card saved. You don't have to force your way into dealing with the Egoists. To put it in Makoto's terms, they're already captured."
"Don't let your guard down, okay?"
A stranger came in.
"Who the hell are you!?"
Makoto-kun said. So he's someone Makoto-kun doesn't know.
"Just look at the name. You'll get it, right?"
The name was written as "warlock." ...Warlock!?
"How did you get in!?"
"You're Tada Makoto-kun? I heard you're a skilled hacker, but I'm a hacker too, even if just a small fry. This is nothing."
"Impossible!? I made sure there was a wall around the group itself!"
"I just made a backdoor. You know how I did it without me saying, right?"
"...You infiltrated through Honoka-san's account?"
"Katagiri Toya-kun, right? I've heard all about your exploits. You've been helpful to us too."
"What's your business?"
"I want to meet and negotiate directly."
Toya-kun was probably thinking.
"What's your bargaining chip?"
"How about the secrets of the Takahashi Group? You want to know something, right?"
"And your demand?"
"Nothing in particular?"
"Is there any point in negotiating then?"
"It's a favorable condition for you guys. I think it's worth a shot."
"What we want is information on the Egoists. Sorry."
We've already obtained the information on the Takahashi Group.What we want is information on the Egoists.But we don't want them to know we already have the Takahashi Group's information.Toya-kun seemed intent on not accepting the negotiation.
"You're really sharp, aren't you? I'd love to have you on our side."
"I have no intention of being an accessory to a crime."
"Isn't what Makoto-kun is doing a crime?"
"Is that a threat?"
"Take it however you like."
Toya-kun thought again.
"Fine. Where do we negotiate?"
"At that Blue Bird place from before. Are you free tomorrow?"
"If afternoon is okay."
"Good, I'm still in school too. You guys probably already knew that, though."
"Well then, it's settled. I'll tell you now, it's useless to trace this account. It's a throwaway. You should fix that backdoor."
A message appeared: "warlock has left the room."
Are you okay, Toya-kun?Everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"Toya, do you have a winning strategy? Does this negotiation even have any meaning in the first place?"
"We can't just hand Makoto over to the police, can we?"
"That's true, but..."
Watanabe-kun seemed troubled.
"When did he put a backdoor in a place like this!? How could I...!"
"Might be a good idea to review the server once, Makoto."
"I know! I'm doing it now!!"
"By the way, Toya."
Watanabe-kun asked.
"Don't you have an idea what their bargaining chip is?"
Huh?
"Well... I have a hunch. It's probably the identity of the 'Hermit.'"
"Is that negotiation even worth taking?"
"It'll just clear up the nagging feeling, I guess?"
"Toya, I'm sorry. To think I'd be used as a bargaining chip..."
"Everyone makes mistakes. Don't worry about it."
Toya-kun didn't blame Makoto-kun.I looked at Toya-kun's face.Huh?He didn't look shocked at all. If anything, he seemed relaxed. Why?Toya-kun noticed my gaze and hugged me.
"Is it bad in the middle of the day?"
Huh?
"Well, my parents might come into the room."
My thoughts froze. It took a while to reboot. And then I understood the meaning.
Whack
"This isn't the time for that, is it?"
"You looked lonely, Airi."
"Ugh..."
"What do you want to do?"
"...We did promise before, didn't we?"
"Huh?"
"That you could do it whenever you wanted."
"Oh..."
"But at home, I'd feel self-conscious in the middle of the day, so let's go to a hotel?"
We're still dressed to go out anyway.
"Yeah, let's."
And so we went out again.Toya-kun said it would be fine.There's nothing to worry about.But something was bothering me.Doesn't Toya-kun already know the Hermit's identity? So why ask about it now?I tried asking him for the answer, but Toya-kun just smiled and said, "Who knows?"