Chapter 313 - Will to Power
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun, it's morning~"
Mid-February, recording the lowest temperatures in the local area.
The room is warm because the heater is set on a timer, but Toya-kun is sleeping hugging his futon.
Waking up Toya-kun during this time of year is a real struggle.
I understand it feels nice and cozy being all warm.
I know my usual tactics won't work.
Whenever I try to do something, Toya-kun immediately hugs me. That makes me happy in its own way... ehehe~.
...But this isn't the time for that.
"Toya-kun, if you don't get up, you're not getting breakfast! Don't come crying to me if you get hungry!"
Then Toya-kun gets up right away.
That's fine so far.
After that, he hugs me and tries to go back to sleep with me.
"I'm the one making breakfast! I can't make it if I'm sleeping~"
"Mom will make it, so it's fine."
"Ugh... so you really do prefer Maya-san's cooking after all."
I try to pout a little.
Then Toya-kun immediately sits up.
"There's no way that's true! My cute bride's cooking is the best."
"Ugh... just hurry up and get changed and do your routine!"
"Got it."
Finally, Toya-kun got changed.
After that, he did his routine.
Since he hasn't touched a basketball recently, after his jogging, he's been practicing his shots using the basketball hoop in the park.
Even without touching it, it seems to be ingrained in his body, as he sinks the shots cleanly.
After keeping him company for a while during his basketball practice, we go home.
I make breakfast while Toya-kun takes a shower. Then I go into his room and place a box on the table.
After that, we eat breakfast, and I take a shower.
I wonder if Toya-kun will notice~?
When I come out of the shower, Toya-kun was waiting in the dining room.
Oh, right... lately, he's been waiting in the dining room until I finish my shower.
Toya-kun pours himself some coffee as usual and goes back to his room.
Should I have just given it to him directly?
When Toya-kun returns to his room, he notices the box on the table.
"What's this?"
Don't say "what's this," notice it!
"Is this from Airi?"
Ugh... I'll just sulk.
I ignore him and dry my hair while watching TV.
Toya-kun still doesn't seem to have noticed.
Far from noticing, he seems to be seriously thinking about why I'm in a huff.
Then, the TV runs a special feature at just the right time.
Toya-kun finally gets it.
When he opens the box, inside are fresh chocolates.
Homemade, of course.
I made them while Toya-kun was watching TV.
"Thanks, Airi."
Saying that, Toya-kun gives me a kiss.
Then Toya-kun drinks his coffee while eating the chocolate.
Once I'm ready too, I sit next to him, watching TV and drinking a café au lait.
Toya-kun seems to be searching for something on his laptop.
I can guess what he's searching for.
So I tell him.
"Tomorrow is the end-of-term party," I say.
Toya-kun gives a wry smile, remembering.
"Let's have our own after-party again, just the two of us."
"Yeah... I'll arrange a place to stay too."
Yay~.
Today is February 14th.
The day to convey your feelings to your lover.
And tomorrow is February 15th.
The 9th anniversary of when Toya-kun and I started going out.
Nearly a month had already passed since that incident.
Stinger's activities continue, but they haven't made a move against us.
More than that, there's no movement from the Red Society either.
The Nine-Tailed Fox remains in hiding.
We had identified their location, though.
They've been in the mountains of Kunisaki the whole time.
It might just be X-san and Jackal-san.
We haven't been able to identify either of their personal information.
Apparently, they don't have family registries.
Can people like that exist?
Allen-san is apparently Russian.
I heard that information from Papa.
A former astronaut. Why would someone who was such an elite become a terrorist?
Makoto-kun had all the information on the Nine-Tailed Fox too.
Despite the name "Nine-Tailed Fox," it seems there are actually 11 members.
Structurally, it seems there are 10 subordinates under Allen-san.
That Nine-Tailed Fox isn't making any moves either.
Are they still treating their injuries, I wonder?
Anyway, nothing happened this past month.
But Toya-kun says it won't end like this.
Personally, I wish it would just end like this so we could go somewhere fun during spring break~.
Thinking such things, Toya-kun and I were both about to successfully earn our credits and finish the second semester.
(2)
When school ends, we usually go home with the chauffeur. But today, Naru says she's going home with a friend.
It seems Naru has finally made some friends.
She says she'll have the SP guard her, but she whispers something to the SP officer.
Then the SP officer laughs and switches the guard to a female officer.
"What's wrong?"
"None of your business, Kosei."
She's smiling, so she doesn't seem to be in a bad mood.
With no other choice, I go home alone in the car.
When I get home, I continue my work.
There were many things to investigate.
First, the fact that all information about the Solar Knights has been deleted from the internet.
IRIS has been completely deleted as well.
It was no use even using my backdoor codes.
If anyone besides me and Makoto-kun could access it... Sora Takahashi came to mind first.
But even if they delete it now, it's securely stored on the Eguchi family's server.
And in trying to delete it, they've left clear evidence of unauthorized access.
However, it seems they didn't manage to break through the wall Makoto-kun built.
Besides, there's already important evidence with no scarcity value scattered among the police, media, and politicians.
I couldn't understand why they were so fixated on it.
I also want to know Sora Takahashi's safety. I don't know what value Sora Takahashi has now, but they used him as a bargaining chip.
It's certain he hasn't fled the country.
I heard that Kenshin Takahashi, the president of the Takahashi Group, has been discharged from the hospital.
His whereabouts are unknown. I don't think the Takahashi Group has its former power, but Shinobu Takahashi's influence still remains.
And then there's the Sudo Group.
"Dragon" and "Hierophant" are still active.
Now that "Hermit" has also returned, if we leave them alone, they'll likely regain their former power.
I must urgently determine their location and purpose.
However, a month was about to pass with nothing happening.
There's no movement from the other side either.
I know that doesn't mean they've stopped their activities.
They're probably in a preparation period.
Naru came home.
"You're late? What happened?"
Naru is wearing her uniform with a coat over it, thick gloves, and carrying her bag.
Her demeanor is different from usual.
"Did something happen?"
"What day do you think it is today?"
Huh?
Oh, right!
"Oh, it's Valentine's Day. The kids in class were all excited too. They're so carefree. It's ridiculous."
"Ridiculous...?"
Naru's expression suddenly changes, and she looks like she's about to cry.
I had forgotten that Naru is a girl.
Naru throws the chocolate she bought at me.
"You idiot, Kosei!!"
"Wait, Naru!"
Naru runs out of the room and leaves the mansion.
"It's dangerous outside, Naru!"
"Leave me alone!"
Bad things come in threes, and standing in front of the house gate is a huge figure.
From her appearance, probably Steel Lady.
"Ohohohoho! Talk about a duck carrying a scallion. Come along, little lady. Big Sis will take you to a wonderful place."
Naru stops in her tracks, frightened by her appearance.
A chainsaw swings mercilessly at Naru.
Danger!!
I wrap my arm around Naru's waist and we fall to the ground.
We barely avoid the merciless blow. But...
"I'll send you both to the afterlife together!"
Steel Lady thrusts her chainsaw down.
I'm sorry I didn't properly eat your chocolate.
I wonder if there's no pain when you die?
The moment of terror stopped.
"Uncle!"
Naru, who had fallen on her back, points.
I turn around at her voice and see Uncle delivering a jumping kick to Steel Lady's head.
Uncle is wearing a long coat. His suit, perfectly fitted to his trained physique, looks like it's about to burst.
It seemed like lightning was emitting from Uncle's body.
"How dare you point that thing at my child!"
"Uncle, watch out!"
"Kosei and Naru, go back inside the mansion."
Uncle says this and grins.
"Is this how everyone treats a maiden!? I'll cut you all to pieces!"
Enraged, Steel Lady swings at Uncle.
Uncle boldly steps in towards Steel Lady, who is swinging her chainsaw.
"MUN!!"
Steel Lady's face is big, but Uncle's large fist, more than compensating for that size, catches Steel Lady's exposed face squarely and sends her flying to the house gate.
"Believe it or not, I train daily to be able to protect my children. Know the strength of a father!"
Uncle sends her flying spectacularly, even though she had withstood an RPG to the face.
She was lying unconscious, blood dripping from her nose and mouth, her eyes rolled back.
"Kosei! Naru! Are you alright!"
"Are you alright, Uncle?"
"Don't worry. Go inside the house. A father protecting his child is strong."
"The mother isn't losing either."
"Auntie!"
When I turn around, Emi's mother is dragging two men out of the mansion.
"Yayoi. Who are they?"
"Rascals who tried to break into my daughter's important server room!"
Saying that, Auntie throws the two men out of the gate.
From their appearance, it's Birdman and Azrael.
"It seems Kosei and Naru know these three?"
Auntie asked.
Me and Naru explained.
"I see... so these guys are..."
"Well then, it might be better to hand them over to the police."
As Uncle and Auntie were discussing, a four-wheel-drive vehicle stopped by the gate.
A man gets out of the back seat.
The man easily hoists up the two men and Steel Lady.
"Sorry, but I'll be taking these three."
Uncle and the others don't move because they have guns pointed at them.
The man loads the three into the car and gets in himself.
The car sped away.
Uncle checks the car and makes a phone call.
"It's dangerous, so you two go back inside the mansion."
Auntie says in a gentle voice.
We obediently go back inside.
Naru is feeling down.
It's probably my fault.
How can I cheer Naru up?
I pick up the chocolate wrapper from earlier that I had left on the desk.
"Thanks, Naru. This is delicious."
Naru smiles.
Apparently, she went with her friends on the way home and chose it.
She said she bought it at a trendy shop now.
Just the fact that you chose it for me is an honor.
Still, the Eguchi family seems to have an incredible lineage.
To defeat Steel Lady with a single punch...
I think Auntie's combat ability is also on a completely different level.
If you're raised in a house like this, you could probably produce any number of warriors like Nozomi.
(3)
"Haruto... this is for you."
Today is Valentine's Day.
The first day I gave chocolate to my boyfriend.
"Thanks a lot! I'm seriously happy!"
He says he'll treat me to dinner in return.
Hesitation.
Today is the day I'm supposed to convey my feelings to you, so why are you treating me?
"Shouldn't you do that kind of thing next month?"
"I'll prepare something for White Day too! Today is just a date."
Saying that, he was about to head towards our hometown.
You seem to be good at making me happy.
He eats the chocolate right away in the traffic jam and says it's delicious.
That alone is enough repayment for me.
Still, the traffic is strangely heavy.
"That's strange. I didn't think it was that time yet."
Haruto is suspicious too.
The answer came quickly.
Police officers are directing traffic at the intersection.
Fire trucks and ambulances are rushing by nonstop.
I wonder if there was a fire?
But there's no smoke.
Our turn came.
Haruto rolls down the window to deal with it.
"Can I take a look at your luggage?"
"Sure? Did something happen?"
We were stunned when we heard the reason.
A poison gas terrorist attack.
Apparently, someone released toxic gas in an underground passage.
The purpose is unknown.
Indeed, I don't understand the intent.
Releasing poison gas in an underground passage made solely for crossing the road.
Once we pass the checkpoint, the car starts moving.
I casually look at my phone.
"Ah."
"What's wrong?"
A news alert: Beppu Underground Passage Poison Gas Terror Incident. A claim of responsibility from the suspected perpetrator has been posted online.
I had a bad feeling.
I tap on the article.
The perpetrator calls themselves "Unity" and claims the purpose is to punish couples getting carried away on Valentine's Day...
What a stupid reason.
But they're calling themselves Unity.
The enemy is probably... Stinger.
"And here I thought we could finally live in peace."
I bite into a candy.
Stay calm.
What's the first thing to do?
Contact Unity.
"I just read that article too. You okay over there?"
"There was a checkpoint."
"I'm going to turn myself in to the police now. It's fine, we didn't do it. There's no evidence, so it's no problem."
Watanabe-san says.
A completely indiscriminate terrorist attack.
We can't let this slide.
"Let's talk about it at tomorrow's party. About the future. I'll gather as much information as I can."
I bite into my candy while reading the message.
"Looks like tomorrow is going to be a bit of a commotion."
Haruto says.
Is the conflict starting again?
I don't mind the conflict starting. But not being able to read the enemy's intentions is unsettling.
By the time I had dinner with Haruto and went home, the cityscape had returned to normal.
"Haruto, be careful going home."
"Haruna, you shouldn't go out alone either."
Saying that, Haruto went home.
I go back to my room and take a shower.
Then I check the chat.
Everyone is in an uproar.
Makoto-san quickly identified the person who issued the claim of responsibility.
He was on the Stinger member list, apparently.
But Stinger's... the Sudo Group's intentions remained unclear.
(4)
"Well then, thank you for your hard work this semester!"
When Watanabe-kun says that, the party begins... or so I thought, but it doesn't.
"Wait a minute, please explain yesterday's incident."
Manabe-kun says.
"No matter how you look at it, we didn't do it. That's all there is to it."
What Watanabe-kun says is correct.
"You have some idea, don't you? Share the information with us too."
When Manabe-kun says that, Watanabe-kun looks at me.
Watanabe-kun looks into my eyes and, as if understanding, begins to speak.
"I'll cut the roundabout talk. This time, our enemies are the Sudo Group and the Takahashi Group!"
"Wasn't the Takahashi Group wiped out?"
"It seems some survived. Kenshin Takahashi has been discharged from the hospital! That means their activities have resumed."
"No matter how many times we crush them, they keep coming back! What a tenacious bastard!"
Mika-san says.
"As for this matter, we've already taken measures. It's all posted on the exposure site. Complete with their identities and even their faces!"
Shiina-san, who had been listening silently, speaks up.
"You mentioned 'this matter,' but isn't there something else?"
"Is that true!? Watanabe-senpai!"
When Manabe-kun says that, Watanabe-kun looks at me.
I nod, and Watanabe-kun says,
"The server at Emi-san's family home was directly targeted. It was the work of the Nine-Tailed Fox."
As expected, everyone seems unable to hide their shock.
"What a tenacious bunch of bastards!"
Mika-san slams her fist into her palm.
After that, Watanabe-kun revealed everything without holding back.
About IRIS, about Sora Takahashi, and about the enemy behind the Nine-Tailed Fox.
"If we have to deal with all that, there's no end to it. Maybe we should just pull out now..."
Manabe-kun says.
"That's why I told you, didn't I? We haven't done anything."
Watanabe-kun says this with a grin.
"So you mean we do nothing!? Masashi!"
Mika-san snaps.
"We haven't suffered any direct damage. There's no reason for us to make a move, right?"
"But they impersonated Unity!"
"That's why I said we exposed it on the exposure site. Calm down, Mika."
While watching this exchange, I casually help myself to the food.
"What do you think, Toya-kun?"
Airi asks.
Everyone's attention turns to me.
I quietly open my mouth.
"An enemy who hasn't done anything until now has made a move. It probably means their preparations are complete. It would be ridiculous to step onto their turf. How stupid."
When I say that, as expected, objections arise.
"If their preparations are complete, doesn't that mean they'll attack sooner or later!?"
"Probably."
"Probably... so we're going to live in constant fear of when we'll be attacked again?"
Ai-san says.
"We haven't been able to get a handle on the roots of either the Takahashi Group or the Sudo Group. On top of that, the enemy has something called the Solar Knights backing them."
"Does that mean this endless war continues?"
"Once it starts, it probably will."
"Toya, drop the roundabout talk. You've found a way to break through, haven't you?"
Tasuku says.
"...In the logs Makoto found, there was a concerning word. 'Moon.'"
"Moon?"
"Moon and Sun... Nine-Tailed Fox... Sora Takahashi... There's only one thing that connects them."
"IRIS?"
When Airi says that, I grin.
"What are they planning to do by using IRIS?"
"The ones managing IRIS are us and Sora Takahashi. It's been completely deleted from the network."
"What about the police and media?"
"They'll probably cover it up."
For the Sudo Group, that would be a piece of cake.
"From here on out, it's literally a conflict. A conflict between the Red Society and the Nine-Tailed Fox."
Even as I say this, I have one concern.
The bargaining chip for the IRIS information is probably money.
What will they use that money for?
"So, what's the commander's strategy?"
"Strict management of Emi-san's server. Have Ishihara-kun and the others join in too. This is where we need to hold the line."
Ishihara-kun nodded.
"Makoto and Kosei, search for IRIS information again. We might have missed something."
"OK."
"Don't overlook any file, no matter how small."
"Do you still think there's something in IRIS, Toya-kun?"
Airi asked.
"Probably."
"And is that related to the poison gas terror?"
Manabe-kun says.
"It's just a diversion. If they use Unity's name, we overreact. They're just exploiting that."
"I can read your move... You're going to expose the true nature of the Moon. That's it."
"We'll become 'Stella' and watch over them. They're sure to split."
When Watanabe-kun says that, I answer.
"So that's how it is. We just need to live our lives as usual! Makoto-kun and Emi-san will gather the information! The counterattack comes after that."
"Build up our hand and then attack... same as always."
When Ishihara-kun says that, I nod.
"Well then, since the plan is decided, let's have a good time tonight!"
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone's party begins.
(5)
When the first party ends, we decide to split up.
Makoto and Watanabe-kun knew the situation, so they agreed.
Airi and I go to a bar for our own private after-party.
"I never thought we'd get caught up in a terrorist attack~"
Airi seems worried about it too.
"As I said earlier, there's no need to worry about that."
"Then, what should I worry about?"
"Tonight, just think about me."
I say a line that's embarrassing even for me to say, and Airi laughs.
"Okaaay. But I'm always thinking about you, Toya-kun."
"That's good enough, just like always..."
"Really? You seem to be worried about something, Toya-kun?"
I can't hide anything from Airi.
"Yeah, I promised I wouldn't hide anything from you, Airi."
"So there is something?"
"I'm concerned about the movements of the enemy targeting IRIS, even now."
That card should have already been played.
What's the intention behind salvaging a discarded card?
Just a diversion?
Either way, we can't do anything without gathering information.
What we can do is build our own deck.
What we can do now is enjoy our anniversary.
"It's a special anniversary. Let's enjoy tonight slowly."
"...Yes."
After that, we hop between a jazz bar and a dart bar, having fun.
We stop by a convenience store, buy some chu-hai, and return to the hotel.
After showering, we drink the chu-hai and turn on the TV.
The TV is all about yesterday's terrorist attack.
There was also a report about the exposure site.
The perpetrator was wearing a black hooded coat, but their appearance was clearly captured on the security cameras.
Since that video was also uploaded, there's no room for denial.
They're probably being pursued by the police by now.
Now that the enemy has called themselves Unity, the usual purges won't work.
We just need to wait and see how they move.
Airi changed the channel.
A talk show with celebrities was on.
Neither of us was particularly interested in the guests.
"You're supposed to forget about it tonight, right?"
Airi said with a laugh.
At a reasonable time, I go to sleep with Airi.
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
When I wake up, Airi is beside me, looking at my sleeping face.
I get changed, get ready, and eat breakfast.
After that, we kill time watching TV until checkout.
"Airi, I promised you before, didn't I?"
"Huh?"
"That once things settled down, we'd go for a drive."
"...Yeah!"
"Want to go today? We can't go too far, though."
"Sure~"
Airi is excited.
If that's the case, we might as well check out early.
Once Airi is ready, we leave the room.
And then I went for a drive with Airi.
A great power stands before us like a wall.
If it stands in our way, we'll just break it and move forward.
First, we need to gauge its size.
But no matter how great a power awaits us, our will remains unchanged.
We just do what we can now.
No matter what happens, our hearts are together.