Chapter 314 - Beyond Good and Evil
(1)
I face off against Ishihara-kun.
Ishihara-kun's breathing is steady.
Ishihara-kun's breath stops completely.
Here he comes!
Ishihara-kun lunges at me.
He's aiming a tackle at my waist.
I calmly dodge it and strike a knife-hand blow toward his back.
Ishihara-kun does a forward roll to evade it.
As a result, I've taken his back, but it's only for a moment.
Ishihara-kun gets up immediately and faces me again.
I don't miss the moment Ishihara-kun tries to steady his breathing.
I quickly slip into Ishihara-kun's guard and grab his collar.
I go for a shoulder throw, but he spins in midair and lands.
I had read that far.
I stop my kick just before it connects with the side of Ishihara-kun's head.
"That's enough!"
At the Shihan's word, our tension breaks.
"I'm surprised. To improve this much in just one month..."
"I keep saying this, but our weapons are different. It's different from a real serious match."
"Firing a gun is a life-or-death matter. Gaps inevitably appear. If you blend into the gun smoke and move, I can't respond."
Ishihara-kun says the advantage lies in being able to control the distance.
It looks like Watanabe-kun and Haruto's match is over too.
Watanabe-kun threw Haruto, got on top, took mount position, and won.
"In a grapple, I can't beat Watanabe-senpai."
"You can see it from my build. I don't have reach, and if you control the distance, I'm done for."
Watanabe-kun laughs.
Still, it would probably be impossible to stop Watanabe-kun's charge with a few blows.
Sakai-kun was sparring with the Shihan-dai.
Sakai-kun also seemed to be top-class. He deflected the Shihan-dai's attacks and easily threw and pinned him.
"Toshiro still has a long way to go in his training."
The Shihan laughs.
"Dinner is ready."
Kaede-san arrives.
Kaede-san is the wife of the Shihan-dai, Toshiro-san. She has a slender figure, but appearances aside, she's strong.
Airi and the others had also helped with the meal.
"Toya-kun, there are seconds, okay~"
When Airi said that, I immediately asked for seconds.
After the meal, we cleaned up, and Airi and the others also began their training.
Nobuyo-san and Kaede-san look after Airi and the others' training.
We spent every day like that.
For nearly this month, each of us had our own lives.
Watanabe-kun, Haruto, Sakai-kun, and Ishihara-kun are staying over and receiving instruction while working part-time jobs.
I took a break from basketball and spent all day training.
Because going to the Basketball Club would only cause trouble for everyone.
Of course, I haven't neglected basketball practice either.
They had a basketball hoop set up in the yard.
From the afternoon, I sit in zazen.
"You still have hesitation. Bringing hesitation into battle means your training is insufficient. First, dispel that hesitation."
Learning the method to calm the shura that dwells within my heart.
He said I need time to find that out.
While doing club activities and part-time jobs, Makoto is gathering information on the Knights of the Sun.
Kosei is with him. While attending school, he's investigating the Nine-Tailed Fox's objective.
But there was no progress this month.
The perpetrator of the poison gas terror was purged before being arrested.
The fakes will be weeded out. unity
Leaving that message.
When they realized we wouldn't move, the enemy didn't move either.
The standoff continues.
Just as we are preparing, the enemy is probably preparing and lying in wait too.
How long will this standoff continue?
I'd like to end it before the new semester starts if possible,
but as I harbor such distracting thoughts, a bamboo sword mercilessly strikes my shoulder.
Thwack!
"Cast aside your distracting thoughts! Become one with nothingness! Face yourself! Overcome the evil spirit that dwells within you!"
Become one with nothingness... what kind of feeling is that?
Face myself? Am I running from myself?
The evil spirit that dwells within me... that feeling that sprouts when I snap...
Night falls, and we eat dinner.
I drink sake with the dishes and talk with the Shihan.
"So. Were you able to find your own shura?"
"No..."
"Hmm..."
The Shihan seems to be thinking about something.
"Tomorrow morning, you and I will spar. I'll give you one night. During that time, find what you are lacking."
Saying that, the Shihan left.
What I lack... what on earth could it be?
Without finding the answer, the night passed.
Everyone is gathered at the dojo.
I face the Shihan.
What surprised me was that the Shihan held a real sword in his hand.
And in my hand, a single blade was placed.
"Your opponent is not a bamboo sword. A bamboo sword wouldn't be good practice, would it."
Either way, if I use that power, it's more lethal than a sword, so it doesn't matter.
What I need is a means to control my power.
Killing intent seeps from the Shihan.
Half-hearted restraint is useless.
If I can get through this, I can obtain power.
Dying is scary.
But if it means I can protect Airi...
Do not fear death. Face death. Win the power!
I make up my mind.
I'm scared, but I must not fear. The goddess does not smile upon those who do not fight.
I resolve in my heart.
Seeing this, the Shihan speaks.
"...So you're a man of this caliber too. At this rate, you'll die anyway. Then I'll show you the way to the next world."
The Shihan's killing intent swells.
He is the strongest man.
Even in old age, that fact doesn't change.
The Shihan moves.
They say that before death, past memories flash before your eyes like a lantern procession.
Right now, memories are reviving like a lantern procession.
Among them is Airi's smile.
I... I can't die yet!
The match was over in an instant.
The Shihan's movement stops.
My bamboo sword snapped with a sound.
The Shihan suddenly smiles.
"...That's good."
I tend to value my own life lightly in my eagerness to protect others.
But even if you protect someone by throwing away your own life, the person you protected will definitely become unhappy.
Living yourself leads to the happiness of others.
The will to live.
If you don't forget what you just showed me, you will never lose to the shura dwelling in your heart.
The will to live, huh...
This feeling right now.
The feeling of longing for Airi helps me.
I was completely absorbed.
It seems I've finally arrived at that answer.
But I quickly return to reality.
I slashed at the Shihan with a real sword.
Naturally, a torrent of blood should have been spilled.
Yet no one is fazed at all.
The Shihan is lying down.
There's only a gouged wound around his chest area.
Then the Shihan-dai told me to look closely at the sword.
I look at the sword.
...So that's the punchline.
"Even with that thing, it has this much power. Please understand."
If you don't have the qualifications for it, you can't be taught the secret techniques.
Because you would lose your life.
An ambulance is called immediately.
He receives treatment at Nishimatsu Clinic and barely clings to life.
"It's just a strong blunt impact. There's no abnormality in the bones."
With the power reduced, it's still this strong?
Have I become a bit superhuman too?
I give a wry smile to myself.
I'm called out by Miyuki-san.
"We're having a graduation celebration for Hiyama-senpai, Umi-chan, and Mirai-chan on the 25th. Makoto-kun apparently has something important to talk about."
"Got it. I'll go that day."
I tell Airi and the others about Miyuki-san's talk.
"They're finally going to move, aren't they?"
Airi says cautiously.
"Our preparations are done. I have no more hesitation."
Shiratori-san says.
"I'm not scared of anything!"
Haruto says.
"It's finally time, Toya..."
When Watanabe-kun says that, I nod.
"I wonder what they'll do."
Ishihara-kun says.
"It doesn't matter what they do. We just have to protect everyone."
Sakai-kun says.
"Go. Go and win your own battle."
The sword's name is "Akatsuki."
Take it along with the secret technique.
The Shihan says.
We trained even further and came down from the mountain on the 25th.
(2)
Hakata Port International Terminal.
You can travel to Busan by high-speed ferry.
We prepared fake passports.
Me, X, Viper, and Sora Takahashi board.
The start of a comfortable sea voyage.
Once we leave the port, I head to the cockpit.
After restraining the crew, I take the controls.
Our destination is Wonsan Port.
We just have to hand Sora Takahashi over to his guarantor there.
By completing this mission, we get a large sum of money from the Knights of the Sun.
But that alone isn't enough.
That's where the Moon comes in.
We sell the IRIS information to the Moon.
The IRIS information has only been given to the local prefectural police and the media.
For them, it's a convenient bargaining chip.
I don't know what they intend to trade, but it's none of our business.
We'll do anything if it makes money.
Conversely, we won't do anything that doesn't make money.
We absolutely never let personal feelings get involved in combat.
The plan seems to be proceeding smoothly.
The plan was about to enter its final phase.
Anything is fine as long as it makes money.
I'll pull off anything.
After the handover of Sora Takahashi is complete, we get off in Busan and return home by plane.
"The money's in the account as promised."
X confirms the account.
Next is the Moon.
We meet with the Moon and hand over the file.
The Moon immediately calls and tells us to confirm the account.
"The necessary funds have been gathered. Let's move to the next phase."
Allen makes a phone call.
We haven't been told the contents of the plan.
But we had been told the plan's codename.
"When the Sun Sets"...
When the sun sets, the moon shines and the stars become visible.
Are they planning to bring darkness to the local area?
Revenge against the local patriots.
Everything connected.
The rest is the means.
Allen says a large sum of money was necessary to execute that operation.
What are you planning to do, Allen?
Allen is overlooking something important.
It's better not to let personal feelings get involved in work.
But Allen is clearly acting on personal feelings.
I don't know if Viper is aware of this, but he's following Allen's orders.
I had forgotten too.
The fact that we are merely mercenaries hired by Allen.
"What does the Boss think of this operation? Does he think it'll succeed?"
I asked Viper.
"We are mercenaries. We simply carry out the client's instructions."
Viper seemed to be just another mercenary too.
"Jackal, watch your words and actions. We've been making mistakes. We have to make up for those blunders."
"I know."
If those brats make a move, we'll settle this.
Oops, I forgot that I mustn't let personal feelings get involved.
I was waiting for the time to move to the next action.
X-Day is April 1st.
Until then, we were lying low.
(3)
"Well then, congratulations on your marriage, Umi-chan! Cheers!"
When Manabe-kun said that, the banquet began.
We had come to the after-party for the Tange couple's wedding.
Participating from Unity were Yuma, the Manabe couple, Shiina-san, Niina-san, Sakura-san, and Mizushima-kun.
The other members seemed to be busy with various things.
Also, since they didn't have much interaction, they probably declined.
Of course, they had attended the reception.
The celebration is apparently on the 25th.
Tada-senpai apparently has something important to talk about.
Probably about the current conflict opponent.
Everyone was fed up.
But no one mentioned it.
Today is a celebratory banquet.
We were sincerely celebrating the Tange couple.
"Congratulations, Umi-chan."
"Thank you, Takemoto-kun."
Yuma seemed to be genuinely blessing them.
There was no feeling of jealousy or anything like that in it.
It seemed like he was reconfirming his feelings, thinking, "I'm glad we can both be happy."
Without the seniors, there's no dangerous talk, but it's somehow lacking in excitement.
Ah, I see, they're good people at heart, I thought, talking with Yuma.
Umi-chan and the others didn't come to the third party.
Professor Tange carried the exhausted, sleeping Umi-chan and got into a taxi.
When it was just us, we finally ran out of exciting topics.
"As expected, it's lonely without the seniors."
Yuma said that.
"I'm fine with it, though. When the seniors are around, the conversation inevitably turns to something fishy."
I reacted to those words.
"Isn't that a bit harsh? The seniors are trying to protect us..."
"We were the ones who picked the fight, right? And it's turned into an endless mudslinging match. When will our peace be guaranteed?"
"Takumi, that's going too far. It's not like Watanabe-kun and the others are doing this for fun. They're fighting to protect their comrades, right?"
"To protect their comrades? Don't make me laugh! Aren't we the ones being exposed to that danger right now!? They take enemies into the group, get in even deeper to protect those enemies... 'To protect their comrades'... don't make me laugh."
"Manabe-kun, calm down. You've had a bit too much to drink. You don't realize you're saying something terrible right now."
Shiina-san said.
"We joined thinking it was a matchmaking circle, but before we knew it, we're being treated like terrorists. Can't we get off midway? This is a terrible fraudulent business practice."
"That's enough!!"
Everyone was surprised because it was the first time they had heard Yuma shout like that.
Of course, it was my first time too.
"Isn't it thanks to the seniors guiding us that we can all gather like this and have fun, and that Umi-chan and the rest of us could find happiness!? Your attitude of acting like it has nothing to do with you is too cruel."
"Is that really true!? Can you honestly say you're happy right now? The truth is, you wanted Umi-chan and..."
Yuma was furious.
It was Shiina-san who stopped him from trying to punch Manabe-kun.
"You should calm down a bit too. Who benefits from us having a falling out... think about it carefully, okay?"
Told by Shiina-san, Yuma seemed to come to his senses and said, "Sorry, I'm going to cool my head a bit," and left the shop.
I also bowed to everyone and left the shop.
Yuma's anger didn't seem to have subsided yet.
"I couldn't forgive it. The reason I can feel happy like this right now is none other than Unity. It's none other than because Saki is here."
"I'm happy just hearing those words from you, Yuma. I feel the same way. It's because of Unity that I was given this small happiness..."
And the one who made me feel this way is you, Yuma.
That's why I can't forgive anything that sullies the name of Unity.
I can't forgive those who speak ill of Unity.
Unity will probably continue to spread happiness to many people from now on.
Unity will sweep away all those barriers.
At the forefront of that are the seniors.
All we can do is watch over them from behind.
But if fighting against fear becomes their strength, then I, together with Yuma, will hate the conflict.
"...Let's go back, Yuma. You've cooled your head by now, right?"
"Yeah."
When we returned to the shop, Manabe-kun and the others seemed to have calmed down too.
"Takemoto... I'm sorry."
"No, I got heated up too and just..."
When Manabe-kun held out his hand, Yuma shook it.
"I wonder what the seniors are doing right now."
"I think they're probably preparing. For the battle that's about to begin."
"Is there going to be another attack?"
"If there was, it would have happened long ago. This is some kind of precursor. They're desperately trying to read it."
I listened intently to Manabe-kun and Yuma talking.
"Speaking of which, I heard the next wedding is Hiyama-senpai and the others. After that, it's Shiina-san and them."
"That's how it'll be. There are also couples who haven't had their ceremony yet. It looks like this year will be busy too."
Shiina-san played along.
"We also have to celebrate Toya-kun's Olympics, so it looks like this year will be busy."
"It's not like it's decided I'll survive in the Olympics, though."
"You'll win your way through! Definitely!"
"...Yeah."
"It's not even decided yet that I'll make it onto the Olympic team, though."
Mizushima-senpai said.
"By the way, who will take over after they graduate from university?"
Shiina-san asked.
"Won't it stay the same? Kimoto-senpai graduated too, but he's still participating in Unity."
"Just keep running without changing, huh..."
Shiina-san said.
"It was Katagiri-senpai's pet phrase. 'Don't waver.' We just follow without faltering either."
Yuma said.
Getting off midway is not allowed.
I heard it too.
Be like a flower that blooms strongly no matter how many times it's trampled.
With the flower of hope and the bonds we've tied as our strength, bloom proudly tomorrow.
Raise high the flag of no hesitation towards the place we must one day reach, and live in the present.
The power to live that will never scatter.
Unity has that.
So let's live in the present.
Dreaming of the flower of hope that will one day bloom in full.
(4)
"Hiyama-senpai, Niina-san, Umi-san, congratulations on your graduation!"
When Watanabe-kun said that, the banquet began.
Today, we were celebrating the graduation of the three.
Everyone was excited to reunite after so long.
We split into several groups and talked.
I move the conversation forward with Airi, Kosei, Naru, the Tada couple, the Watanabe couple, the Ishihara couple, and the Sakai couple.
"First, let's talk about what we need to deal with. Makoto-kun, please."
When Watanabe-kun said that, Makoto started talking.
"I'll just say the main points first. X-Day is April 1st. The targets are all the power plants in the local area..."
"All the power plants? Including the dams, all of them!?"
"I think so, probably."
When Emi-san said that, Makoto answered with a serious expression.
"What's the objective?"
I asked Makoto.
"Cessation of power supply through system shutdown."
"And who benefits from that?"
"Before that question, who do you think loses out?"
Kosei asked.
"Well, everyone would be in trouble. The traffic signals would all stop too, right?"
"...The Governor?"
When I answered, Kosei laughed.
"Bingo. He'd definitely lose the next election."
"Is it that kind of problem? They'd drag innocent people into it for something like that?"
"We can't drag them into it, can we."
"Oh, I get it~"
Airi said.
"They're going to give a warning, right? ...Hmm, yeah. Like, 'Pay up or we'll shut down the system!'"
"Tosaka-san's guess is probably right."
"But who do they tell? An individual can't do anything about it, right?"
"Right. They intend to threaten the prefectural government itself, not individuals."
"But what's the reason for choosing April 1st?"
Airi asked. I answered that.
"Because it's April Fool's Day. No one would take it seriously. If a real blackout suddenly happened then, there'd be panic. Naturally, the state of the prefectural government would be called into question."
"Katagiri-kun is right. They intend to send a threatening letter from the start, planning to strike."
"Is there a countermeasure?"
Emi-san answered. But before that...
"So, who benefits?"
I asked.
"The culprit, right?"
Airi answered.
"And who is that culprit?"
"Umm..."
Airi is troubled.
"The Knights of the Sun."
Makoto answered.
"The Knights of the Sun secretly controlled the local area, but on the surface, they're like just a collection of companies. They want to have controlling power over the prefectural government."
"So they're trying to oust the Governor for that?"
"He's been in office for nearly 20 years. Naturally, it's said he'll win the next election too. His local base is solid. To overturn it, a major incident has to happen."
Kosei answered.
"I see... So they intend to create a major incident."
"This is no time to be impressed, Katagiri-kun. We have to stop them for sure! It won't just be the local area. It'll spread to a problem for all of Kyushu!"
Come to think of it, if one power plant stops, they try to compensate by creating surplus power, which causes other power plants to stop too, right?
"Is it definitely the local area?"
I confirm with Makoto.
"If it wasn't the local area, there'd be no point in threatening the local governor, right?"
"True..."
"I'll defend the network. I absolutely won't let them infiltrate. The problem is physical destruction."
Makoto says.
I look at Makoto's laptop. I look at the locations of the power plants. As I thought, if they're going to target them, it's here?
"If they're going to target them, it's here and here."
I point to two locations.
"I think so too."
Watanabe-kun says.
"Should we split into two teams again?"
"Yeah."
When Watanabe-kun asked, I answered.
"Let's split the IT team into two teams as well, Kosei and Makoto. There are two things I want you to do."
"Tell me anything."
"What should we do?"
"First is the defense of the system. That's the most important task."
When I said that, the two nodded.
"The other is a team to attack the enemy's system."
"Specifically?"
"Probably the enemy will move individually or in multiple teams. I think there's something like a command center. I want you to take it over."
"With a calm face, you push difficult tasks onto us, Commander-sama."
Kosei laughs.
"Got it. I'll leave the system defense to Kosei. I'll be on the team that attacks their system."
Makoto says.
"Are you confident?"
"It's not like I was just playing around while you guys were training. I was setting up various traps too."
Traps?
"Those guys are desperate to erase IRIS to increase its scarcity value, right? So I laid some bait."
Bait?
"I put a system disguised as IRIS on the network. Of course, there's nothing inside. It's a virtual server. The real one is safely stored away. They came in properly and left their footprints. And I gave them the latest version, 'Makorin,' as a present."
"So you were able to secure their main unit?"
"Capture complete! So, what specifically should I do?"
"It's nothing major. Just grasp their movements and guide them nicely towards us."
"If that's the case, no problem. I've also got voice samples of X. Jamming them will be a piece of cake!"
"Let's discuss the details with everyone at the second party. We should start enjoying the banquet soon too."
Saying that, Watanabe-kun orders another beer.
I start eating food too.
Airi puts food on a small plate for me.
While eating it, I looked at the data Makoto had recovered, and one question arose.
(5)
The venue for the second party was a karaoke place.
When everyone gathered, Watanabe-kun roughly explained the contents of the operation.
On the execution date, April 1st, we will stake out the area around the power plants.
Just in case, Makoto and the others will also go to the site.
To touch the system directly.
It was Makoto's suggestion.
We split into the Sakai team and the Ishihara team.
Sakai team: the Watanabe couple, Haruto, Shiratori-san, the Sakai couple, Ai-san.
Ishihara team: me, Airi, the Ishihara couple, Hiyama-senpai, Sakura-san, Kanna.
The remaining members will provide support as needed.
Emi-san and Akira-san's soldiers will be deployed to each power plant in company units.
After that, we just intercept.
System defense is left to Kosei.
Meanwhile, Makoto will trace the enemy's IP and contact Kosei.
They will seize access rights to the system.
Makoto says.
"Even if there are multiple points, it's centrally controlled, so if we take that down, we can do whatever we want."
Everyone gets excited hearing the contents of the operation.
However, there are some who express dissatisfaction with the content.
"This has, like, completely nothing to do with Unity anymore, right?"
Mika-san and Kanna refute this, while Watanabe-kun and Makoto calm them down.
Watanabe-kun says.
"It probably has nothing to do with Stinger. So I'll leave it up to each of you whether to participate or not."
"Even so, won't we just become targets of retaliation again!?"
Manabe-kun says.
"Manabe! If you're scared and want to quit, then just go home! We don't need a coward like you in Unity!"
"Mika's right. Our actions have nothing to do with matchmaking anymore. Everyone has followed us well this far. If anyone wants to drop out, say so."
I listened in silence.
Because I was thinking about something else.
"Toya-kun! They're at odds again! You have to stop them!"
"There's no need to stop them, is there? We will carry out this operation no matter what anyone says. If you can't keep up, feel free to say so."
"Toya-kun... you were thinking about something else, weren't you? You look completely uninterested!"
Airi really has sharp intuition.
"Toya! Are you keeping secrets again?"
Kanna asked.
"I was just wondering if X-Day is really April 1st."
"That's what it says, so it must be, right?"
"That's just the information from the Knights of the Sun, right?"
"Toya... explain it so we can understand."
Watanabe-kun said, so I explained.
"The Moon and the Sun. When the Sun Sets... I feel like we're overlooking something."
Something I thought looking at Makoto's data. "When the Sun Sets" probably means exactly that.
Think, there must be a hint. That's why something is bothering me now.
...Why did they go so far as to kidnap Sora Takahashi to get involved with IRIS?
To sell the data. To whom?
Why was Allen released? The current client should be the Knights of the Sun.
Airi said it. Allen hates his homeland.
...I think I can roughly read it.
"Makoto, do you know the Knights of the Sun's schedule after April?"
"Yeah, apparently they're having a party. I don't know the details."
Makoto says they're probably planning to celebrate the success of the operation.
All the pieces fit perfectly in my head.
Then I started laughing.
"Toya-kun, what's wrong!? Get a grip! Did your brain short-circuit from thinking too much!?"
"Toya, get a hold of yourself!"
"Toya, what happened!?"
"No, sorry. I just found it funny... Um, we were talking about people who want to drop out, right? I agree with that. Unity's role is over. After this, only those who want to stay should stay."
Bap
"As I thought, he's gone crazy. Toya-kun, get a grip!"
"Toya, what do you mean Unity's role is over?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"I mean, from here on, it doesn't have to be Unity. Let's return to the original form of the Watanabe group. A fun group where only those who want to join, join."
"You're saying we should disband Unity!?"
Watanabe-kun asks back.
"Yeah, there are this many matchmaking groups now. There's no reason to maintain Unity anymore."
"We'll stay. If that's allowed."
Kamenashi-kun and the other three say.
"We'll stay too. We have no intention of leaving just because we're told to leave now."
Kosei and Naru also say.
"I'll stay too. Even if it becomes the Watanabe group, our bonds are the same!"
"The vow... we vowed to be together forever."
Haruto and Shiratori-san also say.
"W-We'll stay too! Right, Shiina-san?"
"Yeah, we owe them quite a bit, after all."
Shiina-san and Niina-san say.
The others also start saying they'll stay.
But I say.
"We are a fun group. But from here on, it won't be just fun. I want only those who are truly okay with that to stay."
I've had enough of this kind of exchange, I said.
"It's something I've been saying all along. We entrust our future to Katagiri-senpai."
"If someone gets injured, you'll need a doctor, right?"
The Nishimatsu couple says.
"Getting off midway is not allowed. You were the one who said that, Toya-kun. I have no intention of getting off just because you tell me to now."
"I feel the same. I might not be of any use, but I'll stay. I want to see it through to the end."
The Takemoto couple says.
"Takumi... shall we make up our minds too?"
Satomi-san says.
"...There's no guarantee we won't be targeted even if we back out now. More than anything, Satomi says she's staying, so..."
Manabe-kun seemed to have made up his mind too.
Seeing the faces of everyone who had resolved themselves, I look at Watanabe-kun's face.
Watanabe-kun, who saw my face, raises his mug.
"We're definitely going to win this match!"
"Ooh!"
Everyone gets excited and starts singing as if raising a pre-battle roar.
Amidst this, I was checking the data on Makoto's laptop.
...The party is on April 3rd.
X-Day is that day.
The Makorin that Makoto released seems to be really excellent.
It even picks up call logs and sends them to us.
Among them was one. The final piece of the "Pentagram" was assembled.
I instruct Makoto to gather data on the Nine-Tailed Fox.
"Can you do it, Toya?"
Watanabe-kun says worriedly.
"I'm looking forward to the cherry blossom viewing before the semester starts," I reply.
Watanabe-kun laughs and says.
"Yeah."
That day, we all made a racket as if to encourage ourselves.
The party continued until morning.
When I get home, I decide to take a shower and go to bed.
But there was something I had to do before that.
"What's wrong, Airi?"
I hold Airi.
"It's because Toya-kun is being mean again that I'm worried~"
"Mean?"
"Toya-kun has a face like he understands everything, but I don't understand at all~"
"Airi, what's in the night sky?"
"The moon and stars?"
"The night sky is beautiful, isn't it."
"It's beautiful~"
"That's what the original, natural state is."
"Huh?"
"The Nine-Tailed Fox seems to be trying to do a big spring cleaning."
"Spring cleaning?"
I pat Airi's head.
The dirty local area.
Now it's a local area beautiful with neon lights, but originally it wasn't like that.
Returning the local area, dirtied by money and power, to its original, proper state.
Whether that is what the local residents want or not.
I will absolutely not let that happen.
I will protect everyone's small, happy moments to the end.
I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
There might be no boundary between good and evil, but I will at least protect the happiness of the Airi in front of me.