NOVEL NEXT Chapter 375
Middle school wasn’t that hard to adapt to at all.
It’s not like I suddenly had a bunch of new relationships… I already knew a few people beforehand, but since I met a lot of new ones, it wasn’t a big deal.
There were a few kids who asked about my relationship with Sota, but they didn’t outright suspect or misunderstand us.
Well, considering the relationship they were thinking, me and him were actually quite far apart.
If I had to put it simply, we could be seen as siblings, which wouldn’t be too bad.
It’s a bit bittersweet to think that the sibling-like bond feels further than the lover-sibling-like bond. This was something I couldn’t escape even in my previous life. I rarely hung out with my half-sister more than I thought.
Classes got much harder than in elementary school, but I managed to endure. I realized after starting middle school that my body seems to be smarter than I thought. I managed to memorize and understand subjects that I had almost given up on as a child, and it wasn’t that hard.
I think it’ll make a good present for Kagami. Every parent in the world feels good when their child brings good grades.
It’s been about three weeks since I started middle school.
“Koto Ne-chan.”
At lunchtime, after finishing a meal with Sota and a few other boys and girls, a kid called out to me in the hallway as we got ready for the next class.
It was a classmate, someone who went to the same elementary school until last year. We were in the same class and were friendly enough to call each other by our names.
“Someone’s looking for you.”
I stepped out into the hallway after being called, and the kid said that.
I tilted my head.
Someone’s looking for me?
Could it be someone from outside the school? Maybe Kagami has come?
My heart started racing for no good reason. This wasn’t really a good sign. It’s not like it was unheard of for Kagami to come to school, but they wouldn’t just come without any notice to call me. Typically, they’d wait outside the school for me.
“The teacher said to come to the teacher’s office.”
“…Okay.”
So someone’s looking for me, and the homeroom teacher called for me. I didn’t bother asking about their appearance. Something told me that it likely wasn’t someone I knew.
However, at least it must be someone who can persuade my homeroom teacher.
Sota was chatting with his friends, so he didn’t seem very interested in this matter.
For now, I headed toward the teacher’s office as the kid said.
“Koto Ne-chan.”
As I entered the teacher’s office, my homeroom teacher waved at me cheerfully.
I’d been to the homeroom several times. I had been sent on errands and had to call for the teacher now and then, so it wasn’t new.
She seemed like a kind middle-aged woman. She looked like she might have an older daughter, and indeed, there was a picture of a girl on her desk.
“Is this person here, by any chance, someone you know?”
With a nonchalant expression, my homeroom teacher asked.
I turned my gaze to the person sitting next to her, and I was taken aback.
I thought it would be a stranger, but it was someone I knew. Quite well, actually.
“…Yes, I know them.”
I replied, looking at Mako’s father.
*
There was a counseling room inside the elementary school, but for some reason, we went outside instead. To a bench where everyone could see us well.
The spring sunlight was warm but not overly hot. Still, Mako’s father didn’t seem like someone who would leave me sitting in the sunlight.
“…Why don’t you sit?”
Mako’s father urged me with a gentle voice.
After seeing me hesitantly sit in front of him, Mako’s father stood near the bench. I guess sitting on the same bench felt a bit too much for him?
Did he think someone would misunderstand? I felt like it was more awkward right now.
“…What did you tell the teachers?”
“I told them you were a distant relative.”
Is that enough to get through?
But the photo he brought out could easily lead someone to misunderstand.
It was one of the few pictures of my family with Mako and her father. Right. He was also a father and happened to have brought a camera when we played. He looked like someone who genuinely cared for Mako.
“Also, I used to play a pretty important role in this school. Although I wasn’t a teacher.”
In that case, I had nothing to say.
He said he was a public servant… so he must have made some donations.
It’s unlikely he’d have thought about funding when he thought I’d come to this school. But then again, this school feels like it would welcome the child of someone living in a government institution.
“…”
For a moment, we fell silent.
I could still see kids playing on the playground in the distance. It was still about 15 minutes until lunchtime ended.
“Koto Ne-chan. Can I ask you a favor?”
Hearing the words I thought would come out, I sighed heavily.
“Um… ”
I opened my mouth and then closed it again.
Do I even have the right to refuse? I’m not so sure.
If it were Kagami, she would have refused somehow, and Dad would have done the same. But in the end, I’d have to accept it.
We’re essentially captured by the government right now. Our safety depends on how much we cooperate. I didn’t directly hear such things, but if this were the case, it was natural enough for me to understand.
“What kind of favor?”
I asked with a slightly trembling voice.
The reason I didn’t go directly to Kagami must have something to do with that. It was obvious that she would refuse no matter what.
If I’m going to stick to my opinion, it makes sense to choose the easier side.
“…I’m thinking of telling your mother as well.”
Did he see through my thoughts?
Mako’s father said that. But I still couldn’t fully believe his words.
Ultimately, he probably thought it would be easier to persuade me first.
Whether it’s his thought or that of a higher-up. Perhaps there’s even a manual or something.
“…”
He stayed silent for a while, clearly feeling guilty for realizing that I was Mako’s friend.
I didn’t want to think of it as a lie. After all, he was my close friend’s father.
“There are beings in this world that aren’t human. But they aren’t beasts either. They are something a little more… how should I put this…”
After a short pause, he said,
“Right, beings like Yōkai.”
“… ”
“And there are also existences responsible for ensuring people’s safety while combating them.”
“Is that so?”
“Do you think you could believe it?”
“I think I could probably believe that.”
“…Right.”
I had seen them a number of times already. The power that the woman chasing me used. And the dreams I had.
The bear that attacked me and vanished without leaving a single body behind.
No, in fact, the reason I believe it is because I met Sota and Shii in this world. Knowing that this world was originally like that.
Mako’s father, with something that was impossible to read, continued speaking to me.
“So we’re looking for capable beings. But those kinds of people aren’t easy to come by.”
That makes sense.
That’s why the heroine in the original work struggled the way she did. Roaming around and directly fighting with a knife while unable to leave it to others.
And this man seems to be planning to throw me into that mess.
“I know you’re young, but we desperately need at least one more person like that. The things you went through, and recently, there have been more and more people getting hurt and losing their lives.”
“… ”
I hesitated for a moment before finally managing to speak.
“Am I allowed to refuse?”
“… ”
Mako’s father thought for a moment before saying,
“Choosing not to refuse might be the wisest decision.”
“… ”
“The point isn’t a threat. I’m speaking this based on the existence chasing after you.”
“Ah.”
I see.
Though it’s been quiet for a few years, the reason Dad is near us is indeed those beings. They can’t just watch over us being happy and continuously chase after us.
…After hearing this story, I think I understand a little.
What kind of organization it is, what connection Kagami has, and what existence they’ve been judging me as, I had no idea until now.
But—if I comply.
I might gain means to fight against those beings. I could perhaps become an existence that can protect myself more proactively.
“…But still, I will tell my mom.”
“I see. My apologies.”
Once I firmly stated that, Mako’s father replied with a bitter voice.
“Right, we can revisit this discussion again later.”
His tone sounded as if he wanted to smoke a cigarette.