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Chapter 71: Side Yui
After Kimizuka and Nagisa left for London and Ms. Kase and Charlie went out, Bat and I stayed on in Ms. Kase's apartment.
We were still there because Bat was going to put me through special training, hoping to awaken the ability of my left eye. That had been the plan, but...
"Ah, this one's top-shelf, too."
Bat had hauled expensive-looking red wines out of the wine cellar and was having his own private tasting session, smiling in satisfaction. What happened to the special training, hmm?
"Won't Ms. Kase be angry if you open her wine without permission?" I asked, sitting down right in front of him.
"Don't care. That woman kept me cooped up for ages. Don't you think I've earned a little luxury?" Bat gently swirled the wine in his glass.
His relaxed attitude made him seem like a rather uninhibited, stylish older man. He carried himself like a mature adult, something Kimizuka probably couldn't do to save his life.
"—No, no, you aren't putting me off that easily! What about my special training, hmm?! Come on!" Abandoning my usual jokey role, I pressed Bat for answers. "Let's get started on the training arc! Which mountain will we be retreating to?! When will I sit under a waterfall?! Will I need my swimsuit?! Oh, but pin-up photos would make my mother and father worry up in heaven, so those are out!"
"There were so many problems with that monologue that I don't even know where to begin." My, my. Somewhere in there, we seem to have swapped roles. "Don't rush me, all right? I've got time to finish this glass."
With the composure of a man who had a complete grasp of all future events, Bat slowly rolled the wine around his tongue.
"Then why did you volunteer to be my instructor, Bat?" If he wasn't going to start training me, it must be all right for us to chat in the meantime. Yes, this was a rare opportunity. I wanted to talk about all sorts of things with this stylish older man.
"I already explained that we've got a common interest in defeating SPES."
...Bat was pretty cold, though.
How strange. Kimizuka would have practically talked my ear off there. Not that I care about the sort of person who'd just take off on an overseas trip with another woman.
"However, since we're here...I've got a question of my own," Bat said, setting his glass down.
"You really don't want to avenge your parents?"
He'd had quite a bit to drink already, but he hadn't asked that question under the influence. He seemed as if he genuinely wanted to know. He might even have set up this situation specifically so that he could ask the question... No, I'm overthinking.
"Even if a mortal enemy of your family or friends was right there in front of you, you wouldn't pull the trigger?" Bat asked again.
"Mm, I'm not sure. Last time, neither you nor Chameleon had hurt them directly, so... Unless it actually happened, I really couldn't say." I was remembering the incident on the roof of the TV station the other day.
"I see. Well, aren't you cool?"
"Am I really? I think I'm only able to say that because I'm not facing an enemy right now. I took up the mic instead of the pistol, but that doesn't mean I won't pick up the pistol again if I have to."
"So you won't live for revenge, but you're not writing off the idea entirely?" "That's right. In the end, I think it simply comes down to what I want to do." It was an arrogant thing to say; I had said something along those lines to
Kimizuka, but I'd still been wavering at the time. Now that I'd made it through that incident and Kimizuka had given me his support, I was able to say it with confidence. "That's why I won't build my life around revenge. I want to live the way my parents hoped I would."
"And that's different from letting the dead tie you down?"
"Yes, it is." It really is. That's the one thing I can say with pride. "After all, that's what I believe now!"
This is definitely my will, and a thought that belongs to me alone.
"—I see," Bat murmured pensively. Then he drained the rest of his wine in one gulp.
"Um, did that answer your question? I ended up just monologuing..." All of a sudden, I felt very awkward.
"Yeah, that was really informative. It also told me you haven't actually managed to cut the umbilical cord yet."
"Wh-why would you think that?! Were you listening to me at all?!" "I meant it in a good way, so don't worry about it."
"Adding 'in a good way' isn't enough to convince me, you know! My selling point is that I'm the capable, mature character; don't make me out to be a child!"
I swear, what a mean old man. The idea of picking on a sweet young girl like me! He's as much of a jerk as Kimizuka.
...You know, I keep mentioning Kimizuka, and he isn't even here. The man is a rascal. I hope he comes home soon.
"Ha-ha! Well, now that we've got that pleasant chat out of the way, let's get to the training," Bat said, a bit more jovial than before. At least we were getting to the main topic. "Listen, young lady. The first thing I'm going to teach you is one of the basics of human movement..."
"Oh, if this is likely to go on for a while, may I take a hip bath while you talk?
If you stay here and speak loudly, I'll be able to hear you!" "You're so insolent, it's kinda refreshing."
"Hee-hee! That's a good comeback!"
This went well. It's nice to have a friend from a different generation.
I was sure this was the beginning of a long relationship for Bat and me. Or... as I began to listen to what he said, I hoped it would be.
"Oh, by the way, what is your real name, Bat? I know a fun game that uses your name to tell your fortune."
"I'm not the one who should be saying this, but when are we going to get started on that special training?"
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