[Desperate]
I told Yoiyami-san to keep Ohashi alive only.
I don’t know how long this situation will last.
It hurts that we have one more person to take care of, but Ohashi will be looked after by Roll who is of the same gender and more sensible than Sen.
Now then, due to the breakdown of the negotiation with Tsurugi, we have to find a foothold for a new advance.
Such is the situation, but I’m planning to make contact with Tsurugi again.
This time, I’m going to move secretly behind Yoiyami-san’s back.
The reason being that when the negotiation with Tsurugi is concluded, I want to us to match our story to deceive Yoiyami-san first.
If I’m asked why I move in secret, I would say that I feel guilty for ruining the operation because of my personal feelings.
If that’s the case, he shouldn’t be suspicious.
Since I memorized Tsurugi’s phone number, I can contact him relatively safely by using a public telephone in the city.
First, I would like to try contacting him alone, but we are currently forbidden to go out of this apartment of Yoiyami-san for no purpose.
It was a rule established by Roll while I was unconscious.
I can’t break this rule which even that Utsusemi-san is obeying.
A little disturbance in our teamwork at this time will lead to our annihilation. It means even Utsusemi-san understands that too.
Still, there are some ways to go out.
To be confined indoor the whole is not good for mental health either, so the task of going to shopping is assigned in rotation.
If I go shopping, I will naturally be able to go out by myself, so I immediately pick it as it is the easiest way to go out.
“Can I go shopping today?” I say, stopping Roll at the front door trying to leave the apartment during the busiest hours of supermarket in the evening. Shopping is a covert mission for us who are wanted.
“You can go if you want to, Shion,” Roll willingly agrees, but I feel a sense of discomfort in her wording.
“Then, please take care.” (Roll)
“…Got it.” (Shion)
After handing me a memo and a wallet, Roll stares into my eyes for a while, then return into the room.
Then she lays down on the sofa and pulls out the bookmark of the book she begins to read.
I follow her actions with my eyes.
As I thought, her fierceness of the past is diminishing every day.
Frail gaze. Tone that sounds spiritless. Unpretentious choice of words.
A cat that has lost her dignity.
The softening of Roll is happening at an accelerated rate.
“Something’s wrong…?” Noticing my gaze, she closes her book, looking a little embarrassed.
“Ah—, umm…” (Shion)
Combined with the change in her hairstyle, she looks like a different person.
Armor that is Anonymous. And her yearning toward Shido-san must have made up Roll’s character.
It is excessive, yet too quick. People change that is.
It is something that I really don’t want to see.
In that case, she won’t be able to live in the future.
If that happens, I won’t have no choice other than to cast her away.
I’m sure I wouldn’t hesitate at that time.
When I look down at the memo, my field of vision is a little blurred.
Even so, I manage to read it; in addition to the ingredients, I find hand cream, shampoo, cosmetics, and other unessential items.
As if to gloss over it, I ask,
“Are these for Ohashi?” (Shion)
“Un. Hitomi didn’t say she want them, but she might be inconvenienced not having them, I think. If it’s not good…” (Roll)
Ohashi is given some extent of freedom by Roll.
That said, her room is next to Utsusemi-san’s, and she is monitored by two Sound Control, so she is not completely private.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll buy them.” (Shion)
Ohashi is an important tool for negotiation with Tsurugi.
She probably won’t be stuck-up by her value of being hostage at this late hour.
If so, it’s fine to buy what she needs, huh. We have no financial worries thanks to Yoiyami-san.
With that in mind, I put the memo in my pocket.
“I can do anything if it’s for Shion.” (Roll)
After wearing a jacket and putting on shoes, I hear such words from behind.
My fingertip stops while touching the doorknob.
Utsusemi-san said Roll had become completely dependent on me.
Though she said she can do anything, Roll must be wanting something from me.
I’m fine with Roll who don’t want anything from me.
I turn the doorknob and leave the room to escape.
“…I, will protect Shion, no matter what.” (Roll)
However, even after leaving the room, the Roll’s voice reaches me.
“So-” (Roll)
There I shut out Roll’s voice.
I close my ears for no reason.
Following that, I even turn off my ability, and this time I try to hit the railing of the stairs… and then stop.
Perhaps I myself have been cornered, my emotions keep being shaken.
That’s absurd. Calm down, me. Have a peace of mind.
“Seems like you have it rough,” It’s Sen, smoking at the landing of the stairs.
“Sen, huh… So you smoke.” (Shion)
“I had quit, but I can’t help but smoke with this much free time.” (Sen)
“It’s not like I’m saying you can’t though.” (Shion)
“You’re making an overtly displeased expression, y’know.” (Sen)
The reason I have a displeased expression is because I see a figure I don’t want to see. The smell of cigarettes doesn’t bother me.
I go down the stairs avoiding Sen leaning against the railing.
“Shopping?” (Sen)
“Ahh.” (Shion)
“Then, I’m coming with.” (Sen)
“Don’t. You stand out too much,” I spit out and hasten my step.
But Sen grab my sleeve to stop me.
“Hey, Shion. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, but you really don’t pay me any respect as someone older than you.” (Sen)
“That’s natural, right? You tried to kill me once. I don’t have to pay respect to someone like that.” (Shion)
“W-well, how about we sweep that matter under the rug? We both lost a lot of precious people anyway. We’re on the same side now, right?” (Sen)
“That’s exactly why you’re here now, right?” (Shion)
“Un… that’s true…” (Sen)
I shake off Sen’s hand casually and leave the apartment.
The supermarket is about a 15-minute walk from here. I wish I could find a pay phone on the way.
Tsurugi might not necessarily answer the phone in one call. I can’t be late to return, so I have to do it as smoothly as possible.
“Why are you following me, Sen?” I look back and ask.
Sen is following from behind with a minimal disguise. I can see her bright red hair hidden from under the black wig.
“Ain’t it fine? Look, I’m also disguised.” (Sen)
“There’s no way it’s fine. What are you thinking? If you get found and reported, you won’t be able to live here anymore. Or rather, remember the rule.” (Shion)
Because our connection with Yoiyami-san was exposed, Boss should have realized that we were on New Road.
As long as there is Yoiyami-san, he won’t touch us for a while, but I don’t think we’ll be left alone if they received a report from a citizen.
“Even with the rule, if I say that Shion is okay with it, Roll will definitely forgive me.” (Sen)
“Still, you can’t.” (Shion)
“I want to go out sometimes too, y’know! I’m the only one always stuck in that gloomy apartment, y’know! For the last two weeks! She won’t let me go shopping, saying I’m standing out! Why is Utsusemi is allowed while I’m not!” (Sen)
It can’t be helped.
Utsusemi-san is crazy, but his head is good. He acts crazy in calculated manner.
However, Sen’s head is not good in the literal meaning that she is stupid. She acts without thinking about the consequences.
Not letting her go out is the correct choice.
“I beg you! I’ll let you do anything you want with me!” (Sen)
Is this person a dog who extremely wants her owner to walk her…?
However, it would be troublesome if she were to scream here as is. What to do.
……Negotiation with Tsurugi can’t be hidden from Yoiyami-san forever.
This voluntary act will inevitably be exposed once negotiation with Tsurugi is complete.
However, only the fact that we match our story absolutely must not be made public. I can come up with any number of excuses for anything other than that.
Utsusemi-san has been obedient so far, but I don’t know what he’s thinking.
That person – who doesn’t consider the possibility of himself dying at all – must be up to something.
And Roll is unstable in various ways.
In the current situation, it may better to win over the easy-to-handle Sen. This person has a shield, that is her immortal ability, so I can make use of her as I like.
Besides, Sen has become familiar with the current members, for better or for worse. It was just the course of events for her, but we all have gone through some points between life and death together, so she might have started to feel something like a sense of companionship.
……No, I must not think like that, she probably still views us as the foes of Nursery Rhymes.
However, that’s not a problem.
In any case, there’s no merit in betraying us, and we have the last resort (Distortion Sound) to suppress her immortality.
It might be possible to scare her by giving her a glimpse of death that is Distortion Sound.
The timing is just right.
“Okay.” (Shion)
After I nodded, Sen hug herself in surprise after being solidified for a moment.
“Eh, Shion… you want to do it with me…?” (Sen)
“That’s not it.” (Shion)
“No, it’s not like I’m against it… rather, I welcome it because I’ve been accumulating a lot recently, however… err, when I think what will happen when Roll finds out…” (Sen)
“I said that’s not it.” (Shion)
“T-then what do you want me to do….?” (Sen)
“Give me a little help. Go shopping in my place. In the meantime, I’m going to do something else.” (Shion)
“Something else?” (Sen)
“For now, I’ll walk you to the supermarket,” While urging her to walk, I continue talking,
“…Don’t tell Utsusemi-san. Or rather, don’t tell anyone.” (Shion)
“Y-yeah…” Sen nod timidly while walking.
Should I remind her once again?
“I’m saying this because Sen is tight-lipped.” (Shion)
Currently, I am trying to hide our conversation from the surroundings with my ability, but if it’s Utsusemi-san who also has Sound Control, he should notice that the sound is silenced.
It’s fine for the independent action itself gets found out.
However, since that person knows Observer’s circumstances to some extent, he might hit on the lie that I uttered to Yoiyami-san after considering the reason why I want to contact Tsurugi alone first. Utsusemi-san is sharp after all.
Even if he catches on to the lie, I’m sure he wouldn’t tell it to Yoiyami-san. But I don’t want to let that person to have a card that can be used against me.
I have to be careful.
There is no disadvantage in forbidding Sen speak.
“I-I know. Just say it.” (Sen)
“……I’ll try to negotiate with Tsurugi again.” (Shion)
Sen, who is nervously waiting for what kind of dangerous thing I’m going to tell her, put a question mark on her head as if it is a let-down.
“……Is that, something you have to keep secret?” (Sen)
“The operation failed because of my selfishness, so it’s natural for me to clean up the mess by myself, right?” (Shion)
“…Hee—. You unexpectedly have a strong sense of responsibility, Shion. In that case, shouldn’t you move after consulting with everyone without hiding it?” (Sen)
She thinks straight despite being an idiot.
I fail to fool her, huh…?
“…There are various circumstances. Anyway, don’t tell it to anyone.” (Shion)
Yoiyami-san wants to know about the Observer. If he knows I want to make contact with Tsurugi and co, he’ll definitely come with me. I have to take the initiative no matter what.
“That is of course. Now that I went out, I’ll keep my promise.
Ha~~~h, this feeling of liberation! Back in the apartment, Yoiyami’s gloomy aura permeates the whole place, it felt so stifling, right? Moreover, it feels like we’re being monitored constantly.” (Sen)
Actually, due to Yoiyami-san’s ability and Sound Control, it’s like that place is filled with surveillance cameras all over.
It can’t be helped that she feels restless. Especially for someone of the strengthening system like her who is sensitive to such things.
“Rather than talking about that, help me look for a pay phone, Sen.” (Shion)
“Ehh~. But you know~, that apartment is really crampy, don’t you think? It’s plain and depressing, and there’s no one to talk to either. Moreover, there’s neither TV nor AC in my room.” (Sen)
Hastening and lowering her pace, Sen enjoys the walk just like a dog.
Dissatisfaction with our current life comes from Sen’s chattiness.
When the members are gathering, Sen’s expressing power drops to the bottom and basically no one treats her seriously.
“If you want someone to talk to, there’s Roll, no?” (Shion)
Utsusemi-san and Yoiyami-san are not a good choice to pick if you’re looking for someone to talk to. That leaves Roll by process of elimination.
I too don’t really want to be Sen’s talking partner.
“Recently, Roll is a bit, you knowww…” (Sen)
Recently – meaning even this person noticed Roll’s changes, huh; putting that aside, I empathized with those words.
“You noticed…?” (Shion)
“Well, anyone will notice when she changed that much, right?
Speaking of Roll, did something happen earlier?” (Sen)
Immediately after I got out of the room, I remembered that I showed Sen a shameful appearance.
“……I just can’t stand her getting weaker.” (Shion)
There might be a desire to complain about Roll inside me.
I regret it after speaking out. I’ve said something unnecessary.
Moreover, to such a person.
However, Sen’s reply is unexpected,
“Eh, are you seriously saying that?” (Sen)
“……?”
I get a strange feeling that we are not on the same page.
“Roll isn’t getting weaker.
Despite her looks, she hasn’t gotten weak… heck, if I was Roll, I would’ve already been heartbroken…” (Sen)
“What do you mean?” (Shion)
“That’s a sign of determination and attachment. I wasn’t scared of the previous Roll at all, but the current Roll is really scary.” (Sen)
“I completely don’t get what you’re saying. How does she change specifically?” (Shion)
“Specifically, you say, I don’t know how to put it…” (Sen)
“What the hell is that. Your senses really can’t be counted on, even though you’re immortal.” (Shion)
“If I must say, maybe it feels like I absolutely don’t want to turn her into an enemy.” (Sen)
Why am I having this kind of talk with Sen?
I became curious about something like that at this late hour.
Nevertheless, my understanding of Roll is falling deeper.
“Ah—, maybe our definition of ‘weak’ is different. In the first place, Roll I see is different from Roll that Shion sees.”
“…Perhaps. Anyway, I can’t seem to accept the current Roll under any circumstances.” (Sen)
An armor is essential for Roll. She needs a mask.
Those were what made her looked solitary and brilliant.
I feel Sen looking at me with pity for a moment.
“I think Roll just decided to show you her weak self, however.” (Sen)
I don’t want to see that.
Those words that I didn’t say out loud were too childish, they were just a denial.
“Wait a sec, holy sh-. I enjoy talking with Shion…” (Sen)
“What’s with you all of a sudden?” (Shion)
“After all, it’s been a long time since I’ve had such a proper talking partner, y’know~.” (Sen)
I thought she was just a rotten idiot who has an ability, but it seems that she also has an emotionally delicate side.
Sen’s feeling was unreliable, yet I don’t think it was off the mark.
“Ah, a pay phone.” (Shion)
I suddenly find it at the time when Sen couldn’t say anything.
A subtle air flows between me and Sen.
“Well then, I’m going, so I’ll leave the shopping to you. Oh right, here.” (Shion)
“Eh—” (Sen)
After taking out coins needed for the pay phone from the wallet, I hand her the wallet along with the memo.
Sen spiritlessly receives and puts them in her pocket.
“The supermarket is just up ahead.” (Shion)
“Ou.” (Sen)
“You are really going to be okay alone, right?” (Shion)
“Don’t make fun of me! It’s just shopping!” (Sen)
“Don’t buy anything unnecessary.” (Shion)
Having said that, I go to the pay phone.
[Desperate]
I told Yoiyami-san to keep Ohashi alive only.
I don’t know how long this situation will last.
It hurts that we have one more person to take care of, but Ohashi will be looked after by Roll who is of the same gender and more sensible than Sen.
Now then, due to the breakdown of the negotiation with Tsurugi, we have to find a foothold for a new advance.
Such is the situation, but I’m planning to make contact with Tsurugi again.
This time, I’m going to move secretly behind Yoiyami-san’s back.
The reason being that when the negotiation with Tsurugi is concluded, I want to us to match our story to deceive Yoiyami-san first.
If I’m asked why I move in secret, I would say that I feel guilty for ruining the operation because of my personal feelings.
If that’s the case, he shouldn’t be suspicious.
Since I memorized Tsurugi’s phone number, I can contact him relatively safely by using a public telephone in the city.
First, I would like to try contacting him alone, but we are currently forbidden to go out of this apartment of Yoiyami-san for no purpose.
It was a rule established by Roll while I was unconscious.
I can’t break this rule which even that Utsusemi-san is obeying.
A little disturbance in our teamwork at this time will lead to our annihilation. It means even Utsusemi-san understands that too.
Still, there are some ways to go out.
To be confined indoor the whole is not good for mental health either, so the task of going to shopping is assigned in rotation.
If I go shopping, I will naturally be able to go out by myself, so I immediately pick it as it is the easiest way to go out.
“Can I go shopping today?” I say, stopping Roll at the front door trying to leave the apartment during the busiest hours of supermarket in the evening. Shopping is a covert mission for us who are wanted.
“You can go if you want to, Shion,” Roll willingly agrees, but I feel a sense of discomfort in her wording.
“Then, please take care.” (Roll)
“…Got it.” (Shion)
After handing me a memo and a wallet, Roll stares into my eyes for a while, then return into the room.
Then she lays down on the sofa and pulls out the bookmark of the book she begins to read.
I follow her actions with my eyes.
As I thought, her fierceness of the past is diminishing every day.
Frail gaze. Tone that sounds spiritless. Unpretentious choice of words.
A cat that has lost her dignity.
The softening of Roll is happening at an accelerated rate.
“Something’s wrong…?” Noticing my gaze, she closes her book, looking a little embarrassed.
“Ah—, umm…” (Shion)
Combined with the change in her hairstyle, she looks like a different person.
Armor that is Anonymous. And her yearning toward Shido-san must have made up Roll’s character.
It is excessive, yet too quick. People change that is.
It is something that I really don’t want to see.
In that case, she won’t be able to live in the future.
If that happens, I won’t have no choice other than to cast her away.
I’m sure I wouldn’t hesitate at that time.
When I look down at the memo, my field of vision is a little blurred.
Even so, I manage to read it; in addition to the ingredients, I find hand cream, shampoo, cosmetics, and other unessential items.
As if to gloss over it, I ask,
“Are these for Ohashi?” (Shion)
“Un. Hitomi didn’t say she want them, but she might be inconvenienced not having them, I think. If it’s not good…” (Roll)
Ohashi is given some extent of freedom by Roll.
That said, her room is next to Utsusemi-san’s, and she is monitored by two Sound Control, so she is not completely private.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll buy them.” (Shion)
Ohashi is an important tool for negotiation with Tsurugi.
She probably won’t be stuck-up by her value of being hostage at this late hour.
If so, it’s fine to buy what she needs, huh. We have no financial worries thanks to Yoiyami-san.
With that in mind, I put the memo in my pocket.
“I can do anything if it’s for Shion.” (Roll)
After wearing a jacket and putting on shoes, I hear such words from behind.
My fingertip stops while touching the doorknob.
Utsusemi-san said Roll had become completely dependent on me.
Though she said she can do anything, Roll must be wanting something from me.
I’m fine with Roll who don’t want anything from me.
I turn the doorknob and leave the room to escape.
“…I, will protect Shion, no matter what.” (Roll)
However, even after leaving the room, the Roll’s voice reaches me.
“So-” (Roll)
There I shut out Roll’s voice.
I close my ears for no reason.
Following that, I even turn off my ability, and this time I try to hit the railing of the stairs… and then stop.
Perhaps I myself have been cornered, my emotions keep being shaken.
That’s absurd. Calm down, me. Have a peace of mind.
“Seems like you have it rough,” It’s Sen, smoking at the landing of the stairs.
“Sen, huh… So you smoke.” (Shion)
“I had quit, but I can’t help but smoke with this much free time.” (Sen)
“It’s not like I’m saying you can’t though.” (Shion)
“You’re making an overtly displeased expression, y’know.” (Sen)
The reason I have a displeased expression is because I see a figure I don’t want to see. The smell of cigarettes doesn’t bother me.
I go down the stairs avoiding Sen leaning against the railing.
“Shopping?” (Sen)
“Ahh.” (Shion)
“Then, I’m coming with.” (Sen)
“Don’t. You stand out too much,” I spit out and hasten my step.
But Sen grab my sleeve to stop me.
“Hey, Shion. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, but you really don’t pay me any respect as someone older than you.” (Sen)
“That’s natural, right? You tried to kill me once. I don’t have to pay respect to someone like that.” (Shion)
“W-well, how about we sweep that matter under the rug? We both lost a lot of precious people anyway. We’re on the same side now, right?” (Sen)
“That’s exactly why you’re here now, right?” (Shion)
“Un… that’s true…” (Sen)
I shake off Sen’s hand casually and leave the apartment.
The supermarket is about a 15-minute walk from here. I wish I could find a pay phone on the way.
Tsurugi might not necessarily answer the phone in one call. I can’t be late to return, so I have to do it as smoothly as possible.
“Why are you following me, Sen?” I look back and ask.
Sen is following from behind with a minimal disguise. I can see her bright red hair hidden from under the black wig.
“Ain’t it fine? Look, I’m also disguised.” (Sen)
“There’s no way it’s fine. What are you thinking? If you get found and reported, you won’t be able to live here anymore. Or rather, remember the rule.” (Shion)
Because our connection with Yoiyami-san was exposed, Boss should have realized that we were on New Road.
As long as there is Yoiyami-san, he won’t touch us for a while, but I don’t think we’ll be left alone if they received a report from a citizen.
“Even with the rule, if I say that Shion is okay with it, Roll will definitely forgive me.” (Sen)
“Still, you can’t.” (Shion)
“I want to go out sometimes too, y’know! I’m the only one always stuck in that gloomy apartment, y’know! For the last two weeks! She won’t let me go shopping, saying I’m standing out! Why is Utsusemi is allowed while I’m not!” (Sen)
It can’t be helped.
Utsusemi-san is crazy, but his head is good. He acts crazy in calculated manner.
However, Sen’s head is not good in the literal meaning that she is stupid. She acts without thinking about the consequences.
Not letting her go out is the correct choice.
“I beg you! I’ll let you do anything you want with me!” (Sen)
Is this person a dog who extremely wants her owner to walk her…?
However, it would be troublesome if she were to scream here as is. What to do.
……Negotiation with Tsurugi can’t be hidden from Yoiyami-san forever.
This voluntary act will inevitably be exposed once negotiation with Tsurugi is complete.
However, only the fact that we match our story absolutely must not be made public. I can come up with any number of excuses for anything other than that.
Utsusemi-san has been obedient so far, but I don’t know what he’s thinking.
That person – who doesn’t consider the possibility of himself dying at all – must be up to something.
And Roll is unstable in various ways.
In the current situation, it may better to win over the easy-to-handle Sen. This person has a shield, that is her immortal ability, so I can make use of her as I like.
Besides, Sen has become familiar with the current members, for better or for worse. It was just the course of events for her, but we all have gone through some points between life and death together, so she might have started to feel something like a sense of companionship.
……No, I must not think like that, she probably still views us as the foes of Nursery Rhymes.
However, that’s not a problem.
In any case, there’s no merit in betraying us, and we have the last resort (Distortion Sound) to suppress her immortality.
It might be possible to scare her by giving her a glimpse of death that is Distortion Sound.
The timing is just right.
“Okay.” (Shion)
After I nodded, Sen hug herself in surprise after being solidified for a moment.
“Eh, Shion… you want to do it with me…?” (Sen)
“That’s not it.” (Shion)
“No, it’s not like I’m against it… rather, I welcome it because I’ve been accumulating a lot recently, however… err, when I think what will happen when Roll finds out…” (Sen)
“I said that’s not it.” (Shion)
“T-then what do you want me to do….?” (Sen)
“Give me a little help. Go shopping in my place. In the meantime, I’m going to do something else.” (Shion)
“Something else?” (Sen)
“For now, I’ll walk you to the supermarket,” While urging her to walk, I continue talking,
“…Don’t tell Utsusemi-san. Or rather, don’t tell anyone.” (Shion)
“Y-yeah…” Sen nod timidly while walking.
Should I remind her once again?
“I’m saying this because Sen is tight-lipped.” (Shion)
Currently, I am trying to hide our conversation from the surroundings with my ability, but if it’s Utsusemi-san who also has Sound Control, he should notice that the sound is silenced.
It’s fine for the independent action itself gets found out.
However, since that person knows Observer’s circumstances to some extent, he might hit on the lie that I uttered to Yoiyami-san after considering the reason why I want to contact Tsurugi alone first. Utsusemi-san is sharp after all.
Even if he catches on to the lie, I’m sure he wouldn’t tell it to Yoiyami-san. But I don’t want to let that person to have a card that can be used against me.
I have to be careful.
There is no disadvantage in forbidding Sen speak.
“I-I know. Just say it.” (Sen)
“……I’ll try to negotiate with Tsurugi again.” (Shion)
Sen, who is nervously waiting for what kind of dangerous thing I’m going to tell her, put a question mark on her head as if it is a let-down.
“……Is that, something you have to keep secret?” (Sen)
“The operation failed because of my selfishness, so it’s natural for me to clean up the mess by myself, right?” (Shion)
“…Hee—. You unexpectedly have a strong sense of responsibility, Shion. In that case, shouldn’t you move after consulting with everyone without hiding it?” (Sen)
She thinks straight despite being an idiot.
I fail to fool her, huh…?
“…There are various circumstances. Anyway, don’t tell it to anyone.” (Shion)
Yoiyami-san wants to know about the Observer. If he knows I want to make contact with Tsurugi and co, he’ll definitely come with me. I have to take the initiative no matter what.
“That is of course. Now that I went out, I’ll keep my promise.
Ha~~~h, this feeling of liberation! Back in the apartment, Yoiyami’s gloomy aura permeates the whole place, it felt so stifling, right? Moreover, it feels like we’re being monitored constantly.” (Sen)
Actually, due to Yoiyami-san’s ability and Sound Control, it’s like that place is filled with surveillance cameras all over.
It can’t be helped that she feels restless. Especially for someone of the strengthening system like her who is sensitive to such things.
“Rather than talking about that, help me look for a pay phone, Sen.” (Shion)
“Ehh~. But you know~, that apartment is really crampy, don’t you think? It’s plain and depressing, and there’s no one to talk to either. Moreover, there’s neither TV nor AC in my room.” (Sen)
Hastening and lowering her pace, Sen enjoys the walk just like a dog.
Dissatisfaction with our current life comes from Sen’s chattiness.
When the members are gathering, Sen’s expressing power drops to the bottom and basically no one treats her seriously.
“If you want someone to talk to, there’s Roll, no?” (Shion)
Utsusemi-san and Yoiyami-san are not a good choice to pick if you’re looking for someone to talk to. That leaves Roll by process of elimination.
I too don’t really want to be Sen’s talking partner.
“Recently, Roll is a bit, you knowww…” (Sen)
Recently – meaning even this person noticed Roll’s changes, huh; putting that aside, I empathized with those words.
“You noticed…?” (Shion)
“Well, anyone will notice when she changed that much, right?
Speaking of Roll, did something happen earlier?” (Sen)
Immediately after I got out of the room, I remembered that I showed Sen a shameful appearance.
“……I just can’t stand her getting weaker.” (Shion)
There might be a desire to complain about Roll inside me.
I regret it after speaking out. I’ve said something unnecessary.
Moreover, to such a person.
However, Sen’s reply is unexpected,
“Eh, are you seriously saying that?” (Sen)
“……?”
I get a strange feeling that we are not on the same page.
“Roll isn’t getting weaker.
Despite her looks, she hasn’t gotten weak… heck, if I was Roll, I would’ve already been heartbroken…” (Sen)
“What do you mean?” (Shion)
“That’s a sign of determination and attachment. I wasn’t scared of the previous Roll at all, but the current Roll is really scary.” (Sen)
“I completely don’t get what you’re saying. How does she change specifically?” (Shion)
“Specifically, you say, I don’t know how to put it…” (Sen)
“What the hell is that. Your senses really can’t be counted on, even though you’re immortal.” (Shion)
“If I must say, maybe it feels like I absolutely don’t want to turn her into an enemy.” (Sen)
Why am I having this kind of talk with Sen?
I became curious about something like that at this late hour.
Nevertheless, my understanding of Roll is falling deeper.
“Ah—, maybe our definition of ‘weak’ is different. In the first place, Roll I see is different from Roll that Shion sees.”
“…Perhaps. Anyway, I can’t seem to accept the current Roll under any circumstances.” (Sen)
An armor is essential for Roll. She needs a mask.
Those were what made her looked solitary and brilliant.
I feel Sen looking at me with pity for a moment.
“I think Roll just decided to show you her weak self, however.” (Sen)
I don’t want to see that.
Those words that I didn’t say out loud were too childish, they were just a denial.
“Wait a sec, holy sh-. I enjoy talking with Shion…” (Sen)
“What’s with you all of a sudden?” (Shion)
“After all, it’s been a long time since I’ve had such a proper talking partner, y’know~.” (Sen)
I thought she was just a rotten idiot who has an ability, but it seems that she also has an emotionally delicate side.
Sen’s feeling was unreliable, yet I don’t think it was off the mark.
“Ah, a pay phone.” (Shion)
I suddenly find it at the time when Sen couldn’t say anything.
A subtle air flows between me and Sen.
“Well then, I’m going, so I’ll leave the shopping to you. Oh right, here.” (Shion)
“Eh—” (Sen)
After taking out coins needed for the pay phone from the wallet, I hand her the wallet along with the memo.
Sen spiritlessly receives and puts them in her pocket.
“The supermarket is just up ahead.” (Shion)
“Ou.” (Sen)
“You are really going to be okay alone, right?” (Shion)
“Don’t make fun of me! It’s just shopping!” (Sen)
“Don’t buy anything unnecessary.” (Shion)
Having said that, I go to the pay phone.
