20 Night Walk

"The data we've been observing—probably just a video recording, really."

"Even so, a setup this elaborate for that?"

"Well, it's certainly an odd proposition, isn't it? From a cost-benefit standpoint, it makes no sense."

Sharon gently raised a finger. The device cost roughly five times that of a standard drone.

Spending that much on a drone meant to be mostly disposable—indeed, it seemed unreasonable.

"Could it be that the data was valued so highly?"

"Perhaps."

But what exactly was being collected remained unknown.

No—speculation was possible.

"Me?"

"Unless there was another subject of value to observe."

"Otherwise... only the queen in stasis, perhaps."

"But prior observation of her was impossible. It was pure chance."

Then it must be. The one observed at that time was Jin himself.

"But isn't it too late now? I have countless data records already."

"Yes, that's right. There are countless archived records of Top Ace's piloting data. Some of it even leaked online—mocked as CGI nonsense."

The maneuvers were so extraordinary that people couldn't believe they were real.

"Flying drones like that—so inefficient—how does collecting data from something like that even make sense?"

"I share the Lieutenant's sentiment on that point..."

They both ponder, but no logical explanation presents itself for the peculiar behavior.

Back and forth they argue, time slipping away.

"Shall we take a short break?"

"Actually, Sergeant. Are we sure we have time for this?"

It's already 10:30 PM. The suggestion is made to head back.

"A bit too long, I suppose..."

Yet, despite the words, Shirley shows no intention of leaving.

If anything,

"Lieutenant. I’ve been thinking. Rather than rushing back now and going to bed late tonight, I think staying the night and leaving early tomorrow would improve tomorrow’s performance."

"Settle down. You’re already losing focus."

Jin regretted his response, too late to stop Shirley from speaking nonsense.

This was clearly pure exhaustion.

"Let me rephrase. Honestly, there’s no real difference between going back now or staying the night."

"Say that again."

He’d gotten too caught up in the argument.

Sitting face-to-face, forehead nearly touching, it reminded him of training school—pleasant, almost nostalgic.

The moment to stop had passed.

"Hmph... what about changing clothes?"

"Ah—right. That’s a problem. Well then. No choice. Let’s call it a day and head home."

Jin felt relief at those words. He could not have said exactly what he was relieved about.

"Let me take you."

"Oh? You've learned to be considerate. Lieutenant."

"Somewhat."

Jin dismissed Sharon's mockery and escorted her to the nearest Hyperloop station.

"By the way, about me being banned from entering..."

"That. Well, it's become a bit complicated... Chi arrived."

"Uh, that's the one who slapped you the other day."

"Yes. That one."

Sharon's expression became distinctly amusing. Her face clearly bore the mark of a troublesome situation.

"Why all of a sudden?"

"You saw Mio recently, didn't you? Well, that's when it hit me—she might be the daughter of Rei."

"...Is she really that similar?"

"The photo Chi showed me—Rei at six years old... It was frighteningly identical."

He had almost asked to make a copy of the data.

"Anyway, she suddenly starts talking about taking Mio in like that."

"Something’s gone off the rails, to be honest."

"Frankly, I agree."

"Prohibiting contact. Forcible repatriation. Shouldn’t we take measures like that?"

"You’re pretty extreme, you know."

"It’s too late if something happens first."

Considering Mio’s safety above all, that logic holds.

From Sharon’s perspective, he’s just another stranger who slapped her out of nowhere—naturally wary.

Still, Jin wants to keep that as a last resort.

"She’d probably get angry if I said it like that, but... she’s like me."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. Like me before I met Mio."

"The carefree, ‘I don’t care if I die’ attitude of that lieutenant. The one who wouldn’t change no matter how many times I told her."

"Sorry about that."

In the end, Jin didn’t overcome his suicidal tendencies until after meeting Mio—until becoming her father.

Chi says he’s the same as he was back then.

"Even so, it's still dangerous. What would you do if she were kidnapped?"

"I think that's manageable."

"What's your reasoning?"

"That overprotective older sister type—she wouldn't be capable of forcing anything on a child who looks like her sister."

At the core of it.

"She loved her older sister too much."

Which is why she resents Jin for failing to protect her sister.

"Even if you carry guilt, Lieutenant, I think you understand the other person better than I do, a specialist in human affairs. Still, I believe it's necessary to speak up when the time comes."

"Ah. I know."

If, hypothetically.

Chi were to harm Mio—whether it were an attempt or not.

Then Jin would not show mercy.

"On the matter of staying over—"

Suddenly, Sharon changed the subject.

"Hm?"

"Should we really avoid it?"

Unlike the voice just moments ago, which had seemed feverish.

Sharon’s current voice was colder than a summer night.

“Last time, I stayed over after Mio invited me. But I wonder… maybe it’s better to avoid it.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because, Lieutenant. You really don’t like me being at that house, do you?”

Jin could not respond to the sudden thrust.

If this were a battlefield, he would have been dead four times over, he mocked himself.

He was surprised that she had seen through him. This mechanical enthusiast had noticed more than he expected.

“I’d like to believe it’s not just me. But I think anyone else would find it painful to see another woman close to Mio. Isn’t that right?”

“Completely wrong. You’re not even in the field of human behavior, yet you’re concerned about such things.”

Perfectly accurate.

No matter what. He couldn’t help wondering why it wasn’t Lieutenant there.

“Is that so? Then I’m relieved.”

"Ah, so don’t worry about it. Mio’ll be happy too."

She murmured it so quietly that Jin couldn’t hear.

"I can’t even hear you saying you’re happy, you know."

"Sorry, didn’t catch that."

"I said I’m happy too. Mio’s cute, after all."

The usual warmth returns.

"Still, try to keep your distance a little? She clings to you whenever you’re around."

"Yes, yes. I won’t take Mio from you, Papa."

"You’re actually being a little more restrained, aren’t you?"

"A bit, yeah."

The usual atmosphere.

The usual exchange.

That was more precious to Jin than anything.

"Then I’ll leave it here."

"Ah. Good night, Sergeant."

"Good night, Lieutenant."

They exchange farewells and part.

"Always asking strange things… You weren’t the type to hold back, were you?"

He never considered others’ troubles. Always prioritized himself.

He claimed to be outside his expertise, yet cut straight into unexpectedly deep territory.

Jin thinks, he’s certainly gotten quite close to Mio.

“Compatible, perhaps…? No, Mio’s simply the most adorable.”

But that’s something beyond Jin’s understanding—human hearts are unpredictable.

“Let’s go home.”

Nothing more would happen today, he thought.

Better to return quickly and rest for tomorrow.

That was his intention.

He never expected one final disturbance at the end.

“What… is this…?”

Jin, upon returning, felt a doubt: Is this really my home?

In the brief time it took to drop off Sharon—

his apartment had transformed drastically.

The door was gone.

Piles of cardboard boxes had stacked so high they threatened to bury not only his room but even the neighboring apartment.

Jin pinched his cheek, verifying reality in a scene that resembled a flood of cardboard boxes.

“What… what is this?”

He grasped one, checked the label. Some mistake, surely.

Destination: Mio Higashiō.

Could Mio have accidentally ordered a massive quantity of something?

Next, the sender.

Kusunoki Chi.

The question dissolved instantly.

“Aiitsu!”

Expected.

To appease a child’s mood, how would he act?

Take them somewhere? If that were impossible—

Send a gift, surely.

Immediately. So extensively. Unforeseen.

And now being locked out of his own home—unexpected.

Worsening in real time.

First, redirect delivery to the central hub.

He must process the returned items already delivered—yet what matters now is how Jin will return home.

Returning home requires another hour from here… and another hour to force the pending returns into the house.