振り返り：落とし穴１６２堀～落とし穴１６５堀＋α (Part9)
"Oh, r-right. I see. Then let’s get going right away!"
She finally grasped the gravity of the situation and scrambled to her feet, ready to bolt. However, we couldn't simply drop everything and move at her pace.
"Hold on a second. We have our own business here, too."
"Exactly. We came here with an acquaintance, and we need to rendezvous with them."
"Wait, aren't you supposed to be helping me?"
"Shut it. You have your circumstances, and we have ours. Besides, you were only saved in the first place because of that person, so the least you can do is tag along."
"Huh? What do you mean, 'because of that person'?"
"That person had some shopping to do here. That’s why we came along."
It was true—this entire chain of events had only unfolded because Naoko Sudo had come out to buy clothes. We couldn't just abandon her.
"...Ugh. I suppose you're right. Fine. Let’s go pick them up. So, where are they?"
"The lingerie department."
"What!? Seriously? You look like such a loser, but you actually have a girlfriend?"
How infuriating. Well, I suppose that’s just how a typical high school girl acts.
Fine. I’ve made up my mind. This girl’s predicament is entirely of her own making; I’m leaving her behind.
"Alright, Taiki. Let’s just leave her here and head home."
"Got it."
Taiki must have found her just as annoying as I did. He didn't offer a single word of protest as he followed me. We’d given Sudo-san enough time; her shopping should be finished by now.
"Wait! I said wait!"
Ayano Megami came sprinting after us, shouting as we walked away.
"Hey, you’re going to help me, right? Hey!"
"I have no intention of helping someone who won't even give their name and starts off by insulting people."
"I said I was sorry! My name is Ayano Megami!"
"Fine. I’m Yuki."
"And I’m Taiki Nakazato."
"Yuki and Nakazato, huh? Nice to meet you."
"For now, we’ll deal with your situation once we’ve met up with our acquaintance."
"Understood."
And so, despite the various complications, we returned to the meeting point with Sudo-san. She was already there, waiting with her shopping bags in hand.
"Oh, I was just about to call you. Sorry, did you wait long?"
"No, the timing was perfect."
"Actually, we have a bit of a situation."
"A situation? Wait, is that Ayano-chan behind you?"
"Huh? Why does the Student Council President know who I am?"
"No, this is the Sudo-san we were meeting."
"No way! Sudo-san’s boyfriend is someone like *that*!?"
"Seriously, I’m going to leave you behind. And that was rude to Sudo-san."
"Agreed."
"I’m so sorry! But the Student Council President..."
"Haha, no, no. These two are my cousins. They came along because it’s dangerous to be out shopping at night."
"Oh, is that all it was?"
"So, what happened, Ayano-chan?"
"Well, you see..."
It turned out Sudo-san and Megami were acquaintances, and she honestly explained her plight. *Sigh.* Did we even need to get involved in this?
"I see. Well, as Yuki-kun said, it would be best to contact the police and the service provider."
"Understood."
With that, we headed toward the police station.
"And, though it’s a bit late to ask, do you two know each other?"
"Oh, yes. I’m the Student Council President, and Ayano-chan is the secretary."
"That’s right. I work very hard for the student council."
"Huh. That’s incredibly surprising. I never would have guessed someone in the student council would be so afraid of going to the staff room."
"Ah, still struggling with that?"
"...I’m sorry. I really want to overcome it, but..."
"The desire to try is what matters most. You’ll get there."
"Yes."
Sudo-san really is a wonderful mentor. As we chatted, we arrived at the police station, filed the report for the lost items, and while waiting, I used my phone to contact the service provider.
"That should be everything."
"...But, Student Council President. The last train has already..."
"Oh."
Indeed, while we were tied up with the paperwork, the trains had stopped running. Megami had mentioned she commuted by train. While it wasn't impossible to walk home, it was hardly ideal.
"Should we call a taxi?"
"No, it’s fine. I couldn't possibly trouble you that much."
"Look, leaving you here is more of a hassle—and frankly, I’m worried."
"...Ugh. I lost my wallet and my phone, and now I have to go home in a taxi late at night. What am I supposed to tell my parents?"
"Just tell them the truth. This isn't the time to be hiding things."
"Haha, I understand how you feel. How about this? Why don't you stay at our place for tonight? You can just tell them you’re staying at a friend’s house."
"Wait, are you serious?"
Hey, hey. Why would you suggest that?
"Sudo-san, is that really appropriate for a Student Council President?"
"It’s scarier to send her home in this darkness. She lost her money, and I’m worried about just putting her in a taxi alone."
"Gah."
"True."
"Besides, if we leave her alone, she’ll probably just go back out to look for her wallet and phone."
"Eek."
This is hopeless. We’ve been trying so hard to keep her away from these supernatural phenomena, and yet, she’s walking right into it.
With no reason to refuse, we ended up taking Megami back to our place.
I will continue writing the rest, so please don't worry.
I look forward to another year with you all.