第１２０４堀：幽霊の未来 (Part2)
"That settles it. I’ve decided. I’m going to go see Hivia, too."
"I see. Understood."
Oh? Surprisingly, he accepted that without a fuss.
"Wait, is it really okay to add a member right before the operation starts?"
"Well, one has to be flexible in this world. It’s not like we need mountains of extra supplies. It’s just Comet, after all. Besides, you two were researching together; I don’t see any problem with you being there."
"Is that so? Then I shall go with pleasure. I have no idea what a 'good future' looks like for Popuri, but I will act according to my own whims. After all, I do love a good experiment."
Yes, and if Hivia starts to waver, I’ll be there to give her a firm nudge. There’s no need for her to be troubled.
And so, with me added to the roster, the operation commenced. Though, in truth, all we were really doing was heading to the laboratory where Hivia was stationed to watch Fiora and Noriko break the news to her.
"…Why are you coming along, Master?"
"Well, Hivia and I were always together in the lab. This might be the last time, so I simply wanted to be present. It’s just a whim. Besides, I already got Yuki’s permission, so there’s no problem at all."
"Haa… please, just try not to get in everyone else’s way."
"Oh my, it’s sad to have so little trust."
"Please, do take a moment to reflect on your own past conduct."
"If you have the breath to trade barbs like that, you’ll be fine. Ah, it looks like we’ve arrived."
While we were chatting, we had already reached the laboratory where Hivia was staying. As planned, Sota-san seemed to be conducting a final check with Yuki.
"Yes. So, there are no issues with the surveillance on that end, either. I don’t sense anything amiss here, so we’re going in. Yes, leave it to me."
It seemed that even from the surveillance room, everything appeared to be in order. With that, we followed Sota-san as he led the way into the lab. The interior was, as always, overflowing with research equipment. At the desk in the back…
"Hmm? Oh, welcome back, everyone."
"Yahoo! The meeting’s over, so I came to hang out!"
"Hang out, Micos? I’m not just playing around here, you know."
"Nah-ha-ha, it’s fine, it’s fine! Let’s talk about manga while we eat some snacks."
"Manga, huh? Oh, that reminds me, didn’t you say you’d bring Noriko-sensei’s manga?"
The kind of conversation one would expect between close friends was unfolding between Hivia and Micos. I see—so that’s why having Noriko here is a good idea. Noriko is a manga artist, after all.
Well, that kind of talent might not be useful for maintaining biological functions in the sense of "living," but it gives people dreams. Honestly, I believe it’s one of the things necessary for a person to truly "live as a human."
"Yeah, I did. Actually, I brought the person herself."
"Huh!? The person herself? You mean the person who drew this manga?"
"That’s right. Hey, Kagura?"
"Yes. We’re acquainted with Noriko, and when we told her that she had fans here at the academy, she was so happy she decided to come along."
"R-really! Wait, where is she!?"
Hivia immediately stood up from her chair, looking around frantically. Her gaze met mine for a moment, but her interest was entirely on Noriko, and she quickly looked away. Popuri seemed to be the same.
"Feeling lonely?"
"No. On the contrary, I am simply glad to see her so happy. I see, so Yuki-dono goes to such lengths as well."
"Well, one does what one must to avoid souring the mood."
It goes without saying, but the common consensus—Yuki included—is that we don’t want to have to be the ones to "exterminate" Hivia. Therefore, we have to take every possible measure to keep her calm.
While I was lost in these thoughts, Hivia finally caught sight of Fiora and Noriko.
"Um, there are two people I don’t recognize… is one of you Noriko-sensei? Oh, excuse me. My name is Hivia. May I ask your names?"
"Yes. I am Fiora, a concubine to Lord Yuki. And this is…"
"I’m Noriko Suzuki. Or, in this neck of the woods, Noriko Suzuki. Ah, I have a family name, but I’m not a noble or anything."
"Fiora-sama, Noriko-sensei! W-wow, are you really the real thing? And, if I may ask, how do you two know each other?"
"I heard about you from Kagura, and since I happened to be coming to the Lancer Magic Academy to pay my respects, I asked my friend Noriko if she’d like to come along."
"That’s right. We’re friends. Actually, everyone here is a friend, really. But, about whether we’re the 'real thing'—let me borrow a pen and paper for a second."
"Oh, yes, of course."
It seems the meeting between Hivia, Fiora, and Noriko will go smoothly for now. Now, I wonder what the outcome will be. If it’s discovered that ghosts exist, how will Japan handle it? Will they tax them? I have a feeling there will be disputes over living arrangements.
The future isn't just about bright things; one has to consider these kinds of complications, too.