第１２０５堀：事実を告げる (Part1)
Chapter 1205: Telling the Truth
Side: Fiora
To Havia’s reaction of utter disbelief, Noriko simply took a pen and paper from the table and, right before our eyes, fluidly sketched a character I recognized.
"Waaaah..."
Havia’s eyes sparkled, her gaze fixed on the paper as if she couldn't afford to miss a single stroke of the pen. It was the work of a true professional. I remember being just as stunned the first time I saw her do it—the sheer speed and ease with which she could conjure such a drawing was hard to fathom.
"There we go. Well, that’s about it for the autograph. Here you go."
"Whoa—oh, thank you! It’s amazing, incredible! It’s the real deal! It’s the protagonist from that manga!"
Excited, Havia danced with joy, clutching the drawing to her chest. Looking at her, it was impossible to believe she was dead. And yet, Yuki-sama and the others all insisted that Havia had already passed away.
"Noriko looks happy to see someone so delighted, too."
"I suppose so. Well, it’s not like I get to meet readers often, except maybe at those doujin conventions."
"Dou-jin-so-ku-bai-kai?"
"Ah, it’s a place where people who draw manga and people who buy them gather to trade directly."
"Ehh?! Such a thing exists?!"
It was news to me as well. I see, so that is what those are. Noriko had indeed mentioned wanting to spread the popularity of manga, and I suppose this "doujin convention" was part of that.
Now, I had prepared various reasons for why Havia might want to come to Weed. All that remained was to broach the main subject.
"Yes. Actually, I’ve come to bring you a proposal, Havia-san, after hearing from Yuki-sama, Kagura, Comet, and Popuri-dono."
"A proposal... for me?"
"Yes. As a diplomat, I have been reaching out to those invited from this Magic Academy to Weed. I have already extended invitations to Wazfi-san and Nairua-san, and while I was considering who else to invite, just then..."
"Mikos-chan and the others introduced us!"
"Mikos! Thank you so much!"
Havia beamed, thanking Mikos and pulling her into a hug, ruffling her hair.
"Geez, you’re messing up my hair!"
"Sorry, sorry."
"It’s good to see you two are close. Now, having received the recommendation, I consulted with Popuri-dono, as well as Comet and Agil, who have research ties to you. They all agreed that there would be no issue with you joining us, but the rest is..."
"Up to my own decision, then."
"Yes."
She truly is a sharp girl. She understands the situation perfectly. Even so, she didn't answer immediately.
"...Principal. Is it really alright?"
She turned to confirm with Popuri-dono. To that question, Popuri-dono replied:
"Alright? It’s the best environment I could possibly imagine for you. Besides, now that you have a proper job offer, there’s no reason for me to stop you. The rest is up to you, Havia."
She spoke clearly. Popuri-dono must have steeled her resolve. She was telling her to decide her own happiness, and she was encouraging her, implying that going to Weed wouldn't be a bad thing.
"My decision... then, I will go."
She decided instantly, turning to face me properly and politely expressing her intent. However, I couldn't simply accept it with a "very well." I had to know—did she realize she was a ghost, or was she unaware?
I didn't think it would come up naturally, so I braced myself to bring it up, but before I could, she spoke.
"But, could you wait just a little while for that? I want to know the results of the Great Tree Sea investigation that Comet, Agil, Wazfi, and Nairua are conducting."
She had a request.
"The Great Tree Sea investigation? Come to think of it, Havia-san, you were researching monsters just like Wazfi-san, weren't you?"
"Yes. I’m curious about the results. And... I’m hoping they might find my remains or my belongings."
"..."
The room fell into a heavy silence. And the one to break it was...
"...Havia. You realized it, didn't you?"
It was Popuri-dono, her voice on the verge of tears.
"Ahaha, Principal. It’s not like I could forget that I died. I mean, my hair—it used to be blue, you know. When I noticed it had turned white, I thought for a moment that I’d just become an old lady without realizing it. But then, the uniforms Wazfi and the others wear are different from mine, and the layout of the academy has changed, too."
"...Should I have paid more attention to the details?"
"Ahaha, if you wanted to trick me, then yes. But that wasn't it, was it? You wanted to help me realize that I was dead. Am I wrong?"
"You're right. But in this world, there have been no cases of 'ghosts.' You are the first, Havia. Yuki-dono and the others knew a little about such existences, and they were worried about something."
"Was it 'vengeful spirits'? Ah, I see. If I’m a ghost, I could indeed become a vengeful spirit. I read about that in Noriko-sensei’s manga. I see, so that was a possibility."
...I had heard she read manga about ghosts, but I never expected her to grasp that it applied to her own situation so quickly. How would Havia respond to this reconfirmed fact?
"But, other than my hair turning white, nothing about me has changed at all. So, I don't think I’ll become a vengeful spirit."
"Is that so?"
"I’m nothing like those beings that embody 'fear.' I don't even know how one would go about becoming something like that."
"Well, that’s true. We’ll gather experts on the subject."
"I’d be happy if you did. I certainly don't want to lose my reason and end up hurting people I know out of resentment."
I was more than a little surprised by how nonchalantly Havia spoke about being a ghost. It seemed the others felt the same.
"Um, Havia. I don't mean to sound rude, but you’re taking this surprisingly well."
"Mikos? What do you mean... oh, you mean about being dead? Well, there’s no point in fussing over something that’s already finished, is there? I’m lucky enough to be here as a ghost, so I think it’s fine. Besides, the reason I died was because I went out of control myself."
"Come to think of it, I wanted to ask you about that properly. Why did you sneak out with the investigation team in the first place?"
Popuri-dono asked this with a tone that carried a hint of anger. Well, she had broken a promise and died as a result, so it was only natural. Havia looked a bit sheepish.
"That was... well, I thought it was a chance to see the monsters up close with my own eyes... I’m sorry."
"Haaah... Honestly. Wazfi is the same way... why are people who love fieldwork always like this..."
"No, Popuri. That’s like telling a researcher not to research. Fieldwork is no different."