第１２４７堀：未来を考える (Part2)
I reached out, thinking I’d give it a try, but Yuki deftly raised the box above his head, leaving my hand grasping at empty air.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"I just need to double-check a few things before you take it."
"Is it about the side effects? The two of you are here to help, so it’ll be fine. You’ll help me too, right, Yuki?"
"Of course. But that’s not all there is to it."
"What do you mean?"
"It means that a 'strange medicine' like this always has a catch."
And so, I had Yuki explain it to me all over again.
The gist of it was the medicine's "efficacy" and the "consequences" that followed.
Apparently, while taking this drug would stabilize my existence, it also meant that I would be "unable to depart this world."
It was only when he put it that way that it finally hit me.
I suppose I had been getting a bit carried away.
In short, even if I grew tired of this world, I wouldn't be able to die on my own.
……That is.
"Yeah. That’s not a downside for me right now, so it’s fine."
"You’re taking that lightly."
"I think it’s fine to be light about it. You can't know the future until you're there, and when that time comes, I’m sure I’ll manage somehow. Plus, I don't think you guys would just stand by and do nothing. Am I wrong?"
"Well, I suppose you’re right."
I feel like Yuki is different from the typical adults, like my teachers, when it comes to things like this.
If I said something like that to them, they’d usually get angry, telling me to "think more carefully" or that I "wasn't taking things seriously."
"Haha, I’m actually surprised you accepted that so easily... mind if I ask why?"
"Why? Well, it’s only natural that you can't know the future until it arrives. Whether it’s good or bad to make a decision lightly depends on the person. Besides, only the individual can decide what’s heavy and what’s light. I just called it light because that’s how it struck me, and since you gave me a reason for that lightness, I have no complaints. The rest is just taking responsibility for yourself."
"Responsibility?"
"Exactly. Responsibility. Taking ownership of the choices you make. I believe that’s a condition of being an adult. Well, it’s not the only condition, but some say that taking responsibility is the first step toward adulthood. You wouldn't call someone who relies on others to cover for their failures a full-grown adult, would you?"
"True. But I did say I’d rely on you guys if something happened. Is that okay?"
"Even then, you said you’d try to handle it yourself first. That thought coming out naturally shows you have a sense of responsibility. There’s a difference between seeking cooperation and having others cover for you or dumping your burdens on them."
"Is that how it works? Being an adult is tough, isn't it?"
"Well, even when you become an adult, you never really know if you’re truly one. It’s a gradual process. Anyway, when are you going to take the medicine? I’d like you to take it in front of us, at least."
"Then, I’ll take it right now."
There was no need to agonize over it, so I decided to just get it over with.
"Hivia. I know I’m one to talk, but are you really sure about this?"
"Yeah. Besides, it’d be lonely if it were just Noriko-san, right? I’ll be joining the ghost club too."
"Ah, I see. That’s true."
"Hm? What’s wrong?"
"Nothing. It just means I can head to Weed with my head held high now. They’ll be so surprised."
"Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. Seeing the scenes I’ve only seen in manga actually spread out before me. If that’s the price for stabilization—for staying in this world—then it’s no problem at all. So, Yuki, hand it over."
"Alright. Here."
I opened the box Yuki handed me, and there it was: the capsule I’d seen in the manga.
Seeing the real thing for the first time gave me a little thrill.
"Wait, why does just taking this cause such an effect?"
"I haven't the faintest clue. Once you're there, Hivia, you should research it and figure out the composition. Weed is short on talent, after all."
"That’s right. Leave that to me. Alright!"
I prepared some water, carefully followed the dosage instructions, and held the capsule in my palm...
"Here I go!"
With that declaration, I popped the capsule into my mouth and washed it down.
"..."
Everyone stared at me in silence.
I remained silent as well, waiting for some kind of change to occur, but...
"By the way, how will I know if it’s working?"
"Who knows?"
Yuki and I tilted our heads in unison.
We spent the day observing, and in the meantime, Yuki went to ask the god who gave us the medicine. Apparently, there were no changes to report. Or rather,
"If there were a change, that would be a problem, wouldn't it?"
That’s what he was told.
Now that I think about it, that makes perfect sense.
Well, now I’m just looking forward to the day I finally get to go to Weed.
They say you should think carefully about the future, but thinking carefully doesn't always guarantee a good result.
I suppose that’s just one of those things that depends on the person.