その２７ 迫るカイジュウの危機

学校の玄関口に近づくと、ものすごい勢いで三人の生徒が駆けてきました。

「せんぱぁああああああああああああああああああああああああああいっ」

明日香さん、理津子さん、林太郎くんの三人です。

「同い年なのにセンパイは……」

「せんぱぁああああああああああああああああああい！」

むぎゅっ。

"I love you! I love you so much! I'm never letting you go!"

"…………………Senpai. That's wonderful!"

In front is Ritsuko.

Behind is Asuka.

A beautiful girl sandwich.

"Mmmph mmmph"

Being a beautiful girl is amazing. Even though both of them haven't bathed in a while, they somehow smell really good.

Well, of course I'm not happy or anything like that, but still...

After all, I'm a proper girl (I'm a little bothered by what just happened)!

"Let's kiss, let's kiss!"

As Asuna passionately leans in, I'm faced with her.

Wait... When did this world become filled only with people from the lily field?

Anyway, I must avoid the fate of having my first kiss stolen by a girl.

Instinctively, I cover Asuna's lips with my hand.

「むちゅううううううううううううううううううううううう」

うわあああああああー。

手のひらが。

手のひらがなんか、すっごい吸われてる。

「う、うわぁい。お、お、俺も……っ」

どさくさに紛れて一緒に抱きつこうとした林太郎くんに、理津子さんが無言で裏拳を叩き込みます。

「もげらっ。ひでえっ」

「……自業自得だ。ばか」

Even as he received a harsh scolding, Ryota didn't lose his smile.

"But seriously, everyone was worried, Senpai. Where were you yesterday?"

I briefly explain the aftermath of letting go of "Captain"—how I'd twisted my ankle and had to hide at a drugstore.

"A injury? You hurt yourself, Senpai?"

Asuna frowned with concern.

"Just a small fall. Nothing serious."

"If that's the case, then it's fine..."

And a troubled sigh.

"For now, go meet up with Kōsuke. That idiot hasn't slept a wink since yesterday."

"Ah..."

Well, I'd sort of expected that.

He tends to overthink things a bit too much, just like the protagonist of a sekaikyū robot anime.

▼

After parting ways with everyone, I arrived at the classroom of Class 2-3, where the meeting was being held.

When I opened the door,

I'll say it as many times as needed. If we don't start moving as soon as possible, our lives are over. This is...

A man unfamiliar to everyone was speaking to the group.

"Senior!"

The one who noticed and lit up with a smile was Kōsuke, one of the meeting attendees.

I'm glad you're safe...

Everyone present greeted my return with heartfelt joy.

Oh my, I'm really flustered.

After a while of relaxed atmosphere,

"You must be the famous 'her,' then."

The man who moments ago had worn a stern expression in front of everyone now spoke.

I looked between him and Kōsuke, finally realizing his identity.

We've met once before on the rooftop, back when he was "Captain."

"Are you Kōsuke's father?"

"That's right. I'm Nobuo Hibiya. Nice to meet you."

His hand grips mine tightly—rough, strong palms.

That's when it happens.

A familiar fanfare rings out in my head: *PANPAKA-PAN!*

—Congratulations! Your level has increased!

—Congratulations! Your level has increased!

Oh, of all times… this moment?

And twice in a row? That’s a promising start.

For now, I'll leave choosing skills for later and focus on the conversation with everyone.

"According to what I've heard, you're something of a lifesaver."

"Yes, well, apparently so."

"…By the way, where's Kohayakawa?"

I frown.

"Kohayakawa? Who's that?"

"You should know him as 'Captain.' He's the Self-Defense Force member who brought us this far."

"Yeah... His name was Kohayakawa, wasn't it? He was... "

I explain the situation.

How, in that moment of utter desperation, Kohayakawa appeared and saved me.

How he then willingly sacrificed himself, becoming food for the 'zombies.'

When I finish speaking, Norio looks visibly dejected, shoulders slumping.

"So that's how it was... He chose to... "

"Strange... He seemed a bit delirious at the time."

"He was young but had a strong sense of responsibility. However, after the incident at the camp, he lost many companions and seemed deeply troubled ever since."

"The incident at the camp?...And what about what you just said earlier. What’s the reason we need to leave this place?"

As he asked, Mr. Sasaki interjected.

"Well... Hmm. I find it hard to believe myself....You really did see a 'Dragon,' didn't you?"

The teacher looks at me with a skeptical expression.

"I did see it."

When I answer honestly, the adults in the classroom begin to murmur.

"When was that?"

"A week or so ago. Before I came to this school."

After Mr. Sasaki lets out a long, deep sigh,

"It must be true, coming from 'her' herself."

"Um... I'm not following. Could you please explain from the beginning, in order?"

Then, Hinata Norio spoke with a bitter expression.

"A pig appeared."

"A pig? The kind that's eaten, or the kind that's surprisingly clean-loving, you know...?"

"That's right. The very pig."

Incidentally, he prefers pork cutlets.

"Of course, when I say 'pig,' it's not just any ordinary pig."

Hinata Norio spread his arms wide, as if to make his words known to the entire world.

"A—— massive, monstrous pig!"

My face must have been utterly flushed at that moment.

At the same time, for some reason, everyone's eyes turned to me.

"S-so, that's right. What do you think?"

I felt as if I was being asked that.

Yes, um... please, go on.

Hmm.

Hibiya Norio nodded solemnly, looking at least somewhat sane.

Summarizing Mr. Norio's subsequent remarks, it comes down to this.

About ten kilometers that way, there's a fairly large factory surrounded by sturdy fencing.

Apparently, there was a camp there, overseen by Self-Defense Forces personnel.

The Hibiya family seemed to have stayed at that camp for a while.

On one such day...

A blaring, awkward sound—like someone badly tooting a trumpet—came from somewhere.

A few seconds later.

With a sharp, piercing sound like a woman's scream, something attacks the campsite.

It easily tears through the steel fence and sacrifices several members of the Self-Defense Force.

Immediately recognizing the threat, Norio sees what the "something" truly is.

It was a monstrous pig—gigantic in size.

About three meters tall, with two massive tusks protruding from its mouth.

After that, it was complete chaos.

The campsite residents, ravaged by the "zombies" that had broken through the damaged fence and the monstrous pig "beast," were scattered to the winds.

Mr. Nihonbashi Norio, who had brought his family along, escaped in a military truck with Lieutenant Ichihayashi of the Self-Defense Forces—clinging to the faint hope that his son might still be safe—heading toward the "Sakagahara High School."

And so, up to the present... something like that.

That seems to be the case.

"I see. A giant pig, huh..."

Perhaps sensing doubt in that mumble, Kousuke interjects.

"Senpai. My dad's not someone who lies."

"I'm not really doubting him. There are zombies, dragons, and even a monster pig. That's all there is to it."

I speak my honest opinion.

Kosuke quietly murmured, "……Yeah, that's right," offering only a reluctant agreement.

"By the way, how many of those 'monstrous pigs' were there, exactly?"

"I don't know. I only saw one, but there might have been others."

"Of course, the Self-Defense Forces personnel were armed, right? Did the guns work?"

"……Hard to say. The moment I saw it, I just ran off in a panic. All I could think about was getting my family out of the camp."

"Then could it be that the Self-Defense Forces were attacked by a 'monster' pig?"

"Maybe. But maybe not. That's why..."

We should move as quickly as possible from here.

After thinking for just a few seconds, I let out a deep sigh.

"But we can't be sure there's anywhere safer. Maybe staying put here is actually the best choice."

"That's exactly what I meant."

Mr. Sasaki suddenly stood up, shouting in a high-pitched voice.

We’ve been through hell these past week. That’s why we know—something fundamental has changed in the rules of the world. It wouldn’t be surprising if there were other things besides zombies… whatever those pig-like monsters are. But listen, Hibiya. What you’re saying is completely unreasonable. There are elderly people here. You can’t possibly expect us to suddenly slip through the midst of those walking corpses and escape to some distant place.

"I don't expect everyone to agree with me. Just those who can move should go ahead."

The one most surprised by those words was his own son, Konosuke Hibiya.

"W-what... Dad, that's going too far. It's like you're telling us to abandon everyone here."

"Konosuke, shut up."

"Just so you know, I have no intention of leaving. I'm staying with everyone."

"On that matter, we'll discuss it later. For now, leave it to my father."

"Cut the condescending tone, like you're lecturing a kid!"

Kosuke fumes, glaring with bared teeth.

As for me, I completely ignore their conversation and ask instead.

"Koichi?"

"...What is it?"

"Is there... anything like a weak point for that pig 'monster'?"

Koichi furrows his eyebrows.

"Weak point?"

"It's said to be about three meters tall. How thick do you think its skin is? Would a katana blade even get through?"

"What on earth... are you even asking about?"

I reply with my arms crossed, gazing off into space.

"Oh, uh, well. I just wanted to check if it's actually killable, in case we end up fighting."

This time, it was Keiji's turn to stare, stunned.

"You're... always like this, aren't you?"

"...? Like this? What do you mean by 'like this'?"

"Yeah, no. Nothing much."

I suddenly felt Yukio's likeability drop significantly. Did I make a wrong choice somewhere? (romance simulation game brain...?)

"…Anyway. Since Kōsuke's been found, I only plan to stay here for a short time. If someone wants to follow, I won't turn them away. That's all I wanted to say."

The classroom of Class 2-3 was enveloped in a heavy silence.

After that, no particularly new opinions were offered.

With Matsuda Gōzō's command, the meeting was temporarily adjourned.