Chapter 186: Companions

Standing in the room, waiting for the verdict, I heard a knock once more.

When I opened the door, Rika Asada suddenly popped her head in.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, senior. I've brought everyone with me~♪"

"...Huh."

Behind her stood several unfamiliar faces.

One was a girl with tanned skin.

Another was a girl carrying a shovel.

Finally, a woman in sportswear, looking quite assertive.

I recognized the assertive-looking woman.

She was probably the gym teacher from the high school I attend.

Was everyone being female just to make me feel more comfortable?

Everyone stared at me, eyes wide.

"Wait a second... Is that your outfit...?"

"Is something wrong with it?"

I'm currently wearing the uniform from Sakagakou High School. The large bow on the chest is a well-known feature often associated with gal games, quite famous online.

"I thought I might be going to school, so I changed into the uniform just in case."

"I see... Yes, Mr. Sasaki mentioned he wanted to talk, and it'd be best if I could attend school."

"Then changing was the right choice. Or... is there something wrong with this outfit?"

"No... um, you know, the kind of senior who isn't in a tracksuit... it's just, uh, kind of a rare sight, really. I just never pictured you in a skirt or anything like that..."

"Rare?"

Where?

I'd normally be dressed like this on weekdays, wouldn't I?

"Besides, right now, you're not carrying a sword."

"A sword? Like, the heirloom from your grandfather?"

"Yes."

"Why would you need something like that?"

Then the female teacher gave a troubled look,

"If you're serious about this, you're in serious trouble."

"Serious trouble?"

"Hey, have you recently hit your head hard or something?"

"...? No?"

"Ah, right. Come to think of it, you might've lost memory of even hitting your head....So, any pain in your head?"

"Not really."

"Well, that makes sense. You did heal up quickly from injuries before, didn't you?"

"What are you implying? That I'm some kind of monster?"

"Monster... no. That's not what I meant. If it offended you, I apologize."

And the female teacher bowed her head sincerely.

I meant it as a light joke, but she's really serious, huh.

Anyway, in any case.

I'm finally starting to understand what this person is trying to say.

"Am I... suffering from amnesia?"

Ah, I see. That would explain the strange feeling I've had since earlier.

For a while now, I've been hearing the distant sound of cicadas.

There's no doubt about it.

Today isn't just some ordinary winter day—it's a day in the height of summer.

That must be it.

Which means I've likely lost about half a year's worth of memories...

"Hmm. You're quick to understand."

"But why on earth is this happening?"

"I don't know... I just don't understand. But lately, things have been happening that wouldn't even seem possible under normal circumstances. First, can we even move to school?"

"There are two things I need to confirm before that."

"What is it?"

"First, regarding our neighbor, Mr. Tanaka... Do you know what happened to him?"

"I don't know. I'm not aware."

"Is that so..."

I'm worried.

"Then the second thing. Before I lost my memory, what kind of relationship did I have with you...? What exactly were we to each other?"

The girls in front of me all looked awkwardly at each other,

"...Friends,"

they replied.

▼

After that, I descended from the apartment building, surrounded by the four of them.

Even just a short walk made it clear that the world had completely changed.

The walls, the floors—

in various places, dark, smeared stains resembling dried blood were splattered.

A faint, unpleasant smell of something burning drifted from afar.

And it seemed no one paid the slightest attention to them.

As soon as we stepped out of the apartment building, the sense of unease intensified.

Just as I had thought when glancing from the balcony—something had drastically changed everywhere.

The transformation of the main road near the apartment was particularly striking.

Thick steel barricades, seemingly erected over a long period rather than overnight, had been built, along with watchtowers resembling fortresses guarding them.

I felt that if something like that was on the road, cars would never be able to pass through again.

What possible reason could there be for going to such extremes?

It seemed as though the people here were afraid of some kind of intrusion—overwhelmingly so.

Yet strangely, even though this was the case, the faces of those passing by showed no signs of darkness—rather, they carried an air of forward-looking determination.

It seemed as though everyone firmly believed in something like this.

It's certain that our lives will gradually get better from now on.

Along the way, the four of them were constantly being called out to.

"Mr. Asada! I need to ask you something about the supply storage vault..."

"Ritchan! I found the shovel stock! We can form a procurement team by tomorrow..."

"Asuka-chan! About tonight's board game group—can we change the meeting time?"

Mr. Suzuki, the children are fighting and I don't know what to do!

Hey everyone, it seems we're pretty much the ones others rely on around here.

You're quite the popular one, aren't you?

It's because we did to everyone what senior did for us.

And, Mr. Asada.

I cannot respond to that.

It's like they're talking about a completely different person.

Perhaps around the time the group of people started walking one after another, they arrived at the school gate.

Suddenly, a group of about four girls blocked our path, their voices ringing with giggles.

They looked to be around the same age—maybe middle school students?

"Asuka-senpai!"

The girl carrying a shovel was called out to.

The girl referred to as "Asuka-senpai" gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

"Sorry, everyone. I'm kind of busy right now. Let's talk some other time..."

"A-ah, a-ah, um! We really, really need you to join our next exploration...!"

"I already told you, let's talk about that another time..."

"Then, look at this!"

And they pulled out from behind their backs something they'd been hiding.

"………………!?!"

I blinked in disbelief at the same time.

The girl, who looked at least five years younger than me, was holding up a human head.

Even I, who rarely flinched at anything, was genuinely shaken, taking several steps back.

Unfazed, the girl continued, holding up the severed head.

"That was Mikoto-chan who took it down! We're not powerless... So please... take us with you!"

This isn't a doll... There's no doubt about it.

The severed head, so thoroughly damaged that gender could no longer be distinguished, was smeared with blood and mud, its features torn in places, frozen in an expression of agony so horrifying it would never be forgotten.

A single knife was deeply embedded in its forehead.

Asuka showed no visible shock, instead letting out a bitter sigh.

"It's still not the right time."

"Whaaat?! Why not?!"

"It's not because you can't fight or anything like that... You still need a little more emotional space to care for someone else."

Asuka said this—later I found out she was about the same age as me.

I thought, that's impressive.

If I were in her position, I don't think I'd be able to calmly and kindly guide a junior like that.