That 188: Cleaning Up After a Stranger

It took about one or two hours to clear out the "personal items" left behind in the classroom of Class 3-3.

...Honestly, it felt like I was being made to clean up after some unknown person.

Stuff that looked like feathers.

Medicines that looked like they didn't belong.

Toys shaped like Sega's Robo Pitcher.

And weird, thin comic books... What even is this?

The kind with takoyaki stuffed in a Tupperware container, with cucumber inside?

"...So I have to take all of this back with me?"

"Yes. These are all senpai's things."

The past me—what on earth was I thinking, collecting stuff like this? I can't even begin to understand.

From what I could tell, every single tool here seemed to carry a "Handle with Extreme Care" warning.

By the time I'd shoved the other mysterious items into my closet at home, the sun was already beginning to set.

I parted ways with Mr. Suzuki, Asuka, and Ritsuko for now.

They seemed eager to talk with me even more, but apparently they're quite busy in their own ways.

Well, it's understandable. The area around here is suffering from a severe shortage of manpower.

From what I heard, most of the city's residents have already perished.

It seems nearly all of my former classmates are gone—completely wiped out. I was stunned.

Well, I didn’t really have any close friends in class, so it doesn’t matter much.

In the neatly cleaned classroom, I call out to the young girl who looks like a little mouse.

"Who’s using this classroom?"

"Um, I think it’s a new candidate for leadership... Originally, he was a member of parliament."

"Wait... So someone that important is living in a place like this?"

"Yes. Now, Sakagahara High has become the political center of this area... and also the safest place around."

"Safety..."

"Yes. The defensive walls are built centered on the school, and all supplies are gathered here."

"Hmm."

It seems physical security is valued more than comfort.

It really feels like "this is the apocalypse" now.

Currently, only a select few adults with influence are allowed to live at Sakagahara High.

According to Mr. Asada, not too long ago, residents who had taken refuge here were assigned rooms on a first-come, first-served basis. But recently, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

Apparently, due to the expansion of "human territory," the refugees in this area are now scattered all over the place.

"Still, it's hard to believe—zombies, monsters... and even 'players'?"

For the time being, during the period of物资 transport, I had heard a rough overview of why things had come to this point.

"Zombies." "Monsters." "Dragons."

And people granted special powers to counter them—so-called "players."

It was admittedly a bit far-fetched, but then again, there's no way someone would go to such lengths for a lie or a hoax.

There's just one thing I simply can't believe—what Amaida-san said about her "past self."

According to her, that "self" was a superhero who slashed villains left and right with a Japanese sword.

But I know better, having carried luggage alongside everyone else.

Right now, I'm just an ordinary person. In fact, Amaida-san, who claims she's the one being protected, ended up carrying the heavier load.

If her words are true and I really am Superman, then carrying a small load should be effortless, shouldn't it?

"I could've brought a snack or two just a little while ago, but lately the regulations have been strict... Today, no sweet potatoes from Tako no Sato. Sorry about that."

"The me before—she even told me about my snack preferences."

"Yes. You'd always say you'd wipe out the red bean powder lovers entirely."

"Hmm."

Ah.

Something about that joke feels like something I'd be likely to say.

▼

After finishing our task, we chat lightly as we cross the track, which has become quite difficult to walk on.

Now is exactly the time to plant potatoes.

Watching children around elementary school age and elderly people working together in turns to plant sweet potato seeds,

"We... we have to slowly bring back the old way of life, even if just a little. Self-sufficient living."

"Is that really realistic?"

"I don't know. But we absolutely have to do it."

"What about the government? Won't they help us?"

"That... seems unlikely. Right now, every country in the world is dealing with huge problems of their own, and they're overwhelmed just handling their own issues."

"I see."

There's no choice but to rely on ourselves.

"Recently, a man named Akira came by and told everyone this. Human civilization will regress back to about two hundred years ago. There'll be a time when people from the same country fight over territory. That's why we need to become stronger and stronger. Professor Sasaki disagreed, but you know how men are—always drawn to danger."

I didn't respond to that directly, just quietly following her back.

I don’t have any clear plan or timeline for what to do from here.

I just feel that, for now, I’ll have to keep going along with the flow of things.

My wish is simple.

To live peacefully and comfortably somewhere safe and secure.

I don’t know what I was like before I lost my memories, but I think that’s ultimately what matters most.

“Um…”

“Hmm?”

“So, in the end, is this place really safe?”

Yes, that's absolutely correct. This is the most trustworthy place in the city.

Good. …From what you've told me, it seems the safety here isn't guaranteed at all.

That is...

Asada slightly looked away.

Well, yes. Of course, there are plenty of things that don't go smoothly.

For example?

"That was... well, we never even imagined you'd end up like this. We relied on you for safety here... that much, at least."

"Hmm."

Apparently, I've been fighting an evil figure known as the 'King,' who's been active mainly around Akihabara.

As for the battle against the 'King,' Mr. Asada seemed to know little about the details, but it was clear there were many complications—and ultimately, we emerged victorious.

After that, I returned here to rest—like this.

"I think the senior must have been through so much hardship for so long that the tension finally snapped."

"Hmm."

"Though dementia is often said to be an illness of the elderly, it can occasionally happen to younger people too. When the environment changes too drastically, one day you might wake up and not even remember why you're here."

"That's truly pitiful."

"‘Pitiful’… Senior, do you even understand your current situation?"

"I do understand, but—uh..."

I just can't shake the feeling that it still feels like someone else's problem, honestly.

We've stepped outside the school building and are leisurely strolling toward the supermarket "Captain."

It seems she's planning to explain every single thing I used to do back when I was working there.

"It might help you regain your memories," she said.

With nothing else to do, I decided to go along with it.

Where once cars constantly streamed past the "Captain" intersection, there's now not a trace—no one in sight.

Just a large mound of black ash, as if something had been burned and discarded, sitting squarely in the middle of the road.

"Senpai, that..."

"Hm?"

"Um... Ko-chan, about Mr. Hibiya Kōsuke..."

"I don't remember him at all."

Honestly, I've never been close to any guys my own age.

"Back then, when Kōsuke's family got trapped on the supermarket rooftop, you bravely charged toward that swarm of 'zombies,' Senpai."

"Hmm..."

As usual, it still doesn't feel real—yet, a sharp pain shoots through my calf area.

Maybe my body remembers that moment more clearly than I do.

Not long after that, I happened to encounter a strange man.