Part 192: Outside the Quilt

Honestly, I thought the school could just disappear and I wouldn't care at all.

To me, school was just a place to earn the title of "high school graduate"... I guess that sounds a bit like middle school angst.

Well.

In any case.

I just wanted to get through these past three years without any problems.

After high school, I’ll take on a casual office job and spend my weekends idly watching movies and playing games.

As long as I can keep living with internet access, I won’t complain about luxuries. I even think it’s fine to eat only the bare minimum.

I’ll continue this lifestyle, saving as much money as possible, and aim to earn enough for my retirement by around fifty, then spend the rest of my life calmly and quietly.

After much thought, that was ultimately the shape of the "happiest life" for me.

That was my life plan.

Which is why I think this way.

What I wish for others is simply this—don't drag me down.

Nothing more, nothing less.

▼

"Hey!"

It wasn't Zutori, who had been speechless.

It was one of the bearded men quietly listening nearby—a big guy holding an enormous shotgun.

"You... you're trouble."

"Huh?"

"You're trouble. That's how it's supposed to be—monsters handle monsters themselves."

"A rule? Who made this rule?"

"That's..."

"Either way, I have no reason to follow it."

With that, he quickly turned his back on them.

Then, without delay, he headed back home at a brisk pace.

Ah, no way, no way.

I can't stand being outside the covers—it's just too dangerous.

"Hold on—!"

A voice calls out from behind me—Suzuri’s.

I ignore it and continue on my way home.

In the back of my mind, I’m still trying to perform that so-called “mana control.”

I’m already starting to notice it—the immense power building up in both of my arms.

It’s a little scary, so I don’t feel like testing it out just yet…

I hurry back to my apartment, lock the door tightly, slide the chain into place, and collapse onto the bed in my uniform.

In situations like this, there's nothing better than playing games until you fall asleep unconsciously... but that's impossible now.

The electricity's out.

Which means there's only one option.

I have to start up the generator.

"Ah, um... warrior-san?"

Curling, who seemed to have been chasing me, calls out from outside the door.

Her voice is clearly panicked.

"What is this...? Is this some kind of strategy?"

I ignore her.

For now, I try to figure out how to operate the abandoned generator indoors by studying the instruction manual.

"Either way... isn't the school in danger like this?"

Then, realizing the operation is surprisingly complicated, I’m utterly defeated.

A sigh deeper than the sea.

"T-the... um...! I, I...!"

I was utterly disgusted by everything.

Why is the world so utterly unjust?

Why can't I just have the simple wish to live quietly in peace?

"If you're really serious about staying cooped up like this, I'll break down the door."

If you can, go ahead and try.

If you do, then so be it—I'll just run away again.

I picked up, somewhat oddly, the family heirloom sword that fit my hand perfectly.

But perhaps she realized it wasn't right to go that far, or maybe the apartment door was just too sturdy to break through.

A few minutes later, I could hear Zuri’s footsteps fading away.

That’s it, then.

I lay down on the bed, still holding the sword, and closed my eyes.

It’s fine as long as they leave me alone—I don’t need anything else.

That’s always been the way.

I’ve never minded being alone.

My connections were few—just Mr. Tanaka next door, really.

Yes, yes. Even my slow mind is beginning to understand now.

Mr. Tanaka is surely no longer in this world.

Somewhere in the memories I’ve lost, there must have been the moment he took his last breath.

And yet...

This world keeps turning as if it had already forgotten him.

"………………So empty."

Mourning his passing, I suddenly thought to myself.

— Just sleep for a little while, and when I open my eyes next, everything will be back to normal... something like that.

Maybe not.

Then I close my eyes.

My heart was racing, yet sleep came far sooner than I expected.

▼

"...Mmnn..."

How long had passed since then?

Before I knew it, the sky was dyed black, and the room was pitch dark.

I stretched lazily, flicking the light switch on the remote with a series of clicks... only to realize it wasn’t responding.

"Aaaah... Guess it really doesn’t work after all..."

It didn’t seem like some convenient dream ending where everything was just a dream. Not at all.

After all, dream endings have been considered a forbidden technique since Osamu Tezuka’s time. Can’t be helped.

"Third one of the Thunder class... That should turn it on."

With those words, I jumped up like a cat.

"Well, I guess we don't really need it now since I brought along a flashlight."

And with that, the voice's owner flicked the light switch on with a click.

Seeing her face illuminated, I felt half relief, half unease.

I recognized her face.

"Okita... Rinne-san?"

She was the class's central figure, known for her blunt speech and striking beauty.

"That's right."

"What do you mean by 'that's right'?"

Just because she's an old classmate doesn't mean she has the right to be sitting by my bedside, if you ask me.

"Apparently, I heard about this and that and rushed back here."

"Huh."

"You know, you're acting kind of out of character lately—seems like you're putting everyone in a tough spot."

"Out of character, huh?"

Well, I don't know about that.

"I just try to live the way I always have, that's all."

Then Rinne gave a brief flash of her white teeth and said, "Well, that's true."

"To me, you seem more like 'Haku' right now than ever before."