Part 232: To Getto Island

In the end, despite everything, I arrived at the meeting spot right on time, as scheduled.

There, the driver, Koichi, who had arrived early due to a communication lapse, stood there with a gloomy expression, dazed and unfocused.

"Ah, well, there were all sorts of inspections and stuff, so it's fine... though..."

He said this with just a hint of sarcasm.

Shortly afterward, everyone gathered together.

Yohku-san, Rinne-san, Tsumuri-san, and of course, Aizuki Miyoi-chan too.

Incidentally, also here to see them off were Asada Rika-san and—just one middle-aged man who bore a faint resemblance to her.

"Hey there. I heard about you from your daughter. Seems like you've been through quite a bit, huh?"

His name is Asada Gōzō. He's said to be Rika-san's father.

"Then... you know about me too...?"

"Yeah, I don't remember anything at all. I mean, 'who the heck is this old guy' would be more accurate."

"O-oh... I hope you get better as soon as possible."

"Thanks, I appreciate that."

"I'd like to come along if I could, but..."

"No, that's not necessary."

He seems to be busy with things of his own, after all.

Apparently, Kōzō-san seems to be representing all the communities existing along the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, constantly clashing with the leaders in Akihabara on a daily basis.

Whether it's always been that way or not, just looking at his gray hair gives a clear sense of his struggles.

"If there's something only you can do over there, focusing on that would be best."

"Yeah, I understand."

Kōzō nodded agreeably, and then his daughter spoke up.

"When we meet next time, my memories should be back... right?"

Yeah, well...

"Then, please call me properly when that time comes—'Mari-chan,' not just 'Asada-san.'"

"Huh?...Oh."

Before I lost my memory, that's how I used to call myself.

For some reason, my first impression was so eerie that, before I knew it, the pronunciation of their surname had become firmly established.

"Please don't do anything too dangerous for the rest of the journey, okay?"

"...Yeah."

Still, though.

When memories come back, what happens to the current ones?

In story worlds, people forget everything that happened during their memory loss... but is that based on any real medical evidence?

Hmm.

If my current memories were truly gone...

That would be kind of scary, honestly.

The bus engine roars to life, as if to drown out the sudden fear welling up in my chest.

"Senpai!"

Mata, the girl, cried out.

"Please, stay safe!"

I couldn't just leave her worrying for no reason, so I silently gave her a peace sign in return.

For some reason, I had the feeling this might be our final goodbye.

Well, in truth... perhaps this is truly the end for "me" and her.

▼

The bus exited Akihabara's main gate and immediately turned left, driving a short distance along the Kanda River while ignoring one-way traffic signs, then merged onto Showa-dori and entered the Metropolitan Expressway.

Once on the expressway, the sight of "zombies" disappeared almost entirely, and the journey became relatively smooth, with only the occasional abandoned car obstructing the way.

"Once we've come this far, we can breathe easy... but from here on, I haven't driven this route in ages."

And then, Kazufumi, who used to drive various large vehicles before the "End."

"Really?"

"Indeed. In normal times, even with some traffic, it wouldn't take more than an hour."

I see.

But that's only if we're not attacked by those "hostile life forms," right?

"Anyway, we should try to avoid combat whenever possible."

"Indeed."

I've asked Yagura, who's ahead of us, to plan detours whenever we spot a group.

"Still, the closer we get to Tsukushima, the easier it should become."

"Tsukushima... you mean..."

I glanced at the map stuck to the car window—more of a power map, really—

"Ah. That's where those guys calling themselves 'Guardians' are."

"Guardians"... right, weren't they the 'players' dispatched by the government?

Who are those people, anyway?

"Have you met Sutsumi-san before?"

I casually brought up the topic to Sutsumi, who happened to be sitting nearby looking idle,

"Uh?...Ah, yes. Once, someone claiming to be a government official came by and tried to recruit me. But I'm already bound to someone else. I politely declined, since I can't act on my own."

"I see."

While vaguely picturing some secret agent in a black suit and sunglasses.

"So, maybe that person came to me too?"

"Possible. Although, the 'warrior' before they lost their memory did work for the 'Guild' for a time, so they might have just missed each other."

Hmm.

Given how easily I'd likely accept an offer from someone in government, I suppose I'm just that weak when it comes to authority.

As we talked, the bus exited the highway, passed by the Sumida River, and headed toward Tsukishima Station.

"There's a street lined with okonomiyaki restaurants just ahead~"

How nostalgic.

I remember, back when my grandparents were still alive, we once talked about trying Tokyo's famous specialty—just as I was getting lost in the memory, that moment...

"Hmm?""Well now..."

When Takashi raised his voice and turned forward, following Rinne's lead, the entire monja street was filled with a horde of "zombies."

"Uhh... this is..."

Seeing the scene, I was reminded of the rush hour crowds in Ikebukuro.

Being turned into a zombie and still getting crushed in the throng... This is pure hell.

Yet Rinne seemed to have the exact opposite reaction,

"This scene, it's nostalgic, isn't it?" Haku,"—you came to help when there were that many of them, didn't you?"

She spoke with a surprisingly warm, nostalgic expression.

A high school girl looking at a horde of zombies with such a serene smile—well, that was certainly something unusual.

"It's a good memory now."

Suddenly, bang, bang, bang—the side of the bus was struck.

Looking over, Yoru had come up beside it.

Rinne leaned out from the bus window,

"You missed. I thought this area would be easy to pass through.... Shall we detour?"

"I considered that, but... take a good look."

Yoru points toward the other side of the group of "zombies."

If you squint and look carefully in that direction—.

"Ah."

Everyone inside the bus noticed at the exact same moment.

They saw a few "zombies" suddenly soar high into the air.

"Someone's fighting...!"

There were about three... no, four of them.

For just a brief moment, it looked like a team of two men and two women.

"From what I can tell, they seem to be fighting without much danger..."

The problem is how many opponents they're facing.

Imagine a street about 300 to 400 meters long completely packed with "zombies."

Even if those "players" were superhuman... they're still hopelessly outnumbered.

"What should we do?"

In the hand of Yagura, who had just asked the question, a Chicago typewriter was already gripped tightly.

No need to answer—this person's already decided. That's just how they are.