Part 312: Transaction

"Ever since she came over here... that girl's changed."

Mid-flight, undergoing transformation into a demon.

Fuji, wrapped snugly in a soft cocoon on my back, murmured these words.

"That girl...?"

"Naomi. Natsu Naomi."

"Changed... how?"

"That girl—just a little while ago, she was pretty much a typical literary type, you know. If you asked her what her favorite novel was, she’d totally answer something like 'I Am a Cat' or 'No Longer Human.' She even used to submit her own short stories to literary magazines."

"Really?"

That’s kind of surprising.

"She’d always say things like, 'The essence of creating something... is really about pursuing truth.'"

"Wow. Truth, huh? That’s quite a complicated concept."

"That's why she always hated anything vulgar. Works that cater to the masses inevitably distance themselves from truth."

Ah, just the kind of line you'd expect from an artsy college student.

I've actually heard similar remarks in cafes before.

"Ta-da! Now, let's ask 'Nameless' girl a question: Why does creating for the masses move us away from truth?"

"Uh... no, I mean... I'm not sure... a little..."

"Answer—because the masses are fools. Anything that pleases the masses must affirm foolishness."

"Fools..."

As one of the masses, I feel a little down.

"It's not my opinion, but Nanami meant it at the time."

"How come someone like Nanami..."

"Well, there are many reasons, but maybe it was the rules of the 'Kingdom' that made her that way."

"Huh..."

I fell silent, focusing my attention on controlling my body, now transformed into a demon.

Honestly, in this situation, I can't afford to waste much mental energy on conversation.

"Now that I think about it, that kid really believed she was incredibly smart....That's why she'd seriously suggest things like giving intelligence tests to people of all ages and separating those with high intelligence from those without."

A society on the brink of collapse in an instant, through a revolution led by those deemed "fools."

Incidentally, we're currently leaping from building to building at around twenty meters in height, moving through the city center like the imaginary ninjas seen through a train window.

Looks imposing, but inside, I'm sweating.

If I so much as slip, I’ll undoubtedly become a meal for those zombies in an instant.

I felt just like Mario bouncing atop magma.

Probably she’s feeling something similar—though she continues in a stifled tone.

“But isn’t it ironic? Back in school, I was the one who always drew everyone’s attention. And now here she is, criticizing me for being ‘popular’ or ‘selling her body.’ What’s so sexy about a leotard, really? Tell me, huh?”

No, I think that's erotic, honestly.

By the way, Maiko, what did you do in your student days?

Rhythmic gymnastics. I started when I was five. I made it to the top ten at the All-Japan Championships. I'm confident in ribbon and rope routines. I was scheduled to compete in the Olympics in Rio.

"Wait, are you serious? Isn't that a super famous celebrity?"

Well, the Olympics probably won't be held again, anyway...

She spoke as if nostalgically reminiscing about her past glory.

It wasn't the kind of line a healthy teenager would say.

"We both, deep down, have always felt the same way... And yet... why did it end up like this...?"

She temporarily解除 her "Demonization," taking a brief rest before her final jump.

While we're here, enjoying the view, let's have a snack and eat some chocolate bars.

"Please stay strong, Mayi-san. I'm sure the peaceful era where we get along well will return once more."

"Hohohoho. Who knows? If that time ever comes, it'll definitely be because someone strong, just like that 'Nameless' girl, worked hard to make it happen, don't you think?"

"Well, I'll manage."

At that moment, Mayi-san stretched out fully toward the open sky.

Seizing the moment, I decided to finally ask her about something I'd been worrying about.

"Um... Mayi-san?"

"Hmm?"

"You're a member of the 'Immortal Squad,' right?"

"That's right~"

"I heard the 'Immortal Squad' is General Shizukawa Reika's personal guard... a group of people who were brought back to life after dying once."

"Yep. I was just recruited normally, though."

Ah, so there are exceptions after all.

"Um, is there a girl named Haneuki Saaya in the 'Immortal Squad'?"

"There is...?"

I couldn't hide my surprise as Mayi answered as if it were natural.

"Wait... She's really there, huh, Saaya?"

"Yeah."

"Is she doing well?"

"Huh?...Yeah. Of course."

Her expression was slightly puzzled, as if to say, "Why bring this up now?"

I decided to go ahead and ask,

"Is there no way I could meet her?"

But she shook her head.

"Sorry, that's not possible."

"Not possible? W-why not?"

"Besides, it seems like she herself doesn't want to meet me."

"Sayaka-chan?"

"Yeah. I'm not exactly close to her either, but I can tell that much."

"That's awful..."

Could it be... did I do something wrong?

Hmm, I can't think of anything.

My memory's full of holes—damn it...

Mayoi-san suddenly patted my shoulder with a cheerful, "Pon, pon, pon!"

"Come now, don't worry~ I'm sure we'll have another peaceful, friendly era soon!"

"Hmm..."

I wish it weren't "someday," but right now, to be honest.

The reason being— I was absolutely certain that soon, very soon, I'd be on the opposite side of Shizukawa Reika.

"Hey, Mayoi-san..."

"Hm?"

"I have something I'd like to discuss with you—something I'm counting on you for."

"Huh?"

"Are you ready? Well, it's like this—"