Chapter 319: The rhythm of the story breaks

My bad premonition materialized the next morning as tangible violence right before my eyes.

It happened while I was discussing evacuation plans with Hamada, who—thanks to my harsh words the previous day—had surprisingly gotten up early.

"Hey you!!"

A passionate voice echoed through the empty building.

Hearing the voice coming from right beside us, from a nearby bedding shop, we turned in surprise and headed toward it. A small crowd had already gathered in that area.

"Hey you!! It's you who took my girl!! I won't forgive you!!"

Frowning at the incoherent words, we heard the sound of a shattered display window.

Three men, their heads soaked in blood, were locked in a furious fight, gripping each other by the collars.

"Matsumi-san, Yoshtake-san, Ume-san...!"

Hamaeda widened his eyes, pushing past his companions to try and stop them,

"What are you doing! It's finally the day we can escape...!"

"Shut up! It's this guy, these guys—they took my girl...!"

"My girl?"

Peering into the back of the bedding store, Nanami was yawning in her cute pajamas.

"Ah...~"

"Nanami-san. What are you doing at a time like this?"

"What do you mean... what exactly?"

I glared at her, trying to sound indignant,

"Anyway, why are these people fighting?"

She looked completely oblivious, as if she hadn't a clue.

"Hey, even I, a bystander, can kind of figure this out. You're fighting over me, aren't you?"

"Oh? Really?"

"Really? Ugh... What are we supposed to do about this mess?"

"Even so, once you're in this state, men are just like monkeys. They think whoever wins the fight gets to claim me. Hehehe. I do have a boyfriend, you know?"

Nanami smiles cynically, saying that.

"You have a boyfriend, yet you let a man inside you?"

"Yeah, well..."

"...You'll end up getting stabbed someday."

"Hehehe. We're already bodies that won't die from a knife stab like that."

"That may be true, but...—"

Even if death by violence isn't possible, there's still poisoning.

Just like how I was killed in my previous life.

"Anyway, right now is a crucial time for building trust with others—"

That was the moment I offered this advice, with the earnestness of an old woman.

Nanami's lips were close to my ear,

"Whatever. They fell for each other on their own. I'm not to blame."

That was a clear, firm refusal.

Still, I had my pride.

"If you want to live a long life, you should avoid actions that go against ethics."

"Ethics, huh..."

"Even without ill intent, someone can still get hurt. —You must know that much, right?"

"...Hmph"

For several seconds, the two of them remained locked in a tense silence, staring at each other—

“…………Tch.”

Eventually, Nanami let out a frustrated grunt and stretched again, dramatically.

Even I, who wasn’t used to it, knew the unspoken rule of such moments.

Looking away meant she had given in.

And so, Nanami, still grinning broadly (a very soft expression), grabbed the three of them by the backs of their necks and tossed them carelessly around the nearby area, one after another.

"——You guys heard me last night, didn’t you? I’ve got my main guy, okay!? I played along just because I felt like it, so don’t go acting like you’ve claimed me after just one time!"

What an outrageously bold, shameless declaration.

Then she pointed at the last-ranked one,

"○○○○, you piece of crap!"

Next, she pointed at Yashiba,

"Your face during orgasm was totally ○○○○! You perverted ○○○○!"

Finally, she pointed at Ume.

"You're just... utterly disgusting! And you stink!"

Apparently, that single remark was enough to completely shatter the morale of the three men.

They lost all emotion instantly, staggering away with unsteady steps—(in fact, they even grabbed each other's hands, supporting one another from that very moment)—and fled.

"Yes. All settled."

After watching them go, Nanami sniffed once and turned her back,

"...Where to now?"

"Second nap"

I flop onto the bed in the back of the bedding store, lying on my back.

No, I mean, taking a second nap.

We have a meeting coming up, after all.

Still, if I were to wake her up now, it's probably not going to lead to a productive conversation...

Reluctantly, we leave the bedding store, shooing away the curious onlookers who've gathered around.

That's when I realize something.

Among the crowd, I saw the face of that guy, Takatani Kōichi.

And then I noticed how carefully he was holding that full-face type helmet.

"——?"

Why did he have something like that?

But at that moment, I had no idea what it could possibly mean.

▼

...That scene unfolded around six in the morning.

The evacuation plan was postponed, decided upon that afternoon, around five o'clock.

The reason being,

"No, heh heh. Sorry about that. Listening to everyone's talk, it seems we've ended up like this at such a late hour."

According to Hamada, it seemed the situation was getting somewhat complicated.

To be honest, this was exactly the issue I'd worried about by last night.

"Who would've thought that, of all times, we'd end up with factions—people wanting to stay behind here?"

He sighed deeply.

"Those people say they want to stay for another week or two, but that's clearly a lie."

"Yeah. If they relax here for just one week, they'll definitely keep putting it off for another month, or even a year."

Ugh.

My stomach feels heavy.

I think, perhaps, part of the reason we—supposedly the rescue team—lack the authority to convince the adults is because of this situation.

If only there were someone like Yuki-san here, maybe things would have unfolded differently.

"So, in preparation for the escape plan that's supposed to begin tomorrow—cheers."

As I listen to the third round of everyone's toast, I can't help but feel exasperated.

I wish you'd consider the pacing of the conversation a bit more...