その３５６ 最後のピース

「うおおおおおおおおおおおおおおりゃあああああああああああああああああッ！」

”鏡の国”の、凍り付いたような曇り空に、活を入れるような一声が響き渡りました。

「おっと」

「なんだあいつ。……ニャッキー・キャット！？」

”彼女”の助けは、――実を言うと、私の脳天気な想定からすると、少し遅いくらい。

だってあの娘、しばらくこっそり着いてきてたの私、気付いてましたから。

She looked oddly intrigued even when climbing Tokyo Tower.

Well, eventually she drifted off around the time we moved to the mall.

"Hey, Nya-kky…."

"——Burst Punch!!"

Without needing any explanation, she unleashed a downpour of fists from above.

"Whoa wwww omg wwww"

I jumped back sharply, barely avoiding the onslaught, grass still growing in the area.

A complex, grotesque sound—*doba-chu-bo-gu-cho-zu-baan*—rang in my ears as several waterlogged corpses, "zombies," burst open, splattering the nearby asphalt with thick, black blood.

A few drops landed on my feet, even though I’d taken refuge atop a large truck parked nearby.

I thought she’d finally learned her lesson—

"…What the hell is this crap?!"

—yet she only grew even more enraged, assuming a new offensive stance.

Perhaps because she was wearing a mask, she didn’t seem to care much about the splattered blood.

"《Ultimate… Heavenly Wolf…!》"

"Stop it!"

I halted Nikki-chan’s next attack with a roar.

Crackling, trembling—the ground shook, and even the zombies seemed to stiffen slightly, glancing our way.

"What the hell…!?"

Of course, Nikki-chan was wide-eyed in shock as well,

"…Ani-san, nee-chan!"

"Stay calm. Don't attack those guys recklessly."

"Why?!?"

"Never mind why. Just do it."

"Are you kidding me?! You can't just make me do something like that!?"

As I spoke, I teleported right beside me, leaving the group of "zombies" behind in place.

I know this technique. It's called *Shukuchi*.

I'm pretty sure I've used it before, somewhere back then.

"Infection is still possible even if it doesn't enter your eyes or mouth. Try to avoid attacking the abdomen—just destroy the head."

"Like that... can you really do something that delicate?"

"Stay calm. You'll manage. You're capable of it."

When I calmly reassured her, Nya-kkyi pouted and looked annoyed.

"Why...?"

"Huh?"

"'You'll definitely be able to do it'—why can you say that?"

"Well, just because. I just have a feeling."

"What's that?"

There was an unshakable certainty that it must be so.

This girl, wearing the NyaKKy mask.

Someone who, despite carrying an unbearable burden, refuses to give up on living honestly.

And—she must be a bit of a silly girl, that much was certain.

"So, what should I do?"

NyaKKy, her voice muffled, almost stifled.

Then, using that casual remark as a cue, a vividly revived line of dialogue came back to life.

―Who's the enemy, then?

―"Reincarnated One (Momoka)"? Or "Hero (Mitsune)"?

"The enemy of my older sister... is my enemy too."

"…………"

A fleeting sense of nostalgia washed over me, and I let out a soft chuckle.

Throughout all the times my memories had returned, it had always been accompanied by a sweet, nostalgic ache.

But the emotion I felt this time—was far stronger than I expected.

It was as if I'd finally found the last piece that shaped who I am.

That's how it feels.

"What's with the grin?"

"Nothing. Um, by the way, Nya-kky. You've fought a golem before, right?"

"A golem...? Well, yeah. I mean, sort of."

"Then, could we try out the method for dealing with them?"

"...That is..."

Nya-kky shows a slight hesitation, then says,

"Well, okay."

"Then, let's do it."

Upon my words, she vanishes again with her ability, disappearing from the spot.

"What did you ask for? To Nijakyu-kun?"

The dog-eared boy beside me.

"Not much... Just that I asked her to recreate the method of dealing with a 'Golem' monster. It's a bit tricky, after all."

"Huh. You seem to know how to handle that girl well."

"Of course I do."

I sighed, watching her appear right in the middle of the swarm of zombies.

"She was my... first partner."

"Hmm."

The silver knight nodded thoughtfully,

"Then, while she's drawing the weak ones in, we'll—"

"Yes....That's right."

"Take down that giant 'zombie.' "

"Time for a snack break."

The dog-like warrior teases slightly.

What can you do?

I mean, I've been pulling off some reckless moves nonstop since just a moment ago.

I pull out my secret cup noodles (European-style cheese curry flavor) from my waist pouch.

Then, I pour hot water from the [Water] element into it.

"Even going all-in like this... I didn't expect that..."

"It's fine. We won't be needed for a while, so don't worry."