That 360: Return
Well...
It turned out to be an easy job.
When my partner Nakkii and I stepped through the "Door to the Other World," we found all the refugees crowded tightly in a narrow hallway,
"Bravo!"
applauding like an audience after a stellar performance.
"Ah, hehehe... well, you know..."
Nakkii blushing (sneaking all the best parts).
"Besides... Wait, huh? Lucky! I just leveled up!"
"Is that so?"
"Where's my older sister?"
There's no sign of it going up...
Well, it's level 85, so it's inevitable that helping a few people won't raise the level.
"Seriously, how did we end up so far behind? Don't get discouraged now."
It's fine, but isn't this kid terrible at hiding their true identity?
Nya-kky will catch up soon enough.
Encouraging her with a wry smile.
After that, I pushed through the refugees and called out to Kou-kun.
Holding both children by the shoulders, he looked just like a real older brother.
"Um..."
"I understand. I saw where the dog bite disappeared."
"He asked me to look after you."
"Is that so."
"Was there any sign that he might be gone?"
"Well, we were just a burden, weren't we. It's only natural we'd be left behind."
Kou-kun spoke like that, looking a little lonely.
To leave behind a friend like this—Dog Bite-kun really is rather cold-hearted.
Trying to comfort him, I said,
"By the way, I've made a deal: in exchange for taking care of you, you'll tell me everything you know."
Just a little convenient excuse.
Well, it's just to keep things moving smoothly.
"Of course, I'll spare no effort in cooperating... though I must admit, I'm not exactly well-informed myself."
"Then, once we leave this place, let's have a relaxed tea together."
"Understood. Let's make a stylish appearance as we go."
With that, we slowly proceed down the underground passage, now completely cleared of those 'zombies.'
Then, belatedly, I explained to Shiba and the others about life in this "unreal kingdom."
Of course, they initially looked somewhat uneasy,
"Anyway, we don't plan to stay here long,"
so it ended up feeling a bit like a visit to a whimsical wonderland.
They'll probably be looked after by "Grandelina" from now on, so we'll likely be parting ways for a while.
All that's left is to pray that Nanami and Mayi return safely.
Following Nyakkī's lead, we passed through the usual employee passage and finally noticed, there, that a strong wind was raging outside the building.
"Oh, I forgot to mention—there's a typhoon coming right now."
Well, that's something.
Still, Disney's sturdy buildings should withstand a little rain and wind just fine.
But the subway system in Tokyo might see more areas flooded again.
Ah... Well, I don't plan on leaving this place, anyway. Don't know about you.
Again, again... Don't say things like that...
Maybe they'll change their mind, right?
"Yeah, I'm part of the 'Immortal Squad.' I'm not leaving the 'Kingdom' that easily."
Huh.
Claiming that so forcefully must mean there's some underlying reason...
Anyway, I can't help but smile at how lively Saya-chan is doing.
I gently pat her head, poking it playfully—pom, pom, pom, pom.
"Hey, cut it out. Don't get too familiar. I'm the world's Nyakky Cat."
"I'm just such a huge fan, you know?"
"Normally, you'd wait hours in line just to say hello."
No matter who Shizukawa Reika is—there's one thing I must be grateful for: she brought her back to life.
▼
When she finally emerged onto the surface, the early morning "Avienia" was battered by fierce wind and rain.
Though the drainage system was clearly well-planned, it didn't seem like the entire park would flood, but it was clear that some plants had suffered damage from the rising water.
「こりゃひどい……。都内の被害が思いやられるな」
避難民の一人が、ぽつり。
彼らの帰る場所、――東京駅が心配みたい。
と、その時です。
ぴしゃーん！ ごろごろごろ……と、雷が落ちる音がして、
『キィ――――――――――――――――――――――――――ッ！！』
と、ガラスを引っ掻くような鳴き声が辺りに響き渡りました。
Without thinking, I instinctively positioned myself to protect the men,
"Swallow it! ――Come on, you bastard!"
A familiar voice nearby using Rank Five of the Fire element.
"Further! ――Flame Column!"
Looking over, I was met with a scene that made my eyes widen in disbelief.
There, the "Gambler" was fighting against a monstrous rat standing two or three meters tall.
"Yuck... Disgusting!"
As a ladylike gesture, I screamed. Well, a drowned corpse "zombie" would've been a hundred times more gruesome.
A beat later, Nya-kkyi chimes in, yawning.
"Hey, I almost forgot to mention—there were monsters too."
"Yeah... that's right."
I wish you'd said that before the typhoon showed up.
"Well, I figured they'd be fine as long as everyone here handles them."
Well, that makes sense—probably.
The "monster" appears to have just been eradicated by a few "players."
Wooohooo! Got it! Wooohooo!
On top of the roasted mouse, the "Gambler" proudly proclaimed his victory.