The other’s night.

　――The date changed.
　At the same time, this indicated that the global inversion rate would advance again.
　The survivors gulped and stared at the screen. Rather, they continued to stare.
　Please continue to be safe and may the day called yesterday continue―― They prayed.



　 ――――――――――――――――――

　Current global inversion rate：3.01％

　 ――――――――――――――――――



　Then, when that number barely exceeded 3%.
　Everyone exhaled loudly and finally went to bed for the day, relieved that the monsters would not be strengthened again today.
　And it was the same for Nanase Nao.

"…………Whew."

　Letting out a sigh, Nao turned off the screen that had appeared.
　Then, wiping the sweat from her palms with her pants, probably from nervousness, Nao took out a cigarette case from her pocket.
　Turning to its few remaining contents, she picked up one of them and lit it on its tip.


"……Uhhh―――― Fuuuー……"


　Nao looked up at the night sky and exhaled purple smoke at the floating half-missing moon there.
　The expelled purple smoke did not reach the moon and eventually disappeared as it merged with the night sky.
　Nao stared at this blankly, remembering the conversation she had had with Akira.

(Return from Hell. Quests and trophies, and inventories and scenarios, huh? ――Why is he the only one different from us? )

　――――It would be easy to call it "special treatment".

　In fact, when the video of Akira defeating the Minotaur went viral, the Internet pointed out that it was strange to defeat a monster that was so visibly strong as soon as the levels and stats appeared.
　Many of them called Akira a "cheater," perhaps in reference to the fact that a game-like screen had now appeared.


(……Considering what I heard today, that guy is indeed a cheater. Everyone would not be able to help saying so. But――――)


　Nao knew.
　That expression on Akira's face before he took on the Minotaur, with his grim determination.
　Those tears that Akira shed when he woke up after defeating the Minotaur.
　If this was just him given special treatment (cheater), why did he have to shed tears at that moment?

"………………"

　Nao chewed on the filter of her cigarette.
　Then, taking a slow, deep breath in and out with a profound huff, the purple smoke melted into the night sky and faded away.
　Then, just as Nao was quietly smoking her cigarette.


"Can't sleep? "


　She wondered when he had arrived.
　At the sudden call, Nao turned her head to see Minoru Karube standing behind her.
　Karube opened his mouth quietly as he stood next to Nao.


"Can't say I'm too impressed. Even though it's right in front of the main entrance, you're alone, outside the hospital."
"……It can't be helped. It's a no-smoking zone."
"You are so diligent."

　Karube chuckled at Nao's words.

"Then, may I ask one favor of you, Nanase-san? "
"A favor? "
"Can you share a cigarette with me? "


　Perhaps not expecting those words, Nao's eyes widened slightly and she laughed, her mouth parting in a lifted smile.


"Here you go."

　Nao said and then handed him the cigarette case and lighter.
　Karube took one out of the case and lit it with the lighter.


"――Fuuuー…………"


　Nao turned her attention to the large cloud of purple smoke.
　Nao then took her eyes off Karube and quietly opened her mouth as she continued to smoke her cigarette.

"I knew you couldn't sleep either, Karube-san."

　With these words, Karube must have realized what Nao was trying to say.
　A modest smile of embarrassment appeared on his mouth, and he nodded his head.


"……Yeah. I could not sleep, as I thought that perhaps today the monsters would be strengthened again. Well, there's nothing I can do about it even if I stayed awake."
"Without a doubt."


　Nao laughed at Karube's words.
　Then the two of them spontaneously stopped their conversation.
　Both Karube and Nao were staring blankly into the air, each seemingly deep in thought about something.
　After a while, Nao shoved the cigarette butt on the ground.
　She then took out a portable ashtray and stored the cigarette butt in it. Apparently, after finishing her smoke, Nao intended to leave the place.
　Karube watched Nao's behavior, and then eventually he spoke up as if to make up his mind.

"Is Ichijou-san……"

　At these words, Nao's gaze moved to Karube.
　Karube continued his interrupted speech as he met Nao's gaze.


"Is Ichijou-san going to take down more boss monsters? "
"…………That's what he said earlier."

　After a pause, Nao commented.
　At these words, Karube exhales loudly with relief.
　While staring at him, Nao turned toward Karube and spoke.


"That's why I'm going with Ichijou."


　These words must have been very unexpected.
　Karube opened his flabbergasted mouth as he stared at Nao's face.

"――――You too, Nanase-san? "
"Is it weird? "
"……Ahh, no. I'm sorry, I just didn't think you'd be going too, Nanase-san………… To be honest, I was thinking that I should go with Ichijou-san."
"If you move from here, who will protect those who are left here? There are many people who heard that the Self-Defense Forces were here and came running here, relying on you and your team, you know?　……Therefore, Ichijou and I will go together to take down the boss."
"No, but――――"
"I'm fine. I'm ready for it."

　Interrupting Karube, Nao remarked in a strong tone.
　Karube must have read Nao's resolve in her expression and her tone.
　His expression became serious, and he stared at Nao's face.


"I'm already prepared to protect this country―― or rather, prepared to protect the people of Japan. It is not only me but also the other SDF members. However, Nanase-san, you're different from us. You also do not have a special power like Ichijou-san. Why, then, do you insist on going with Ichijou-san? "


　At these words, Nao took her gaze away from Karube and looked at the half-moon in the night sky.


"……Ichijou may indeed be special in this, monster-infested world. But Ichijou to me is a friend and a kouhai with whom I can joke and laugh together. He's not special. He's just like us."

　Muttering, Nao turned her attention to Karube.

"If he says he'll do it, I'll go with him. That's all."

　Karube listened quietly to Nao's words.
　Then he let out a loud sigh, dropped the cigarette in his hand to the ground, and stomped out the embers with his foot.


"……I understand your resolve, Nanase-san."

　Karube said in a small, mumbled voice.


"Frankly, as you said, Nanase, it's true that we can't leave. Therefore…… Nanase-san, please take care of Ichijou-san for me."
"……That's been my intention from the beginning."

　With a soft smile at Karube's words, Nao turned away to leave the place.


"……You two."

　A few steps further on, Nao heard a voice behind her.


"What is your relationship after all? "
"……Like I said before, it's what I call a rotten relationship that started in middle school."

　Without looking back, Nao muttered.


"We didn't want our relationship to go any further than that."


　And at that moment, as Nao quietly spat out a few more words.


　――――'It' appeared in front of Nao and company as if it was oozing out of the dark night.

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 ToC    

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