Episode 99: Loss of Difference
Before the conclusion between Rokuhara and Nameless.
At the same moment that Solciera faced off against Nameless, Luka stretched widely in the Student Council room, her back to the morning sun.
“…I couldn’t sleep.”
Advised by a friend to rest, the time given was ultimately spent on personal research.
Luka slightly relaxed her cheeks as she glanced at the tablet in her hands.
(“Thanks to Solciera’s magic formula, I’ve cleared the biggest hurdle. Now all that’s left is… “)
“―Ouch!?”
Suddenly, her awareness drifted away, and a shock of pain ran through her head. Apparently, she had momentarily lost consciousness due to lack of sleep.
Without even getting up, Luka grabbed the tablet blindly while looking at the messy desk with apparent irritation. After confirming the time, she left the Student Council room, swaying unsteadily.
“Are there any sleeping pills left in the infirmary?”
At Jilnias Academy, sleeping pills are one of the first medicines to run out in popularity.
■
Jilnias Academy has many infirmaries.
This is because students often suffer serious injuries from their reckless daily habits and over-the-top research activities.
Konie was heading to one of these infirmaries located somewhat far from the main building. Its location is a little confusing for freshmen, and upperclassmen usually have their own labs so rarely visit the main building.
The route to this infirmary is so convoluted that it’s almost impossible to find on the first try unless you get lost wandering around. This is due to unauthorized expansions and renovations carried out by past student council presidents.
“I’m coming in!”
With her hands in her pockets, Konie kicked open the door energetically. As the door opened, her twin tails swung cutely.
“Huh? The health committee isn’t here again? Luka, we should just turn this place into our private Student Council room.”
Saying that, Konie sat down on the bed where Luka was without hesitation. Following her with her eyes, Luka sighed deeply as if extremely bothered.
“What do you want?”
“Anyway, you probably didn’t sleep, right? Let’s go for a walk before bedtime.”
Smiling with her teeth showing, Konie looked lively. It was less like a human smile and more like the natural grin of an animal.
“…No, I’ll sleep here.”
“I said lend me your face.”
It seemed Luka had no right to refuse.
“Fine…”
Not bothering to hide her displeasure, Luka stood up.
“There’s a great spot where no one will be at this hour. Hey, follow me.”
“You’re full of energy…”
Though staggering slightly, Luka followed behind Konie.
Incidentally, the sleeping pills here were already out of stock.
Jilnias Academy has many courtyards integrated with nature.
This was the thoughtful gesture of a previous student council president who wanted the reclusive students to interact with nature at least a little bit.
One such courtyard is where Konie brought Luka. Located at a high elevation, the morning breeze caressed their cheeks nicely, likely designed that way intentionally.
“What would you like to drink? I’ll treat you, so feel free to ask for anything.”
“I’ll have a Jilnias Energy Drink.”
“Denied.”
“But you said anything…”
Seeing Luka’s irritated expression, Konie started inserting coins into the vending machine with a sigh. It was quite an old-fashioned coin purse.
“I asked what you’d like to drink. Who said anything about ordering that extreme energy drink explorers use?”
“But…! Without drinking at least ten of those a day, my body shakes uncontrollably…”
“So obviously that’s a bad idea, idiot.”
Saying that, Konie ended up choosing a drink herself.
“Here you go.”
Looking at what was tossed to her, Luka turned her gaze to Konie.
“What?”
“It’s almost summer, and yet… hot cocoa?”
“That’s best if you want to sleep. I always drink hot milk before bed.”
“That makes sense,” Luka thought but restrained herself from saying it, instead only glancing at Konie’s figure.
“Why don’t you try sleeping well once without relying on medicine?”
“That would be easy if I could.”
“Yeah… Once you sleep, you end up thinking about unnecessary things too.”
Konie sat next to Luka. There were several benches, but Luka had already given up on complaining about Konie’s familiar behavior. Such casualness from the girl wasn’t something new.
“…I was the one who let Miuye escape.”
Opening her can of soda, Konie said that. Luka simply replied, “Is that so?”
There was a brief silence.
“Luka.”
Konie called her name.
“Come with me. We’re stopping that idiot Kanon.”
Saying that and looking up at her, Konie received nothing but Luka finishing her hot cocoa.
To her, artificially sweetened, it lacked sufficient sweetness.
“Thank you for the cocoa. Thanks to you, I think I might be able to sleep now. Goodbye.”
Saying that, Luka stood up. Just as she was about to leave, a massive mechanical crocodile appeared in front of her eyes.
The mechanical crocodile, which must have been seven meters long, bent its body to encircle Luka.
“Sorry, but this time, I can’t just say ‘okay’ and back down.”
Standing up, Konie patted the crocodile’s head and leaned against its massive body.
“Konie, there’s nothing to talk about with you. Because you—”
“Escaped from that project, right? Don’t spout nonsense. I didn’t escape; I rejected it.”
Konie threw the empty soda can. In response, the crocodile opened its huge mouth and swallowed the can whole.
“To meet your dead sister again sounds nice, but is the result worth it?”
Her voice carried anger.
“Eliminating unsatisfactory results and selecting individuals convenient for your purposes… Do you think you’re a god or something?”
“…Konie, Kanon is doing everything she can. She’s desperately trying to bring her sister back to life.”
“She’s dead! There’s nothing about bringing her back!”
As if speaking to an obstinate child, Luka carefully chose her words.
“Kanon isn’t harming anyone. You understand that, right?”
“No harm done…?”
However, Luka’s words only further stirred Konie’s emotions.
“—Hmph.”
Clutching her fists and exhaling, Konie forcibly swallowed the passion rising within her.
Then, she began to speak haltingly.
“The first one was quiet. They stuck close to me, and though I found them bothersome at first, they turned out to be pretty smart.”
There was no way Luka could stop her words now.
“The second one was more mature than me. Tall and big in many ways, but childish at heart. They hated losing and constantly challenged me to fights.”
Her eyes, gazing upward as if flipping through an album, were filled with nostalgia. Konie was looking somewhere else, not here.
“The third one was the closest to the current one. They understood well and were liked by others. I liked them too.”
“Konie…”
“Three times! …Three times, I let Miuye d*e. Those taken away with ridiculous excuses like ‘failure’ or ‘upgraded model,’ I couldn’t save them.”
By now, bl**d was seeping from her clenched fists.
“This time, the current one will also be taken away for some stupid reason. Before that happens, I’m going to save them.”
“…The current Miuye is closer to the completed form. Her compatibility with the magical eye is stable, and surely everything will be fine.”
“Is that how you’re going to ignore it again?”
“…”
“Luka, you’ve always been like this. Ignoring things, straddling the fence. That’s why—”
The crocodile slowly moved.
Facing Luka directly, showing its fangs, its posture clearly indicated readiness for combat.
“Decide now. Are you siding with that idiot who’s already broken, or with Miuye?”
“…I am…”
“Answer me, coward!”
The crocodile lunged at Luka on Konie’s command. Despite its size, it moved with incredible agility, opening its massive jaws towards Luka.
“GM04! Ruruika!”
In response to the activation language, Luka’s dive gear deployed its armament. It took the form of a self-propelled dolphin-like machine.
The dolphin known as Ruruika dived into the ground like swimming in water, creating waves by striking the ground with its tail. The impending attack of the crocodile’s massive jaw was thwarted by the ground rising like a wave.
While the crocodile was forcefully biting into the ground, Luka mounted the dolphin and put distance between them.
“Konie, please stop!”
“Not a chance. If necessary, I’ll beat some sense into you!”
Understanding from Konie’s shout and expression, Luka realized she was serious about crushing her.
“Please understand, Konie! Just a little longer, just a little more, and everyone will be saved! Miye will come back to life, and Kanon will forgive herself!”
“That’s exactly the problem! Miuye isn’t included in your plans! Are you ignoring what you don’t want to see?”
“I just want my friends to be happy!”
“Does spouting idealistic nonsense make you feel better? Even when I’m seriously trying to k*ll you, all you do is run away. You never confront me head-on!”
While the crocodile pursued her, Luka merely fled around the area on the summoned Ruruika.
“I don’t want to be your enemy, and I want to get along with Kanon. Isn’t that too convenient? …The time for excuses has passed. We’re finished.”
At the sound of Konie’s voice, on the verge of tears, Luka involuntarily turned to look at her. However, her eyes were filled with strong determination.
“I’ve made my decision, Luka! I’m protecting the current Miuye! And I’ll knock some sense into Kanon! Right now, I’m your enemy! Fight me!”
The crocodile returned to its master and roared loudly.
From its back emerged a massive sword.
Konie leapt aboard and, kicking the sword upwards, placed it on her shoulder.
“My masterpiece created specifically for Kanon—named ‘Sword Sword Crocodile Crocodile.’ I’ll dismantle your dolphin into three pieces.”
“…”
“Go, Loron!”
Roaring, the crocodile sped off with its master on its back, attacking much faster and sharper than before.
It didn’t take long for Luka, who was only fleeing and not counterattacking, to be caught up with.
“Checkmate.”
“Konie, please stop!”
“Then attack me.”
Konie swung the massive sword. Just as she was about to leap off Loron’s back, something unexpected happened.
“Eh?”
A student from Jilnias Academy had suddenly appeared between the two and clung onto Loron’s leg.
By the time they noticed, multiple students had clung onto Loron, trying to restrain it. More students kept appearing from thin air until their sheer numbers managed to hold Loron down.
“Tch… So you’re using data clones to escape? Not only feeding Miuye to it but using them as expendable pawns for yourself, huh?”
Konie directed Loron to sweep the surrounding students away with its tail, though the blow was carefully controlled enough to only push them off.
“Chi, that’s not… I…”
“Another excuse? Alright, gotcha.”
Loron’s massive jaws finally captured Ruruika. Throwing Luka off, Loron sank into the ground like being dragged into a swamp, disappearing along with Ruruika.
Konie looked at Luka with her massive sword in hand.
“I’m ready to crush both you and Kanon.”
“I am…”
“…Hmph.”
She couldn’t wait any longer.
With a disappointed sigh, Konie swung the massive sword.
“Just take a short nap. I’ll handle the rest.”
Saying that, she brought the sword down.
Awaiting the blade and the hostility, Luka closed her eyes.
But neither pain nor impact came.
“—What… Why..?”
Instead, she heard a confused groan from her friend.
Cautiously opening her eyes, she saw Konie standing with the sword piercing through her abdomen.
“You b*stard… When did you… —Kanon!”
“Ah, just now? Something about you bullying Luka felt wrong?”
Konie was embraced from behind by Kanon, who had stabbed her in the stomach with a small kn*fe. Her pristine uniform quickly turned red with bl**d.
“Gaah…!”
“Haha, no good, Konie. You shouldn’t k*ll the data clones. There’s a possibility I’m hiding among them. Though, you had the conviction not to k*ll the data clones, didn’t you?”
Kanon’s face briefly changed into that of an ordinary student.
“Hidden among the data clones… gaggh…”
“That’s right. Yes, my love wins!”
Saying that, Kanon drove the kn*fe deeper into Konie. Dropping the massive sword, Konie weakly muttered,
“Lo…ron…”
From behind Konie, the giant crocodile reappeared. With its mouth already wide open, it lunged toward Kanon.
“Divided d*ath”
A wall of black butterflies appeared in front of Loron and Kanon. The butterflies danced around Loron and one by one attached themselves to it. Then, they pierced into its mouth and began absorbing the magical power that constituted Loron.
Absorbed simultaneously by thousands of “Divided Deaths,” Loron disappeared without even having the chance to roar.
Witnessing this scene, Kanon smiled contentedly.
And then, she whispered into the ear of the girl in her arms.
“Did you really think you could defeat me with your homemade crocodile? Ah, Konie, if only you hadn’t declined the Doctor’s offer, you could have used ‘Divided d*ath’ too.”
“d*mn…”
Butterflies enveloped Konie’s figure. Eventually, as Konie disappeared, Kanon stepped away from her and approached Luka.
“Are you alright? Did you get enough sleep?”
Kanon extended her hand and tilted her head. As Luka hesitated whether to take it, Kanon grabbed her hand and pulled her up forcefully.
And before Luka could say anything, Kanon tightly hugged her.
“Thank you. For not betraying me.”
It was a heartfelt expression of gratitude filled with deep emotion.
“…What about Konie?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll use her well.”
Kanon winked and said that.
The “Divided d*ath” had already vanished with Konie.
As if none of it had happened, there was only silence left where the events had unfolded moments ago.
“Hey, did you have breakfast? If not, let’s eat together?”
Even though she had just stabbed her friend, Kanon acted as if nothing had happened, maintaining her usual demeanor.
Luka swallowed hard to keep calm and forced a smile.
“I’ll pass. Actually, I haven’t slept yet.”
“Eh? That’s no good. You really need to get proper sleep. Oh, do you want some sleeping pills?”
“…No, I drank cocoa earlier.”
Saying that, Luka wobbled and left the scene.
All she wanted now was to sleep.
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