Chapter 54

1.

I turn the board around and lead it in the direction I desire.

The plan the girl who listened to my consultations had thought of, and the one I accepted, was this. It was then that I realized that to achieve the ending I wish for, I must not follow the existing path.

The scenery I want to see. The ending I desire.

I understood that in order to achieve them, breaking the existing flow and severing the predetermined future would be the method.

That’s why I went to Abidos.

There, I eliminated the members of the Kaiser’s organization who acted as his arms and legs.

The issue of the delinquents troubling Abidos has been dealt with.

The connection between the teacher of SCALE and Abidos will likely be established through the letter I sent and the letter sent by Abidos.

The ‘teacher,’ the most crucial key to resolving the main story, will certainly get involved in this incident.

And if there are no major problems or variables, the teacher will surely gift the students the best possible ending.

‘There will likely be many accidents and adversities along the way…’

The teacher will undoubtedly save Abidos in the end. That is certain.

…

But I ponder.

Is it necessary to find happiness only after experiencing tragedies?

Is there no way to avoid suffering from the beginning?

Happiness, bliss—do they necessarily need to be the product of the process of pain?

I recall a conversation I had with a devil.

Heaven, as the ultimate point reached through the process of hell.

The conclusion that if the ending of every story is happy, then the suffering and adversities in the process are merely tests.

What did I reply to that at the time?

“No. The process must be filled with happiness for it to truly be happiness.”

I shook my head, rejecting that fact.

From the moment I resolved to shake up the board, I had considered this thought.

Happiness must be granted only to those who qualify for it.

And punishment and judgment must be meted out only to the wicked.

There’s no need for a result-oriented happiness.

Happiness must only be granted to those who deserve it. Those who harbor malice, greed, and contempt for others deserve nothing but judgment.

This was the conclusion and choice I arrived at.

Even if I am not the spokesperson for justice, I know of the existence of a ‘grown-up’ who truly leads everyone to happiness.

“I know that you truly deserve to be happy. Therefore—.”

I will protect you by any means necessary.

I will prove your worth.

And simultaneously,

“I will correct your mistakes.”

Even if it means revealing my true identity.

2.

A few days before leaving Abidos, I sent a personal Momotalk message to Hoshino and called her to an empty classroom.

“Hey—Mr. Hiiro. Calling me out at such a late hour; do you want to become my secret friend~?”

“Ah, you’ve come? Senior Hoshino.”

“Yawn… I was sleeping just fine…”

Slowly entering the classroom with a lethargic tone and manner, Hoshino’s appearance made me smile involuntarily, as she effortlessly relaxed anyone’s tension with her lazy demeanor.

‘She looks so cute on the surface, doesn’t she?’

But, I know. Rather, I ‘intuit’ it.

‘She’s seriously intimidating.’

A danger so intense it made my whole body tingle.

Beneath her lethargic tone and actions, there was a minefield of suspicion and wariness directed at me, enough to trigger my intuition.

At that moment, a smirk escaped me.

The relaxed and lethargic demeanor she had shown from the start seemed like an act.

‘No, not all of it is an act.’

When I realized that I genuinely had no intention of threatening Abidos and honestly revealed myself to them, the wariness I sensed from Hoshino greatly diminished.

Still, the fact that I called her out alone at this late hour must have revived her vigilance.

“So, what’s the matter, Mr. Hiiro?”

Just look.

Even as she shows her lethargy with her body, her heterochromatic eyes are carefully observing me.

Depending on what story I bring up, she will now respond differently to me.

But I wasn’t particularly worried. Once again, my job was simply to reveal my sincerity.

“Senior, you don’t need to be so wary.”

“Hmm? What are you talking about~?”

“More precisely, there’s no need for you to be wary.”

“…Mr. Hiiro, what are you saying-”

BAM!

I took something out of my pocket and placed it on the desk, then observed Hoshino’s reaction.

“…Eh?”

As expected, Hoshino looked surprised, having even forgotten her lethargic act, staring at me with a mixture of astonishment, disbelief, and joy—emotions that are hard to coexist.

Because,

“Will you listen to my story now, Senior Hoshino?”

The object I placed on the desk was ‘Silk’s mask.’

Stunned by this sudden coming-out, Hoshino started asking me, forgetting her act.

“Are you saying that you, Hiiro, were ‘Silk’…?”

I nodded lightly and sat down, picking up the mask from the desk and putting it on my face.

Unbinding my ponytail and removing my outerwear, I revealed the hero suit that was now quite well-known.

As I turned on the ‘Visions’ in the mask, the blue iridescence familiar to everyone was etched onto the mask’s eye areas.

And then, I slowly opened my mouth to speak.

“Surprise, senior.”

The voice that flowed out now was the one everyone in Kiburatos recognized as ‘Silk’s.

A voice similar to Hiiro’s but subtly different, a modulated voice that began to flow from my mouth.

To this, Hoshino let out a bitter laugh.

“…Crazy.”

“Hahaha! Did I surprise you?”

“Of course, it is!”

Looking at Hoshino, whose expression had completely relaxed, I smiled, and Hoshino also quickly dropped her guard, smiling back at me.

Hoshino collapsed onto a nearby chair, repeatedly wiping her face with her hand, then opened her mouth after removing her hand from her face.

With a face as red as a beet.

“Mr. Hiiro. Can you please forget what you just saw…?”

Begging Hiiro to forget her embarrassing moments, but Hiiro just shrugged.

…

…

…

“So, what do you want to talk about?”

“Ah, are you not pretending anymore, Senior Hoshino?”

“…Mu, what do you want to talk about, Mr. Hiiro…?”

“Hahahah! Hehehe! Aha…! Ah! I’m sorry! Hehehe!”

“Ugh… No…”

She attempted to change the subject, but when I started teasing her, her face turned bright red again.

She seemed unable to get angry at me, and the sight of her trying to calm herself down inside was quite impressive.

“I’m sorry. It was a bit frightening when you were being cautious at first, but seeing this side of you, Senior Hoshino, made me feel a little joy, and I couldn’t stop. Please forgive me. Okay?”

Her response to my excuse was lacking in spirit, but she smiled and answered with her eyes.

I decided to answer according to her wish.

While putting back on the mask that I had set aside earlier.

“Alright. What I wanted to say is—”

One warning and teaching.

This was the pebble I placed to change her future, not as Nanashi Hiiro but as Silk.

Removing the smile from my lips, I revealed a serious demeanor. My tone, expression, and energy completely shifted.

In the blink of an eye, my entire presence changed, enough to make even Hoshino blink in surprise.

Unlike Nanashi Hiiro, this was so that you could truly feel the meaning and weight of the words spoken by Silk, the hero.

“Hiiro, why suddenly-”

“I, as Silk, must warn you.”

“…Warning?”

Reinforcing the atmosphere, I showed a solemn appearance.

This was an act. A performance to leave a strong impression on Hoshino and to lend credibility.

A credible appearance. An unfathomable appearance.

Furthermore,

“You cannot save your friends through your sacrifice.”

“Please cherish yourself.”

Knowing something significant, with profound implications.

“What do you mean, Mr. Hiiro…?”

To Hoshino’s question, I did not answer.

I merely smiled at her while removing the mask.

The atmosphere and tension dissolved in an instant.

After removing the mask, all that remained was the usual cheerful, easygoing, and affectionate junior.

With a change in personality so distinct it could be called dual-personality, Hoshino’s expression turned perplexed, and only then did I reply.

With the usual, bright smile.

“Take it literally, Senior. Please remember it well.”

So please.

May this conversation hold value for you.

I prayed inwardly.

3.

For Abidos to avoid its ultimate downfall, everyone must work together; it is the only way.

It is a story that absolutely must not include sacrifices like “sacrificing myself to save the other children.”

That’s why I approached Hoshino and warned her.

Hoshino began receiving recruitment proposals from Black Suit several years ago. If the situation becomes difficult in the future, and she chooses to sacrifice herself to protect her beloved junior—

Without realizing that such a choice is wrong.

That’s why I intervened, eliminating the possibility.

Though it might not be completely erased, I still believe that the warning words I delivered will keep Hoshino constantly thinking.

Has this prevented Hoshino’s destiny of sacrifice?

Have I deflected Abidos’ path to doom?

“No. This is not enough yet.”

If you cannot control every situation, break the board.

A statement akin to the plan I had established.

In order to achieve that, I leaked Kaiser’s information to the press, made connections with Abidos, gave Hoshino a warning. Still, I felt it was insufficient.

As a result, I ended up pouring oil onto the flames of Kaiser, and they will likely move to fulfill their ambitions.

As a result, in my attempt to prevent Abidos’ destruction, I distorted the traditional storyline by creating an unknown enemy.

From now on, events will be filled with unpredictable variables, heading into chaos.

I shouldn’t be satisfied with merely utilizing prior information, making connections, and producing just a few variables.

To achieve the ending I desire within this situation, I need to stay ahead, read the moves, and prepare.

“Ah, you’ve come. I expected you to arrive at about this time.”

Sometimes, luck falls from the sky, doesn’t it?

“Mother of mercy. Haha, were you waiting for me that much?”

“I was waiting. I had made a promise.”

“…That’s right. Yes. What you’ve shown me is like a thunderclap that won’t leave my mind.”

“Hmm. Right. You’re still full of madness.”

“Haha, that’s your affection shining in my eyes.”

On the day I returned home from Abidos,

I felt more relief than anger or surprise upon seeing the intruder inside my house.

Because the girl in front of me was no longer an enemy but closer to an ally now.

“I’ve come to meet you.”

“It’s been a while, Wakamo.”

Kosaka Wakamo.

The former villainess came for a visit.

However, I didn’t even have the time to rejoice our reunion as I had to immediately make her an offer upon seeing her.

“Wakamo, I’m really sorry to ask you this right after such a long time apart… can you help me for a moment?”

“…”

“Wakamo? What are y-”

“Haa, I feel overwhelmed… hearing that you need me makes me want to embrace you right this instant.”

“Uh, um. Calm down a bit first.”

Hey, why are you acting this way?

For some reason, with an excited breath, she was slowly moving closer, and I stepped back as I spoke.

“I have a favor to ask. Can you help me just this once?”

“Anything you ask for, please go ahead. Yes, anything at all♡”

“Thank you, but, isn’t this a bit too close?”

In an instant, Wakamo accepted the proposal.

Or, from her words, it seems she’ll do anything I say. Why is she behaving this way?

“I’ve already decided to dedicate my body and soul to you. So, please take responsibility, Silk.”

“….”

I’ll describe this moment like this.

Luck has appeared right before my eyes.

Just that, this luck is a bit too clingy.

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