kscans

Chapter 18 - Absolutely Not Possible

Two men faced each other with nothing to hide.

While we may not forgive the past, we can join hands for the future.

That being said, even if I'm okay with it, there's another person from back then who needs to be informed - Chika-san. I need to properly talk to her, as she was repeatedly targeted for their plans.

Even if Chika-san doesn't accept it, I don't intend to go back on my agreement with Yanagi. If it strains our relationship... well, it's necessary.

I had no idea that remnants of the two former major organizations, True World and the Chaos Army, were plotting conspiracies. The Mutual Aid Society and government organizations were also unaware. If they had known, they would have informed me.

While I usually handle requests casually, I can't stay silent when it comes to matters involving these two organizations. There's no reason not to request my help when they can use my maximum fighting power with full motivation.

But we failed to grasp any of their underground movements, allowing them to reach the stage of taking action. Without the coincidence of trying to quell my lustful urges, we might not have caught on to their movements.

That's why we need Yanagi's brainpower. He'll be useful not just for dealing with the remnants, but in other areas as well.

"Oh, this new apartment is quite nice!"

So, after work, I was visiting Chika-san's new home.

They moved from the previous apartment because Rika-chan didn't want to live there anymore. Apparently, they fully incorporated Rika-chan's opinions in choosing the new place, partly as atonement for past events.

The Mutual Aid Society had already sent a housewarming gift, but this was my first time visiting in person, so I was a bit nervous.

"...Gift, check. Alright, let's go."

I had the auto-lock opened via the intercom and went inside. When I reached the apartment I was directed to...

"Welcome, Uncle!"

Rika-chan greeted me.

Catching Rika-chan as she jumped at me, I carried her on my back to the living room.

"Welcome. Oh, Rika, don't bother Hiro-kun."
"I'm not bothering him at all. Right, Uncle? You're happy, aren't you? I'm an active middle school girl, you know?"
"Hey, if you say something like 'Yeah, junior high girls are the best!' after that, you'd be a real creep."

I'd report you to the police immediately if you did.

"Ah, here's a cake I brought as a gift."
"Oh my, you didn't have to go to the trouble."
"Well, you know, it's just part of being a salesman."

They've probably already had dinner, so it should be perfect for an after-meal dessert.

So, we ended up chatting while nibbling on the cake.

"Uncle, you've got pretty good taste, huh? You brought a nice selection."
"Nah, it wasn't my wisdom. I asked one of my subordinates for advice."
"A subordinate, huh? A girl?"

Chika-san's eyes narrowed slightly.

"It's a guy. The department's number one sweets junkie, who's also the top candidate for diabetes risk - that's Takeshi-kun's recommendation."
"Takeshi likes sweets, huh..."
"Wait, being the top candidate for diabetes risk isn't exactly a compliment, you know."

That's right.
But Rika-chan, that kind of reaction like "Even though he's that kind of guy?" isn't good. If you say that, Takeshi will blow his top. He'll start lecturing about gender and equality for a good hour.

"Well, anyway, let's get to the main topic."
"...It's about the underground world, right? And you want Rika to join us?"
"Hey, Mom. Why are you trying to exclude me?"
"Sorry, Chika-san. But this isn't unrelated to Rika-chan either."

I haven't told Chika-san about the remnants yet.
This was the Mutual Aid Society's decision. There's no need to unnecessarily cause anxiety when nothing has been confirmed yet.
I agreed with that. Instead, we've secretly assigned guards, and I'm ready to respond immediately if anything happens.

"...Tell me the details?"
"Just recently, it came to light that remnants of True World and the Chaos Army had joined forces and were up to no good."
"...Could it be-"
"It's not the top brass. It was orchestrated by people I don't even know."

By the way, Chika-san is aware that we didn't kill Yanagi and the others.
She was relieved to hear that and gladly accepted it.

"Hey, Mom, what's this... chaos something?"
"Well... True World was a group trying to create an excessively controlled society, like the dystopias you often see in sci-fi."
"The Chaos Army was all about lawlessness, thinking money isn't even good enough to wipe your ass with! They were trying to create a 'yahoo' society."
"Huh? That sounds super annoying."
"'You said it.'"

I've got nothing to add to that.
Well, I was on the opposing side, so I have no intention of defending them at all.

"And you know, they were after Rika-chan's mom in the past."
"Why... Oh, because of that special power?"
"That's right. And this time, it seems they had their eyes on you, her daughter. Though we don't know the details yet."
"...I understand the situation. It was to raise awareness, right?"
"Well, that's part of it, but there's one more thing."

I begin to explain to Chika-san, who's tilting her head in confusion.

"Do you remember Yanagi Seiichi?"
"Of course. How could I forget? You too, right, Hiro-kun?"
"Who's that?"
"He was the leader of the Chaos Army I mentioned earlier."
"So, a really bad guy, right?"
"What about Yanagi?"
"Well, it turns out he's alive. He's living as a homeless person now."
"――――"

Chika-san freezes with a face like a cat's flehmen response.
This is exactly as I intended. If I had just announced his survival normally, various emotions would have erupted, causing her to lose her composure.
That's why I added the information about him being homeless.
After a moment of silence, Chika-san said,

"...Excuse me. I need to drink some tomato juice."

She retreated to the kitchen.
When she returned with a half-empty bottle of tomato juice, she said while holding her forehead:

"...Could you explain everything from the beginning?"
"Of course."

I don't understand, but it seems when you're overwhelmed, you become calm, huh?
As I explained the situation from last night, Chika-san slumped onto the table.

"What in the world is going on..."
"But Mom, isn't this a perfect flow for a villain's redemption? This is definitely the kind of guy who becomes an ally, right?"
"...Rika? Please distinguish between manga or anime and reality, okay?"
"No, no, what Rika-chan is saying isn't entirely wrong, you know?"
"Huh?"
"He's not an ally, but I've decided to team up with him."

I explained about the contract to help him return to the underground world in exchange for borrowing his power, and...

"...I understand. If that's what you've decided, Hiro-kun, I won't say anything."

She accepted it, albeit with a complicated expression.

"Are you sure?"
"Because... it's for our sake, right?"

She sees right through everything.
Chika-san smiles, seemingly reluctant yet pleased. My heart won't stop racing.
After finishing the serious talk, we engaged in casual conversation over tea, when Rika-chan suddenly said:

"Hey, hey. There was another organization besides the Chaos whatever, right?"
"Yeah."
"What happened to their leader?"
"Hiro-kun?"
"I don't know. I only found out about Yanagi yesterday. I thought he was long dead."
"Well... I'm sure that one is dead."
"Right!"

We laugh together.

"Wait, how can you be so sure? That Yanagi guy was alive too, so maybe he's alive as well?"
"'No way, that's impossible.'"

We deny it in unison.

"Well, you see? I may dislike Yanagi, but that man was capable."
"But that other guy, well... He was essentially just a thug who had an awakening of self-importance."
"In a way, he was more troublesome and malicious than Yanagi, but... you know?"
"Yeah. Given the situation, he's probably dead."
"Why are you pushing the survival theory, Rika?"
"Well, if that Yanagi guy turned out like that, I thought maybe the other one might have ended up in an interesting situation too."

You're treating this like it doesn't concern you... well, I guess it actually doesn't.

"Hmm... So, Rika-chan, if he were alive, what do you think he'd be doing?"
"Huh? Well, since the Yanagi guy had a good story, wouldn't it be funny if this one had a comedic redemption?"
"Specifically?"
"Like, maybe he became a comedian?"
"If that guy was doing manzai or something, it might actually be funny."
"Okay, okay! I've got a good one too!"
"Oh, you too, Chika-san? Go ahead."

And so, we ended up having a lively improv session about what might have happened if he were alive.