kscans

Chapter 39 -

Symbol of Fear

"...A teacher, huh?"

On Sunday, while slurping some somen noodles for lunch, I was reminiscing about yesterday's events.

After finishing training and taking a shower, I was drinking beer in the facility's lounge when the chairman approached me. He said he had a favor to ask, and at first, I thought it might be another troublesome situation, but it wasn't.

"A school for the 'hidden world'?"
"It's not an official decision yet, but..."

The idea was to create a school for children who had been dragged into the hidden world. That's the kind of discussion that was happening.

"As you know, Mr. Sato, there are a certain number of children who get involved in the hidden world."
"Ah, like Rika-chan and Hikaru-kun."

Well, in Rika-chan's case, it feels like it might have been an unavoidable fate.

Anyway, there are quite a few kids who get dragged into the hidden world and somehow manage to survive there. The Mutual Aid Society assigns mentors to such children, but...

"We're managing for now, but I think there will come a time when we can't handle it with our current approach."
"Well... I suppose it's only going to increase, not decrease."

We can't say we're fully capable of dealing with the villains and monsters of the hidden world. Those who maintain order in the hidden world are chronically understaffed. Due to these shortcomings, there's a slight but continuous increase in cases where ordinary people are harmed or awaken to powers through contact with supernatural entities.

"The current individualized approach yields better quality results, but..."
"It can't handle the numbers. So you're thinking of standardized education?"
"Yes. As part of that, we're planning to start a trial classroom, like a summer course for students."
"And you want me?"
"Yes, we'd very much like you to participate as one of the teachers."
"And why me?"
"Judging from how you handle Saionji Rika and Akatsuki Hikaru, you clearly have more than enough instructional ability... Moreover, you are, without exaggeration, the 'strongest'."
"?"
"To be blunt, we'd like you to become something of a boogeyman."
"That's too blunt."

I see. They want me to use overwhelming power to crush the spirits of kids who tend to get cocky. I know from experience that when you get involved in this world during your impressionable years, you can easily get carried away. That can lead to death or going down the wrong path.

...Well, I was different. I was cocky even before I got my powers. Kids who get carried away after gaining power are actually more self-aware than I was.

"The mentors are careful about that, but..."
"...I see. They're seen as just being in the hidden world a bit longer. Kids think they can surpass them with some training."
"Well, not all of them are like that."

It's harsh to blame the children. Even adults can get drunk on suddenly acquired power. If even adults who know a thing or two about the ways of the world can fall prey to this, it's all the more true for children. In fact, even Rika-chan, who's growing up quite well, has such tendencies. Children like Hikaru-kun, who are self-aware in a good way from the start, are rare.

"Well, I understand what you want to do. But wouldn't it be inconvenient for you guys if I crush their spirits too much?"

Once they gain the power to protect themselves, they have a choice: continue in the hidden world or wash their hands of it and return to the surface world. Hikaru-kun initially intended the latter, but he seems to be considering staying in the hidden world to protect his family from the dangers he's realized are more prevalent than expected.

For the Mutual Aid Society, people who choose to remain in the hidden world are valuable assets, and those who get cocky usually choose to stay. Not everyone continues to belong to the Mutual Aid Society; some get headhunted by other organizations. But the fact that we've taken care of them carries significant weight. Many end up staying with the Mutual Aid Society and becoming part of the force maintaining order in the hidden world. The Society's support system also takes advantage of these emotional ties.

"If I crush them completely, won't they just want out?"
"Well... we'll follow up on our end. If it's still not possible..."
"Then they can't be expected to be useful as fighting force, so it's no problem to let them go?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."

If done well, it could increase the number of self-aware assets. If done poorly, we might lose potential allies... Well, I suppose they want to try various approaches, including this risk.

"...I have my regular job too, you know."
"Of course, we'll set it up like night school, just twice a week, to avoid interfering with your daytime work."

In the end, I was persuaded. I suppose I should repay the favors they've done for me regarding Rika-chan, Hikaru-kun, Yanagi, and Onisaki. By the way, Yanagi and Onisaki have recently made a full return to the public stage. They're now preparing and dealing with the remnants of the two major factions from the past.

(We couldn't get any information out of those two we caught back then, huh...)

Even house searches only turned up evidence supporting the official reasons for investigation, nothing more. The remaining source of information was the two we captured, but they stubbornly refused to talk. The Mutual Aid Society was prepared for a long-term effort, but... we were outmaneuvered. They apparently took advantage of an opening to commit suicide.

(I guess we have to leave it to Yanagi and Onisaki.)

They were once comrades, so they should understand their thought processes well. They'll contact me if they need my power, so until then, all I can do is wait and see.

"Phew... thanks for the meal."

I put my hands together and take the dishes to the sink. Looking at the clock... there's still some time, but I might as well head out since I have nothing else to do. Today, I'm going shopping for swimsuits with Rika-chan, Hikaru-kun, and the twins. After yesterday's conversation, Rika-chan suggested it, and since Hikaru-kun and the others had no plans, we decided to strike while the iron was hot. Since we all live in different places, we agreed to meet at a station roughly halfway between the Saionji and Akatsuki households.

"Ah, hello. Come on, you two, say hello."
"Uncle, hello!!"

They're already here about twenty minutes early... as expected of Hikaru-kun. The twins are wearing hats and have water bottles ready, showing how well-prepared they are.

"Hey, hey, Uncle, you're going to take us to the beach, right?"
"Hey, hey, Uncle, what do we do at camp? Curry? Are we making curry?"
"H-Hey, you two!"
"It's fine, it's fine."

I pick up the twins who have come swarming around me. Hikaru-kun seems concerned, but it's okay. It's good for kids to be energetic. While playing with the twins, about ten minutes later, Rika-chan also appeared.

"Eh, you're already here... Isn't that early?"

Right?

"Ai, Midori. This is my friend, Saionji-san. Say hello."
"Okay! Nice to meet you, big sister. I'm Ai!"
"Nice to meet you, big sister. I'm Midori!"
"My, how polite of you. I'm Saionji Rika. You can call me Rika."

Ah... what is this heartwarming scene...

(M-My healing gauge... My healing gauge is rapidly filling up...)

It's a direct hit to the heart of a tired old man like me.