kscans

Chapter 7 - Beyond Even Fate

It’s Golden Week. Last year, I was swamped with work and had to give up my holidays to stay at the office, but this year, I can take a break. Well, there are plenty of people working even during Golden Week, right?—That’s true. But we’re different. We’re what you’d call a "white" company.

"I started my own business because I wanted to work happily, you know!"

That’s what the president said. When a new employee, who was very aggressive and came to us from another company, suggested improvements with a condescending attitude, the president lost it. Well, it’s work after all. Nothing ever goes exactly as planned. There are busy periods too. You can’t always work at a leisurely pace. But we shouldn’t forget to strive for that. Our original intentions are important, right? By the way, that employee quit after about six months. I later found out that they had caused trouble in their previous job and left because of the work environment.

Well, leaving that aside, it’s a long weekend. On the first day, I spent the whole day drinking and sleeping at home… Hehe, it’s not a waste of time, you know? It’s a high-level strategy to fully enjoy the remaining time by setting aside a whole day for recharging. I deliberately woke up at 11 o’clock and went straight to a naughty shop I had my eye on beforehand wihout having breakfast . Well, you know. I wanted to feel refreshed. I wanted to start my day off feeling great. It’s all about strategy, tactics.

(Mmm… Yeah…) (t/n: he said うんめえ which basically mean umai, but with added casual flair. it means he approve of his plan that day, or he was satisfied with the service at the shop)

After feeling refreshed, it was time for food. To satisfy my increased hunger, I chose a chain burger joint. Maybe it’s a reaction from my student days when I used to hang out at places like this? After starting work, the frequency gradually decreased, and recently… I probably hadn’t been there in almost a year. Hence the choice. My aim was right on the money. This is seriously delicious. It probably tastes much better than it actually is because it’s been a while. I was aiming for that, but the effect was beyond my expectations.

(I love stuffing my face with a mountain of fries and eating them with the burger…)

The combination of potatoes and meat is just great. Burgers, fries, nuggets piled high on the table. A shake. An old man is eating them. And he’s all alone. It might look a bit weird, but that’s not a problem. What’s the point of having extraordinary powers? It’s to be able to be alone without caring about others, even in times like this, right?

(Ahh… this is good, really good… I’m racking up some good points…) (t/n: he said yoi kanji ni pointo tamatteru ぞぉ <-usually used in informal speech)

Personally, I think that during a long weekend, you gradually pick up the pace. It’s not good to rush into doing something just because it’s a holiday. It’s about steadily accumulating small moments of happiness and gradually getting into a good mood. Then, it’s just right to laze around at home on the last day. That way, you can return to work in a relatively good mood after the holiday. Well, that’s just my personal opinion.

"Phew… thanks for the meal." (t/n: he said ‘fuu…gossosan’, basically mean gokurousan which mean ‘thanks for the hard work’. he’s thanking himself for eating the big fat meal. as usual, it’s an informal or casual speech)

I leave the restaurant and start walking aimlessly. Now, what should I do next? Maybe I’ll go to a mahjong parlor and play a quick game. It wouldn’t be bad to just walk into a movie theater and watch something random without checking any reviews. If it turns out to be a dud, it’s still not a loss because it can be a funny story later.

…

Suddenly, I remembered Chika from the movie. I forgot how we ended up going to the movies in the first place, but we went to see a regular movie together. But man, it was so boring. After it ended, we went to the park and talked trash about everyone involved in the movie. Then, we complained a lot, and somehow ended up laughing our heads off. Ah, I just realized that it’s because of that memory that I can now look at a bad movie in a positive light.

(…Next time, maybe I’ll invite Chika to the movies.)

And then, maybe we can go back to how we were back then. Maybe our current precarious relationship can improve, and she can jokingly say, "I used to like you, Hiro-kun."

(When it comes to Chika…)

Rika-chan. It seems that she’s been using the inn I recommended quite frequently. I asked Akko’s staff to subtly keep me updated, and I receive regular reports. There’s no sign of her bringing a guy, and she even studies in the free space there. She must be serious at heart. Not just in appearance, she takes after her mother in that aspect too.

(I guess it’s because of Chika and her husband that she doesn’t want to go home.)

But that doesn’t mean I should meddle. I’m not such a great person that I can preach about other people’s families.

(Sigh… for now, I should have a proper talk with Rika-chan.)

It’s pretty harsh to just give her money and a place and then act like I don’t know anything. Whatever happens, I should meet her once. Let’s meet and talk. If I’ve decided that, then I should act on it immediately. Just as I was about to start walking towards the inn, it happened.

"――――Tasu, kete……tsu" (t/n: mean ‘helpppp’)

Kiiin! A voice echoed in my head. I remember this phenomenon, this sensation. It’s resonance.

(Rika-chan…!?)

In the past, due to certain circumstances, I had absorbed Chika-san’s blood into my body. For a while, I was deeply connected to her, and strong emotions would often come through. It gradually faded, and there was never any resonance after the battle ended. Perhaps there was still a connection, or maybe the blood that had been dormant was stirred by our reunion. Either way, there was no mistaking that Rika-chan’s voice, possessing the same power as her mother, reached me through our connection.

(Damn it! Where are you, where are you!?)

I tried to use the connection to trace her, but it only lasted for a moment and now it’s gone. If I knew her location, I could have teleported… but there’s no helping it now.

(I shouldn’t use it too much, but… I don’t have a choice!!)

I visualized fate and struck it with all my might. "Katsuage Ultimate (Fate Frightening Foolery*)"—threatening fate to forcibly bring about the desired outcome. It’s scary with all the recoil and everything, but it’s the most reliable method. I forcefully created the fate for Rika-chan and me to meet right away. In an instant, I was in the sky somewhere. Below me were grotesque creatures… and Rika-chan! (t/n: original was like Curse of Intimidating Fate/Destiny)

"It’s okay! I’ll protect you———"

"Dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!"

I kicked through the air, gaining speed rapidly, and killed that monster with unstoppable force.

Rika-chan was safe from the aftermath of my attack; her protection was perfect. In the moment of the attack, I had completely isolated the space.

"Rika-chan! Are you alr… ugh…"

I turned around, and then I noticed it. Rika-chan is staring at me with a blank face, and an unfamiliar kid who looked like a total noob was standing there. (t/n: another slang "パンピー" (panpii) meaning common people or commoner. also means inexperienced, or simply said, ‘noob’ in deragotary manner. so he’s saying some kid who look like a normie, or some kid who look like a total n00b. pick one)

"Oji…san?"

……

(…I have this feeling that I messed up.)

Maybe it’s not just my imagination.