kscans

Chapter 129 - That Self-Proclaimed Ninja Is Just Unfair

"──I’m going after them!!"

"Leave this to me!"

That was all the communication we needed. I deployed my `Arcane Gear` and started running, locking onto the fleeing van with my `Spirit Eye`.

I didn’t fully grasp the situation, but I knew Eric-san had been kidnapped.

My policy is to leave criminal matters to the police, but when a friend’s family member is abducted right in front of me, that’s a different story!

Luckily, there weren't many people around, so I could sprint down the sidewalk without worrying about collisions. I blasted wind behind me to accelerate, closing the distance to the target vehicle in an instant.

Just then, the van turned into a narrow side street to the left, one just barely wide enough for two cars to pass.

It was about twelve meters to the opposite sidewalk. I pivoted ninety degrees on one foot and kicked off the ground with the other.

My body lifted into the air. I leaped over the road, and the moment the tips of my toes touched the asphalt, I broke into a run again.

I found it. Locking onto the back of the white van, I accelerated and leaped once more, landing in the vehicle's path and turning to face it.

…Now, how do I stop this thing?

It was the first time I’d ever stood in front of a moving vehicle, and for a moment, I was overwhelmed by its sheer presence.

Unfortunately, there was no time to think. If I just rammed it, the people inside wouldn't make it out unscathed, so I needed to get creative.

Lowering my stance, I used the wind to push my body back at the moment of impact. Matching our relative speeds as much as possible, I slid both hands under the car.

Then, I lifted with all my might.

"Hnngh, nnguooooooh!?"

H-heavy!?

The impact sent me stumbling backward, but I managed to avoid falling. I used the wind to support my upper body and somehow maintained my posture.

This is bad. Are cars really this heavy…! I’ve seen videos of strong `Awakened Persons` lifting them, but this is tough!

The tires were still spinning at high speed, and I could feel the vibration of the engine. The bumper was a little dented, but it seemed like it could still drive. If I put it down now, it would just ram right into me.

If that happened, Eric-san would be in danger.

"I’m tipping it on its side! Brace for impact!"

I had no idea if they could hear me, but I shouted into the car and began to tilt it sideways.

Carefully…! Carefully…!

The side mirror and window shattered, but I didn’t care. The sharp sound of breaking glass and a heavy thud echoed through the air.

The car lay on its side on the ground.

"Phew…"

I’d managed to set it down cleanly.

Now they couldn’t escape. Relieved, I was about to look up when—

My `Spirit Eye` foresaw a gun muzzle pointed at me.

"Huh?"

My mind couldn’t keep up. Even with my thoughts accelerated by my unique skill, all I could feel was confusion at the unfamiliar object.

When I looked up, just as my premonition had shown, a man was leaning out of the passenger window, aiming a submachine gun at me.

…Wait, a submachine gun? This is Japan, you know?

I stared blankly at the gleaming black muzzle. Still, my instincts took over, and I raised my arms to cover my head.

I managed that much, but my feet felt as if they were nailed to the ground. The man’s exposed eyes were bloodshot, radiating a powerful killing intent.

Oh, I’m going to die.

That was what my rational mind determined. It had already made the judgment.

I’d faced death countless times against monsters, but against a human, it was so…

Terrifying.

The trigger was squeezed.

"Ugh."

My throat trembled, and a whimper escaped. But the sound was drowned out by gunfire that…!

───PFT-PFT-PFT-PFT-PFT-PFT-PFT!

"Waaaaaaaaahhh… huh?"

…never came.

There was only the sound of air being expelled. Then, a light impact as metal balls bounced off me.

The pellets couldn’t even penetrate the thick cloth on my shoulder, let alone my gauntlets, and they fell to the ground. Wait, is this…

"An airsoft gun!?"

I can’t believe I got scared over that!?

The man in black, who had just unloaded about twenty metal BBs, stared at me, dumbfounded.

…I’m the one who should be surprised here, buddy.

Whatever, if it was just a toy, there was nothing to fear. I leaped onto the overturned car and kicked the weapon out of the airsoft man’s hand.

It broke easily, but there was a strange feeling to it. A brief glance at the cross-section revealed that the barrel was made of metal.

Also, for some reason, there was a hand warmer attached to the magazine, despite the season. Seriously, why?

The questions were endless, but for now.

"Don’t you scare me like that, you bastard!"

"E-eeeeek!?"

I grabbed him by the collar, lifted him up, and then dropped him with a little bit of force. He landed on top of the other person in the driver's seat, and the airsoft man fell back inside the vehicle.

"Stay put! Or else… I’ll punch you!"

"A-ahhh…!?"

The driver and the airsoft man looked at me with terrified eyes. Since they were using a toy like that, they probably weren’t used to violence.

Okay, that should do it—no, wait!

I hurriedly jumped off the car and tried to circle around to the back. But I was a step too late.

"Don’t move!"

A roar echoed as a man in black emerged from the back door. His left arm was wrapped around Eric-san’s neck, who was bound with duct tape, and his right hand held a knife.

Another man appeared from behind him, this one holding a stun gun.

"Kuh…!"

"Don’t you move, you bastard! You want this old guy to get hurt!?"

"Mmph! Mmph!"

"Shut up!"

"—!"

Eric-san’s face paled as the tip of the knife was brought close to his face.

What should I do? Can I rush in and take them down!? Before the knife can deal a fatal wound to him…!

I probably could. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

This was the first time I’d ever fought a human seriously. And with a hostage, no less. I had no experience with this.

The man’s bloodshot eyes turned to me. Dammit, what kind of demands are they going to make…!

"Strip!"

"Wait, why!?"

"Drop your weapon!"

"Oh, that’s what you meant."

That scared me. For a second, I thought he was demanding a striptease.

…Wait, I don’t even have my sword or knife materialized.

"W-wait a minute. I don’t have any weapons!"

"Just strip all the way!"

"I said, why!?"

"Get naked and apologize to me!"

"Where did that idea even come from!?"

This is bad. The criminal is clearly delirious.

And the stun gun guy next to him…

"Kekekekekeke! Kehihihihi! Rerorerorerorero."

He’s licking the grip of his stun gun!

What!? What is happening!? This is scary!

He went to the trouble of lifting the mouth of his ski mask just to do that. Seriously, why?

As I froze in confusion, the knife man must have lost his patience, because he brandished the blade at Eric-san.

──Pop.

"Mmph—!"

"Hurry up and strip! Or else me and him will get naked first!!"

"I don’t understand any of this."

Did you think that was the sound of me snapping? Too bad, it was the sound of a button popping off Eric-san’s shirt.

No way you could have known, right? I don’t get it either.

But the problem is that the blade is at his chest. I can’t provoke them any further.

"You want me to? I can start playing ‘he loves me, he loves me not’ with this guy’s chest hair, you know!?"

"Rerorerorerorerorero."

"Yeah, and my buddy here says he’ll make latte art with this old guy’s nipple!"

"O-okay. I get it. I get it, so just calm down."

I didn’t get it at all, but I decided to pretend I did.

I deactivated my `Arcane Gear` and took off my jacket.

Well, it wasn’t like I had to do anything for these criminals to be caught. I had seen the reason for my confidence, so I was able to calm my nerves somehow.

"Naked! Get naked! Want me to show you how it’s done!?"

"Kehihihihi! Rerorerorerorero."

"Hold on, brother! It’s a bit early for cold noodles!"

What is with these guys?

As I was thinking that, my eyes met Eric-san’s, who was looking at me anxiously.

The moment I gave a small nod to reassure him.

"Atemi!!"

"Hoge!?"

An invisible Erina-san slammed a spear-hand strike into the knife man’s side.

Her fingertips dug in, stimulating his lung through the gap in his ribs. There was no bleeding, but the man lost consciousness in an instant.

"…That wasn’t an atemi, was it!?"

"Rerorerorero!?"

"Is that some kind of battle cry!?"

"It was still an atemi!"

"You’re not going to admit it!?"

A spear-hand strike pierced the stun gun man as well, sending a direct shock to his lungs. Is he going to be okay…

I was worried about their survival, but both of them seemed to be breathing. They were twitching on the ground, though.

…Well, as long as they’re not dead, I guess it’s fine.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Dad! Kyou-chan!"

"No, that was perfect timing."

"I sensed a home-wrecker!!"

"Oh, Rina-san, you’re here too."

"Well, I was worried about leaving you alone."

"True."

I nodded in agreement with Erina-san’s words. The guards at that store were even more dumbfounded than I was, so I was a little worried about leaving this person with them. It was unlikely, but there was always the chance the kidnappers had more accomplices.

That aside, I undid Eric-san’s restraints.

"Gasp! Y-you saved me, Kyouta-kun. Erina. I thought I was going to die…!"

"I’m so glad you’re safe, dear…!"

"Rina. I’m sorry for worrying you…"

"I was so worried your chastity would be stolen by the criminals…!"

"That’s what you were worried about!?"

"Can you not have a conversation without joking!?"

"What! Eric’s clothes were in disarray, and I heard someone shout ‘naked’! I’m not wrong, am I!?"

"…Grk!"

"You can’t even argue with that, can you…"

Eric-san, you can save the retorts for me later.

As Rina-san said, the criminals’ actions were so unpredictable that I couldn’t really deny it.

"Oh, I made sure to report it to the police, so don’t worry."

"Ah, thanks for that."

Anyway, that’s one case closed… right?

I heard the sound of an engine and turned to look. A single car was approaching us at high speed.

Could it be the criminals’ accomplices? I deployed my `Arcane Gear`, but Erina-san didn’t ready herself.

As I tilted my head in confusion, I could see the driver’s face through the windshield.

…Huh, why are they here?

The car screeched to a halt in front of us, and a familiar face got out.

"Is everyone okay!?"

"C-calm down, sis!"

It was Aira-san, who we had just parted with at the station, and Mia-san, who was trying to calm her down.

…Why are they here?

As I stood there puzzled, the sound of sirens grew closer.

I didn’t really understand what was going on, but it seemed like the case was closed for now.

＊　　　　　＊　　　　　＊

The police arrived, and the criminals were safely arrested.

Naturally, we were questioned as well, but honestly, we didn’t know anything. Only Eric-san, the direct victim, and Rina-san, who knew about his social connections, were still talking to the officers.

As for Aira-san and the others.

‘We have nothing to do with this! We’re leaving!’

‘W-wait, sis!? Aren’t you going to check if Eric-san and the others are okay!?’

‘I don’t want to see them! If you’re worried, you can ask, Mia!’

‘I can’t do that either! Wait for me!’

They had left in a hurry.

"Senpai and the others were following us ever since Dad pulled out of the rental car place."

"Huh, really?"

"Yeah! I think they were worried. It really has been dangerous lately."

"I see…"

Considering a kidnapping had actually occurred, you couldn’t say they were being overly cautious.

If anything, I had been too relaxed. I was supposed to be acting as an escort, yet I’d let Eric-san get snatched so easily…

If the criminals’ goal had been murder instead of kidnapping, it would have been over right then and there.

The thought sent a chill down my spine.

"Don’t worry about it, Kyou-chan. Dad’s case was special. This kind of thing isn’t normal, you know!"

"I know, but…"

As we were talking, it seemed like things were wrapping up for Eric-san and the others.

They started walking towards us, and I straightened my back.

"Hey, sorry to keep you waiting."

"No, not at all."

"Also… I’m sorry, but we have to go to the police station now to give a more detailed statement, and after that, I have to head straight to the company. So…"

Eric-san looked at Erina-san awkwardly.

"That’s it for today. You two should head home."

"I’m sorry, Erina. We were supposed to spend today and tomorrow with you…"

In response to her parents’ words, she replied.

"Yeah! If something happened, it can’t be helped! But you’ll video call me when you have time, right?"

She answered with her usual sunny smile.

"Of course. I’ll definitely call you later."

"I’m sorry too, Kyouta-kun. For getting you caught up in this."

"No, not at all. It’s not your fault, Eric-san…"

"No. Still, I put you, who is still an outsider, in danger. I’m truly sorry."

As Eric-san and the others bowed their heads, I was the one who started to panic.

"P-please don’t worry about it! Besides, the criminals just had a toy airsoft gun!"

"Huh? I heard it was a modified gas airsoft gun…"

"…? Is there a difference?"

"Well, I’m not an expert either, but the police said the gas wasn’t normal."

"What, was it poison gas!?"

"Apparently not. I’ve never handled an airsoft gun myself, so I have no idea, but they said it was dangerous."

"Huh…"

Well, even a regular airsoft gun could cause blindness if it hit someone in the eye. It’s not something you should shoot at people.

But an airsoft gun is an airsoft gun. I’ve seen news stories about them breaking car windows, but that’s about it.

Maybe the gas was special, but in reality, it didn’t even have enough power to pierce the cloth I was wearing, let alone my armor.

"Well, the knife was scary, though…"

After all, I’d never had a weapon pointed at me by a person, only by monsters.

At the time, the criminals’ behavior was so bizarre that I was numb to it, but thinking about it calmly, it was a pretty terrifying experience.

"That’s true… I’m really so sorry…!"

"Ah, no. That’s why it’s not something for you to worry about, Eric-san…"

"You’re right. I should have said thank you instead of sorry! Thank you, Kyouta-kun. You’re truly Erina’s boyfriend!"

Rina-san started slapping my back.

It didn’t hurt, but the impact was surprisingly strong.

"If you’re with her, Erina should be fine. But."

She paused and then hugged Erina.

Erina-san, who had already changed back to her regular clothes from her `Arcane Gear`, blinked in surprise.

"What’s wrong? Mom."

"Erina. If you ever feel lonely, call me anytime. If you have worries you can’t tell your friends, rely on us. And, get along with Kyouta-kun, okay? Listen to what your grandmother says, and try not to be too reckless."

"Okay to everything but the last one! I’ll do my best on the reckless part!"

"You’re as honest as ever."

After a light laugh, Rina-san let go of Erina.

Then, the couple turned to face us once more.

"Kyouta-kun. Erina. Thank you for today."

"You two take care! We’re looking forward to the day we can meet again!"

And with that, Eric-san and the others left with the police.

…I heard from Erina-san later that the incident was likely instigated by a rival company. They probably thought that in the current state of Japan, a violent incident would not seem out of place and could be easily covered up.

Apparently, the knife man and the stun gun man were both `Awakened Persons`, and they hadn’t worn their `Arcane Gear` because it would have exposed their faces. If they had been a higher level or had more powerful skills, things could have gotten much more serious.

In any case, I had no way of interfering in what came next, nor did I want to.

I’d heard it was a big company, but it seemed like there were all sorts of schemes swirling around it.

"I’m sorry, Kyou-chan. That was a lot for you."

"No. It’s fine."

After seeing them off, Erina-san turned to me.

Her smile was the same as always, but.

"Are you still lonely?"

I felt like her eyes, and only her eyes, were a little teary.

"Yeah. I can talk to them normally on the phone, but I wonder why? I don’t really get it."

"There’s nothing strange about it. Talking face-to-face is probably special."

As someone who can see my parents at home every day, it’s something I don’t really understand.

I heard that Eric-san and the others have been flying around the world for work for a long time. Probably since Erina-san was little.

In that case, memories of going to amusement parks or movie theaters with her family must be precious.

To have that interfered with in such a way, it’s enough to make anyone want to cry.

She’s still just a fifteen-year-old girl, after all. …Not that I, being the same age, can say much from a position of authority.

"…Hopefully they can stay longer next time."

"Yeah. They’re supposed to come for my birthday next, but I wonder."

As she said that, Erina-san lightly touched her hat.

…Speaking of birthdays.

"When is your birthday, Erina-san?"

"It’s in October! October 26th!"

"October 26th… got it."

"Are you going to celebrate with me!?"

"Uh, well… if I remember."

Her eyes sparkling, Erina-san grabbed my hand.

Whoa, she’s close, and the softness and warmth of her palm is…!

"You better not forget! I’ll start reminding you in your ear a month beforehand!"

"Please don’t."

"Let’s hang out with Mom and Dad then too!"

"Ehh…"

"You look so reluctant!?"

"Because it’s a lot of work… and I get nervous…"

"Come on, come on, come on!"

"No."

"Come on, come on, come on, come on!"

"……"

"Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on!"

"…Alright."

"I win!"

Erina-san pumped her fist in victory. I get it, so please let go of the hand you’re still holding.

The police officers looking at the overturned car are glancing over here. Sorry for the disturbance.

"Oh, right! When’s your birthday, Kyou-chan!?"

"I don’t want to say it here…!"

"Ehh? Why not?"

"Whatever, let’s just get moving."

"Oh, then let’s go to the places I was planning to go with Mom and Dad! Let’s have fun together!"

"What!? They told us to go home. I doubt anything will happen, but we should be cautious and stay home just in case—"

I was about to reject Erina-san’s proposal, but my words trailed off.

"…Is it really no good?"

I couldn’t see her expression because of her hat, but the grip on my hand was incredibly weak compared to usual.

…This is just unfair.

"…Just for a little while, then."

"Really!? Yay!"

With her usual sunny smile, Erina-san started running.

Since she was still holding my hand, I was naturally pulled along.

"Hey, wai—"

"We can’t sprint on the sidewalk, so let’s go at a normal pace! Then, we’ll grab a taxi on the way! Don’t worry, it’s my treat today!"

"No, that’s not the point! My hand! Let go of my hand!"

"We lost a lot of time, so let’s hurry a bit! Time is money, Kyou-chan!"

"I’ll pay for my own taxi fare! Just let go of my hand for a second!"

"Let’s have a ton of fun today!"

"Listen to me, you self-proclaimed ninja!"

After that, she really did make me hang out with her for the whole day. It was after sunset by the time I got home.

I had emailed my parents, but of course, Professor Arisugawa scolded both me and Erina-san for ‘why we were out and about after something like that had happened,’ and Mia-san was worried too.

To top it off, Aira-san teased me with a ‘Nyaah, nyaah, you got in trouble!’

I’ll deal with that disappointing university student later with an in-game lynching, but I was just an innocent bystander in all this.

So I wanted to complain to her, but…

‘Today was fun too, Kyou-chan!’

When she said that with a smile as we parted ways, the words I had in mind vanished. And to make matters worse, it was true that I’d had fun, so I couldn’t even deny it.

That self-proclaimed ninja is unfair in so many ways.