Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4

Volume 11, Chapter 4  

    There were three of us, including me, on the inner path. From a distance, if you squint, we

look like Mito Komon and his group. Komon -sama should just be Komon -sama.  

    Akane hid behind Akane, avoiding my gaze. Akane calling me a rapist seemed to be quite

effective. Even though it's a fierce dog, it's a woman. Does that make it safer?  

    The ceiling is gradually rising. What technique was used to dig this out? I have no idea.  

    If it was Shizuku or Mikoto, maybe I could figure it out.  

    Akane kept moving her pistol closer towards Rika.  

    [Hey, loli girl, where are we?]  

    [Puppy, you're so annoying calling me loli girl. Rika's already in junior high school.]  

    [Those who are two years younger than me can just call me loli. Don't you call me dog,

too?]  

    [Because you're like a stray dog. Rude and incompetent.]  

    [Huh? What did you say to me, this year's Nobel Peace Prize nominee, hey!] The  

    Nobel Peace Prize is a big deal. Standing against you, I'm genuinely surprised. If that fierce

dog, Akane, had been a candidate, the world would have been at peace long ago.  

    Akane pressed the muzzle of her gun against Rika and spun her around.  

    [It hurts, it hurts. That's too much!]  

    [The pain makes me even happier.]  

    [Rika isn't a M.]  

    [I'm the one who's happy.]  

    Akane looked delighted. Unlike Shizuku, this guy is a S in a different sense. That girlish look

just now is gone. Am I on drugs? (Translator's note: Natsuru probably meant to ask if he was

hallucinating from drugs.)  

    [Lolita girl, tell me! Where are we?]  

    [I don't know! But we're approaching Sakura Kaede -sama's house.]  

    [Where were we all this time?]  

    [(Note: A bit further away than now.]  

    Akane's expression looked as if she was about to shoot.  

    [You want to die!]  

    [I told you I don't know! It looks like we're downstairs from someone's house.] 】

    So this place is much larger than the basement of Sakura Kaede -kun's house. Come to

think of it, why would there be such a facility? It feels like it's swirling around in here, but if

you can put it into context, it feels like we're heading somewhere. That 's natural, since we're

heading towards the exit.  

    Rika suddenly speaks up:  

    【Hey, little dog. 】

    【Very good, I'll kill you. 】

    【Don't shoot! What did you and Seno do just now? 】

    【Weren't you watching? 】

    【I don't quite understand. 】

    【Didn't you say I was almost raped by Seno Natsuru just now?"]  

    The mastiff girl replied bluntly. It seems I have to speak up.  

    【Hey. That was consensual, wasn't it! 】

    【If we said it was consensual until the end, then it's fine. But 】

    What a bizarre statement.  

    【Because it ended halfway, it's annoying, but there's nothing I can do about it. And it's

not even my period yet. 】

    【Hey, there are middle school students listening! ]  

    [Never mind her, she's fought me several times, and it doesn't matter how old she is. Lolita

girl, this is all your fault, I'm going to kill you.]  

    Rika was clearly on the verge of death, yet she was still asking questions.  

    [Is that okay?]  

    [I'm still a virgin. I don't know. What about you?]  

    [Rika doesn't know either.]  

    [But there's one thing I do understand. It's definitely okay to do it with the guy I like,

Natsuru, that's all.]  

    [I don't quite understand.] [  

    I understand even more!]  

    What are you talking about with a junior high school student?  

    Rika looked like she was thinking about something. Don't think about unhealthy things.

Because there's a huge difference between junior high school girls and high school girls.  

    She whispered to herself:  

    [Madame Sakura Kaede also likes Seno Natsuru, right?]  

    [I'll kill you first, and then kill that bitch.]  

    Akane jumped to conclusions too quickly. Rika was saying [Stop it.]  

    [It's not what you want to do, puppy.] Sometimes, Sakura Kaede -sama would talk about

Senonatsu -ryu with a gentle expression. It  

    's getting increasingly annoying, damn it!  

    But then he'd immediately look at Rika with a stunned, incredulous expression. He'd even

say things like it was the first time they'd met, though he'd quickly return to his normal self.  

    The same stinky woman he used to be?  

    Not like that! Her expression is usually much colder, and she'd say things like, "Kill the

puppy!"  

    That's terrifying, right?  

    Rika's words about Sakura Kaede -san just now prove that her normal self and her evil self

have something in common. That aligns with what I was thinking.  

    But there's something strange. It's not what I expected.  

    I interrupted,  

    "Is Sakura Kaede -san always like this?"  

    Uh.

    Because, you said she'd say something strange like that.  

    It's been on the rise lately.  

    Rika put her index finger under her chin and said,  

    "Sakura Kaede -sama used to always say things like, 'Let the puppy die!'" But now she often

stares blankly, and has an expression as if asking, "Why am I here?" It's been like this all

week. 】

    【Is she crazy? Look at her ugly face. 】

    Ignoring that heartless bulldog girl, I started thinking seriously. Sakura Kaede -san, are you

confused? She was so normal until now, but now something is obviously wrong. Is she out of

control?  

    【It doesn't matter to me. 】

    As usual, Akane said it was alive.  

    【As long as we can kill her, it's fine. Just watch, Natsuru, I'm going to make a hole in that

woman from her gums to her stomach that's the biggest you've ever seen. 】

    Rika and I pretended not to hear.  

    We continued walking. There were patches of chipped cement everywhere, but it wasn't

much of an obstacle.  

    Rika stopped in front of a door.  

    "Here,"  

    the girl said. Before us was a metal door. So far, the doors I'd seen were tattered and rusty,

even the iron ones were rusty, but this one, though old, was immaculate. The handle was

very smooth, and it looked like it'd been used recently. It must have bee n touched by

someone.  

    It looked very sturdy. Or perhaps quite heavy.  

    "Is it locked?"  

    Akane didn't lower her gun. Her guard remained high, and she must have been eager to

shoot Rika.  

    "I think it's unlocked."  

    "Open it."  

    "Ah—."

    "Hurry up."  

    Rika reluctantly pushed herself forward and pushed the door open.  

    Inside was a small room, perhaps the size of three tatami mats. Inside was another door

that looked even sturdier than the previous one.  

    "Why are there so many doors?"  

    Akane complained.  

    "Good job! One of these things is enough.  

    [Don't complain to Rika.]  

    [You're the one with the most influence here. If you have any complaints, go tell that

bitch!]  

    I don't know if this was an excuse for Rika to lead the way inside. It was okay with just

three of us; if there were more, it would be too crowded.  

    Akane and I looked around the room.  

    [There's nothing.]  

    [What a boring room! There's not even a pock.]  

    [That's impossible. You haven't eaten in the whole time.]  

    [Your mouth is so idle. It wouldn't matter if there weren't any, but it's annoying. Build me a

convenience store.]  

    [There's no way there's one in the basement.]  

    I said this as I turned my gaze away.  

    Suddenly, I had a bad feeling. Strange, is there something missing? The number of days

both my male and female partners attend the Star Railway is very high, so maybe there's a

shortage. But that's not the case. It's something close to the physical level.  

    [Where's Ueda?]  

    I suddenly said to myself. I turned around hastily, and Rika was about to leave the room.  

    [Stop! Hey  

    !

    Rika slammed the door shut. Then, there was a clang.  

    Wait!  

    Humph—idiot! Remember  

    this! Rika holds a grudge! Is it the soundproofing? I barely heard the sound.  

    Rika was walking away. I tried to open the door, but it seemed the sickle had broken the

hinges and wouldn't budge.  

    By the time we reached the passage, Rika was gone. She 'd escaped.     Damn it, I should

have killed her sooner.     Akane smacked her lips and fired angrily at the ceiling. Debris

rained down.     Natsuru, this is all because you sympathized with the loli ta girl.     There's

nothing we can do about it! Where did she escape to?  

    I     couldn't see her anymore, so I had no idea. It seems there's a path ahead.     Since Rika

escaped, we don't know how to get out of the underground. At least she didn't leave us a

map or any hints.     We gave up the chase and returned to the room we' d been in. A closer

look revealed it to be a dressing room. There were built -in lockers against the wall, with

hangers inside. That little area was probably for valuables.     It showed signs of use, but now

it seemed abandoned, gathering dust. When ha d it been unused?     Akane said,     "Open the

door."     "Me?" "     If the loli girl were here, I'd have her open it. But now she's gone, so the

hard work is for men."     You're Kempfa, and you're stronger than me.     This door isn't just

"looking stu rdy," it's actually quite strong. I pulled with all my might.     The door swung open

with a slight sound of air rushing through it.     It was another small room. Unlike the previous

one, this one had small holes in the ceiling and wall, like shower holes. What were they

for?     There was a light overhead, so there was some light. There w as electricity.     "Hey,

there's another door inside!"     Akane pointed.     "What a hassle!" Can't we just go into each

of those rooms one by one? Does the guy who designed this place like it?     I think there's a

reason for that     . Even so, I have no idea. What exactly is this for?     Is it a lounge?     Akane

said. I retorted:     How can you sleep here? There's not even a bed or a blanket.     Wouldn't

it be enough to just spread out some corrugated paper?     Is there really any need to sleep

here? At least you should consider the location.     Didn't we just do it in a place like

this?     Hearing this, I remembered what I had just done with Akane.     You looked like you

really wanted to do it.     Idiot, what are you trying to say? You, are yo u trying to say I'm in

heat?     Why did you become like that?     You could have said something else!     Akane was

about to point the gun at me again. Hey, this is dangerous, stop.     But she stopped

midway.     It's no wonder you'd think that, after al l, I was thinking the same thing. You too,

right? I     couldn't deny it.     But I didn't want to continue here either. No, that's not right . As

long as it's you, I don't mind what you do to me. Even if I'm pushed against a wall and

violated, I can handl e it.     I don't have any such perverted interests. Even if I were

interested, carrying it out would be another matter.  

    "But should I say it's the timing, or the bad conditions? And the attachment I feel keeps

growing." "  

    You said that just now."  

    "The attachment is even stronger now than before. How should I put it? I decided to let it

go, but it's come back and even stronger. I don't know what will happen next, but I can only

gamble on this tiny possibility.  

    " "What's the bet?"  

    "You don't need to know. Keep it a secret until everything is over, you bastard. Unsatisfied

desires! So annoying!"  

    Akane Yin muttered to herself. Sometimes she'd let out a coquettish sigh, which was

always scary.  

    I didn't listen. Let's get back to reality. Even though this is reality.  

    I put my hand on the inner door. I'll do it myself before Akane Yin tells me to.  

    "Hey."  

    The door isn't rusty. Is it airtight here? The door opened with a "whoosh."  

    I froze, my mouth hanging open.  

    "What is this?"  

    Inside was a row of inexplicable experimental instruments.  

    There were pipes everywhere, tanks, and controllers installed. It looked like experimental

equipment, but I had no idea what it was actually used for. With my knowledge, seeing these

barrel -shaped tanks, I could only think, "Is this for cooking taro?" It l ooked like something

straight out of a sci -fi movie.  

    "Hey, what movie is this?"  

    Akane thought the same thing.  

    "It looks like something out of Ognia's Wings. It's neither retro nor new, but isn't it pretty

cool?"  

    "I can't judge it by cool standards, right?"  

    That being said, I wasn't saying I had any standards.  

    But this was the only place that clearly looked like an underground research institute. I'd

always felt that way, but it was always run -down and shabby. But it felt like only this place

was operating not long ago. Of course, it was completely dead now.  

    "This must have been used for some kind of research or experiment,"  

    I said. Akane completely took me for a fool. "  

    I know that." " It  

    must have been important research."  

    "It's underground, so it must be important." ]  

    [And now, there's no one there.]  

    [I know it even with my eyes closed.]  

    Damn, isn't that all refuted?  

    I tried to think of something to say to help the situation, but I looked up at the ceiling.  

    [Ouch.  

    ] [What ?]  

    [There.]  

    I pointed in the direction of a network of pipes.  

    [What's wrong with that?]  

    [There's something written next to it.]  

    I squinted. It's not that my eyesight is bad, but somehow it's like this.  

    [Uh—I can't read it.]  

    [Try to pronounce it!]  

    [I really can't read it.]  

    I said. The text (something like that) was divided into two sections. The text on the top was

completely unfamiliar, and the text on the bottom was in Roman letters. But I still couldn't

read it.  

    [You idiot. It was German, wasn't it?]  

    [Is that so?]  

    [I don't know what's written on the top, but the text on the bottom is German. There are

some dots on the text. Those are umlauts (Germanic languages).  

    [You're really knowledgeable.]  

    [You could tell that just by reading a little.] Because before I transformed, I loved reading.

But I don't know what it means. It's  

    still useless after all.  

    I broke your hand!  

    It wouldn't be nice if it was broken, so I decided to look elsewhere.  

    The room hadn't been tidied much; it looked more like something had been left unfinished

than it was disorganized. It wasn't dirty, but it wasn't tidy either. It was rusting away. There

were definitely more traces of human presence here than elsewhere, but  they were

gradually disappearing. Still, something was bothering me. What was it?  

    Hey! Look here!  

    Akane gestured at me with her chin.  

    There was a staircase leading up there. It was made of iron and made a clanging sound,

like an emergency escape.  

    Could we go up there?  

    That means the exit?  

    Maybe.  

    If so, we'd be saved. It looked like Rika had been diligently leading us all the way.  

    Wanna take a walk?  

    Yes.

    Akane and I turned towards the staircase. If we could get to the surface from here, we'd be

relieved.  

    Just imagine the humblest people and groundhogs from Ishii Kyuichi's comics living

underground forever.  

    For some reason, I looked away.  

    I swallowed without realizing it and pulled Akane over.  

    "Hey, that, that."  

    "What the hell?"  

    Even Akane was startled. There were viscera animals. Several stuffed dolls with their

entrails exposed were lined up there.  

    That was still okay. I'd seen mountains of these things on carts in toy stores and in the

warehouse of the class leader's relatives. So they were all produced down here.  

    But the stuffed dolls here were all placed in circular tanks. The tanks were filled with liquid.

Several thin tubes extended from the lids of the viscera animals, connected to some

inexplicable machinery.  

    "Is this a viscera animal manufacturing factory?"  

    Akane whispered, as if in shock.  

    "That's too much of a stretch. A sewing machine would have been enough."  

    "So this isn't a manufacturing factory, is it?" I  

    whispered, intentionally or not.  

    If anything, it's probably a place where they become messengers.  

    Huh?  

    Our internal organs can talk, right?  

    [Although I'm just saying some nonsense.]  

    [This might be the place where they can speak.]  

    Although I said it myself, I became a little frightened and kept silent. Take my seppuku

tiger, for example. Kempfer's internal organs have their own consciousness. I know the

reason isn't because that "worst toy group in Japan" released it, but because so meone else

interfered.  

    And that interference took place right here, underneath Sakura Kaede -san's house. I don't

want to think that, but it's the easiest way to think.  

    [Akane clapped her hands.]  

    [Ah, I see. The small room before we came in here is the cleaning room, right?]  

    [What's that?]  

    [You have a terrible grasp of the subject. Those rooms are used in places where precision

equipment is being researched or manufactured to prevent people from bringing in dust and

bacteria. First, they change clothes, then they use high -pressure air, and d epending on the

situation, ultraviolet light.  

    ] [This facility must have this.]  

    Since they're injecting souls into the internal organs, they have to be extremely careful.  

    Akane spoke again.  

    [But that small room isn't working.] Normally, you can't enter this room without cleaning

yourself in the cleaning room.  

    It's probably broken, because everyone here is gone.  

    Why are they all gone? It's hard to imagine they're dead. Are they tired of it? It's also

possible they're being chased for debt and fled overnight. But that's too far -fetched.  

    Perhaps they're done and there's no need to stay here anymore, or perhaps they've

progressed to a point where they can be completed with minimal personnel.  

    These are just speculations. Is there a correct answer? Ah, no, I don't think there's anyone

chasing debts.  

    None of the machines seem to be working. They don't seem to be in use.  

    Natsuru, is there a switch around here?  

    Akane looked around.  

    What are you doing?  

    Turn it on and see if it works.  

    Why are you doing this?  

    I was shocked. Is there any point in doing this? Do  

    you want a new visceral animal?  

    No, but I want to see what it will look like.  

    Don't do that.  

    I stopped Akane. This is what happens when you act on curiosity. But it's still much better

than Mikoto. My childhood friend would flip the switch before telling anyone.  

    Akane didn't look for the switch again. But she put the gun down and turned it.  

    "There's no other way. Destroy everything here?"  

    "What's the best way?"  

    "As long as there's something, you can destroy it. That's natural, right? No one will object.

Go ahead and do whatever you want. After I fire, you can set the Natsuru on fire."  

    That's too much. Is this the type to dance wildly in ecstasy at the sight of explosions and

disintegrations? He must think the bigger the fire, the more gunpowder, the better.  

    I can't say I don't have that intention, and I like fireworks, too. But I should be more

cautious. So I continued to persuade Akane.  

    "Do this somewhere else!"  

    "If you do it on the ground, someone will call 911. Don't you know that, you bastard?"  

    "Just don't do it."  

    "If you do it here, the police won't come to arrest you. There won't be any problems."  

    I have to stop you, so there must be problems.  

    Akane looked like she was seriously about to shoot. It was actually because her mind raced

and she couldn't suppress her desire. It was terrifying.  

    [Don't shoot.]  

    [What did you say? I'll shoot you too.  

    ] [Did you forget that cute look  

    ?] [Do you want to die?!]  

    Akane's face darkened and she became furious. But I was staring at the door.  

    [Someone's coming.]  

    [What? What are you talking about?]  

    [It's true.]  

    Although this facility is well soundproofed, I could still hear footsteps clearly.  

    [Hide.]  

    I pulled Akane behind the machine.  

    There were two footsteps. Of course, I couldn't see them. The door was ajar, so it made a

loud noise when it opened. Someone  

    came in. I held my breath.  

    [Hey, is someone coming?]  

    Akane complained.  

    [Be quiet. Didn't I say someone was coming?]  

    [I thought you were kidding.]  

    I wouldn't lie at a time like this.  

    The footsteps stopped for a moment. It's in the observation room, right? They started

walking again. I sighed.  

    [The cleaning room isn't working, I thought no one was here.]  

    [Is that the white Kempfer?]  

    Akane said. It's really worrying.  

    [Maybe it's the person who built this place.  

    ] [Let's go back!]  

    Honestly, I'm scared.  

    I don't really like things like demons, ghosts, and aliens. Demons and the like are just spirits

that are dead but have turned into spirits out of resentment. So scary. It would be even

scarier if it was the person who built this place. Building this under ground facility and

preparing these machines that can only be considered scientific fantasies is definitely not

something a human could do.  

    Someone entering a place like this that is not for humans can only cause trouble.  

    It's no wonder he would be furious if someone discovered a place like this. I'm sorry, this is

all Shizuku's fault, please go find her.  

    In my mind, I was imagining a green octopus monster extending several tentacles and

beating me up. It hurts, it hurts, stop.  

    Footsteps were coming this way.  

    [Hey, what should I do? I  

    don't know how to answer Akane Yin's question.  

    What should I do? This is bad.  

    There's also the option of rushing to the stairs.  

    I'll probably be discovered before I get there.  

    If I'd known this would happen, I should have gone up the stairs earlier. I miscalculated. I'm

always like this.  

    Back in kindergarten, I was fretting over how to eat two snacks, and both were taken away.  

    I can only keep hiding.  

    Do you think you won't be discovered?  

    No.

    I turned to Akane Yin. Although my gesture didn't mean anything special, the woman

murmured angrily at me.  

    What are you thinking at this moment? Stupid  

    ?

    What are you planning to do here because you didn't succeed just now? Don't take

advantage of me when I'm feeling unsatisfied.  

    I haven't thought about it.  

    If you really want it, I can still consider it. But it won't be over right away. I'm still a virgin.

So it's definitely going to hurt, and I can't get in.  

    Don't say that!  

    Don't steer the conversation into something risqué. I realized what to do.  

    Footsteps were approaching. Ah wow wow.  

    What should I do? I was still hesitant, but now I had no choice but to make up my mind.  

    No choice, just do it. ]  

    [Am I finally going to lose my virginity?]  

    [Don't be silly! It's a battle.]  

    Akane said, [I thought so too.] and then readied her automatic pistol. Ah, this guy knows it

all.

    [I'll rush over while casting magic, cover me.]  

    [Okay, stand by.]  

    I swallowed. The sound came from the inside of the sink. The moment he appeared was

my opportunity.  

    Although I didn't know the opponent's situation, as long as I took the initiative, victory

would be near. The opportunity was in my hands.  

    I took a breath. A faint shadow was approaching me.  

    [Go!]  

    I rushed out at the same time. I poured power into my hands and prepared to cast magic.  

    Just as I was about to release the flames,  

    [Ah, Natsuru.]  

    [Mikoto!?]  

    I stopped just before firing.  

    Mikoto and Shizuku appeared. Of course, they were startled. So was I.  

    [Natsuru, attack! Especially the student council president. If you don't fight, I will!]  

    Akane shouted from behind.  

    [Fool, stop it.]  

    After saying this, it occurred to me that I was protecting Shizuku.  

    Akane stood up and walked over. The two people in front of me were no longer surprised,

but for some reason they were stunned.  

    [We finally reunited, and you, Natsuru, attacked us?]  

    Mikoto put her hands on her hips with a look of disappointment.  

    [It was just a coincidence.]  

    [What should I do if I die because of this coincidence? It's really ridiculous that we're

already dating, and this kind of thing still happens.] I  

    just pretended not to hear it.  

    I breathed a sigh of relief. Anyway, we reunited successfully. Mikoto and Shizuku are fine,

too, that's great.  

    Then I looked at Mikoto. She had a piece of cloth wrapped around her foot. And I thought

her walking posture was a little strange.  

    [Hey Mikoto.]  

    [Huh? Ah, this. I got hurt a little.]  

    Mikoto laughed, "Ahaha."  

    [I didn't have time to escape when the ceiling collapsed. So Shizuku helped me. And that's

how it turned out. 】

    I don't know if she noticed my expression change, but she hurriedly added this.  

    【But, but it's not that serious now. Kempfa's self -healing ability seems to be very strong.

Although it's a little hard to walk, I can do it alone now. Look, look. 】

    She tapped her feet. But I knew she was protecting the injured side.  

    【Mikoto.】

    I said.  

    【What?】

    【I know your injuries are not serious, but don't lie and say you're fine. 】

    【Yeah.】

    Mikoto said with an inexplicable smile: 【Ahaha, I made you angry. 】

    Shizuku looked at me and Mikoto. I don't know what she was thinking.  

    【Natsuru, how did you get here? 】

    I briefly explained the situation. Of course, including letting Rika escape. I said I was hiding

because I was in a hurry, to avoid mentioning that Akane thought I was a fool.  

    【Shizuku, how did you get here? 】

    【We were also attacked by the white Kempfa. 】

    Shizuku also explained to me. When she was talking about Hitomi and Sayaka attacking

Mikoto, I felt a hint of anger in her voice. Was it an illusion ?  

    [Then I asked those two to tell me what was going on underground.]  

    [Please?]  

    [Yes. Please.]  

    She repeated it. But was it really a request?  

    [They told me the way here. I heard them say it was the exit, but I didn't expect it to be a

laboratory like this.]  

    [Maybe there's an exit.]  

    Beneath her chin pointed behind her. Shizuku turned.  

    [So, it leads upstairs, right?]  

    [Generally speaking, upstairs is closer to the exit.]  

    [That's right. But I'm more interested in the equipment here than that.]  

    Shizuku looked at the tank containing the animal entrails soaked in liquid.  

    [What does Natsuru think of this place?]  

    [That's just my guess. I wonder if this is a device that turns animal entrails into messengers.  

    ] [Me too. That's amazing.]  

    Wow—! "Amazing." She meant I was being praised.  

    She knocked on the sink with a steady, even sound.  

    [It's acrylic. It's strong, so there's a lot of it.]  

    I was planning to add more.  

    Exploding penguins and the like would be great for die -hard fans, too.  

    I don't think any child would want stuffed animals that have been blown up. The heads can

be removed, and they're not defective. I  

    first saw it in the warehouse. If this is a courier manufacturing plant, are they distributing

Kempfers worldwide?  

    I don't know. Maybe they're only in Japan, since we don't even know which country has

Kempfers.  

    Shizuku said this, then whispered to herself, as if talking to herself,  

    "I hope this is just a thing in this country."  

    I don't know about foreign countries. But it might be interesting if other countries have

visceral animals and Kempfers as calm as Shizuku.  

    Shizuku stared into the corner. There was a sink there too, but that was the only one that

was broken.  

    "That one, it's rotten."  

    "Yeah."  

    She stared at the crack and reached in to investigate. Then she pulled something out.  

    "What is that?" ]  

    [Want to see it?]  

    It's a very long hair. It's shriveled for some reason, and it's also burnt. What's your interest  

    in throwing something like this away? [Shizuku, are you collecting hair? Even the most

perverted interests have their limits. Don't come near me.]  

    [Stupid, this is chemical fiber.]  

    She blew on the hair with a "whoosh".  

    [It's not human hair.]  

    [So what?]  

    [Doesn't it look familiar? Is it the sideburns of the Burning Lion?]  

    I stared at the hair intently. I don't quite understand. This woman's memory and

observation skills are unfathomable.  

    [But, where did the Burning Lion come from?]  

    [It's the stuffed animal I saw in Sakura Kaede's apartment. It's the earliest visceral animal.

It's the one I brought with me.]  

    [You just took it.]  

    It feels like stealing, but Shizuku doesn't care about such things.  

    It's so old, and it has these sideburns, so the Fire Lion must be the original messenger,

right?  

    How long ago was it ?  

    That's what Mikoto said.  

    Probably about ten years ago?  

    Is that so?  

    Because it should be related to Sakura Kaede.  

    Sakura Kaede -san, huh? Hmm, what's going on? It's connected to her, so even I have to

believe it. What's going on?     But

    this facility is much older.  

    Beneath her gaze, she said.  

    That stinky woman couldn't have lived for decades. Yes  

    . Sakura Kaede couldn't have been born before me. So what's going on?     This facility must

have been there before.     Shizuku said slowly. She somehow feels like a teacher.     Then this

house was built. Sakura Kaede and her family moved in later.     So, does that mean that

stinky woman became what she is now because of some trigger?     It's a bit difficult to

deduce that trigger. Yeah     , Shizuku's words made it convincing.     Shizuku and Akane

looked around. I unconsciously stared at my feet.     I still had some faith in Sakura Kaede -san,

and I wanted to refute Shizuku's opinion. But no matter what, it sounded like nonsense. Not

just to the other girls, but to me too. After seeing such an underground facility and so many

animal entrails, I couldn' t possibly say, "This is all fake."     Of course, it would be better if the

evil part in Sakura Kaede -san disappeared, but it would still be a shock. Phew.     Why are you

sighing?     Mikoto slapped my side.     Don't mind me.     You should stop car ing about Sakura

Kaede -san.     There's nothing wrong with it. It     's not like that.     Mikoto was stunned for a

moment, then said, like she was teaching a child:     You keep saying "Sakura Kaede -san,

Sakura Kaede -san"? She's our enemy. And we're just  clinging to her. Isn't it pitiful?     You?

]     [It's not good to let it go, but there's nothing I can do even if you reject me, so I've made

up my mind. But what about Shizuku? Because a woman as calm, smart, and mature as her

loves you, Natsuru, so mu ch.]     [.]     [Didn't Akane say anything?]     [She confessed to

me.]     I told her honestly. That's the only thing Mikoto is serious about.     [Which

one?]     [Bulldog mode. She also said that Akane likes me, too.]     [Yeah.]     [You

know.]     [There's no way she doesn't know. If it's about you, I know.]     Mikoto is even more

serious than usual. She always makes this expression when she's planning an adventure. And

then she definitely goes. It's been the same since kindergarten.     Shizuku and Akane

disappeared into the shadows, and now it's just Mikoto and me.     [I think it's definitely

better to be with someone who's willing to accept you, Natsuru, than to be wi th someone

who won't stand for you no matter what.]     [Akane?]     [Not just her.]     [Shizuku?

"     Yes,"     she continued, taking a breath.     "And me too."     After saying this, Mikoto

walked away from me.     I stood there in silence.  

    I felt like Mikoto was telling me: "Don't avoid what's in front of you." I've known that for a

long time. But if I don't get told that, my self -awareness weakens again, and that's my fault.  

    Cheer up! Senonatsuru, I whispered to myself.  

    Shizuku and Mikoto were investigating the room further.  

    Despite that, they hadn't found anything of value. Beneath the veil, I looked around briefly,

but we didn't see the same hair of the burning lion we saw earlier.  

    Suddenly, I remembered.  

    "Shizuku, what do you think that is?"  

    I pointed to a corner of the wall.  

    Shizuku looked up at the writing I'd just found.  

    "It's German."  

    Amazing, right on cue.  

    "And what about that above?"  

    "What's that? I've never seen writing like that. It looks a lot like Cretan Linear B. But it must

be something different."  

    "Should we just call in a linguist?"  

    "Is this writing from Earth?"  

    Maybe it was just a casual remark from Shizuku, but even I was startled.  

    "Aliens?"  

    "That's a possibility." I     'm at a loss for words about that one .  

    Should I say she was being cautious? She didn't say anything out of turn. It's probably

because she's in a position of responsibility.  

    I continued, asking,  

    "Do you understand German?" "I do."     Shizuku stared at it and translated,     "Here it

is."     "Huh?" " That     's what it means. It says: (We're here. Right here.)"     "What does this

mean ?"     "It's probably just a prank. Workers often write thei r names, dates, and other

things in inconspicuous places on buildings. That's it."     "What?     I got a shock." I felt

discouraged.     "So it's just some innocuous stuff. Huh."     "Just leave it like that."     "Why?"

"     Regardless of what it me ans, it's written in German. And "Kempfer" is German, isn't

it?"     "Ah." "     Yes. Why didn't I notice it until now?" I cursed my own stupidity. I was just

like Akane said.     "The words above probably mean the same thing." The text above and the

German text below should be the same.     Shizuku didn't look away.     That thing might be

valuable. Someone in the Edo period who visited Angkor Wat became famous by leaving

their names there.     Is that true?     Just leave it there?     It can't be re moved.     Shizuku

turned to me.     It seems there's nothing else. It's     about time we leave.     Before that, I

have something to ask you.     She said calmly.     What happened between you and

Akane?     Why do you ask?     It feels like that.     Ah, wow, this girl has such sharp senses. Is

she a psychic? Or perhaps the reincarnation of one? Yes     , there's something. She just had

sex with the Bulldog Girl. But I shouldn't have made that expression.     I want to hear your

details.     Hey. Talking  now? We're running out of time.     I resisted. Now isn't the time to

talk about that, and the situation isn't good.     That's totally counterintuitive. ]     [Because if I

don't ask clearly now, you'll let me off the hook.]     Wow, you've really set yo ur sights on me.

I can't get away with it this time. How could you come up with such a vicious thing?     [What

did you do?]     [Nothing.] [     It's quite a big deal.]     [I can't tell you in detail here! What if

something goes wrong?]     I wanted to a t least resist, but Shizuku nodded easily.     [That's

right. Then give a brief answer.]     Shizuku quickly approached me. Then, as if speaking only

to me, she whispered:     [You took Akane's virginity?]     [.]     [What?]     [No, not

that.]     [That' s enough.]     She left my side.     Ah—that scared me. Why are you questioning

me? You're making me so nervous.     [Natsuru, you're not strong enough to act at a time like

this.]     [That's right. Don't be so explicit.]     [I was just thinking that may be it was because

we were alone that we did something so thoughtless. 】     【Questioning others is even

more inconsiderate. 】     【Because I believe in asking questions whenever     I have to. 】

【     Don't do that. 】 【It's because it can't be done after it's done. 】     Then she turned

her back to me. I felt like she was reminded of something. I can't be at peace with this

guy.     Akane and Mikoto came back. Although they searched again, they still didn't seem to

find anything valuable.     Shizuku spoke.     【Shall we go up and take a look? 】     【Oh,

there are stairs. 】     Mikoto seemed to have just noticed. It's big and conspicuous

enough.     【The exit is usually at the top. 】

    Shizuku said. I agree. We've already roughly surveyed this room. If we dawdle any longer,

the white Kempfers might attack. They're still here.  

    [But aren't there enemies?]  

    Mikoto said.  

    [Perhaps.]  

    [Even so?]  

    [We can only go in there anyway. That way, it won't matter when we go in.]  

    [Yes.]  

    [Just be prepared.] As expected  

    of Shizuku, such a direct approach. No hesitation at all.  

    She took the lead and ascended the stairs. They were sturdy, not wobbling at all, and the

clanking sound of metal clanging was almost loud.  

    The door was in two halves, just like the previous one, but it looked more fragile than any

I'd seen before.  

    [Just in case, please prepare your weapons. We might start fighting as soon as we enter.]  

    The girls answered in the affirmative, and I nodded.  

    [Okay.]  

    [Yes.]  

    [Okay.]  

    Shizuku readied her dagger, Akane readied her gun, and Mikoto gripped her katana. I let

out a burst of fire from my hand, feeling rather foolish.  

    [It's open.]  

    Shizuku placed her hand on the doorknob and flung it open in one go.  

    We cautiously observed the interior from the outside, each entering one by one. To

prevent a surprise attack, the four of us each watched from one side.  

    Although this place was smaller than the room below, it was still quite large. It was also

lined with cylindrical sinks and dimly lit. The things here were larger than anything below.  

    [No?]  

    [I whispered. There was no human presence. Kempfa's listening wasn't enough to detect

everything.  

    Everyone lowered their weapons. But they didn't let their guard down.  

    [Let's investigate. Be careful.]  

    We didn't respond to Shizuku's words. Of course.  

    The room was a little dark, but it was illuminated. There was also a low motor sound. [It's

powered on.]  

    That's what Mikoto said. As if to prove her point, the lights under each sink were on.  

    We looked around. The cylindrical sinks were different from the ones below; they were

translucent, making it difficult to see what was inside. It's probably filled with liquid. It's

working, but what's the purpose?  

    Mikoto stared into the tank, as if pressing her forehead against it.  

    [If you put your face close enough, you can see inside. You can do that with a car's smoked

glass.]  

    [If you do that to someone else, it's a problem.]  

    [I did that in South America and found a drug bag. I was even chased by bribed police.]  

    Why bother with this? If you say you survived like that, that's pretty astonishing.  

    I looked inside, as did Mikoto. I couldn't see anything. So, it's empty. Was I wrong to think

there was some liquid in there?  

    [Nothing.]  

    [It looks like there's nothing here either, but there's liquid!]  

    How rare. Mikoto screamed. She's the kind of woman who'd chase after a spider or a

cockroach crawling under her feet with a smile.  

    [What's wrong? Like a girl.]  

    [I'm a girl! Compared to this, there's that.  

    She pointed. I followed her gaze into the sink. You  

    startle so easily!  

    I jumped too. I wish someone would praise me for not falling down because I wasn't

paying attention. There was someone in the sink. Not a hypothetical person, but  

    a real person. She was immersed in the liquid, hugging her knees. Naked, of course. While

naked, the situation was more frightening than risqué. Her face was pale, and I couldn't tell if

she was a beauty.  

    I couldn't tell if she was still alive; I didn't see any bubbles coming out of her mouth or

nose. She might be dead, but I didn't see any signs of decomposition. And there were tubes

connected to this place, just like the place where they kept animal entra ils.     I made an

awkward sound. Meanwhile, Mikoto had gotten back to her feet. She approached the sink

again.     It was a girl.  

    Yes, I     think.     Not a woman, but a girl. She was the same age as us, maybe a little older.

He     observed calmly. As expected of a woman who had escaped the pursuit of mercenaries

hired by a drug gang in the rainforest. Her courage was extraordinary .     [Are all these people

in this place girls?]     [The one I just looked at was empty.]     I finally calmed down. It's lucky

she looks like she's asleep. Not enough to make you look away.     [Maybe she's about to put

it in there.]     [Don't say anything disgusting.]     [I think it's possible.]     It's better for your

heart if she doesn't. Actually, I don't want to imagine someone moving her here and putting

her in there. Mikoto continued to observe. To this guy, is this the same as the fireflie s found

in the Amazon?     [Hey, tell me, where were these people brought from?]     [How would I

know?]     [But think about it, they can't have gotten in on their own, can they?]     [Yeah,

that's right, what's going on?]     I asked a meaningless questi on. So like me, even though

Mikoto didn't have an answer.     As expected, my childhood friend clasped his hands in his

hands and fell into deep thought.     "Hmm, I have no idea."     "Me too."     "Let's ask

someone who might know. Shizuku!"     She was a little far away from us, and we spoke to

the perfect student council president:     "Hey, look at this sink. There's a girl in there."     "I

know. There's one here, too."     As expected, Shizuku put her eyes close to the sink and

spoke to us while look ing inside.  

    [Come in for a moment, please.]  

    [Huh? No, our tank too.]  

    [Okay, come on.]  

    She said in an unquestionable tone. She wasn't angry, but I sensed a sense of authority,

like a military order.  

    Mikoto and I approached the tank in front of Shizuku. She turned her face toward us.  

    [Look inside.]  

    [Want to look?]  

    I asked casually. It couldn't be something scary.  

    [It's okay, Mikoto too.]  

    I tried to resist a bit, but Mikoto had already pressed her face forward, so I followed suit.  

    Sure enough, there was a girl immersed in it. She had no clothes on, her eyes were closed,

and she wasn't breathing.  

    She had a cute face. She was younger than me, wasn't she? I felt like I'd seen her

somewhere before.  

    Mikoto left the tank.  

    [What's wrong with this person?]  

    Shizuku didn't answer, but looked at me.  

    [Natsuru, do you remember this girl?]  

    [Hmm—I think she was somewhere.]  

    [It's Kuzuhara.]  

    [Kugehara? Could it be that Kempfer from the student council? ]  

    [Yes.]  

    Shizuku felt the sink.  

    [Katsuhara Midori. It's that girl. There's no doubt about it.]  

    [Isn't she dead?]  

    [I didn't kill her. I just dumped her. So she's here. I thought it was strange she'd

disappeared so suddenly.]  

    [Why.]  

    [Why? Could it be that even a defeated Kempfer would come here?]  

    Her last words were like a murmur.  

    Mikoto didn't seem to understand for a moment. That's because she had never fought

Kuzuhara. And she was on leave until a while ago.  

    But I was startled. Seeing her in a place like this was a surprise. She'd disappeared from the

memories of the people at Hoshitetsu, yet she existed here.  

    But is "existing" the right word? Because she didn't seem alive. But there was no doubt

that Kuzuhara's body was submerged in the sink.  

    [We're here.]  

    Shizuku whispered. I noticed she was referring to the message, but I didn't react for a

moment.  

    "What was that written for?"  

    "Isn't that a message from a construction worker?"  

    "Maybe." "  

    How could I possibly know? It's hard to speculate. If it's Shizuku, then it's possible.  

    " Mikoto didn't seem to understand the situation. When I told her this person's name was

in the signature book, she seemed to finally find a connection.  

    "What's going on?"  

    she kept asking.  

    Shizuku looked around at the other sinks. We had nothing to do.  

    "Where's Akane -chan?"  

    Mikoto looked around. "That makes sense."  

    I joined in the search. It didn't take long to find it.  

    The Mastiff Girl was reading something in a corner of the room, looking distressed.  

    "Hey, Akane -chan! We found Kuzuhara."  

    "I heard about it. Does that guy really like baths?"  

    "Soaking in a sink and bathing are two different things, right?"  

    "That's because she wants to take her time."  

    The Mastiff Girl flipped through a page of the document. There was something unnatural

about the way this guy was reading. It was perfectly appropriate before the transformation,

but now it's fair to call him illiterate."  

    What are you looking at? Where?  

    There.  

    Akane pointed at the wall behind her, where a shelf had been made.  

    There were several documents on it, and I took them down. They were the kind with holes

punched in the paper and bound with rings, but there wasn't the key piece of paper in the

middle.  

    I checked the others, but they were all just empty shells. Only the one Akane was reading

seemed different.  

    What's written in it? Can you understand it?  

    You idiot! I got a perfect score in Chinese before my transformation. This is Japanese, so

anyone can understand it.  

    What's it about?  

    It's about animal     entrails.  

    Akane didn't look up. It's about animal entrails.     An instruction manual?     No, do you

remember? The story about animal entrails that bitch Sakura Kaede Sagura came up with

back in the apartment.     Ah.     That's the story. It's on file.     Akane's  eyes returned to her

hands.     This incident really surprised me. There's a messenger manufacturing facility here,

Kuzuhara's there, and finally, Sakura Kaede -san's materials notebook. What the hell has

happened?     If I don't calm down, I'm afraid I'll be confused. Everything is coming at me at

once. Uh, so everything related to Kempfer is here? Isn't this a remarkable facility? It's     built

underground with so much effort, so it's not surprising to find these things. But there are so

many things that take your breath away. Beneath     the documents, occasionally muttering

something, it feels a bit creepy.     [Did you bring that stuffed animal from home for that

stinky woman?]     Mikoto stood there motionless. Rather than being shocked by this, i t

seemed more like she was trying not to disturb Beneath. It's rare for her to show concern for

others.     And then there was Shizuku, standing by the sink, staring at it

motionlessly.     [Shizuku, what's wrong?     ]     She didn't answer. That's also r are.     [There

are some documents here. They contain the stories that Sakura Kaede -san has been thinking

about.]     [     Shizuku?] Whatever     happens, I've gotten used to calling her "Shizuku." But

even then, I still feel shy when I call her that, so I hope she'll respond.  

    I walked over. She didn't even turn around. She looked up slightly, staring at the inside of

the sink.  

    Is there something there? I didn't disturb her and stared into the sink myself. Well, it was a

woman after all. A "girl" as Mikoto said  

    , but she seemed a little older than us. She was floating in there with her eyes closed.  

    [What's wrong with this person?]  

    [. ]

    [Hey, Shizuku?]  

    She didn't say anything. I doubted if she heard me.  

    When I was about to speak again, she finally spoke.  

    [Senior.]  

    Shizuku said this in a low voice.  

Translator's Notes

This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.

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