June 6, 2016
Time passes quickly. Who would have thought?
A small student who had only just begun his school life had ended up becoming a humble Seer, accumulating quite a few unusual pieces of knowledge along the way.
Although I was still far from considering myself an expert, I could already say that I was fairly familiar with basic ritual magic and the principles of divination.
I had to admit that I had some talent for absorbing everything related to these subjects like a sponge.
Almost a month.
And I could already say that I had some basic protection against those things.
But that wasn't the only thing that had changed.
The overall situation was also becoming increasingly strange.
Unexplainable events were occurring in different parts of the world, things that defied any normal explanation.
People losing their sanity.
Images of supposed monsters and ghosts.
And unlike before, when almost nobody believed in such things, there was now enough damage to certain infrastructures that it was becoming difficult to simply blame everything on accidents.
All of this, and much more, was spreading not only through the news, but also across all kinds of websites and social media.
People talked about conspiracies, secret experiments, unknown creatures...
And, as always, governments seemed to be hiding something.
Rumors about the sea had even begun to circulate.
Fog appearing out of nowhere.
Ships disappearing.
Crews returning completely insane.
There were already several videos that supposedly showed evidence of it.
But none of that had anything to do with me.
Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't Superman.
What could I possibly do against something like that just because I now possessed a little magic and physical strength slightly above that of an ordinary person?
As I said before, I was just a humble Seer trying to improve little by little and keep my family safe.
I didn't have particularly high morals.
That was something a teenager who had barely experienced the world could say quite honestly.
Anyway.
You can't expect an ignorant person to understand something they don't even know about yet.
And I wasn't that naive either, you know?
At least, that's what I wanted to believe.
As for my progress through the Sequence, I'd say things were going pretty well.
Besides, the rumors that I was some kind of love guru, after helping several couples get together, hadn't affected my normal life too much.
Ghosts, on the other hand, were something I simply ignored.
For now, they didn't represent an immediate threat. My house was protected to a certain extent.
That didn't mean I had removed them from my plans.
I simply didn't know how to deal with them yet.
I didn't even have a direct attack method that I could guarantee would work against them.
That's why I wasn't planning to do anything stupid.
Hikigaya Hachiman was defined by his plans and preparations before throwing himself recklessly into something.
Yes.
I was pretty messed up in the head.
After all, I'd been contradicting myself for several minutes already.
But who wouldn't?
Human beings are full of contradictions.
Perhaps that's precisely what makes us human.
Without our contradictions, we probably wouldn't be able to define ourselves either.
Wow.
What a profound thought from a poor Seer.
I sighed.
I'd been alone for so long that I was starting to talk to myself.
So far, I was still the only member of the Divination Club. It was strange. Although, knowing Hiratsuka-sensei, I was sure that sooner or later she would bring someone here just to bother me.
Open.
The sound of the door opening caught my attention.
A small figure entered the room and walked directly toward the seat in front of me.
—Wow... At first I had my doubts, but now that I see you, I'm surprised.
—I never thought you'd be the famous Love Guru, Hikigaya-kun.
Gokou Ruri said those words while placing her hands on her hips. It was quite a striking pose.
I sighed.
—That rumor has spread way too far. At this point, there's no stopping it.
I shook my head, thinking about those annoying students who had been responsible for spreading such a ridiculous rumor.
I looked at Gokou.
—And what are you doing here? Don't tell me you also want to know about some secret crush.
I said it with a faint smile.
—Hmm?
Ruri snorted.
—Do you really think the beautiful and magnificent Queen of Nightmares would be interested in such a childish game?
—But you're a child.
—You...!
She stopped herself before continuing. She took a deep breath and adjusted her uniform.
—I only came out of curiosity.
—Are you satisfied now that you've seen me?
I picked up my iced coffee and glanced at her.
—Who wants to see you? Since everyone keeps talking about your divination, try doing one for me.
She snorted again and looked away.
—What do you want to know? A lost object? A love interest? Whether you'll pass your exams? Tell me. I may not be a professional, but I do have some experience.
As I spoke, I made the pendulum spin through the air and rested my chin on my left hand.
Ruri seemed to think about it for a few seconds.
—I want to know about the gathering with my friends on Saturday.
She said it almost in a whisper.
So quietly that for a moment, I thought she might still be embarrassed to talk about something that was basically an otaku gathering.
Ah, I'd almost forgotten about that.
The gathering we'd planned before had been postponed because of a problem with the organizer. Back then, I'd lost the opportunity to try something with Gokou.
But that was already in the past.
After all, I'd gained quite a bit more experience dealing with the problems of teenage love.
—Fine. We can ask whether everything will go well, whether there'll be any problems, whether it's a scam... Whatever you want.
As I spoke, I began shuffling the cards between my hands, even performing a few small tricks with them.
I wasn't like those fortune tellers who wore cloaks and maintained an atmosphere of absolute seriousness and mystery.
I was pretty simple.
To me, this was more like a small game between the client and the diviner.
—Fine. Then it'll be about the gathering on Saturday.
I placed the cards on the table.
—First, think about the gathering. Don't tell me anything else. Just focus on what you want to know.
Gokou nodded.
I picked up the deck and began shuffling.
Now, take three cards and place them face down.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then I placed the cards on the table, forming a simple three-card spread.
—Past, present situation, and what might happen.
Gokou stared at the cards.
—Is that all?
—What were you expecting? For me to summon some kind of spirit? Has your imagination gotten a little too carried away, or do you want me to show you some real magic?
I said sarcastically, narrowing my eyes.
—The Queen of Nightmares doesn't need spirits. And if you tried to teach me magic, I have more than enough power to pulverize your miserable existence.
—Sure.
I ignored her comment and turned over the first card.
I stared at it for a few seconds.
—It seems this gathering had already been planned before.
Gokou's eyes widened slightly.
—That's true.
—Then this card represents something that didn't go according to plan.
I turned over the second card.
I stared at it for a little longer.
—Hmm...
—What?
—There's some tension.
—Tension?
—Not necessarily something bad. Rather... it seems someone is too worried about how things will turn out.
Gokou fell silent.
I turned over the third card.
This time, it took me a moment to speak.
—It seems there will be a change.
—A change?
—Yes. Something that wasn't originally planned.
I frowned slightly.
It wasn't a particularly complicated reading, but the three cards seemed to form a fairly clear sequence.
Something planned.
Something that could go wrong.
And then, an unexpected change.
—It doesn't seem like the gathering will be canceled —I finally said—. In fact, I'd say it'll probably happen.
Gokou seemed relieved.
—Then everything will be fine.
—I didn't say that.
—What?
—Just because the gathering happens doesn't mean everything will go the way you expect.
Gokou stared at me.
—Then what will happen?
—I don't know.
I answered honestly.
—The cards aren't showing me a specific outcome. Just a possibility.
I picked up the deck again and began gathering the cards.
—But it doesn't seem like you need to worry too much. There's something strange surrounding the gathering, although it doesn't necessarily seem bad.
Gokou remained silent.
—Is that all?
—For now.
—For now?
—Don't expect me to reveal the entire future with a few cards.
I raised my iced coffee.
—Besides, if you really want to know what will happen, you'll have to go to the gathering.
Gokou frowned.
—I already know that.
—Then consider it a good sign.
—How can that be a good sign?
—Because at least the cards didn't tell you to stay home.
Gokou looked at me with an expression that was difficult to interpret.
Then she looked away.
—I suppose you're right.
I put the cards back into the deck.
However, as I did so, I glanced at the third card once more.
An unexpected change.
I didn't know why, but that part of the reading had left me with a strange feeling.
It was probably nothing.
After all, they were just cards.
—Well... did I calm your tiny, little curiosity?
I said while taking another sip of my drink.
—You really are annoying.
I looked at her.
For a moment, I saw her eyes light up with a sudden thought.
—I want to formally request support from the Service Club for the gathering and make sure everything goes well.
She looked at me with a smug expression in her eyes, accompanied by complete disdain for my existence.
—You...
I sighed.
It was one of the principles of the club: helping lost sheep however we could and guiding them onto the right path.
Tsk.
Who am I kidding?
I just need to help until the person asking for help is satisfied.
—Fine. Just don't make things difficult for me. I'm not sociable, and I accept that. So, if you don't want me to ruin your gathering, I'll support you from a distance.
As I spoke, I rubbed my temple. Just thinking about the headache being surrounded by so many strange otakus would cause was already enough.
Although it wasn't as if I were exactly normal either.
Gokou snorted.
—I already thought about that. I don't want you by my side. I just want you to make sure everything goes well.
She snorted again.
—This Queen doesn't need support when it comes to talking and socializing, especially not from a lonely person without friends.
She looked down at me with the expression of superiority she seemed to have perfected over the years.
Breathe.
Wow.
That hurt.
I knew I didn't have any friends. It wasn't something that kept me awake at night. I wasn't trying to collect friendships like trading cards either.
But hearing someone say it out loud...
That put me in a rather uncomfortable position.
—Fine.
I sighed.
—I'll do what I can.
Gokou raised an eyebrow slightly.
—Does that mean you accept?
—Don't get excited. I'm just trying to prevent a simple gathering from turning into a disaster.
—Hmph. Just as expected from someone who calls himself a member of a club dedicated to helping others.
—I don't remember saying I liked it.
I put the cards back into their case.
—Besides, if something goes wrong, I don't want you coming back later and telling me that the divination was wrong.
—Are you doubting your own abilities?
—No. I'm doubting your ability to follow instructions.
—What exactly is that supposed to mean?!
—Exactly what I said.
Gokou puffed out her cheeks slightly.
For some reason, she seemed more annoyed than before.
I'd probably hit a sensitive spot.
Well, it wasn't as if it were my job to protect everyone's feelings.
Although...
I glanced at the cards I'd just put away.
The reading had been strange.
Nothing particularly dangerous had appeared. There had been no sign that justified any real concern.
Just a gathering.
An unexpected change.
And some tension.
It probably didn't mean anything.
After all, a gathering between several students could have any number of problems.
—So, when and where will it be?
Gokou looked at me with a satisfied expression.
—Saturday.
—I already know that.
—At the place we originally agreed on.
—That doesn't help me either.
—...
She stared at me for a few seconds.
—Aren't you curious?
—I am curious. What I don't have is information.
—Ah.
She seemed to realize her mistake.
Then she began explaining the details of the gathering.
I listened in silence.
The more details she gave me, the more I regretted agreeing to this.
There would be too many people.
Too many possible conversations.
Too many opportunities for someone to try talking to me.
And apparently, there would also be people I didn't know.
Perfect.
Just what I needed for a peaceful Saturday.
When she finished explaining everything, I nodded.
—Understood.
—Is that all?
—What do you want me to say?
—Something more appropriate.
—Like what?
Gokou raised a hand and pointed at me.
—You must show determination!
I looked at her.
—I'm going to a gathering, not a war.
—For someone like you, it could practically be the same thing!
...
I couldn't argue with that.
I took another sip of my iced coffee.
—See you on Saturday, then.
—Yes.
Gokou stood up from her seat.
Before leaving, she stopped by the door.
—Hikigaya-kun.
—What?
—Thank you.
I looked at her.
For a fraction of a second, her usual arrogance disappeared from her expression.
She looked much more normal.
But immediately afterward, she raised her chin again.
—Don't make me regret asking for your help.
—That's up to you.
—You...!
The door closed before she could finish.
I was alone again.
I looked at the deck of cards on the table.
Then at the door.
Then back at the cards.
—...What have I gotten myself into?
I sighed.
Saturday was still a few days away.
But for some reason, I already had the feeling it was going to be a very long day.