On the car navigation screen, an expression of concern appeared for the first time.
「... ! A problem has arisen. According to predictions, an encounter with Takanashi Hoshino will occur before exiting the Abydos Desert. Furthermore, the previous armored vehicle is approaching from behind.」 (Arona)
「Haaah ──!?」 (Subaru)
Straining his ears, he heard screams and gunshots from behind. Squinting his eyes to look, it seemed as though something pink was leaping gracefully over buildings at the edge of his field of vision.
「Subaru-sama, at this rate, we will not be able to bypass the projected Takanashi Hoshino on the direct route.」 (Arona)
「We overtook the armored vehicle, but we can't overtake her!?」 (Subaru)
「It is predicted that we will be unilaterally destroyed. Her endurance is estimated to be equivalent to approximately 3 tons of special alloy.」 (Arona)
「Th-Th-That's... i-i-im... possible!!!」 (Subaru)
To be agile enough to cut us off, yet ridiculously tough like that... that is unacceptable!! High-defense characters (Tanks) are supposed to be slow and heavy, with high firepower... that's the essence...! 3 tons? Is she a lump of iron in human form!? No, Arona is the one saying it; calm down, me.
「Stop with the exaggerated cheat abilities...! What to do? Negotiate first... impossible, I'll be killed before I speak...」 (Subaru)
「Should I abandon the car? No, that would turn priorities upside down. A direct assault means zero percent win rate, and surrendering with a white flag won't achieve the goal.」 (Subaru)
Twenty seconds pass in the blink of an eye when deep in thought.
While he wavered on how to act, the world did not stop moving.
Subaru does not possess the concepts of retreating or slowing down in his mind. Even if he slowed down, he didn't think he could evade and escape through the city streets from someone capable of cutting him off at this speed.
── At the edge of Subaru's field of vision, a girl holding a shield appeared, with very familiar bright pink hair.
The interception was already complete.
「───...」 (Subaru)
「... Damn it! Think, think, think! I can't avoid her, nor escape. Even if I survive, I must maintain this speed for a minute or Kaiser's defense will catch up...!」 (Subaru)
Through everything he had seen in Return by Death... Takanashi Hoshino is a monster completely outside the norm. Facing an entity that can rival Hina, or perhaps surpass her, head-on is sheer recklessness.
After his face crumpled at this thought... he raised his head, realizing he couldn't give up and hang his head now.
「... Subaru-sama.」 (Arona)
Arona's voice reached him through the navigation screen.
「── A proposal.」 (Arona)
「Say the name 'Return by Death'.」 (Arona)
「Hu ──?」 (Subaru)
5 seconds until impact.
「What... what is the point of...!?」 (Subaru)
4 seconds.
「Ensure Takanashi Hoshino does not hear you, and speak with the 'intent to inform'.」 (Arona)
3 seconds.
「... ── Can I trust you?」 (Subaru)
2 seconds.
「Of course, Subaru-sama.」 (Arona)
1 second.
「I ── !!」 (Subaru)
「I can ■■■■ (Return by Death) ──!!!」 (Subaru)
──.
The moment he tried to utter the words, to form the sound, it happened.
A sense of wrongness.
Due to that sensation, Subaru looked around in confusion. Something was strange, something changed, something was coming... and he soon realized the cause.
First, the sound. Then, the flow of blood. And finally, the scene stretching before his eyes.
The disappearance of sound made even his heartbeats, which had been loud just moments ago, fade away. The flowing blood did not clot, but its movement stopped entirely. The slight movement of Hoshino in front of him. The wind hitting his face through the broken windshield, and the roar of the night wind storming inside the car.
All of that vanished completely from the world.
The world, stopped.
Not an illusion. Not a hallucination, nor the life flashing before his eyes at the moment of death, nor a state of heightened awareness caused by an adrenaline rush.
It was none of those, yet it stopped. His tongue wouldn't move, the car wouldn't move, his arms wouldn't move, his eyes wouldn't move.
── W... hat?
Even time stretched; the time he perceived extended into eternity, granting him ample pause to comprehend the world's stillness.
Even Arona, who made the proposal, was a prisoner in this static world.
A phenomenon beyond comprehension had suddenly descended. His body, devoid of nerve impulses, wouldn't move an inch, and only Subaru's thoughts continued to flow amidst the confusion.
Incomprehensible. Incomprehensible, incomprehensible.
── But, I believe.
The cause is known; because I tried to say the name "Return by Death." Certainly, I don't understand what is happening in this phenomenon.
However, Natsuki Subaru can trust others. If Arona said he could trust, Subaru trusts her word.
... ── While his thoughts raced, the end of that sensation appeared suddenly.
── What is this?
Drowning in questions and doubts, he tilted his head in his imagination.
As if invading Subaru's consciousness, "The Thing" appeared in the space.
A black point.
A circle, a sphere, a solid, a point. A black "Something" that could be considered one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or even four-dimensional visited Subaru, who lacked even the freedom to blink.
Black, white. Dark, bright. Scary, gentle. Darkness, radiance. Painful, warm. Agonizing, happy.
Contradictory emotions flowed into his heart.
And that thing, already strange enough, revealed an even more unique form.
That "Something," which had been nothing but blackness, changed its shape smoothly.
In the world where everything had stopped, what Subaru heard was ──
[I love you]
A witch's voice, sweetly caressing the soul.
The black point transformed into a human shape. The mouth weaving words did not move, yet the voice reached the brain directly.
A hand extended from the black shadow, and pushed Subaru's back.
「 ── !!!」 (Subaru)
The moment she touched him, his entrails were churned. All his internal organs were physically mixed. Is there a human who can explain why crushing entrails hurts? The answer is simple: no need to think about it. One word suffices.
The excruciating pain attacking Subaru needs no justification. With absolute simplicity, as he writhed in the agony of his body being destroyed from the inside ──
「── Ah...」 (Subaru)
Without understanding what happened, Takanashi Hoshino vanished from his field of vision.
「Ough... ── Gaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!」 (Subaru)
「Ah, ugh... Agha...」 (Subaru)
「... ── Aro, na...!」 (Subaru)
「── Pursuit continues! Subaru-sama, switching to auto-drive!?」 (Arona)
「Ugh... Ah... Ple, ase...!」 (Subaru)
If there were a sharp curve, it would be different, but since it's a straight road, handing over the throttle to Arona is fine.
More importantly, he tried to confirm the safety of his body, which had just been wrecked from the inside... Writhing in excruciating pain and clutching his chest tightly, he finally realized.
「I'm not dead... yet...!」 (Subaru)
Although his pain sensation was dulled, this pain was so intense that had he not regained consciousness, he wouldn't have known if he were alive or dead. A nightmarish pain, as if his nerves were being clawed by red-hot iron needles.
And why did Hoshino avoid the car just now? He doesn't even understand that. What he glimpsed while writhing in agony... was the figure of Hoshino leaping away, sweat pouring off her like rain.
「Cough, cough... Guh... Arona, what happened just now...!」 (Subaru)
「... My deepest apologies, Subaru-sama. The causal relationship of what I just said is unclear; I do not know why I arrived at that proposal.」 (Arona)
「...」 (Subaru)
「Most likely, as a result of the advancing analysis of the Shittim Chest, reverse interference occurred from the information stored within, and I was hacked... rewriting my memory area.」 (Arona)
He heard ominous words. Scratching his chest, he endured the pain still violating his body while engaging his thoughts.
A situation where Arona is unable to analyze herself, caused not by external influence, but from the Shittim Chest—from within.
「── Even the Shittim Chest has a cursed history (stigmatized property)?」 (Subaru)
「I am the dedicated support AI for Natsuki Subaru, residing in a property (Chest) with a troubled history (past incident), yay.」 (Arona)
「Not yay!!! You're cute, but!? Did the Federal Student Council President leave behind only truly suspicious things!? So far, you're the only one, Arona! whose existence makes me happy!!」 (Subaru)
「Thank you, but if you get too agitated, the bleeding will increase. Please be careful not to faint from anemia during the remaining 52 seconds of escape.」 (Arona)
「Let's stop this sudden coldness, Arona-chan.」 (Subaru)
「You mentioned you prefer this type.」 (Arona)
「Isn't that excuse (sales pitch) applicable to everything? If you use it as a shield, I can't say anything, you know?」 (Subaru)
Let's end the flirting with the beloved AI here, as what just happened was clearly bad.
── Seriously, it's not funny.
Whether it was an illusion or something else, that thing is not something that can be repeated. If it were just death, it would be trivial... but that repulsive sensation crawling through the body crushes and shatters the soul.
If he tasted this repeatedly, his soul would die before his body.
Had he tasted this pain the first time before knowing Return by Death... he would have turned into a human wreck long ago.
「Oraaa ──! Wait, you bastard!!!」 (Armored Vehicle Commander)
Entering the desert, Subaru advanced on the paved road Kaiser had laid for its vehicles. The sound of sand hitting the car, chiri-chiri, was annoying, and the mixing of sand with the tires added a raucous noise.
Amidst all this noise, the sounds of gunshots and screaming could be heard from behind. He looked in the rearview mirror ──
「Gieeh, they're still chasing us... ── Oy!! The Bonnet! There's a dangerous person riding on the hood!」 (Subaru)
「Ah!?」 (Armored Vehicle Commander)
Takanashi Hoshino was riding atop the armored vehicle.
「Tch... I can't confirm, well, doesn't matter; once we catch you, it's over ──!!」 (Armored Vehicle Commander)
「None of my business!! I won't take responsibility for what happens to you!!」 (Subaru)
「Shut up!!」 (Armored Vehicle Commander)
The only luck amidst the continuous misfortune is that Takanashi Hoshino cannot match the car's speed on flat ground. Cutting him off earlier was possible using buildings, but now, for Hoshino, that armored vehicle is the lifeline of the pursuit.
「...」 (Subaru)
Under his tracksuit, he wears the gun belt and bulletproof vest Kanna gave him. If he draws the gun and shoots out a tire, this chase game ends.
「── I can't hit it.」 (Subaru)
He judged with rare calm. With Subaru's skill, trying is a waste of time; shooting during a car chase is impossible. If he fails and goes off-road, he'll sink into the sand and be done for.
Furthermore, bullets are constantly flying from behind. It's fine as long as he isn't hit, but if they hit the tires or the explosives stacked in the back... the story ends there too.
「... The winner of a straight-line chase... has been decided since childhood.」 (Subaru)
「Arona, can you increase the speed?」 (Subaru)
「Possible, but upon breaching the base, Subaru-sama's escape will become more difficult.」 (Arona)
「Do it; it's too late to talk about risks or anything like that.」 (Subaru)
「Roger... ── Please hold on to the seat tightly.」 (Arona)
「Got it... Ooof!?」 (Subaru)
Thanks to Arona's auto-drive, the car launched at a speed exceeding when it mounted the armored vehicle. The car frame, supposedly that of a regular passenger car, screamed as if it would disintegrate from the intense self-acceleration.
「...!」 (Hoshino)
「I'll borrow this for a bit.」 (Hoshino)
「Ah? Waaa! What are you ── Bwugh!?」 (Armored Vehicle Driver)
「C-Commander! Damn it! What are you ──」 (Gang Member)
「Everyone is in the way.」 (Hoshino)
Hoshino, riding on top, smashed the side window of the vehicle with her bare hand. She threw the student in the driver's seat out into the desert and knocked everyone inside unconscious in an instant.
She grabbed the steering wheel immediately and floored the accelerator.
「26 seconds until arrival.」 (Arona)
Hearing the remaining time, Subaru recalled the next step Kanna had proposed. The alternative plan to inform the world of Subaru's achievements, and his "evil" deeds.
「... Broadcast, start...!」 (Subaru)
「Roger.」 (Arona)
Internal broadcast to the Public Peace Bureau, posting a video on social media via phone, email with an image attachment to the Federal Student Council. He will use every means to introduce Kivotos, and the Kaiser Corporation, to the existence of "Natsuki Subaru"!
Subaru's specialty: a double bluff of bravado and pretense.
「Ah, ah, mic test... ── No time for that! Hello at this late hour of the night!! It's time for Natsuki Subaru's Late Night Radio!!!」 (Subaru)
「Holy cow! We are currently at the headquarters of the trending terrorist organization ──!?」 (Subaru)
── A sensation of weightlessness beneath his body. Then, a shock hitting his spine.
An impact from behind, and in this situation, there is only one person capable of delivering it.
「I'm going to crush one of the bases of that trendy terrorist organization! What nonsense are you spouting about making 'Natsuki Subaru the final target'!! Don't underestimate the successor to the Federal Student Council President!」 (Subaru)
「Didn't I tell you before!? Ugh... ── I am your true enemy!」 (Subaru)
Contrary to his valiant words, the recoil from the collision during this ultra-high-speed movement caused the car frame to wobble, inducing a wave of nausea in his stomach.
But if he didn't settle this here, Subaru's nickname in Kivotos would become the "Vomit Demon."
「Don't divert your eyes to anyone but me!! Before you crush Abydos, I will kick every single one of you out of Kivotos, one by one!」 (Subaru)
「8 seconds until arrival. Please be cautious of gunfire.」 (Arona)
「That too!! I said it before, but!!」 (Subaru)
After hearing screams that sounded like they came from madmen ahead, a faint heat and pain ran through his shoulder.
Following that, a bullet grazed his cheek, and a very heavy impact pierced his bulletproof vest. All of this was enough to make him want to contort his face violently and let out a loud, pathetic scream.
Defensive equipment tore through the car, and confused soldiers left deep wounds on Natsuki Subaru's body. Anxiety gnawed at his heart, fearing that a single stray bullet hitting the explosives in the back seat would cause a massive explosion.
── Yet, he showed not a speck of that pain or fear.
「『I am ready to discuss, even without pointing weapons.』」 (Subaru)
「But the ones who broke that first, were you.」 (Subaru)
「── End of broadcast!!!」 (Subaru)
In that same instant, he kicked the right-side door open with force ──,
「── Oh.」 (Subaru)
By the way.
The average speed of a roller coaster is said to be about 102 km/h.
The maximum speed reaches around 120 or 130, unless it's an extreme type, that's the limit. Subaru's childhood memory still recalls the terror he felt when he tasted that speed with his living body.
── Extreme type, yes, he remembers riding one of those too. The name escapes him now but... after riding it feigning bravery and muttering "Piece of cake, piece of cake" with his nose high, Subaru swore he would never ride it again.
Thoughts utterly meaningless. There is no connection between the Subaru betting his life in this situation, and the Subaru screaming joyfully at an amusement park ──,
「Dea ──」 (Subaru)
Yes, slamming into the ground, which is vastly harder than you, at a speed exceeding 160 km/h, is exactly like being thrown out of a roller coaster.
「Natsuki Subaru.」 (Hoshino)
Then, the impact that should have come did not arrive, and what his body felt was the sensation of soft hands.
「... Oh.」 (Subaru)
「... ──?」 (Subaru)
Without a scratch?
「You...」 (Hoshino)
「You, what the hell are you really?」 (Hoshino)
「Answer me ──!」 (Hoshino)
When he comprehended the situation, he found himself in Takanashi Hoshino's arms. What followed was the massive explosion he had planned but which exceeded expectations, and even from the shock of that blast, he was protected.
Amidst the roar of the explosion that nearly ruptured his eardrums, Hoshino's question reached his ears faintly.
Then, that muzzle he had seen hundreds of times was pointed at him—the shotgun muzzle.
Scared, scared, scared to the point of inescapable terror. I'll die. If the trigger is pulled, Subaru will...
「I am...」 (Subaru)
「I am me, Hoshino.」 (Subaru)
「Haaah ──?」 (Hoshino)
「Natsuki Subaru, as you see.」 (Subaru)
「I get scared enough to cry and scream if a gun is pointed at me, and I always do reckless things beyond my capacity.」 (Subaru)
「I can't stand pain, I don't possess much resolve, and I'm not special in anything.」 (Subaru)
「If I don't borrow someone's hand... I can't even stand on my own.」 (Subaru)
「... Do you want to die?」 (Hoshino)
「── I don't want to die.」 (Subaru)
「I don't want to die!! I don't want to die! I! Don't!! Want to Die!!!」 (Subaru)
「I want... to help you...!」 (Subaru)
「Because there are still... people crying because of me...!」 (Subaru)
With fluids streaming from every opening on his face, Subaru screamed. Asserting that for this reason, he cannot die.
「──」 (Hoshino)
『Hoshino-chan.』 (Yume's Voice)
『Suspicion, distrust, violence, and lies...』 (Yume's Voice)
『If you start thinking these things are normal...』 (Yume's Voice)
『Someday, you will lose yourself.』 (Yume's Voice)
『So, Hoshino-chan ──』 (Yume's Voice)
「────」 (Hoshino)
「──...」 (Hoshino)
「...」 (Hoshino)
── The shotgun muzzle aimed at Subaru was slowly lowered.
「Ah... Hoshi, Hoshi ──」 (Subaru)
Then it was raised to strike Subaru's head.
It was a precise blow aimed to snatch consciousness, its force carefully adjusted not to take his life.
「I still have things to ask you.」 (Hoshino)
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