Living Normally In An Abnormal World - Chapter 60: The Race Again, Part 1

Chapter 60: The Race Again, Part 1

“Ah…”

I sighed as I prepared outside in the cold, wearing my usual outfit.

I couldn’t help but sigh at the fact that I had to take a sick day from school for this day.

I never expected this to come so soon. I thought it would take about a year, but it happened in just six months.

However, fortunately, this time I’m the one being chased instead of doing the chasing. In other words, I’m the fugitive.

It should be a little easier.

Despite thinking this, I was also happy that a rival had appeared.

“Nii-cha, do your best!”

As I left the house, Yuuna cheered for me with a smile.

Although I had promised not to appear on TV too often, she didn’t say anything about me breaking that promise. She was probably being considerate of me.

I’ll have to let her snuggle up to me a lot when I get back.

“Yeah, I’ll go. I’ll taunt him and crush his spirit.”

“Yeah!”

“Don’t have such a violent conversation.”

Ignoring Asuka’s remark, I got into the car that was waiting for me.

“Yuuto-kun, I’ve been waiting!”

“Let’s go.”

And once again, Reina-san and Miu-san accompanied me.

When we arrived at the venue,

“Um, can I wear this costume and accessory today?”

“Huh? Oh, you mean this?”

It was a costume that seemed to have been prepared specifically for this day.

It looked vaguely familiar, and anyone familiar with Grauzers would recognize it. That’s because it was a costume and accessory from the game, available as downloadable content.

The concept was a cyborg.

Therefore, the overall design of the costume resembled mechanical parts. However, the most striking feature was the five long, thin hooks attached only to the right hand. Moreover, they were the type that fit over the fingers.

“This time, we decided to let the audience choose the costume for Grauzer-kun through a majority vote.”

“Well, I agreed to it beforehand, but this is definitely going to be heavy, isn’t it?”

“It’s okay. The total weight is kept under 10 kg.”

I wanted to ask what exactly was okay about this.

“Let’s try it on for now.”

“Okay, sure.”

I changed into the costume in the dressing room and put on the hooks.

When I wore it, it didn’t feel too heavy, and the fit wasn’t uncomfortable. The only inconvenience was that the hooks restricted the movement of the first and second joints of my fingers.

I stepped away from the others and swung my arm vigorously, but the hooks didn’t come off. The fingers with the hooks on them were also fine.

“There’s also a blue switch on the arm. Try pressing it.”

Following the staff member’s instructions, I pressed the blue switch.

The hooks lit up in blue.

“Well, I don’t think I’ll be using this.”

“But it’s necessary to faithfully recreate the original work! It looks so cool!”

Indeed, they did glow in the original work.

“But with this on, I won’t be able to climb the fence.”

“Since you’re the fugitive this time, you won’t need to climb it.”

“Well, I’ll figure something out.”

“Okay, thank you.”

I listened to the flow of today’s program. I was told that, like before, I just needed to enter last.

Then, we moved to the starting point as the program was about to begin.

“Yuuto-kun, it suits you so well!”

“Hmm, I wish I were a little taller.”

“Thank you, Reina-san. But look, Miu-san. I’ll grow taller in no time. My goal is to surpass 190 cm. In the future, I’ll be able to carry both of you on my shoulders with ease.”

“We’re looking forward to it.”

Hmm, they don’t seem convinced.

“There he is! Grauzer!”

I turned towards the voice and saw a boy and a noblewoman. Needless to say, they were Satoru and Haruhito-san. Satoru ran towards me and hugged me.

As always, he greeted me with a hug.

“So, you came after all?”

“Of course! Hey, are those hooks on your hand?!”

“Yeah, this is what I’m wearing this time.”

“Wow, so cool!”

I opened and closed the fingers with the hooks and moved them irregularly.

Satoru’s eyes sparkled as he watched.

“I can also do this.”

I pressed a button and made the hooks glow.

“Wow, amazing!”

… This feature is indeed necessary.

“Thank you. Yuu… Grauzer.”

“No, Haruhito-san. I’m also enjoying myself thanks to Satoru.”

“Hey, I want one too!”

“It’s heavy, you know.”

I slowly placed my right hand on Satoru’s head, letting him feel the weight.

“Nyaa!”

As expected, Satoru couldn’t bear the weight of the hooks, and his head gradually lowered.

This is impossible.

“It’s still too early for you, Satoru.”

“Ugh.”

Satoru made a dissatisfied face.

I patted his head.

“Grauzer, it’s almost time!”

“Okay, I’ll be right back, Satoru.”

“Yeah, do your best!”

“Yeah.”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me.”

Well, let’s go.

“And now, here he is! Grauzer!”

Those watching the program, those who came to see it live, those participating as fugitives, and those hunting them—everyone was waiting for his appearance.

He was a man with physical abilities that rivaled even those of women.

Such a man…

…

appeared.

This time, he was a fugitive.

However, some still hoped that he would be a hunter again after the game ended.

But more than that,

“Are you looking down on me?!”

A hunter raised his voice in anger.

What he saw was the long hooks attached to the right hand, almost reaching the ground.

It was difficult to climb the fence as quickly as before with that, and they had a considerable weight.

Handicap, disrespectful play. These words flashed through the man’s mind.

It was clear that he was being looked down upon.

“Let’s get this over with.”

However, the man concerned didn’t seem bothered and continued the conversation.

He was kind to children but strict with everyone else.

That was the image of Grauzer.

Well, if you knew his true self, you’d think, “Oh, Yuuto-kun is acting tough for once.”

“Ah, and I’m counting on you, Ayase. I’ve been watching, and it seems you’ve been training quite a bit. But you do understand that I’m different from the others, right? I’m expecting a great run from you.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah!”

“I’m not your senior, though.”

However, Grauzer suddenly changed his attitude and showed a favorable response to Ayase, the hunter for this game.

Despite appearing to look down on him, Grauzer remembered his name, treated him as a worthy opponent, and had high expectations for him.

“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. I’m only wearing this for the show, and I plan to remove it in the game. I also want to give it my all. For a few minutes, or even ten minutes, until the game ends.”

“Oh, yes, please do. I’ve also been training. I won’t give up until the game is over!”

“Good. That’s why it’s worth coming here.”

The hunter forgot his previous anger due to Grauzer’s attitude. He could have a fair and square competition with someone who admired and rivaled him. No man could resist such an opportunity.

Leaving everyone else behind, the two men shook hands firmly, wishing each other good luck.

And then, the game began.