Vol 1 Chapter 80 – When Life Runs Out【Vol 1 – Turning Point】

After leaving everything else to the police, we headed home. On the way, we parted with Alen-san and the others, then arrived at Mama’s house.

“W-welcome back…”

There, standing outside, was Tachibana Onee-chan, who was supposed to hate going out.

“Ta—”

I wanted to say it, wanted to tell her “I’m home.” Tachibana Onee-chan had done something for me here. But my voice wouldn’t come out.

“I-I’m so glad you’re safe…”

But I didn’t need to convey it, because she understood my heart without words. She just gently embraced me, and that made me incredibly happy. But that’s exactly why I felt so sorry.

What can a songstress without a voice do…? The answer was nowhere to be found.

“Welcome back. You saved us, Ryu. Thanks for monitoring the message boards…”

Kagemitsu Onii-chan said. With a gentle smile.

“I-it was nothing.”

Even though she said that, Tachibana Onee-chan was trembling. Places other than her own home must truly terrify her.

What should I do? I can’t even say thank you.

As I was troubled by this, Tachibana Onee-chan held out a sketchbook and pen to me.

At first, it was meant to keep my identity hidden when I was outside. But I never imagined it would be useful like this.

“Y-you’ll need it, right?”

Tachibana-san already knew. That I had lost my voice. But without touching on that at all, she naturally handed me the sketchbook.

『Thank you!』

I wrote that on the sketchbook and showed it to everyone.

“Don’t worry about it!”

“You bet!”

“It’s only natural!”

“Same here.”

“Y-yeah. Of course.”

Everyone gave their own responses.

There was something I was a little curious about. I wrote it on the sketchbook.

『How did you find me?』

I thought it was too fast, the time until everyone came to rescue me. If it had been a proper police search, it would have taken much longer.

“W-well, 7 Channel found you.”

As she said that, Tachibana-san displayed a 7 Channel thread on her computer screen.

It was the record of the heroes who had rescued me in just a few hours.

【Urgent】High possibility Akiba Rin has been kidnapped【Info】

1: Anonymous

High possibility Akiba Rin has been kidnapped. If you spot a Hiace, photograph the license plate.

kidnapping.jpeg

2: Anonymous

G

3: Anonymous

Let’s keep posts to information only.

Photogr

4: Anonymous

Found it.

thiscar.jpeg

Righ

5: Dedede

Micchi Mama is livestreaming.

6: Anonymous

5 Competent

Hiace.jpeg

No sign of

7: Anonymous

Hm? The streamer, this voice, did it s

8: Anonymous

Seems like it. Information is being shared with the Akiba household

9: Anonymous

Damn it, why can’t you attach images to Utube comments!?

suspiciouscar.jpeg

10: Anonymous

No point in lamenting! Track it!

Right now, in Tobigoe.

11: Anonymous

Hey, is this it? The car that kidnapped that Rin kid.

licenseplate.jpeg

12: Anonymous

That’s it! Thanks for helping even though you’re not a fan!

Looks like it’s heading this way.

Destination… probably near my house. There’s an abandoned warehouse.

13: Anonymous

Close by,

14: Anonymous

Sor

15: Anonymous

16: Anonymous

Two of us… Wil

17: Anonymous

We’ve got to

18: Anonymous

Wait, Sadakuni and Kagemitsu and Haku have departed. Sounds like they’re picking up Alen and one young guy on the way.

19: Anonymous

20: Anonymous

Understo

21: Anonymous

Waiting fo

22: Anonymous

The next post was three hours later.

23: Anonymous

We saved her. But this i

24: Anonymous

25: Anonymous

Rin-chan’s voice was raspy, and she could barely

The thread continued after that. But Tachibana-san turned off the monitor.

“W-we shared this and tracked them down.”

Apparently, she didn’t want to show me what came next. But I caught a glimpse of them being cursed at.

『I see, that’s why it was so fast.』

I was genuinely happy that so many people had desperately tried to save me. But I can’t repay them anymore. I’ve lost the voice I need to convey my thanks.

It’s so frustrating. But I forced myself to smile.

I should leave. I’m just a burden on Mama.

No voice, can’t earn money. I don’t know how I’ll survive. This time, I might really get caught by bad people. I might die.

But I should leave.

That day, all six of the Akiba household stayed at Mama’s house.

After confirming everyone had fallen asleep, I stood up. I placed my cash card on the table with a note containing the PIN on top of it.