You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!! - Chapter 26: More... More…(Suzuko PoV)

“S-Shiori-san… may I please go home now?”

…

The tenth-ranked behind me just smiles, not saying anything.

I feel like I’m about to cry.

“My transmitter only detects within a range of 1,000 meters… if Hiroki is outside that range, it won’t respond…”

“…Hmm?”

“I’m sorry! I’ll try harder, so please stop pressuring me with that smile!”

I’m really scared.

What if we can’t find Hiroki…

So please, Hiroki! Please show up!

…

“There’s a monster in that lab over there.”

“Got it; I’ll take it down then.”

“Yeah.”

Hero Ky – Rank S Machine Gun

Green Bell – Rank S Sniper

Stage: “Monster Development Facility”

I became more talkative after eating curry.

My mood changed after that meal.

And then, we started playing my favorite online game, “Alien Hunter.”

Moreover, she handed me a spare computer, and we dug up the saved data I had used over half a year ago.

(Not just the spare computer; she loves games. Her equipment is crazy, too.)

Once again, I realized what kind of person the girl was staring intently at the computer next to me.

^[1]改めて、隣でパソコンとにらめっこしている少女がどんな人間なのかを理解した。In this excerpt, the word “少女” (shōjo) means “girl” or “young girl,” indicating … Continue reading

“Hiroki, did you take it down?”

“No, not yet. It’s tough with my gear.”

“Then, drive it out the window.”

“Wouldn’t it escape?”

“It’s fine.”

She reassured me that maybe it’s the difference in our skills.

Just as she said, I repeatedly fired the machine gun, driving the enemy out the window. We were on the eighth floor, and the monster fell headfirst.

And then,

“I’ll take the shot.”

With my words, the monster’s head was blown off.

“…Where did you shoot from?”

“From the rooftop of the tallest building.”

“That’s at least 1,600 meters away.”

“No problem.”

She’s completely into it.

What a professional-like comment.

The face that was crying earlier seems like a lie.

Right now, you’re like that.

A killer in a black suit.

“If I stood behind you, would you get flustered?”

“?… I wouldn’t get flustered.”

“Is that so?”

“Hiroki, I want to try a new combination.”

“Hm, what kind is it…”

As the air became damp, I finally began to hear the pitter-patter of rain.

“Shiori-sama… the rain has started…”

…

“Yes, I will continue searching.”

I can’t disobey the tenth rank.

So please, Hiroki! I’m begging you to reply! Shiori is in danger!

…

No matter how many messages I sent, Hiroki had no reply.

…

Having just changed clothes, the girl had a strange bulge in her pocket.

She created it while he went to the bathroom.

A ‘ping’ sound came from the smartphone left behind.

Looking at the screen, it read, “Haruna: Hiroki! It’s dangerous! Please contact me!”

…

Seeing that, my body moved on its own.

I turned off the phone and smoothly slid it into my pocket.

“Hey, have you seen my phone? Can’t seem to find it.”

Startled by his voice, I calmly replied.

“It was beeping because of low battery, so I put it in the room to charge.”

“Is that so, thanks.”

“Yeah.”

Why? I just want to stay together a little longer…

“So, this combo is pretty easy, is it? Seems like it’ll be tough to learn.”

“There’s a trick to it.”

“Got it.”

I just want to stay like this for a little longer.

Feeling the moist air, the gentle sound of rain began to be heard.

“Shiori-sama… it’s starting to rain…”

…

“Yes, I will continue the search.”

Defying the tenth rank is not an option.

So, Hiroki, please, I’m begging you to respond! Shiori is in danger!

…

Despite sending many messages, Hiroki still needs to reply.

…

The girl had just changed clothes, with a strange bulge in her pocket.

It happened when he went to the bathroom.

A ‘ping’ sound from the smartphone left behind. The screen read, “Haruna: Hiroki! It’s dangerous! Please contact me!”

…

On seeing this, my body automatically reacted.

I turned off the device and smoothly pocketed it.

“Hey, have you seen my phone? Can’t seem to find it.”

Startled by his voice, I calmly replied.

“The battery was low, and it was beeping, so I put it in the room to charge.”

“Thanks.”

“Yeah.”

Why do I feel this way? I just want to be together a little longer…

“So, isn’t this combo a bit tough? Seems hard to remember.”

“There’s a trick to it.”

“Understood.”

I just want to stay like this a little longer.

…

Hero Ky: Papapan, Pan, Papapan, Pan, Papapapapan, Pan, Pan, Panpan…

“Enemy, rooftop, heading there.”

Green Bell: Pan, Papapan, Pan, Papapan, Pan, Pan…

“Understood, continue, I, sniping.”

The previous conversation vanished like a lie, replaced by a dark atmosphere.

“Hey, now that we’ve learned it, can’t we just talk normally? Playing in silence is.

“Sorry.”

“Was this combo something you thought of when you were lonely and had no friends?”

“…”

“I feel bad now…”

The mood turned somber.

When the opportunity arose, Hiroki, sensing the girl’s feelings, thought to give it another try.

And the clock had just passed six.

It was about time…

“I guess it’s time for me to leave.”

“!?”

I jumped in surprise.

She got so absorbed in the game that she lost track of time.

She really must love gaming.

“See ya.”

“Wait!”

She stopped me suddenly, pointing outside the window.

It was raining.

“Rain, huh? I’ll run, it’s okay.”

“…”

I appreciate her concern, but it’s not that big of a deal.

“See ya.”

“…Your phone.”

“Ah, right, almost forgot.”

I realized she had charged it for me.

I nearly forgot to take it.

“I’ll get it; just wait at the entrance.”

“Alright.”

I headed towards the bedroom.

…

…

The girl, sitting on the bed, seemed to be struggling…

…

“Hey, it’s been about three minutes. Are you okay? You’re not asleep, are you?”

After she didn’t return for a while, I went to the bedroom door.

The door slowly opened in response to Hiroki’s words.

“Sorry… just felt a bit dizzy and rested.”

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, let’s go to the entrance.”

“Okay.”

The girl was forcing herself a bit.

Hiroki was worried about her.

She slowly grasped the doorknob.

“Hiroki… what if it’s raining heavily outside… what will you do?”

“Well, if it’s really heavy? It’d be hard to leave. I cleaned up but couldn’t find an umbrella… and wait, why don’t you have any umbrellas?”

“…I don’t use them.”

“You’ll catch a cold.”

I slowly opened the door. And the first thing I saw was…

Zaaaaaa!!

“…”

…A sudden downpour?

(TL|N: This chapter is written from Suzuko’s perspective, but the author occasionally switches to other points of view. To make it more consistent and coherent, I have edited the text to keep everything in Suzuko’s point of view.)