You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!! - Chapter 4: "I am not a stalker! Eh, because I've been watching that man—no, you misunderstand! Please, don't pull my hand! Please, don't take me away!"

Shiori is currently overcome with intense fear.

Shiori Himeji, a student at Combat College, is at the First Bank of Japan, executing a mission assigned to her.

Combat College, the school Shiori attends, educates talented elites and contributes to Japan. It is a special organization separate from the police and Self-Defense Forces. Here, students with ‘combat power’ are tasked with government-approved jobs from the government, corporations, and municipalities.

Most students enter this continuous middle-high-university school at the middle school level, with very few transferring in later.

Shiori discovered her “combat power” talent during a test in elementary school. After graduating, she joined Combat College and was hailed as a prodigy, greatly enhancing her abilities.

Now a first-year high school student at Combat College, she’s recognized as one of the top ten students.

Her current mission: bank security. The government learned of a planned attack on the First Bank of Japan by an organization and scheduled it for today.

The government considered deploying disguised police and Self-Defense Forces inside the bank but feared this would alert the organization, possibly delaying the next opportunity to capture them indefinitely. Thus, they decided to deploy Combat College students.

These students, though children, far surpass average adults in physical abilities.

Therefore, Shiori and two other undetectable Combat College students infiltrated the bank.

Police, Self-Defense Forces, and Combat College teachers are on standby in buildings, stores, and trucks, all located a hundred meters from the bank, ready for any eventuality

But then, an unexpected irregularity occurred.

It started when Shiori noticed a conspicuous man.

(That man, he’s been acting suspicious… or rather, bizarre.)

Shiori thought upon spotting him.

(A target of caution? But such an obvious person couldn’t be part of a criminal organization… right?)

Criminals wouldn’t stand out, yet from the second floor, she could clearly see the situation.

People were either absent or moving away from him. The reason was simple: his aura. His suit and sunglasses resembled a spy from some movie.

“I don’t understand…”

Then she was shocked.

The expressions and trembling of the two security guards.

(What’s with their faces!?)

They looked terrified, unable to move.

(What made them like this?)

Could it be,

Him? Information said they were experienced guards. Yet, why were they so frightened of him?

He just stood up. That’s all Shiori saw.

(Is something invisible happening…?)

Shiori was convinced. This was bad…

As he approached, the woman at the counter’s face filled with terror.

(I understand.)

Shiori and her peers have faced numerous harsh, frightening missions, preparing for death many times.

“Her face now is like the faces of my peers then.”

Her current expression isn’t one a civilian would show. It’s the face of someone facing the grim reaper.

(What’s going on! What’s happening!?)

(I don’t understand! He’s just walking towards us, yet why is she so terrified? TTo an outsider, his appearance might seem foolish. Yet, why such terror?)

“Impossible!”

Shiori exclaimed, realizing a hypothesis for the situation.

(An accidental manifestation of his power…)

Yesterday, a transfer student arrived at Combat College.

He was transferred after accidentally manifesting his abilities at his previous school, prompting the committee to re-examine him. The results confirmed his abilities, leading to his enrollment in Combat College.

However, such cases of discovering abilities upon re-examination are rare, as they’re typically confirmed during tests in elementary school.

Shiori realized an unsettling coincidence.

(It can’t be a mere coincidence! That to this bank, on this day, at this precise moment, a man who accidentally activated his abilities appears! Such a coincidence is impossible!)

She came to a conclusion.

(Is he a member of the enemy organization!? )

Shiori quickly contacted her two teammates.

“The man currently at the counter is identified as a member of the enemy organization. He possesses combat power and abilities. Prepare for apprehension immediately.”

“Understood. We’re monitoring the situation using abilities. We’ll neutralize the target soon.”

“I’m ready to activate my ability anytime.”

“Unknown enemy abilities. Stay alert.”

Shiori’s contacts, possessing the abilities of “Clairvoyance” and “Gravity Manipulation,” were hidden above the ceiling, planning to pin down the enemy using gravity manipulation while Shiori captures him.

The plan was to capture one member of the enemy organization. With Shiori’s abilities, numbers didn’t matter; capturing a living person was crucial.

If the enemy were to move upon his capture, they could be subdued with gravity manipulation, and their consciousness could be harvested. Depending on the situation, this might even result in death. Therefore, the plan was to capture the first enemy member that appeared.

Then he made a terrifying move.

(Something from his inner pocket!? Does he also have a weapon!?)

Already possessing both combat power and abilities, and now potentially armed, the level of caution towards him increased significantly.

“Initiate the plan!”

Shiori swiftly gave the order.

A distortion in space began to form on the ceiling above him.

That was a phenomenon appearing when gravity manipulation was activated. The area around him was about to be assaulted by intense gravity, pinning him to the ground.

But then…

(It disappeared!?)

The spatial distortion on the ceiling suddenly vanished.

What does this mean?

As Shiori was about to relay this via radio, she noticed…

He was looking towards the ceiling.

Impossible!

Despite her disbelief, Shiori attempted to grasp the situation. Then, she received a message.

“Shiori… the target seems aware of our presence. He’s locked eyes with me while I was clairvoyant…”

“I’ve deactivated my ability… it’s like… he knew from the beginning. If I had kept my ability activated, he might have taken some action…”

Right. The mission can’t continue if the first identified enemy member isn’t captured.

Now, he’s aware of the locations of both her teammates. Perhaps even hers.

What is his ability?

Mind control inducing fear

Restraining movement

Sensing location

Causing harm internally

From what Shiori has observed, he might possess these abilities. However, this is strange. Usually, those with combat power have only one ability. There’s no record of a Combat College student possessing multiple abilities.

The nature of his powers remains unknown.

The moment their locations were exposed, they were recognized for who they are.

Many civilians, including bank staff, are inside the building.

The enemy might be aware of her teammates’ abilities.

The whereabouts of other enemy members are unknown.

This left her overwhelmingly disadvantaged.

This was the conclusion Shiori reached with all the information she could gather. However, there is one thing he does not yet know.

Shiori’s ability.

(I have no choice but to confront him.)

Determined, Shiori communicated via radio,

“I will approach the target. We must capture him before he harms civilians.”

She continued with the plan.

“If there’s an opportunity, use gravity to its limit, even if it involves me. Our lives are expendable.”

“But that would mean…!”

“We can’t let him go. He might be more powerful than me alone.”

“!?”

“We don’t have time. Starting the operation.”

It was a difficult decision. He’s likely a formidable adversary. Facing him head-on was the only option.

She might lose.

He is an enemy unlike any she has ever faced.

An enemy with unprecedented power.

Her instincts told her she might lose.

But, Shiori thought of one thing.

(If he were an ally…)

Rising from her seat, Shiori started walking towards where he was.