You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!! - Chapter 81

The noon sky was completely covered in dark clouds.

The humid air and lukewarm breeze tickled the skin.

There was nothing on the rooftop. All that was there was a scenic view with good visibility.

“With that said, Koalako-chan! The rest is up to you!”

“What are you talking about!? There’s no way I can do that!”

“I agree.”

“So do I.”

“With unanimous agreement, this plan has been approved! There’s no reason for Koalako-chan to object since she won’t be subjected to anything terrible!”

“I’m against it! Absolutely not!”

I opposed everyone’s idea.

It was a strategy prepared by the girl who had given me the nickname Koalako in anticipation of the enemy that was about to come.

However, the method invoked a strong disgust in me.

“It’s precisely because of Koalako-chan’s ability that this plan can work! Unlike us, Koalako-chan has powers, so we have to make use of them here!”

“I don’t want to use my abilities for such a plan! That’s what I’m saying.”

“If Koalako survives alone, then we win.”

One of my friends struck at the heart of the strategy.

The content of the plan meant survival for only me.

That would bring about a significant achievement for them.

“The right to award prizes will be given to all the top ten surviving teams. If someone from our team survives, we all receive it.”

“So, you need to live.”

The two of them strongly asserted their purpose. They’re saying this is not for my sake but for their own.

“Even so, this plan…”

But still, this plan felt too much.

Because it meant sacrificing everyone else.

“We don’t have much time! Please, Koalako-chan! You’re our only hope!”

“But…”

“We’re doing this to receive the prize for everyone! Please!”

Feeling the intense gaze upon me made me uncomfortable.

I never wanted to execute such a plan. Yet, the three of them were earnestly hoping for it.

“…Understood.”

Being firmly persuaded by the three, I reluctantly agreed to the strategy.

Their response brought broad smiles to their faces.

“Great! Then transform quickly! We’ll handle the rest!”

“Yeah. What should I transform into?”

“How about a koala plushie? It suits Koalako, after all.”

With that suggestion, I changed my body.

After about thirty seconds, my body transformed into a koala plushie, predominantly gray.

“Backpack size. This way, it’s less likely to be noticed.”

“Abilities are really amazing. I wonder how the body changes.”

I didn’t understand the mechanics of my ability either.

Wishfully thinking, my body changes. The detailed mechanics would apparently be taught by the teachers later.

“Koalako-chan! Are you ready?”

“…”

“Are you ready?”

“…”

“Ah, right, you can’t speak.”

Yes, I can’t speak. In this form, I can’t make any sound, nor can I run or fight. All I can do are small movements.

I’m completely defenseless.

“Then let’s place Koalako-chan here.”

I was lifted and placed near a railing with a good view.

Then, various items were placed beside me.

“This way, Koalako-chan will be mistaken for one of the items.”

“Probably.”

Removing pouches and coats, the girls equipped themselves with metallic weapons.

Only the essentials, prepared solely for battle.

“Alright! Shall we get ready then?”

“Don’t get caught off guard.”

“As long as we finish before they suspect anything, that’s all that matters.”

“You’re saying we should go all out so we’re not suspected.”

“Then let’s all do our best!”

In their conversation, the naturally optimistic girl exerted her usual positive energy.

She was always at the center of us.

“Koalako-chan!”

The girl standing between them turned to look behind at me.

And then, she showed me her usual smile.

“Koalako-chan is our hope. If Koalako-chan can live…”

Ultimately, she beamed a complete smile and conveyed her message clearly.

“…then there’s nothing to be afraid of!”

Suu—Suu—

Suu—Suu—

The archenemy reveals herself through the door.

She’s clad in a uniform that exudes a sense of armament, wearing a sinister black skull mask.

Her red eyes pierce through the three girls standing before her.

“It’s really scary, isn’t it…”

“I wonder if she’d remove that mask if we asked?”

“Should we try asking?”

As if she would be kind enough to comply just because we asked. Indeed, the aura she emitted said as much.

“Then, shall we challenge her?”

With a bright voice as the signal, they aimed their guns at her. Their stance was still unrefined, mimicking what they’d seen before.

“She’s not moving?”

“Yeah, she’s not moving.”

Despite having guns aimed at her, she doesn’t move a muscle. She doesn’t draw her weapon; she just waits without doing anything. This unnerving behaviour causes them to hesitate to pull the trigger.

“Um—”

The naturally airheaded girl spoke up with a forced smile.

“Are you not going to move?”

“…Do you have no intention of retreating?”

“!?”

They were surprised by the voice heard through the mechanical device, yet they responded to the question.

“We thought it would be a waste to retreat when we have the chance to fight someone of your rank…”

“…”

It was a lie. Their only goal was to face complete defeat in this place, in front of Koalako and that plushie.

The enemy in front of them intended to defeat all the students in this building. That was clear from the audacious attack on the hall.

For what reason, she attacked the allied forces gathered here, they couldn’t imagine. The only clear thing was the fact that she launched a surprise attack on them.

Therefore, her aim was their annihilation.

That’s why it was essential to make it known that only three of them were present here. If they could make it appear that defeating these three meant no one else was left, that would set their deception.

“So, we three will challenge you!”

“…I see.”

Shiori responded with an inorganic reply. And then,

“You asked why I didn’t move, didn’t you?”

“Uh, yeah, we did, but…”

With those words as her last, —Shiori vanished.

“Aggh!? Ah, ah!?”

“That’s why.”

The distance of several meters was closed in an instant, and a moment later, Shiori was seen choking the life out of the bright girl.

“If a person of rank fully utilizes their body enhancement, they can leave your reactions in the dust.”

The other two were too slow to process what was happening, only managing to widen their eyes in shock. But then, they regained their consciousness and aimed their guns at Shiori.

“Too slow. You should have shot while I was explaining.”

After throwing the girl, she choked at one of the enemies, and she charged at the other.

“Ahh!?”

“Truly feeble. Too feeble.”

Shiori spoke in an inorganic voice in front of the girl who was now clutching her stomach and pressing her forehead against the cold concrete.

“Talent, strength, experience, knowledge—none of it matches me.”

“Kuh!”

“If you’re going to shoot, shoot. Just aiming won’t do anything.”

Shiori advised the one who was holding a gun while embracing the thrown comrade.

“You damn—!”

“Too late.”

“!?”

It’s a lie. Unbelievable.

A sharp gunshot echoed.

Without a doubt, bullets had been fired from that gun.

But there was no sign that any of them had hit Shiori.

“You’re too slow to pull the trigger. With shaking hands like that, you can’t grasp anything.”

She had dodged it.

A bullet, with the speed of light, in less than a second.

No one would believe such a thing was possible.

Yet, Shiori had indeed dodged the bullet.

“Bullets fired from a gun travel in a straight line. The signal to fire, your trembling finger, tells me everything.”

That was the confirmation.

Shiori had seen everything that predicted the future actions and their outcomes.

Understanding the weakness of guns and exploiting the enemy’s vulnerabilities.

Moreover, she possessed superhuman eyesight and reflexes.

With that, Shiori easily dodged the opponent’s bullets.

“There was no chance for you to win against me. Standing before me was meaningless.”

“It’s not meaningless!”

The one who spoke was the girl being embraced by her companion.

“It’s not meaningless at all! By challenging, taking action, and simply standing up, there’s meaning!”

“What meaning is there?”

To the enemy’s question, the girl loudly and clearly said,

“An excuse for myself, for when it all ends without doing anything!”

“…”

“Stupid…”

“It was from the start…”

While Shiori remained silent, one girl, clutching her stomach in pain, showed disdain, and the one embracing her felt a headache coming on.

“…I see.”

For a moment, it felt as if Shiori’s aura softened.

The three felt it, but their thought quickly faded.

“One.”

Simultaneously with that word, something was scattered behind Shiori.

It was the sound of defeat from one of the companions trying to stand up. Red blood spread all over the floor. Shiori had fired bullets in a series of actions without hesitation.

“Two.”

“Eh.”

The next one hit was another companion, still aiming her gun. The girl splashed with blood from her fallen friend, just stared blankly.

Just looking, the girl could do nothing.

“Three.”

Everything was over.

What was left were the bodies of three girls soaked in red.

Shiori put away her gun with them at her feet and looked up at the dark clouds.

“I’ll correct myself. —Your actions, your efforts, had meaning.”

It was a word of praise that would never reach them. Shiori acknowledged something about the girls and gave them those words.

“I felt good hearing those positive words.”

(Everyone…)

Koalako, who had transformed into a koala plushie, saw her friends soaked in red blood through her field of vision.

(Was this really the right thing to do…)

Regret pierced her heart. It wasn’t her plan, but the fact that she alone survived so effortlessly made her feel nauseous.

(But now that it’s come to this…)

She had no choice but to survive.

To survive and obtain the prize with everyone. That was the only way to atone for the friends who had fallen.

(I will definitely survive…!)

Using the guilt that sprouted within her as a form of absolution for the promises made to her friends, she firmly embraced that determination. Koalako decided to maintain her current form no matter what her limits were.

She could continue using her ability for an hour. As long as she didn’t disturb her concentration and her body wasn’t harmed, she could maintain her form for a long time.

Her friends created the “chance not to be suspected” at the end. With the three defeated friends left on the rooftop, no signs of life could naturally be detected. Thus, the likelihood of being discovered was extremely low.

(I will definitely get the prize! So, wait for me!)

Sending thoughts of a vow to her fallen friends, Koalako quietly focused her mind.

(I am a plushie. I am a plushie…)

She firmly convinced herself that she was just a plushie. That was the maximum action Koalako could take at the moment.

(I am a plu—!?)

The approach of the fearful presence set off the biggest alarm in her heart. Shiori was coming closer.

(Sh-she’s coming…)

Shiori walked towards the trembling Koalako, stopped after closing the distance, and slowly squatted down.

“A koala… plushie?”

(Yes, a plushie!)

Shiori poked it with her fingertip, leaking her thoughts on why a plushie was there. Why was there a plushie in this place? Shiori paused at the small question.

“Was it one of their belongings…?”

(Yes, their belonging!)

If discovered, she was sure to be killed. Koalako was filled with fear. While nausea reached its peak, she focused her mind as much as possible not to revert from her transformation.

At that moment, her body was slowly lifted, and the view in her vision became higher.

(Don’t look at me… I’m just a, just a plushie…)

The sharp red eyes nestled in that black skull mask grated against Koalako’s psyche.

(I can’t… take it anymore…)

Unable to endure the terrifying gaze, Koalako felt her body slightly shake. She might have moved. A severe sense of fear overwhelmed her thoughts.

Thinking she was already discovered, she began to lessen her concentration to revert from her transformation.

“Surely… Hiroki liked koalas—”

That was when it suddenly happened.

What Koalako saw was the black skull mask being blown away. It was shattered to pieces, scattering black fragments as it flew.

At the same time, her body was exposed to a floating sensation, and Koalako’s body fell to the floor with a soft thud.

Then, the next thing that fell to the floor with a thud was—Shiori Himeji, lying on her back, defeated.

“At Amano-san! Shiori-san was suddenly blown away!”

A large stir occurred in the stadium. The cause was the fall of the tenth-ranked entity.

Shiori, who was suddenly blown away and rolled on the floor, was displayed on all monitors, leaving everyone with their mouths agape at the scene.

“Can’t you see, Moriko-chan?”

“What is it…?”

Amano spoke as if he had anticipated this, directing his smile to the girl sitting beside him.

“That building is the tallest in the area. Therefore, targeting Shiori-chan on the rooftop from the outside is nearly impossible.”

Apart from Koalako, there was no one else on that rooftop. Thus, no student present could have attacked Shiori.

“But, there is someone capable of making the impossible possible. Just like when Shiori-chan collapsed on the floor.”

With those words, the image of a girl came to mind.

“This is the answer.”

The monitors throughout the stadium switched views.

A massive structure appeared floating in the center of a vast lake. On its expansive white wooden deck, there were two figures.

A boy looking at something on a smartphone and—

—a girl holding a sniper rifle as tall as she was.

The sight of these two made all the viewers inevitably come to terms with the outcome.

“Combining abilities to make possible a super-long-distance sniping from thousands of meters away, unseen in the Combat College. This is the power of the ninth-ranked—Uchimoriya Suzuko.”