You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!! - Chapter 89: Heading Out Now...

“Shiori-san! Are you planning to go by yourself?”

Kaika expressed her deep concern against the backdrop of the vast lake. She was worried because the person she admired was on the verge of undertaking a recklessly daring act.

“It’s two against one! It’d be one thing if they were new students, but those two are well-known! We should go together…”

“Kaika”

Finally, Shiori spoke up.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to take anyone to that place.”

“Why not!?”

Kaika, who rarely objected, pressed on this time.

However, Shiori had reasons known only to her.

“In that world, even a moment’s carelessness is unforgivable. I can’t take you two there.”

“Shiori-san…”

“And whether it turns into two against one is still unknown.”

“What do you mean?”

The one who asked was Sorato.

“Wanting to keep his ability hidden is Hiroki’s principle of action.”

Hiding his ability was Hiroki’s true nature. Thus, the likelihood of his intervention in the battle was considered very low.

“Besides, I don’t care anymore.”

“Shiori-san…?”

Her tone lightened, and Shiori smiled softly, causing Kaika and Sorato to feel a sense of unease at her sudden change.

“I’ve done enough work already, so I want to do as I please at the end…”

There was an ethereal atmosphere about her,

“‘The excuse I make when nothing is done’… Yes. I couldn’t forgive myself if it all ended without any action on my part.”

She spoke to the stuffed animal she was holding.

“Shiori-san, are you taking that with you?”

“If it seems like it’ll be a burden, we can carry it for you.”

It was an item picked up from a previous battle. Leaving behind the belongings of the juniors who had shown bravery under the threatening storm clouds felt wrong.

It was unthinkable to leave a stuffed animal exposed.

Therefore, Shiori had instinctively grabbed the stuffed animal at that moment and had been carrying it with her.

“Thank you. But it might become a burden for you two, so I’ll refrain. Besides—”

Shiori said, looking at the stuffed animal.

“—Koalako-chan… said she liked it…”

“Hmm?”

“What’s wrong, Hiroki?”

From his right, Suzuko looked up at him with curiosity. Without directing his gaze at her, Hiroki continued to stare straight out at the sea.

“No, it’s this scene…”

The drone was nowhere in sight, and the remains of the boat were too far for Hiroki’s eyes to see.

What Hiroki saw was just the scene before him, something about it deeply moved him.

“It feels like something sad I’ve seen before…”

He thought it involved something sad, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

“What’s sad?”

“Ah!”

Recognizing Suzuko’s face that suddenly appeared before him, a memory was awakened.

“Seeing your face reminded me.”

“Reminded you of what?”

“Don’t you remember anything when you look at this scene?”

With those words, Suzuko turned her gaze outside the boat, puzzled. The dark lake stretched out before them, still dominated by gloomy clouds.

“I don’t remember anything.”

“Is that so? Well, let me tell you.”

Hiroki was about to explain to Suzuko, who didn’t understand.

“This scene is──”

It was a trigger. If he hadn’t shared it with Suzuko, the future might have been slightly kinder.

But at this moment, the future was dyed in deep darkness.

And finally, the time comes…