Chapter 63

I caught Mochizuki as she fell from the high jump, trying to minimize the impact. Using all the spring in my body, I absorbed the shock and transferred it to the ground.

"Mochizuki! Are you okay!?"

Even though I launched a full-power attack to eliminate the Rich, it was inevitable that it would severely hurt Mochizuki. However, with the new skill, *Wind Purification/Extermination of Evil*, it shouldn't be a problem.

"A... U, Uu...!?"

"Mochizuki!?"

Suddenly, Mochizuki began to emit a faint light. A soft, white glow enveloped her body, which had previously looked pale and ghostly. I instinctively knew it was the effect of the skill. Reibe's voice echoed in my mind.

"Please calm down, Kōhei. The skill is a remedial measure... it's rolling back the body to a state before it should have been. It's like rewinding time by about a week."

"Rewinding time...? Is that even possible with an Administrator skill?"

"It's not used lightly. After all, this skill is designed to roll back and normalize things that shouldn't exist in the first place."

"Things that shouldn't exist...? Like Rich taking over a human body?"

Reibe's explanations are always so abstract and vague, making it hard to fully grasp what he's saying. But at least I can understand that Mochizuki is safe and rapidly recovering. He mentioned rewinding time... it's hard to believe, but it must be true. My skill can now manipulate time? Will I be able to stop time someday?

"Maybe, but you won't be given it without a good reason."

Reibe's voice sounded like a wry smile. Damn, I don't like being treated like a helpless child by this guy. Oh well. I looked at Mochizuki in my arms. She seemed to be back to normal... or so I thought. I can't really judge since I don't know what she was like before. Anyway, she looked healthy and energetic, almost to the point of making me want to cry.

"A, a... M, Mochizuki! Mochizuki!!"

"Sōsaka."

After a moment, Sōsaka seemed to regain her composure and rushed over. She peered at Mochizuki, confused, and asked me.

"Is Mochizuki okay!? What about Rich...!?"

"I took care of Rich. Mochizuki is fine, as you can see. She's back to her original self, I think."

"Yes...! Definitely, the Mochizuki I know!"

That's a relief. Just then, Mochizuki stirred. Her eyelids slowly opened, and her eyes likely reflected me and Sōsaka.

"U... u. Where... am I...?"

"Mochizuki! Can you hear me? It's Sōsaka! Sōsaka Miharu!"

"Miharu... Ah, you..."

"Yamagata here. I defeated the Rich that was inside you. How are you feeling?"

"Rich... Rich. Yes, I... Rich took over my body...!"

At first, Mochizuki only gave a vague response, as if she was still in a daze. But gradually, her consciousness seemed to clear. Her eyes regained their strength. I could tell her body tensed up, perhaps remembering the moment Rich took over. I tightened my grip slightly to reassure her.

"Please calm down. I've defeated Rich. How much do you remember?"

"...Yes. Yes, you... you used a stream of light to... to defeat Rich."

"I had no choice but to attack you as well. Even though it was necessary, I'm sorry. I apologize."

I apologized sincerely first. No matter the circumstances, I attacked her with all my might. I hit her, threw her, and even pierced her with a shockwave. I needed to apologize. As I bowed while still holding her, she stopped me in a panic.

"No, no! Stop it! Why would a savior apologize!"

"But I did attack you."

"You saved me! You saved me!"

As she spoke, the realization that she was saved must have hit her. Tears streamed uncontrollably from Mochizuki's eyes. Despite her sobs, she still managed to convey her gratitude to me.

"You gave me a second chance to live! You saved me when I wanted to die! You saved me!"

"Ah... Ah..."

"You gave me the chance to see my parents again...! It's all thanks to you! You, sir!"

"Mochizuki...?"

"Thank you...! From the bottom of my heart, thank you...!"

She sobbed with overwhelming gratitude. I was at a loss for what to do with such an emotional Mochizuki. I looked to Sōsaka for help.

"I've never seen Mochizuki like this... Ah, ah, ah..."

She was flustered too. You too, huh!

At the time of posting this story, it has received the following rankings:

- Low Fantasy: Daily 1st, Weekly 1st, Monthly 1st, Quarterly 6th

- Overall: Daily 10th, Weekly 4th, Monthly 15th

Thank you very much. I would appreciate it if you could continue to bookmark and rate the story.