Chapter 35

Since the building was not damaged too much, I slightly revised the latter half of the previous story and did not end Kuro's battle (revised on March 19).

As a result, the beginning starts with the continuation of Kuro's battle. I apologize for this.

Despite starting with an apology, I hope you enjoy it.

---

The gun melted into a gooey mess, and both Sepek and I were immobilized. Then—

"—A giant, robot…?"

While watching the giant robot stand up by stomping the floor we were on, Chie was astonished.

Sepek, who was also immobilized next to her, was speechless from shock.

"Dissolution, capture, and toys… Why, why can you use our abilities!?"

Seeing these facts, Chie's voice grew harsh.

"Replication of abilities? Or the ability to forcibly control others' abilities!?"

"…Hmm. It seems you still don't understand my power."

In response to Chie's words, Kuro shook his head.

"I just confirmed with 'Perception,' but it seems the battle on the first floor is already over. You should surrender. If you do, I won't do anything more."

As Kuro spoke, the giant robot glared at Chie and Sepek.

"Being able to use 'Toys' beyond 'Toys' and even my 'Perception'… I surrender. A monster that can use multiple abilities is beyond our control."

"I also surrender."

"Very well."

Seeing the two who had surrendered, Kuro nodded in satisfaction.

"Amazing…"

Watching this scene, Soji let out a sigh of admiration.

Thinking of the black cat he revered as his master, who could create such a situation, he felt a sense of reverence.

"Ah, I need to bring this puppet down."

As Kuro muttered, the giant robot skillfully descended while holding onto the building.

However, unable to withstand the giant robot's descent, the building collapsed.

---

◇

"Hmm… Yuki-kun?"

Awakening, Shizukanae recalled the scene she saw just before losing consciousness and looked for the person.

"Jizuku! It's so good, so good!"

"Onee-chan!?"

However, the person in front of her was Akari, who was clinging to her while crying.

"Are you okay?"

"Soji-kun."

Next to her, Soji was there.

While being hugged by Akari, Shizukanae looked around to confirm the situation.

"Is this my room?"

"Yes! We were saved!"

Unable to grasp the situation, Shizukanae tilted her head while looking at Akari.

"Shizukanae was saved when she was about to be captured by Dies, and Soji and I were rescued from the organization's branch! Actually, I just woke up too, so I don't know the details."

Akari explained the flow of events to Shizukanae, who couldn't understand the current situation.

"Soji seems to know the details, but he won't tell us."

As she said this, Akari glared at Soji.

"I won't talk at all. It's a promise with the person who saved us."

Soji stood firm, not yielding to Akari's gaze.

"He won't talk like this. Well, if Soji trusts them so much, they don't seem to be bad people…"

"They're fine! No problem!"

"Y-Yeah…"

Soji's loyalty made the two of them a bit uneasy.

"Still, it's true that we were rescued from the organization, and Shizukanae was even being chased by Dies…"

"No, no, when they saved us, they were dealing with two Rank A opponents, so it's not surprising… Ah, no, never mind."

Hearing Soji's slip of the tongue, Shizukanae and Akari were stunned.

Both knew how much of a threat even one Rank A opponent could be.

"Whoever it was, it's surprising that such a powerful person was in this city. The world is small…"

"Yeah."

Akari's comment made Shizukanae nod.

"Anyway, let's contact Yui and decide on our next steps. Yui probably has information on whether the people who saved us are trustworthy."

"Okay. I think that's a good idea."

"I don't think we need to ask Yui specifically, but I guess it's fine…"

Despite being a bit put off by Soji's loyalty, the two agreed with Akari's plan.

---

"Still, I was really surprised that they could save Shizukanae and the others."

Hacking into the surveillance cameras of the temporary branch where the battle took place, Yui let out a surprised sigh.

"Indeed. I didn't expect there would be a monster-like strong little girl and even a crow, besides that high school boy and the black cat."

Touri, who was also watching the footage, was equally astonished.

"Are you okay, Yui?"

Seeing Yui writing with a pen, Touri was concerned.

"Are you okay? What do you mean, Touri? I can write a letter too!"

"I've never seen you write a letter before."

In fact, Touri had never even seen her hold a writing instrument.

"Are you planning to send it to that high school boy?"

"Ah!"

During the previous cyber battle, Yui was attacked when she hacked into Kousuke's smartphone.

Because of this, she is currently avoiding hacking into Kousuke's PC or smartphone, as her defenses are not fully prepared.

"What are you planning to send?"

"It's not something weird. I prepared it as a reward for helping Shizukanae and the others. Since they ended up helping, I don't need it, so I'll send it."

When Yui hacked into Kousuke's PC before, she had spied on his search history and found something suitable as a reward.

"He might be happy, but he might also be scared."

Seeing the reward Yui was putting into the envelope, Touri had a bitter expression.

"I don't know of any other suitable rewards. I already made it, so I'll send it. I'll put it in the mailbox!"

As Yui tried to jump out of the camper van to mail it, Touri hastily used 'Capture' to stop her and took the envelope from her.

"Of course… Yui, this won't reach."

"Huh?"

The envelope Yui was about to send had no stamp and no address.

"Hehe, I've never sent a letter before…"

"…I'll tell you. And from now on, please get my confirmation before you do things like this."

While Yui's knowledge and skills in cyber-related matters surpass even top-tier technicians, she is very lacking in other areas of knowledge and common sense.

Touri, as usual, supported her.

---

I apologize for the long gap between posts.

I'm sorry for the continuous apologies in the preface and postscript.

The next post is scheduled for the day after tomorrow.