Chapter 72 – Side Story — A Meeting of Goddesses (Amane’s Side)

“Is this even the right way? The scenery’s already so unreal, all ‘future-chic!!’ I just can’t settle down…” (Kagu-chan)

“That makes two of us. I’ve watched the anime, but I never actually thought about coming here.” (Amane)

I nod vigorously in agreement with Kagu-chan’s muttering.

I’ve thought about wanting to go to an anime or manga world plenty of times, but actually getting to go there? That’s not something you seriously consider.

In my case, I could experience it through Yumeji-kun’s specialty — Lucid Dreaming — but lately things have been so busy that we haven’t had many chances to play together in dreams.

‘I’d love to go on another dream-world adventure with him soon.’

“So, does that escape route the heroine’s supposed to take that Yumeji mentioned actually go this way?” (Kagu-chan)

“…It should.” (Amane)

Right now, we’re tracing the route the ‘heroine’ is supposed to follow — the one Yumeji-kun briefed us on earlier.

The heroine, ‘Kamui Alice,’ is fleeing from the university bombing, hiding through the Lunar City. I heard she’s supposed to run into the protagonist, who initially thinks capturing her would make good money… but honestly? I wish I’d watched that anime from the start.

Because now that Yumeji-kun has explained the heroine’s route in detail, I’ve been completely spoiled!

Mmmph… I was planning to have him show me all the recorded episodes in one go…

Guess scheming about watching them together with chips and cola was too sinful?

As I’m thinking about that, Kagu-chan suddenly gets a serious look.

“Hey, Amacchi… about this dream we’ve stepped into — we’re investigating who caused it, right? And the most suspicious person right now is Kamuchon, ‘Kamui Airi’?” (Kagu-chan)

“Yeah… Yumeji-kun’s theory is…” (Amane)

“But… something about it just doesn’t sit right with me. I only heard the gist of that anime from Yumeji just now, but… if this is his desired dream… do you think he’d want to be the heroine?” (Kagu-chan)

Seeing Kagu-chan’s suspicious expression, I’m convinced she’s been having the same doubts I have.

“Ahhh… haha… so you feel the same way, Kagu-chan…” (Amane)

We exchange strained nods. ‘Not like us,’ I think.

Our close friend, Kamui Airi — if something sounds interesting, she charges straight ahead without looking left or right. If she heard she could experience an anime in the dream world, I’m dead certain she’d jump at it without hesitation.

Even if it dragged in the whole city.

If it caused real harm to others, maybe that would’ve been a brake… but in reality, she sleepwalks, so her physical body maintains appearances. With that kind of free pass, I’m sure she’d go through with it.

Still, even so, something feels off to us — the ones who’ve known her longest.

“Even if Kamuchon made this dream… I just can’t picture her wanting to be the kind of heroine who gets protected by the protagonist.” (Kagu-chan)

“Right? The heroine in this anime is the type who supports from the rear…” (Amane)

If it were the kind where the heroine fights alongside the protagonist, I’d get it. But Kamu-chan has watched this anime more thoroughly than I have. She knows it well.

That girl — who deep down loves getting hyped up and participating with the group — as the heroine?

Yumeji-kun seemed to think the circumstantial evidence pointed to a main character being suspicious, but the more I think about it… attributing this dream to Kamu-chan just feels… ugh.

“Speaking of which, there’s one more thing I’ve been wondering about…” (Kagu-chan)

“Huh? Something else?” (Amane)

Did Kagu-chan notice something I missed?

But my expectations get brutally subverted.

“Yeah, I need to ask now while I can… how far have you gone with Yumeji?” (Kagu-chan)

“BWAH!?” (Amane)

Without breaking her serious expression, she just hit me with that bombshell.

“H-how far, with what…” (Amane)

“Aww, Amacchi~? At this point, playing dumb won’t work. Especially since you’re the one who made the first move.” (Kagu-chan)

“Nya!? What are you—!?” (Amane)

With a smirking grin, Kagu-chan wraps an arm around my shoulder. I’m not innocent enough not to catch what she’s hinting at…

But why now of all times?

Still, I know this girl’s not soft enough to let me stay silent.

Giving up, I let out a sigh. I can feel all the blood rushing to my head as I force the words out.

“…Up to where you saw in that abandoned building, Kagu-chan.” (Amane)

“Hooh… so that’s the current endpoint, is it. That certain… ho-oh area. In general social terms, that’s called a D—” (Kagu-chan)

“That’s enough! Stop saying it! Don’t use the full technical term!!” (Amane)

Ugh, my face is on fire!!

Just remembering it is embarrassing enough, and now this bully…

But even though I told her the complete truth, Kagu-chan somehow looks like she’s not quite satisfied… like she still isn’t convinced somehow.

…What is it? I have a bad feeling.

“Hey, Amacchi, have you noticed your personal space is pretty strict?” (Kagu-chan)

“…Huh?” (Amane)

Kagu-chan’s sudden topic shift catches me off guard.

Personal space… that’s about the distance you allow from other people, right?

Some people mind you getting close, others don’t.

“Even among girls, the only ones who can get this close to you are me and Kamuchon. With guys, you keep a pretty wide berth, don’t you?” (Kagu-chan)

“Ehh… ahh, I guess…” (Amane)

Now that she mentions it, I am aware of it.

At school, people often say I’m approachable, but I’m actually pretty picky about who I associate with.

I don’t engage with people I don’t want to get close to. I don’t show them joy, anger, or any real emotion.

That’s exactly why some idiots mistake my distance for acceptance and come crawling closer… but yeah, I keep those types at a distance where they can’t even step on my shadow. I don’t want them in my field of vision either.

“But when it comes to Yumeji, there’s no space left at all, is there?” (Kagu-chan)

“Ugh…” (Amane)

Well… after she saw us like that, of course there’s no distance.

Honestly, with Yumeji-kun, somehow it just felt natural. No, I never even thought about it.

During the time we grew apart, I felt guilty and deliberately kept him out of my sight. But now — maybe it’s payback — I want to see him all the time, be by his side.

‘…Crap. Am I really this selfish, this heavy of a woman?’

“I don’t think that’s a bad thing, you know? He’s a benefactor to me too, and no matter how you look at it, he’s someone who treasures you.” (Kagu-chan)

“R-really?” (Amane)

“Yeah, more than some wannabe-handsome ‘boyfriend’ out there.” (Kagu-chan)

I have a guess who she’s referring to, but I’ll ignore it. Right now, it matters more that my best friend is praising Yumeji-kun.

“It’s just… the way you closed that distance always felt a bit extreme to me.” (Kagu-chan)

“…Huh?” (Amane)

As she says this, Kagu-chan starts materializing all sorts of things in her hand.

A knife. A phone. A ladle. A broom. As if she’s just randomly summoning and dismissing whatever comes to mind.

“What are you doing?” (Amane)

“Nothing, just… this ‘Lucid Dreaming’ is amazing, isn’t it? You can do all sorts of things just by thinking.” (Kagu-chan)

“Uh, yeah…” (Amane)

“In reality, you’ve gone up to kissing… I’ll accept that. But… how far did you two go inside the dream?” (Kagu-chan)

“!!!!???” (Amane)

I’m speechless at the question.

What kind of question is that, Kagu-chan!? There’s no way I can answer that!!

In a dream with no rules — and Yumeji-kun, who holds the reins, is a healthy guy. Of course he’d want to have those kinds of dreams.

What comes to mind first is that one-week sweet life dream in another world…

The moment I think that far, I snap back to reality and try to cover it up — but that split-second hesitation is enough. Kagu-chan seems to understand everything, pressing her hand to her mouth as her grin widens.

“I seee~ so that’s how it is. No wonder the distance closed so fast.” (Kagu-chan)

“Th-that’s not it!! That was… it’s not like that!!” (Amane)

“It’s fine, it’s fine~ It’s not reality, right~ It’s a dream~ Did he treat you gently?” (Kagu-chan)

“NYAAAAAAHHHHHH!!” (Amane)

No good!! If this conversation keeps going, Kagu-chan will extract the exact truth even from my silences!! Someone help me!!

As I silently beg anyone for rescue, my mind in a boiling frenzy — that’s when it happens.

The door to the building in the back alley we were heading toward slams open with a BANG, and two kids — a boy and a girl — come scrambling out.

The sudden shift cuts our conversation short. I’m relieved — but then I recognize the two faces.

One is the ‘heroine’ Alice… no, ‘Kamui Airi,’ whose footsteps we’ve been following. And the other is the protagonist, ‘Lute.’

“Run, Alice! Can you stand?” (Lute)

“Y-yeah… but… is it okay?” (Alice)

“I don’t have a choice! I hate this war-driven world just as much as you do!!” (Lute)

As he says this, they dash off. Wait — is this that scene Yumeji-kun mentioned? The one where the protagonist betrays his mercenary group and takes the heroine out?

He captured her for money, but then he hears her ideals about stopping the war and his heart is moved — the opening scene…

“Kamu-cha— mph!?” (Amane)

“Idiot! We’re not supposed to interfere with the story, remember!?” (Kagu-chan)

Kagu-chan claps her hand over my mouth just as I’m about to call out.

…Right. We’re supposed to let these two go, following the story.

If everything goes like the anime, they shouldn’t be in any real danger. Even if they’re being chased right now, they’ll be fine…

I pull myself together and watch the two run off with desperate expressions.

Yeah. Even if the mercenaries they betrayed come after them, we’re supposed to stay observers and prioritize gathering information…

The moment I think that — “they” come through the same door, chasing the pair.

“You son of a bitch, Lute! You’re betraying us!?” (Mercenary 1)

“You know what happens when you betray us, don’t you!? We’ll fucking kill you!!” (Mercenary 2)

The ones who come out spewing filthy curses are wielding heavy weapons, dressed like the thugs they are — incarnations of overconfidence, people who’ve never been told ‘no.’

They have the same faces as the guys who see women as accessories or trading cards…

Two men, two women… the same forms as those disgusting people who were near me in the classroom until recently. They’re chasing Kamu-chan. Bullying her.

The moment that thought hits — something inside my — no, our — minds snaps audibly.

“You bastards!! How dare you bully Kamu-chan!? Keep your unfunny stories to yourselves!!” (Amane)

“Want us to give those wannabe-handsome faces a real handsome makeover!?” (Kagu-chan)

BRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!

The next moment, we’re both holding Gatling guns and roaring.

“What the hell are you!? New rivals in— GYAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!” (Thug 1)

“WHOA WHAT THE HELL!? Who are you!? What are you even pissed about!? (Thug 2)

“Wait, wait!! What is this!? KYYYYYAAAAAAHHHHHH!!” (Thug 3)

No interfering with the story… We only remembered that rule after we’d emptied our magazines and piled up a mountain of rubble in the back alley…

Tehe.