Part 47: The laboratory meeting adjourns

"...I don't believe it."

Suzuha's dumbfounded after hearing it.

"I've never heard about that. Is it true? Are you telling the truth?"

"Of course. We developed an undeniable time machine, and we were able to change the past...! Nobody can deny our accomplishment. That's right, nobody!"

"Ah, geez, that's not what I meant..."

In irritation, Suzuha grabs at her own hair, but she soon points up her lips in thought.

"I don't know if what you're saying is true or not, but..."

She lowers her voice.



"...John Titor."

"I mean, he's in the news now, isn't it? A time traveler who came to the past? He might know something, since you're both time travelers and all."

"I see... you certainly could be right! No, there's no doubt about it!"

The undoing of what's been done could possibly be explained through the many worlds interpretation that Titor talked about. Also, when I recall the case with the IBN 5100, it's what he said that opened up the path for me. He should be able to give me a hint this time, too.



"...It's me. John Titor may have come from the future to guide me.
...Yeah, that's right. His arrival here in 2010 is undoubtedly Steins;Gate's choice.
El Psy Congroo."

"Working onee-chan, who is that guy talking to?"

"Dunno. Maybe it's a future person."

"A future person...!"

"Sister Braun, are you interested in who I'm talking to?"



Nae tightens her expression and shakes her head left and right. I give her a bored look in return.

"Even if you do get interested, never, ever ask. I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. I wouldn't want to do that to such an innocent girl as you."

"Like I said, you shouldn't frighten a grade school kid."

Maybe she's just frightened because you keep saying that, but I'm still satisfied.

"Working Warrior, I'll try getting in touch with Titor immediately. I appreciate the glorious advice!"

"Ahaha, was I useful? In that case, that's--"





"Wah, crap! Manager's back! Manager's back!"

Following Suzuha's glance, I see a moped heading this way. Judging by the sheer muscle of the driver, it's clearly Mister Braun.

"Nae, if Manager asks, tell him I was doing my job!"

"Okay. Then next time, let me ride your bike, okay?"

"Okay, okay! Welp, go for it, Okabe Rintarou! I'm rooting for you!"

Suzuha pats me on the shoulder and rushes into the workshop. Nae and I are left in front of the store. The driver stops the moped and takes off his full face helmet, revealing Manager.

"Welcome back, daddy."



Manager gets off his moped, stepping in front of me to protect his daughter. His eyes are clearly bloodshot. My spine freezes. What a fierce killing intent...!

"You, how dare you seduce my precious daughter...! I'll kill ya."

"W-Wait! I haven't done anything!"

"Then why were you talking with Nae alone, aah?!"

"We weren't alone! Just right now, Suzuha was here, too! That woman was skipping work to polish that bicycle!"

I let it slip that you skipped work, but please forgive me, Suzuha. My own life is too precious.

"Nae, is that true?"



Sister Braun ended up betraying Suzuha, too. Manager breathes a magnificent sigh.

"She's only good at skipping, isn't she? That part-timer."

Well, I've never seen her actually work.

"Anyway, aren't you going to apologize for doubting me for even a second?"

"Not gonna happen."

Tch, damn uppity geezer. He thinks he's all that just because he owns the building.

"Got it? I won't let you off easy next time you try to seduce my daughter."

"I-I wouldn't do something so suicidal."

Manager nods in satisfaction.



"Ah, okay!"

Manager places his moped next to Working Warrior's bicycle, entering the store hand in hand with his daughter. Cream puffs? That's the most out of character thing. What a dumb father.

"Hey, part-timer! I know you skipped! Hey! And why is the 42" on? I thought I told you to turn it off!"

"Sowwie!"

I can hear his bellows from outside the store.



He might be able to give me the answers I seek. He might also be able to explain the event that only I experienced a few days ago - the instantaneous disappearance of everyone on the road in Akiba.

With that said, I hurry up and return to the lab, attracting everyone's worried eyes at once.



"Wait! We'll talk when everything's over."

I explain that we can't keep experimenting since the Braun Tube Workshop manager came back. Then, I dismiss everyone for today.







She says that and hands me the Upa plush toy placed on the sofa.

"So for now, hug this little guy super tight and cheer up, okay?"

It looks like she's fussing over me, but Mayuri shouldn't worry about me. She worries me.



Daru goes with her. He probably wants to go meet Faris.

Rukako keeps apologizing to me. Looks like he regrets messing up the LOTO SIX ticket. That reminds me, Rukako found out about the time machine, too. Next time, I'll make him a lab mem to silence him.

Moeka nods and goes home without a word.