Part 101: The Yoyogi-Uehara line arrives on time

The distorted world waves once before returning to normal. The pain throughout my body disappears completely.

I don't have a single wound now. Instead, I feel a piercing pain my brain. I get nauseous but endure it.

I'm sitting on the sofa with my phone to my ear. Another successful time leap. Now that I've tested it, it looks like the success rate is 100%. If I tell that to Kurisu, it would surely boost her self esteem, but we'll save that for after everything's settled.

I stand up strong and look around the lab.

"Where's Mayuri?!"



Kurisu, who was dozing off next to me, wakes up with a jerk at the sound of my voice.

"...Don't shout. I've been working all night, so let me rest a bit..."

"Where is Mayuri?!"

"Hey, what's this all of a sudden? If you're looking for Mayushii, she said she went to Ruka's."

Tch, she already left?



"Tutturu! Mayushii here."

"Mayuri! Where are--"



An answering machine?

"Please leave your message after the beep♪"

The same as before. No good, I can't think straight. I'm just getting hasty.

Earlier - that is, before I time leaped, I had asked where Mayuri went. No, there's a way...

Earlier, we failed since we we went to Akihabara Station. We can't go to the station after all. We can go by foot, or by taxi, to another station, and then hide somewhere until things calm down. For now, all I can do is wait for Mayuri to return. I'm feeling very impatient.

I thought I should explain the situation to Kurisu and Daru, but I don't have the emotional capacity. If I talk, I might get these two involved. I should do something by myself. I don't want to see any more of my comrades die.





We pass through Kanda Shrine's back street to Ochanomizu station. In order to get to the Sobu Line before operations suspend, we run without considering the danger of running into assassins.

But in front of Ochanomizu Station wait men that look like assassins, We hurriedly change plans to take the Chiyoda Subway Line at Shin-Ochanomizu Station.



I usually don't use this station, so I lost my way. Nervous, I stare at Shin-Ochanomizu Station's platform clock. The Yamae, Keihin-Tohoku and Sobu Lines have already suspended operations. The influence reaches even the Chiyoda Line. It seems they've learned from previous terrorist bomb threats, and suspended operations of even directly unrelated lines for safety purposes.

Don't tell me the subways are getting suspended, too...!



I've time leaped several times, but she always follows me without complaining. Does she really trust me that much? Maybe she can sense my urgency. That's why I want to save her. We've been together for more than a decade. She's like a two-years-younger sister to me.

I'll time leap any number of times if it can save Mayuri.



"You know, Okarin, Mayushii has a lot of questions to ask, but she'll wait for now. But in return, once it's over, I want you to tell me everything, okay?"

"I promise."

Mayuri smiles happily at that answer. That's right. While we wait for the train, I need to get as much info from Mayuri as I can. Hindsight is 20/20.

"Where'd you go after meeting with Rukako?"

"Fubuki sent Mayushii an email that a problem happened with her costume. A thread came loose! I went to fix it."

"Where does this Fubuki live?"

"Where does she live? We just met up at the Starbecks at UPX."

So that's what it was.

And then an announcement of resumed operation floods through. About 20 minutes have passed since we arrived at the station. It's okay. I didn't expect to be stuck here 20 minutes, though.



So it's okay. While waiting for the train, I examine the route map on the station's noticeboard. A direct private rail to Yoyogi-Uehara is in operation, so we might waste a little time, but it'll take us straight to Odawara.

Then, it's announced that the Yoyogi-Uehara train has arrived. I see the train's light through the dark tunnel. It comes closer with a roar. Mayuri's standing in front, on the white line, waiting for the train. I'm standing next to her, holding her hand, but I let go when I realize we don't need to run once we're in the train. The roar comes closer.



Video: Yoyogi-Uehara Line

Mayuri turns and talks to me. I couldn't quite hear her over the train's sound.























Right next to me, in Mayuri's place
stands a familiar girl.
Around elementary school height.
Innocent features.
Carrying a lovely black rabbit pouch.
Tennouji Nae.









"...Found... Mayuri... I wanted... to surprise... her... It wasn't on purpo... it... wasn..."



She disappears into the exit stairway. The platform is in chaos. The premise broadcasts inform of the accident.

I don't chase Nae. I timidly peek down through the gap between the train and platform.



My mind goes blank.