Part 134: Faris NyanNyan proposes a theory

Bewildering me, the man draws closer and suddenly bends over.





I fall onto my back. It's hot above my brow, as if a branding iron had been pressed onto it. That heat suddenly pulls back, gradually changing into pain. I finally realize that I had been headbutted from close range.

Heyheyhey. Why'd I suddenly get headbutted? Did I do something to this guy? Is it some troll reason like he hates my existence or something? Or is he a Faris hater?

I stagger back up. It looks like his hat fell off when he headbutted me. It was when he stooped down to pick up the hat... I couldn't overlook the top of his head - there was a small space devoid of hair.



"Sorry for doing that so suddenly, but you asked for it. You disturbed my dirty heart, you know... You still called that pussy the champ. Don't you ever call that inconsiderate Faris woman a champ in front of my face again..."



What's this guy saying? He has such pompous speech and behavioral problems, like he's soaked in his own world.

"I am 4ºC. The number 4 and ºC as in Celsius. 4ºC. The strongest and most elegant RaiNetter to descend upon Akiba. Nobody can hold a candle to me. Did you know? Dry ice can burn skin..."

"That's not a burn, but frostbite."

"What...?"

When I point out the scientific truth, the man with a bald spot and his lackeys get pissed. This doesn't look good. I don't have time to fight here. So, I turn right, and...







When I tried calling Daru again, he said "Didn't she already go home?" in a half-hearted reply.

I try calling Faris's home on the intercom again, and again, the butler responds.



"I am Okabe. Has Fari... Has Rumiho returned?"



Seems she came home after all. The intercom goes silent for a while, and the self-locking door opens, letting me go inside to the elevator hall.



I give him my gratitude and hurry into the elevator.



She doesn't raise her face, even when I approach.

"Faris, we finally got together. I have something to ask you."

"Hmmya..."

An exhausted expression. A voice missing its core. Not a particle of ambition or livelihood.

"What happened? You look down..."

"...This can't be... happening to meow. Why did Faris have to lose nyan... if only those guys... didn't use underpawed tricks on meow... They ganged up on Faris... I even promised I would absolutely win... Papa's probably disappointed in meow... I'm too afraid to show my face nya..."

What is she saying? No, wait. It comes to me. After Faris fought i the RaiNet AB GrandChamp finals. That unusual Gaia's Whisper guy had just said 'former champ'.



I feel bad for the depressed Faris, but I don't have time to deal with this.

"Faris, please listen!"

Faris blinks repeatedly when I grab both her shoulders, but those eyes are hazy, depressed by some weight.

"Earlier, you used the time machine we invented to send a D-mail. Do you remember that?"

"Hanya...?"

I tried to ask, but it was useless. Faris doesn't remember that fact at all. It's not like she forgot. From Faris's perspective, that fact never happened.

Gh. Just how can I explain this?



"And let's say you used a time machine, and changed that Akiba into the electric town it is today. How would you do it?"

I know it's a really cryptic question, but I had to ask.

"...time machine."

Faris murmurs with a blank expression.

"Time machine..."

She repeats the same phrase. The shine gradually returns to Faris's eyes. And then, as if she thought of something...





She flirtatiously leans on my chest.

"Eh, wait...?! What...?!"

She smells good. Faris's cat ears tickle my nose. I go stiff, not knowing what to do about her sudden action. Faris looks up at me. She looks sad, for some reason. I'm flustered seeing Faris's expression this close.



"...Yeah. For real."

Faris stares at me even more. It feels as if she's peeking through my soul.

"I believe, nyan."

When I think she got convinced way too quickly, she suddenly starts rubbing her temples and hiding her face.



"Huh...?"

"Faris feels like she's used that time machine nyan..."

"Wha..?! Really?!"

"Umm, Faris rode the time machine and went pewww and..."

"What? But what you used was a D-mail that can be send into the past, though..."



Then Faris holds her head, looking like she's about to cry.

"My head... hurts, nya..."

"What... does this mean..."

Does Faris also have the Reading Steiner ability? I don't know. I need to verify it, but how can I?

Umm, calm down. Just calm down. Should I get in touch with Kurisu? Or...?

"Kyouma... Faris... Faris..."

Faris sticks closer and closer to me. I can't do anything but catch her warm, soft, slender body in my arms. I need to get her to remember somehow.

"My brains are turning to mush nya..."

"Hang in there! Is there anything I can do...?"

"If I win..."