Part 148: Okabe Rintarou elects to be optimistic about the future

"I certainly remember receiving an old computer, but it wasn't anywhere in the storehouse."

The IBN 5100 isn't in Yanagibayashi Shrine...

Without thinking, I push my temples and groan. So the world's still warped after all. The mirage I can't grip no matter how far I reach. The phantom that doesn't respond. The IBN 5100.

"...Let me get this straight. The one who dedicated the PC here was Akiha Rumiho, if I'm not mistaken?"

"Huh, how did you know? Do you know her, by chance?"

"...yeah. We're friends."

"Rumiho has grown up to be a splendid young lady, hasn't she? It was when she was still in elementary school. She came to visit with her butler, Kuroki."



What her father just said contradicts Rukako's words. Rukako said she didn't know about the old PC, the IBN 5100.

"Ruka, do you know anything about it? For the last annual cleaning day, didn't you sweep the sanctuary?"

"..."

Once again, Rukako is hanging her head, almost shaking. Her lips, and the hand clenched tight before her chest, are faintly trembling.

"Rukako, what's wrong?"

I try asking again. Rukako doesn't raise her head.

"...I don't know... anything."

She says so, while looking like she does know. Rukako is lying. But why?

It's not rocket science. The reason Rukako knows about the IBN 5100 she originally shouldn't know about. That's...



The cause is probably a D-mail. In Faris's case, I didn't know what her D-mail was about. But in Rukako's case, I already know what it is.

'I want to become a girl.'

Due to the Butterfly Effect, I should assume that D-mail influenced other circumstances besides Rukako's gender. In particular, the whereabouts of the IBN 5100.



I can't help but think the world's keeping the IBN 5100 away from me.

At any rate, when Rukako send her D-mail, my demon eye, Reading Steiner, activated. Meaning, the D-mail changed the world line. If that means the IBN 5100 won't return to me in this world line, then what I need to do next is cancel Rukako's D-mail...



Just then, not because of heatstroke, or Reading Steiner, I really started to feel vertigo. Just how do I explain this to the person in question?

Just the other day, when I called Rukako a guy, she started crying up a flood. Then, Kurisu and Mayuri formed the Lab Mem Girls Alliance and severely tortured me. Is it possible to turn Rukako back into a guy without causing trouble?

This is going to be tough.

Maybe I should try consulting someone for the time being. At first I was going to consult Kurisu, but just this time, it'll be awkward to talk with a girl lab mem. Let's think a little...



The Divergence Meter is here. I came here to check its value.



I certainly did change world lines. We're steadily rising to 1% Divergence. This meter's value gives me courage.

Just like when I came here before - though that was in a different world line, so it's the first time for him - Tennouji recounts memories of Hashida Suzu.







"Tutturu♪ Welcome homekarin."

There are two girls in the lab - Mayuri and Kurisu.

"Just who is this 'Karin'?"

"Well, 'welcome home' flows so well into 'Okarin,' doesn't it? When you put them together, it's twice as delicious."

(Welcome home = Okaeri + Okarin -> Okaerin.)

"It's not delicious."

"It's a greeting I can only use for Okarin, so why not? Ehehe..."

"Where's Daru?"

"Hmm, probably at MayQueen, I guess?

"MayQueen..."

I see. So that shop's been revived, huh... Which means...

"So when Faris said she had work, she meant at MayQueen, huh... And you? You work there too, don't you?"



"Actually, Mayushii's on vacation to prepare for ComiMa tomorrow."

So that means... the distortion has been corrected, huh.



Let's visit when Mayuri and Faris are working. Maybe I've taken a liking to that store's atmosphere, somehow or other.

Kurisu's reading a western book, as usual. It's the usual book. It's pretty hefty, so it must take a long time to read.





And there sits the Time Leap Machine.

Today is Saturday, the 14th. At first, Mayuri died on Friday the 13th. The world line changed thanks to Suzuha, and Mayuri's death was delayed 24 hours, to Saturday.

If you think with those guidelines, then Mayuri will be killed on Sunday, the 15th, in this world line. So, just to be safe, its best I buy a few days’ time with the Time Leap Machine to solve the problem with Rukako. I should time leap right away.

Just before entering the lab, I peeked into the Braun Tube Workshop. The 42" Braun Tube TV was on, so there's no problem there.

But...



(It's another minor choice! The smart thing to do here is, obviously, to send the call...)

I don't have solid proof. I might just be making an assumption. Or maybe Mayuri dies today after all, in only two hours. Or maybe she'll survive today and get killed tomorrow. But what I wish for most is that it won't be today or tomorrow: That Mayuri will never be killed.

What happens to Mayuri in this world line? I can't think optimistically while I still haven't gotten the IBN 5100... But I want to make sure of what happens to Mayuri's fate in this world line. There's still a chance, however small, that she doesn't get killed.

No, don't hesitate...! Hesitation could lead to an irreparable mistake.

I don't want to see Mayuri die again. It'll tear my heart apart. It's too painful to see Mayuri's innocent smile end in a tragic death. So I don't confirm Mayuri's death. I don't want to. All I can do is assume the worst case scenario of death.

We avoid Mayuri's death once I get back to the IBN 5100. No need for negligence until then. I need to time leap right at once...



(...Which is why I'm not going to!)

I put away my phone while telling myself so. I take a deep breath. I don't want to sacrifice anyone else.

I know that it's unreasonable, but I wanted to hope that in this world line, nothing happens. That sort of pipe dream.