Part 22: Information is divulged regarding Amane Suzuha's family

Right now, we're even standing at the entrance to an outrageous conspiracy! How can your hearts not be stirred!

"I'll pass on the search, I'm seriously sleepy. Also, I want to investigate more on SERN."

"That's true... Well, you're the only one who can do it, Daru, so I'll leave it to you."



"I can't. I have to make costumes, and I have to work."

So this is what those two want to say: I'm the only one with spare time.

"Fine. I'll manage alone somehow. Now that that's been decided, it's useless to try and stop me! Understood?"

"Are you going to do something bad again?"

I leave my comrades to do whatever they please, and gallantly leave the lab. When I leave, with perfect timing, a bicycle slips into a stop before me.





Suzuha greets me as she gets off her bicycle, which catches my eye. Its the same bicycle as the one in front of the Braun Tube Workshop yesterday. Seems like it's Suzuha's. It looks quite expensive.

"Pretty nice technique."

"Bicycles are really fun, huh. It was my first time bicycling when I came to this town."

"First?! On bicycle?!"

(More of a thing in Japan. Bicycles there are like cars in the States: Not knowing how to use one as an adult is kind of weird.)

"Correct! Though, I've ridden on motorcycle a lot."

Isn't that backwards? Weird woman. And her stopping style - I think it would be pretty dangerous if she did that all through the town. Beginners get carried away and get into accidents. If she's going at that speed, she should at least put on a helmet.

"Going to work now?"

"Yup, correct."



"That's perfect. I need to talk to you about something."

"Ehh? I need to start preparing to open shop, you know."

"What preparations does this crumbling old Braun Tube Workshop need?"

"None, huh. I just mindlessly sweep in front of the shop. If I clean inside, Manager gets angry. 'Everything's where it needs to be' he says."

It would make more sense to get angry for her not cleaning than to get angry for her cleaning. Something's wrong with that manager after all.

"Then hear me out."

"But I'm so sleepy."

In other words, she can't be bothered to talk. I glare at Suzuha.



"Does it have to be right now?"

My glare is not effective at all. She doesn't falter, but I still maintain my stern expression and nod.

"Then go ahead, but make it brief."

Suzuha shrugs her shoulders as she locks her bicycle and turns to me.



"Recondite."

"Recon...? What?"

"Ri-KON-dahyt."

Recondite... I guess she doesn't know.

"The way you talked yesterday, it seemed like you knew."

"The one who knows was an acquaintance of mine."

"Then take me to this acquaintance of yours. I won't take no for an answer. If you refuse, then I'll show you a living hell!"

"I can't."

I even said I'd show her a living hell!

"Because we can't meet even if I wanted to."

"What do you mean? Don't tell me they're an imaginary--"



"...Sorry."

"Nah, it's okay, it's okay. Well, with that said, I don't really have that much information. Actually, I'm more of a learner than a teacher in this subject."

Contrary to what you'd expect, Suzuha starts to cheer me up, patting my shoulders. Then, the Braun Tube Workshop door opens, and Manager suddenly makes his appearance.



"Ah, Manager, sorry. It was a little crowded this morning."

"If you're not gonna take this seriously, you can always quit, ya know? Okabe, don't go meddling with my part-timer, either."

"Aren't you the lustful one here, Mister Braun?"

"Why you... just try saying something like that in front of Nae. 'Cause I'll murder ya. Gotta keep my honor as a father."
"Besides, I wouldn't lust after such a shitty little brat."

"What was that?! Manager, take it back!"

"What, you mad?"

"I'm not a little brat! I'm an adult warrior!"

"Huh? What are you saying?"

Manager looks shocked, but I'm impressed by Suzuha's burning passion. Without thinking, I take Suzuha's hand and grasp it firmly.



"Never forget those eyes, and you shall surely class change from Working Warrior to True Warrior!"

"But then I'm already a warrior."

"Will you fight with me on the dawning of Ragnarok with SERN? Until then, stay diligent."

"Ragnarok? What's that?"

"The final decisive battle with SERN."

"Are there plans for that? If there are, then Id happily participate, but I've never heard about it."

"Naturally, since I just revealed it now. Ragnarok shall be initiated by me. For the purpose of this world's rebirth!"

"Okabe Rintarou, you sure are brave. You'll probably fail, but I like your spirit. I wish my comrades were as spirited as you are."



I'd like her to introduce me by all means, in order to construct Hououin Kyouma's personal army, the Phoenix Crusaders.

Wait. Why does she assume I'll fail at Ragnarok? Looks like I need to teach Suzuha to fear me.

"How come only weirdos gather at my store? Come on, part-timer, come inside."

"Okay! Bye then, Okabe Rintarou!"

Suzuha raises one hand and waves at me as she heads inside the store.





Crossing paths with Suzuha, Mayuri comes down the stairs.

"So you wanted to look with me after all, huh. That's the lab mem spirit!"

"Ah, no. I was just thinking about buying lunch."

She really is a glutton. It's not even lunchtime yet.



"Hmm, where should I..."
"Sanbo's gyuudon sounds good!"

This short high school girl truly has guts to enter Sanbo alone. She's a girl who can't read the atmosphere. In a good way.

Gyuudon Restaurant 'Sanbo'. Its peculiar atmosphere is enough to cause hesitation in first-time customers. All seats inside are filled with male customers, so Mayuri would sit at an occupied table, smiling as she eats her gyuudon. Al of the Sanbists - regular customers who love Sanbo - would see Mayuri's appearance at Sanbo, and keep posting comments online like "The goddess descends!" or "Goddess FTW!"

"But Sanbo isn't open this early."

I try to warn her but Mayuri's no longer walking beside me. She disappeared. Mayuri does this occasionally. Each time she does, I get startled with the illusion that she really did disappear from the world.



She's aimlessly looking up at the sky through the buildings. Since she's stopped in the middle of the street, passersby look at Mayuri from the side, wondering what she's doing. Without noticing those glances, Mayuri slowly raises her right hand out to the sky, as if entranced. Her posture stiffens.

This is one of Mayuri's habits. I decided to call it Stardust Shakehand. Mayuri said she's liked looking at the night sky ever since she was little. She reaches her hand with a romantic, or childish reason...



When I asked her earlier, she smiled as she gave that reply. At first, she only did it to the night sky, but lately, she's been doing it regardless of the time or occasion. Like now, even when she's walking and talking with someone, it's like something inside her switches on. Clearly speaking, it's nonsense.

"I don't think you can see any stars."

"You know, even during the day, the stars are still up there."

"Saying philosophical things is nice and all, but it's dangerous to stop in the middle of the street."

"Eheh, that's true. Oh, Mayushii thought of something while looking at the sky, so she'll go with ramen for today's lunch."

I don't know how ramen and stars are related, but that's something only Mayuri would know, so I give up thinking deeply about it.