Part 85: Final preparations begin for the Time Leap Machine

The lifter problem still hasn't been solved. With these circumstances, Kurisu once again began speaking her worries.



I groan. Operate the Microwave Ophone. In other words, activate the discharge phenomenon. There's a risk involved.



The discharge phenomenon violently shakes the entire building. We've stopped that shaking for these three days so Kurisu could work her improvements, but...

Kurisu and Daru look at me.

"Okarin, I leave the rest to you."

"Backup, please."

"Basically, you want me to ride into enemy territory and die, right?"

"Your sacrifice will complete the first time leap usage of the Microwave Ophone."

"Besides that, you've always been the one to put Manager in a good mood, Okarin."

"In that case, occasionally you guys should--"

"I can't. That manager's part timer has already labeled me as an enemy."

"...Fine. But dont forget this. I will absolutely not die! Like the undying phoenix, I will revive, no matter how many times!"



"Okarin, you can't die, okay?"

Alone in the lounge, making costumes at her own pace, Mayuri sees me off as I head downstairs.





It’s in the middle of the day, but they're watching TV at work.

"'Sup, Okabe Rintarou."

I raise my hand in response to Suzuha's call. The usual small woodland creature, Nae, quickly hides behind the father when she sees me.

"This shop is as busy as ever, huh."



"Do not want. I'm not a nostalgiafag, you know. I'd rather buy an LCD."

I look around the store as I answer. That reminds me... I just noticed now of all times, but that something that replaces the lifter...



I've only considered the range outside the microwave to be confined to the lab. But in terms of vertical distance, the lab development room is right next to the Braun Tube Workshop. Which means... that something is a Braun tube TV?

"Bastard, lately you've just been bringing girls over, huh?"

"You say 'just', but it's no different from before."

"I also came by once before."

"Call me up once in a while. I wanna try talking to young ladies."

"Daddy, that’s dirty."







The muscular old dude desperately makes excuses to his daughter.

"Anyway, the way Manager said it, it's like he's implying I'm not young."

"You're not."

Suzuha's the same as Daru and I. Older than Mayuri and Kurisu.

"What was that? Okabe Rintarou, you say something?"

"The truth, right?"

"Nae, your father is happy as long as he has you. Okay?"

"Yup, I understand. But no saying dirty things anymore, 'kay?"

"Of course, it's a promise!"

And then father and daughter start a pinky swear. Damn, Manager, you're way off character. Just how did this father give birth to a daughter like that? Unlike Manager, the usual small woodland creature is a nice, honest girl. I don't really like how she's so afraid of me, though.



"How many more earthquakes can this building withstand?"

No, that's too blatant, isn't it...?

"An earthquake approaches. My demon eye, Reading Steiner, perceived it. Run quickly."

Yup, that might be a good plan.

"Hey, did Shiina Mayuri stay over yesterday?"

"Yeah."

"Which means... Makise Kurisu as well?"

"Yeah. They're both upstairs."

"I see..."

Suzuha bears hostility when it comes to Kurisu, like always.

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Have you cheered up a bit?"

"Ahh, yeah, I guess. The search continues."

"Huh? Hey, part timer, what's this about?"

"I'm searching for my father. I've told you before, Manager."



Why does this old dude have to boss me around?

"Of course. Since Suzuha's already become a lab mem. Leave it to me... and the rest of the members."

Then Suzuha looks at me with sparkles in her eyes. The store's dim, though.

"Okabe Rintarou, you're the same age as me, but you really seem older. You seem to have the strength to keep pulling through."

That's the first time anyone’s said that to me. I'm a little happy.

"Hehehe, of course. For I am Hououin Kyouma!"



I guess my induced insanity aura is intimidation incarnate for such a small elementary school girl. My aura is a sin.

"Okabe, next time you shout and frighten Nae, I'll kill ya."

"I-I'm sorry..."

"But you know..."



"This is just a warning, but be perspicacious around Makise Kurisu."

"Perspicacious?"

Perspicacious? Like perspiration? Perceptive?
"Again? Are you sure you're not misplacing your hatred?"


Suzuha strongly shakes her head.

"No. This is the truth. I cognize that."

Cognize, cognize... recognize? Suzuha seems to use out of place words. "Cognize" isn't a word people would normally use.

More importantly than that...

"Her intelligence is too dangerous. In the end, she only thinks about experiments."

Sworn enemies. Whenever Suzuha talks about Kurisu, she has a stern face.

"She's just using you all. Heed this warning."