Chapter 164 (2/2)

「No, I really do remember. It’s just that time it was nighttime and I wasn’t in the right state of mind. You, Kawakami-san, also looked completely different. So different, that to be honest, I thought you were a different person.」

「Isn’t that obvious? If my appearance after persevering over the last day of stakeout didn’t look any different from my complete battle form, as a woman, I would want to cry.」

Perhaps she was happy that I said that she looked different, but her face softened and now this, not such a young woman was puffing her chest with pride.

I guess it would be better not to say that unless she puts make-up on her character as well, there is no point, I know, I know.

「Ah, no no, That’s not what I came for.」

「Aah, today I want to go home and relax already, so some other time.」

「Ooh…?」

「But that’s not possible, right?」

Pressured by that sharp glare and low tone of voice, I had no choice but to make a forced smile.

「Considering the time, you are yet to have lunch? Let’s talk at some family restaurant nearby. But, before that, this.」

「? A mask?」

I received a disposable white mask.

「Yes, and then this and this. Why are you walking around this vulnerable?」

「Eh? Ah, Yes?」

「Come on, hurry up and put it on! You completely lack the sense of crisis!」

Besides the mask, I was given sunglasses and the knitted hat, thus I was forced into the complete set comprising a suspicious disguise.

「You didn’t hear about the『Transference Applicants』? Those fully converted criminals are completely nuts. Were they to learn of your identity, they would undoubtedly come at you with a kamikaze attack.」

「…I will be careful.」

Looks like I didn’t recognize the danger properly.

「For starters, a drink bar for two and two rice sets with hamburgers.」

「Two drink bars and two rice sets with hamburgers. Certainly!」

The family restaurant that we entered had a fair amount of customers even though it was still too early for lunch.

「Good grief, you have to be more careful. Lately, it became quite dangerous in this country. Do you understand your position?」

「…Yes, I will be much more careful from now on.」

That warning was right on point, so without arguing, I dejectedly lowered my head.

「Well, you don’t really have to worry about it too much. Looks like you have the guard properly assigned to you as well.」

Kawakami-san pointed at the pretty ordinary tall man that was sitting at the table near the exit with her gaze.

「Ah, ehm, so he is there to protect me?」

I thought that it was my imagination, but I felt that someone was watching me from the moment I said my goodbyes at the hospital entrance.

But I didn’t feel any hostility and it felt more like he was monitoring not me but my surroundings. In addition, he is the only one that can be seen but several more presences can be sensed.

（…No, wait, wait, wait, ain’t I being too optimistic. Not feeling any hostility or sensing multiple presences outside of my field of vision, what is this, a relapse of eighth-grader syndrome? Wait, wait, wait, I can’t afford to go back to my dark history.）

I shake my head and deny this baseless feeling that follows me for the last couple of days.

But even so, there is indeed a man that took the position on the seat near the entrance.

「You weren’t told anything? Since I was waiting for you, I was taken to the police station by that old man that sits there with an indifferent face. And then they made me do a written oath that I won’t write an article about you.」

「…No, even if you look at me like that.」

I avert my eyes from her unblinking stare.

「Even a simple interview article without any mention of your name is no good. It seems that they hid the very fact that there is a returnee. I don’t have the courage to write after being told『And what are you planning to do if your unnecessary article will lead to someone’s death?』」

「…Then what are we doing here?」

I ask sighing Kawakami-san.

「Pure curiosity. Even if I can’t turn it into an article, after working so hard for it, wouldn’t you want to at least hear the story?」

「Well, Sure…? 」

While saying so, I was thinking about what I should do.

「And? Will you tell me a story worth thirty thousand yen?」

「Ah, Ahahaha…」

Kawakami-san had grin beaming with excitement, to which I for starters responded by making a forced smile.

So, what should I say since I don’t remember anything?

☆

「Haa~… I’m tired…」

The splashing water within the bathtub at home felt so good that I could feel the tiredness from the day disappearing as I entered its watery embrace.

『A, Amnesia? Emm, so you are saying, all my work was for nothing?』

『Quite opposite, you got police attention so it can be called a loss?』

『Kuuuuuuh…!!! I even refused to go to a good mixer, I tried so hard, even though I tried so hard…! 』

After such an exchange, I went home as I have originally planned and sent the message to Mai’s phone.

I had no heart to talk with her directly over the phone so I made a brief message simply notifying of the fact, immediately after that I’ve got a call.

While I was hesitating to pick it up, the following reply came:

『Cowardly Brother, get on your knees and wait for me at the front door. When I return we are going to have a very, very important conversation