Chapter 89

First, I quickly closed the door and stepped into the cabin.

There was a public issue of Zero’s size blocking the narrow train aisle, but I judged that if I made a scene too, it would lead to a real problem with bullets flying around.

“Demon… Uboo?!”

“I’m sorry; my child is a bit scared of unfamiliar people.”

“…It’s fine. That can happen.”

Fortunately, one of the two passengers, the male named Asyef, quickly caught on to my consideration.

It took about two seconds to cover Rosaline’s mouth, which was squealing, and get her seated again. His prepared excuse and actions were so smooth and neat that I almost wanted to applaud.

But I held back from actually clapping.

Compared to her, Zero seemed to be maintaining their composure without even having a panic attack and seemed to be calmly assessing the situation, making me genuinely want to praise them.

I was glad to see that after studying the boarding procedures, Zero appeared to have also picked up on the manners necessary in public places.

If you think about it, anyone could be a potential threat, but if it involved my intentions or safety, Zero would overreact out of a sense of duty, which was a bit much. However, I was told they were gradually reducing that tendency, so I was attempting to take a more relaxed stance….

“Miss Anastasia? Now that I’ve stopped doubting you, could you, um… lower the intensity of your welcoming gesture? Unless you came here to settle a score.”

“…It’s just that someone was excitedly complimenting me.”

In no time, Zero, with their hand gripping the axe they had swapped from their other arm, halted.

Of course, they wouldn’t be a passive machine that would just wait quietly when faced with figures that have a history of fighting.

Even if it weren’t Rosaline, anyone would be surprised if a battle weapon were blocking the entrance to a confined space. Ugh.

Creeeak…

Across from the two Five Eyes agents.

I settled my backside onto a seat with a reasonably cushioned surface. Zero had declined to sit, saying their responsiveness would drop, but after my joking that bending their knees and sitting was more advantageous for gaining momentum, they agreed and sat down.

…I’m not sure why that logic worked, but anyway.

“……….”

“Um….”

– ……. –

A terribly awkward silence stretched on.

I wished Asyef would break the ice first, but believing that the initiative in this situation completely belonged to me, he simply stared here, waiting after the earlier comment.

Unable to keep looking straight ahead, I turned my gaze out the cabin window.

I could see passengers who had finished their departure procedures pouring in en masse onto the platform.

Since the cabin was assigned, there were those who sighed in relief, while others rushed to claim standing spots next to those who had something to lean against, and wretched individuals who were struggling with a vending machine that happened to be broken.

There was still a bit of time before departure.

There were countless ways to resolve this absurd standoff, whether it was us taking the next train, them giving up and getting off, or finding a dramatic consensus. In other words… it had to be resolved without fail.

I was already overwhelmed with my own troubles; was I supposed to travel while being trapped in a confined space enjoying the extremely inconvenient coexistence with the original named characters I couldn’t entirely despise?

Absolutely not. I would decline.

“Ahem. Hey, Zero?”

– Just give the command. I will process it immediately. –

What, what now? Why do you have your axe drawn again? That’s not something you need for this. Rosaline just covered her face with a laptop.

“I’m really sorry, but… could you bring me a can of juice from that vending machine on the platform? The brand is Daily Brewworks.”

– …Are you serious? –

He showed a clear reluctance to comply with my request to step aside for a moment.

I partially agreed that it might not be the right call, considering all the circumstances.

After all, a year could pass, and a person could change, so perhaps I lowered my guard too much by only focusing on fragmentary possibilities of the future. It might have been a hasty decision to step directly onto a precarious wooden bridge.

Even though I spoke a bit elaborately, if there were a fight here, we would be the ones suffering greater losses.

They were the ones who chose a head-on confrontation despite being an observed criminal.

Plus, I think nothing is as effective in relieving this stifling air as disarming. Right now, my best weapon isn’t a gun, but Zero itself.

Even if I had no intention behind it, it would be proper for me, having the geopolitical upper hand, to take a step back.

“I just need to take my medicine, so please hurry as soon as possible before the train leaves.”

– …Understood. I will buy a juice from Daily Brewworks and will avoid any with a spicy flavor. –

Keeping the communication wide open so I could hear what he was discussing, Zero finally left the cabin out of reluctance. I wondered who was really in charge here with all the pointless details being attached.

Creak… bang!

As the cabin door closed, the noise that had been seeping in from the corridor quieted down.

The Carebot, which had kept a watchful eye until the end, was gone now, and the other party seemed ready to listen with an open mind. In sports terms, it was a perfect no-mark chance that may never come again.

Alright, you can come in comfortably. I am willing to explain this unbelievable coincidence to your satisfaction… But if you don’t believe me, you can just take the next train!

“……….”

Um, Asyef? Rosaline? Can we talk a bit?

“……….”

Let’s talk… damn. Why are you both so quiet?! You two are supposedly from the resistance…!

I was fed up with the two of them, who were still looking only at me like obedient students.

It would’ve been better if they had gotten loud about how they knew and came to find me or that they wouldn’t let this go. At least then, the situation would have progressed in some direction.

“Ugh….”

I slightly moistened my dry lips.

One needs to have been in a position of authority at some point to know how to lead the conversation, but unfortunately, I was someone who avoided even the role of team leader in group projects, and it felt like an excessive responsibility for me.

Usually, the times I had to step up were so dire that I couldn’t feel any pressure, or there were no other options, but this felt a bit… awkward.

By the way, was there anyone who could serve as a reference, or at least someone to awkwardly emulate?

…Strangely, there was. I had met that particular person just recently and had more than enough experiences with them today, at least four times.

Leaning back comfortably against the backrest, I crossed my legs at an angle.

I wanted to clear my throat loudly, but that felt too contrived, so I held myself back.

“You’re quite bold, aren’t you? I expected you to cross the desert on a bike, but here you are, traveling by train in broad daylight.”

“Haha… why would a good citizen like us endure that kind of discomfort? Now that the Christmas tourist season is over, it’s time to head back home.”

Immediately came a seasoned yet irritating response.

They acted as if they knew absolutely nothing, feigning innocence so shamelessly.

But if I were to ask whether someone who had seen everything would have to question that, well… maybe if that’s the secret to longevity, I would be willing to learn?

“…How’s that arm of yours? I think it’s pretty cheap for a forced trade-off.”

“…I’ve always been one-armed, but I appreciate your concern. But I’m much more curious about what kind-hearted lady like you has with us that makes us keep running into each other.”

When teased, they returned with scorn, and when poked, they similarly prodded back.

A turn-based game? A card play? Any back-and-forth they engaged in instilled a thrilling feeling.

I attempted to stage a shoddy play, but my opponent reacted so well that I found it hard to apply the brakes.

Even excluding Rosaline, who from the audience was making absurd remarks like ‘Is this… adult politics?!’, I had no clue when it would be appropriate to stop.

On top of that, Asyef seemed to have found his voice now that the stage had been set. What a ridiculous development.

“Coming here to put a period on unfinished business seems too merciful… and it wouldn’t make sense to say you’ve suddenly taken an interest in our little hobby either… It looks like that’s not the case.”

“…I can’t possibly understand why someone with such a discerning eye would stubbornly resist in that alley back then.”

Upon hearing my blunt retort, Asyef smiled widely enough to show his teeth.

It was a smile filled with a sense of accomplishment, as if he had found a flaw in a solid wall or discovered a nearly perfect imitation.

“This is the first time you and I have met, right? If we’d had a chance to meet earlier, our relationship wouldn’t be tangled up like this.”

“What…?”

He had his wordplay down. Especially since, regardless of the playful tone, the content kept hitting the core, capturing my focus even more.

Asyef would likely be astonished to hear this critique, but in some ways, it resembled the online comment wars within the community, almost similar.

We probed each other… trying to outshine the other in a manner that avoids healthy persuasion entirely… the atmosphere that formed certainly stemmed from the fact that I had drawn the bad cards. Hm.

However, no matter how swiftly, regret comes too late, and the pressing issue wasn’t the atmosphere.

“So, Anastasia Valentine. What do you hope to achieve by seeking out these pitiful remnants of defeated soldiers? Can you tell me?”

“Please… confess willingly…!”

“……May I cancel my previous statement about your discernment?”

How did the absurd premise that I knew everything get established?

I feel like it’s not really my fault…?