Chapter 99

Extra Case File 99 Incompetent Rage

“Go find him!”

In the whirlpool behind the blonde girl, Hana saw countless images that defied belief—some with herself, others with Ash, and even Yu, Saya, Himizuki, and an unfamiliar purple-haired girl.

Countless recognized or unrecognized images whirled through the vortex, pulling each other until finally, a force targeted only at the blonde girl emerged, dragging her irresistibly backward.

When the time that flowed only backwards was artificially broken, causing it to attempt to move forward, the stress that retaliated attacked the “culprit,” the blonde girl. Unable to resist this force, her lower half was immediately sucked into the vortex, leaving only her head and arms visible as she struggled to convey one last message to Hana!

“He is the key to everything!”

“Wait!”

Hana reached out, grabbing the hand in an attempt to pull her out, but the immeasurable force held onto the girl from behind just as tightly, trapping her and preventing any escape, seemingly about to vanish completely.

“Guh…”

Even the light of tomorrow energy emanating from Hana’s hand couldn’t stop the girl’s hand from slipping out inch by inch.

Undeterred, Hana pressed on.

“Although… I haven’t even asked your name?”

This result of parting so soon after meeting—I can’t accept that! I don’t even know your name, yet you’re telling me all these things… and why, why would this happen?

She wanted to—

Why am I drawn to you, a person I’ve just met?

And why…

Why can’t I let go of your hand?

“Not yet…”

As enormous strength forced Hana’s fingers to loosen, a large, robust hand forcefully grabbed the young girl’s petite hand.

“!”

The moment she saw who had come into view, light reemerged in the girl’s previously sorrowful eyes.

“Ash!”

The man above them with soil and shards of a flower pot still stuck to his head used his foot to wedge himself onto the wobbly rail, trembling arms inflating muscles to pull the girl away from the vortex little by little.

Even though she seemed to be an inexplicable presence here, potentially an enemy! Still, why—why doesn’t my heart harbor any hostility and instead instinctively wants to reach out to help her?

That feeling of confusion, that indescribable mood of either joy or distress, left Ash just as lost as he was when he first learned of Hana’s true identity.

“Why?!”

How could I feel such connection with her, an association that defies my imagination?

“Why…”

Though these subtle feelings should be irritating, why am I elated like I’ve found something wonderful?!

“These frustrating fates—”

Amidst his struggle, Ash’s face twisted in anguish. Finally, the swirling thoughts and speculations coalesced into a roar aimed at the sky.

“What the hell is going on?!”

“Let go; it seems we can’t defy what has already happened…” The power separating them intensified, and the girl began losing her sense of self, speaking with a mix of happiness and sadness, urging them both.

This was akin to saying goodbye right after seeing someone for the first time.

“That’s no way to speak!”

Ash growled in anger, responding fiercely, “It’s not about whether it can be done, but about doing it or not!”

“Until the very end… no—right up until the final moment, one cannot give up!”

So don’t give up yourself!

“Really… ” Despite being screamed at, the girl remained unperturbed, ending with a pensive gaze neither could comprehend. “If things hadn’t turned out as they did… I really miss you all…”

What are you thinking!?

Shocked, both Ash and Hana realized they might lose their grip on her as she shrank visibly before them.

“I’m sorry, I wanted to help you… but it was too late.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m sorry… so please, trust in the future until the very end and never give up hope!”

“——”

The blonde girl’s voice carried an echo from another time, distorting her words to the point where neither Hana nor Ash could understand them. Yet, just looking at her tear-streaked, smiling face, they knew she referred to something vital to her.

“I love you.”

Their hands met in the air with a miss.

After visibly shrinking under their gaze, the middle-schooler turned into a wailing infant in a shimmer of light, vanishing into the swirling vortex.

“Guh…” Watching the tears fall onto her own hands, sorrow welled up deeply within Hana, and she wept.

“What…”

Similarly dejected, Ash clenched his hand tighter, his shaking becoming more pronounced.

“What is this all about?!”

Why does that girl— Why do I feel this vague, unclear emotion that doesn’t resemble me at all, and why is everything so strange?

I’m in such a bad mood—not knowing what to say.

Right now, all I want is to find some obnoxious people and get into a fight!

“[……]”

“Hey!” Seeing the system panel, Ash seized it frantically, desperate for answers. “You must know! Your appearance means you’ve noticed something significant, right?”

“Then tell me!”

“[…..]”

“Don’t pretend to be unintelligent at a time like this!”

“[。]”

The virtual screen vanished like a mirage, leaving Ash grasping thin air once more.

“Men—‘I’ have always done what I was supposed to do.”

But now, I’m more inclined to follow my desires than fulfill duties.

Why now?

“Damn it—what is going on?!”

Feeling as though nothing had prepared him for this, Ash could only let out a cry of ineffectual rage, sobbing beside the girl.