On that day, the Yumio and the others were free to move around during the day and were scheduled to meet Mika at night.
As the sun sets, Yumio and Takahiko visit the downtown area of Kikkicho, Anraku City.
Opening the door with a picture of a black marsupial that lived in Tasmania, Yumio and Takahiko entered a bar specializing in back alleys. By the way, the animal that is the name of the restaurant has been confirmed to be extinct in the wild in the latter half of the 21st century.
"So what are you talking about?"
Sitting across from Mika, Takahiko asks.
"Wait until the other one comes! I'm sure he's suspicious of me, so I'm going to reveal everything I'm hiding here!"
Mika turns her sharp gaze to Takahiko and Yumio alternately.
"Even though I can't trust you anymore when you have a serious secret in the first place. ?"
"Yes! I just met you yesterday! Oh, here we come!"
Yumio and Takahiko looked back at Mika's gaze. A small boy in a school uniform, who enjoyed killing each other with three people yesterday, approached this seat.
"Isn't Junko aware of this!?"
"You may have realized, but he won't move right now. He's just got a new test bench and seems to be busy playing with it."
After answering Mika's question, Makoto sat down next to Mika and turned to face Yumio.
"I came here to tell you all the truth."
Makoto speaks while looking at the bow man.
"Well, you said Tsukina-san wasn't your enemy, but is it really okay to believe that?"
The archer who faced Makoto leaned forward with a fearless smile and peered into Makoto's face up close.
"Hear me out and then make a decision."
Yumi's smile turned into an embarrassed smile as he said that in a toneless voice. These are the words I just said myself.
"First of all, Amano Yumio, I'll tell you why you were summoned here."
"Huh? What is that? I wasn't called separately-"
"That's how it was set up. It's not like it's completely irrelevant to your will."
Makoto interrupted Yumio's words and asserted.
"If he tries to make you flirt with the Banara Republic, and if Banara uses the Red Tormentor Kai, Yukioka expects the organization that sold the BC weapon to get into a fight. He also knows the character of the mouse he has worked on.In addition, he also knows where he lives.All mice have GPS receivers embedded in their bodies."
"By mouse, do you mean archer?"
said Takahiko. You don't have to ask what those words mean, but he vaguely uttered them.
"Hmm, so I'm still Junko-chan's test bench?"
"That's right. There are stocks of free-ranging mice like you all over the world. Hundreds, maybe even thousands? When you need help or simply want to play, Yukioka moves them to create game pieces. However, in your case, there are some special nuances mixed in, which is troublesome.If the free-ranging mouse evolves unexpectedly, it becomes the subject of Yukioka's interest again. There are also cases where, foreseeing that from the beginning, we keep an eye on them and then let them go free."
As he listened to the true story, the smile disappeared from Yumio's face, and instead of his usual soft expression, he became extremely stern.
"The conflict with Hachiku no Ikoi is a stage prepared to observe how much your power has evolved. After the observation is over, I'm sure they'll catch you, experiment with you, dissect you, and do something silly."
"Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho, that's certainly not very good. Yeah."
A bow man who is joking around, but is deeply shocked in his heart.
Junko's words from ten years ago revived in Yumio's mind. Junko's words, 'I have a chance' and 'It will be interesting later', are connected to what Makoto said.
"However, isn't that story rather unreasonable? There are too many uncertainties and too many uncertainties. There is no guarantee that I will come to Japan to destroy the organization that created the BC weapons, right?"
"He likes scenarios full of uncertainties. If you go on stage and dance freely outside of the script, you'll make him happy.But now you're snow. I got up on the stage just as Oka thought, and I'm basically dancing according to the script."
Hearing the true story, Yumio was shocked. All the stages were for me, and I thought I was dancing in the leading role. However, he never thought that there was a script or a director for the stage.
Moreover, as of now, there is a scriptwriter, director, and audience, and it is said that they are enjoying the stage where Yumio dances. The bow man was shocked to learn that his secret fears were not a mistake.
"As long as you don't lose the power you've gained, you'll be Yukioka's research material for the rest of your life. In exchange for seeking power, you made a contract with him to freely handle your own life, right?"
"Yeah, that's right... I thought it was the end after being remodeled first, right? I've heard stories that if you ask for help, you'll usually be saved, and the devil will click your tongue and go back to hell, but I wonder if it's no good in her case."
"You can run away quickly. I will cooperate with you."
Makoto stared at the bow man with a poker face and said an unexpected word.
"Is there a guarantee that I can believe your words? No, what is the basis? Huh? In this case, which is correct, the basis or the guarantee? No, anyway, is there anything that can be believed?"
Takahiko asks.
"No.
"Shin answers immediately."
"I don't know... What are you going to do, bow man? If you want to run away, I'm fine with that."
Takahiko looked at Yumio and asked, but Yumio shook his head.
"Umm, making the decision to run away right now, as expected, I don't think it's possible, this. Your words, too, look, they're enemies, so there's little basis for believing them. Besides, if the story is true, I can't just run away."
Although his tone was soft, Yumio spoke with a strong determination.
When I said that there was little basis for believing his true words, it wasn't my true intention. He's certainly unfounded, but he intuitively believes what he says is true.
"Are you going to break the curse of being a mouse? Kill Yukioka."
Makoto asked straight. At that time, it seemed to the bow man that fire had settled in his true eyes.
"If that story is true, even if it's a benefactor... I can't overlook it, this. For now, I'd like to meet and talk about various things. Yeah. Various things."
To be honest, I would like the true story to be false, but it doesn't look like she's lying. Also, judging from the original reputation of mad scientist Junko Yukioka, the story seems quite possible and true.
"I am who I am today thanks to Junko-chan. She gave me a power that I couldn't normally obtain. Junko-chan's deeds have given me great strength and saved people, and I feel indebted to them. But I can't forgive her."
The evil that was in front of him--even those who were trying to playfully manipulate people's destinies, even if they were people to whom he was indebted, could not be overlooked.
"I've seen countless people with fantasy heads come to Yukioka's place, turn their lives into chips and sell them to easily gain power, and end up suffering miserable things. Above all, I will never accept a person who is ecstatic by gaining great power through high-stakes, without making humble efforts or training."
Those true words pierced Yumio's heart. To be honest, it's a very bearable line. It's something that has always stuck with me even among archers.
When he was bullied, he didn't stand up with his own strength and courage, and his heart fluttered with the existence of Junko Yukioka, an urban legend on the Internet. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't completely satisfied with it either.
Somewhere in her heart, there was something like guilt. I felt that the true identity was revealed in the true dialogue just now.
"Don't be silly!"
Mika suddenly shouted. With an even stronger force than usual, in a voice that was clearly filled with anger. Attention is drawn from the surroundings.
"If an eccentric like me is bullied, teased, and treated as a foreign object by those around me, I'll gain some kind of power and want to look back on it! It's natural to feel that way! Nomona!"
"I see. Was that the case with you as well?"
From this reaction, she guesses that Mika, like herself, became a test subject for Junko, obtained supernatural powers, and was led to the back alley. In true terms, she would be the same mouse.
"That's right! Both I and Mr. Amano are allies of justice created by Junko! But what is that! I have helped many people in need, and there is no reason for my way of life to be denied! Even if I am still Even if it's Junko's toy!"
Mika's whiteness made Yumio feel like he was saved. While Yumio is dismissive of her contract with Junko, Mika is forcefully positively affirming her.
"It's fine to work hard and gain power and strength within the framework of society, but it's not a good idea to give yourself to a mad scientist and gain supernatural power."
Takahiko interjected while playing with a glass with one hand.
"But, just like Mika-chan said, even if you take risks, you might be able to get it instantly, and the charm of the power in the insane realm is also great. Well, I'm a chicken, so I couldn't be a test subject for Junko. Especially from the point of view of those who are in despair, isn't it attractive? Are you accusing me of cheating and cheating to easily obtain a fantasy power and use that power to fulfill my wish?」
Furthermore, Takahiko's follow-up made Yumio so happy that he couldn't put it into words.
"I don't want to criticize it. I'm just saying that I personally don't approve of it. It's not like I'm ridiculing it, but well, I think there's a part of me that looks down on it."
and Makoto.
"Which one"
Takahiko gave a wry smile and drank his glass. Takahiko took this as a sign that Makoto had understood a little.
"I'm offended by that way of saying it! What are you! You!"
Makoto stared at Mika who was screaming in excitement. She doesn't know what to say, but Mika's excitement and anger quickly cools down as she sees her genuinely clear eyes that are trying to tell her something.
"Well, I'm not so silly about you guys who are seriously on the side of justice. On the contrary, I even have a good impression of you. There are monsters, too.There are guys who made reinforced suits with full-body tights that looked just like the TV squadrons, and who were forced to wear them by Yukioka. There are a lot of idiots out there, but you guys are not like that, and you can see that you have a firm conviction."
Shin who speaks as if to follow.
"Are you going to flatter me after you criticize me?"
Takahiko made fun of it with a smile.
"Even if your motives are impure, it's fine as long as your deeds are good! What you did with your powers is more important than how you got your powers!"
"That's exactly right. Please look at that and judge for yourself. As a result, Mika-chan was a great success, entertaining many people with her songs, and on the back streets, as a cleanser for the main streets, many Are you helping people?"
Mika glares at Makoto and yells at him, and Yumio agrees without interrupting her.
From Yumio's point of view, he has gained power at the Yukioka Research Institute just like himself, and since she used to spend her time dealing with the residents of her main street, he feels a sense of closeness to Mika and her It makes me want to hold it on my shoulder.
"Well, I wanted to ask Mika for a long time, but why do you continue to be in the back streets when you are successful on the main streets?"
Makoto changed the subject after recognizing that there was some truth to what they were saying.
"I'm sorry!"
Mika's voice and words were harsh as she still seemed to be in a bad mood.
"I don't know much about the world of music, but is it really only a handful that can succeed?"
"Hey!"
"But it would be a waste if I stepped into a back alley and lost my life because of it."
Yumio and Takahiko agreed with Makoto's words. I wish I could do my best to be on the street.
"I want to be constantly in touch with the world you live in! No...just carelessly! It was a mistake! It's true! No no... what am I saying! It's a mistake!"
Mika desperately denies her with a bright red face.
"Uwaa... Is it time for deretime?"
"different!"
Takahiko frowns at her, and Mika denies it.
"There's no point in being extra if it's such a silly reason."
"Oh, I know. I was dumped."
Mika droops, dropping the tone of her voice.
"I know the pain of heartbreak. I have to blow it off somewhere."
"I know I'm lingering, but I can't stand it when the person who caused it says it. Or rather, have you ever been heartbroken?"
"I wouldn't say this if I didn't."
Makoto answered Mika's question.
"Could it be that the other party is Junko?"
Takahiko asked her that question, but Makoto didn't answer. There was no change in her facial expression.
(It looks like the answer is not to answer, this.)
Seeing Makoto, Yumi thinks so and smiles.
"It looks like you're in love with each other, but it seems like you're in a very strange relationship!"
"Yes"
In response to Mika's words, Makoto felt somewhat dismissive.
"Well, put that aside, I still have something to ask you."
Takahiko said.
"This is the biggest question. Why are you trying to cooperate?"
"It's a game"
Makoto answered Takahiko's question.
"It's a game between me and Yukioka. I try to get in the way so that things don't go the way I want them to. Sometimes I pretend to obey them and sometimes betray them at the right moment.That's the game between me and him."
"Oh, so you don't like me being used as a test subject for Junko-chan, then?"
A bow man with a playful tone. In fact, there is no need to ask anymore, just think about the personality of the boy in front of you. He is also the type who dislikes crooked things.
"Even if Yukioka's behavior is a rule that is allowed within Yukioka, if I can't allow it, I will get in the way.
"Makoto answered with a reluctant voice."
Even though he is in a position to serve Junko, he is not completely submissive, and I understand that he is also a bug in the body of a lion, but I can't ask why he came to such a relationship, and the circumstances, so it's not good enough. Yumio and Takahiko don't get it.
"Even after knowing that he's making you dance, are you still going to ruin your break?"
Makoto put the glass to his mouth for the first time and asked.
"Well, I want to take the enemy of the people of Banara as well. I've said it many times, but after confirming that the story is true, I want to break the spell. This."
"It's not that I don't believe in the truth." This is because Bowman has always believed in things that he himself has actually confirmed.
"Then I will go with you on tomorrow's attack.
Makoto offers.
"Oh, this Chinchikurin is the Knight-sama who will protect you."
Takahiko teased him and placed his palm on Yumio's head.
"It's good, isn't it? It seems that you liked this guy by calling him cute and cute, it's his long-cherished desire."
"Um, you know... I don't want you to say too many things that could be misunderstood."
The moment he heard Takahiko's words, Makoto, who had been staring at Yumio until now, blatantly averted his gaze, and Yumio let out a sigh.