"Don't worry, it's fine."
After chatting for a bit, Haruto ended the call and put away his phone.
The sky was already dark.
Tonight, the moon had appeared early, and it looked bloodstained.
After getting off the tram, Haruto followed the Nakano quintuplets all the way, arrogantly trailing them, but no one noticed.
Haruto didn't even know what to say.
Suddenly, he saw a policeman pushing a bicycle.
In Japan, it's common to see police patrolling on bicycles at any time. This is due to Japan's transparent use of tax funds. The government is often short on funds, particularly the Department of Transportation.
There are also many people in Japan, especially in urban areas. Police officers find it convenient to ride bicycles, unbothered by traffic jams.
Additionally, environmental protection promotions and Japan's strict hierarchy contribute to this practice.
Perhaps out of suspicion, the policeman pushing his bicycle across the street noticed Haruto.
But this wasn't the first time Haruto had faced this kind of situation.
He didn't panic at all, his expression remained calm, showing no signs of worry. Besides, he had a bright and handsome appearance and was wearing the Sobu High School uniform.
If he showed any panic or suspicious emotions at this moment, he would likely be stopped for a "heart-to-heart" conversation.
So, when something happens, sometimes you just have to pretend to be brave.
Even if you're feeling nervous and confused, you still have to act calm.
Whenever something major happens, you need to stay composed.
For example, if some Sobu High girls weren't wearing underwear for some reason, everyone would act as if nothing was wrong, and no one would question it.
But if a girl acted shy and carefully covered her skirt... anyone with half a brain would get suspicious!
As the five girls continued toward the apartment, they still didn't notice anyone following them.
The Nakano quintuplets lived in a high-class apartment. The entrance was gated, and outsiders couldn't get in.
Haruto watched them enter the apartment building. He paused for a moment, not intending to go in.
Turning around, he headed toward a nearby park.
The Nakano quintuplets lived on the top floor of a luxury apartment. As expected, an ordinary family couldn't afford to support them.
Especially a foodie like Itsuki.
"So far, only the Nakano quintuplets have had issues..."
Haruto pondered. Along the way, he had also scouted the surrounding area and found no other problems.
At the moment, the cracks in the sky only existed in Chiba City.
The cracks in the sky acted like teleportation arrays, with the ability to absorb and transmit, and monsters could only appear through these cracks.
This also meant that except for Chiba City, there were hardly any monsters elsewhere.
If they started appearing in other places in the future, it would mean that Oddity was completely out of control and no longer manageable.
Haruto had some knowledge of Oddity.
It was a lifeless, silent world, very similar to the real world—like a mirror world or a parallel world!
Every important city was in ruins.
Haruto had once explored Oddity and traveled across Japan. Every city had turned into rubble, without exception!
Most places had sunk into the sea.
Based on his observations, Oddity had undergone a brutal nuclear baptism that directly flattened the world.
There was only night, no day, in the land of Oddity.
On the ground, there were huge, fierce skeletons standing under the blood moon. The desolate, dead land was filled with ruins.
All of this was beyond words.
It was terrifying.
How desperate must humanity have been to choose the path of launching nuclear weapons?
Even then, no one survived—it was a total failure.
In the end, only loneliness, sorrow, and deadly silence remained.
So far, no living creatures existed in that world, not even marine life.
Haruto had once suspected that Oddity had once been a normal world but had undergone some changes and was destroyed. All living beings were obliterated.
Perhaps, Oddity is the future of this world.
Therefore, even without Mafuyu's influence, Haruto wouldn't just sit and wait for death.
A dead, silent, and ruined world was truly terrifying and horrifying.
No one could stay calm after witnessing such a scene, especially with the appearance of the Void Demon.
Haruto had been at the lowest point in his life.
It was too difficult.
Even now, he didn't know how he had managed to survive and defeat the Void Demon.
At that time, he had been covered in bruises, licking his wounds alone, burdened by the despair brought by Oddity.
It was enough to break anyone!
Who would have thought that he had once been an introverted and quiet person?
That's why Haruto understood Miku so well.
While it's easy to change one's environment, it's hard to change one's nature. Some experiences can completely change a person.
Haruto sat on a bench in the park, observing the changes in the crack in the sky.
"There's no change for now, but I can't rule out a sudden shift..."
He thought, if nothing changed, he would take the initiative to visit the quintuplets' residence. First, he needed to confirm whether there was an issue at their place.
❀❀❀
Time passed quickly. The sun set in the west, and night was approaching. The moon on the horizon became brighter, and a faint blood hue appeared.
"Wait, something's not right."
Haruto stood up and walked toward the apartment where the Nakano quintuplets lived.
"Eh? Kuromori-san?"
As soon as he stepped out of the park, he suddenly heard a cute and charming voice.
The next moment.
A girl with bunny ear ribbons on her head came running quickly.
"Haaa!"
She made a long jump and landed steadily in front of Haruto.
As her skirt fluttered, a glimpse of snow-white underwear appeared. The girl lifted her chin and smiled energetically: "Kuromori-san, good evening..."
"Good evening, Yotsuba."
Haruto greeted. The girl wearing a green bunny ear headband was none other than Yotsuba.
A girl who appeared very lively and cheerful.
Her smile was bright and heartwarming.
A mischievous grin appeared on Yotsuba's face: "Kuromori-san, were you secretly watching us?"
"..."
'Why are you so smart now?'
Haruto said seriously, "Yotsuba, please help me!"
"Eh?"
Yotsuba blinked in surprise, her eyes meeting his. She blinked again and then patted her chest: "If it's Kuromori-san, no problem. If you need something, leave it to me!"
'She really agreed just like that? At least ask what it is first. A guy you've just met suddenly asks for help in a secluded park... What if he asks you to do something 'bip—' in the park woods?'
Yotsuba asked curiously: "Is Kuromori-san lost?"
"NO."
Haruto was speechless. Most people wouldn't think of getting lost in this situation.
He deliberately lowered his voice and said weakly: "Yotsuba, you agreed so easily. Aren't you afraid I might make a bad request?"
"Eh?"
Yotsuba was taken aback, stepping back a few paces, covering her chest with her hands, and looking at him warily: "Let me make it clear, such things are not allowed!"
Haruto took a step forward and whispered: "What are you talking about, Yotsuba? I'm really curious."
"It's just that..." Yotsuba's face turned slightly red, and she hesitated: "In any case, those things won't work..."
Haruto pondered and said: "Yotsuba, you know this well."
Yotsuba covered her face with her hands: "Sorry, I don't know anything."