Izumi and Dekim are players on the university baseball team, which currently ranks last among competing universities for the championship title. However, their abilities are limited, and there are even students calling for Izumi to be kicked off the team due to his weak performance, as he often contributes to the team's losses.
"Isn't that enough? So many girls are rushing to take pictures with you, cheering you on, and shouting your name," said Izumi.
"I'm not interested in impressing the girls," Dekim replied as he searched for a book among the many in the box.
"Okay, okay! Having superpowers to fight evil in the world and stand up for the weak is worth it, right?" Izumi said, trying to convince Dekim.
"Hmmm, well! You have a point. It is nice to stand up for good," Dekim replied, his mind somewhat distracted.
Izumi began to wander around the room, as if a voice inside him urged him to search for the bag that Takashi had brought back from work. He felt a strong desire to uncover its contents. Many thoughts spun in his mind: What if the bag contained a time travel device, allowing him to witness future events? What if it held a power that would turn him into a professional baseball player, not just any player, but the greatest in history? What if it contained something that would make every girl admire him instead of having to chase after just one? What if there was something in the bag that granted him the ability to hide and discern people's true intentions!
By chance, Izumi opened a worn-out cupboard and found exactly what was on his mind! the same black metal bag that Takashi had brought home!
He stared intently at the bag while gripping the edge of the cupboard. Conflicting thoughts raced through his mind: Should he go upstairs with Dekim and come back later to see what was inside the bag! Should he open the bag without Dekim's permission! Or should he try to convince Dekim and pique his curiosity to discover its contents together!
Sweat beads formed on Izumi's forehead from the tension, as if he sensed that this was a pivotal moment that could change his life or, perhaps, simply the fear of the unknown.
"Isn't this the bag your father was carrying when he came in?" Izumi said, his gaze drifting away from Dekim.
He found it hard to voice this in front of Dekim, filled with anxiety that his plan might not work. On top of that, he didn't want to show the fear and worry etched on his face to his friend.
"Yes," Dekim turned to get a look at the bag Izumi was talking about, saying.
"The design of the bag is interesting. I wonder what's inside it! Maybe a time travel device?" Izumi said
"What??? Hahaha!" Dekim interrupted him, bursting into laughter at the suggestion...
"Yes, yes, a time travel machine," Izumi said, directing his gaze toward Dekim, his face filled with seriousness due to the sarcasm he received.
"Are you serious in what you're saying?" Dekim continued to laugh.
"You are surrendering your thoughts to your wild imagination and not tying them to our reality, there is no machine like that," Dekim continued.
"Yes, it could be possible. You can't categorically say no when you're not aware of how far science has evolved. We've reached a point where we can embark on space journeys beyond the planet we live on, so surely if we had this conversation hundreds of years ago, your reaction would have been the same as the one you just had—sarcasm," Izumi said.
"Hmm, well I think you're right. You always surprise me with your responses" Dekim remained silent for a moment, contemplating what Izumi had said, then responded with a broad smile on his face.
"So, what do you say?" Izumi asked, trying to continue discussing the contents of the bag.
"In what topic?" Unlike Izumi, Dekim was trying to put an end to the subject.
"You're silly... haha," Izumi said playfully.
"What do you think about what's in the bag?" Izumi insisted.
"I don't know, I'm not good at guessing, and I'm not really interested..." Dekim replied.
"I'll bet you 500 yen that there's a time travel machine inside the bag." Izumi said.
"500 yen means 6 pieces of anpan" Dekim said, calculating how many pieces of candy he could buy if he won the bet.
"Haha, see! 6 pieces of your favorite sweets in exchange for me walking back and forth from the university to home for two days" Izumi said in a cheerful atmosphere.
"Haha, honestly, I want to win this bet and make you walk, while I enjoy eating the anpan pieces... all just so you won't dare to bet your money on your transportation to university again" Dekim said, excited for the challenge.
"But! I can't go against my dad's orders. Everything related to my dad's work is something I won't intrude on, it could lead to punishment for me, and I don't want to put my dad in a bind—all because of 6 pieces of anpan," Dekim added, his enthusiasm fading.
"What a coward," Izumi thought aloud.
Izumi felt frustrated and angry at his friend's cowardice. He saw him as a coward from his perspective, while from another viewpoint, he might be considered a good and dutiful son. As the time spent trying to convince his friend dragged on, it became increasingly suspicious. Izumi realized this and wanted to put an end to it, but how!? He was determined to achieve his goal regardless of the means...
A glint sparkled in Izumi's eyes, as if he had found a way to victory, and a subtle, cunning smile spread across his face.
"Your sister," Izumi said with a look of pity.
"What?" Dekim replied with a hint of annoyance.
"Don't you want to know the absolute truth?" Izumi asked.
"What are you talking about? Absolute truth?" Dekim responded, puzzled.
"Yes, the truth you and your family may have come to is relative, not absolute," Izumi said, continuing to manipulate Dekim's emotions and making him ask numerous questions.
Dekim had a younger sister named Anna, who was three years his junior, and they shared a very strong bond. One day, Dekim skipped school without his parents' knowledge and went ice skating with some friends at a nearby club. He had made a plan with Anna to return home together after school, but lost track of time while having fun with his friends and forgot about her.