6 — Sorry, Mom. Your Son Became a Terrorist (01)

It was around this time last year that I decided to live my life the best way I could: avoid doing things I'd regret, and never put off for tomorrow what I could do today.

My grandpa (before he disappeared) always said the best people were the ones who weren't afraid to be happy. And that a real man always knew where to step in order to reach his goals.

Funny.

Today, after everything I've been through, I can't help but wonder if following his advice was really the right thing. If living carelessly was actually the best way to keep moving forward.

I still don't have an answer, but honestly?

"I hope Grandpa's doing better than I am right now."

Plim-dom!

"Attention, all passengers. Please stand behind the yellow line. The train on the Higashi-Shinjuku line will be arriving in a few seconds."

Tsssh!!!

Right after the announcement, the train stopped in front of me. The door light flashed and I stepped inside.

Not long after that, I sat down with a long sigh.

Regret for not grabbing a jacket (just like the forecast suggested) hit the moment the icy wind made my skin prickle. I already knew it'd be cold, but in my rush, I definitely didn't care. After all, my head was a mess after last night, and I needed to do something.

…Even though I had no idea what.

I thought about going to the police and telling them everything in detail. Even if I had to throw in a little lie here and there, I was still a victim, right? Would that work? Or should I go straight to the national mage agency?

Yeah. Maybe not the best idea.

What would I even tell them?

Besides the terrorists' faces (and their real names, apparently), I didn't know anything useful. What would stop the authorities from thinking it was some kind of prank?

I mean, that kind of joke was getting pretty popular online. They'd definitely just send me home. And once the terrorists found out I went to rat them out, I'd be done for.

"Damn it."

…Just thinking about it was enough to make me tense.

Was there really no other way?

"Mom… the lady on TV said Lakas died. That's not true, right? The great Lakas is invincible."

Clutching his phone, a little boy talked to his mother, on the verge of tears.

"That's right, sweetie. It must be some kind of mistake. There's no way the spatial mage lost to a bunch of terrorists. Don't pay attention to that, okay?"

I covered my ears and lay down against the handrail.

…Looked like I couldn't escape this crap, not even on the train.

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"Attention, all passengers. We have arrived at Shinjuku Station. Please remember to take your belongings and watch your step as you exit."

As soon as I got off the train, I saw a familiar face.

Perfectly styled blond hair. Round glasses in the middle of his face and a textbook athlete's body... that was my old friend: Minamoto Satoshi.

That bastard looked exactly the same as I remembered.

"Yo, Haruki! Long time no see!"

"Hey, Satoshi. Yeah, what a coincidence running into you here."

When he heard that, Satoshi raised an eyebrow.

"Coincidence? What are you talking about? You're the one who called me. Anyway, what was that you said on LINE?"

To put it simply: instead of doing anything rash, I decided to call this guy to talk.

As much as I hate to admit it, he's always been the most level-headed between us… though also the most annoying.

"Relax, man. I just got here. I can't spoil the climax right away. There's a lot I need to say first. Come on, let's go to our usual spot."

"Ugh… Haruki, seriously. We really need to change our meeting place. Aren't you living near the university now?"

"Yeah. But I'll probably be moving back here soon, haha."

"Moving back? But your program just started. By my count—"

"Come on, come on, don't be boring. I'll explain on the way."

We grabbed some drinks from the vending machines and headed to our secret base. It hadn't been that long since I'd visited the neighborhood, but now it looked completely different.

…Maybe it was just nostalgia. (Or my brain trying to give me a fake sense of peace.)

We crossed a few streets and finally got there. It was an abandoned train station that had been destroyed by mages almost twenty years ago.

Since the place was kind of gloomy and overgrown with plants, nobody really came here.

For us (and probably for any kid back then) this place was like a dream. A space we used whenever we needed to run away from our parents.

Anyway…

After we sat down, I told Satoshi everything that had happened. I made it very clear just how serious my situation was.

"Puahahaha! Holy shit! I can't believe this! You really made up being a sound mage just to impress a girl? My god, Haruki!"

"Don't laugh, you four-eyed bastard!"

"I'm sorry, man. I'm not trying to laugh, but… Aahaha! I can't— I just can't."

I honestly don't know why I'm still friends with this idiot.

"Are you done? I didn't call you here to make fun of me. This is serious!"

"No matter how you say it… I just can't take it seriously. To me it just sounds like another episode of your innate ability."

The way he said it made me scared to ask, but I asked anyway:

"Innate ability?"

"You don't know? Ever since you turned eighteen, some rumors have been going around the neighborhood. You're basically a local legend."

"What?!"

What the hell was Satoshi talking about?

Was I a mage this whole time and just didn't know?

Suddenly, Satoshi stood up and struck an incredibly embarrassing pose.

"Kobami Haruki! Innate ability: Crazy Drunk! Whenever he drinks, he becomes the greatest liar of a— Keeuk!"

I kicked him right between the legs.

"T-that was a low blow, Haruki."

"Tch, and here I thought you'd changed."

I opened my drink and took a sip.

Satoshi sat back down and said:

"You're the one who started with the jokes. You really expect me to buy this?"

"I already told you I'm telling the truth!"

"Okay, okay. I get it. But I still don't see why you're this worked up about it. I mean, you were drunk. Isn't it easier to just apologize and say it was a lie? Worst case, she blocks you on LINE, right?"

Haha. No. Worst case, she turns me into a popsicle.

"Sigh…"

It was my fault for leaving out everything about the attack and the rooftop fight, but his attitude was still irritating.

"Damn it… everything seems so easy to you, Satoshi. I can't just say that."

"Why not? Don't tell me you fell in love with her in one night? Are you insane?"

Love.

What a joke.

If everything could be summed up that simply, I wouldn't have any problems.

Either way, I agreed with him.

Out of all the excuses I could give, that did sound like the most plausible.

"Man… I'm really sorry for you, buddy."

Bastard.

I'd never felt such a strong urge to punch someone.

"How predictable."

To be fair, this wasn't an easy thing to believe.

Maybe if I told him the rest of the story, then maybe— Nah. That would just expose Satoshi to unnecessary danger.

One idiot was more than enough.

We didn't need another.

Now that I think about it, I hadn't heard a single thing from those bastards since last night.

Setting aside the fact we barely knew each other, they hadn't given me any way to contact them.

Could it be…

They were caught?

That'd be great. But it didn't seem likely. If they had been, there's no way it wouldn't be all over the news. Especially with Lakas involved.

What should I do?

No matter how attractive they were, I definitely didn't want to see them again. No way in hell.

Could it be mutual?

Maybe they'd given up on me.

By now, they'd probably already done whatever they needed with that chip, so there was no reason for them to come looking for me, right?

Right?!

"Hah! I was worrying for nothing."

I stood up from the bench feeling refreshed.

All I needed was a breather. The solution was simpler than I thought.

"Thanks, Satoshi. Even though you were useless and just made fun of me, your presence alone was enough to clear my head. Next time we meet, I'll treat you to yakiniku."

Satoshi's eyes were fixed on the tracks.

"I know what you mean. You want to brag about being the voice of reason, don't you? Fine. Normally I'd punch you for that, but today I'm feeling generous. Go ahead. Enjoy it while I'm in a good mood."

"..."

"Hey, idiot. Didn't you hear me? I said you can— Huh?"

I flicked Satoshi on the head.

He didn't move.

He didn't even blink.

"Answer me, man, this isn't funny! I'm getting worried here. What…"

No. It wasn't just him.

Everything was eerily quiet.

A fly that had been buzzing past in front of me was now hanging in midair. Completely still.

Just what...

"There's no point calling him. He can't hear you."