9 — Sorry, Mom. Your Son Became a Terrorist (04)

The moment I asked that question, two hours ago, I had already come up with the perfect plan.

Even though I'm not the smartest guy in the world, I always knew how to make use of those little flashes of genius whenever they hit. It was like getting an insight right in the middle of a desperate situation.

During the infiltration at the institute, all I had to do was slip away from the terrorists and hand them over to the National Mage Agency.

Something that, on paper, should be fairly simple.

However…

"Kobami Haruki. My hand."

"…"

I never imagined that the consequences of celebrating too early could arrive so promptly.

"Kobami Haruki, let me warn you: if you're doing this on purpose, you'd better stop, or I'll report you for harassment.

…Seriously. Why did Ichika-san pair us up?"

"Even if you say that, Minami-san, it's not my fault. You're the one grabbing my hand. Also… is it really necessary to interlock our fingers every single time?"

"Of course it is! Or do you think I enjoy doing this?"

I let out a long sigh.

"Whatever. We should get going."

"T-that line was supposed to be mine."

We were standing on top of a big hill next to the main station, from where we could clearly see the back of the institute we were about to infiltrate.

With no streetlights nearby and dressed in those black bodysuits, Minami-san and I were practically invisible in the night.

(Although practically and literally are worlds apart.)

Bzzt! Bzzt!

"Haruki, Minami, can you hear me?"

Irumi-kun's voice crackled in my left ear through the communicator.

"I can hear you, Irumi-kun."

"Good. Connection established. Is Minami there too?"

"I'm here."

"Perfect. No transmission interference. I've hacked into the external security cameras, so we can proceed with the plan. In a few minutes I'll have access to the locks and will be able to take down security. What's your position?"

"No landmarks around, but we can clearly see the institute building from here," I answered.

"Great. How long until you reach the area?"

"About… forty—"

"Fifteen minutes," Minami-san cut in.

Damn girl.

This was not the time to show off.

"Fifteen minutes… got it. Be careful not to be seen, and don't forget your masks. I'll give all the support I can from here, but if things get dangerous, don't hesitate to abort the mission."

"Understood."

Abort the mission, huh?

That's something I would've done already if Minami-san weren't with me.

I wonder if things can get any worse than this.

"Put your mask on, Kobami Haruki."

"Do I really have to? No matter how much I look at it, it doesn't seem to hide my face properly."

"That mask is only for when someone sees you in person. Irumi will erase all the camera footage."

"But that's exactly what I'm worried about. People seeing me in person."

"There's no reason to worry. I doubt anyone would remember you. Your face is pretty forgettable, even to people who know you."

"…"

I wasn't sure if that was supposed to comfort me, but… coming from her, it was a little surprising.

"Hm... I still don't understand why my mask is the only different one. I get that you guys aren't using those horse heads anymore, but did I really need this rat mask?"

"Ken-senpai picked that one especially for you. I don't see anything wrong with it, fufu. Now stop complaining and let's go."

…Why did I get the feeling this brat was messing with me?

"Okay…"

I pulled the elastic strap and put the mask on.

How low had I sunk to be wearing this kind of cosplay?

Anyway, even with a cheap paper mask you could buy at any amusement park, we headed toward the back of the institute. The path down the hill was steep and pretty tough to descend, especially without any proper lighting.

Somehow, for someone following a mage, I managed to keep up with Minami-san with no trouble. Or rather… maybe it was because she was a mage that I could keep up.

Though she tried to play it off, it was obvious she wasn't doing well after using that magic so many times in one day. Minami-san looked like she was at her limit, and I wouldn't have been surprised if she passed out at any moment because of what happened earlier in my room.

Side effects.

I'd heard about it vaguely before.

I imagined that, at most, mages would get sleepy or have headaches after using advanced magic… not that it could get this severe.

The more I thought about it, the more idiotic I felt. I know everything has two sides, but maybe being a mage wasn't as wonderful as I believed.

"What are you thinking about at a time like this, Kobami Haruki?"

"T-thinking?"

The tone she used was… uncomfortably suggestive.

"I'm getting slightly bothered by you staring at me from behind. Don't tell me you're having weird thoughts about a 'kid'?"

"Ugh, Minami-san, I don't know what you're trying to imply— Wait. What do you mean by 'kid'? Didn't you say you were eighteen?"

"So you admit you were staring at me from behind."

…She got me.

"Okay… I admit I was looking, but not because this bodysuit is skin-tight or because you're pretty, or anything like that. I was just wondering why you push yourself so far."

"I feel like you just said something extremely indecent."

"I'm not trying to pry into your business or anything. We're complete strangers, I have no right to judge your life, but… is it really worth throwing your health away for this cause?"

"…"

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to. Just treat it as me rambling. It's just… now that I think about it, I realize I still know nothing about you guys, or what you're after."

She suddenly stopped.

"M-Minami-san?"

"You're awfully talkative, Kobami Haruki."

Shit. I got carried away and started blurting out everything. Was I too obvious?

No.

There's nothing wrong with wanting some information. It's the natural thing to do in this situation, right?

"I'd rather you stare at me like a pervert than like that. It would be less offensive."

"I didn't mean—"

"I don't know where you got this sense of moral superiority, but if you think you're entitled to pity me, you're dead wrong."

What the hell was with her?

"...Sorry if it came out that way, Minami-san. I just thought I could be more helpful if I understood your motives. I mean… we're a team now, aren't we?"

Minami-san went silent again.

She didn't look at me once. Which somehow made me feel even worse for asking.

Within seconds, the air turned painfully awkward.

"You're mistaken, rookie. Ichika-senpai may have recruited you, but you're not part of the team. I don't consider you one of us. So don't try to get any closer than necessary."

Her voice was completely emotionless. She said it and kept walking, not hesitating or looking back even once.

"…"

As she moved away, I stood there staring at her back like an idiot, incapable of forming a decent reply until she was completely out of earshot.

A few seconds later, I shoved my hands in my pockets and followed.

I don't consider myself part of your gang of criminals either, I thought.

But…

For some reason…

Hearing that hurt a little.

Well… what else could I expect from a terrorist?