novelraw Chapter 224 – Team-up Special
Chapter 224 – Team-up Special
“Nghh…” Hmm? Would you look at that… I can actually move today. Ughh… But my body’s so groggy… Even sitting up is a damn hassle…
I can actually see well for once, so the room I’ve been kept captive in is now clear to me. It’s in a tiny square room, not much bigger than a common cell. A very sterile white room with basic furniture and a tiny bathroom. Everything’s bolted to something. If I had to say something good about it, the quality of the room and everything in it was much better than a normal cell. Not that I know what a normal cell looks like, but the House had one, if I remember correctly… I imagine theirs is already a nice cell. This one’s better, so it must be much better than a normal one, right? That’s my reasoning at least.
Though, unlike the cell at the House, this one doesn’t have bars. Which is not to say I get any privacy, since there’s a big glass on one of the sides that connects to some kind of research room.
This is less a cell and more a holding room for me being observed.
I’d rather have bars, honestly…
It’s been a couple days since I’ve been taken here, and this is the first time I’ve been able to move around on my own. My consciousness has been drifting in and out since I’ve been injected with all types of drugs. Not constantly, of course. I’ve been able to catch glimpses of scientists on the other side taking notes and leaving me alone while half asleep. Very nice of them. Only at certain times does armored personnel enter the room to hold me in place for injections.
It’s only kinda funny to see them so scared when I can’t even move… Don’t they trust their own drugs? Why do they think I’m like this?
They’re so dumb…
I couldn’t resist even if I wanted to… I mean, take a look at this…
[Iroha Shin??ara: Lv.63]
[HP: ???/6219]
[MP: ???/2674]
[S???ngth: 416; ??fense: 353]
[Ma?ic: 224; Agil??y: 631]
The VISS Driver’s acting up. How am I supposed to put up a fight? Ahahahaha… It’s not completely broken, since my skills still seem to work. At least some of them. I had Psychological Attack Resistance go off whenever they injected me with their drugs, and Mind Transience is still letting me stay conscious and fight off the effects of those drugs.
So yeah… Not that bad… Just like the fact that I’ve managed to make a friend in the short time I’ve been here.
*tap tap tap* “Reia! Over here!”
She was alone in the observation area, holding a tablet and taking notes. She has always been an odd one to talk to. So immersed that she hadn’t noticed me. She was wearing the black and white hoodie I’ve seen her wear before, and her purple hair rested in front of her shoulders.
“Hey! Listen to me!” *TAP TAP TAP!*
“Hmm?” She finally raised her eyes. “You’re moving?”
“Seems so. How are you doing? Good… What time of day is it? Good that to you, if that makes sense…”
“Wait…” She quickly swiped on her tablet. “Evening.”
Nice of her to tell me instead of freaking out. “Oh yeah? Good evening, Reia. What brings you here?”
We’ve even exchanged a few words when I could barely speak. She’s been here every time I’ve been injected and whatnot, but she’s always kept her distance and observed from afar. Does she not want to be here or something? I feel like we have some sort of kinship thanks to that.
“Why are you normal?” She asked.
“Ehhh… Am I? Really? I’d say there are a lot of ways in which I’m not normal, but I’ll take it. Should I say thanks?” That wasn’t her question, but when someone says something in such a weird way, you gotta tease them a bit.
“Uhmm… Why can you speak normally? You were supposed to be brainwashed…” Her tone was less enthusiastic than her usual monotone demeanor.
“Is that what your people have been injecting me with? Brainwashing drugs? Doesn’t sound great…”
Hurray for Psychological Attack Resistance! Hurray for Mind Transience!
“That’s what the chief wanted… He’s going to increase the dosage after the report…”
“Wait! Don’t start typing! The drugs are totally working, I swear! Take me to your leader…” I waved robotically. “See? No wait… That’s aliens…”
“Any increases will enter a dangerous territory…” She said. “It’s a bad idea, but… I don’t think brainwashing should work like that…”
“Ok, sorry, I was just pretending. But I’m really happy with having a head that works like it should, so could you keep it a secret? We’re… friends… aren’t we? Sort of…?”
“This is my job and jobs have to be done…” Like a robot, she typed something on her tablet without looking up. “And we’ve only met a few times… That doesn’t make us anything…”
And now it’s time to panic. I wanna be friends with her. It’d be nice to have someone on my side here. “Well, we can become friends now! If we talk a little, I’m sure we’ll come to realize we have a lot in common!” She raised her eyes. Yes! I’ve got a chance!
Now what?
What do I say? Do we really have anything in common? All I know is that she’s a weird girl who’s hard to understand sometimes. I can relate with that… I also saw her playing with a revolver the first time we met. Does she like guns? I have one… Or had… I don’t know where it is right now. Other than that, I’ve played lots of games with guns. Would that be good enough?
She was still staring. Still waiting… That’s not good enough, is it?
Isn’t there anything that could connect us more? What else do I know about her? Rumors? Theories? Anything?!
“Right… Remember when we spoke with Professor R?” We, the House, had that one video conference with the mysterious and shadowy figure known as Professor R.
“Wasn’t me.” She instantly denied it and looked down at her tablet.
It’s her! It’s totally her! And if that’s the case, I can reel her in…
“Really? So, does the name Koko Madoka mean nothing to you?”
She looked up again with her eyes wide open. “How do you…?”
Koko Madoka is the name of a girl from a game and anime series. I saw the silhouette of a figurine in Professor R’s background when we talked. If it’s her, the fact that she would have a figurine of a character must mean she likes her a lot! We can bond with that!
“Of course I know her! I love her games and I love her even more! I have a figurine of hers too! She’s so hot and fun… Definitely top 5 favorite waifus!”
“Wa- waifu?”
“Too far?” She and Koko’s are both girls, so she probably doesn’t like her the same way I do. Still, despite being a bit confused, she was interested in me now. “Either way, I know her, because she’s a character I love. What about you? Do you like her?”
“I- I- I do… I- I like her a lot…” She tried her best to keep the indifferent look she always wore, but her cheeks got a bit rosy.
“That’s awesome! We should be friends then! We could talk more about her and her games! Or other games… I don’t know. I can even recommend you some stuff if you’re interested!”
“I…” She gasped for her air, then her tablet suddenly covered her face. “I have to go!”
“Huh?! Wait!”
She scurried out like a small, adorable animal. Did I say something wrong? I think she was just embarrassed… Sigh… I’d probably react the same way… And here I thought I could actually get her on my side…
At least I’m not getting reported for now, right?
“Alright. Explain yourself.” Carol looked down at Miyuki with her arms crossed.
They had no choice but to let her in after she showed up saying she could help them save Iroha. Could she really? Highly doubtful, but they had to hear her out.
Miyuki sat down on the main couch and got immediately surrounded. Despite being ganged on, she leaned back and tugged on the suit to adjust it. Something about it wasn’t sitting well with her, and she couldn’t focus on anything else.
“Actually, I need a change of clothes first. This thing’s uncomfortable.”
“Huh? The suit?” Carol asked.
“Looks like a normal suit to me… Properly tailored.” Hecate said. “Why did you wear it if you find uncomfortable.”
“Just felt like it. I thought it’d make for an imposing entrance. And I was not wrong…” Miyuki stood up with a grin. “Just give me a second. I’ll borrow something from Iroha. Which one’s her room?” She strutted toward the hallway leading to their rooms.
“You’re not wearing anything from Iroha!” Carol grabbed her wrist. “Who do you think you are?”
“Oh… I haven’t mentioned it yet, have I? I’m actually one of Iroha’s girlfriends. We’re dating, so it’s fine for me to wear her clothes, right? Or… Fufu… Are you planning on hoarding all her clothes for yourself? Her sense of style’s not worth that much.”
“Wha?! That’s not-! What are you even talking about? You? One of her girlfriends? How do you know about that? And stop lying! There’s no way you’re dating her too!”
“It’s certainly hard to believe…” Hecate said. “Iroha has always been honest about who her lovers are, and she never said anything about you. If what you’re saying is true, Iroha was lying to us at some point.”
“You’re overthinking it. Iroha wasn’t lying to you. I only became her girlfriend now.” Miyuki proudly puffed out her chest.
“Huh?” How does that work? Miyuki’s logic left them baffled.
“But Iroha’s not here… You can’t decide that unilaterally.” Hecate said.
“It’s not unilaterally. You see, Iroha and I spoke about this before. We liked each other, but I told her I wasn’t ready to become a couple just yet. Our relationship got stuck in limbo, but it would definitely be official one day. Turns out today’s that day. I just decided that.”
“That’s ridiculous…” Yet exactly the type of thing that Iroha loves getting caught in… Carol couldn’t be too surprised. “Why didn’t she say anything?”
“Why would she? We weren’t dating. She doesn’t need you to tell you about every single conversation she has, does she, you controlling little thing?” Miyuki bent over and poked Carol’s cheek. “But it’s probably because I asked her to keep quiet. It’s not her fault, so let’s not hate our beloved girlfriend, okay?”
“Nghh… I’m gonna start hating you if you don’t drop that annoying attitude…” Carol grinded her teeth.
“Oh! You’re sho scary… I’m sho sorry…” Her voice switched back. “Can you help me get my clothes now?”
…
Miyuki was a formidable opponent. Able to remain calm in a one-versus-four situation and deliver blows capable of vexing anyone. She fished through Iroha’s wardrobe as she pleased, got her new clothes, then returned to the entrance.
She was a formidable opponent, but she doesn’t have the element of surprise anymore. The girls ganged up on her again.
“So… You claim you can help us save Iroha?” Katja asked. “If so, let’s begin with something simple. Where is Iroha?”
Miyuki quietly looked away and pulled out her phone. After a few seconds. “Here…” She showed them a map with a picture of a tall, dark building on the side.
“Ah! I recognize that!” Narumi said. “Isn’t that…?”
“The PSF’s headquarters.” Katja nodded. It was a place they were all familiar with. “Right at the heart of Three Records… They’re playing it safe by keeping her there… Seems like you’re not completely clueless.” Katja had to acknowledge Miyuki. All of the girls’ attitudes got a little better. Maybe she was the insider they needed…
“I can also tell you what the insides look like, but I’ll need some paper to draw every floor.”
“You know the complete layout of the headquarters? How?” Katja asked.
“Don’t sweat the details, okay? I just know.” Miyuki tried to make that last part sound mysterious.
“That’s… Very suspicious…” Just what kind of person would know all that? Katja shot her a side glance. Other Kurokawas might know the insides. Was Miyuki a part of the family? She had never met her. From some obscure branch? Like Katja originally? But that didn’t make sense… No Kurokawa around her age should be alive…
“You can trust me, okay? I’m the one who’s been giving Iroha random advice and guiding her down the right path. It was thanks to me that Iroha got to the House enough to chase you down when you ran away.” Miyuki pointed at Carol.
“Ran…? You mean what happened with the harbor?” That was a long time ago now. “How do you know about that? Why did you know I would be in trouble.”
“It’s simple. I saw into the future.”
“Huh? Like prophecies?” Hecate’s jaw dropped.
“Pinpon! Correct! It’s very similar to prophecies. I can’t choose what kind of futures I see. But I’ve seen enough to help you save Iroha. So if you agree to a partnership with me, I think we can actually do it. Or rather, I’m one of her girlfriends, so you have to accept me. Let’s work together!”
“Hmph… Not sure about us ‘having’ to accept you, but whatever. Your heart’s in the right place.” Carol sighed.
“She’s right. If you’re willing to help us save Iroha, we have no choice but to accept.” With a smile, Katja quickly pulled a pen and paper from a nearby drawer and placed them on the low table in front of Miyuki. “Sorry to ask you to do this right away, but can you get started?”
“So demanding… But okay… Just give me a second.”
“Thanks…” Katja said. Miyuki then grabbed the pen and started drawing. Everyone leaned over to see what she was doing.
“Kinda wobbly, those lines.” Carol said.
“Well, excuse me for not being able to draw perfectly straight lines!” Miykui snapped back.
“It’s okay! I’ll draw a clean version!” Narumi scrambled to gather drawing supplies of her own.
“You? Hmm… I had no idea you knew how to draw…” Carol said.
Narumi stared at her like she was dumb. She was the worst person to receive that look from. “Carol… Rulers exist.”