25) Chapter 5. Oh, Come On. (5)
No one knew what kind of person the villain was or what they wanted. But the message — [Where are you?] — grabbed everyone’s attention.
It was all anyone talked about.
Kids traded stories like they were sharing ghost tales. Even though only two victims had been confirmed in the news and the villain’s identity had never been revealed, rumors spread everywhere — how someone died, how the killer lured victims, all sorts of impossible, exaggerated stories.
TV news handled it more cautiously, but they weren’t about to ignore something this sensational.
Panels of experts sat around with serious expressions, trying to analyze the villain’s personality or intentions from just those three words. Entire hour-long programs were dedicated to it.
It wasn’t surprising.
Hundreds of murders happen every year, several every day, but cases like this — shocking, sensational — were rare.
Killers don’t usually send letters to news outlets.
And the message itself felt like a riddle.
[Where are you?]
No one knew who it was meant for, but it was clearly directed at someone.
As if the killer believed the recipient would understand and respond.
In my previous life, I might’ve listened to these stories with the other kids. It would’ve been disrespectful — talking about real victims like they were characters in a horror story — but children don’t always grasp that.
And because it was real, the stories felt more believable, more chilling.
“….”
The problem was that the “believable” part made me tremble.
I hated horror movies in both lives, but I liked ghost stories — the eerie atmosphere without jump scares.
But sometimes, a story was so vivid and gruesome that it made my skin crawl, my teeth chatter, my body shake.
That was how I felt listening to the kids now.
“Rua.”
“H-hehk!?”
Something touched my hand and I yelped, making everyone look at me.
A moment later, I realized I had slapped Soi’s hand away.
“Ah, s-sorry.”
“It’s fine. Anyone would jump.”
Soi didn’t seem bothered at all.
It was almost time for homeroom.
Normally the teacher would’ve arrived already, but today they were ten minutes late. Kids waiting in the hallway for their friends were getting restless, and the ones inside the classroom had gathered in groups, chatting to pass the time.
And of course, they were talking about the villain again.
If the me from my previous life saw me now, she’d laugh.
Shaking over a story about some superpowered killer? Not even a real knife-wielding serial killer, but someone with “fantasy powers”?
Ghost stories scared me, but once something felt too fantastical, it usually stopped being scary.
But villains in this world were real. I had met two already. And even though neither could hurt me with their powers…
That one moment had planted this fear deep inside me.
“….”
Soi gently placed her hand over mine.
“You okay?”
The room quieted.
The kids weren’t telling these stories because they truly believed them or were terrified. It was just fun, something to pass the time.
So even if I got scared, they didn’t take it too seriously.
I hadn’t asked them to stop. I was just a bit jumpy — but still listening, still sitting here.
Some even found it cute, patting my head or hugging me.
…But the reason I didn’t leave wasn’t because I wanted to be brave.
It was because of Soi.
Not because I felt responsible for her or wanted to protect her.
But for a much more selfish reason.
Even though she was younger than me — much younger, really — she felt reliable. Being next to her calmed me. Made the fear shrink a little.
I was clinging to her like a coward.
“Y-yeah. I’m fine.”
I tried to sound firm, but it didn’t work.
The kids looked confused.
Was it really that scary? Was the story that bad?
I didn’t want to be the person who made a big deal out of nothing.
Clatter.
Thankfully, the awkwardness didn’t last long.
“Alright, alright. Sorry I’m late. Should’ve just told you to go home first.”
The homeroom teacher rushed in.
The kids groaned in mock annoyance. Even though the teacher was nearly twenty years older than us, they were the friendly type — almost like a big sibling.
“Sorry, sorry. I’ll make it quick. Something got decided last minute.”
The teacher grinned.
“Starting this week, heroes will be visiting our school once a week. They’ll be giving special lectures.”
“Whoa!”
The kids’ eyes sparkled.
Not all heroes were celebrities, but many were as famous as entertainers. Some even maintained their looks like idols.
And for some reason, top-ranked heroes tended to be extremely attractive.
“Not sure yet which classes they’ll interrupt or if it’ll be optional. They’ll finalize it soon. I got dragged into a meeting about it. Anyway, that’s all. Go home! See you tomorrow!”
The kids shot up from their seats.
No matter how fun school was, playing outside was better.
“Rua.”
I was about to stand when Soi grabbed my hand.
“Y-yeah?”
“Let’s go get ice cream.”
She smiled brightly.
- *
“Rua, look. I’m already level 70. Amazing, right?”
“Uh… yeah…”
Max level was 120, but for someone who started yesterday, it was impressive.
She must’ve skipped all the story and dumped money into stamina refills to level that fast.
…Well, it’s her money. I’m not in a position to complain.
“And look at this.”
Soi smirked mischievously and showed me her lobby screen.
There she was.
The character she said was “cute” — the one she said “looked like me.”
A Live2D scene unlocked only after finishing the character’s personal story. Wearing an adorable outfit, blushing furiously, eyes darting around.
“How is it? Cute, right?”
“Y-yeah…”
She was taking this more seriously than I expected…
Well, it had only been a day. Who knew how long the enthusiasm would last.
“What is it? What is it?”
Chae‑yi, sitting beside me, leaned in.
We were all still middle schoolers, but our bodies had grown a lot. Uncomfortably so. Feeling them pressed against me made me freeze.
“Se~cret!”
Soi quickly turned off the screen and giggled.
“Mmph.”
Then she scooped up a spoonful of ice cream and shoved it into my mouth. The sweetness numbed my brain.
…Wait. Isn’t that her spoon?
“…What.”
Chae‑yi suddenly looked crushed.
“You’re not gonna tell me…?”
She looked up at me with teary pink eyes.
It wasn’t something she needed to know. It was just a game. One I had originally kept secret even from Soi.
Even if she already knew, it was still supposed to be a secret.
But with that expression…
“…Okay.”
And then, when she looked at my phone, her face froze.
A bead of sweat rolled down her neck. It was warm — Soi and Chae‑yi were pressed against me, and the heater in the shop was blasting.
Well… maybe it was cold sweat.
“Hey.”
Chae‑yi tapped the pink-haired swimsuit character. The character blushed and looked away shyly. Thankfully, the sound was muted — otherwise the breathy voice would’ve been… a problem.
“Why isn’t she your first?”
“Hm.”
Soi laughed.
Chae‑yi shot her a look — wait.
Could Chae‑yi make a face like that? Her eyes were sharp enough to cut.
But before I could process it, she switched back to her usual expression and pouted.
“Hing.”
“C-Chae‑yi?”
“Make her first…”
“H-huh?”
“Make her your first…”
She whined like a child.
“Uh… okay…”
“Nope!”
Soi immediately reached over and turned off my phone.
“Phone backgrounds are for girlfriends or family.”
…Soi’s phone background was a family photo.
But… does she think she’s the “girlfriend” in this scenario? Is she that immersed in the game…?
“Not allowed…?”
Ignoring Soi completely, Chae‑yi looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
“Uh… h-hehk…”
I was trapped between them, unable to do anything—
When the shop door opened.
“Soi! Chae‑yi!”
A beautiful woman waved at us — someone who looked far too young for her age.
“Mom!”
Soi beamed.
Auntie Yujin?
“Hello.”
“Hi, Chae‑yi. Doing well?”
“Yes, I’m doing well.”
Watching Chae‑yi instantly transform from clingy child to polite young lady left me stunned.
Auntie Yujin sat across from us.
“Have some too, Mom.”
Soi handed her a spoon like she’d been expecting her.
“Hehe, it’s been a while since I had ice cream like this.”
Auntie Yujin took a bite and sighed softly.
Seeing my confused face, she smiled gently.
“Soi called me. She wanted me to check something.”
“M-Mom…”
“It’s fine. It’s not a secret. And I was planning to tell you three anyway.”
Soi’s ears turned red.
What…?
“Earlier, after school, Soi texted me saying she thought someone was following her.”
“Oh.”
Chae‑yi and I both turned to Soi.
She blushed, realizing Auntie Yujin had told us.
It made sense.
If it had been dangerous, Auntie Yujin wouldn’t have said anything. She would’ve just quietly escorted us home and kept us safe without worrying us.
But since she was saying it openly…
It meant Soi had simply mistaken the situation.
“I’ll show you who it was.”
Auntie Yujin waved toward the window.
Outside, a man waved back politely.
“He’s from the Association. Not a hero, but a superhuman — a professional in this kind of work.”
“Then…”
“Yes. Just in case.”
Auntie Yujin’s expression turned serious.
“You know your mom is a bit famous, right? And Chae‑yi, your mother too. So the Association assigned someone to keep an eye on things. It might feel awkward, but bear with it.”
“Ah… yes.”
I blinked.
Soi looked embarrassed. Chae‑yi looked thoughtful.
And I…
I felt relieved.
From the way Auntie Yujin smiled at me, I wondered if she already knew how scared I’d been.
And I was grateful. Truly grateful.