Chapter 16: Rira Nakazato = Tojo Rira …! ? ! ?

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Translator: Soafp

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The day after I saved Mom.

As soon as I came down to the living room, Mom immediately apologized.

“Masato, I’m so sorry… I really am. I made you worry.”

“No, no! Mom, you didn't do anything wrong!”

Her sudden apology startled me, but as far as I was concerned, it was enough that she was safe. Rather than apologizing like this, I just wanted her to be her usual self again.

“Did Dad tell you?”

“Just a little… I keep thinking, what on earth was I doing? I feel so guilty, to you and to your father.”

Even though she wasn't drunk, calling him “Papa” like that showed how much it weighed on her.

“It's fine, Mom. You're okay, that's all that matters. Dad and I are just glad you're safe. So please—just be your normal self again.”

“Masato…”

“That's all I want. I'm sure Dad said the same thing, right?”

I mean, it's my dad we're talking about—of course he did.

Mom still looked gloomy for a while, but eventually, as if realizing she couldn't stay that way forever, she smiled.

“You're right… if you and your father say so, I should go back to normal.”

“Exactly.”

“…Fufu, but still, let me thank you properly. Thank you, Masato.”

“Sure.”

That should've been the end of it—but Mom continued talking.

Apparently, she got an apology call this morning from the women who had dragged her out last night. But according to her, their tone had been… strange.

“They didn't make much sense, but I could tell they were desperate to apologize…”

“Hmm…”

“If I had to describe it, it was like… they were hostages with a knife at their throat, terrified for their lives.”

“That's… oddly specific.”

But… I think I get it.

At that time, I used the NetoraSensor's power to repel those guys—but deep down, I'd also wished for them to suffer more. And if that wish had somehow reached them… yeah, it would explain everything.

“Those girls and I weren't that close back in school, but when you meet again after a long time, it's easy to get carried away talking… Anyway, if I caused you and your father any trouble, that's all that matters. I'll never see them again.”

Her expression carried a strong resolve.

It was as if she were saying she'd rather cut off all old ties than ever make us worry again.

“Masato.”

She came closer, wrapped her arms around me, and looked straight into my eyes.

“You and your father are everything to me… nothing is above that.”

“…Yeah.”

Honestly, running into something like that is rare. But if I think about what could've happened without the NetoraSensor, I don't even want to imagine it.

Later, Dad came back from the bathroom. Of course, he was still worried about Mom—even though she was right there, safe, he couldn't quite shake it off.

“…?”

They looked as close as ever, but something felt… different.

Dad was the same as always, but Mom's gaze toward him was… hotter than usual.

“…Well, not like that's a bad thing.”

If my parents, who were already close, became even more affectionate—that's not bad at all. If that incident brought them even closer, then great.

After that, I went back to my room and stayed home until lunch.

“I'm heading out!”

After finishing lunch, I decided to go outside—I couldn't just sit still.

“…I just can't calm down.”

Mom was safe, everything was fine, yet somehow, I still couldn't relax.

I stopped walking, stepped to the side of the road, and pulled out my phone.

“That moment… something felt different.”

It wasn't like with Aizawa, or with Tojo Rira, or that upperclassman.

The NetoraSensor reacted the same, but the anger I felt when I thought Mom was in danger was overwhelming—even I could tell.

Even though my head was boiling, I was calm enough to think clearly, and yet the thought of not doing something to those people was impossible.

“Well… maybe I just don't get it.”

Still, if I had to describe it… it felt like I was carrying countless people's anger on my back.

Thinking about that, I wandered around town with no real destination.

As I took in the scenery, my mood gradually began to settle.

And then—

“Whoa!?”

“Huh?”

Someone bumped into my back with a thud.

Just like with Reina before, it felt like people were bumping into me a lot lately. When I turned around, I saw someone I knew.

“Ouch…”

“Tojo … Rira?”

That's right—it was Tojo Rira.

She wore sunglasses and a hat, but her black hair with blue highlights and her vivid red eyes were unmistakable.

Besides, having once carried her in my arms, I could recognize her even with her disguise.

“Eh… ah!”

Behind the sunglasses, her eyes widened in surprise.

(What's with that reaction?)

Could it be she recognized me from when I saved her? But no—I was wearing a fox mask back then. So maybe she's just surprised I called her by name?

(You'd think I'd be more excited meeting an idol, but…)

Maybe because of what happened yesterday, I wasn't really in the mood.

So I decided to just say something quick and leave.

“Uh, don't worry—I won't tell anyone. So, I'll just—”

“Wait.”

But she grabbed my wrist.

Of course, it was Tojo Rira, but because she leaned forward a little, I instinctively turned my eyes away from the glimpse of deep cleavage peeking from her blouse.

As expected of a current idol… according to Nakajima's info, magazines said she was an H-cup.

“Are you… free right now?”

“Uh… yeah.”

Why am I even talking to her?

This was happening way too suddenly, and I could only answer dumbly.

“If you've got some time, can I borrow you for a bit? I wanted to thank you properly for the other day.”

“Wait… you know?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah—you're the one who helped me, right?”

…So she did know it was me.

I mean, sure, I was wearing a mask, but my height and voice were the same. Of course she'd figure it out.

Unlike my confusion, she looked genuinely happy.

“…Eh?”

Wait a second.

The way she's smiling—it feels familiar. Like I've seen that smile at school…

No way. That can't be—

But the more I tried to deny it, the clearer it overlapped.

“Just kidding… come on, it's me—Rira Nakazato.”

“…Seriously?”

“Seriously~”

She took out her phone and called someone—my phone.

It started buzzing.

Which meant… she had my number.

And on the screen, the name read Rira Nakazato.

“…You're serious?”

“I told you, seriously! So, how about some tea together?”

She squeezed my hand tight and pulled me along toward the nearest café.