Chapter 22: Why did the app launch?

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Translator: Soafp

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[Reina PoV]

There was a man I had recently been seeing often around the neighborhood.

We weren't close, nor had we ever spoken before — it was really just a matter of passing by each other.

Even so, there was something unsettling about the way he looked at me, and I felt that I had to do something about it.

“Reina-san… I… I'm in love with you!”

Then, one day, something completely unexpected happened.

It was the boy who had been dating my daughter Runa — Hibari-kun — who said that to me.

How did it come to this…?

It wasn't that I was flattered by the confession; I was simply filled with confusion, wondering what on earth had led to this situation.

“I know it's horrible of me… but as I dated Runa, little by little I found myself drawn to you instead, Reina-san. Before I knew it, my feelings for you had become stronger than the ones I had for her.”

As I stood there in shock, Hibari-kun continued speaking.

“Even so, I still care about Runa… That's why I want to—both of you—”

He was clearly panicking. His eyes darted around, and he wasn't acting like himself at all.

But as for me, I didn't have any special feelings for Hibari-kun.

If anything, being confessed to by the boy who had just been dating my daughter… it felt like I must be dreaming — or rather, trapped in a nightmare.

“Reina-san, I—!”

But that strange scene ended abruptly — because the man who had been stalking me appeared out of nowhere, exuding an ominous pressure.

“My, my… I was wondering what this kid was going on about. Can't you see the lady's uncomfortable?”

His tone was gentle, but there was something deeply frightening about him.

From our conversation that followed, I learned that this man was the one who had returned my wallet when I dropped it in town some time ago.

Apparently, he'd been watching me ever since.

“…A stalker?”

“A stalker? Don't lump me in with something so vulgar. I've just been watching over you — purely, sincerely, always.”

In his eyes, I could see overwhelming obsession.

I was too stunned to react, even as he stepped closer to me — but Hibari-kun managed to run away.

I didn't blame him. I was just relieved that he, a child, got away safely.

But that relief was immediately drowned by a wave of fear.

“Reina-san!”

He came — Kamiki-kun.

The boy I'd recently gotten to know.

He cared for Runa, and more than that, he was the first person in a long time who made her smile like that.

And though I could never say this aloud… sometimes, his mannerisms reminded me of my husband.

(I have to do something… I need to protect him—)

Even so, I couldn't move.

Overcome by fear, all I could do was hide behind Kamiki-kun's back as he stood to protect me.

(A boy younger than me is fighting this hard… and I'm just trembling here…!)

My legs shook, my voice trembled — yet Kamiki-kun still stood firm in front of me.

Not once did I think about how he wasn't as strong as before, or wonder why.

All I could focus on was how desperately he was trying to protect me.

(I have to… I can't just stay scared like this!)

If the man's goal was me, then maybe I could at least draw his attention away.

So I grabbed his arm and held on as tightly as I could — but Kamiki-kun didn't run.

Instead, he kicked the man in the stomach, forcing some distance between us.

That, however, only made the man's anger flare toward him.

“It's alright now… phew.”

“Kamiki-kun… why would you go so far?”

“Isn't wanting to protect someone reason enough?”

Seeing his reassuring smile brought tears to my eyes — and at the same time, my heart skipped a beat.

What I saw then was a boy who wouldn't yield, no matter who stood before him.

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[Kamiki PoV]

“W-what the hell are you…?”

“……………”

Up until a moment ago, I had been barely managing to protect Reina-san.

Without the NetoraSensor's power, I was nothing special — just a weak kid.

Against a grown man who clearly trained his body, I shouldn't have had a chance.

And yet, now I was overwhelming him just like before.

“Kamiki-kun…”

“It's alright now, Reina-san.”

I gave her a gentle smile to put her at ease, then looked down at the man who had fallen on his rear.

(Stopping him for now isn't enough… I need to make sure he won't come back — just like before.)

I remembered the time I saved my mom.

It wasn't enough just to overpower the threat — I had to make him believe that crossing me again meant ruin.

“If you ever go near her again… you know what'll happen, right?”

“Hiiiii—! P-please! Don't kill me! I-I won't do anything anymore!”

The man fell to the ground, clutching his head.

His terrified reaction reminded me of how that senior girl had behaved when she saw me once before.

I grabbed his chin and forced him to look up.

The arrogance from earlier was gone — his tear-streaked eyes trembled as he looked at me.

And though I was sure I was the one in front of him… it felt like he was seeing something entirely different.

“A… a shinigami…?”

Reina-san muttered faintly.

I ignored it for the moment and lightly tapped the man's shoulder — and he collapsed backward.

Then I noticed the smell. He had wet himself. Pathetic.

“P-please… don't kill me… I swear I'll never come near her again!”

“Then disappear — and think carefully about what'll happen if you lie.”

“Y-yes! I-I understand!!”

Screaming, the man ran away.

Reina-san and I watched him go — then her legs gave out, and she sat down right where she was.

“I think it's over now. He won't bother you again.”

I was sure of it.

That man would never come near Reina-san — or even show himself to me — ever again.

I didn't know why, but it felt exactly like when I'd saved my mom before.

“Kamiki-kun… I should be scolding you for doing something so reckless, but… I'm just so happy you protected me. I feel safe now.”

She looked up at me, reached out, and fell into my arms.

I held her close and gently rubbed her back to calm her down.

(I don't really understand what happened… but I'm just glad she's safe.)

After that, I waited until Reina-san was steady enough to stand.

Once she could walk again, I held her hand all the way home to make sure she felt safe.

“…?”

“……………”

I felt her gaze on me and looked her way — only to find her staring quietly at me.

Her dazed eyes made me wonder what was wrong, and I looked away out of embarrassment.

Being stared at by a grown woman like that was a first for me.

“We're here.”

“…Yes, we are.”

We stood in front of her house and looked at each other again.

“Please get some rest, okay? If you get scared, maybe have Runa stay with you—”

“Would it be selfish… to ask you instead?”

“…Eh?”

“N-Never mind!”

After that, I parted ways with Reina-san.

Runa had shown up after hearing the commotion, so I asked her to stay by her mother's side that night.

“I'm glad it ended without anyone getting hurt… I think. But why did the NetoraSensor react this time?”

When I checked my phone, the app had indeed activated.

If it responded to Reina-san… then maybe it could even detect danger involving the deceased?

If that's true, it explains why I could drive that man away — and just how incredible this app really is.

“I still don't know what's going on with Tokunaga… Maybe I'll get a chance to ask him another day.”

But for now… I'm just exhausted.

Masato Kamiki ♡ Reina Aizawa