Despite the chilly weather, it was still only September. If she caved and started using her thermoregulation feature this early, her energy reserves would be taxed to the max when winter actually rolled around.
Winter...
In this era, the season called winter would begin sometime in November in Japan. That was still almost two months away.
“How much longer do I have to stay here...?”
Originally, her coconspirators in the agency were supposed to distract R with a fake mission while she took on the real job of assassinating Rekka Namidare. It should have taken a week at the longest. Even if the mission failed, the plan was to bring L back to the future immediately, so she hadn’t expected to stay in this era for an extended period of time. But now that she had no way of contacting the future, she also had no way of knowing when she’d ever be able to get back.
“Argh, jeez! This is all R’s fault, too!”
L shouted the name of her annoying little sister—who was really just a newer model Kiklim—and stamped her feet against the ground. Her little outburst helped warm her up some, but her toes were still numb from the cold. That only made her more irritated, which fed an endless loop of resentment.
Granted, if she kept this up, she would eventually blow off all of her steam and come to her senses. Once that finally happened, she realized there was no point in repeating such useless actions.
“Hahh... For the time being, I need to focus on shelter. This bridge is convenient cover from the rain, but I have no protection from the wind.”
There was only a slight breeze today, but the pouring rain had made the temperature plummet so low that even the breeze felt like icy murder. She’d have to come up with some way to fend it off if she ever had any chance of getting warm again.
Technically, it was possible for her to create a simple barrier out of any available materials. But building anything like that could potentially be a huge drain on her energy, so she had to go about it as efficiently as possible. There was also the risk that if she created anything too substantial, she might attract the attention of those blasted police. So she also had to make sure whatever she made had a low profile... Wait, was there even a need to build her own shelter in this day and age?
Fortunately, she had already gathered a grand supply of cardboard boxes to sleep on. If she turned those into a wall, she could just make do by filling the gaps. But the cardboard boxes had been gathered from all over the place, so they varied considerably in size and shape. She’d have to join them together cleverly or she’d just end up with a glorified paper bag for a shelter.
“Let’s see.. The first thing to do is...”
If she was going to use the bridge as the roof of her construction, she would have to build the cardboard walls up to that. L then inventoried her boxes and calculated what the remaining dimensions of her temporary lodging would be based upon that.
“Ugh...”
It was very narrow. Even with her small figure, it would be a tight squeeze if she wanted to stretch her legs out as she slept. And her precious cardboard boxes had other valuable uses, too. She could use them as mats to lie on, or even as blankets in an emergency. She couldn’t afford to use them all up on walls.
It seemed she’d have to give up on using the bridge as a roof then and make the entire structure out of cardboard, but if the wind got any stronger and started blowing rain under the bridge, there would undoubtedly be leaks. If she had a tarp or something, that would make the perfect roof... But unfortunately, she hadn’t been lucky enough to get her hands on one.
“I guess I have no choice... I’ll use all the cardboard to build for now, then gather more materials tomorrow.”
With a sigh, L set to building.
“Kyaaah!”
Or at least that was her plan. She slipped in a puddle and fell before she had a single box in place... Her clumsiness continued to draw out her construction project, but things went smoothly for the most part otherwise.
“All right.”
About an hour later, her temporary lodgings were complete. She should be able to escape the wind and rain for a while now. She entered through the door she’d made to resemble a noren, took off her geta sandals, and carefully stepped onto the floor of double-layered cardboard.
“Hahh, now I can finally relax.”
She unwittingly let out a sigh of relief. This was the first time she’d ever toiled so hard to make something herself.
Despite being one generation older than R, L was still an advanced life-form. If she didn’t have to worry about her energy, she could’ve constructed something a thousand times better—stealth cover included—and it would have only taken her mere minutes.
“When I think about it like that, I guess I feel pretty proud of this thing.”
She wouldn’t want to live in it forever, but she would treasure it while she did. And just as she was thinking that, water suddenly started creeping under her door.
“Hwah?!”
She tucked her feet in reflexively, but the cardboard floor rapidly began soaking up water from all directions.
“Whaaat?!”
She poked her head outside to see what was going on, and was met with the terrifying sight of water rushing up to her doorstep. It seemed the heavy rain had flooded the river to the point it was creeping up to new heights on the bank.
“Th-This can’t be happening...”
But unfortunately, it was. L dragged her listless body through the water, splashing her way up the sloped embankment to retreat from the flood.
“What should I do...?”
She was still underneath the bridge, so she was protected from the rain overhead, but if the river kept flooding like this, it was the water coming up from below that she had to worry about. If it weren’t for her low battery, withstanding these conditions would be nothing for L... But if she splurged her last bit of energy, then her mission would be much more difficult to accomplish, and she didn’t want that.
L felt like her mission was all she had left. After betraying her creator, the doctor, and betraying the agency, the only calling she had in life was ending Rekka Namidare. That was the only way she—a man-made life-form—could prove there was meaning to her existence.
“Ah, it’s cold!”
Apparently, the wind was picking up along with the rising water level. The rain didn’t seem like it would be letting up anytime soon, either. That meant the water would only continue to climb. It would eventually reach her again. She would only be waiting for the worst if she stayed here... She could see the water would be upon her any minute, yet she had nowhere else to go.
To be honest, she wanted to cry. But just then..
“What are you doing over there?”
A girl’s voice could be heard coming from behind teary-eyed L’s head.
Chapter 4: Fairy × BBQ
When Sunday finally rolled around, there wasn’t a single cloud in the clear blue sky. It was perfect weather for a barbeque!
“...”
“...”
“...”
“...”
Yet for some reason, rather than there being any celebration about the weather, there was a silent staredown going on in front of my house.
First there was the home team. Or rather, Satsuki and Harissa, who’d just come out of my house. I was with them, of course. Satsuki had actually just come by to get us since it was just about time to leave for the barbeque.
Then there was the visiting team. Or rather, Iris and Rosalind, who’d been lying in wait for us outside. Suzuran, Corona, and Ulaula were there too, but had taken a clear backseat in the standoff.
Wait, did this mean they’d showed up because they wanted to come along, too? Why was the air so tense...?
“What are you doing here?” asked Satsuki.
“I just knew you guys would be sooo lonely without us on a fun trip like this! Right, Rosalind?” chirped Iris.
“Mind how you address me, mortal. But she’s
right! It was foolish of you to think that you could host a meat banquet with Rekka without inviting me,” lashed Rosalind.
“Mistress, this is a barbeque, not a meat banquet. It sounds a little indecent when you put it that way.”
“Ugh, silence! You stay quiet, Suzuran.”
“Ugggh, this barbeque set is heavy...” griped Ulaula.
“Don’t drop it,” instructed Corona. “Hey, just because it’s in a bag doesn’t mean you can just leave it on the ground.”
It seemed like Iris and Rosalind had masterminded this alliance, while the maid squad behind them was just there for support. They were still taking a backseat in the ongoing dispute.
“We even went to the trouble of bringing along some tasty treats to share with everyone. So it won’t be a problem if we come too, right? You said the barbeque would be by the river, so there should be plenty of space for all of us,” Iris said, indicating everything Suzuran and the other girls were carrying.
This must have been what she and Rosalind ran off to take care of after school the other day...
“There is too a problem! There’s no way this many people will fit into my dad’s car!”
Iris was totally trying to bowl Satsuki over, but she did her best to hold her ground. And she had a point. It was totally true that all of us wouldn’t fit into her dad’s car, which would hold eight people at most. We had eight people standing here alone, and Satsuki’s parents would make ten of us. And then there was the matter of the coolers and other equipment that needed to be packed...
“That’s not a problem at all. Just tell me where we’re going, and I’ll take my spaceship.”
Iris offered a simple solution, leaving Satsuki grinding her teeth.
“Hey, Satsukins, we’ll be leaving soon! Oh? Who might these young ladies be?”
Uncle Itsuki—Satsuki’s father—was in for a bit of a shock when he came out of the Otomo house next door, and he stood there wide-eyed for a moment before inquiring about the small crowd that had gathered.
“Dad, um, these people are...”
“It’s nice to meet you, sir! I’m Iris. This here is Rosalind and Suzuran and Corona and Ulaula. We’re friends of Rekka and Satsuki’s.”
“You don’t say! Well, any friend of my daughter’s is a friend of mine. It’s nice to meet you all.”
“You’re too kind. I know it’s short notice, but the truth is we were actually planning on having a barbeque today and just so happened to hear that you guys were having one, too. We thought it would be lots of fun to all go together, so we thought we’d stop by and ask if you’d be interested.”
“Is that so? Hmm, we’d honestly love to have you, but I don’t think we’ll be able to fit all of us in the car this way.”
“Oh, don’t worry! I wouldn’t dream of imposing. We were planning on going anyway, so we’ve already arranged a ride.”
“My, what a considerate young lady you are.”
It was easy to forget, but Iris was a princess. It was kind of something to watch her work her magic... She’d won Uncle Itsuki over in the blink of an eye, and with his approval, Satsuki couldn’t argue anymore.
“All right, Satsukins. Let’s make it a special barbeque this year and have some fun with your friends.”
“Y-You bet, Dad...” Satsuki replied with a strained smile on her face.
She was holding her hand behind her back, balled so tightly into a fist that I swear I could hear her fingers creaking... but I just pretended I didn’t notice.
“Wow, thank you sooo much, Mr. Otomo!”
Iris gleefully thanked Uncle Itsuki and got the address from him. She then said that her driver was waiting around the corner, and walked off with the rest of the visiting team. I was guessing it was just a white lie to keep Satsuki’s parents from seeing her spaceship, but the whole “my driver is waiting” line was pretty convincing considering she had a gaggle of maids in tow.
“Well, uh, que sera sera, right? The more the merrier, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, you would think so, wouldn’t you, Rekka?”
Satsuki’s slumped shoulders told me how much the disappointment was weighing on her. I tried consoling her, but that only seemed to make it worse. Even Harissa gave a small sigh.
“All right, time for us to get a move on, too!” Uncle Itsuki waved to us at he put the last of the bags in the car.
“Uncle Itsuki’s right. At this rate, Iris and the others will get there first.”
“Yeah, yeah. Come on, Harissa. Let’s go.”
Satsuki nodded her head repeatedly like she was trying to snap herself out of her bad mood before taking Harissa’s hand and dragging her off to the car.
“Huh? Come to think of it, where’s Auntie Sanae?”
“Mom? Oh, she’s probably taking her time getting that girl ready.”
“That girl?”
Satsuki was an only child, so who the heck was she talking about? I cocked my head quizzically to the side, and just as I was about to ask for more details, the front door of the Otomo residence opened once again. Auntie Sanae stepped out with a girl who had long, auburn hair tied partially up on the left side of her head—someone I, much less R, certainly hadn’t expected to see.
“Wha—L?!” My confusion made my voice squeak at a higher pitch than intended.
“L...” Even R was staring at her with round eyes, unable to hide her surprise.
“...” Meanwhile, L took one glance at us before abruptly turning away with a huff, refusing to make any further eye contact.
Just what was L doing at Satsuki’s house? And where the heck was this day going? We’d already had two unexpected developments before we’d even left for the barbeque...
▽
“Under a bridge...?”
“Yeah.”
In the car on the way there, Satsuki gave me the short version of how L had ended up in the Otomo family’s care. Apparently, on a particularly rainy day earlier in the week, Satsuki had spotted her under a bridge. She’d tried to run away at first, but Satsuki caught up to her when she slipped and fell in a puddle. It took some convincing, but she eventually agreed to follow Satsuki back to her place. L had been stubbornly silent about her circumstances, but Satsuki’s kind parents had agreed to take care of her for a while, which brings us to the strange situation we found ourselves in today.
Out of consideration for L, Satsuki whispered all this to me, but I’m quite sure L could still hear every word of it with her superhuman ears. Satsuki just had no idea that L was actually a super advanced life-form from the future. And as for the Kiklim in question...
R was taking advantage (?) of the fact that no one but me and L could see her. She was right in L’s face, relentlessly staring her down and making her sweat profusely. They were practically so close that it looked like they might kiss. L tried to avoid making eye contact with her, but...
Whip... Whoosh!
Whip... Whoosh!
Whip... Whoosh!
Every time she turned away, R would immediately follow and just keep staring at her. It was actually pretty amusing to watch. Perhaps it was a matter of pride, but L stubbornly continued to turn away just as stubbornly as R followed her.
“Hm? Is something the matter, L?”
“What? No, nothing!”
Satsuki noticed her strange behavior, but L panicked a little when she asked about it. Since other people could see her, she didn’t have the luxury of behaving oddly like R, who seemed to have a tremendous advantage in this situation.
But in spite of that, R still hadn’t said a word to L. Was it possible she was trying to be considerate of the older sister she’d been separated from? No one could see or hear R, so if she tried having a conversation with L, it would just seem like she was talking to herself... Not that R ever showed that kind of consideration for me. Well, anyway, I figured I could leave the siblings from the future be for now. Since I was L’s target, I probably wouldn’t make a very good mediator. The most I could do wo
uld be to get a conversation going about something else...
“Come to think of it, have you ever had a barbeque before, Harissa?”
“Um, that means we’re going to be eating food outside, right? We do that quite often in Aburaamu, like when you came to visit. The whole village gathers around for a feast, usually of grilled bowpig freshly caught from the forest.”
“What’s a bowpig?”
“An animal, rather like a boar with five legs.”
“Five legs is kind of hard to picture...”
Just how did that work anatomically? Anyway, Satsuki, Harissa, and I continued to chat as R continued to silently mess with L until we eventually pulled over at our destination.
“Rekka, could you grab what’s in the trunk there?”
“Yes, sir.”
I helped Uncle Itsuki carry the barbeque supplies from the parking lot to our favorite riverside spot. It was a bit of a hike down a mountain path to get there, so it wasn’t like we could drive all the way to it.
“Hm? Are those bikes?” I asked Satsuki, who was walking with me.
There were several bicycles parked alongside the stairs that led from the path down to the riverside.
“They look kinda small. Maybe some kids have come to play?”
“Maybe,” I said with a shrug as we made our way down the stairs.
While it wasn’t really something we did anymore, Satsuki and I used to play over by the abandoned factories a bunch when we were kids. Actually, that was right next to where Rosalind lives now. We were in the mountains here, but it wasn’t like we were in remote territory. It was totally possible that some neighborhood kids had come up here to goof off. And sure enough, once we reached the bottom of the stairs, we spotted a group of them playing at the water’s edge.
“Hey, it went that way!”
“Quick, gimme the net!”
“Corner it, corner it!”
“Don’t trip over yourself!”
“You can do it!”
There were three boys and two girls, a pair of which seemed to be brother and sister. They all looked to be elementary school age or thereabouts. The boys were trying to catch fish or something, splashing water into the air as they ran through the river—although they had a bug net and not a fishing net—while the two girls cheered them on from the shore.
I Saved Too Many Girls and Caused the Apocalypse: Volume 11 Page 10
