2-20: Science vs Fantasy IV (1/4)

2-20: Science vs Fantasy IV (1/4)

The customers that were able to flee from the department store were gathered at the stores and tents on the other side of the road.

The Countermeasure Department and the police lightly interrogated them and took care of them.

An earlier explosion had frightened some of the women and children, so even though they had already started to calm down, they started panicking again.

Were safe here already, so how about you go back to Shinichi?

At a corner was a man holding a sleeping baby in his arms. He was waiting for his wife and his son.

Nobuhiko asked the creature by his feet in a mumble, though the intentions behind it were by no means weak.

It was as if all he could do was to beg this creature to do something.

Kyui?

To Nobuhikos dismay, she only shook her head as if to say What are you talking about?

Nobuhiko was annoyed by that, but at the same time, he was impressed.

He had heard that the Amaryllis were as smart as humans, but he didnt think that she would actually be able to understand his words and even play the fool like this.

Wont you go back to Shinichi? I understand that youre staying behind to protect us, but were fine already, so please help him instead.

His son ran off to save the people left in the building, but for some reason, he left her with them.

Whats more is that this little creature that was usually inseparable from Shinichi did not give chase.

Rinko urged them to flee, and along their way out of the department store, the reason why she stayed with them became apparent.

After all, they were attacked twice on their way out.

It was during these two times that this girl who has always acted like a pet finally showed a hint of her wild side.

The armed thugs were no match for her who was one of the Amaryllis that stood at the apex of the Reserve.

Over 10 armed men were knocked out by her just like that.

In other words, the reason she separated from Shinichi was to protect them.

Moreover, she understood Shinichis intentions without needing him to say anything.

But if so, then shouldnt her duty have been completed the moment they were able to leave the department store?

But strangely enough, she refused to leave them.

Now that the situation has reached this point, theres nothing I can do anymore, but youre different, right?

Neither his wife who left to check the situation or his son that stayed behind have come back.

Just awhile ago, even more people were able to escape the department store, but Shinichi wasnt among them.

It seems some of them were called to the temporary HQ of the Countermeasure Department, but when Nobuhiko asked them what those people looked like, he found out Shinichi wasnt among them either.

From time to time, thunderous roars could be heard all the way from the department store even though they were across the road.

Nobuhiko was somehow able to make himself sound calm, but deep inside he wanted to run off already.

The only thing keeping him from running was the weight of the baby in his arms.

But the amaryllis shook her head.

Then she pointed her small forelegs at the department store and moved her ears.

Nobuhikos irritation at her refusal to go grew stronger, but he couldnt just ignore what the amaryllis was trying to tell him with her gestures.

He tried to piece together what the amaryllis was trying to telling him.

Are you saying theres something going on with the sound coming from the department store?

Kyui!

The amaryllis nodded, then she took her forelimbs and started boxing.

Kyu, e!??!

!!??

But that too only lasted for a moment, before a sound resounded and the world in front of him seemed to waver.

Very quickly, Nobuhiko realized that though the shock was real, the world wavering was nothing more than a hallucination.

Then for some reason, his heart started beating quickly and the sleeping Shinji suddenly woke up and cried loudly.

Fugyaaaaa!!

The other children taking refuge also became scared and began bawling their eyes out, while the countenance of the parents fell.

Apparently, everyone here experienced that same impact.

What was that?

But when Nobuhiko looked around him, he noticed that nothing here seemed to have been hit by anything.

Just what was that? That disgusting feeling that pushed up his chest.

That ghastly impulse and unease that stirred a kind of primal fear from within.

Nobuhiko knew that if not for his son in his arms, he would have surely lost his cool.

That was just how fearful and ghastly that thing was. And he knew it instinctively.

Kyu, kyu, kyua!?

But what really kept his cool was his sense of responsibility as a father. The amaryllis by his feet was more distraught than anyone else.

From that he knew that something mustve happened to Shinichi.

Did something happen to Shinichi?

Kyu Kyuu

Nobuhiko was surprised he could ask that so calmly.

In response, she jolted in surprise and became flustered, but eventually, she gave in and just nodded.

Are you going?

Kyui!?

You dont have to worry about us anymore since well be going to where Rinko is.

That was Nobuhikos way of convincing this girl who still refused to act.

Nobuhiko didnt know what it was, but he knew that something unexpected had occurred. Something grave enough to cause this small but powerful amaryllis to waver.

Please save Shinichi.

Nobuhiko thought it was cowardly of him to say that, but he still said it anyway.

His son may have hated those words, but he still couldnt find it in himself not to say them.

He had no way of knowing what happened just yet.

Perhaps there would never be a time for him to know.

But thats precisely why, regardless how irresponsible those words were, as a dad, Nobuhiko had to say them.

Kyui.

It seems they were able to understand each other, as she made a small nod and ran off as fast as she could.

F-Fugyaaa!!

Ah, there, there! Its okay, Shinji. Well go to your mom, and your big brother will come back very soon.

Nobuhiko said to the crying baby in his arms, though he seemed to be saying it to himself as well.

Then he remembered how he said something similar to a young child 8 years ago, and his expression suddenly turned bitter, and he glared at the sky.

Why!? Why does it always have to be you who suffers from things like this!?