Chapter 10.5: It Appeared V

Chapter 10.5: It Appeared V

Shouldiheifail to show up, that would mean

Iimean, what the hell was I thinking sticking my neck out for?

WasiI worried about him? About that guy?

Heididnt strike me as a bad guy but he was only a stranger to me. For me, right it was none of my concern.

Besides, he stepped into the sea of trees voluntarily. No way I would have agreed to such an unreasonable request out of nowhere. Iiwas right to refuse.

Iifelt pity for the young man, however, I had my own life to lead equally. Besides, if I was aware of the danger, I didnt want to be subjected to it.

Onitop of that, the young man accepted the situation.

Yeah, itiwas fine, it was all good. I didnt particularly care.

Iilit upimy third cigarette. Regardless of how much time elapsed, though, my mood didnt improve. On the contrary, I was still feeling hazy. Once I started mulling over it, there was no stopping it.

No, dont think about it, forget about it, I tried to tell myself, but it was no use, I was bothered by it.

Damn!

Iipushed my cigarette into the ashtray and stuck my head to the edge of the window.

Ah, heisaid, but how could he be safe?

Eveniif his body was still alive, he was a human being in the sea of trees, and he was severely wounded. How could he return unscathed without any assistance? Whatever he was trying to do was not clear to me but he was genuinely seeking help from me. That much I could understand.

Andiagainst that, I

Nonetheless, I couldnt deny what I had uttered. Even I was frightened.

Truthibe told, I lacked confidence that I could offer that much help, and lately, I had become somewhat cowardly. That did not imply, though, that I did not feel more than a little sorry for letting the young man simply walk away like that.

HadiI been more relaxed and competent like Takenaka, I might have been able to say, Alright, Ill save you, but the fact that he sought my help was a mistake in the first place. I figured thinking that way would alleviate some of the uneasiness I was feeling butiit didnt. Conversely, a twingeiof guilt began to flare up within my chest.

[I am sorry but dont get me embroiled in anything strange.]

Whatia jerk I was

Evenithough I was calm and composed, I could have said something more witty to the guy who was teetering on the brink of life andideath. I should have doneiso.

Thisiwas no different than what I said to that person at the time The same words I spat at Hyuga when I pushed her away

Shouldihe not turn up at the convenience store tomorrow night, perhaps it would be my fault

BecauseiI didnt save him and abandoned him.

Abandon.

Right, of course I did.

Iitold the guy who came to me for help to disappear and abandoned him. I only wanted to avoid getting myself in a nasty predicament.

Aiperson, I abandoned a person Just like I did with Hyuga.

Sheiasked me to believe in her, and I pushed her away. I abandonediher.

Theisame thing, it was the same turniof events

Theiwords that Hyuga spewed in my dream began to circulate in my mind. Did that young man bear a grudge against me too? For not trying to saveihim.

Aisickening sensation, not nausea, swirled in my chest. I should have given this moreithought.

Myiconfusion was partly to blame, so my judgment wasipoor.

Iishould think about it properly, no matter how perilous it may be, no matter how much I didnt want to go there.

Aipersons life was at stake.

Thatiguy said I was the only one he could count on.

Then, if I didnt lend him a helping hand, he would

It wasiyour total mistake to show up at my doorstep because I was useless.

Eveniso, take me with you, Im going to reopen the door now, this month is that one, you know, the month when things get strange. Enough I give up already.

Sonny!

Theiyoung mans long bangs and sharply angled eyes, which were so moist that they were sickening, peered out after I heaved a heavy sigh.

Whatia benevolent person you are! I-I am infatuated with your generosity and manliness!

Generosity? Manliness? Huh, no, I just gave it all up.

Really, youre going to search for my body together with me?

Heileaned forward gleefully and asked me many times, which infuriated me to the point that I struck him in the face, but he still slipped through.

Eek, soiit passed through you after all, huh.

Havingisomeone who is willing to help me is reassuring! Thanks a lot! Sonny! Ill never forget this favor!

Theiyoung man repeated joyfully.

Perhapsiheihad been feeling hopeless. Was he intentionally concealing it with his foolish smile?

Alright! Ill entrust myilife to you!

Hey, hangion a minute! Thoseiwords were too severe! Dont entrust such a grave thing to me!

But Ill guarantee your safety! I sweariit!

Guarantee? Youicant do anything while youre in the astral projection state.

Well, basically, but Im still useful.

What? Translator: MadHatter

Especially since youre going into the sea of trees, you probably wont make it out without me.

Iiwondered what he was on about but we had no time for idle chitchat. Despite my deep reluctance, I had no choice but to step into the sea of trees to save a life.

Afteria quick change of clothes, I decided to pack what I could carry in my bag. I wrapped two rolls of vinyl strings since no rope was available and packed water, matches, and some canned goods from the cupboard as well.

Aicompass, which I was pretty convinced would screw things up though my house had never been equipped with anything useful in theifirst place.

Iibrought a pair of gloves, insect repellent, and, what else, a pair of shoes for ease of movement?

Its notia field trip activity, you know

Iiwas already conscious of this. ThatiI was throwing myself into a lot of hassle. The more I reflected on it, the more my face scrunched up.

Oh, yeah. Aiflashlight, where was the flashlight?

Withishakyihands, I searched through the closet but couldnt find the all-important flashlight.

Wasnt it in our house? A flashlight.

Byithe way, I havent heard your name yet, but whats your name?

Iiturnediaround and asked the young man who was lying on the futon waiting for me to get ready.

How longiwas I going to call you you?

Theifact that I met you here was a coincidence. Itiwould be fine to at least ask him for his name.

WheniIisaid this, he nodded and got up.

Itiwasiat this point that he introduced himself for the first time. Withihis mouth upturned and a grin on his face, he said

IiamiYagumo Akane. Myijob is exterminating evil spirits.

Takeicare of me from now on. Sonny

Oneitransparent arm was offered before me.

Andiso beganithe worst night of my life.