[Blue Archive] Abydos' Suicidal Hopeful

Unreasonable Request EP.44

I explained everything to Hoshino.



From my body being the result of black suit's work to everything I knew.



Excluding the reason why I tried to die and the fact that this place was a game.



I didn't think it was necessary to explain those things.



And as expected,



"......"



She seemed confused by my words.



Her eyes were trembling like aspen leaves.



'...It can't be helped.'



Suddenly being told I'm an artificial human... Even I would have a hard time believing it.



'Still... it doesn't matter.'



What's important is the unreasonable favor I'm going to ask next.



"Ahh... Hoo..."



I took a deep breath to calm myself and slowly continued speaking.



"As I said earlier, black suit collaborated with Yume to create me..."



"So, I think he knows how to solve this situation."



'Say it. I have to say it.'



"So... what I want to ask is..."



I squeezed my eyes shut and blurted out,



"Can you allow me to go meet the black suit...?"



"......"



My true feelings, finally spoken.



"Sora-chan..."



But her response was,



-Slap!



A weak, but more painful than anything, slap on the cheek.







*





"......"



After that, we left the sea tunnel and after a long while, we managed to see the entire aquarium.



'...The silence is painful...'



Without a single word exchanged.



'That's how shocking my words must have been...'



Honestly, even I think what I said was crazy.



To seek help from the very person who drove me to the brink of death and put me in this state.



It must be something Hoshino, who can't trust bad adults, can't even bear to hear...



But no matter how much I think about it, I can't come up with any other way.



There's no place that knows more about halos... and mystics than Gematria.



The only other possibility is Sensei's adult card,



But no matter how selfish I am, I don't want to live at the cost of Sensei's sacrifice.



Especially since I plan to try to kill myself again once my halo returns.



'...Should I be satisfied with this for today?'



The reason I came this far was to make the request.



So I could say I achieved my initial goal, and I decided to be content with that for now.



"Then, shall we go back?"



I smiled and offered my hand to Hoshino.



Conveying that I didn't mind any answer she gave.



"...."



However,



"S-Sis?"



For some reason, she didn't take my hand and instead hugged me.



'...W-What is this...?'



It was a hug like any other, but because of what happened earlier, it was more frightening than ever.



"...Sora-chan."



But contrary to my worries, Hoshino whispered in a very gentle voice,



"...This old lady doesn't really care what kind of person Sora-chan is, you know?"



"Whether you're an artificial human or whatever, it doesn't change the fact that you're my one and only little sister."



"....Sis."



"...That's why I can't forgive that guy even more..."



She shouted in a trembling voice, as if holding back her anger.



"After Sora-chan went through such a terrible experience."



"And now you're dying... all because of him...!!"



"...."



"Is there really... no other way?"



"....No."



"At least, not that I know of..."



"...Whew... Okay."



Had she made up her mind?



Hoshino spoke as if forcing the words out.





*





"Sorry, Sensei, for involving you in this."



The next day, Hoshino, Sensei, and I arrived at the place where black suit was presumed to be.



Originally, I planned to come alone... or just with Hoshino,



But she wouldn't allow it unless Sensei came too, so I had no choice but to bring him along.



"No, rather, I'm actually grateful you're trusting me?"



"...."



I really am always receiving help from Sensei.



...Come to think of it, didn't he say he was living on bread and milk because he had no money?'



I should probably pack him a lunchbox later to repay the favor.



The aquarium tickets were pretty expensive too.



'...Well, that too.'



Only if things work out.



"But are you sure this is the right place?"



"Yeah. He's not the type to lie."



He answered the call brazenly, so the possibility of it being a lie is close to zero.



"Then, let's go in."



*



"My, my, what an unusual combination."



Inside the building we entered,



Black suit greeted us with his hands on his desk, just like last time.



"...I won't listen to any complaints, black suit."



After all, it's all because of you that things have come to this.



"Hmm...? So, what business do you have here? I believe our deal is over?"



"...It's because of that damn deal."



I said with a scowl.



"Why did you shoot me at the end?"



"The experiment on fear was already over."



"You mean that? The answer is simple."



"That too was part of the experiment."



"...Experiment?"



"Yes, Horus—no, Miss Hoshino—my deal with Sora was:"



"To use Takanashi Sora as the test subject instead of Takanashi Hoshino."



"So, shooting her then was also part of the experiment."



"What I do with my test subject is up to me."



"...This bastard...!!!"



Hoshino, who couldn't hold back any longer, pointed Eye of Horus at black suit.



"Hmm. That reaction is a bit hurtful."



"If I hadn't ended the experiment then, Sora would still be my test subject, wouldn't she?"



"Shut up...!!!"



"...Sis."



Unable to watch any longer, I placed my hand on her gun and stopped her.



"...Sora-chan?"



"I understand how you feel, but calm down."



I understand.



I also want to shoot that guy right now.



But we can't do that.



We came here to make a deal, after all.



"Anyway, the reason we came here is to make a deal."



"A deal? This is quite surprising. I thought there would be no more deals."



'Liar.'



He knew everything from the moment he answered the phone, yet he's good at lying.



"The condition of the deal is to return my halo or tell me how to escape my limited lifespan."



"The price is..."



"Sora-chan! This old lady will..."



"Both of you, wait a moment."



"...Huh?"



Reluctantly, just as I was about to state the price, Sensei stopped me and Hoshino and approached black suit.



"I'll pay the price."



"S-Sensei?!"



We couldn't help but be flustered by his action.



"This is my deal... So..."



'I should handle it...'



"No, this is something I, as your Sensei, should do."



"No student should have to suffer anymore."



But Sensei cut me off and said,



"As for the price, I'll grant Gematria's requests within reasonable limits whenever you desire."



Even pulling out the adult card.



"Kukuku, I cannot refuse this."



Hearing that, black suit accepted the deal with great satisfaction.



"Then, before we proceed with the deal, I have one thing to say..."









"There is no way to return your halo."