Nekoneko is dead.
No matter how much I call out, they won’t come back.
That time is over, and it’s time for you to face your life.
Oh, it’s been a while.
“This is the special clue about the Evil God that I found!”
Maki stands confidently before me, chest puffed out proudly.
When I really look at her, she’s grown more since back then… No, that can wait.
What’s more important right now is the “clue” that Maki brought.
“This? Is this really a clue to the Evil God?”
“Mmmph. Why don’t you ever believe me, Soma? I’ve been telling you it is.”
Maki pouts, but I can’t just believe it that easily.
Because what Maki brought as a “clue” is…
“Because no matter how you look at it, it’s just, just… Sahzan!”
“Stop treating me like an object!”
It was the masked Magician who Maki grabbed by the scruff of his neck and dragged before me.
At first, I thought Maki brought Sahzan to me because I had asked her, “Please find Sahzan.” But it seems that wasn’t the case.
Maki suspected Sahzan knew a clue about the Evil God, so she kidnapped Sahzan, who was buried in a sea of books, and brought them here.
But how did Maki know Sahzan had information about the Evil God?
The answer, it seems, was in the final episode of the Evil God War Video Record, which only Maki saw.
“The name Sahzan. It’s a title given by the Hero Alex to the guardian of the south, meaning the one who protects the seal of the southern Evil God. It’s the proof of the leader of the sealing clan!”
Maki explained this to me with a proud look on her face.
I’m happy that Maki, who was feeling down, has perked up, but honestly, it’s a bit annoying.
I never thought that the “sealing clan” I casually mentioned to deflect Ena’s questioning would actually exist.
It’s a perfect example of something that started as a lie becoming a reality.
However, if Sahzan is part of the sealing clan, meaning someone related to the sealing of the Evil God, then several things make sense.
For example, Sahzan described the Cathedral, where the Fragment of the Evil God was sealed underground, as “having a similar atmosphere to my home.” They also knew the magic circle that gathered magic there well.
Sahzan didn’t seem to realize it, but perhaps it’s because the Cathedral and its magic circle were made to seal Fragments of the Evil God, just like Sahzan’s home, making them familiar.
Furthermore, the fact that Sahzan’s ancestor was a hero of the Evil God War, that Sahzan greatly admired them, and that Sahzan’s travel objective was to “defeat the Fragment of the Evil God” all make sense if we consider Sahzan to be part of the sealing clan.
Or, perhaps the reason for the mask, which is their trademark, and the bare face seen beneath it, might also be related.
However, I can’t just decide based on fitting together.
No, given Sahzan’s obsession with the Evil God, I’m sure there’s some connection to the Evil God, but first, I should ask Sahzan directly.
“Sahzan. Are you really part of the sealing clan?”
“Th-that is…”
When I asked, Sahzan’s gaze wavered as if unsure.
“Hm? Ah, I see.”
When Sahzan’s gaze shifted to Maki, the cousin girl, playing catch-up with me, seemed to understand and nodded.
“Ah, I forgot! I wanted to read a book!”
Maki said in a monotone voice and walked out of the room.
“Ah, hey, wait…”
I tried to stop her, but Maki glanced at me and said with a smug look,
“After all, it’s better if it’s just you, Soma, for the conversation… Right, Sahzan-chan?”
For some reason, Maki put a strong emphasis on “chan” and gave Sahzan a meaningful smile.
I wondered if Maki also suspected Sahzan’s secret, but before I could pursue it, Maki left the room.
“Uh, um…”
Somehow, my gaze shifted to the other person remaining in the room, the owner of this room, Serie.
“Don’t worry. I’m a librarian who understands the atmosphere.”
Serie said this, making her glasses glint, then stood up and walked in the opposite direction of the room’s exit,
“Then I will conduct book censorship here, so please have your private conversation to your heart’s content.”
Serie sat down in a corner and started reading a pile of books.
“Eh, ehhh…”
I mean, I didn’t want Serie to leave, but what was this?
Despite her self-proclaimed understanding, she was completely oblivious to the atmosphere.
“What’s wrong? You look like you want to say, ‘This woman can read books but can’t read the air.'”
“N-no, that’s not…”
It seems this person can read books and people’s hearts, even if she can’t read the atmosphere.
“This library is open to everyone regardless of age, race, or status. It is my important duty to select which books should be shelved and which should not.”
“Oh.”
As someone who seems to love books unconditionally, I thought she might say something like, “It’s up to the reader whether or not to read any book,” but it seems there are various considerations.
Well, in a world with grimoires, dangerous books might be dangerous on a physical level.
“Even books that seem harmless at first glance can be harmful to ordinary people if read in detail, and even seemingly harmful books can contain profound wisdom. It is the duty of us librarians to discern this.”
“I see.”
I don’t think the Nekoneko staff would have made such detailed rules.
The responsibility on the librarian seems surprisingly significant.
In fact, the book Serie held had a large number of sticky notes attached to it.
This likely represents her uncompromising attitude towards her work for each book.
“So, you’re thinking about whether to put this book in the library after reading it?”
I wonder what kind of books she selects.
Intrigued, I peeked at the book Serie was intently reading.
“Ah!”
Serie screamed.
But it was me who wanted to scream.
“……Huh?”
A large expanse of skin filled my vision.
The book Serie was reading was, frankly, an erotic book.
“Ah, um, well…”
An awkward silence.
Serie adjusted her glasses several times and said with a slightly trembling voice,
“Hmm. I read it just in case, to make sure there were no oversights, but it seems this book is too stimulating to be placed on the open shelves.”
While saying this, she put the book she was holding into a box labeled “Archive.”
No, you could tell at a glance that it couldn’t be placed on the shelves.
“A-anyway!”
Serie said, as if sweeping away the conversation that had gone in a strange direction.
“Once I focus on a book, I don’t notice anything around me, so please enjoy your private conversation with peace of mind.”
“No, no matter what happens…”
As I hesitated, Serie said decisively,
“My father testified that when I’m reading, I wouldn’t notice even if there’s an earthquake, thunder, a fire, or even my dad showing up.”
“That testimony is convincing coming from you! No, wait…”
“If you’re worried, you can try. I’m confident I won’t notice even if you call me, shake me, or even kiss me.”
I thought it was a strange boast, but I felt that for this bookworm, it wouldn’t be strange for something like that to happen.
“Since I took this job, my love for books and my concentration have only grown stronger. At this rate, I could probably read with my eyes covered without any problems.”
“No, you should notice that!”
If my eyes were covered, I definitely wouldn’t be able to read the book, let alone notice.
“No, I’d use my mind’s eye.”
“Is that what mind’s eye is?”
After making a brief retort, I shook my head with a sigh.
While she seemed like a normal person, this one was also quite eccentric.
“So, please, go ahead. I’ll say it again, if you’re worried, you can try. It’s perfectly fine.”
Thinking that the conversation was over, Serie cut off the discussion.
“Ah, wait, Serie?”
Even when I called out to her, she didn’t respond. “It’s strangely dry today,” she said, taking out lip balm, quickly applying it to her lips, and then closing her now glossy lips with a “nn, nn” sound. She then started reading her book, making a face as if she had pouted her lips slightly.
What was I supposed to do?
I looked at Sahzan for help, but the masked Magician just shrugged.
…Useless.
“Serie? Can you hear me?”
I had no choice but to test if Serie was really concentrating on her book, as she had said.
For now, there was no reaction just by calling out to her.
“Serie, you can really hear me, can’t you?”
I gently shook her shoulder, but there was no reaction to this extent.
At this point, there’s no helping it.
I resigned myself, took a deep breath, and said it in the most annoying way possible.
“Hah! Glasses! Your glasses are black-rimmed glasses!”
As expected, there was no reaction.
If it had been the real Serie, she would have immediately said,
“My glasses are not black-rimmed, they are grey!” with a sharp look on her face.
She might really be concentrating and unable to hear.
Although I was already half-convinced, as a final confirmation, I moved my mouth as close to Serie’s ear as possible and whispered,
“Serie, I love you.”
Serie’s shoulder seemed to twitch for a moment, but there was no further reaction.
It seems she was really concentrating on her book and couldn’t hear anything.
What terrifying concentration.
(This should be fine, then.)
Relieved, I turned towards Sahzan.
Immediately after, I thought I heard a satisfied sigh from behind me, and turned back, but there was only Serie, reading her book in a proper posture.
It must have been my imagination.
“…So, are you satisfied now?”
At that moment, Sahzan, who was somehow displeased, spoke to me.
Perhaps they were angry from being left alone for so long.
“Yeah. Sorry about that. As you can see, it seems safe to talk.”
“…You’re truly…”
“Hm?”
For a moment, Sahzan let out a voice of exasperation, but quickly erased the expression from their voice and began to speak in a manufactured low voice.
“It doesn’t matter whether that woman is listening or not… Because I have this bracelet.”
Saying this, Sahzan extended their right hand.
There was a bracelet I recognized.
I think its name was…
“…’Soul Ring Bracelet.’ This is a sacred treasure passed down in my clan that can seal the wearer’s heart, will, and memories.”
“Seal the wearer’s memories?”
“That’s right.”
Sahzan nodded gravely, and I thought.
I hadn’t been given such a detailed explanation when we talked before.
But if that bracelet can indeed seal memories, then perhaps…
“The current owner of this bracelet is me. It stores my memories and recollections. So, if I wish, I can show you, through this bracelet, my memories from when I inherited it, or even before.”
As I suspected…
Sahzan, who had voiced the opposite of my imagination, hesitated slightly as they pulled the bracelet off their wrist.
“If you wish, I can show it to you.
Those memories contain information about the Evil God you want to know.”
Sahzan spoke in a dispassionate tone that didn’t quite match.
However, their voice trembled slightly with tension.
“…Please. I have to defeat the Fragment of the Evil God, no, the Evil God.”
So, I responded with a seriousness I would never normally show to Sahzan.
“Understood. Stick out your hand.”
I’m sure Sahzan felt my sincerity.
With a determined tone, they extended the hand holding the bracelet.
My hand and Sahzan’s hand approached, and the intricately designed bracelet slowly drew closer to my hand, finally touching my fingers—
“N-no, it’s no good!”
“Eh?”
—Just before touching, Sahzan quickly pulled their hand holding the bracelet back.
“No, it’s no good…”
What happened to the determined resolve from just moments ago?
“I-it’s no good, I tell you! Because, I-I’m embarrassed… no, I don’t trust you!”
“Haahh?”
Sahzan rushed forward, unable to keep up with my sudden change of attitude.
“You’ll probably just use my secrets as leverage to do awful things to me!”
“No, what awful things?”
Even if I had leverage, Sahzan is too useless to exploit.
I’ve already obtained the Stardust Flare, and I can’t think of anything they can do.
“Th-that’s because… like what George did.”
“Who is George? Anyway, I swear I wouldn’t do that…”
“L-lies! George also deceived Michelle by saying…”
No, who is George?!
“Saying ‘You’re the only one for me,’ but in the end, it was just for sex!”
“No, what is this becoming?”
Sahzan was completely flustered.
More importantly, why were they so panicked?
“…Sigh.”
I let out a big sigh.
Either way, this wasn’t going anywhere.
If I indulged Sahzan or George any longer, we’d never get anywhere.
“Hey. Does only you have to bring out the memories from that bracelet?”
“Eh? N-no, it doesn’t have to be me, but…”
Sahzan answered, their guard raised, as I abruptly changed the subject.
I pretended not to notice their anxious expression and continued asking questions calmly.
“Then, is there some special way to use it?”
“No, you just have to wish for the owner of the bracelet to see it, and that’s all…”
“I see.”
Wishing for it sounds very fantasy-like and vague, not something that could easily be incorporated into a game system, but this might be proof that Sahzan’s bracelet’s function was not implemented in Nekoneko.
And if that’s the case, the information obtained from it is likely something that could never have been obtained from the game.
“I-I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it’s no use. Even if you call me ‘You’re the prettiest in the world,’ I’m not like Michelle…”
“Hey, Sahzan.”
Interrupting Sahzan’s long monologue, I reached for my Adventurer’s Bag.
Then, I took out an item from the bag.
“——What is this?”
Saying this, I took out another Soul Ring Bracelet, which I had recovered from the world before the rewind.
“…Huh?”
Sahzan’s eyes widened for a moment, but they seemed to quickly understand what it meant.
“N-no—!”
Sahzan lunged to snatch the bracelet back, but it was too late.
By then, I had already activated the bracelet…
—Instantly, a light flashed in my mind.
Memories, feelings, rushed in like a torrent.
Contained within were the past dozen or so years of Sahzan’s, no, of the girl named Mitia’s life.
Her days as a Priestess of Sealing, the pressure.
Her complex feelings towards her father and mother.
Her trust and disappointment in Caius, her Guardian.
The first half of her life, along with a multitude of memories and raw emotions, flooded my mind.
“Ugh, ah!”
I involuntarily groaned.
It felt like I had taken a long journey in the span of a blink.
“You… saw it?”
Sahzan, who had already grabbed onto me, seemed to have keenly sensed the change in me. Staring into my eyes at close range, they murmured in astonishment,
“Ah, yeah.”
My voice, however, trembled with agitation. I was unable to avoid Sahzan’s body, which had come flying at me via the bracelet’s effect, and was in a position as if they were pouncing on me.
Thanks to seeing them briefly unmask themselves in the world before the rewind, I had noticed Sahzan was a girl.
However, seeing it clearly now, I couldn’t believe I had mistaken them for a boy until now.
The body that had pounced on me was light, and the skin peeking out from under the black robe was white.
Even though it was hidden by the mask, I could sense a delicate girl-like quality in their features.
But, regardless of my agitation, she was also in a state of confusion.
“I told you not to look!!”
“Yeah, okay… Sorry.”
Tears even welling up behind the mask, they chided me.
They lightly pounded my chest and, while still in close physical contact, averted their gaze and asked,
“…So, how was it?”
“How was it?”
“I’m asking how you felt after peeking into my memories.”
“That is…”
I had a strong impression.
But should I tell them, or rather, her?
“Just say it.”
The command, however, sounded weaker than usual.
“Can I say it clearly?”
“Just say it. I’m prepared.”
But still, if I didn’t say it, if I kept this lingering doubt, I felt that I— no, we— couldn’t move forward.
So, steeling myself, I faced Sahzan through the mask.
“I saw that you’re a girl, and that you admire Nameless so much you write novels about them, but even so,…”
“…Mm.”
A solemn voice.
Drawing courage from that, I spoke. And then…
“The ultimate magic “divine punishment descends, god slaying divine strike”— you have too many ‘gods’ in that name, don’t you think?”
“Ughyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
The girl’s scream, her original magic from her past writing excavated, echoed through the quiet library.
This is strange.
I was supposed to be writing Sahzan’s chapter, but it’s almost entirely Serie’s chapter.
Next update is tomorrow (…scheduled).
Oh, and I need to make an announcement, so I’ll make one: Volume 5 of Nekoneko is released today.
The day before yesterday, I went to Kinokuniya and saw them openly displayed with bonus items, and I thought, “Oh no!” so it’s definitely correct.
Also, a comic adaptation by Ichizen, the illustrator for the book version, has started on ComicWalker’s web manga.
While I was slacking on announcements, it’s already gone up to episode 5, and it’s free to read.
In fact, the release of the first volume of the comic has already been decided for December 15th.
Um, I think there might be something else, but for details, please check the activity report!
