Chapter: 138. 12-Hour Deadline
“Brother, what’s going on now?”
In the public restroom of the park, there were no one else apart from Tenyu and Nagi.
After pushing Nagi into one of the stalls, Tenyu couldn’t help but lower her voice and ask.
“Well, the reason is just as you heard, Tenyu…” Nagi replied while scratching her cheek with her finger.
“So what do you think, Brother? Does the so-called ‘protagonist’ really exist?”
“…It exists. It must exist.” Nagi silently added to herself.
“But is there really no other way? If this continues, Brother and Senior Tsukimi will be at odds with the Special Circle SEMA and the three major academies… Although if you’re involved, success isn’t impossible…” Tenyu showed a worried expression.
The escape plan she devised imagined a foe on the level of the Ark Academy, but if it escalated to being pursued by the Special Circle SEMA and the three major academies at all costs, even with the aid of the Tenjo family, it wouldn’t protect the two for long.
“It’s all my fault…” Nagi lowered her head and said softly, “Now the Special Circle SEMA plans to use me to better control Kanade-kun, but my identity can’t withstand investigation, so—”
“—I understand.” Tenyu nodded, interrupting Nagi’s despondent words.
“Since it’s your decision, let’s go ahead with it. As your sister, I will do my best to assist you.” Tenyu tilted her head and smiled, “So, you must be happy, okay?”
“Tenyu… Ah, I already feel very happy right now.”
As Nagi spoke, she took a step forward and gently embraced Tenyu’s slender figure.
“Thank you, Tenyu… We just met not long ago, but now I have to ‘leave’ you…”
“We’re siblings, there’s no need to be so polite… This is just a temporary separation, right? Once you settle down, have Garuda-san come to tell me, and I will definitely come to see you then.”
“Yes, definitely… We will meet again.” Starlight flickered in Nagi’s eyes, carrying all her current lies: “Tenyu has unconsciously become such a reliable person… Will you be okay alone once I ‘leave’?”
“Wai-wait, why are you suddenly complimenting me like that… Don’t worry, I’m not a child anymore. I’ll find a way to deal with the Special Circle SEMA and the three major academies, so you don’t need to worry.” Tenyu replied a bit shyly.
“Yes, thank you, my sister.”
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After Nagi changed her clothes and rejoined Kanade.
Koharu’s backup and encryption work had just been completed, and she handed the new phones and identification documents to both Kanade and Nagi.
“Hoshizuki… Subaru?” Kanade softly read the name on his driver’s license.
Next to his name was a processed photo; although it was clearly his face, it seemed different in some details. Kanade was sincerely impressed by how quickly the Tenjo family could process such a photo.
“Eh? Kanade-kun also has the last name Hoshizuki… Ah no, should it be Subaru-kun?” Nagi curiously leaned her cute face closer.
“Little Nagi also has the last name Hoshizuki?” Kanade took the identification from Nagi’s hand. Unlike his driver’s license, Nagi’s was a medical insurance card, clearly showing her new identity’s name, “Hoshizuki Sakura.”
“Eh? Could it be—” Kanade had an inkling of a guess.
But before he had the chance to voice it, Koharu interjected with an explanation: “That’s right, in order to distinguish from your original identities as much as possible, I’ve prepared sibling identities for both of you. You are a pair of college students who just dropped out, traveling around to enjoy nature.”
Koharu introduced the new identities designed for Nagi and Kanade.
“All these documents are real and usable. Every experience you have has a true record, and there are also several bank accounts with funds prepared by the Tenjo family. To prevent the attention and tracking of large amounts, I divided it into 15 different accounts, each holding about 3 to 80 million yen.”
Since the escape plan could be prepared more than a month in advance, the arrangements were very thorough. The two identities could even allow Nagi and Kanade to use them as new real identities, with everything traceable; even educational backgrounds and home addresses were concealed.
“Also, here are some essential items you might need on your journey, along with some cash.” Koharu handed two backpacks to Nagi and Kanade, containing daily necessities and change of clothes, making them look like a pair of college dropout siblings.
“Thank you, I really didn’t expect to trouble you to this extent…” Kanade, standing to the side, looked somewhat dumbfounded.
Logically speaking, this escape plan from the Tenjo family should enable Nagi and Kanade to restart a new life both domestically and internationally.
But unfortunately, their opponents this time were—
“Senior Tsukimi, there’s something I would like to discuss with you privately. Would you mind coming over for a moment?” Tenyu said softly in Kanade’s ear after returning to the group.
Upon hearing this, Kanade showed a curious expression but obediently followed Tenyu to a spot a bit farther from Koharu and Nagi.
Then Tenyu got to the point:
“I just redesigned the model and predicted the results; there isn’t much time left.”
“There isn’t much time left?” Kanade echoed Tenyu’s words.
“Yes, if the situation is as Senior Tsukimi described, then the Special Circle SEMA and the three major academies will definitely stop at nothing to find you…” Tenyu replied while turning her mini-computer screen toward Kanade.
“According to the latest model I designed, only 12 hours are left for Senior Tsukimi and Sister Nagi.”
On the computer screen, a glaring red countdown clock was prominently displayed.
“According to the model prediction, the Special Circle SEMA will anticipate that someone is assisting you in the escape within 3 hours, identify it as the Tenjo family within 8 hours, and after 10 hours, the Tenjo family will be under complete surveillance. In 12 hours, all city surveillance worldwide will fall under the control of the Special Circle SEMA.”
“So, this final 12 hours is the best time for Senior Tsukimi and Sister Nagi to escape,” Tenyu explained while sending the countdown prediction from the model to Kanade and Nagi’s new phones.
“Likewise, assistance from the Tenjo family will cease after 10 hours, and everything left will depend solely on the two of you. I’ve ordered Koharu to delete all data and records regarding this escape plan from the Tenjo family internal systems, to prevent the Special Circle SEMA from using that as a clue to track you down.”
Kanade’s gaze passed over Tenyu, and behind her, Koharu seemed to be frantically operating on her computer.
“I’m sorry, Senior Tsukimi, if our opponent is the Special Circle SEMA, then the assistance from the Tenjo family can only reach this level.”
“No, Tenyu, you don’t need to apologize. Rather, thanks to you, we can gain such valuable 12 hours.”
“…..Senior Tsukimi, please try not to use your abilities; the Special Circle SEMA’s magical power detection devices will quickly be set to the most sensitive level. At that time, even the slightest magical reaction will attract the Special Circle SEMA’s ability users.”
“And, try to choose public transportation that is easy to escape from. If you’re discovered during a flight—then you will face a situation where escaping without using magic will be impossible…”
“Lastly, avoid any major cities; it’s best to hide in a remote mountain village without surveillance.” Tenyu told Kanade and Nagi the cautionary points predicted by the model one by one.
It was precisely Tenyu’s warnings that made Kanade realize the extent of the pursuit they would face.
An organization capable of hiding extraordinary powers in modern society.
In a sense, the Special Circle SEMA and the three major academies represented modern human civilization.
In 12 hours, the conveniences of modern civilization would drift away from them.
“I will be responsible for explaining the situation to Mana-senpai and Yukino-chan.” Tenyu added:
“We, the Tenjo family, will find a way to hide your family from having concerns… This is the last thing I can do.” Tenyu’s expression looked a bit guilty, seemingly unwilling that her full effort could only buy this couple under 12 hours of time.
“Yes, thank you, Tenyu. I really don’t know how to thank you enough…”
“As long as you can protect Sister Nagi, that would be the best reward for me.” After saying this, Tenyu showed a serious and solemn expression.
Then a shadow squirmed beneath Tenyu’s feet, eventually protruding a long-handled object.
“This, this is…” Kanade’s eyes were instantly illuminated by a burst of colorful light.
“This is the last thing I can give you…” Tenyu tightened her grip on the handle of the sword at her feet, instantly feeling a resistance from her palm; no matter how she tried, she couldn’t channel her magical power into it.
The blade remained pitch black.
“If it’s Senior Tsukimi, maybe you can use it… to wield this extraordinary weapon named ‘Life.'”
“‘Life…?’” Kanade murmured; he felt an irresistible allure from the blade before him, enticing him to take it.
Just as Kanade’s fingers touched the handle.
The originally pitch-black blade was instantly covered with a layer of multicolored light at a visible speed, and Kanade felt an explosive surge of magical power within him, sensing an unprecedented strength filling his entire body.
“Looks like only Senior Tsukimi can wield it…” Tenyu silently lamented as she witnessed this scene.
After Nagi had given this weapon to Tenyu, the latter had tried using it for the past two days, but no matter how she attempted, she couldn’t connect her magical power to the blade. However, the moment the blade came into contact with Kanade, it even reversed and channeled magical power into him.
“So amazing, this weapon… Can I really accept such a valuable thing?” Kanade looked a bit taken aback and raised his head, almost at the same time he had the thought of “stop,” and the multicolored blade instantly transformed into a burst of aurora, shrinking into Kanade’s arm.
“Eh!? What, what is this…” Kanade had never heard of such an extraordinary weapon and couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
“Kanade Tsukimi, listen carefully.” Tenyu interrupted Kanade’s astonishment with a solemn tone.
Noticing Tenyu’s serious expression, Kanade straightened his attitude.
“This weapon is entrusted to you. You must protect Sister Nagi well, understand?” Tenyu’s purple-red eyes flickered with cold gleams: “If anything happens to Sister Nagi… I will definitely not spare you! Did you understand?”
In the final moment, Tenyu couldn’t help but reveal her true feelings.
