At the same time, on the top floor of the building across from the police station.
After hanging up the phone, Ryuto stared at the impenetrable guard net formed by helicopters and numerous police officers in the distance, lost in thought.
The main task now was to first determine the location of the other bomb. Without that information, there was no way to proceed. With that in mind, they had to infiltrate the police station's vault to neutralize the first bomb before escaping. Looking at the formation on the opposite side, they must have been fully prepared. Although Ryuto didn't know if their arrangement of personnel was meant to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation, even if he wanted to do so, it was not possible. After all, the game rules stated that the masks could not be removed without permission.
Regardless of whether the other side did it intentionally or unintentionally, the situation was quite difficult for Ryuto. Setting aside the huge difference in numbers between the two sides, the most important thing was that, no matter what they did, there were only a few people on their side who could take action...
At that moment, Ryuto's train of thought was interrupted by a sudden voice.
"Ryuto-sama, is something bothering you?" Hiyori approached Ryuto.
"Huh? Nothing, really." Ryuto replied in a somewhat hurried manner, trying to conceal something.
Upon hearing this, Hiyori tilted her head as she pondered. "Hmm... Although I'm not sure, but I feel like Ryuto-sama is hesitating about something."
...
This person's intuition is really accurate. She isn't usually this sharp.
"Well, Ryuto-sama, do you have any plans?" Hiyori asked.
"...Well, I haven't completely figured it out yet."
"Is that so? Since I'm not good at this kind of thing, if there's anything I can do, feel free to tell me."
...
Ryuto remained silent, not because he was pondering, but because he was hesitant about whether or not to say it.
"Hiyori, don't you have any grievances?" He finally spoke up.
"Grievances?" Hiyori tilted her head again, starting to think.
"Well... I don't have any grievances, really."
"No, that's not what I meant."
"Hmm?"
"The reason this whole thing started is because of me. At least from my perspective, Hiyori, you didn't have to do any of this. It's too disadvantageous for you to face so many people alone, and it's not even considered part of your guarding duties."
"Because my job is only to protect Ryuto-sama. Technically, it wouldn't matter even if I didn't do anything."
"But..."
To have someone take risks for himself while he could only hide on the side was something Ryuto couldn't tolerate.
In response, Hiyori calmly replied, "But if Ryuto-sama wants to do it that way, then as someone who guards Ryuto-sama, it's my duty to support you without hesitation."
"But even so..."
"I don't know exactly what Ryuto-sama is thinking, but I don't believe that I'm putting myself in danger. Maybe it will be dangerous indeed, but I trust that Ryuto-sama will find a solution."
"Hiyori, perhaps you don't understand. There is no foolproof method in this world, no matter where you look. Every method comes with some level of risk, no matter how small it may be. It's impossible to completely avoid it, and once an accident occurs, it's irreparable."
Upon hearing this, Hiyori seemed to comprehend something.
"So, Ryuto-sama did what he did this afternoon because he was worried about my safety."
"If you know that..."
"In that case, I can't give up even more." Hiyori's response puzzled Ryuto. Even though she already knew the reason, her answer remained unchanged – in fact, it became more resolute.
"If this game fails, Ryuto-sama will surely be heartbroken. It's because hurting others due to one's own mistakes is something Ryuto-sama cannot bear. After all... Ryuto-sama is gentle to everyone."
With that, Hiyori revealed a knowing smile."But as I said just now, there is no foolproof method in this world, and what humans can do is quite limited. In the face of overwhelming reality, humans are powerless."
"Perhaps Ryuto-sama is right."
"Then..."
"But what I believe in is not a method, but Ryuto-sama. He can turn the impossible into possible, although I'm not very clear about it, I believe in Ryuto-sama. At least that's what I believe."
"..."
Even though there is no evidence, she can still say something like this. Should I say it's ignorance or... perhaps, that's her charm, Ryuto couldn't help but think.
After that, Hiyori, full of enthusiasm, patted her chest and made a request to Ryuto.
"Alright, Ryuto-sama, give me orders. Let's end this game together."
In the end, am I just worrying unnecessarily? It really is...
"Well, time is running out."
There's no need to hesitate, Ryuto thought as he looked at the time. It was exactly 9:00, time to begin.
A smile appeared on Ryuto's face as he gazed at the police station filled with police officers in the distance.
Hmph, since it's like this, I can't afford to fail. Even if there's no foolproof method, I will definitely make it succeed, because there is no reason for me to fail in any corner of this world, even if it is the law of this world, I will distort it.
At the same time, in the monitoring room on the other side, the male police officer quickly arranged everything according to the girl's instructions and reported to her.
"Miss Katsuragi, everything is ready, just waiting for the other party."
"Is that so?"
The girl only gave a plain reply and kept her eyes fixed on the screens in front of her.
One side is a terrorist who threatens world peace, and the other side is the police who maintain world peace. But in reality, the two core figures, one is not acting to destroy world peace and the other is not acting to maintain world peace. Their actions and motives do not align, their reasons and language differ, seemingly similar but fundamentally opposite.
Whether it's by chance or necessity, these two strangers with different intentions are about to start this fierce battle of offense and defense on this dark night.
