Gazing blankly at the azure sky, I knew my exposure was inevitable. Time to settle things with this organization. I’d chosen to forget, but they wouldn’t let go. Fine—I’ll play your game.
I’d decided to leave quietly, so I couldn’t tell Nana. Instead, I thought of Yueyue Shenlian—the young woman who’d recruited me into the resistance and loved being called "Sister."
I knocked gently on the principal’s office door. A lazy voice called, "Come in." Yueyue Shenlian wore a white shirt, her black jacket draped over the chair behind her. "Little Brother Cold Creek, what brings you here? You must need something."
She was right; I never visited without reason. "K has targeted me. I’m leaving." Her playful expression vanished. After a long silence, she asked, "When?" "As soon as possible." I wasn’t joking.
"I see." She propped her head on one hand. "No goodbyes to the kids?" I shook my head. "Better not. Maybe I’ll return after settling things."
"So why come to me?" Her ruby eyes locked onto mine. I stated my purpose: "I need a new identity for my actions here. If you can’t manage it, it’s fine." She chuckled. "Rare to see you so serious. I have fake ID contacts. But are you sure about leaving like this?"
Her words stirred reluctance, but I had no choice. "I won’t go far. After resolving things here, I’ll return home."
"Alright then. Pick up the documents in three days." She sighed. I bowed deeply. "Thank you, Sister." This "Sister" was my first sincere acknowledgment. She paused, then smiled. "Okay, okay. But stay in touch." "I will." Maybe.
Sitting at my desk, I twirled a mechanical pencil, watching clouds drift. Though only months here, it was the happiest time since gaining my powers.
"Cold Creek." Nana interrupted my thoughts. I snapped back. "What is it?" She held out two bento boxes. "I learned cooking from Miss Minako, the Linjian Household maid. Want to try?" Her smile was adorable. I nodded.
"How is it?" She watched me eagerly. "It’s sweet." My heart ached. She frowned at her bento. "Weird—I didn’t add sugar. Sorry, I know you hate sweets." "It’s fine. I meant my heart feels sweet." I gave my usual smile, though forced.
Walking home with Nana, we stayed silent. She was shy—the first girl I’d met here, the most unassuming.
"Not going to the library today?" She glanced at me. "Not for a few days. I want to spend more time with you." She misunderstood, as usual. Her face flushed tomato-red. "O-oh, thanks." I should’ve thanked her.
Though Nana sensed my change, I didn’t tell her I was leaving. The three days flew by.
"One last time: no goodbyes?" Yueyue Shenlian handed me the items. I replied calmly, "No." I stepped out. I’d leave tonight.
I took only game coins as weapons and Shenlian’s bank card. I left everything else—even the "Time Codex" dictionary. After a short note, I jumped from the window, using Time Acceleration to avoid alerting the Linjian Household.
Though gone, I hid nearby for one last look. At dawn, Nana entered my room—waking me was her habit. I had to leave; seeing her sadness would break me. But trust me—I’ll return.
With Shenlian’s fake ID, I could move freely here. I’d rent a place.
After a two-hour train ride to this remote spot, they shouldn’t find me. It was quiet, away from city noise—a good choice.
The rental ad pointed here, but I was lost. "If you fools don’t leave, I’ll summon the Black Dragon’s flames to incinerate you!" Such a cringey line made me wince.
Passing rows of houses, I turned onto a narrow path cluttered with junk and bundled newspapers. Delinquents surrounded a girl. From my angle, I saw only her pink top and green skirt. Blocked by bodies, her face was hidden—but she was in trouble.
This was my third encounter like this. Trouble followed me. Unlike most girls, the green-skirted one seemed unafraid—scratch that, she trembled. "D-don’t come closer! I’m the Dragon King’s daughter! Cross me, and you’ll regret it!"
The men burst into mocking laughter. "Ooh, I’m so scared." Pure mockery. So chuunibyou was real.
She made a weird gesture. "Then I’ll summon the Black Dragon to destroy you!" A tall guy grabbed her arm. "This isn’t over. You ruined my clothes—you’ll pay."
If I watched longer, she’d face worse. "Sorry to interrupt—how to Pine Residence? I’m lost." I feigned innocence and stepped in.
Tears in her eyes, she stared at me. "Black Dragon, you came to save me?" I wore all black, but don’t saddle me with that cringey name. The leader, nearly two meters tall, glared down. "Kid, know her?" I smiled brightly. "Nope. Just need a guide to Pine Residence." She caught on. "I know the way!"
Smarter than she looked. "Sorry, can I borrow her? I’ll return her." "Don’t treat me like an object!" She glared, annoyed.
I grabbed her hand—partly to see their reaction. They’d never let us go. Force was the only solution.
"Do you think I’m an idiot?" He gripped my shoulder. "She ruined my clothes! Pay 100,000 yen, or you’re not leaving."
I patted my pockets, pulling out game coins. "Sorry, this is all I have." His friends surrounded us. The bold girl now clung to my sleeve.
"You’re messing with me! Get him!" He barked orders—then flew ten meters back. I’d accelerated not just coins, but the air itself, pushing him gently. No serious harm.
"Can we go now?" Ignoring their stunned faces, I walked away with her.
