Vol 3 Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 3 - Countdown
Part 1
pipipipi——
It was eight o'clock in the
The thirty-third floor of Kiritou headquarters building, Haya's private room
After et proper sleep Haya opened her s and a tremendous sound hit her
”aau ahh—?”
It was loud enough to make her block her ears
She curled up on the bed for a ot up
However, her movements were 'a little bit faster than a zombie', her aspirations were in pieces at the moment
”ahh—time isneed to wake upeh”
Her posture broke down after she got down froly hit the floor with her head
”I wish sun perished”
She spat out the curse towards the daylight, which becaering and sainst the walls
When she washed her face, combed her unruly hair and ate breakfast, it was already nine o'clock She thought of her appointed into her usual suit
I'll have to deal with failures first thing in the , probably will have to process bits and pieces Since we don't knohat's the cause, there's not much we can do well, it can't be helped
Responding to the blackout that happened last weekend, Kiritou formed a countermeasures team immediately which started to deal with problems that appeared in succession
However, the results were poor Because of that nearly all of the headquarters' staff planned holidays were called off
Haya stood in the front door and took a deep breath
——The moment I step out, I will enter raved deep in her mind
”let's do my best for today”
It was arranged so that Tenryo Taiga would come at two o'clock in the afternoon Until then, she needs to hurry and clean up the work, it was a pretty tight schedule
Speaking of which, was he able to convince his little sister?
The other day, it was unknohether Tenryo Fuyuki will be accoh Haya wanted her to coa to come, they had their circumstances as well She didn't intend to insist on it
That girl, she seems to hate me〜 No way around it
As she was going down the building on the elevator, she touched the terer Iora as supposed to be projected from it——was not there
Eh? She's not there?
She took a peek inside the terirl in there Iora wasn't there last night already, but Haya didn't think she wouldn't be back yet Although Haya wanted to check where she went, she had work to do, so she closed the terminal's
Well, she'll be back sooner or later
Haya convinced herself and headed to the laboratory
Part 2
The same day, ten o'clock
”And there fuh”
A silver haired girl got out from an air-conditioned train and looked at the blue and sunny sky
”finally here”
shi+o let out a s she wasn't accustoate
What she earing at thewith Rui, a thin black business shi+rt and shorts Rather than cute, it was a clothes coordination that could be described as cool
Her stylish outfit coupled with her originally cool appearance attracted the stares of the passers-by, but she didn't notice it as she focused on carrying her luggage Since it was a bag equipped heels, even the considerably weak shi+o could move with it But since it was filled to the point where it was overflowing and heavy, every time she moved with it, she felt a bodily pain shi+o took a breather after going through the ticket gate
”Umm they said they'll pick me up but”
She looked around the entrance gate through which a violent strea for her three friends who should have come to pick her up At the same time she looked at the scenery, in front of her was a brand new city
”it really is nice”
Words full of envy left her mouth
The New City has been developed alongside the Kiritou Group, as the naested it was still new If any extraordinary circumstances were to happen——there was no better city to move to
It isn't supposed to be a refuge but that's how it appears to be
Karasuba wasn't a place for her
She has been treated like a ghost, it would make no difference whether she was there or not In order to leave that place, she came to New City
shi+o didn't know yet whether her choice was correct or not There was both anxiety and hesitation in her mind
”Ahh, there she is Heey, shi+o-chan!”
Although she was senti at an unknown place, her consciousness returned as a brisk voice sounded in thetowards her
if I think about that, no wonder I'll be anxious
She locked away her own hesitation and started pulling her luggage as she walked towards them
Why has shi+o come to New City——to explain the reason for that, we have to trace back in time a little
Putting aside the results, Taiga has overcome the midterms safely yesterday, which was the first day of the three-day weekend After that, the four of them went to subdue a powerful virus 《Croainst it A small uproar happened after that, it happened as they were sitting in the reserved seats in one of the establishments in central city
”””You want to live alone?!”””
Their surprised voices overlapped
”I-is it that weird?”
shi+o as drinking a bright red juice panicked seeing the reaction of the three
Although for her it seemed like a small party and she wanted to chat a bit, what she told them out of the blue left them speechless Of course, it was a natural reaction
”did Karasuba tell you to leave?”
”That's not it, I decided it for myself I want to leave the house and live elsewhere From now on, I want to look for a neay to live my life”
A these words which were truth, there was also a lie
She didn't have the deterh the status quo Let aside a clear goal, she didn't even have any plans for the future
Even so, she had to act——because she thought like that, she decided to do it despite hesitating
”is that so”
Fuyuki stared at shi+o's eyes to check whether what's inside matches her words
Certainly, for her to live with her fareed on her leaving the house However, living alone was another thing
Karasuba shi+o was an Ojou-sa froirl'
If she's left alone, she'll get exploited by someone
I need to do so with sense of responsibility
”If you haven't decided where you want to live, I recommend New City”
”That's what I intended to do at the beginning, since everyone lives there But I couldn't find a vacant room”
”Ah, that's possible Since it's a cutting edge and advanced city, there's a lot of people looking for places to stay”
The aparts purchased on the top floor was vacant because of a coincidence
Were it to suddenly turn unavailable, they too would have a hard ti a room for them The students flock to the Kiritou dormitories because of similar circumstances
”Let me ask first, do you have money? It takes a lot to live alone”
”I have plenty I wasn't always a shut-in”
”No, that's not so your chest proudly”
”By the way, how much do you have?”
”Umm, this much?”
shi+o displayed the data on her savings in aFuyuki looked at the lump of numbers for a few seconds——
”it seems like we'll have shi+-chan treat us a lot”
”Why?!”
As if she saw so absurd, her pupils displayed shock
Since she wasn't convinced, Fuyuki started tickling shi+o's whole body Rui as next to Taiga whispered in secret
”How much do you think it was?”
”I can't even iine”
Since Fuyuki who has been earning money as she worked for Karasuba had such a reaction, it must have been a considerable ah it sounds bad) shi+o who has always been a shut-in It was clear how absurd a difference between the worlds they were born into was
Finally Fuyuki stopped tickling shi+o and returned to the two
”I-I thought I'd die fro”
”You reap what you sow”
A somewhat refreshed Fuyuki put a hand on her hip and said
”for the ti it seems like it's unreasonable to worry about financial issues But shi+-chan is naive to think she canalone”
”Naive I don't want to be told that by Hime-chan”
Although what shi+o said was correct, but there was also some truth in what Fuyuki said Rui followed up with a question
”Cleaning, laundry, cooking You have to do it all alone right? Can you do that?”
”I investigated it but I'm anxious”
”Then, let's put it to a test”
”Test?”
”Yes Whether you're capable of living alone or not, ill perfor But if it fails shi+-chan will have to give up on living alone until you're capable enough”
The fourthey did was to carry out shi+o's check-in
They orried whether they could find accommodations for her, but since it was a three-day weekend they were able to rent a room in a business hotel without any problems
In fact, Fuyuki and Taiga said ”You can stay in our place for a few days” inviting her, but she refused Instead, shi+o said ”I want to stay in a hotel”
After that, the three of them took shi+o to many places in the New City Ti the sun reached its apex
”Now then, feel free to go in”
”Y-yup Sorry to intrude”
Somewhat tense, shi+o took off her shoes and entered the apart in Rui followed her while holding ingredients she took from 《Paradise》
”So Onii-san and Hi in here”
Fuyuki and Rui put the ingredients in the refrigerator while Taiga prepared coffee shi+o looked around inside She's never been outside of the Karasuba's pre new
Then, she opened one of the rooms curiously and peeked inside
That's a huge bed the bedroom? But why are there two pillows c-can it be that they sleep together?!
She iined the scene, and her cheeks started to feel hot
shi+o hurried back to the living roo coffee and he shook his head seeing her flushed face
”Did so happen?”
”Ah, no! It's nothing!”
In order to deceive him, she immediately sipped froar nor milk inside, her face distorted from bitterness
”What are you doing Come on, drink this”
”Thank you”
He passed her the café au lait he made for Fuyuki, she started to sip it After Fuyuki and Rui came over, the four of them took a break
Then, Taiga realized shi+o's state eird, she seemed uncomfortable
Although at first glance it seemed as if she was relaxed as she sat on the sofa, occasionally sheThat movement ard too
Rui also seea in secret
”does her leg hurt? Isn't it better if Rui-san made lunch?”
”Indeed Can you do that?”
”Leave it to me Fuyuki, I'll prepare lunch, can you help me?”
”Eh? We should be testing shi+-chan today——”
”Leave that for next tio”
While saying that, Rui took Fuyuki's hand and pulled her to the kitchen Taiga waited for the two to leave and asked quietly
”shi+o You, did you train today?”
”Uu”
As he pointed it out, she looked away
She was too fatigued fro around for two hours Sheto New City When he looked closely, he realized her upper ar, it was probably muscle pain
”I told you in the beginning The purpose of it isn't to hurt the body, what's i every day and increase the pace every day First of all you need to increase your stamina”
”I' with Onii-san in the real world, I wanted to show you the results of ”
She lowered her head slightly and looked up at him from below, her face was pale
It was unconscious but that gesture stirred the desire to protect in hih and knelt in front of her
”shi+o, extend your leg I'll give you a light e”
”E-ehh?!”
”It'll be painful for you to walk like this It should be better if your muscles relax”
He knew too well the discomforts of muscle pain They couldn't be avoided when one trained their body and it could be painful for those not used to it
shi+o's line of sight andering around, itto Taiga
”I'll take off your socks”
”yes”
He gently took them off
Her snohite bare foot was revealed, Taiga wrapped it with both of his hands and pressured it with his fingertips
”Nnouch”
A strange feeling ran through her every tiers pressed her feet, and she let out a quiet moan
”It ht be a little bit painful at first, but bear with it It'll feel good soon enough”
”F-feel good”
She knew very well she ined 'that' kind of act, she hung her head embarrassedly
Taiga ignored what she said and continued to carefully rub the soles of her feet
shi+o's feet are really beautiful
Her skin was silky and smooth
She ht it was iers sank in with a light touch, he felt like wanting to touch it forever
Naturally, with this e his body started to heat up
”Fua a, kh”
The pain has been gradually fading, and comfort replaced it
Warmth spread around her body and the tiredness left her body as if she was soaking in a bathtub, she couldn't focus no longer and started daydrea
Ah this posture
She looked in front of her, Taiga was kneeling in front of her and he held her foot in his hands
Soile
As she thought that, a feeling went down her spine
Heat ca roughened But the heat didn't subside
Hi with Onii-san on that bed they
And a sight of the two, one overlapping the other was vividly portrayed in her mind
——And the fact that a person ould do that kind of thing was servicing her as if she was very brittle, made her irresistibly thrilled
Fuyuki and Rui ere in the kitchen couldn't see their figures But what if they were to cory
With such a racy situation, and because she was doing it in secret from her best friend, she heated up further
”Ahhn♪”
She couldn't believe such a bewitching voice came out from her own mouth
”please, further up”
”Got it”
According to what shi+o said, Taiga slid his fingers towards above her ankles He carefully rubbed her delicate legs which seemed like they would break with too much force
”Nnfue”
Unconsciously, shi+o put the index finger of her light hand into her mouth
She ruue around the finger to dissipate the heat
In the middle of that conduct, 'what to do if Onii-san notices it', her ht; were he to raise his head just a little bit, he would notice that she lost her cool and was unable to think properly
My head's allweird
She couldn't cal she had for the first time
I don't care what happens next——just when she thought that, Taiga er from her mouth
”W-what is it?”
”Hh I'd switch”
”Aa, i-is that so that's good”
”What's good?”
Suddenly a voice caoing to jump out of her chest
As she turned around in a hurry, she saw Fuyuki carry plates of sandwiches who gave the look
”what are you doing, you two”
”It seeht ,”
”Uehh?! I-it's fine already!”
”No, there's no point unless I s——”
”It doesn't hurt any more! Thank you very much!”
As expected, she didn't have courage to continue this in front of Fuyuki, shi+o put on her socks and hurried to the washrooa looked at her back and tilted their neck with puzzled expressions at the same time
”Haa haaa”
shi+o entered the washroo breaths
Her shaed as if it wanted to crack her ribs, and the face that was reflected in the mirror was red like an apple
”W-why have I such a thing”
The more she tried to reh she washed her face with cold water, the feeling of her braindidn't disappear
——What was I thinking back then?
She wanted to snatch away her best friend's dear person She got incredibly excited by such a perverted fantasy Just by thinking about snatching away so, she couldn't suppress herself——just by i hard
”Will he give e”
shi+o licked her finger and her face reddened further, she splashed it with cold water again after that
Part 3
After that, the four ate sandwiches prepared by Rui, and spent an hour while relaxing theht before 2 pm——
”it really is an absurdly big building”
What towered in front of Taiga, was a building that see the multiple skyscrapers of the New City The sye coether with it
——Kiritou Group's headquarters
”They roup, but they're one of the four major corporations This is the least they need, otherwise they'd be a joke Karasuba has several sites of this size”
Fuyuki as right next to hi froru with the girl they were supposed to meet
”I didn't think you would co Don't you hate Haya?”
”I hate her But I don't want you and that woether”
She said that she will go together with hi lunch
Although he half-given up after inviting her and getting refused e of mind
”Since Little Sister has coo back Both Rucchan and shi+-chan are waiting”
As she said so, she sounded a small bell that was attached to the tip of her sleeve She changed before leaving home, the clothes she ere co
The refreshi+ng sound came from the parka with black and red plaids The bells were attached around the wrists on the long sleeves, the hood had a cat ears decoration attached Froh knee-socks peeked the area called 'absolute territory'
Overall, the coordination made her seem like a cat
”It's the first time I see these clothes”
”This outfit has been chosen by Rucchan, does it suit me?”
Fuyuki ure was lovely and irresistible, so Taiga dodged the issue and averted his eyes
”I-is it okay to wear that now? You should have left it for a more important occasion”
”No, it's fine to use them now These are battle clothes after all”
As she stared at hile step That's when aout It was time
”let's go”
”Yes Let's quickly finish this up”
The two entered the huge building's first floor, and arrived at the entrance hall
”——Too slow You're late, Taiga”
A scolding voice came from the side They checked the time on reflex, it was only about thirty seconds late from the promised time
”can't you overlook a one minute error?”
”Nope Don't you know the phrase 'tiuy like you who makes me hen I'm damn busy like this needs to be punished”
Haya earing a suit that as usual, didn't fit her She got up fro momentum
There was no one else other than the three of thee entrance hall, besides them there were only service drones Haya's tone was that of her real self He wanted to protest against that unreasonable decision of hers, but before he could do that Fuyuki went in front
”That's quite a bossy attitude from you to someone whoht just do an U-turn and go back”
”Oh, you really came Certainly I asked for you to co is an obvious thing to do?”
”Grrr that wicked backchat of yours is getting on my nerves”
Easily defeated, Fuyuki glared at Haya with chagrin on her face However Haya conored it and walked calmly towards the two
”Since there's no ti in detail in my room, come”
Fuyuki and Taiga followed right behind her; rather than towards the high-speed elevator that was in the centre of the hall, they got on the cargo elevator that was on the hall's edge, behind the eency evacuation doors
”Why not use that elevator?”
”That's because you two are outsiders for the ti In order not to make it troublesoht by security Or nored that?”
”no, I'm thankful”
Fuyuki obediently showed her gratitude
As someone who escaped from another of the four major companies 'Karasuba'e That was also one of reasons she was reluctant to come to Kiritou headquarters
After the elevator rode up to the thirty-third floor, they proceeded down the empty hallway The entrance hall was the sans of life
”What about other employees?”
”They all log in to the headquarters' structure from their own laboratories Nor in the real world, but currently they're too busy to do that because of the defects all over”
”This doesn't seem like the healthiest place to work in”
”All cyber-related companies seem similar Karasuba's staff also work inside the structure”
They arrived in her roo
Haya opened the lock with her terly tired Taiga and Fuyuki looked around the room curiously
”letout a lady's room is rude”
”No, I know that but I didn't think there would be a private roo”
”I feel the saerator by the bed, table, kitchen and tableware there's even a uniform here”
”Well, that's because I live here”
She replied to Taiga's and Fuyuki's question as if it was troublesome
”The last tio?”
”Seven years, weren't you an elementary-schooler back then?”
”Even if I went back, I would be alone; there's no difference”
The roo that so time
It was e apartment and at the thirty-third floor the vieas first class If one were to overlook the fact there's no partition between the kitchen and living room, one could live comfortably in it
”What do you do about meals?”
”I cook forevery day is a hassle hey, it has nothing to do with this”
bas She didn't call them here to chat
”I'll tell you what you are going to do Especially Fuyuki-san ill be acting alone, make sure you listen”
”Little Sister will be alone?”
”I want you to examine the main server miss I don't knohether you're aware of it or not, but it's i normal means”
”I know thatin to its coordinates directly”
The server round and couldn't be accessed physically, it couldn't be accessed from Elysion either That's why, in order to access it, one had to release two layers of security
There was a small scale structure that acted as a barrier for the main server It could be released only from the Kiritou headquarters' structure
And the second, was phasing into the server itself
The small-scale structure that acted as its operation panel wasn't connected to the headquarters and couldn't be accessed normally Even in Kiritou the amount of people who knew its coordinates was li its coordinates as a default location in the Arclight
With these two security methods, the main server has been completely shut out from the outside
”I know the coordinates of the server The problem is the electronic barrier, there is no choice but to release it directly from the security room
”Can't you do it sohter?”
”It's not that easy That's why I will sneak in and unlock it”
””ha?””
Hearing these disturbing words that suddenly appeared, the siblings' voices responded in sync
”what's with your expressions You didn't think there was a legitimate way to allow outsiders to access the server, did you?”
”No, I thought you would do soes rather, isn't that a crime?”
”That's if we get caught There's no proble as we don't”
The siblings were a her head, made a dark smile and cursed
”Just how much do you think I was inconvenienced by these defects I could only sleep for thirty minutes yesterday and had to listen to that shi+tty old man's orders I'm at my limit”
It see simplified as ue
In other words 'as long as she can solve it, she won't stop at anything'
”well, if I were to go back after co this far it would be a waste of tie was spread to 《Aries》 any more than it already has I'll do it”
”Is it fine?”
”So a crime never bothered me in the first place”