Hearing Hakuto's voice, Otosaka Shunsuke's body stiffened, and he stopped struggling entirely.
"Who are you?"
"From my voice, you should be able to tell. I'm an ability user, just like you..."
"What happened outside?"
"They're all dead... The researchers and soldiers paid the price for their misjudgment."
Upon hearing the words "they're all dead," Hakuto, though unable to see Otosaka Shunsuke's expression, could clearly sense his shock.
"What is your ability?"
"Super computation..." Hakuto didn't hide anything.
"But that's not important. I'm going to take off your blindfold now. If I sense any sign of you using your ability, I'll crush your head immediately!"
Otosaka Shunsuke nodded. Seeing this, Hakuto also loosened his restraints.
"I haven't seen light in so long..." Otosaka Shunsuke crouched on the ground, his eyes red and teary from the sudden exposure to light.
Then, he looked at Hakuto in front of him, noticing the blood covering his body. Otosaka Shunsuke's face showed a hint of discomfort.
Hakuto didn't mind his reaction. After all, even he found himself disgusting right now.
"Your brother is also looking for you..." Sensing feedback in his mind, Hakuto spoke.
"You mean Otosaka Yuu?"
"Do you have another brother?"
Otosaka Shunsuke shook his head, realizing he had just stated the obvious.
He couldn't help it—after such a long time without speaking to anyone, his language skills had deteriorated...
"Your brother is very powerful..." Hakuto shook his head. "Plunder... It's surprising you managed to hide it from those scientists for so long."
Otosaka Shunsuke wasn't surprised that Hakuto knew about Otosaka Yuu's true ability.
He also had no reason to doubt that Hakuto had killed all the soldiers and researchers in the facility.
First, there was blood covering his body. Second, the fact that he dared to release a memory-jump ability user like him without worry was enough proof of his strength.
"May I know your name?"
"Shiratori Hakuto... But I didn't come here for small talk. I just wanted to see what a memory-jump ability user looks like."
"Besides, I have a favor to ask..." Hakuto sighed.
"Please, go ahead."
"I know you'll definitely use your ability to rewind time. I can't stop you unless I kill you, but I have no intention of doing that."
Otosaka Shunsuke didn't refute Hakuto. Even though Hakuto had just said he'd crush his head if he used his ability, he was still determined.
"I can't accept that my family spent their youth imprisoned in this cage."
"And I can't accept that my family will be forced into a life of running just because of their abilities."
Just as Hakuto said, Otosaka Shunsuke was certain to use his ability to rewind time and search for a solution in the past.
Hakuto had no reason to stop him. Even with his super computation ability, he still needed a safe place.
He could kill all the researchers who came for him, but he couldn't protect the people around him...
"I want to ask you..." Hakuto looked lost, hesitating for a long time before finally stating his request.
"It's currently 2 PM. I've already killed everyone in this facility. Even if those in charge still plan to capture us, they won't be able to act that quickly."
"If possible, could you wait a little before using your ability to rewind time? Not too long—just until midnight tonight."
Upon hearing this, Otosaka Shunsuke nodded.
Hakuto was right.
Even if the higher-ups organized another military capture operation, it wouldn't happen immediately.
Spending just an afternoon was manageable.
Otosaka Shunsuke didn't ask Hakuto for a reason. After all, this was a small favor for the person who had saved him from captivity.
"Alright," Otosaka Shunsuke nodded. "At midnight, I'll rewind time."
"Thank you."
"I'm the one who should be thanking you. Without you, I don't know how much longer I would have been imprisoned here."
Hakuto wore a tired smile. It looked so... tragic.
"Your brother will be here soon. I'll be leaving now."
"Wait... You look exhausted. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Don't worry about me. Even if I die right now, your memory-jump ability can bring me back."
Hearing this, Otosaka Shunsuke said no more. But he found it hard to believe someone could be so indifferent to death.
As if reading his expression, Hakuto explained.
"Sorry, to be honest, I fear death. This state I'm in is probably a side effect of my ability..."
Death is terrifying, after all. There are still important people waiting for me ahead.
"Oh, right..." Just as he was about to leave, Hakuto suddenly turned back.
"Money and power are the two strongest forces in the world. If you want to create a sanctuary for ability users, you can't lack either."
Hakuto needed the sanctuary Otosaka Shunsuke was about to build. Not just him—all ability users did.
"If possible... I hope that when you go back in time, you won't seek me out, unless absolutely necessary."
No matter what the future held, Hakuto only wanted to be with the one he loved. But some things were inevitable—he had to take responsibility.
After saying all this, Hakuto activated his super computation and left.
Since time would be rewound tonight, Hakuto no longer cared about the side effects of his ability.
He just had to survive until then.
Otosaka Shunsuke, still in place, didn't even notice when Hakuto had left, but he didn't dwell on it.
The next second, a long-unheard voice reached his ears.
"Brother!"
"Yuu?"
Otosaka Shunsuke turned and saw Otosaka Yuu rushing toward him.
At the same time, the people Hakuto had seen in his super computation feedback arrived at Otosaka Shunsuke's side.
"What happened outside?"
"I checked—everyone is dead. The base's gates have been opened, and even the soldiers standing guard outside are dead..."
"No intact corpses... It's hard to imagine what could turn a person into a pile of flesh..."
"Do you know who did this?"
"A boy named Shiratori Hakuto. He said his ability is super computation..."
"You met him?"
"Yes... We talked about a few things."
"Shunsuke, use your ability now!"
"Sorry, not yet..."
"Why!? You should know we're only safe for a short time. More soldiers will come for us soon!"
"That's not what I mean. I'll rewind time at midnight tonight."
"That Hakuto told you to do this?"
"He saved all of us. I can't refuse such a small request."
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