Chapter 6 (201): Hikigaya's Setup
In such a noisy environment, with even Hikigaya himself barely understanding what was going on, he still spoke words he hardly believed.
"Believe me."
Asking others to trust him, how could his past self ever have said something so personal? To ask for trust, one must demonstrate ability, and Hikigaya knew better than anyone that he had none.
And yet, he said it anyway.
Emilia, who had been glaring at him just moments ago, suddenly lost all strength to resist. She allowed herself to be pulled through the crowd by Hikigaya.
Even now, she didn't understand why this strange man, dressed so oddly, knew her name.
The scene from moments earlier still replayed in her mind, and everything happening now left her utterly confused.
But if there was one thing she was certain of is that her insignia had been stolen. That alone couldn't be delayed.
---
[The chat group exploded once more.]
[With their god's-eye view, everyone seemed to be gradually piecing the truth together. The first to lose composure was Crusch.]
[A look of disbelief crossed Crusch's face. The ability Hikigaya displayed was simply unimaginable. As someone who knew everything, she understood clearly, this was the power of returning by death. And these memories belonged to Hikigaya alone. If that were the case…]
["If Hikigaya-kun joins Emilia's camp, it would be an irreparable blow to every other faction."]
[Felix: "Wow… time reversal? I've never heard of magic like that. No, this doesn't even count as magic anymore, does it?"]
[Wilhelm: "Indeed. This is no ordinary magic. No magic could achieve such a feat. This should be… a curse."]
[Crusch: "Regardless, making an enemy or rival out of someone like this yields no benefit whatsoever. He can start over again and again. The only uncertainty is whether this power only activates upon death."]
[Wilhelm shook his head: "No, it's more than that. Even knowing he can return, overcoming the fear of death is a tremendous challenge for the user. That fear is physiological. And without critical information, he wouldn't dare die recklessly. There may also be a limit to how many times he can do it. For now, he can't yet be considered a truly dangerous enemy, because in the end, he could lose himself in a forest of deaths."]
[From another faction, Anastasia smiled: "Sir Wilhelm, you seem rather pessimistic about Hikigaya-kun. From my perspective, his endurance and potential are far beyond imagination. After being thrown into our world without explanation, he didn't act strangely at all. Only someone extremely calm could manage that."]
[Wilhelm shook his head again: "It's not that I doubt him. It's simply because he's an outsider. There's too much he doesn't know about this world. Some things, no matter how many times you challenge them, the result will always be the same."]
[Hearing the old man's words, everyone sighed softly. If anyone felt relief, it was Emilia. Seeing Hikigaya regain his life, she finally felt comforted and slowly stood up.]
[Unfortunately, the Emilia in the video had completely forgotten everything Hikigaya had done for her, and all the memories they shared. Even so, just seeing Hikigaya muster the courage to stand again was enough for her.]
[Back at the Advanced Nurturing High School, after the explanations in the chat group, everyone finally began to understand this world.]
[The first to regain composure was Sakayanagi. Her signature smile was absent as she muttered self-mockingly, "Compared to him… I am really far behind."]
[Ryuen: "Hikigaya's already a monster as he is. I don't even want to imagine what he'll become with that ability."]
[Kanzaki: "You can't quite say that. Ryuen, could you calmly face your own death?"]
[Indeed. Ryuen feared nothing and had brushed against death countless times in street fights. But as Kanzaki said, when death truly closed in, could he react the way Hikigaya did? The answer was clearly no.]
[Karuizawa: "I don't really understand everything, but as long as Hikigaya's safe for now, I'm relieved."]
[Kamuro: "Can this guy stop making us worry about him all the time?"]
[Kushida: "More than that, I just want to get to his side as soon as possible."]
[Yukinoshita: "Now you finally understand how I feel. It's not pleasant, is it?"]
[Everyone nodded.]
---
After arriving at an empty open space, Hikigaya gently let go of Emilia's hand.
Before Hikigaya could speak, Emilia asked first: "Who are you, really? Why do you know my name? Aren't you afraid of me?"
"Emilia, I have no reason to be afraid of you, because you… saved me once."
Though it belonged to a previous timeline, Hikigaya clearly remembered how she had thrown herself in front of him without hesitation and taken that blade.
The moment he saw Emilia again, he became even more certain that he possessed some kind of power related to time, perhaps reversal, perhaps crossing timelines. No matter what it was, he would never allow that tragedy to repeat itself.
After all, the girl standing before him was someone who had once saved his life.
"I don't remember saving you. No, I've never even met you. And I don't have time to chat right now, I have to find the girl who stole my things."
With that, Emilia turned around immediately, giving Hikigaya no chance to continue. Hikigaya knew very well that if he didn't stop her now, history would repeat itself.
"Puck. The insignia. Emilia. Spirit."
Hikigaya said all four words in one breath, the most crucial information he had deduced in a short span of thought.
The girl stopped again.
"Who… are you?"
"A passing high school student."
"How much do you know?"
"Everything you want to know. Including the blonde girl, where the insignia is, and, Puck, stop hiding and come out. Let's talk properly. You can read the emotions of living beings, right? You should know I'm not lying."
Hearing his name, Puck stopped hesitating and popped out of Emilia's body, stretching lazily.
"Lia, everything he said is true. And… he has no hostility toward you at all. If anything, what I feel from him is kindness, and gratitude."
Hearing Puck say that, Emilia's body stiffened again.
"Why are you helping me?"
"Because I'm a normie."
...
[Yukinoshita suddenly smiled, then covered her mouth and turned her head away.]
[Hikigaya: "You don't have to laugh that obviously, Yukinoshita."]
[Yukinoshita: "It's just… hearing Hikigaya-kun call himself a normie is kind of funny."]
[Yuigahama: "Same here. I never dreamed Hikigaya would say he's a normie."]
[Hikigaya panicked a bit: "You idiots! This is clearly a tsukkomi! Only damn normies help people like this!"]
[Normally Yukinoshita and Yuigahama were used to his snark, but this time Hayama was also present, and hearing Hikigaya say that made things a little awkward.]
[And it wasn't just a few people who found it funny, almost at the same time, Sakura couldn't hold back her laughter either.]
[Hiyori: "Hikigaya-kun has really changed. I never thought I'd see a day like this."]
[Ichinose: "Hahaha. Anyone else would have no reason to risk their life again for Emilia, but this is Hikigaya. The moment she blocked that blade for him, the first thing he thought about was how to repay that debt."]
[Kamuro: "Yeah, I understand him. Emilia herself doesn't even realize she has that kind of power, yet she still put her life beneath Hikigaya's. Only someone absolutely kind and gentle would act on instinct like that. And that's why Puck disappeared, and why everything ended in total annihilation."]
[Everyone nodded in agreement. If Emilia hadn't blocked that blade, what choice would Hikigaya have made? Would he still have entrusted his life to her? Most people already knew the answer.]
[If Emilia was absolutely kind and gentle, then Hikigaya was no different. Now that he understood this power, there was no way he would let Emilia risk herself again or walk into that trap once more.]
---
Following Hikigaya, Emilia still didn't fully understand the situation. However, Puck's explanation greatly reduced her wariness. The only thing she couldn't comprehend was just how many secrets Hikigaya seemed to carry.
"May I ask… what's your name?"
"Hikigaya Hachiman."
"You said you know where the insignia is. I really need that information, because that item is absolutely something I can't lose."
Hikigaya fell silent for a few seconds. His gaze and expression hardened with resolve.
"Emilia, what does that insignia truly mean to you? Is it something you must retrieve even if it costs you your life?"
"Yes. It's a hundred times more important than my life. It's a goal I must accomplish."
Hikigaya couldn't understand it. Without the ability to Return by Death, once she lost her life, everything would be over. And yet, she was still willing to risk everything to reclaim it.
Though he couldn't understand, he didn't argue. He simply nodded.
Instead, Emilia asked curiously, "Hikigaya-kun, you know my name, yet you don't know anything about the insignia?"
Hikigaya shook his head and looked at her again.
Emilia didn't hide anything further. As if recalling something, she took a breath and lifted her head.
"Hikigaya-kun, you saw what just happened. Everyone thinks I'm the Witch of Envy, Satella, because my appearance is too similar to hers."
Hikigaya truly felt sorry for what Emilia had gone through. After all, it was because of his arrogance that she'd been pushed into that situation. While he couldn't say he fully understood her feelings, the scorn and discrimination she faced were things Hikigaya himself had genuinely experienced.
Seeing the guilt on Hikigaya's face, Emilia immediately smiled gently and patted his shoulder.
"I misunderstood you earlier. Puck was right, you're a good person."
"No, usually 'good person' is kind of an insult, isn't it?"
Hearing his muttering, Emilia tilted her head, clearly not understanding.
'Is this girl kind of an airhead?'
Hikigaya shook his head and bowed slightly.
"I really am sorry about what happened earlier."
"I am too. I apologize for my rude attitude."
After saying that, Emilia continued, "The insignia is my only chance to change the current situation. In order to participate in the Royal Selection of Lugunica, I've prepared for so long. That insignia is the qualification to enter."
Though Emilia didn't explain everything, Hikigaya roughly grasped the situation.
The insignia was the qualification for the Royal Selection. As for how many competitors there were, he didn't know, but if that was the case, then what had happened before made sense. Someone among the other candidates must have interfered, resulting in total annihilation.
Hikigaya: "I know where the insignia is. But knowing that alone is meaningless, Emilia. In this city, do you know any powerful figures? For example, someone who could kill with a single strike."
Emilia gave a wry smile.
"There's no one like that, Hikigaya-kun. Unfortunately, there's no one that strong by my side. If I had to name someone… it'd be Roswaal, who took me in, but… there's no way we can contact him."
Hikigaya didn't ask why. He rapidly calculated usable combat power in his mind. For two people with no money, hiring help was impossible.
He recalled Reinhard, who had helped him earlier in the alley. Reinhard looked gentle and approachable, but Hikigaya never doubted his strength, the pressure he gave off was unmistakable.
'For now… this is the only way.'
Find Reinhard and ask for his help. Then, locate Felt and Old Man Rom ahead of time. With five people allied, and Puck's presence as a spirit, facing Elsa the Bowel Hunter shouldn't be impossible. At the very least, Hikigaya wouldn't underestimate her again, nor would he miss any chance to cooperate.
Finding Reinhard wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible either. As long as he found the guard unit and reported Reinhard's name, someone would contact him.
However, Hikigaya didn't have time to wait and explain everything in person. Time was still passing. If he couldn't reach the slums and persuade Rom and Felt before evening, everything would be meaningless.
More importantly, he would never allow the first timeline's tragedy to repeat. The ambush, the lack of preparation, by the time he realized it, it had already been too late, and Felt had died right in front of him.
So… he had to set things up in advance.
After writing down the address and handing it to a member of the guard unit, Hikigaya led Emilia toward the slums.
[Priscilla casually waved her fan, a smile appearing once more: "He's finally striking back. Now this is getting interesting."]
[Al: "This guy's actually planning to bring Reinhard in. Honestly, just having Puck around should already be enough to win, right?"]
[Priscilla: "He's not as careless as you. A mistake he's made once, he'll never repeat. Emilia's death clearly left a shadow on him. That said… he still doesn't know just what kind of existence Reinhard truly is."]
[Al: "Well, he's a transmigrator like me. Getting this far with just the information he has is already impressive."]
[Anastasia: "As expected, the story is moving in this direction. If we just let him keep looping like this, sooner or later, we'll all lose."]
[Crusch: "Indeed. With such a power… it's hard to say whether it's a blessing or a curse."]
---
They reached the slums much earlier than last time. During the journey, Hikigaya confirmed that if he could persuade Old Man Rom first, then Felt, still just a young girl, would also listen.
Of course, once everything was over…
Hikigaya glanced at Emilia. Compared to last time, they spoke far less, partly because his thoughts were focused entirely on Elsa, and partly because Emilia still didn't quite understand this sudden Hikigaya.
"Emilia, once this incident is resolved, could you provide me with a place to stay?"
"Honestly, even though my clothes look strange, I can't even pull out a single copper coin. Uh… it sounds kind of weird when I say it."
As expected, Emilia couldn't help but laugh. Even as she covered her mouth, there was no trace of mockery, just genuine joy.
"Hikigaya-kun, you've been frowning this whole time. Ever since I met you, you've seemed tense. Have you been thinking about this nonstop?"
Seeing Emilia's sweet smile, Hikigaya scratched his head awkwardly.
"Well… not having a place to live is kind of fatal. The weather isn't cold, sure, but… those alleyway thugs, I don't have any way to fight back."
"Alright, alright. Once this is over, I'll ask Roswaal to arrange a place for you."
Before Emilia could finish, Puck jumped out again.
"Even if you hadn't helped Lia, knowing her personality, she'd never let you suffer or freeze, she'd rather go hungry herself."
Emilia puffed out her cheeks.
"Puck, I'm not that amazing."
"See? She wouldn't say it herself."
Watching the two banter, Hikigaya became even more certain that the girl before him was someone absolutely kind and gentle. And his resolve to protect this scene only grew stronger.
No matter what, that hell was a place Hikigaya would never step into again.
---
Returning to Old Man Rom's stolen-goods warehouse, Hikigaya felt his heartbeat quicken. Memories from the previous timeline surged back.
Still, he took a deep breath and gently opened the tightly shut door.
"Welcome to Old Man Rom's stolen-goods warehouse."
Hikigaya looked at Rom, who was still polishing a glass, then at the items on the wall. Everything was exactly the same.
"Want something to drink?"
"Two glasses of plain water will do."
Emilia was about to ask about the insignia, but Hikigaya raised a hand to stop her.
"You're Old Man Rom, right? We're here to retrieve an item."
Rom continued working as if nothing was unusual.
"Mm. Got the money?"
Hikigaya: "Here's the thing, the insignia is still with Felt. And the employer… you don't know who they are, do you?"
Rom finally stopped what he was doing and slowly looked at Hikigaya.
"That's right. All employers deal directly with Felt. We've only communicated through letters."
"Old Man Rom, then I'll be blunt. The employer you've met this time is Elsa Granhiert the Bowel Hunter. She never intended to pay you. She plans to kill everyone who knows about this."
Rom exploded in anger.
"You brat! You think I was scared straight?"
Hikigaya remained calm.
"You don't have to believe me. But do you know what the insignia Felt stole really is? It's a Royal Selection qualification. You live this hard in the slums, once you're dragged into that kind of conflict, do you really think you can protect Felt on your own?"
Hikigaya's words were cold and sharp, each one stabbing straight into Rom's heart.
(End of this chapter)