We all shared the shopping bags we had accumulated. There was no way I could carry all of them by myself. After we finished the parfait, we ended up doing more shopping. My stomach was full, so I just followed everyone around, sipping on my boba tea.
I was surprised that Artoria, who had been so shy, had a change of heart and said she wanted to look at clothes.
I couldn't help but buy her a few outfits. Of course, I bought some for Alter as well. Artoria didn't seem to know her own style yet, so she was like a little dress-up doll for everyone. Alter was the opposite; she picked out a few things she liked, tried them on, and bought them right away.
That's where their personalities really differ.
"Is it okay that we bought so much, Senpai?"
"It might not be."
"Sho, it seems your boba milk tea hasn't gone down much."
"I'll give it to you if you want."
My wallet was pretty much empty. When they begged me to buy them things, I couldn't refuse. When women tell you something is necessary, you just have to obey.
Just as we were about to head home, he appeared.
"What's all the commotion about...?"
Sakura was the first to notice. When she said something, Artoria and I noticed too. The center of the shopping mall was an open atrium, structured like a baseball stadium. From the walkways, you could look down all the way to the first floor.
We were on the third floor. The commotion seemed to be happening on the first floor.
On the first-floor walkway, there were trees and fountains, and benches were always placed nearby for resting. The cause of the commotion seemed to have appeared there.
Who is that guy?
A mysterious person in a black body suit with gold decorations all over. And at his waist was...
"A belt...? Is he a Kamen Rider?"
I've never seen a Kamen Rider like that. Of course, the Kamen Riders I know don't exist in this world. I came to this world right around the time Build transformed into Genius Form, so maybe he's a Kamen Rider after that.
So, is he the 20th Heisei Rider? He's flashy, or rather, that looks like a final form.
In any case, there's no reason for him to transform here. He just seemed to be observing his surroundings without doing anything, but he was unsettling.
Butei were starting to gather. The atmosphere was getting tense.
"Sho, what should we do?"
Artoria, who had completely switched modes, asked me.
"We should go."
That black-heavy design... there's a possibility he's a Dark Rider. Although it might be strange to assume he's a bad guy, it's better for us to go there.
"Hup!"
I jumped over the railing. It was about 20 meters down. With my current strength, I wouldn't get hurt. I can't believe I can do something like this so casually. This world is getting to me.
I landed between the Rider and the Butei who were gathered there. Everyone's eyes widened when I dropped from the sky, but the Rider in front of me didn't move. It was as if he knew I was coming.
"Move faster, Yozuki Sho."
Not only did he know I was coming, but he also knew my name.
"Who are you? How did you get that belt?"
"The same way you know. How else?"
"...So you're from the same place. Hah, I guess I've become a big shot after taking down that zombie guy."
So he got it from the gacha. I can't believe they're coming one after another. I really don't want to fight. His manner of speaking is so elusive. It reminds me of my grandpa.
"Don't compare me to that guy. You don't like him either, do you?"
"Haha, you got me."
He laughed a little. Wait, he knows about the zombie? Who the hell is he, really?
"Did you... watch me from the shadows and say things like, 'He's still got a long way to go...'?"
"Idiot. Of course not. Although, in a way, that's true."
The thought of a stalker like an early-game hidden character sends a chill down my spine, but I guess that's not it.
"I don't have much time, so I'll get to the point."
"Wait a second, let me figure it out."
"I said I don't have time! I don't have enough time to joke around."
Hey, who was the one who was just chatting?
---------
"I'm you from three years in the future."
"...Huh."
Well, I guess so. I had a small feeling.
"I didn't just come to play. Three years from now, a terrible crisis will befall this world... the universe."
"Like what?"
"It's... ■■■■■■... Tch, I can't say it. I can't say the specific details of the incident... I can't even give you a hint..."
"Hey, don't just figure it out on your own. And if you want me to believe you, transform back. If you're me from the future, I'll know by looking at your face."
Besides, there shouldn't be that big of a difference in three years. Wait a minute... he can't show me his face in three years...?
"I can't. There are a lot of restrictions on me—"
"—Don't tell me you tried to be a flashy college student and it went horribly wrong...?"
Like you dyed your proud black hair a sparkly gold so it would glow in the dark? Or maybe you got piercings? Jingly silver accessories?
"Of course not! Do you think I'd use the Dragon Balls for something like that?!"
"You used the Dragon Balls?! To come here?!"
That's the surprising part! The gacha can give you something like that?
"Then why didn't you just use the Dragon Balls to fix it? They grant any wish, don't they? How many wishes can you get?"
"Just one. But it's beyond the limit of what the Dragon Balls can grant. It's hopeless."
This is turning into a comedy routine. The Butei who had surrounded us have all left. It's impossible to expect them to stay on guard after hearing this conversation.
"You have a face that says you can't believe it."
"Well, yeah. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if something like that happened, but for you to come all the way here and tell me—"
"In the future, we lost on a global scale."
—...
"It wasn't just my defeat. You know, right? This world is a mix of many different things. There are many heroes of justice, and your actions can turn bad people into good ones and make people who were fighting reconcile."
I've learned that from Zero. I've also confirmed that my actions changed history.
I see... This guy is trying to...
"You're trying to change history."
By changing my own actions, no less.
"I'm glad you're so quick on the uptake. In my case, just knowing this fact can change history. Knowledge affects actions."
"I guess so."
"Well, I don't think you'll win even if you get stronger."
"Huh?"
What in the world is he saying? It's all jumbled up now.
"I mean, I couldn't win, you know? There's no way you can win even if you try a little harder. And I hate to say it, but I think I did a pretty good job with the event."
Why is this guy trying to provoke me?
"Oh, you've got a really funny face on."
"Who do you think is to blame for that?"
We both laughed, "Ahahaha." I feel like punching this guy.
"Well, it can't be helped. Humans can focus on a test right in front of them, but they can't get serious about a college entrance exam three years away, right? It's too late when you regret it..."
"Hello? Are you talking to me?"
It was a serious line, but he was talking to himself. I do agree with what he's saying. If someone told me that the world was going to end in a few years for some unknown reason, anyone who would go all out to stop it would probably be a zealot.
"Alright, I'll give you a little test."
"A test of what?"
"You know what."
—How weak you are.
I instantly jumped back. A waterfall of cold sweat ran down my back from the incredible pressure. The person in front of me no longer felt like the guy I was just laughing with. It felt like I was facing an overwhelming and absolute being.
"You're going to start here? With all these people around?"
"Just kidding. I just wanted to intimidate you a little. But did you get it?"
"..."
I couldn't say anything.
"It seems my time is up. I'm making a Dragon Radar now. I might come back to see you when I gather the Dragon Balls again. No, if I master my abilities more, I might be able to come here without relying on the Dragon Balls. In any case, be aware! Believe that it will happen! Throw away all your naive hopes!"
The desperate scream of the person I thought was an absolute being. The attention of the people around us started to gather again.
My future self's body started to become transparent.
Eventually, no one was there.
"Sho, are you okay?"
Artoria and Alter, who had been waiting from a distance, ran up to me.
But it was all so sudden that my thoughts were completely jumbled.
---------
"So, the future Sho-kun came to say that 'the future is in big trouble'?"
"So the future Onii-chan can cross time, too..."
"I don't think I'll be surprised by anything Senpai can do anymore..."
After dropping Kirin and Einhart off at their homes, we immediately held a meeting about what happened today. Asuna, Yukina, Chloe, Aria, and Yozora, who were in the hospital, were also participating via video call.
"I wonder how it works. Your ability isn't magic, sorcery, or a superpower. It's too special even for a Rare Skill."
There were still a few people who didn't know the details of my ability or how I came to this world, but it wasn't that important for this meeting.
"In the end, what's important is whether future Sho-san's words are true."
Kurumi looked a little displeased...? Or was she thinking about something?
"No, I was just... curious that someone would cross time using another method when I, a spirit who controls time, am here..."
"That is weird. Maybe he got tired of Sho-kun cheating on everyone?"
"I don't think that's possible... The most likely possibility, even if it's a small one, is that I'll die."
"..."
Honestly, it wasn't an impossible thing to imagine. If the enemy was as strong as my future self said, then maybe.
"But it's tough with no hints. I can't even figure it out."
That was the big problem. Even with the warning, we didn't know the fundamental solution. We probably couldn't stop it even if we got a little stronger.
"For now, all we can do is improve our skills. We'll look through old texts, list out the legendary catastrophes, and investigate them."
The meeting, which had no concrete details and was all based on speculation, ended with that conclusion.
---------
"Phew..."
After finishing my bedtime routine, I laid down on the bed. I thought it would be a peaceful day, but a new source of anxiety came out of nowhere.
"Three years, huh..."
Everyone else might not have felt the reality of it yet, but I instinctively understood. Everything he said was the truth. I knew it from talking to him directly.
The time limit for this world.
From the way he spoke, it might not have even been a fight. If it's at that level, getting a little stronger won't help.
"So what?"
It's our job to do something about it. Maybe we came to this world to avoid that fate.
"For now, I have to get through tomorrow's work..."
Tomorrow is a house raid. I'm sure it will be mentally exhausting. We'll be stepping into the home base of that scum, a veritable hell.
Alright, time to sleep—
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as I was about to close my eyes, there was a knock on the door.
"Sakura?"
"Good. Sho-kun, you're not asleep yet."
The person who opened the door was Sakura, in her pajamas.
"Saku—"
"Mmm."
Without a word, she wrapped her arms around my back. She pressed her face into my chest, rubbing against me as if she were marking her territory.
"I've wanted to do this for a long time..."
"..."
"But Sho-kun, you didn't know me, and I thought maybe that was my destiny..."
Pushed by Sakura, I moved backward until I fell onto the bed. She then pushed me down on the bed.
"I can't hold back anymore."
She looked up at me.
"You might think it's unladylike for a girl to say this..."
Sakura looked at me with an upward glance.
"Hold me."
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