"Huh?! Why only tell me now, it's a matter of humanity's fate!"
Shaka shot to his feet, stunned.
Makise Kurisu sipped her black tea casually: "Your only request was that I skip the press conference, right? I'm here with you now I care more about your technology than some flashy event."
A small smile touched her lips, her eyes softening: "That ability you call [Mystery]… I think it could let people touch the eleventh dimension."
Seeing her enthusiasm, Shaka calmed down and sat back. Don't panic we've already seized the telephone microwave. Even if the paper's published, a real time machine will take at least a decade to develop. The only question is future travelers… but reincarnators and people from the future probably exist in Haruhi's world anyway.
Kurisu seemed to enjoy his flustered state, her legs swinging gently as she spoke leisurely: "Don't worry the paper we sent was fake. Plausible-looking but completely unrelated."
"What?!" Shaka stared in surprise. Well done, assistant!
Kurisu rested her chin on her hand, winking: "After what you said, I figured it wouldn't hurt to take precautions. I didn't expect my father to actually steal my work though… I'm feeling pretty low need a perfect mousse cake to feel better. Also, there aren't enough desserts here can we add strawberry sundaes? No ice cream is such a shame."
"I'll do my best."
Shaka gave Kurisu all his meager valis as wages, letting her eat her fill in this world. Yep my assistant's officially on retainer now.
Back at the Base
Shaka opened his phone and checked the group chat:
Shaka: What's the latest with time-related events? Any major incidents?
Kotoko Iwanaga: Yes an urban legend about a guy in black attacking over a dozen biker gang spots. Caused quite a stir.
No doubt its Lord shadow's doing
Shaka: Any new monsters?
Kotoko Iwanaga: None so far.
Black Cat: Found some weird news—@link.
Shaka clicked the link, and the headline made him freeze:
#Unidentified Satellite Crashes—Dr. Makise, Time Machine Theory Founder, Killed Tragically#
An unregistered satellite no country claimed it had fallen, causing multiple deaths. Chinese authorities recovered the debris and were investigating.
"An unrecorded satellite? That's impossible. Satellite crashes do happen in Detective Conan's world, but having no records at all? Could it be… tree diagram? Ridiculous. There's no Hanged Man or magic cult involved here. I've already checked countries with clocktowers, magic systems doesnt exist either."
He focused on the casualty list. Kurisu's father is dead… Will she feel relieved or sad? Probably a bit of both he's still her dad. Should I comfort her?
Another message popped up:
Miko: There's something I'm not sure about…
Shaka: We're all on the same side say whatever's on your mind.
Miko: I've been seeing a bunny girl at school a lot, but no one else notices her. She doesn't look evil more like a former child star. I didn't approach her, scared she might be a monster.
Child star? Bunny girl? Could it be…
Shaka: Sakurajima Mai?
Kotoko Iwanaga: Is that a snack for… personal exercises?
Miko: That's the name! Is she famous?
Shaka: She's not a spirit or in showbiz her situation's unique. Have you heard of "puberty syndrome"?
Black Cat: Isn't that just an urban legend?
Dekomori: Superpowers are real death!
Shaka: We're already dealing with urban legends becoming real. Miko saw her firsthand superpowered individuals aren't surprising.
Puberty Syndrome
-Psychiatrists call it unstable mindset from sentimentality.
- Onlookers suggest collective hypnosis.
- Some blame the gap between ideal and reality.
No one takes it seriously adults dismiss it as overthinking. But to Shaka, it looked like spiritual energy resurging using Toaru's terms, they were precious "Original Gems."
"If not for the lack of Hanged Men and magic societies, I'd think A Certain Magical Index was about to start!"
He wondered if his own time travel was a manifestation of this syndrome. Either way, the everyday world was evolving unpredictably.
I need to get stronger faster to protect my friends and myself. Order will break down if this keeps up.
Shaka: Everyone be careful out there. Only by being able to handle danger can we protect our happiness.
Yuuki: Got it! Report school district members are making great progress. My stats are already over C-rank. Should we consider leveling up?
Twenty days is slow they just lack strong opponents.
Shaka: No rush. You have growth skills stack your attributes to SSS first.
Private Message Alert
His phone beeped, Shadow had messaged him privately:
Shadow: My magic's exhausted.
Wow already?
Shaka: What did you do?
Shadow: Dealt with a bunch of so-called evil spirits disgusting things inciting suicide. This world's getting interesting.
I need to speed up my skill development, or Shadow the cheater will overtake me. Shaka suspected Shadow wouldn't mention something trivial.
Shaka: Are you in trouble?
Shadow: At the police station.
Shaka: [...]
So you can still use your phone…
Shadow: Find someone to get me out can't miss today's training.
Sigh cameras are everywhere in the everyday world. Messing with spirits gets you labeled chuunibyou, but beating people up lands you in jail. Sakura City police aren't great, but surveillance and paperwork are still a hassle.
Shaka pulled up Kotoko Iwanaga's contact she was a well-known detective now; she could help.
The Next Day
In the group chat:
Blank: We've arrived in Orario.