Not a detective

Page 141

"No... If I go too far away from this island, it will collapse, and all the students and teachers will drown. As you saw, even the police can't find any trace of them, and their bodies can't be brought back. I don't want to be the murderer who killed them. I can't abandon everyone for my own selfish interests... I can't do it."

No, that cycle of reincarnation was not a "miracle" at all. For Xingyu, it was an adventurous attempt, but for the people on the island, it was a devastating disaster.

The moment their small wooden boat moved away from the area, the island behind them collapsed, and everyone fell into the sea and drowned.

“You didn’t kill them,” Asakawa Riku said firmly. “You saved them; it was never your fault.”

"But I still can't do it... If that would be the way to escape, I'd rather not, otherwise I won't be able to sleep peacefully for the rest of my life."

Hoshino was also adamant, her beautiful blue eyes fixed on Asakawa Riku, showing no sign of backing down.

...He really is a kind person.

Asakawa Riku thought that if Hoshino had been a little more selfish, perhaps this incident could have been resolved long ago, but if she were a selfish person, she wouldn't have become an island to save everyone.

This kind of willingness to sacrifice is something not everyone can do. Will she forever remain in this sea, forever like this?

"Come with me, this is not the end you deserve."

Asakawa Riku took a step forward.

"In the dilemma of saving me versus saving everyone on the train, Asakawa-kun chose me... I'm very touched, but I still can't accept it."

Xingyu took a step back. With her speed, Asakawa Riku could easily rush over and stop her, but she was, after all, a god on the island, and would disappear the moment she was touched.

"Asakawa-kun, you can leave on your own, and I won't stop you. But you haven't done that in these past few reincarnations, have you? That means you and I both want to save everyone."

No matter how hard Asakawa Riku tried, he couldn't catch up with that lively girl.

What was originally a simple matter has become a stalemate because of the two people who want to save each other.

Xingyu smiled, her hands behind her back, leaping through the jungle as if dancing, her eyebrows curving: "If you're here with me, I won't be lonely. I've already thought it through. When the helicopter arrives, I'll find a way to make this island invisible at sea, so the rescue team won't be able to find us, and this 'paradise' can continue forever. Even if something unexpected happens, we can use the power of time reversal to continue the cycle. We can live on this island forever, just the two of us."

"Wouldn't it be better to go out? Why do we have to live on this primitive island?"

"Back in school, you never even glanced at me, Asakawa-kun. It's only on this island that you chase after me like this."

...I never expected Xingyu to have such a yandere side.

Asakawa Riku stopped, and Hoshino also stopped, tilting her head to look over: "So, have I convinced you?"

"You know, this is the trolley problem of saving yourself or everyone... but I don't think so. When I do these kinds of problems, I always save everyone."

Asakawa Riku had a slight smile on his lips. If he encountered a speeding tram, he would rush over and stop it, which was in line with his style.

Xingyu paused for a moment: "But... is it really possible? You've tried so many reincarnations... and still haven't succeeded..."

"some."

Asakawa Riku interrupted her, extending his hand forward: "The perfect ending will happen this time."

Xingyu hesitated. She looked at the large, thick hand and the boy with eyes full of conviction, but she didn't know whether to go over.

If you have hope but end up disappointed, it will be even more painful...

"……Do not."

Just as her eyes began to dim and her outstretched fingers curled up again, Asakawa Riku spoke once more:

"Xingyu, I promised you. If you ever get lost, I will definitely rescue you, even if it means forcibly pulling you out."

Hoshino looked up in surprise, seemingly not expecting him to still remember that promise. At that moment, Asakawa Riku was already standing in front of him.

He approached silently, tricked her one last time with astonishing speed, and grabbed her hand.

Despite possessing divine power, it was unable to break free. That hand was so strong and warm. Was it that it couldn't break free, or that it didn't want to?

Xingyu felt a pang of sadness in her nose and just wanted to drop everything and throw herself into his arms and cry.

Asakawa Riku leaned close to his ear and whispered:

"Trust me...give me all your faith, without reservation."

This was his last trump card, prepared beforehand.

He stayed up all night, researching a lot of information and asking Kazamatsuri Akihisa many questions in order to find out what exactly was going on with Yuki's "Snow Child". He learned a lot of secrets.

This knowledge, which already existed in Asakawa Riku's mind, slowly resurfaced during his numerous brushes with death, as if the detective's abilities had been activated.

Finally, he found the last piece of the puzzle on this island. These experiences, one after another, forged a bond between him and Xingyu, and also fulfilled the final key condition.

And so, this power was finally put to use, right at this very moment.

"I believe you."

Xingyu gripped his hand tightly. Everything between them seemed to merge, inseparable, radiating a dazzling light that soared into the sky, attracting the villagers' attention...

On this sea, the enormous sounds and commotion seemed to shake the heavens and earth, with waves pushing out one after another, as if something extraordinary was being conceived.

It seemed as if a girl's song was playing in my ears.

Xingyu's singing voice was exceptionally beautiful, as if she were a born singer, lingering on the sea and bringing a touch of tranquility to the restless world.

"correct.

After I transformed into the sea, I remembered.

I like rain because you're a crybaby.

I like songs because you like songs too.

I feel ashamed of myself for wanting to know your heart.

Transformed into the sea.

Reflected in me, the reason you weep as you soar through the air.

It remains unknown to this day.

You echo within my body.

She is still lovable to this day.

I still want to go back to that time.

Just smile.

Regret sinking to the bottom, disappearing and then becoming powerful.

It's still terrifying to think about it now.

The day of mutual understanding will surely come.

If you get tired of swimming, just sink into me.

Even though the warbler is singing.

How could I possibly say goodbye to you?

I will transform into the sea, waiting for you.

As they sang the song that transformed into the sea, at the end of the song, Asakawa Riku's male voice joined in, creating a perfectly harmonious duet:

“【【Magalu】】”

...

The next day.

The moment the sea breeze suddenly stopped, the water level in the entire Tokyo Bay began to drop mysteriously.

Crane operator Kobayashi's hand, holding a coffee cup, froze in mid-air. The grey-blue seawater that had been lapping against the breakwater just three minutes ago was now receding at a visible speed, revealing barnacle-covered concrete bases and rusted anchor chains. The twenty-seven berths echoed hollowly simultaneously, like a giant beast taking a deep breath on the seabed.

"Look at the water!" a sailor on the cargo ship suddenly screamed.

In the ring-shaped depression formed by the receding tide, countless fluorescent blue jellyfish are rising from the abyss. The luminous glands on their bellies flicker like breathing, weaving a sea of ​​stars against the twilight sky. Kobayashi grips the window frame of the port authority office and sees the radar waves on the monitor screen suddenly twist into concentric circles—as if some kind of electromagnetic pulse is awakening on the seabed.

The steel crane boom suddenly emitted a teeth-grinding hiss. The 8,000-ton container ship "Pacific Dawn" began to rock from side to side, and sparks flew as the mooring cables scraped against the iron stakes.

Kobayashi grabbed the walkie-talkie to call the emergency team, but all the channels were filled with sharp static.

Then the seawater exploded.

It wasn't an explosion, but rather a manifestation of something beyond the laws of physics. The seawater transformed into a vast expanse of crystal, growing upwards and condensing into a crystalline dome in mid-air.

In the center of that transparent dome, which is over 300 meters in diameter, a dark red dorsal fin cuts through the water, and every scale reflects the blood-red color of the setting sun.

"Ahhhh...!"

The first shutter clicked on the pier. The tourist holding the phone stumbled backward as the mountain-like curve slowly rose in the frame.

The seawater cascaded down the craggy seam like a waterfall, crashing against the breakwater and shattering into a misty spray. When it fully emerged from the water, the sky seemed to be sliced ​​in two—

It was a fish head the size of an airplane, with nine luminous eyes set into a coral crown.

The behemoth emitted a long, low growl. The sound was like the resonance of a whale's song and a temple bell, making the empty containers in the container yard hum.

Suddenly, the gill covers opened, spraying out a mist of iridescent water. As the mist dissipated, the densely packed human figures embedded in the folds of the scales could finally be seen.

The nearly two hundred missing teachers and students lay unharmed in the mother-of-pearl-like grooves, all unconscious, some with algae still stuck to their hair.

"Those people... are they the ones mentioned in the news...?!"

Someone exclaimed in surprise, wondering if the teachers and students were still alive, and whether this strange beast was friend or foe.

The unconscious teachers and students slid smoothly toward the dock with the circular surge, their bodies resting on a translucent film of water—like being encased in bubbles that would never burst.

As the last student drifted to the breakwater, all nine of Magala's eyes turned toward the setting sun.

As dusk fell, the outline of the giant fish transformed into countless points of light, like a galaxy rising in reverse.

Its final, long cry shattered all the glass windows in the harbor, and it vanished without a trace before anyone dared to approach.

It's as if it has transformed into the sea.

Summer of the Crimson Stingray: Summer of the Crimson Stingray AFTER1

"I didn't expect it to cause such a big fuss."

Sitting on the sofa in the office's meeting room, Asakawa Riku scratched his head: "Luckily, it didn't cause too much of an impact."

A month has passed since that turbulent "school trip," and it's currently summer vacation, so he comes to the office during the weekdays.

It wasn't for work, but to chat with Xingyu.

“Yeah.” Hoshino also shrank her neck furtively: “How did you manage to turn into such a big fish…?”

In truth, even Asakawa Riku didn't know.

All he knew was that the [Magara] form he formed with Hoshino and the [Yukidouji] form he formed with Yuki were similar to some kind of "transformation".

During this time, he will gain incredible changes and power, and master extraordinary abilities that he did not have before.

Asakawa Riku has probably figured out the activation conditions and can gradually control such changes. However, he still doesn't know the underlying principle. He can only guess that it is related to "divine descent" and "power of faith." But it's not something that just anyone can try. Apart from Yuki and Hoshino, he can't find any other forms of change for the time being.

Moreover, it requires their presence and physical contact to activate, so it can be considered their combined strength, which Asakawa Riku alone cannot mobilize.

The Snow Child form is characterized by its swift movements and freezing ability, making it extremely lethal. Even enemies with strong defenses can be forcibly defeated by breaking the ice.

The specific abilities of the [Magara] form are currently unknown. It is only known that it will transform into a giant red fish with a level of power that controls the sea, but what about on land?

Could we overwhelm our opponents with sheer size and weight...? That doesn't seem like a bad idea.

Although it's still unclear, this ability has created a true miracle, crossing the ocean and rescuing all the students and teachers back to Tokyo.

It would not have been possible without their efforts.

"But you're right, it almost caused a major disaster..."

...

The appearance of such a large fish in the bustling port of Tokyo was like something out of a special effects movie. Some people fled in panic, while others took out their phones to take pictures.

Asakawa Riku estimated that at least a thousand people witnessed the scene. At the time, he stood there, appearing calm and composed, but in reality, he was a little flustered.

He didn't know what the consequences would be if the world of supernatural powers were shown to ordinary people, and if it were uploaded to the internet, the impact would probably be difficult to eliminate.

In that critical moment, he thought of a phone call:

——Everything House.

Last autumn, when we were eliminating the Seven Mysteries at school, Chizuko-senpai said that there was a group of people who were somewhere between the ordinary world and the extraordinary world, and they were specifically responsible for eliminating the influence.

The unassuming middle-aged man left a deep impression on Asakawa Riku. He claimed that the blood-soaked music classroom was infested with termites, and then disguised himself as a pest control company to provide services to the school. So, he naturally sealed off the music classroom, covered up the smell of blood with harmless chemicals, and gradually replaced the interior decoration with new materials.

Asakawa Riku was deeply impressed by the professionalism of these people. Looking at the chaotic Tokyo Port, he thought that if it were them, they might be able to resolve this crisis.