Chương 23: Chapter 6 Footsteps Left Behind(Part 2)

The timing could not have been worse. The moment I finished speaking, Takatsuki returned carrying a box of stomach medicine. As a result, he ended up getting dragged into the conversation as well. All three men stared at me in stunned silence. Which was understandable. From their perspective, this case should have ended with a missing man being found alive. Instead, they had just discovered that the man in question was wearing a metaphorical vest packed with lit dynamite.

"Tsukasa," Rina asked while looking at the video again, "is that thing weak?" It was a fair question. But honestly, I didn't know. The only reason I had managed to kill it was because Soots had frozen time and handed me an opportunity. The moment the creature resumed moving, I struck before it could react. Now that I had a Class, perhaps I would have some advantages. Perhaps. But assumptions were dangerous. Facts were better.

"I don't know," I admitted.

"The only reason I managed to kill it was because Soots stopped time. Until then, I was running for my life." I turned back to the detectives.

"Detective Itsuki. Detective Miyafuji. This situation is urgent. According to Soots, anyone who touches these creatures without a Class could literally dissolve. The details about Classes and Gates can wait until later, but we need to prepare now." Then I looked at Takatsuki.

"Doctor, if you want to back out, this is your last chance." The two detectives exchanged glances. A silent conversation passed between them. Then both nodded. Decision made. Immediately they sprang into action. We exchanged contact information. They copied the photos and videos from inside the Gate. Takatsuki handed over the footage of my transformation. Within minutes, both detectives hurried out of the room.

"Now then," I said, turning toward Takatsuki, "I assume you'll authorize my discharge?"

"Absolutely." The answer came instantly. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"As your attending physician, I approve." I knew there was a catch.

"However," he continued, raising a finger, "we'll still need to conduct further examinations. I'll contact you once we've arranged new appointments." Naturally.

"And one more thing." The doctor's smile widened.

"If you need medical personnel for anything related to the Gates, call me." His eyes sparkled.

"I'm a huge science fiction fan." Right. There was no saving him anymore. If anything, he seemed thrilled. Considering the circumstances, having a doctor on our side was incredibly valuable. After exchanging contact information, Rina received a copy of my transformation video. Takatsuki then informed us he needed to discuss matters with the hospital director and left. When the door closed behind him, I finally noticed how exhausted I was. Physically, perhaps not. Mentally? Completely drained.

It was already past three in the afternoon.

"Let's go home, Rina."

"Agreed." She stretched.

"I'm starving. Let's grab something on the way." Packing up took almost no time. I had arrived here wearing nothing but the clothes on my back. My possessions consisted of a smartphone, cigarettes, and—"... I don't have any clothes." Rina grinned triumphantly.

"I was waiting for this moment!" She held up a shopping bag."'Just as planned!' I've always wanted to say that." Inside was a black shoulder-strap dress and a white T-shirt. There was even a pair of black side-tie panties. No bra. Which made sense. I barely had anything to support. Changing clothes revealed another issue. Everything was too large. The panties required some creative knot-tying to stay in place. The dress hung loosely around my small frame.

"A little bigger than expected," Rina admitted.

"We'll go shopping together later." At least she had also bought shoes. A small pair of black Crocs fit well enough to solve the footwear problem. I checked the room one final time. Nothing forgotten. Then we left. Walking through the hospital felt strangely different. Perhaps because my body now weighed less than half of what it once had. Perhaps because I was finally going home. We passed the nurses' station, exchanged farewells, and stopped for one final cigarette. The old woman was still sitting on the bench.

Maybe that really was her favorite spot. Outside, we climbed into the car. Normally I would have been driving. Unfortunately, proving my identity to the government was still an ongoing challenge, so Rina took the wheel. I settled into the passenger seat. The city looked larger than I remembered. Or perhaps I was simply smaller. Opening my phone, I reviewed the messages waiting for me. Missed calls from work. Messages from Sasaki. Apologies. Questions. Requests for updates.

Unfortunately, I already knew how that story would end. There was no realistic path back to my old job. I would need to visit eventually, clear out my desk, and submit my resignation. But showing up now would only create confusion. No one would believe I was me. Maybe later. Maybe with a police escort.

"You look thoughtful." Rina glanced at me from the driver's seat.

"Worried?"

"I'd be lying if I said no." I looked out the window.

"But worrying doesn't change anything. We'll deal with it." Then a thought crossed my mind.

"By the way... that old woman."

"What old woman?"

"The one sitting near the smoking area. She was there last night too." Rina frowned.

"There wasn't anyone there." I paused.

"... Let's change the subject." Nope. Absolutely not. I liked ghost stories. I wasn't afraid of ghosts. But this was neither the time nor the place. Especially because Rina hated scary things.

"So..." I said carefully.

"How's Nayuta?" The atmosphere shifted immediately.

"He went to school this morning." Rina's voice softened.

"No club activities today. He should be home around five." That led to another concern. A major one. Would our son accept me as his father? In the end, we settled on the obvious solution. Show him the video. Let the evidence speak for itself. Around the time we reached that conclusion, the house finally came into view. I raised both hands dramatically.

"Home after two long days! I have returned!"

"You're not Admiral Solomon." Rina sighed.

"And please stop shouting." My triumphant return was cut short immediately. A tragedy.

"I need to go shopping," she continued.

"You go inside and rest." Defeated, I stepped through the front door. Our cat, Nyanta, greeted me first. Priorities established. I crouched down and gave him a thorough scratching session before heading to the bathroom. A quick press of the automatic bath button started filling the tub. While waiting, I grabbed a sweet bun from the refrigerator and sat down. A few minutes later, the bath was ready. Naturally, I added bath salts. Living in Oita came with certain obligations. And one of them was respecting hot baths.

The warm water embraced my smaller body. For the first time since returning, I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. The future was uncertain. The world might be on the verge of disaster. Monsters were coming. But for this brief moment— I was home.

Nayuta's POV If I had to describe my father in one sentence, I'd call him an ordinary middle-aged man. He ate well. Drank well. Had a decent sense of humor. Could be strict when necessary. And was covered in hair. Seriously. If you went to a hot spring with him, you'd see beard hair, chest hair, arm hair— Hair everywhere. Which made people wonder. Mom was beautiful. So why did she marry him? Honestly, even I wasn't entirely sure. But despite appearances, Dad was a genuinely good person.

When I was younger, he'd take us places on weekends. If I procrastinated on my summer homework until the last possible second, he'd help me finish it anyway. One memory stood out more than the others. The day I almost quit karate.