Chương 71: Chapter 19 The Little Sister and the Eve of the Akihabara Gate(Part 3)

"But there are so many people wearing black gothic lolita clothes. Is that...?"

"Yes. That's because of you." Mochida answered calmly.

"Do you know about the uniform effect? The Stanford prison experiment is one of the famous examples."

"I remember that. It was made into a movie too, wasn't it? The one where people were divided into guards and prisoners."

"That's right." The experiment itself had been debated, but one thing was undeniable. When people put on a uniform, they could switch into a certain mindset, almost like flipping a switch. Inside the Gate, there were safe zones, but whether it was safe or not... There was no doubt that it was a dangerous place. Under special circumstances, having something to anchor one's heart was probably a good thing.

"Exactly. Those who have acquired magic-related classes can create their own image without relying on anything else. But for people whose image is still vague, many of them are imitating your appearance to some degree." Mochida continued.

"According to the reports we've received, it seems to have a certain effect." When you were cornered, you did what you had to do. But the destination they reached was... Gothic lolita clothing. Well, if it kept them alive, I couldn't really complain. For people using classes inside the Gate, the image they associated with their role was important. Their class and their image were inseparable.

"Would it be better if I streamed while wearing men's clothes?"

"Who knows? I'm not someone who has acquired a class, so I don't understand that feeling." Maybe someday people would walk around wearing leather armor. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Full plate armor. Or even samurai armor.... No. Anything that made movement difficult probably wouldn't become popular. After walking around, I had a general understanding of the area.

If they gave me directions through an intercom, I should be able to move without getting lost. We returned to the area around the Akihabara Gate. There were fewer ordinary civilians now, but there were still many people around. Tomorrow, I would discuss the details with Chiyoda. The deadline was probably approaching. The red light that had been thought to be some kind of meter seemed to be about to complete one full rotation around the Gate. The sky had already grown dark. It was probably time to leave.

The makeup hadn't completely fallen apart from sweat, but it felt uncomfortable, so I had already removed it. Then...

"Hey! What class are you!? Are you looking down on frontline fighters!?"

"First is a magic-type class, isn't she? Then magic users are obviously superior, aren't they? I'm a mage. I'm not some muscle-brained idiot like you." A loud voice echoed. A crowd began forming around two people. A fight? People always said fights and fires were the attractions of Edo, but... Did they really have to do this now? Because I was short, I couldn't see very well. But from what I could tell, a frontline fighter and a mage were arguing.

"Have they drawn their weapons?"

"I can't see clearly either, but..." Mochida narrowed her eyes.

"Wait. He drew something. I can see a long staff." She looked at me seriously.

"Please stay here. I'll find a police officer or Self-Defense Force member who has acquired a class." Earlier, I had spoken with Hyodo inside the Gate. Arguments and small conflicts between people who had acquired classes were not common. But they did happen. And honestly... It was natural. When people gained power, they wanted to try using it. When you learned a new spell in a game, you wanted to test it out on even weak enemies just to see the effect. But this was the problem. This was reality. Not a game.

If they wanted to fight inside the Gate using their new powers, that was one thing. But if they used those powers outside... The damage could be enormous. I didn't want them destroying the city I was trying to protect.

"If they've drawn weapons, we should stop it before the damage gets worse." I looked at Mochida.

"I believe even ordinary people can make a citizen's arrest if they catch someone in the act, right?" I tilted my head.

"And aren't you a police officer?" Mochida's expression tightened.

"You are a protected individual."

"If you were injured now, it would affect the upcoming plans..." She lowered her voice.

"The loss to Japan would be immeasurable. Please understand." She spoke casually most of the time. But Mochida was an SP. She couldn't approve of the person she was protecting walking into danger. She grabbed my hand tightly, refusing to let go.

"Magic class? Can you move faster than me?"

"Before you even move, you'll turn to ash." Their tension kept rising. If someone poured cold water on them, maybe they would calm down. Unfortunately, Hyodo wasn't here. And Mochida hadn't acquired a class either. Before they actually started fighting, there was still something I could do.

"I promise you. I'll stop them without getting hurt." Mochida's face remained troubled.

"It will become troublesome once they actually start moving, but right now... I can still handle it." She probably didn't believe me. But if this continued, someone would die. Whether the swordsman would cut down the mage, or the mage would burn the swordsman alive... I didn't know. But if they couldn't reconcile, an outcome would be decided.

"... You want me to trust you?"

"Don't you want to see the strength of people who will be fighting in the Akihabara Gate incident?" Our eyes met. Looking up at her, I could see it. Curiosity. And conflict with her duty. She really was a good person. Someone loyal to her job. Someone who didn't want to see people get hurt.

"Don't worry. I won't stay long." I smiled.

"Bring the car around. Once I settle this, we'll leave immediately."

"... Understood." She sighed.

"I'll call someone and bring the car around. Please settle this before then." Her eyes met mine.

"I'm trusting you."

"Yes." I nodded.

"I'll finish this quickly." Mochida ran toward the police officers in the distance while repeatedly looking back at me. She had only ever seen me through my streams. Of course she was curious about seeing me fight. And as my protector, it was also her responsibility. The Witch showed no sign of interest. Since this was just a human quarrel, perhaps she didn't care. The Sage was the same. Maybe he was watching. But he seemed uninterested. I swallowed the gum, took out my kiseru, and lit it.

I didn't know if it actually contained nicotine. But the drifting smoke felt strangely comforting.