I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame【Abnormal State Skill】As I Devastated Everything

Chapter 469 - If Only I Could Believe This Sky Would Stretch On Forever......

Takao Hijiri, Takao Itsuki, Sogou Ayaka, and Kashima Kobato.

On that day, the four of them had gone out into the city.

After meeting up at the station plaza, they headed toward the main street in front of the station.

That central avenue was the liveliest place in the city.

Recently, autumn had deepened, and there was a slight chill in the air.

Leaves from the trees, tinged with autumn colors, had fallen and layered across the ground.

As the four walked, countless gazes followed them.

[Hmm…… yeah, when the four of us walk together like this, it might be a bit too dazzling. And today, on top of that, we’ve all dressed up properly too.]

Looking around, Itsuki spoke with a strangely proud tone.

It wasn’t herself she was boasting about———– but someone else, as if she wanted to show them off.

[By the way———— since we got back, does that mean everyone except me changed their hairstyle?]

Ayaka now wore her hair in a long ponytail.

Hijiri had let down the hair she used to keep tied up behind her head.

Because of that, the ends of her hair now reached around her lower back.

As for Kobato———–

[The fact that you braided just the right side of your cheek area…… you’re doing that because of her, right?]

At Itsuki’s question, Kobato nodded.

Kobato had also let down her twin tails about two weeks ago.

But the braid was something she had only done recently.

[I’m copying Asagi-san.]

Kobato admitted it plainly.

[Lately, you’ve also been wearing that headband sometimes, right? Not at school, though……]

Kobato lightly touched the edge of her black headband.

[I wear this when I go out like today, or when I visit Asagi-san’s house. I don’t wear it at school or at my part-time job…… actually, this headband was given to me by Asagi-san’s mother. Apparently, Asagi-san used to wear something like this. When I wear it, she looks kind of happy.]

[Come to think of it, your part-time job is at the same place as Asagi’s mom, right? How is it? Going well?]

[Unn, it’s a good workplace.]

[I’ve been unsure whether to ask, so I haven’t until now…… but did you start working at the supermarket because of Asagi’s mom?]

[That’s right. I thought it’d be nice if there was something I could help with. Oh, and it’s also good experience for me too.]

[You work the register, right?]

[I also stock shelves.]

[Well, I mean…… it’s still customer service either way. No offense, but…… before we got close, it was kind of hard to imagine you doing customer service. That’s why, I’ve been a little worried…… like, you’re not getting bullied at work or harassed by troublesome customers, right?]

At that point, Hijiri interjected.

[With how Kashima-san is now, it wouldn’t be strange if, aside from her youth, her cuteness drew jealousy from other women. And even if there were male customers trying to bother her, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine…… so yes, if you ask whether I’m worried, I suppose I am, at least a little.]

[Fufu, thank you for worrying about me, Hijiri-san…… Itsuki-san too. But it’s okay, you know? When I first introduced myself, I said “I may look like this, but I’m actually pretty scheming”, and…… the part-time ladies laughed and said “What an interesting girl.” Thanks to that, and because I’ve been proactively asking the most part-timer senpais for advice when the timing’s right, it feels like they’ve taken a liking to me now.]

[And also, during breaks, if I complain to the part-time ladies about weird customers, they go “Leave it to us!”’ and happily listen to me. Maybe that’s why? When strange customers occasionally try to bother me, the part-time ladies step in and protect me. Everyone there is really dependable.]

“Whoa……”, Itsuki voiced her amazement and admiration.

[T- The current Kobato…… has gotten seriously good at navigating life……]

[And…… if my position improves, it’ll make it easier for Asagi-san’s mother to get support too. But…… if you trace it all back, this is all thanks to Asagi-san. If I hadn’t met her like that, I don’t think I’d have been able to interact with people this way. So——– what I’ve become now is, in a sense, all thanks to her.]

Itsuki placed both hands behind her head,

[Asagi huh……]

She spoke as if looking back on the past, her gaze drifting into the air.

[She gave off a kind of dangerous vibe, so I thought it’d be better not to get too involved with her…… but hearing all this from Kobato, I kinda feel like I wish I’d talked to her more.]

Walking behind Itsuki and Ayaka, Hijiri had been thinking something similar.

[If she were still here, safe and sound…… yes, there are a few things I might have liked to talk about with her as well.]

Ikusaba Asagi was someone even that Mimori Touka had evaluated highly.

For example, what would happen if she debated someone like Aoshima Mitsuru?

Now, she had become someone intriguing enough to spark such thoughts.

Kobato aligned her gaze in the same direction as Itsuki’s.

[Yeah…… I think I would’ve liked to see Asagi-san become friends with you too, Itsuki-san, Hijiri-san and Sogou-san too. Ahaha…… but if Asagi-san were here, things might get even noisier, you know?]

There was no trace of wistfulness in her tone.

It wasn’t that she found the impossibility sad……

But rather that such a possibility would have been fun.

She was simply enjoying the imagination itself.

(Kashima-san has grown stronger too. No———–)

Even back during the Golden Demon Zone, there had been hints.

Kashima Kobato’s true nature was not that of a merely timid girl.

Ayaka opened her mouth.

[But Asagi-san is still alive within you, Kashima-san…… within you, she’s become something like the energy that drives who you are now. At least———– that’s how it seems to me.]

[……Unn, that might be true. It feels like Asagi-san is still looking after me…… even now.]

Lowering her gaze, Kobato closed her eyes and spoke as if imitating Asagi’s tone.

[———- “Poppo still needs a lot of looking after”, she’d say.]

[Ahh…… yeah…… that does sound like something she’d say……]

Itsuki responded as if she could vividly picture it.

Ayaka then stopped walking and checked her smartphone.

[Errr…… sorry, I think we turn right here? Unn, just around the corner…… we should be there soon.]

The plan for today was to have lunch together as a group of four.

Ayaka had chosen the restaurant.

She had asked about their preferences and dislikes beforehand, but had kept the details of the place a secret.

[Ah…… there it is.]

At the end of Ayaka’s gaze stood a gray-walled building.

Aside from what looked like a sliding door(?) about the height of Hijiri’s neck, it was nothing but wall.

There was no signboard.

There did appear to be something like an intercom, but……

At a glance, it was impossible to tell what kind of building it even was.

(These kinds of places……)

She had an idea.

It was probably a place where entry was mainly through the back and that entrance was likely intended for guests arriving by car.

Ayaka began speaking to someone on her phone.

Then……

[Sorry everyone, could you crouch a little when you go in? Be careful not to hit your heads.]

Once they stepped inside, it was a completely different world from the exterior.

It resembled a long-established, high-class traditional restaurant.

And not the kind that rested on its reputation, either.

[Welcome, Sogou-sama. We have been expecting you.]

A woman in a kimono bowed deeply and guided them with refined movements into a private room.

The room was fully private.

Beneath the table was a sunken floor like a kotatsu, making it comfortable to sit, almost like using chairs.

Outside the vertical window was a carefully maintained small garden.

Light poured in, perhaps from a skylight above the garden.

Kobato, still taken aback, looked around the room and garden in awe.

Itsuki too……

[Hey, Ayaka…… you said you’d cover lunch today, but…… isn’t this place kinda expensive? I mean, isn’t this the kind of place politicians or celebrities sneak into?]

Ayaka gave a wry smile.

[Well, I thought it’d be nice to talk about that world again for the first time in a while…… so I figured it’d be better to pick a place where no one would overhear us. And also…… I wanted somewhere where we wouldn’t have to worry about time. So I asked my grandfather, and he made the reservation here.]

[Oh, right. The staff won’t come unless we press that call button, so there’s no need to worry about them entering while we’re talking. I think we can speak freely here.]

[Ah, that’s not what I meant…… I’m saying this isn’t exactly the kind of place a group of high school girls can casually come to. G- Good thing I put some thought into my outfit…… I mean, whether it actually matches the atmosphere is another story…… but maybe I barely pass…… right?]

Sitting next to Itsuki, who seemed amusingly flustered, Hijiri spoke.

[Still, I feel a bit hesitant letting Sogou-san cover all the cost herself. I did bring a fair amount of money today, so we could split it, if you’d like…… though I’m not sure it would be enough.]

[Ah———- no, no! Actually…… I’m not the one paying for this.]

[Oh?]

[I asked my grandfather to take care of the bill here. When I did, he said “Don’t underestimate me, Ayaka. I intended to do that from the start”, and scolded me a little…… ahaha……]

With a natural motion, Ayaka picked up one of the leather-bound menus.

[And…… if I paid out of my own pocket, I think it would make all of you feel obligated in return. But if it’s my grandfather treating us, it’s easier to accept, right?]

Itsuki crossed her legs, closed her eyes, and folded her arms.

[I mean…… yeah, I guess that’s true…… maybe it is……]

Hijiri chuckled softly, placing a finger near her lips.

[You’ve grown stronger too, Sogou-san.]

[……Thank you.]

Ayaka handed one of the two menus to Hijiri.

[Well, even if we talk about that world, people around us would probably just think “Those four are having a strange conversation.” But still, in a place where others might be listening…… it might make things a little harder for us to speak freely.]

As Hijiri received the menu, she spoke.

[It’s the same even at someone’s house, there are always other people around who might overhear.]

There was also the matter of the missing persons.

If anything slipped out, even by accident, there was a chance it could raise suspicion.

In other words……

“Speaking as if the missing people were still alive”

————That would be dangerous.

But in a place like this, that risk could be reduced to almost zero.

Given the type of clientele, it was reassuring in that regard.

After all, this kind of establishment valued the confidentiality of conversations.

(Well, I suppose I might be overthinking it……)

Ayaka opened the other menu and set it down.

[And, you know…… I thought it might be better to make use of what I can. Well…… yes, there may be people who find it unpleasant that I can casually use my position like this going forward. But that’s fine. It’s impossible to be liked by everyone to begin with. Just like how there’s no person or story in this world that everyone loves. And now, I don’t feel the need to reach out to everyone, and I’ve come to think that it’s also my right to dislike someone. But on the other hand…… I’ve also started thinking that the people I do care about, I should cherish even more than before. Yes…… people like all of you———— who are here with me.]

[It feels like you’ve changed too, Sogou-san.]

The one who said that was Kobato, sitting beside her.

[D- Do you think so? Well…… maybe…… ahaha…… though I’m still nowhere near Mimori-kun or Hijiri-san……]

Hijiri placed the menu on the table and said,

[Oh? Is that what you’re aiming for, Sogou-san?]

[Eh? U- Unn…… for now.]

[——–I’m honored.]

Just then, Itsuki’s stomach growled loudly.

“Ugh……”, she groaned, her face turning red.

The others all smiled, each in their own way.

Hijiri opened the menu and slid it toward Itsuki.

[For now, let’s order some food.]

▽

After finishing their meal (including dessert) they were now enjoying tea.

Just as Ayaka had said, this place didn’t have the unspoken pressure that seemed to say “it’s about time……”

[Haaah…… at first I was worried it’d just be refined, light-tasting dishes because of the atmosphere, but there was actually a lot of variety. I’m satisfied~~]

[Itsuki, that’s rude.]

[Ugh…… sorry……]

“It’s fine”, Ayaka said, setting down her teacup.

[This place gets all kinds of guests, so they prepare a wide variety of flavors and ingredients. It’s mostly reservation-only, so for walk-ins the menu can be a bit limited.]

[It looks like they have everything, Japanese, Western, Chinese…… even ethnic cuisine. And there’s a wide selection of drinks too.]

What was certain was that the ingredients were all top quality.

Another notable point was that even the individual dishes had no listed prices.

They were probably included in the course———- or perhaps billed afterward.

But what Hijiri was thinking about now was something else.

It seemed Itsuki and Ayaka had noticed it too.

[Kashima-san…… are you not feeling well?]

[Ah…… s- sorry, Sogou-san. No, that’s not it…… actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask Hijiri-san. I’ve just been unsure when to bring it up……]

A slight sense of relief passed through the other three.

[What is it? Don’t hesitate, go ahead.]

[T- Thank you…… um…… when we were in that other world, Asagi-san used to say this a lot. She’d say, what’s someone like me supposed to do if I go back to the original world…… that going back to such a hopeless, collapsing country would only make someone like me even more miserable. So…… I was wondering…… is living in this world really that a disaster……?]

Hijiri moistened her lips with rooibos tea and set down her glass.

[I see. Perhaps Asagi-san was the type to connect all macro-level issues directly to an individual…… or to frame them in relation to the self.]

Itsuki tilted her head, arms crossed.

[What does that mean, exactly?]

[It means that when thinking about an individual’s happiness or way of life, she tends to tie everything back to the state of the world or society. Of course, they’re not entirely unrelated, which is what makes it complicated.]

[Ahh…… like when you see bad news and start feeling like your own life is getting worse too?]

“Yes.”, Hijiri affirmed.

[I’m sorry to make this about myself, but———– when I go to sleep at night…… I’m sheltered from the rain and wind, I’ve eaten enough to ease my hunger, I have basic hygiene and freedom, my safety is secured…… and I can lie down and fall asleep like this. There are many days when I feel deeply grateful for just that. I think to myself, I really am fortunate.]

Kobato’s eyes widened.

[That’s…… kind of unexpected. For someone like Hijiri-san, to say something like that…… I mean——– uh, I don’t mean it in a bad way or anything!]

[Of course, there are other things too, satisfying my intellectual curiosity, immersing myself in fresh ideas…… spending time like this. Even I find happiness in more mundane things. And generally speaking…… things like wealth, appearance, having a high-status partner, or achieving social success and position are often used as measures of happiness, aren’t they?]

Ayaka spoke up.

[Like that thing people used to talk about a lot, approval-seeking?]

[Yes. And I don’t think those things have no value as measures of happiness. However, the ones I mentioned tend to be strongly relative in nature. In other words, they easily become a matter of “how do I compare to others?”.]

[So the happiness you usually feel, Hijiri-san…… it’s not that it has none of that, but it’s weaker?]

[Exactly. The happiness I feel before going to sleep isn’t something easily measured against others in a place like this country. And the more people are exposed to the world and society———- especially through open platforms like social media, the more they start to seek happiness defined by those relative attributes.]

[I mean, I’m happy just being with Big Sis~~ Oh, and cats are cute, and Slei is adorable too!]

After giving Itsuki a gentle smile, Hijiri continued.

[In other words———- being too open may be distorting and fixing the way we perceive and experience happiness…… or so I think.]

Kobato looked like she was starting to understand.

[Ah…… so connecting everything in the world or society to yourself, that leads to “unhappiness”…… like, when all you see are negative things, you start thinking everything is hopeless…… something like that?]

[Yes. Since Asagi-san viewed others’ happiness that way, she may have said those things. Though…… it’s also possible she used such strong words intentionally———- to protect you, or to make you realize something.]

[……If that’s the case, then I’d be glad.]

Still smiling, Hijiri lowered her gaze.

[I think the world today is too “open”. Perhaps people living in it could afford to be a little more “closed”…… and place just a bit more priority on their own present moment.]

Itsuki rested her chin on the table.

[So basically, people are overthinking everything, comparing themselves to others, and worrying too much about big-picture stuff?]

[Of course, how one chooses to live is their own freedom. Like the American writer Ernest Hemingway said, “the world is a fine place and worth fighting for”. On the other hand, like another American writer, J.D. Salinger did, one might distance themselves from society, close their ears and eyes, remain silent, and choose a solitary, “closed” way of living.]

What Hijiri personally found interesting was that the two writers had actually known each other.

Both had also experienced war.

As if recalling a concern, Ayaka spoke.

[Arehh? But didn’t Hemingway……]

[Yes, he ultimately chose to end his own life. However, that doesn’t invalidate the way he lived or the works he left behind. In a sense, they are the traces of the battles he fought.]

Itsuki closed her eyes, putting on a serious expression.

[So, the way you live stays behind huh.]

As a side note, Salinger’s life, in its own way, hadn’t been so bad either.

In his later years, he had small, quiet interactions with the people in the village where he lived.

[I used writers as examples, but…… reading itself might also be a “closing” act. When you read a novel, you form a one-on-one relationship with the story and ideas within it. Isn’t that a limited, closed kind of experience?]

Kobato, doing her best to keep up with Hijiri’s way of thinking, replied.

[I think so, yes…… now that you mention it, that makes sense……]

[If you can immerse yourself in it, all the better. There’s even a theory that people feel the happiest when they’re deeply focused. To forget the world, society, everything else, and lose yourself in something…… not just reading, but perhaps that’s where true human happiness often lies.]

[Yeah, when you’re having fun, time really does fly by~~]

Itsuki straightened up as she said that.

“It’s gotten a bit long but……”, Hijiri prefaced.

[To sum it up———— if you pursue a way of living centered on “closed” happiness, less dependent on comparisons with others, then this world isn’t such a bad place after all…… at least, that’s what I think.]

Society.

Community.

Public.

People can live a little more distanced from those open systems.

If one remains constantly connected to them———— eventually, the mind wears down.

Sometimes, it can even drag a person in a worse direction.

What others are like doesn’t matter.

What matters is what you are like.

Takao Hijiri also thinks along those lines.

[Of course, Asagi-san might say “That kind of thinking is nothing more than escapism, just a painkiller used to deceive yourself.” And my own way of thinking also assumes, first of all, that one must be able to deal with those who cause harm to others———-, ……………Hm? Kashima-san? Or rather, Sogou-san too…… what’s wrong?]

Without noticing it, Kobato and Ayaka had both moved into seiza and were listening intently.

Like students attending a lecture, Kobato spoke.

[I- I’m learning a lot……!]

Ayaka, with the same expression, added.

[Me too…… I’m learning a lot……]

Thereupon, Itsuki crossed her arms and spoke smugly.

[Umu umu…… listen well, both of you, to the precious words of my dear sister.]

[Why are you the one acting so important, Itsuki?]

Hijiri reached out and began mercilessly tickling Itsuki’s side.

[Hyahhh———- s- sorry, Big Sis! Nyaahhhh——– please, I said I’m sorry!]

The two still in seiza widened their eyes and looked at each other.

Then Kobato and Ayaka turned to one another and quietly giggled.

▽

They thanked Ayaka and left the restaurant.

Next, at Itsuki’s request, they planned to wander around shops near the station.

She wanted the four of them to look at clothes and accessories together.

Itsuki had already picked out a few stores in advance.

[Oh, right! After we look around, how about karaoke?]

[Eh?]

Ayaka reacted with clear hesitation.

[Arehh? Is your schedule tight, Ayaka?]

[Ah, no, it’s not that———- I’ve actually never been to karaoke before…… and I’m not really confident about singing……]

[Oh, that’s all? Don’t worry about it! No one here’s gonna tease you! If anything, think of it as a first-time trial run! And if it’s too much, just say so, we can totally just chill at a café instead!]

Ayaka turned her gaze to Kobato, seemingly checking how the others felt about it.

[K- Kashima-san?]

[Eh? M- Me? I’m okay…… actually, Itsuki-san’s already invited me a few times before……]

[You know, Kobato’s actually been to karaoke alone before! She’s really good at singing!]

[Wawawa, Itsuki-san! I’m not that good at it……!]

[And Ayaka…… if you go today, you’ll get to hear Big Sis sing too~~]

[Ugh.]

Ayaka’s expression shifted into visible inner conflict.

For Hijiri, it was a confusing sight, thinking “Why is her mood swinging toward going just because of that?”

Even if someone expected to hear her singing.

[I’m not exactly someone with a wide repertoire, and I’m not particularly good at singing either, you know?]

[But…… well…… my first karaoke outing would be…… with Hijiri-san……]

It was obvious Ayaka’s feelings were starting to shift.

Itsuki moved in at the perfect moment, as if declaring “Now’s the time!”, and hooked her arm around Ayaka’s.

[Let’s go, Ayaka~~? You want to hear Big Sis sing, right~~? You even shared a kiss with her before, so you’re curious, aren’t you~~? Hm~~?]

[I- Itsuki-san!? T- That was part of a strategy at the time…… I was the one who misunderstood things——— so, um…… that’s why…… Hijiri-san…… c- certainly is a wonderful person but……]

She rambled in a strange, half-explanatory way.

Ayaka’s gaze was fixed on Hijiri.

Since returning, she has changed in some ways.

But seeing her like this also made it clear there were parts of her that hadn’t changed at all.

[Itsuki, don’t trouble Sogou-san too much.]

Thereupon, Ayaka, as if leaping onto a bus just before it departed, blurted out decisively:

[———-N- No! I’ll go! I want to go!]

[Oh, Ayaka’s coming with us! See? I knew it, getting her to come works way better when it’s coming from Big Sis than from me huh……]

“That’s Big Sis for you”, Itsuki said happily, raising a hand.

Hijiri checked in again.

[Are you sure, Sogou-san?]

[I- I think…… it’s fine if it’s with this group…… and also———-]

Ayaka glanced up at Hijiri.

Hijiri responded with a gentle smile, seemingly wordlessly asking “What is it?”.

Ayaka’s face flushed even redder, and she quickly looked away.

[Ah———– No…… it’s nothing……]

Kobato watched the scene unfold and let out a dry laugh.

Itsuki raised her hand cheerfully.

[Alright, it’s decided! Let’s go check out some karaoke places!]

The four of them began walking.

At that moment———- Hijiri suddenly stopped and looked up at the sky stretching ahead.

Could these kinds of days also be called small happiness———–?

(No———–)

They probably could.

A clear sky stretched out as if it continued into another world entirely.

She closed her eyes———— and felt the wind.

(Hmm…… What a pleasant day……)

————I wonder……

(Mimori-kun……)

Are you doing well over there too?

<Afterword>

Since I’ve gotten a clear outlook on completing the manuscript for the final chapter, I went ahead and posted the new work that I briefly mentioned before (I originally planned to announce it after tomorrow’s final chapter, but I wanted to use tomorrow’s afterword purely as an afterword, so I’m making the announcement today).

It seems I can’t attach a link directly, so I’d appreciate it if you could access it from the list of works on my author page, or by copying the URL below.

 [ Paradise of the Evil Emperor ~ ~ I Was Told My Only Merit Was Being a Nice Guy, But It Seems I’ve Become the Most Evil Villain in the Story ~ ~ ]

↓ URL

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n6782md/

As I mentioned before, this is something I started writing as a way to refresh myself when I couldn’t work on “Failure Frame”, and I also want to keep it light and easygoing (the genre is different from “Failure Frame”, which makes me a bit uneasy), so I’ve started it with the comment section closed (I might open it later once it reaches a certain milestone).

If you’d like, I’d be happy if you gave it a read as a way to pass the time.

And so, tomorrow’s update will be the final chapter of “I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame【Abnormal State Skill】As I Devastated Everything”.