3 bar menu

Nanana’s Buried Treasure Volume 5 Chapter 8.3

「I see. So calling it an evil deed is just an expression of Juugo’s determination to do what he wanted, even if it meant crushing others dreams. 」

「Yeah it’s not cool. It’s just what it is. 」

「Hmph. If you ask me, Juugo cares too much about other people’s feelings. 」

「That’s not true. 」

「The person who says he hates humanity and even told us he couldn’t trust us yesterday cares more about strangers than he should. There’s somewhat of a contradiction there. 」

「…it’s just your imagination. 」

「Hmph, well let’s leave it at that then. 」

I feel as if she can see right through me, and I don’t like it.

「Juugo, next time do something truly evil. Something fitting of my rival. 」

「Stop encouraging people to do bad things. I’m not like that. 」

Tensai chuckles at my scolding.

「Someone who says he doesn’t do bad things just did something bad. I guess Juugo will do something bad again if I just wait then. 」

「That’s why I’m not doing something bad again. 」

Even though I deny it, I consider it.

If it’s something bad that would make Nanana-chan happy, maybe it would be ok to do that.

「By the way Juugo, what are you going to do about Saki Yoshino? 」

Tensai’s question makes my stomach turn.

「…there’s nothing I can do about it. 」

「I had no idea that Saki Yoshino was a minion of the leprechauns. 」

「I wouldn’t necessarily say she’s a minion. 」

「But, Saki Yoshino announced herself to be organizer M of the leprechaun’s 《game》. It’s safe to say that the organization hiding Saki Yoshino is the lerprechauns. There is a definite connection between them. 」

「…」

「In any case though, I can’t figure out why Saki Yoshino stabbed Yuiga-dono. 」

「Aren’t you being a little too quick on the uptake? Yun-chan is the host of the upcoming 《game》, so you can ask her when you participate. 」

「Hmph, that’s true. 」

「But still… the lerprechauns huh? 」

A mysterious organization that is respecting Nanana-chan’s wishes and continuing to create 《ruins》. What exactly are they and what are their purpose?

「Well, how should I look when I meet Tetsu-kun at school? 」

My worries were resolved in an unexpected way.

When we got to school that morning, Tetsu-kun was nowhere to be seen in the classroom.

Even after the final exams, Tetsunoshin Tsujimi never came to school.

Epilogue

—That night, a girl comes out of 《Marmelo》. The girl stretches out in the fresh air for the first time in about a month.

「It’s been a while since you’ve been outside. How are you feeling Yun-chan? 」

「I’m totally fine Natsu-san. 」

Saki Yoshino rotated her arm to show that she still had energy.

Seeing Saki like that put a slightly sad expression on his face.

「It seems like it’s been a long time, but it’s actually been so short. 」

「I’d like to thank you for all your help and support. Thank you very much. 」

「And Natsu-san has helped me in many ways. I’m really thankful to you. 」

Saki bows her head.

「I don’t know what Yun-chan is going to do from here on, but this is the beginning of the real work isn’t it? 」

「Yes it is」, Saki nods with determination in her eyes.

「I don’t like when things get sad. And it’s not like we’re saying farewell forever. 」

「But after we say goodbye here Natsu-san might lose his memories. 」

Natsu originally said that once his role was finished, his memories as a leprechaun would disappear.

Natsu gently pats Saki’s head as she looks down.

「It’s all right. We’ve been together for a month, so I’ll never forget you Yun-chan. 」

「But…」

「OK, then remind me. Come to our store again. 」

「To 《Marmelo》?」

「After you remind me, I’ll have you come to the store wearing a uniform as a part-time worker. I’ll brag to our customers that we have such a cute employee working here. 」

「So I’d be meant to attract guests…?」

「Well, you could say that. 」

Natsu smiles lightly and touches Saki’s cheek.

「That’s why, be sure to come back. 」

「Yes, I understand. 」

Saki disappeaered into the night, leaving Natsu alone in the store.

「…Huh? What was I doing? 」

I looked around and tilted my head.

「Let’s see. I must have been in the middle of preparing for tomorrow. 」

While scratching my head I entered the kitchen alone.

「Huh? What’s with this apron? 」

In the kitchen I am so familiar with there was an apron with a cute design that I didn’t recognize.

「Whose apron is this? 」

I don’t think it belongs to one of our staff.

「It creeps me out, should I throw it away? 」

Natsu walked with it towards the trash can, but changed his mind.

「…Should I keep it after all? 」

He’s not sure why but Natsu somehow feels that he should never throw it away. That he should keep it forever.

******************************************

Saki decides to call the being who saved her. The one Natsu calls 《god》. Saki decided to call him 《God》 as well. She doesn’t have that kind of respect for him but couldn’t think of a better name.

Saki follows 《God’s》 orders to fulfill her assigned role. To participate in the 《game》 as a participant, while organizing the 《game》 as an organizer, and finally to win the 《game》 by defeating all the other participants. That is the role and task given to Saki.

「This’ll be a piece of cake. 」

The task given to Saki is the final remedy from 《God》 for the breach of contract, which is ‘Yui Isshin has found out that I am a leprechaun.’

If she succeeds there will be no breach of contract. The fact that she stabbed Yui Isshin will also have been erased, and a new contract will be signed.

However, if she fails Saki’s contract will be terminated by 《God》.

There is no particular penalty for breaking the contract. 《God》 can just break the rules and dissolve the contract with Saki, taking away all the benefits he has given her.

The blessings bestowed upon Saki by 《God》.

The fact that her body had been pierced by numerous needles will be ignored.

《God》 simply takes away that blessing.

He won’t care what happens as a result.

《God》 is not that forgiving.

NEXT…..

The final exams are over, and the first semester is almost over.

After getting back a test with a not so good grade, all that was left to do was finish the rest of the semester and go to the end-of-term ceremony, then welcome summer vacation.

It’s right before summer vacation. The time is 11:45 PM and I am in a certain plaza.

I’m not the only where here. Many challangers with Nanana collection items have gathered in this plaza. Everyone has gathered here at this place and time to participate in the 《game》. Some of them are strangers and some are familiar faces.

「It’s finally time」, says President Yuiga, standing next to me.

In the end, only 3 members of the Adventure Club would participate in the 《game》: me, Tensai, and President Yuiga.

President Yuiga is using the 《impersonation glasses》, Tensai is using the 《amulet to ward off evil spirits》, and I am using 《Glittering lie detector》.

Tetsunoshin Tsuji approaches us for the first time in a while.

「Long time no see Juugo. 」

「Yeah, long time no see. Since you are here you must have heard about the Nanana Collection from Batako-san. 」

「You know all sorts of things, don’t you? 」

「Sorry about that. 」

「Don’t worry, I understand your concern. 」

「Are you participating to try to get in touch with Yun-chan? 」

「No, I’m here to win the 《game》 on Ane’s orders」

I wasn’t expecting that answer at all.

「Eh? But Shun-chan…」

「I was just here to say Hello to you. I have nothing more to talk to you about. 」

With that said, Tetsu-kun glanced at President Yuiga, turned his back on us, and left.

Gradually the plaza becomes more noisy.

It’s almost midnight. It’s almost time for the 《game》 to start.

「It’s almost time! 」

*****************************

There were people watching from afar as the students gathered in the plaza.

Looking down from the roof of a building with several of her subordinates in tow is Kurosu Sansa, the head of the Three Skulls.

「Well, let’s have these kids lead us to the Nanana collection. 」

There is also another group in the shadows.

「This is Atsugi. We are in position. 」

Upon receiving the report from her subordinates, the commander of the Nanaejima General Security Service, and Special Forces 1st unit, Kiyomi Hanabi nods.

「Understood. Stand by. …Now, how are you feeling advisor? 」

「I’m doing great. 」

Shiki Maboro (who was wearing a pants suit) is sitting on a sofa in the mobile headquarters looking displeased.

「You seem to be in a bad mood. 」

「Yeah that’s right. I was forced to stop drinking for three days, and then forced to sweat it out in a sauna every day. Thanks to that I no longer have any trace of alcohol in me. Gah, I want to finish this quickly and drink some delicious beer! 」

Himeko Nonomiya, who is in charge of watching over Shiki is so stunned she doesn’t know what to say.

Then Himeko receives a report from her subordinate.

「Advisor, there has been movement in the plaza. 」

Hearing this Shiki stopped her tantrum and stood up from the sofa quickly.

「Well then, let’s go. The Special Forces 1st Unit of the Nanaejima General Security Service under control  of Shiki Maboro is on the way. 」

Nonomiya felt like this Shiki giving orders was a completely different person.

And that night Himeko Nonomiya learns that Maboro Shiki is one of the Great 7.

As various thoughts intersect, a streetcar appears in front of the challengers gathered in the plaza.

Descending from it was a masked girl. It was organizer M.

Wearing a mask and cloak studded with thousands of stars, M makes a declaration to the challengers in a dignified manner.

「Let the games begin! 」