Chapter 20: Déjà Vu

“Zzz…”

“Zzz…”

“…………”

The two of them were sleeping on either side of me, making adorable little breathing sounds.

…There’s no way this is real, right?

No, if this actually were reality, this situation would be completely worthy of someone calling the authorities…

“Uuun… Huh? Kakeru, you’re awake! Are you feeling okay?”

“Kakeru-san! Y-you’re alive… Thank goodness!”

“Sorry for making you worry. I’m fine. I was just sleep-deprived.”

While I was wondering whether I should wake them up, Yuuka opened her eyes. Hearing Yuuka’s voice, Aoi-san woke up as well.

Aoi-san was being a little dramatic, but considering that she herself had collapsed from the mental strain she had been under, I suppose I really had made the two of them worry quite a lot despite it only being simple sleep deprivation.

…Still, waking up and immediately having two women rushing toward me is terrible for my heart.

It was a dreamlike situation, but apparently, it wasn’t actually a dream.

There was nothing wrong with my body, but apparently, I had slept for an entire day.

The two of them had apparently been worried about me and had stayed by my side the entire time to take care of me.

For now, in order to check the current situation, I returned to Japan and went online.

Originally, I had planned to rest a little yesterday before making various arrangements, but it seemed that was unnecessary, which was a relief. I gathered the information I needed and returned to the other world.

“The incident yesterday spread more than I expected. It also said that the embezzlement case involving Gondo would be reinvestigated, so this should lead to his arrest.”

“Yeah!”

Aoi-san nodded with a bright, relieved smile.

Since an accusation document had suddenly appeared during the new product presentation of a major publicly listed company, it had become news. On top of that, the video I uploaded spread widely, and then major influencers got involved, causing the whole thing to explode into a massive controversy.

With the data Aoi-san had left behind as evidence, Gondo would likely be judged again.

“…But the world of social media is really scary. It’s only been one day, yet Gondo’s address has already been exposed, and additional reports of workplace bullying and sexual harassment have come out from his subordinates. Apparently, he got into the company through connections and had ties with executives, which is why his problems never came to light until now.”

I never expected that so many new issues would surface in just one day.

He had probably caused other problems as well, and it seemed likely he would face trials for things beyond just the embezzlement.

“It’s unbelievable that he did the same thing to others besides Aoi. It’s completely his own fault.”

“It’s truly the worst…”

Even facts that we had not known about were being uncovered, and information on social media really did spread frighteningly fast.

Gondo was, as Yuuka said, suffering the consequences of his own actions. If the person involved was truly a villain, then perhaps there was no issue with that. However, just like what happened with Aoi-san, the fact that incorrect information could spread instantly was a serious problem.

People really needed to be more careful than ever about how they used social media.

Vigilante punishment was certainly problematic, but at the same time, the legal system also had limitations where problems sometimes were not properly addressed unless they became widely known. It was a difficult situation.

Well, this time, considering who the target was, I would accept it.

“My side doesn’t seem to have any problems either. Well, since I used the power of magic tools, there’s no way they could find out, and besides, I technically don’t even exist in Japan, so there’s no way I could be arrested.”

Using my Unique Skill, I could appear from anywhere, so there was no way they could trace my movements. Since I had made the posts and contacted the streamers from an internet café, there shouldn’t be any issues there either.

If I were caught, I could be charged with various crimes, such as trespassing, obstruction of business, and defamation.

…Thinking that everything is fine as long as you don’t get caught is an extremely dangerous mindset, so I need to be careful whenever I use magic tools in Japan.

This time, Aoi-san’s circumstances were special, and the company itself had serious issues, which was why I acted as I did. But I must not forget that even committing a crime as seemingly minor as shoplifting once can cause serious harm to others.

“That’s good, but don’t ever do something reckless like that again. When Kakeru collapsed, my heart nearly stopped.”

“…Yeah, I’ll be careful.”

Since I actually died in my previous life because of overwork, it was difficult for me to tell Yuuka that she was exaggerating.

I also planned to stop staying up all night from now on and live more leisurely, so I really would be careful.

“…Yuuka, Kakeru-san. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me.”

Aoi-san stood up and moved in front of Yuuka and me, bowing deeply.

“I didn’t do anything. This was all thanks to Kakeru.”

“Don’t worry about it. Like I said before, I just did what I wanted to do. And I’ll make sure you keep your promise properly.”

As promised, if something happens, I’ll ask Aoi-san for her cooperation. There’s no way I’m going to break that promise now.

“Of course.”

Saying that, Aoi-san stepped forward toward me.

Then, for some reason, she dropped to one knee and raised the staff she was holding toward me.

“Lord Kakeru, I will never forget this kindness you have shown me! With this life that has been granted to me once again, I hereby swear that I will use it entirely for your sake until the very end!”

““………………””

Wait, is this déjà vu?

I feel like I heard something similar just recently…

Is this some kind of trend in the other world?