Kays Translations

Chapter 1: Lingering Taint of Nightmares

After the battle with the “Sixth Rank” that attacked the school ended, people for the cleanup arrived immediately. Five people came to listen to the story and rush over, but the number quickly increased once it was understood that almost all of the elementary school students were affected.

Police, emergency services, and nearly everyone who knew the situation, including memory manipulation, seemed to have gathered at the school. As experienced individuals who had dealt with the aftermath of various monsters, they struggled to take the children to the hospital, and I watched them silently.

While holding hands with Nina-chan, I watched everything settle in silence.

We sat together on the steps in the corner of the schoolyard so as not to get in the way, absentmindedly watching the scene in front of us as if watching a movie.

During that time, I remained silent.

I had no idea how to approach the situation.

Nina-chan had said, “As long as Itsuki is here, it’s okay.”

It seemed strange to hear such ordinary words. If they were to reach her, Nina-chan wouldn’t have said something like that.

So, I hesitated to speak.

And every time I found myself in such a situation, I cursed my past life. Why did I avoid communication to that extent?

Maybe what I did in my past life wasn’t communication. Meaningless conversations with whoever was in front of me. Did I ever have a real conversation with anyone at school or at work?

If not, if I hadn’t avoided conversations with others in my past life…

Would I have had words to reach Nina-chan?

But thinking about such things now was pointless.

While I was lost in meaningless thoughts, Nina-chan held my hand the whole time.

Just as she had been doing all along when exorcising monsters.

As if to say she would continue to do so.

And thus, as I continued my disjointed thoughts… I wonder how much time had passed.

About half of the people in the schoolyard had left, and people from the neighborhood began to gather at the school gate… A woman walked toward us, separating from the crowd.

Even before seeing her face, I knew who it was. It was Irena-san.

I didn’t know how she found us, but she stood in front of us with unwavering steps… and then, she bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Itsuki-san.”

Before I could say anything in response, Irena-san continued.

“They’ve come, the ‘Muppet Rapper Marionette.'”

“What…?”

As I couldn’t catch what she said, I asked again, and Irena-san pointed to my chest pocket.

When I looked there, half of a face peeked out from the pocket, a mix of red, white, and green. It was a memento.

“That’s the monster’s name. Edmund… the monster who killed Nina’s father and caused the ‘Hyakki Yagyou Carnival’ in England.”

“The monster that triggered sealing Nina-chan’s memories, right?”

“Yes. Nina has… probably remembered everything.”

I hesitated on how to convey Irena-san’s words.

It was less about her remembering and more about her memories being forcibly unearthed.

But while I was hesitating about how to convey it, Nina-chan muttered softly.

“…everything.”

I understood from her words.

Irena-san’s expression turned bitter. She continued, her expression unchanged.

“Nina, I imagine it’s painful, but for now…”

“No, it’s not painful.”

Nina-chan decisively denied Irena-san’s words.

Her voice was stronger than I had expected, and before I could hide my surprise… Nina-chan continued in a light tone.

“It’s not painful because Itsuki is here.”

“…?”

Irena-san didn’t say anything in response.

Still, she regained her words quickly and continued.

“I understand. But, Nina. Let’s go home today. We can’t stay here any longer.”

“No, I won’t go home.”

“…You won’t go home? Do you plan to stay at school forever?”

“No, that’s not it. I want to be with Itsuki.”

At those words, Irena-san furrowed her brows slightly, as if pondering.

However, Nina-chan continued as if the answer had been decided from the beginning.

“Itsuki protected me. He helped me. So, I don’t need anything anymore. I don’t need anything at all. I won’t go home either. As long as Itsuki is here, it’s enough.”

As soon as Nina-chan said those words, Irena-san closed her eyes.

And then, as if she had decided on her response, she opened her eyes again, reached out gently toward Nina-chan, and recited a short incantation.

“Sleep.”

At that moment, Nina-chan’s body slumped forward.

But Irena-san immediately caught her. Nina-chan’s strength left her, and the hand she had been holding slipped from mine.

“I’m sorry, Itsuki-san. Nina has caused you trouble.”

“No, I’m fine. More importantly, Nina-chan…”

“It’s a bit forceful, but I think it’s better to let her sleep for now. There’s a risk she might panic suddenly due to remembering things.”

“But she seemed calm…”

I couldn’t imagine ‘panic,’ so when I said that, Irena-san quietly shook her head.

“A shocked heart tends to numb. And it gets swallowed up by the big thing in front of it. For Nina, that was you.”

Is that so?

“The pain will come later, slowly creeping in. That’s why I sealed Nina’s memories. It probably won’t be useful anymore.”

“Not useful…?”

I couldn’t help but wonder at Irena-san’s resigned smile and inadvertently asked back.

Does that mean magic won’t work?

Or is there some other reason?

“Sealing memories is less effective for children. They have fewer memories compared to adults, so hiding oblivion in the sea of memory is difficult. When they become adults, they’ll find that they’ve forgotten many things.”

Saying that, Irena-san turned on her heel while holding Nina-chan.

“And once Nina, who has broken the magic once, will find it easier to break the seal on memories from now on. That’s the curse that comes with it.”

Then, Nina-chan…

“Nina will have to stand up on her own without using magic.”

…

Isn’t that harsh?

I thought so, but couldn’t put it into words.

“Itsuki-san, if you’ll allow me to be impudent, I have a request.”

…A request?

“If Nina tries to stand up on her own… can she rely on your strength, Itsuki-san?”

While still facing away, Irena-san asked, and I nodded vigorously.

“Yeah! If there’s anything I can do, I’ll do it!”

“…Thank you very much.”

And then, Irena-san left the schoolyard.

I was left alone in the schoolyard… I hesitated a bit on what to do, but I couldn’t keep doing that forever, so I went back to the classroom to retrieve my school bag.

For the first time in a while, I returned home with a heavy feeling in my chest.

That feeling remained until the next day when I received a phone call from Irena-san.

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