Chapter 1
Second Year since ES’s founding; Spring. In the back alley of some town.
Haa…… Hah…… Looks like I managed to shake them off somehow.
Seriously, just how many pursuers do they need to send after a single rat? What a waste of resources.
(Then again, that simply means the information “I” managed to obtain really must be inconvenient for them.)1
(Even that realization alone is enough to inspire a bit of hope. There’s still a chance to outwit them.)
(To do that, reaching that place is essential.)
(However, the real issue is transportation. With pursuers afoot, public transit like buses or trains is completely out of the question.)
(In that case, hailing a taxi is the most viable option. If I can reach the main road……)
………!
(Footsteps!? Could it be that they've already caught up?)
(They’re definitely getting closer! And there’s……nowhere to hide?)
(That just means striking first is the only option—)
……Haaah!
Whoa! That was a close call. Someone could get hurt with you swinging your fists like that.
Something like that. Not that I agree with it in the slightest.
Anyway, we can talk later. Let’s get outta here first. Follow me.
……That won’t be necessary. This has nothing to do with you.
And what exactly do you plan to do? Right now, those guys from the organization are frantically searching for you.
It’s only a matter of time before they find you.
………
Take it easy. I’m on your side.
I’ve got a bike parked out on the street. Having a ride is probably more convenient for you too, right?
…Alright.
(—Looks like there aren’t any pursuers.)
! This is… a helmet?
Put it on. Should help hide your face a bit.
And mind telling me where to head next? You’ve got a lead, I assume.
How did you know……?
—No way, were you shadowing?
No need to be so on guard. Now’s not the time to start suspecting your friends.
I’ve been doing some investigating on my own, and I got word that someone left you a clue.
Despite being suspended from duty, you’re being reckless.
Something like this doesn’t even count as reckless.
This isn’t the sort of thing you can just stick your neck into half-heartedly. You get that too, don’t you?
……The location of the first incident.
If my deduction is correct, then there should still be some evidence left behind by the victim.
Alright, got it. Then hop on and I’ll take you there.
………
What’s wrong? If you stand there hesitating, they’ll catch up to us.
I know that. It’s just… this is my first time riding double on a motorcycle.
No way, you’re nervous?
Hahaha! I always thought you were the cool and collected sorta type, but it turns out you’ve got an unexpectedly cute side too……☆
I’d appreciate it if you didn’t think of me that way.
……Just make sure you drive safely.
Of course. I don’t plan on getting held up either!
So why were you in that back alley in the first place?
I already told you earlier that I was investigating the case. I’m not the kinda guy that’ll just stay all cooped up and quiet inside just ‘cause I’m suspended, y’know.
That said, it really was just a coincidence that I saw you going into that alley with that grim look on your face.
—A coincidence? If you’re going to lie, then at least come up with something slightly more convincing.
That’s harsh. …If you wanna get specific, I spotted the guys chasing you first, so I was already watching their movements.
Then, I saw you were there too, so I helped you out. Satisfied?
Yes. It’s better than being told it was a coincidence.
Well, even so, trying to help someone being chased by the organization means you’ve got quite the death wish.
That’s just who I am. If I see someone in trouble, I can’t ignore it.
You can laugh at my reckless sense of justice if you want, but I don’t want an incident like this to happen again.
I don’t want there to be any more casualties.
I agree with you on that, but……
—Is that your only reason?
Huh?
Maybe it’s just my imagination, but I feel like that’s not your only reason for chasing after this case.
………
(Behind this case there lurks a taboo existence in our society.)
(I don’t want to drag someone who lives in the world of light, like him, into this…)
! Why did you suddenly speed up?! I told you to be careful while driving!
Well, it seems we don’t have that sort of luxury anymore!
We have company. Counting about five vehicles back there!
Those black cars—when did they…!
But, this is a main street. They shouldn’t be able to do anything too conspicuous!
I wonder about that. These guys will do just about anything to get what they want.
(The road ahead is blocked off……!? We’re going to crash at this rate!)
Hold onto me!
UWOOOOOO!
(He slipped through that tiny gap between the vehicles!?)
Let’s change our route! We need to shake off those pursuers first!
This is about to get rough! Don’t get thrown off!
……Understood!
This is the only use of 『俺』 in this first chapter. Every other line redacts it, but since they’re filming—and Chapter 3 uses 俺 in HiMERU’s dialogue—I used I (without “”) for the rest of these lines (because it's easier in English).
It's more like suspension [of duties], but HiMERU's character in this seems like the sort of guy to call it a house arrest instead. And Chiaki's response works well with it too, in my opinion.