To the City Center

Well then, shall we head for the city center?

That said, we're not going on foot.

That would take far too long.

"Let's use this to get around."

I take 'that' out of my Item Box.

"Is this... a motorcycle?"

"Yes. It's more maneuverable, and it'll get us there faster."

There are other cars and motorcycles we recovered, but I chose one that still had a key and had suffered little damage, with no flat tire.

This one is a little scratched too, but it should be fine to ride.

What, stolen? That's hardly an issue now.

"But, um... are you sure this is okay?"

"It's no problem."

I understand Ichinose-san's concern.

She's worried that monsters might be drawn over by the 'sound' of the motorcycle and come flocking to us.

But it's fine. That's not a problem.

I start the motorcycle's engine.

"Huh?"

As expected, Ichinose-san is surprised.

After all, the motorcycle's 'sound' is astonishingly quiet.

"I only noticed it myself just a little while ago, but it seems the Skill 'Silent Movement' extends its effect to anything I'm touching."

I realized that when I cut through furniture with the kitchen knife Aka had mimicked earlier.

At first, I thought it was just because of Aka's performance, but as I continued test-cutting, I noticed something felt off and realized it was the effect of another Skill.

I'd already finished testing my Skills when I became a 'Ninja,' but I completely overlooked this. It was also hard to notice because Item Box, 'Ninjutsu,' and 'Throwing' are primarily attack-oriented.

Incidentally, the effect on things I'm touching is somewhat weaker than it is on me.

It only makes sounds extremely quiet, like this.

Even so, this is a major benefit.

Used together with my Skills, it makes it harder for monsters to notice us, and it saves our stamina too.

And even if we are noticed, we can sometimes outrun slow monsters and get away.

At the very least, we can shake off anything about as fast as a Shadow Wolf.

We have plenty of gasoline too, so fuel won't be a problem.

"No, that's not what I meant..."

"Oh, are you worried about my driving skills? Those aren't a problem either."

I acquired the new Skill 'Riding' with the SP I got from leveling up just now, after all.

Apparently, 'Riding' applies to driving too, allowing me to bring out a motorcycle's full potential. It doesn't merge with it, though.

Incidentally, I'd already allocated the points I got from leveling up just now.

For JP, I raised 'Ninja' and 'Shadow Figure' to Level 5.

For SP, I acquired 'Riding' and 'Negotiation.' I raised 'Riding' to Level 2, 'Ninjutsu' to Level 6, and 'Odorless' and 'Silent Movement' to Level 5.

With this, I should be able to deal with both slow enemies and enemies with a keen sense of smell... I think.

And as for 'Negotiation'... well, you know... possibility is important, right?

I straddle the motorcycle and check how it feels.

Yeah... no problem. This should work.

"Aka, split up and 'Mimic' a helmet. Momo, get in the 'Shadow.'"

"Woof."

"...(shakes)"

That way, no one will see our faces.

Momo is hiding in the 'Shadow,' so I don't need to worry about moving it along.

I throw the other helmet Aka has mimicked to Ichinose-san.

"All right, Ichinose-san. Let's go."

"............"

But Ichinose-san freezes with the helmet in her hands.

I wonder what's wrong.

"Oh, wait. Are you uncomfortable riding behind a man?"

There's nothing we can do but ask her to put up with that...

I'll try not to pay attention to the contact as much as possible.

"No, that's not it..."

Ichinose-san awkwardly looks away.

"...I throw up as soon as I get on a vehicle."

"..."

Oh, that's what it was...

There really isn't anything we can do about that...

"I'm really sorry..."

Ichinose-san bows, looking genuinely apologetic.

"No, well, if that's the situation, it can't be helped."

It'd be a problem to force her to ride and have her throw up while we traveled.

We could also be tracked by the smell.

"...(shakes)"

Then Aka, disguised as the helmet Ichinose-san was holding, begins to shake.

It seemed to be saying that there would be no problem if she put it on.

No way, Aka... are you planning to catch all her vomit?

"...(shakes)"

Apparently, that meant yes.

Well, to Aka, vomit is probably just food.

'Woof.'

Furthermore, Momo, still hiding in the 'Shadow,' creates something like a seat belt out of 'Shadow.'

As if to say that this would keep Ichinose-san secured and solve the problem.

Do these two think Ichinose-san is some kind of moving luggage or something?

No, I'd like to think they're simply acting out of concern.

"Ichinose-san... Momo and Aka are willing to go this far for you. Would you try to tough it out, just for a little while?"

When I said that, Ichinose-san nodded after a long, long hesitation.

"............Y-yes."

It was an extremely, extremely feeble little voice.

But I'd gotten her word.

All right, let's get going.

We secure Ichinose-san in the back and set off for the city center.

After that, perhaps because her motion sickness was so severe, Ichinose-san apparently acquired 'Motion Sickness Resistance' partway there. In the end, you could say it worked out for the best.

Incidentally, Aka took care of all the vomit.

What a dependable slime.

A dozen or so minutes later.

We arrived in the city center.

I park the motorcycle somewhere inconspicuous, where there are no signs of people.

"Shall we get off here for now?"

"...Y-yes..."

Even through the helmet, I can immediately tell that Ichinose-san's face is deathly pale.

She gets off the motorcycle, though she's swaying.

I have to admire the fact that she still has her gun slung over her shoulder.

Once I've confirmed that Ichinose-san is off, I put the motorcycle away in my Item Box.

"So where should we head first?"

"Let's make the rounds of the supermarkets and convenience stores around here and gather supplies. Also, there should be a high school nearby, so let's collect information there."

We'll keep a low profile and stay hidden.

With our Jobs and Skills, Ichinose-san and I should be able to operate inside the building without any problems.

In fact, Ichinose-san should be able to show her true strength indoors.

"A high school..."

"Yes, it's my old school. Ichinose-san, you—ah."

I realize after saying it that it was a slip.

She's a shut-in. And she'd told me she'd dropped out of high school.

She probably doesn't want to remember it.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I went to that high school too. Though I have nothing but bad memories of it..."

A shadow slides over Ichinose-san's face.

"The school...? I'm sure it's been battered by monster attacks and left in ruins. That would be rather satisfying... Actually, I'd prefer it if it were destroyed. It should be destroyed, that place. Break, break, just break already. I hate school. I hate it so much. I hate all the people in my class who didn't help me. They should all be destroyed along with the school, hehehehe... Ahahahahahahahaha!"

"P-Please calm down, Ichinose-san!"

When I shake her shoulders, Ichinose-san returns to her senses.

"Huh...? Sorry. I guess I flipped another weird switch..."

"Ah, no, it's fine..."

No, it really isn't fine at all.

This girl really is a little messed up.

The darkness runs deep...

"Um, if this is too painful for you, should we go somewhere else?"

We don't have to deliberately go somewhere that might stir up her trauma.

It's not like we're going there for any reason other than its proximity.

"It's no problem."

But Ichinose-san firmly rejected my suggestion.

"No, but—"

"It's no problem."

"Oh. Okay."

She steamrolled me.

"Besides... there was one person."

"Huh?"

"...I had one close friend. I just hope they're not dead..."

"I see."

A close friend, huh.

I never had one.

I was a little jealous of that.

"I hope they're alive too."

"...Yes."

When I said that sincerely, Ichinose-san turned her face away, but smiled just a little.

And so, after gathering supplies, we decided to head to the school.