Tarousuke and Takeuchi-kun's group, left the scene of the riot before Nishino and Rose.

They moved away, leaving behind a row of hotels, and headed towards the inland area. They are currently passing through a neighborhood lined with local shops and restaurants that are also used by the residents.

During the day, this area is bustling with tourists looking for souvenirs. However, it is already getting dark, and there are only a few people on the street.

"As expected of Tarou-san!"

Walking beside Tarousuke, Takeuchi-kun said with an extremely excited expression.

He has always been the calm and mature figure on the school campus, sought after not only by the opposite sex but also by his classmates. However, while walking alongside his admired Tarou-san, his eyes sparkle, and he starts to show a side that is more in line with his age.

"No, it was thanks to your cooperation that we achieved these results. Well done."

On the other hand, Tarousuke consciously adopts a nonchalant attitude. While doing so, he also try to sound cool, believing that it adds to the current moment. As a matter of fact, right now, he's a rockstar whose heart is pounding while his hands and feet can't stop trembling.

He was desperately trying to hide his true self.

If it were possible, Tarousuke would wish to return home right away. He has decided in his heart that he will not go on overseas shoots for the time being. It seems that he is seriously considering taking a long vacation by taking one month off from work and staying only at home.

"That's not true! It's all thanks to you, Tarou-san that we—"

"—By the way! Um, W-What do we do from here onwards?!"

Matsuura-san interrupted Takeuchi-kun's remarks and asked that question in a loud voice.

Everyone's gaze naturally turned to her.

"T-Those scary people might come again!"

If it's the usual Matsuura-san, she would probably shrug her shoulders in response to the gathered gazes. She always stick to the doctrine of "nothing to do with me". By always pretending to be a small animal, her body moves own, seeking protection from those around her.

However, Matsuura-san, who understood the danger she was in, is a different story. Realizing that no one will come to her aid if she just waits, Matsuura-san is like a completely different person. Right now, her proactive nature disregards the school caste system.

In Matsuura-san's mind right now, the safety of both herself and Takeuchi-kun is her top concern.

Understanding her anxiety, Tarousuke replied in a calm tone.

"You're right. I should contact my colleagues at work and ask them to pick us up. I was planning to be back before it gets dark, so they must be looking for me to some extent. Unfortunately, those kidnappers took away my phone, so I guess I'll have to look for a payphone around here or borrow from someone to make some call."

"Eh? Are you serious!?"

"I'm sorry to say that you may feel a little cramped during the trip."

Tarousuke replied with a refreshing smile that made his white teeth shine.

Upon hearing this, a smile spread across the faces of everyone, including Takeuchi-kun. When it comes to shooting with celebrities, their instinctive reaction is to cheer and be excited, thanks to their high-ranking position in the school's social hierarchy. Bringing back this experience to the school will undoubtedly contribute to their social status improvement among their classmates.

Even just snapping a single photo together would serve as a kind of badge of honor—like Mito Kōmon's seal of authority.

"N-No! That's not true at all!"

As soon as Tarousuke's workplace was mentioned, Takeuchi-kun's excitement skyrocketed. The truth is, he wanted to become an idol rather than taking over his family's medical practice. At the age of seventeen, he dreamed of entering the entertainment industry after his career as an amateur fashion model. He thought that this could be an opportunity to make some connections or something of the sort.

"For the time being, we should find a shop that is still open at this time."

"""Yes!"""

All of their handheld devices were seized and destroyed beyond use during the abduction. To make a phone call, they began searching for an establishment that could provide this service. Tarousuke took the lead, and they chatted casually while walking along the dark streets.

After walking for a while, an establishment comes into view. Light is streaming out from the windows, indicating that the establishment is open for business. There are several cars parked around it, suggesting that customers have gathered there.

"Yatta! It's a shop! That's a shop right!?"

Risa-chan said happily.

"Yosha! I'm saved! Actually, I wanted to go to the restroom so badly."

"Suzuki, didn't you use the restroom in that hotel room earlier?"

"Because I held on halfway, the real thing came down now."

"Shall we go now?? Heyy? Hurry up!"

Following her, the others also eagerly raise their voices in delight.

As they walked, their pace naturally quickened. They were practically running as they headed towards the store. They crossed the spacious parking lot and they were greeted by the sound of a dry bell ringing, indicating that they had arrived at the entrance. The store interior was about 50 tatami mats in size, with a seating capacity of around 30 to 40 seats, including counter seats.

This store is estimated to be of medium size.

"I apologize for interrupting you while you're busy, but can I have a minute?"

Tarousuke quickly entered the store and headed towards the back. Takeuchi-kun's group follows behind like a flock of fledglings.

"I have enough money to pay, so I'd like you to lend me your phone for a little while..."

The waiter who was serving orders approached them and spoke in English. The sight of a Asian with young children at the restaurant late at night seemed to catch the attention of the other customers.

And among them, there was someone who Tarousuke and his friends could not ignore under any circumstances.

"—Oi. Look. Aren't those the kids that woman brought and kidnapped?"

It's the man and his companions who had captured them on the street a few hours ago. They were all sitting together at several tables, enjoying their meal in a relaxed atmosphere. One of them noticed Tarousuke and his friends and exclaimed.

Their gazes meet.

"This is bad, everyone, run away!"

The ikemen Tarousuke, who noticed this immediately shouted loudly.

Naturally, cries of terror erupted from Takeuchi-kun's group mouths.

"Are you serious!?"

"Wait a minute, that ossan wearing an Aloha shirt, wasn't he the one who kidnapped us!?"

"Do you really need to confirm that!?"

"Besides, didn't Tarou-san just say 'run away'!?"

Takeuchi-kun's group rushed out in a panic.

Tarousuke (who serves as the rearguard) is also hurrying at a fast pace.

"Diego-san, those guys..."

"Sometimes Asians aren't so bad, right? We don't need men, just kill them and bury them. Keep the women alive and capture them. You guys must also be frustrated being used by that woman, no? It's only natural to want to vent your frustrations."

Diego-san's mouth twisted into a sneer, looking malicious and unkind.

—It's the beginning of a chase game.

After leaving the restaurant, Tarousuke and the others ran frantically down the street.

On the other hand, the Aloha gang gets into a car and chases them.

The distance between the automobile group and leading pedestrian group is not significant. It would take only a few minutes for the former to catch up with the latter. The car's headlights are illuminating the immediate surroundings.

"Damn ittt, this month really isn't going welll!"

Was Tarousuke the one who blurted those words?

Takeuchi-kun, who is ahead of him, turns around and asks,

"T-Tarou-san! What should we do?!"

"Enter a narrow road! It should be a as narrow as possible so that cars cannot enter!"

"Understood!"

Tarousuke assists by giving instructions to Takeuchi-kun, who is leading the group.

Everyone obediently follows and runs with all their might, becoming drenched in sweat.

Their adventure seemed like it would continue a little longer, with Santorini at night as the backdrop.

Now we're on the hotel room where Francisca is waiting.

In the living room, just now appearing were Rose and a Gothic Lolita girl. As instructed by Nishino, the blonde Lolita, having escaped the commotion, had returned to the hotel with the silver-haired Lolita.

"Ara? You're back so soon..."

Francisca, who was relaxing on the sofa, felt someone's presence and turned to look at the entrance.

And as her gaze shifted, She witnessed a young girl held in Rose's arms.

She spectacularly spat out the tea she had in her mouth with a loud "boofghk". The spray flew a considerable distance, staining the living room floor all over. It reached about two or three meters away as she turned around, but luckily, it didn't reach Rose, who was standing in the doorway.

However, the one-piece that she is wearing is now soaked.

"Cough, cough, wait, wait, cough...!"

It seems it entered a better place, and now she begins to cough uncomfortably.

"That's dirty."

The responding side seemed to be in a bad mood with her eyebrows furrowing.

The fact that this situation happened just as she had returned from work added to her discomfort.

"Wait a minute, Rose-chan, w-why is that child..."

Francisca looks deeply distressed, perhaps still affected by the events of the afternoon. Unconsciously, she scratches her cheek with four fingers, excluding her thumb, with her right hand. Goosebumps have appeared densely on her forearms without her even realizing it.

"Wasn't retrieving this thing your request?

"W-Well, I did say that, cough... but still, this is a bit too much..."

It seems that she didn't expect them to bring her in so easily. It's a very simplistic way of thinking that even Nishino will have a hard time accomplishing this request. In Francisca's assessment of those two, he's just a futsumen with a big attitude, and the other one is simply a blond lolita.

"As always, you're a really rude woman, aren't you?"

Rose carried the Gothic Lolita girl and headed towards the sofa where Francisca was sitting. She neatly aligned the prosthetic leg, which showed no response at all, and made that girl sit down. Both her hands were placed on her knees. She's a blond Lolita who dutifully follows Nishino's words.

Naturally, Francisca's buttocks moved on its own, distancing herself from the girl as she shifted to the corner of the sofa. She leaned against the armrest, as if trying to create as much space as possible.

"It's as if the doll itself is playing with another doll." These words almost slipped out of her mouth after seeing the two of them.

After settling her body on the sofa, the girl opened her mouth.

"Onee-sama. There is something I would like to ask you."

"One thing I want to confirm. I wonder if it is possible to change the way you speak?"

"Onee-sama?"

"...I don't remember having a sister like you."

Rose sat down on the sofa opposite the Gothic Lolita girl and Francisca. As she begins to speak, her face displays a rather serious and disdainful expression. It's as if she's looking at something as repulsive as trash lying on the roadside.

However, the girl continues to casually reply without any signs of being bothered.

"Why did you help me? Please tell me the reason."

"What are you talking about? I never had any intention of helping you, you know?"

"Eh?"

"I just did my job, regardless of who the other person was. More importantly, why did you body suddenly collapse at that time? He said to bring you here, but I can't fully understand what happened."

"That is..."

Rose answers the question with a question.

Immediately, the Gothic Lolita girl shut her mouth.

It seems she doesn't want to say it.

"He was talking about the loss of supernatural power, but if that were to happen, why would you also lose the ability to move your limbs? While I was certainly impressed by how well you move for an artificial creation, I've been curious about it since our initial encounter."

She asked, looking at the prosthetic arms and legs that didn't move at all.

From what she can see, these prosthetic limbs don't seem much different from real ones. It appears that a considerable amount of money has been spent on them. However, it seems that there is no built-in drive system, as there is no sign of movement no matter how long she wait. The posture that carefully arranged by Rose remains unchanged, no matter how much time passes.

"...If I were to say it, would Onee-sama going to kill me?"

"My job is to ensure your safety, but I don't know what happens after that."

"S-So, what will happen to me from now on?"

"You can ask that old lady over there."

Rose points with her gaze at Francisca, who is sitting next to the girl.

There was a middle-aged woman desperately wiping her tea-stained dress with a handkerchief. As soon as she realized that the conversation had shifted towards her, she hastily folded the cloth and tucked it into her chest, straightened her posture, and opened her mouth to speak.

"I-I will send you back to your family's residence."

"...My home?"

"It has been about a month since you left the hospital room, aren't you starting to miss home?"

When asked, the Gothic Lolita girl displayed a slight hesitation.

She continued her phrase with a self-deprecating tone.

"Do you think my parents will warmly welcome me in this state? Besides, I got to know the outside world. It is a very exciting place. Living a secluded life inside the house is unbearable for me now. Above all, Onee-sama will not be there."

"After confirming your well-being, your parents requested us to search for you. Furthermore, whether you choose to go out or stay at home after returning to your parents' house, it is not our concern."

"The auntie is being mean to me, isn't she?"

"...I didn't mean to be harsh or anything."

Compared to her typical old lady tone, her speech is somewhat formal at the moment.

It seems she's not lying lying or joking when she explained to Nishino and Rose that this girl had a special background. All of this is undoubtedly due to nervousness.

"However, if Onee-sama says so, there's nothing I can do about not being able to move my limbs. Even though my body has become like this, I still don't want to die. It may be troublesome, but please transport me to my parents' house."

"Thank you for your cooperation. I will now begin the procedure, so please wait a moment."

With a handheld device in her hand, Francisca begins reaching out to contact various people.

Meanwhile, the Gothic Lolita girl speaks to Rose.

"Although it was part of your job, the fact that you helped me remains unchanged. Thank you once again, Onee-sama. Thanks to you, I narrowly escaped death. I can live another day."

There's no doubt that she was raised well.

Even when she is unable to move her hands and feet, she still bows respectfully from the neck upwards as a gesture of reverence.

On the other hand, Rose responds to this with a extremely cold and indifferent attitude, "This is my job. I don't need gratitude."

"Besides," she continued. "It wasn't me who saved you, but Nishino-kun."

"I have heard that name before. Who is this person called 'Nishino-kun'?"

"My future husband."

"Onee-sama's husband?"

Therefore, please don't talk to me anymore. Is what Rose is implicitly pleading, unable to bear the thought of being seen with weird gaze by Nishino. She is a blonde Lolita who would never dreamed of turning to homosexuality.

"...Does Onee-sama have a thing for that?"

The futsumen who was with Rose during the gunfight.

She pondered upon his appearance and responded with a puzzled expression.

"He looks just fine, but in my opinion, I don't think it is even close to being balanced."

"You don't sound certain as if you've heard it somewhere."

Wrinkles formed on Rose's forehead.

She seemed to be annoyed.

"I apologize if I offended you, Onee-sama."

"...I don't really care about your opinion."

"However, even if it were just a part of your job, I was extremely happy."

"In that case, you should thank Nishino-kun as well."

"If Onee-sama says so, I will also thank him."

"Good."

Perhaps, due to exhaustion or perhaps because she was with Rose, the Gothic lolita girl was very quiet. Her previously provocative speech seemed to have disappeared. Thanks to that, the blonde lolita was able to avoid getting heated up further.

She thought so, but...

"However, it is difficult, and perhaps even impossible now."

"...What do you mean by that?"

Rose's expression changes upon hearing a casual remark from the Gothic Lolita girl.

For her, the few words she just blurted out were exhilarating content not to be missed.

"I don't think it's possible for him to survive when surrounded by that many people."

"He is special, just like you. A lowly thug like them as his opponents is not even worth considering."

"Is that so?"

"In the past, he also dove into the midst of the enemy head-on and brought back the head of an organization's boss. Now that I think about it, at that time, the severed section of the head was frozen... and you were emitting flames? But I wonder if individuals have different affinities, such as fire or ice?"

"...Is that Asian person the same as me?"

"Yes, that's right. And it's not 'Asian person', call him 'Nishino-kun'."

"That's strange. Now that I think spoke as if he knew about it, but..."

"What seems to be the problem?"

"That Asian person has never used powers against me. I did notice his skilled moves and familiarity, as if he were used to it. But not using powers at all would be suicidal. At least I'm not willing to be in such a situation."

"Maybe you weren't worth it? And, it's not 'Asian person', it's 'Nishino-kun'."

"I don't get the reason for not using powers, especially when it involves rubbing a blade against the carotid artery."

The girl affirms.

Rose was also shaken by this.

The clash between the two seemed more dangerous than she had imagined.

"...If that's the case, why?"

"Perhaps, he currently can't use his supernatural powers just like me?"

"......"

"At least, I have only seen that Asian person using a gun."

"Gun... Indeed, at that time too, Nishino-kun had a gun...."

Upon hearing the girl's words, Rose harbored a doubt. The uneasiness she felt during the commotion might not have been a misunderstanding after all.

However, if that were indeed the case, what would happen to Nishino? It could be inferred that an unfavorable situation awaited her.

"W-Wait a minute. If that were the case..."

The restless feeling, unlike anything she's ever experienced before, emerges deep within her heart.

"Can you please explain in more detail!"

There were figures moving in the darkness of the night on the beach, which is located not far from the hotel district in Fira. They had gathered in one spot on the sand, surrounding and focusing on something at their feet. All of them were men, and there were no signs of any women.

—The object of these men's gaze is the figure of Nishino, his body buried in the sand on the beach with a rope tied in a goose-knot around his neck.

He proved unable to quell the commotion with just one pistol. Once his financial situation was exposed, it took only a few minutes for them to collectively pounce on him and apprehend him.

"Oi. Wake up."

The sunglasses man in a suit kicked Nishino in the cheek with the tip of his foot.

A loud and pleasant sound reverberates throughout the area.

"......"

A faint groan escapes from the futsumen's tightly closed mouth.

Apart from the voices they emit, the only sound that echoes is the endless repetition of the waves. Thanks to that, even a slight agony sounds strangely loud. Yet the fact that nobody notices is because this place is appropriately hidden in the depths.

"You've really done it now. Thanks to you, we're now at less than half."

The man in a suit groans with frustration.

"Quite a fragile organization, isn't it?"

"......"

The futsumen has swollen eyes, nose, mouth, and various parts of his face, yet he still puts up a brave front.

The man in a suit once again directed his feet towards his face.

Thud! This time, his forehead was struck hard by the tip of the man in a suit's toe.

"......"

The hard leather rubbed against his skin, causing the torn skin to start oozing red liquid.

He was unable to move.

He thought that if it were a soft sandy ground, he might be able to get out by moving his arms and legs in small increments. However, his lack of experience in being buried by friends on a summer beach caused his easy judgement to be easily deceived due to his lack of communication.

The sand that got wet in the water was heavier than he had imagined.

"In a few more minutes, this place will be at the bottom of the sea. Can you see the difference in color on the rocks of that cave over there? When the tide rises, the sea level will reach up to that point. The next time you are noticed by someone, this surface will have turned into a creepy monument called 'Dozaburo', where no one dares to approach."

"......"

"...How about saying something?"

"Do you want someone to talk to? Even though you already have plenty of companions?"

"I have lost so many of my comrades to just one kid. Even if we exclude the incident with the boss, we are left with nothing but remnants. Thanks to this, I can no longer return to my country. Now we need to discuss where we can escape with the remaining people."

"If you explain in a sincere and polite manner, you might be able to get them to understand unexpectedly."

"......"

The futsumen's remark remains the same, and the sunglasses man in suit's legs start moving again.

The pointed tip of the leather shoe caught Nishino's left eyeball.

"Gah..."

Nishino's body was shaken by a pain that seemed to penetrate to the back of his head.

However, Nishino never stops making light-hearted comments.

"...Is it even all right to sell oil in a place like this, right now? You guys need to escape quickly, or the pursuers will arrive soon. And they happen to be the most notorious individuals in this world. With your level of organization, there's no way you can fend them off."

He's making such remarks with red liquid dripping from his eye that got kicked.

However, his end is definitely approaching.

Behind the futsumen, just a few centimeters away, a wave is approaching. Occasionally, a strong wave reaches the back of his head, making the nape of his neck feel chilly. If the water continues to rise like this, it won't be long before his head is submerged underwater.

"...Bring it on. It's impressive how you can put on a brave face like that, even when you're alone.

The sunglasses man in suit started straightening his disheveled clothes as if this was the end. It seems to be as Nishino mentioned earlier, it is likely due to the concern of being pursued by someone. There was definitely a hint of impatience on his face.

He glanced at his comrades around him. In response, the other members also turned their heels and left Nishino's vicinity. As he took one final glance over his shoulder, the tip of the wave had already started to trickle around Nishino's mouth.

"We are also victims in this case, so let's not hold a grudge."

After saying a few words, the man in the suit left.

After a while, the sound of a car engine could be heard from a few meters ahead, near the rocky area. However, it didn't last long and quickly faded away, becoming inaudible. Left behind was Nishino, buried in the ground up to his neck.

"It's quite thoughtful of you to position me vertically."

Depending on the condition of the hole, it might have been possible to escape. However, it seemed that the other person was experienced in this kind of work. No matter how much he tried to brace his body, the accumulated soil showed no signs of moving. He was constantly wasting his energy.

"Ugh... This..."

Even so, Nishino continued to struggle desperately. There was not a trace of him giving up on his own life. No matter how cornered he was, his determination to keep fighting until the very moment of death could be sensed from this average-looking guy.

However, the ebb and flow of the tide is mercilessly mechanical, oblivious to his convenience or efforts. The waves relentlessly approach, and before he knows it, the seawater engulfs his mouth. He twists his neck and points his nostrils upward, barely able to breathe.

After another two or three minutes, he will be engulfed by the waves.

"Guu..."

Following the rhythm of the ebbing and flowing waves, he repeated shallow breaths.

Little by little, he became unable to obtain sufficient oxygen necessary to move his body.

"Cough... Up...!"

Soon, the seawater completely covered his mouth and nose. Nevertheless, Nishino desperately moved his body. Bound by ropes all over his body, beneath the ground, he wriggled awkwardly like a caterpillar. With each movement, air leaked out from his mouth and nose, forming bubbles that reached the surface of the sea.

His painful wound stung, resembling a burning sensation, as it was immersed in the salty sea water. However, he knew that this was the only thing keeping him going. He understood that once this pain subsided, his life would also be lost. This understanding fueled his determination to fight on.

"Nngh, guu...."

He lost his breath for just over three minutes.

Finally, even the bald spot of the futsumen was swallowed by the waves.

At the same time, strength is lost throughout his entire body.

"......"

A large, thick bubble of air was spat out onto the surface of the sea.

It seems he finally lost consciousness due to lack of oxygen.

His hair, which has become wet and lost its bulk, begins to sway on the sea surface like seaweed as the waves ebb and flow. The red liquid that leaked from the forcefully hit eye began to mingle with the water, forming streaks as it drifted underwater.

Since then, he has transformed into a futsumen who no longer utters phrases such as "Nngh" or "Guh."

He's completely dead silent.

After one night passes, his entire body will absorb water and apparently transform into a magnificent "Dozaemon".